[Mee-tay-wee] The principal of these is what they call the Mee-tay-wee, a ceremony I shall compare to freemasonry. But the initiations are public. Every one that chuses comes to see them, and many are invited. Here, in the course of initiation, are ceremonies or deviltries performed that no man of his own mere dexterity or power _can_ do. [Conjuring] The next principal one is conjuring. This is a principle I believe as natural to man as the air he breathes (though not _so_ necessary). Everyone wishes to peep into futurity, and there are few but who would not inquire into causes could they do it, or were it not forbidden them. These two, of course, are consequences or consequents of their mythology. There are many in the civilized or Christian world who absolutely and positively deny this power of theirs as being absolutely impossible and at best [believe them] but absurd and idle stories. [Evidence of Spirits through Conjuring Practice] Many of the things related of these conjurings I acknowledge to be so. But at the same time I am as positively and as firmly persuaded of the truth of the assertion _that they have dealings with some supernatural spirit_, as I am convinced that I live and breathe in air. [That is] unless, indeed, we chuse to acknowledge and believe a certain sect of philosophers (of the last century I believe) who _wish_ to tell us that we _only imagine ourselves alive_. And I am by no means inclined to acknowledge myself as superstitious. I am convinced of this from reason, argument, comparison--in short, from _analysis_. Let any one man, unless he be a headstrong brute who is _determined_ beforehand not to be convinced, analyse their _discourses_, and I am confident he will believe as much as many, or have great doubts at least. To absolutely deny this, we must first deny that there is a Devil, and afterwards deny his pernicious power. {42} And if we deny these points, we must descend to a third, and [one] more fit for an atheistical wretch and a beast than a Christian, or even rational creature. I have heard some sensible and well informed gentleman deny it on the plea of their _ignorance_. But this again is _a_ basis and very solid one. These people are still in a complete state of nature. Their ideas of the true God are far from clear or correct. They acknowledge Him indeed as the supreme and absolute master of all, but more, or rather as, a passive _deity_ [more] than as he really is. But their notions of their other deities came far more near the truth.