As some of these poems, appearing at various times, have been severely criticized in the past, so I would say now, that if any there should be, who, through bigotry, or prejudice, or a desire to display their superior wisdom, should choose to criticize them in their present form--to such I shall make no answer. But to all those earnest and inquiring souls, who feel that in such experiences as I have described, or in the resources from which my soul has drawn its supply, there is aught that is attractive or desirable to them, I would say, “God speed you in your search for Truth!” At the same time let me assure you, that in the depths of your own Inner Life there is a fountain of inspiration and wisdom, which, if sought aright, will yield you more abundant satisfaction than any simple cup of the living water which I, or any other individual, can place to your lips. There are invisible teachers around you, the hem of whose garments I am unworthy to touch. “The words that they speak unto you--they are Spirit and they are Life.” “In order to _know_ more you must _be_ more.” Faith strikes its roots deep in the spirit, and often Intuition is a safer guide than Reason. When a man, by constant practice, has so quickened his spiritual perceptions that he can receive conscious impressions from his invisible attendants, he will never be without counsellors. “Let Faith be given To the still tones that oft our being waken-- They are of Heaven.” The Spirit-World is not so distant as it seems, and the veil of Materiality which hides it from our view, by hopeful and untiring aspiration can be rent in twain. We only need listen earnestly and attentively, and we shall soon learn to keep step in the grand march of Life to the music of the upper spheres. As a popular author has beautifully said, “Silence is vocal, if we listen well.” With a sublime accord, the great anthem of the Infinite “rolls and resounds” through the Universe, and whosoever will, can listen to that harmony, till all special and particular discords shall die out from the “Inner Life,” and the Heaven of the celestial intelligences shall blend with the “Heaven within,” in perfect unison! POEMS FROM THE INNER LIFE. PART I. POEMS FROM THE INNER LIFE. THE PRAYER OF THE SORROWING. “And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven strengthening him.” God! hear my prayer! Thou who hast poured the essence of thy life Into this urn, this feeble urn of clay; Thou who amid the tempest’s gloom and strife Art the lone star that guides me on my way; When my crushed heart, by constant striving torn, Flies shuddering from its own impurity, And my faint spirit, by its sorrows worn, Turns with a cry of anguish unto thee-- Hear me, O God! my God!