Let those scoff who choose

Prayer is like advertising in the newspapers. We make known our wants to those in the spirit world who take a pleasure in responding to requests of the kind we put forth; just as some specially learned among us take pleasure in imparting to enquirers the knowledge which is their particular forte. These spirits—men—have means of knowledge on the subjects that we pray for and so they respond to the call more readily. When, therefore, we are told how multitudinous the victims of ill-fated marriages are who are found in the spirit world—still suffering the terrible consequences of their former folly—we can easily imagine that, as they obtain relief and happiness in their sufferings by rendering that aid to others which they are best qualified to give, they respond readily to prayers for help in that direction. Since the whole future welfare of the human race depends upon the knowledge which guides the present generation in the selection of their partners for life—these being necessarily the progenitors of the next generation—how all-important this question must appear to those who calmly consider it.