Chapter I: Preface

This book has been written in extreme haste. It does not pretend to literary style. But it pretends to absolute truthfulness and a reverent regard for justice.

Its sole value is its character as a contribution to the real history of Spiritualism. As such, it is unquestionably of great importance, greater even than any work of the kind that has been published since the beginning of modern Spiritualism.

It is, in fact, what its title sets forth--"THE DEATH-BLOW TO SPIRITUALISM."

No one who does not love illusion for illusion's sake--better, in other words, than he loves the truth--can, after reading this volume, remain a follower of Spiritualism and its hypocritical apostles.

The full authorization of Mrs. MARGARET FOX KANE and Mrs. CATHERINE FOX JENCKEN for the publication of this work will be found on the next to the following page.

_29th October, 1888._

We hereby approve of Mr. Reuben B. Davenport's design to write a true account of the origin of Spiritualism and of our connection therewith, and we authorize him to make proper use of all data and material that we furnish him.

New York, 15th Oct., 1888.

Margaret Fox Kane
Catherine Fox Jencken

CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION.

Poetic Justice of the Exposure 13

II. RENUNCIATION.

Chapter. Page

I. "God Has Not Ordered It." 25
II. The Discomfited Enemy. 39
III. A Second Blow. 53
IV. The Hand of the Persecutor. 60
V. Solemn Abjuration. 65

III. HISTORY.

VI. Origin of the Fraud. 81
VII. Garbled and Distorted Testimony 94
VIII. Development of the Fraud 102
IX. The Mercenary Campaign. 121
X. Spiritualistic Boomerangs. 131
XI. The Supreme Audacity of Fraud. 150
XII. A Scientific Jury. 164
XIII. The Unalterable Verdict. 201

IV. REPENTANCE.

XIV. The Heart Pleads for the Soul. 209
XV. From Shadow to Light. 231

INDEX. 241

I. INTRODUCTION.