THE great intellectual enlightenment of the present age does not save it from being an age of abounding superstition and humbug. The New York Christian Advocate remarks upon the evidences of this which are apparent in that city. “If people were to form an idea of the religious and intellectual state of the city of New York by some of the advertisements for Sunday services,” it says, “they would imagine common sense to be at a discount, and humbug and folly at a premium.” The Advocate cites by way of illustration, “a few announcements of a recent Saturday,” thus:— Mrs. —, a psychic teacher, will expound the religion of science; the soul’s immortality will be demonstrated through natural law, etherealization, materialization. . . . For those who do not like the above, this blasphemous advertisement had its attractions: “Christ Jesus (Manna Mysteria) now in the flesh will demonstrate personally. Angel of Light (Jennie) gives helpful messages from Summerland.” Very appropriately this performance is in Chimney Hall. Then there are a woman and a man who will furnish “materializations” and such “communion with departed friends” as demonstrates immortality. A woman, who calls herself a “phenomenal psychic,” promises to surpass all others. From first to last they are humbugs. . . . We mention these things simply to show that under the broad mantle of New World civilization the miserable superstitions of China, and, of the Egyptians of old, when spirits peeped and muttered, are burrowing like moles, loving darkness rather than light, but claiming to possess light and to give light. How much response would there be to such advertisements if those to whom they are addressed would search the Scriptures and receive into their hearts the soul-stirring truths of divine revelation? Faith is the antidote, and the only antidote, for superstition and religious humbug; and in proportion as faith declines, these will flourish, notwithstanding all the progress that may be made in mere intellectual enlightenment.