WCP2589

[1]¹

CHICAGO, U. S. A.,

April 24 1892

Dear Professor Wallace:

It is long since we corresponded — but I broke down last autumn from overwork and the Grippe, was obliged to give up all work, and have only just now returned to my usual avocations. I write specially to send you the enclosed, which I think will interest you, and to say how proud and pleased we shall be to have you on the Advisory Council of the Congress, whether or not you can be in Chicago in 1893 at the World’s Fair. We sincerely hope to see you there then — but if not that that you will send us a paper to be read before the Congress, and form part of it’s published proceedings. We leave the subject entirely to your own choice — but I would suggest, what would probably accord with your own inclination, that you select some topic in pure spiritualism to be treated from your own standpoint. There is no one in the World from whom such an utterance would be received with greater respect, or do more real good. We hope to have all shades of belief and opinion, fairly and fully represented in this congress, either in person, or by means of papers read by proxy; and believe that should we succeed in carrying our plans in to effect, the world will be the gainer, and the year 1893 will mark an era in the history of human thought. You have borne the "burden of conviction" strongly and nobly for so many years, that one should hesitate to ask you ^to do yet more for the cause to which your belief commits you — but this is no ordinary occasion, and one which would be incomplete without you. Kindly let me hear from you at your early convenience, giving us your views and wishes, and such criticism of our plans and purposes as your long experience and ripe judgement may have to offer. Meanwhile, believe me to be, dear Professor, with warm personal regard,

Very sincerely yours | Elliott Coues [signature]