Modern spiritism; its science and religion - SpiritArchive.org

EXPLANATIONS OF PHENOMENA 95
actions (in Spiritism) it becomes somewhat of a
mountebank. In one part of the world (France)
it declares spirits undergo reincarnation, and tells
the story of their past existence; in England, on the
contrary, it generally asserts that they do not become
reincarnate. It deludes itself, or it deludes us.
Why does it do so ? It asks for nothing, neither for
money, nor prayers, nor thoughts. What is the use
of these puerile pranks
? It must be for the pleasure
of lying; and yet I cannot believe the truth is as
hideous as this. So far no conclusion can be drawn.
It seems a fantastic literary exercise."
It must, of course, be remembered that the world
of spirits, as revealed in the Bible, contains not only
evil spirits of various orders, but those that are good
and beneficent, though these latter are not much in
evidence at seances. None of these, however, are the
spirits of the dead.
Sceptics
We have not so far spoken of absolute sceptics in
Spiritism. Sceptics, who have inquired into it, are
not a numerous body. Faraday, a Christian
Scientist, found in Spiritism nothing worthy of
attention, nor any force or information of the least
use or value to mankind.* Dr. A. Eulenberg
says: "I am not aware of a single argument of
any importance" (in favour of Spiritism). Robert
Browning was the only distinguished sceptic at
* Far different is the verdict of others. The effect of Spiritism
as to belief in another world on an equally distinguished
man is worth noticing. Alfred Russel Wallace was a thorough
sceptic and materialist, till the facts of Spiritism convinced him
of the spirit universe.