Modern spiritism; its science and religion - SpiritArchive.org

SPIRITISM AND CHRISTIANITY 211
S.P.R. and Spiritism
There can be no doubt that with Spiritism must
be closely associated (however little they like it)
the S.P.R. ,
whose annual volumes are now fully
occupied in verifying (or otherwise) Spiritist phenomena.
There can be no doubt that, though they
do not blindly support it, or profess any opinions
concerning it, they give a sort of semi-scientific
"cachet" to its somewhat dubious proceedings
that is still sorely needed. I am glad to be able to
acknowledge here that on the ethical side, setting
aside for the moment the immense harm it has done,
Spiritism has done some good, but only to unbelievers.
It claims, indeed, that the "stupid materialism
of yesterday has been exploded by the facts of
Spiritism. The blind infidelity of the past has given
place to a craving to get in touch with the realities
of the unseen world." This witness is partly true;
but, as I said, it is only "blind infidelity" that has
been instructed; and not, I fear, in the "realities"
of the unseen world," for these are, as I shall show,
entirely unknown to Spiritism, but in the bare fact
of its existence.
Holman Hunt and Ruskin
For instance, Holman Hunt said to Ruskin, "When
last we met you declared you had given up all belief
in immortality.
"I remember well," said Ruskin, "but what has
mainly caused the change in my views is the unanswerable
evidence of Spiritism. With this once
proved I have no further interest in Spiritism."
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