Experimental investigation of the spirit manifestations .. - New Age ...

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INTRODUCTION.
As introductory to this work, I shall make a few brief remarks on the
following topics :
Objects of religion.—Diversity of opinion as to the means by which
they have been attainable.—Every sect, excepting one, would vote against
any one.—Consequent sentiments of the Author as embodied in verse.
Reasons for his believing in the existence of a Deity.—American priesthood
eminently honest
and pious.—If people who have obtained a belief
in immortality by one route are better and happier therefor, why object
that others, by another route, should attain the same ends.—The table, no
less than our firesides, an object of interest.—Inconsistency of those who
make their Deity pass through all the stages of human existence, from
the embryo to maturity, in objecting to the transient employment of tables.
Use of the tables soon laid aside in the manifestations to which the Author
has resorted.—Inconsistency of accusing Spiritualists of undue incredulity
as to scriptural miracles, and of the opposite defect as respects spiritual
manifestations.— Of certain savans who strain at spiritual gnats, yet
swallow scriptural camels.—Miracles of Scripture, if they ever occurred,
can never be repeated ; but the manifestations of Spiritualism will be repeated
with an improved and a multifarious efficiency.—Religion and
positive or inductive science having, under the guidance of devotion and
atheism, been made to travel in opposite directions, are by Spiritualism
so associated as to travel together in the same direction.—The atheist
Comte would dissolve the union between theology and science.—According
to Comte, where true science begins, the domain of theology terminates,
being only a creature of the imagination.—According to Spiritualism,
it is the domain of ignorance that is lessened, while theology, founded on
knowledge, grows with its growth, and strengthens with its strength.
An effort to refute the idea of Comt6, that the phenomena of the sidereal
creation can be explained by gravitation; which, left to itself, would
consolidate all the matter in the universe into an inert lump.—Suggestions
respecting the devil.—Arguments founded on ignorance
1. On all sides I presume that it will be admitted that the great objects
of religion are as follows :
2. To furnish the best evidence of the existence of a Supreme Deity,
and of his attributes.
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