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Experimental investigation of the spirit manifestations, [electronic ...

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APOLOGY FOR MY CONVERSION. 135tloubt whe<strong>the</strong>r .iny o<strong>the</strong>r exphinatlon can bo given, that will appear at allreasonable. It is very evident that <strong>the</strong>re is an intelligence that governs<strong>the</strong> world; but if that intelligence has given us no revelation exceptingwhat is *in nature, <strong>the</strong>n it appears to me that every thing that can giveus any knowledge <strong>of</strong> what wc arc to be hereafter, is valuable beyond allprice. Uncertainty upon this matter is painful, but <strong>the</strong>n wc know solittle about <strong>the</strong> Deity, that I think <strong>the</strong>re is great uncertainty in our views<strong>of</strong> what he does, ei<strong>the</strong>r to prevent or bring to pass <strong>the</strong> good and evil thatwe sec around us. Yours, very respectfully,Amasa IIolcomb.Some parts <strong>of</strong> a Idler toMr. Holcomhj in re]}Jy to <strong>the</strong> parts <strong>of</strong> his letterrelating toSpiritualisin.PiiiLADELniiA, February 24, 1854.705. Dear Sir : There is a great resemblance in your sentiments, as describedin your letter <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 20th, (just received,) and those which I entertain,excepting that while I am very desirous—I may say extremelydesirous—to learn something which may proveano<strong>the</strong>r state <strong>of</strong> existence,I am not unhappy at my not being able to find out <strong>the</strong> truth. If I haveless hopes, I have also less fears, than those who have heaven and hellboth to encounter. I do not envy those who are placed in <strong>the</strong> situation<strong>of</strong> depending upon <strong>the</strong> estimate which may be formed <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m hereafter,whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong>y are to be placed among <strong>the</strong> " sheep^^ or'•''<strong>the</strong> goats.^'706. It is true that <strong>the</strong> gospel holds out <strong>the</strong> idea on one hand that intensebelief, called faith, will wash away sin; but on <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r, it is said,that ^Mie who knoweth his Master's will, yet doetli it not,'' shall be beatenwith many stripes, while he who is ignorant <strong>of</strong> that will, and doeth it not,shall be beaten with few. Under <strong>the</strong>se circumstances, who can escapeflagellation ? Who is it that does <strong>the</strong> will <strong>of</strong> God, as enumerated byChrist ? Who loves his neighbour as himself ? AYho presents a secondcheek on receiving a blow on one ? Who gives his coat, when his cloakhas been taken ? Who returns good for evil ? Who acts as if it were ashard for a rich man to go to heaven as for a camel to get through <strong>the</strong> eye<strong>of</strong> a needle ?707. Unless our missionaries can make better Christians abroad than<strong>the</strong>y leave at home, it were inhuman to add to <strong>the</strong> number, who are to bepre-eminently punished for <strong>the</strong>ir neglect <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir Master's will, while fullyapprized <strong>of</strong> it. In many cases a pagan will be better <strong>of</strong>f than his nominallyChristian instructor, although he should not prove a convert toChristianity.708. My sentiments are much like those which Socrates expressed.I hope for a future icorld, and <strong>the</strong>rein to have a hap)pier existence. Allthose reasons which have been advanced by wise and good men in favour<strong>of</strong> such futurity, operate upon my mind as upon <strong>the</strong>irs ; but if <strong>the</strong>re bo

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