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

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

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INSTINCTIVE IMPRESSION 149s'ulcred as p;oats, all above tlio pluiie as sliccp. J'ivldently, between <strong>the</strong>soul just above, and that just below <strong>the</strong> plane, <strong>the</strong>re would be only a shade<strong>of</strong> diftcrcnce ;yet <strong>the</strong> one would have to go to hell, <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r to heaven,eternally.7()'2. According to Spiritualism, on entering <strong>the</strong> <strong>spirit</strong> world each soulfinds its just level by a sort <strong>of</strong> moral specific gravity, in which merit isinversely as weight. Every soul, moreover, has <strong>the</strong> privilege <strong>of</strong> reforming,and rising proportionally to <strong>the</strong> improvement thus obtained.763. One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most agreeable conceptions attending our future existencein <strong>the</strong> spheres, is that <strong>of</strong> being restored to <strong>the</strong> appearance <strong>of</strong> youth<strong>the</strong> decrepitude and wrinkles <strong>of</strong> age, <strong>of</strong> disease, mutilation, deformity,ugliness, are all avoided in <strong>the</strong> <strong>spirit</strong>ual body. The insane are restored toreason, <strong>the</strong> idiot gradually improved in mind.DISCORDANCE AS TO THE WHEREABOUT OF THE SCRIPTURAL HEAVEN.—INSTINCTIVE IMPRESSION AS TO HEAVEN BEING OVERHEAD.7G4. There is no small degree <strong>of</strong> contradiction in Scripture respecting<strong>the</strong> locality <strong>of</strong> heaven. In addressing <strong>the</strong> thief, paradise is identified withheaven by Christ. ^'St. Paul is alleged to have been taken up into paradise,"says Harbaugh ;yet, according to <strong>the</strong> map accompanying <strong>the</strong> work<strong>of</strong> Josephus, Paradise is represented as being upon <strong>the</strong> river Tigris, near <strong>the</strong>Persian Gulf. The idea given <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> abode <strong>of</strong> Adam and Eve, in Grenesis,conveys <strong>the</strong> impression that it was a terrestrial locality.765. In <strong>the</strong> Decalogue <strong>the</strong> abbreviation <strong>of</strong> life is threatened as <strong>the</strong> punishmentfor not honouring parents, and God is alleged to have held out<strong>the</strong> promised land to Moses, instead <strong>of</strong> comforting him by a clairvoyantview <strong>of</strong> a place <strong>of</strong> blissful enjoyment in some celestial region.766. Elijah was carried up to heaven in <strong>the</strong> sight <strong>of</strong> Elisha. The commandmentmakes heaven above, <strong>the</strong> earth beneath. Christ was seen ascendingby his disciples, and according to <strong>the</strong> apostles' creed, after descendinginto hell, he arose on <strong>the</strong> third day and ascended into heaven. YetJosephus consigns both heaven and hell to a subterranean region, like <strong>the</strong>Elysian Fields and Erebus <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> hea<strong>the</strong>n, but places <strong>the</strong>m on each side<strong>of</strong> a lake <strong>of</strong> everlasting fire. This representation is sanctioned in <strong>the</strong>allusion by Christ to Dives, Lazarus, and Abraham ; <strong>the</strong> former, broilingto eternity, requests that Lazarus should get a little water to cool <strong>the</strong> tip<strong>of</strong> his tongue. This Abraham declares to be imposdhle. Hence it appears<strong>the</strong> parties were so near as to converse with each o<strong>the</strong>r, and for thosewho were blest to witness <strong>the</strong> sufferings <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> damned.toThus, accordingChrist as well as Josephus, heaven and hell are in immediate proximity,and both must be in <strong>the</strong> infernal regions.

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