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

AS NEW AS THE TELEGllAni. 175iuvcstig;ilion, I liiiJ iiiy.sclf' sunoimdcd by inveterate skeptics lUuoDg myown family friends and most of my comrades in science.001. There is scarcely a country besides this in which I should escapelegal penalties or tyrannical restraint, in expressing the opinions which Imost devoutly entertain, and am impelled irresistibly to express; and,although in this country, free from legal penalties, there is scarcely anorthodox female tongue belonging to some of the best of the sex (in allother respects amiable) which will not devote itselfuniversally in the serviceof bigotry and intolerance.902. ]]ut beside the arguments thus founded, there is another, restingon the fact that had there been any intellectual communication with thespirit world, there could not have been such an ignorance of the religiousdoctrines which there prevail. There is in that world no diversity asrespects the existence and unity of God 3nor as to the unimportance ofthose creeds which have caused in this world so much mischief, by theThe superior efficacy ofconsequent animosity, persecutions, and warfare.good works over creeds is by the Itiglier spirits invariably insisted upon.903. Then, agreeably to the same authority, the idea of an omnipotent,omniscient, and prescient God being under the necessity of subjectingthings to trial, is considered as involving a contradiction ; the premisesbeing irreconcilable with the conclusion. There is not an elevated spiritthat will not answer in the affirmative, every query proposed in the versesinserted, (page 34.)904. There is but one sentiment as respects the question between probationand progression, and that is in favour of the latter.'' Onward andupward is the motto on our spiritual banner.^' Such is the language held,and repeated over and over again.It would not take a quarter of an hourfor a spirit to pour information into the ear of a mortal which, if credited,would put an end to allhonest discord respecting religion, and induce thatmortal thenceforth to look to the spirit world as his ultimate destination.The language of the paragraph in the address through Lanning, would gohome to every human mortal having reason to comprehend it, so thatwhatever they might pursue in this world would be with an ultimate viewto ascendancy in the other.(See Preface.)905. Bigotry, fanaticism, selfish sectarianism, the want of media andbold, enlightened investigators, seem to have formed impenetrable obstaclesto the promulgation of a knowledge of t1!e greatest importance to humanprosperity, morals, and future happiness. No doubt that so much evilshould arise merely from want of a knowledge so near at hand, is one ofthe facts which human reason finds it most difficult to reconcile with thepower and goodness of the Almighty lluler of the universe; but that is adifficulty which exists in case any one creed be assumed as true ;since nonehas been heretofore so communicated as to be within the reach of mankindin general.Meanwhile the error has originated in various sects, that they