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

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176 INFLUENCE OP MUNDANE WEALTHhave been especially favoured by Cod, so that <strong>the</strong>y alone <strong>of</strong> all his creatureshave had true light let in upon <strong>the</strong>m.906. Happily, from <strong>the</strong> raode in which <strong>the</strong> light <strong>of</strong> Spiritualism hasbeen received by its present votaries, it may be gradually extended to all<strong>the</strong>ir fellow-creatures: and meanwhile those who enjoy this light do notassume that <strong>the</strong>ir fcllow-ereatures who are in this respect less fortunate,are on that account to be censured, denounced, and persecuted as far as <strong>the</strong>power to persecute goes. Spiritualists believe <strong>the</strong> wonderful <strong>manifestations</strong>on which <strong>the</strong>ir creed rests, to have far more testimony in its favour thanany o<strong>the</strong>r before accredited ; and that <strong>the</strong> <strong>manifestations</strong> relied on beingmore recent, and observed by multitudes <strong>of</strong> eye-witnesses, known by <strong>the</strong>irneighbours to be truthful, have, as mere hearsay pro<strong>of</strong>, an immense superiorityover <strong>the</strong> recorded tradition <strong>of</strong> an obscure, illiterate, superstitiousage and country. But <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> same privilege which has been enjoyed byone set <strong>of</strong> observers belongs to any succeeding number, and no less to succeedingages than to this. It is not assumed that any special inspirationappertains to any existing being, as an instrument <strong>of</strong> promoting truth, thatwill not inure to o<strong>the</strong>rs. No particular exclusive capacity for miracles isclaimed for this age ; on <strong>the</strong> contrary, <strong>the</strong> belief is that in this, as in o<strong>the</strong>rthings, <strong>the</strong>re will be improvement and progression, and that posterity willlearn directly from <strong>the</strong> same high angelic source whence we learn.907. The more <strong>the</strong> moral code <strong>of</strong> Spiritualism is contrasted with thatwhich has heret<strong>of</strong>ore prevailed, <strong>the</strong> better we shall be pleased. We challenge<strong>the</strong> strongest, <strong>the</strong> most learned <strong>of</strong> those who adhere to that dispensation,to meet us ore rotiindo sen currente calamo. Confident in <strong>the</strong> strength<strong>of</strong> truth and <strong>the</strong> feebleness <strong>of</strong> error, <strong>the</strong> writer <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se lines fears notany competitor who makes error his client.INFLUENCE OF MUNDANE WEALTH INTHE WORLD TO COME.According to <strong>the</strong> Splrltucd Code, riches elevate or degrade according to<strong>the</strong> virtue displayed in <strong>the</strong>ir acquisition and employment.908. The great object <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> more prudent and calculating portion <strong>of</strong>mankind, is to provide for that old age which <strong>the</strong>y all hope to attain, or, ifit be not reached, to provide <strong>the</strong> means for <strong>the</strong>mselves or ftimilies whichmay insure a comfortable if not luxurious support, in case sickness ormutilation should deprive <strong>the</strong>m <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> power <strong>of</strong> making money, or competencyto earn wages.909. But how precarious and fleeting are any such worldly advantages,when compared with those <strong>of</strong> an eternal home, where every thing desirablemay be had without causing a drop <strong>of</strong> sweat to fall from <strong>the</strong> brow ! Let

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