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

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214 INFLUENCE OF SCRIPTUREdeity must be commensurate with his rcahu, as to extent and magnificence.Yet evil exists ; which can only exist from choice on his part, orbecause it cannot be avoided. Tliere must be a want <strong>of</strong> will or power toprevent or remove evil. Such is <strong>the</strong> God which my reason obliges me toacknowledge. Where impressions arc <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>fspring <strong>of</strong> reason, <strong>the</strong>y cannotdestroy <strong>the</strong>ir parent. But those who owe <strong>the</strong>ir opinions <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir deity totradition, have a deity which, not having originated from reason, mayalways be made <strong>the</strong> means <strong>of</strong> setting itsdictates aside.1125. The bigot's god is a dangerous idol, although he be not representedby an image ; and no less dangerous is any book which owes authorityto hereditary, intolerant dictation and servile devotion.112G. The fear <strong>of</strong> public opinion, or a desire to do what is deemed rightamong men, seems to be <strong>the</strong> principal motive for religious pr<strong>of</strong>essions andThe prevailing morality being,church-going in <strong>the</strong> great mass <strong>of</strong> society.as already noticed, not only neglectful <strong>of</strong> Christ's precepts, but absolutely<strong>the</strong> inverse <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m—not ov\j lyermitting ^"hxii calling for a course diametricallyopposite, as respects <strong>the</strong> acquisition <strong>of</strong> wealth and submission towrongs—shows that it is not generally founded on a desire to cultivate <strong>the</strong>good will <strong>of</strong> Christ, but to square with sectarian opinion. I hold that onecause <strong>of</strong> this is, that <strong>the</strong> conviction <strong>of</strong> a future state, in which happinessis in proportion to our deportment here, is not so deep as that which I nowhave.Under <strong>the</strong> conviction which I have, nothing could tempt me to actin such way as to produce a retrograde influence on my pretensions as a<strong>spirit</strong>.1127. It seems to me, as urged by me before, that no one believing <strong>the</strong>language <strong>of</strong> Abraham, as narrated and sanctioned by Christ, tohave comeau<strong>the</strong>nticated direct from <strong>the</strong> Son <strong>of</strong> God, and consequently expecting itbe verified, would render himself liable to <strong>the</strong> punishment <strong>of</strong> Dives for <strong>the</strong>sake <strong>of</strong> enjoying <strong>the</strong> good things <strong>of</strong> this world.1128. The idea that souls are to remain in <strong>the</strong> grave till <strong>the</strong> '' last dat/,"<strong>the</strong> procrastination <strong>of</strong> that day and geological knowledge being inconsistentwith <strong>the</strong> belief that any such day will arrive, makes <strong>the</strong> sinner less fearful,<strong>the</strong> good less hopeful, and diminishes <strong>the</strong> number <strong>of</strong> those who are actually,in <strong>the</strong>ir worldly conduct, influenced by <strong>the</strong>ir hopes or fear <strong>of</strong> futurerewards or punishments.1129. The expectation <strong>of</strong> washing away sin through <strong>the</strong> merit <strong>of</strong> abigoted belief in Christ, co-operating with <strong>the</strong> vague, contradictory, andirrational idea <strong>of</strong> heaven and hell recorded in Scripture, seems to be <strong>the</strong>reason why Christians act so inconsistently with <strong>the</strong> precepts <strong>of</strong> Him whom<strong>the</strong>y pr<strong>of</strong>essedly adore.1130. Nothing can be more inconsistent with <strong>the</strong> religion inculcated bymy <strong>spirit</strong> friends, than <strong>the</strong> idea <strong>of</strong> atonement for sin by faith in any religion,true or false.1131. Had <strong>the</strong>re ever been any available light let in from <strong>the</strong> <strong>spirit</strong>to

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