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

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

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6 CONTENTS.Op CouNTEn-MEmuMSiiiP.—On tbo influence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ill-treatment <strong>of</strong> media on <strong>spirit</strong>ual<strong>manifestations</strong>—The author's discovery <strong>of</strong> his powers as a mediumOn PsYcnoLOGicAL Explanations op Si'iritial Manifestations 108ALPnABETic CoNVERSK WITH SPIRITS.—Modem process for alphabetic converse with<strong>spirit</strong>s as new as that <strong>of</strong> electric telegraph 173Influence <strong>of</strong> Mundane Wealth in<strong>the</strong> World to come.—According to <strong>the</strong> <strong>spirit</strong>ualcode, riches elevate or degrade according to <strong>the</strong> morality displayed in <strong>the</strong>iracquisition and employment 176Mns. Gourlay's Narrative op her Conversion to Spiritualism 179Pkactical Benefit <strong>of</strong> Spiritualism.—Illustration <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> practicalbenefit <strong>of</strong> Spiritualism,in <strong>the</strong> happiness imparted by <strong>the</strong> conversion <strong>of</strong> an unbeliever to a beliefin immortality—Letter from a <strong>spirit</strong> daughtei-—Correspondence with a <strong>spirit</strong> bro<strong>the</strong>r. 192Marriage on Earth and in Heaven.—The hymeneal tie in <strong>the</strong> <strong>spirit</strong> world growsout <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> necessity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> connubial union in <strong>the</strong> mundane sphere— " Free Love"imputation refuted 204Influence op Scripture on <strong>the</strong> Morals op Christians.—The morality <strong>of</strong> Christendombeing irredoncilable with <strong>the</strong> New Testament, cannot be its legitimate <strong>of</strong>fspring—Inspirationcan have no higher authority than <strong>the</strong> human testimony onwhich its existence is arrogated—Injurious influence <strong>of</strong> unreasonable restrictionNo one would believe that a capable fsirmcr would make such a mistake as to sowgarlic instead <strong>of</strong> wheat; yet God, while represented as having intended to sowProtestantism, is considered as having caused throughout Christendom a crop <strong>of</strong>Catholicism, in <strong>the</strong> Roman or Grecian form, for more than a thousand years :thoseweeds still occupying more than half <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> whole soil—Letter <strong>of</strong> William Pitt, afterwardEarl <strong>of</strong> Chatham—Offer <strong>of</strong> guidance by a mundane <strong>spirit</strong>—Improper use <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> epi<strong>the</strong>t Infidel—On Atonement—On <strong>the</strong> massacre at Sinope— Opinions <strong>of</strong> Godheld by Sir Isaac Newton—On God and his attributes, by Seneca—On <strong>the</strong> betteremployment <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> first day <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> week—Additional remarks I'cspecting <strong>the</strong> observance<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Sabbath, so called—If creatures be not so created as to love <strong>the</strong>irneighbours as <strong>the</strong>mselves, precepts can no more alter <strong>the</strong>m in this respect thanchange <strong>the</strong> colour <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir hair or <strong>the</strong> number <strong>of</strong> cubits in <strong>the</strong>ir stature—Attacksupon <strong>the</strong> au<strong>the</strong>nticity <strong>of</strong> Scripture cannot endanger <strong>the</strong> prevalent morality, which,while superior to that <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Old Testament, indicates a recklessness <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> precepts<strong>of</strong> Christ, excepting so far as faith is upheld as a counterpoise for sin—Thedoctrine <strong>of</strong> a peculiar belief being necessary to salvation, and a counterpoise forsin, a source <strong>of</strong> discord originally confined to Judea, expanded with Christianitj'and Islamism : verifying Christ's allegation, that he came " as a sword, not as amessenger <strong>of</strong> peace"—Superior morality and far less questionable certainty <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>communications from <strong>the</strong> <strong>spirit</strong> world— Quotation from Mosheim—Quotation fromGibbon—For more than a thousand years, <strong>the</strong> Grecian or Roman Catholic clergywere <strong>the</strong> sole depositaries <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> word <strong>of</strong> God, so called, and regulators <strong>of</strong> religiousmorals ;yet, according to Bishop Hopkins, during that time, <strong>the</strong> clergy were for<strong>the</strong> most part pre-eminent in vice, as compared with <strong>the</strong> rest <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> community;whence it is inferred that, like Pope Boniface, <strong>the</strong> wicked clergy in general wereunbelievers in <strong>the</strong> truth <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> gospel—If <strong>the</strong> morals <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> modern clergy arebetter, it is nei<strong>the</strong>r from <strong>the</strong> barbarous example furnished <strong>the</strong>m in <strong>the</strong> Old Testament,nor <strong>the</strong> ultra precepts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> gospel; being too much enlightened to be governedby ei<strong>the</strong>r—Summary made by Bishop Hopkins—Any religion, like thatMoses, which does not make immortalit}' a primary consideration, must be chieflyconfined to worldly objects, and, <strong>of</strong> course, unworthy <strong>of</strong> consideration. Peoplepr<strong>of</strong>ess Christianity more from a desire to do right, than <strong>the</strong>y do right in consequence<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir pr<strong>of</strong>essions—A calumny against human nature to represent men aswil/uUi/ ignorant <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> true religion—To appreciate <strong>the</strong> Jewish representation <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> Deity, a reader should first form an idea <strong>of</strong> this planet and its inhabitants,<strong>of</strong>PAOBIGG

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