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

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

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22 INTRODUCTION.signed, and decrees, statute-laws, and ordinances are written. Treaties,also, arc made at tables, on which not <strong>the</strong> fate <strong>of</strong> individuals merely, but<strong>of</strong> nations, depends.30. Is <strong>the</strong> renown <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ''knights <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> round tabic" tarnished by<strong>the</strong>ir being only known in connection with <strong>the</strong> word in question ? Is anydirector or trustee ashamed <strong>of</strong> being, with his colleagues, designated as a'^board ?" —a humble synonym for table.31. It was at a table <strong>the</strong> Declaration <strong>of</strong> Independence was signed;and in Trumbull's picture <strong>of</strong> its presentation to Congress a table is madeto occupy a conspicuous position. Our tables should be at least as muchobjects <strong>of</strong> our regard as <strong>the</strong> vicinity <strong>of</strong> our fireplace.32. The sarcasms founded on <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> table in <strong>spirit</strong>ual <strong>manifestations</strong>proceed, inconsistently, from those persons who would bring <strong>the</strong>irdeity through all <strong>the</strong> stages <strong>of</strong> human life.33. The human body <strong>of</strong> Christ must have gone through all <strong>the</strong> stagesfrom <strong>the</strong> embryo to maturity. It was worshipped in a manger, and livedthirty years in obscurity and inaction. Why all this delay, when <strong>the</strong>angel, armed with <strong>the</strong> power <strong>of</strong> God, might have addressed Ilcrod, <strong>the</strong>Roman emperor, and every o<strong>the</strong>r potentate on earth in a single year ?The Almighty s<strong>of</strong>tening <strong>the</strong>ir hearts, as he hardened that <strong>of</strong> Pharaoh,<strong>the</strong> conversion <strong>of</strong> mankind had been <strong>the</strong> inevitable consequence.34. Alluding to his second advent, Christ used <strong>the</strong>se words :—'' Theyshall see <strong>the</strong> Son <strong>of</strong> man coming in <strong>the</strong> clouds with great power andglory.^' Mark xiii. 26. Wherefore did not his first coming take place inthis conspicuous, glorious, and unquestionable manner ?35. It is <strong>of</strong>ten inquired. Wherefore were not <strong>the</strong>se efibrts to communicatewith mankind at an earlier period <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world's duration? but itmay be demanded in return. Wherefore did not Christ come until <strong>the</strong>earth had been peopled, evenyears ?according to Scripture, about four thousand36. Why was not <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> compass, <strong>of</strong> gunpowder, printing, <strong>the</strong>steam-engine, steamboat, railway, telegraph, daguerreotyping, electrotyping,contrived earlier in this terrestrial sphere ? Let orthodoxy take <strong>the</strong>beam out <strong>of</strong> itsown eye first.37. Had Christ taught <strong>the</strong>se arts, <strong>the</strong>y would not only have had a moregeneral influence during <strong>the</strong> era <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir accomplishment, but have left adurable and irrefragable pro<strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong> a towering mental superiority. As <strong>the</strong>ywould have gone into use, <strong>the</strong>re could have been no question as to <strong>the</strong>iraccomplishment;so that every intelligent being might have become intuitivelycognizant <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir wonderful results.38. The invention <strong>of</strong> gunpowder, <strong>the</strong> telegraph, and <strong>the</strong> mariner'scompass might have been <strong>the</strong> means <strong>of</strong> preventing <strong>the</strong> inroads <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>Goths and Vandals, and, subsequently, <strong>the</strong> success <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Mohammedans;since <strong>the</strong> Arabians would hardly have availed <strong>the</strong>mselves <strong>of</strong>

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