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

30 INTRODUCTION.truthful, by the evidence of others who lived some thousand years since,spiritualists are assailed by such as admit their facts, but explain themdifferently.Thus the Roman Catholic Church has admitted the manifestationsto indicate an invisiblephysical and rational power which cannot beattributed to human agency. But instead of ascribing them to spirits,good or bad, of mortals who have passed the portal of death, they considerthem the work of Old Nick.89. If this personage ever did influence the acts of any sect, manifestlyit must have been in those instances in which alleged religious error hasbeen made the ground for persecution, from the time of the extirpationand spoliation of the Midianites, Canaanites, and others, down to thatof the extirpation of the Albigcnses, the auto da fe, inquisition, massacreof St. Bartholomew, fires of Smithfield, roasting of Servetus, and the persecutionof the Quakers and witches.90. So far as the devil is only an imaginary embodiment of the evilpassions of men, as conceived by many enlightened Christians, no doubtthose and many other analagous acts were due to the devil ; but whenthe benevolent language of the spirits respecting sinners is contrastedwith the cruel doctrine of the church in question, as well asby others, itcan hardly be conceived that this language comes from Satan, and that ofthe churches from the " benevolent" Jesus Christ.91. The following verses, which have already appeared in my letter tothe Episcopal clergy, express the sentiments of the spirits—every soulhaving the privilege of reforming, and rising proportionally to the improvementthus obtained92. However late, as holy angels teach,Souls now in Hades, bliss in Heaven may reach.All whose conduct has been mainly right,With lightning speed may gain that blissful height;While those who sclQsh, sensual ends pursue,For ages may their vicious conduct rue,Doom'd in some low and loathsome plane to dwell,Made through remorse and sh.ame the sinner's hell;Yet through contrition and a change of mind,The means of rising may each sinner find.The higher spirits their assistance give,Teaching the contrite how for heaven to live.93. Let these lines be contrasted with those which are given in the workon Heaven of the Rev. Dr. Ilarbaugh—a most excellent orthodox clergymanof the German Reformed Church—which are as follows :94. '^ But the wicked ? alas ! for him at that awful moment ! Ohsoul, come not thou into the secret of his sorrows.!my"How shocking must thy summons be, death !To him.—In that dread moment, how the frantic soulRaves round the Avails of her clay tenement;