Lights and shadows of spiritualism

J'KOTESTANr SPIRITUALISM. 153Wlsbart. Led lo tbo stake by Ibc order of Cardinal Bcatoun, bolixed bis oyos ou tbc turrot-window from wbiob tbat prclatowatcbod tbe tragical scene. Tbo tiro was ligbted, and tbo powderfastened to tbe martyr's body blew up.nlivo, tbo captain 01Perceiving bim to bo stilltbe castle drew near and bade bim be of goodbcart. "Wisbart answered, " Tbis flame batb rcacbed (0 my body,yet it batb not daunted my spirit ; but be wbo from yonder placebcboldetb me with such pride shall within a few days lie in tbesame as ignominiously as he is now seen proudly to rest himself."A week or two later the castle was stormed by a band of Protestantconspirators, and tbc body of tbc cardinal suspended from thatvery window whence he had witnessed the martyrdom of Wisbart.Numerous spiritual manifestations occurred in England and Scotlandduring the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. They werealmost without exception attributed to the agency of the devil.The Protestantism of the two countries had adopted in theirentirety Luther's ideas of tbe cessation of miracles from God, and theincrease of miracles from Satan.Hideous laws were passed againstwitchcraft. The tragedies of the continent were re-enacted on asmaller scale, and for a briefer period. To tbe burnings andhangings of Britain and the American Colonics much of what Ihave written in a former chapter will apply.These Protestant persecutionsessentially resembled tbe chief shadow of CatholicSpiritualism. On tbe basis of certain startling facts the wildesttheories were reared. A kind of insane panic seized the nation.The various Protestant Churches, hke the Catholic Church, found itjDolitic to encourage that panic. A drivelling pedant, with whomwitchcraft was as much an article of faith as tbe mission of Christ,and for whose folly no lie was too absurd, united tbe crowns ofElizabeth and Bruce. Under his patronage murder went merrilyon.possessed.Christ had expelled demons by virtue of tbe powers Avhich hoKing James determined to expel them by virtue of tbotar-barrel and the stake. The result is well known. Fearfultragedies were enacted in every part of tbe island. To be old,frail, and attached to some domestic pet such as a cat or dog, wassufficient justification for a death warrant. Unfortunate beings