Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-02-15
miscellaneous.
From the Practical Christian.
Manifestation Of Spirits

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phenomena of "a kindred nature are reported
from various quarters of the country, with
30 much apparent credibiliiy as to the main
facts, that the press begins to take up the sub
ject with considerable carnesness. Some
admit nn unaccountable reality in these
manifestations. Others hesitate to admit or
deny nnything-hoding an attitude of wav-
ering noncommittalisnl. OILERS boldly de-
nouncing and ridiculc the whole thing us
sheer hunibug, jugglery, or psychological
phantusy. A few believe they are actual
manifestations made 10y departed spirits. In
private, oil opinions ore expressed from the
most sneering aud contempiuous skeptcistn,
up TO the most rcyerential and undOubting
faith.
For our own part, we never felt like treat
ing these reports with contempt, nor yet like
giving them hasiy credence. The world has
abounded with so much imposture and de-
lusion, that we could not help receiving eve
rything OF the kind with great suspicion and
incrcdulity. Yet, Us a believer in the con-
scious existence Of departed spirits, occupy
ing various positions IN the invisible world,
VIC did not hold il impossible that those spr-
its should be permitted sometimes to mani
fest themselves in the flesh. But we deem
ed every thing of this kind so extraordinary
as TO iuke rank with the supernatural of tie
nncients. AT the same time, the rutionalsiic
materialism and confident skcpiicisin of the
age, often impelled us TO wish that some new
aud striking demonstration from the world
OF spirits might take place, TO break up the
monotony of traditional faith, and furnish
fresh evidence OF these momcntous realities
which so many were ready to deny or doubt.
Still we were determined, as we yet are, not
TO be imposed upon by false pretcnsious and
mere specious appearances. We hive never
been TO test these "Rappings," or any other
demonstrations Of the kind; having prefer
red TO remain quietly at home, aud read
whatever we could get hold OF on the subject
believing tiIut in this way we might Ultimate
ly come to quite MS just conclusion, as by .
personally catechsing the "spirits" We .
have faculty of believing what others testl-
fy whose honesty and intelligence we have
no reason to call in question, as well as our
own senses, especially when there arc many
witnesses, aud we can deliberately compare
and weigh their statements. In the exercise
Of this faculty we have been reading, during
the last few years, with some cure, numer-
Gus published testimonies OH this subject,
both newer and older After sitting and
weighing the whole TO our own satisfaction,
we have come to the following conclusions
i. That spirits of tic invisible world have
in many instances actually manifested them
selves in connection with these "RDpplngs" /
10 the living; and that various strange de- ,
monslrations, eyincing intelligence, aud also I
power TO some extent over matter have been ,
made, both recently and formerly.
2. That there is nothing i'll these maniics
tations, or in the communications thereby
made, 10 unsette the Christian revelation MS
understood by enlightened minds; but OH the
contrary, much that goes TO corroboratc what
has been called miraculous aud supernatural
therein.
3. That the kind of Rutionalsm which has
driven so many TO reject or explain away the
supernaturnlism of the Bible, nor skcpiicisin
III general, hus anything TO gain by these new
demonstrations, but must necessarily be
checked thereby.
4. That no communications from spirits,
nor visions of cluirvoyants, are necessarily
true, either us to generals or particulars, but
are TO be received and canddly judged of
according TO the best rules of evidence.
5. That selEseeking, counlerleits, tricks,
illusions, hnllucinaiions and mistakes are TO
he looked for in relation 10 this matter of
spirits and their demonstrations, as in all
other departments of human concern.
6. That nothing has been or cnn he deri-
we'd from intercourse with departed spirits
relating to essential piety, morality and phi
Innthropy, better than the religion OF Jesus
Christ, rs he taught and excmpifcd it, accor-
ding TO the Scriptures of the New Testament.
Z. That sensible intercourse with spirits is
liable TO abuse, like all other things good in
their place; TINT il is not desirable as an or
binary means Of intelligence and happiness !;
that without the guidance of high moral
principles and purposes it may become per-
nicious; that ull expectations of our world
being suddenly rendered holy and happy by
its influence will be disappointed; and that
h.,n A.,
sification il will give TO faith in spiritual
realities, in the divine goodness, in the ne
cessity of true righteousness, aud in the pro-
gressive regeneration OF the human race.
With these views and convictions we shall
pursue the even tenor of our way, endeavor-
ing by sober, practical, perseyerng adher-
ence 10 the great principles and relormatory
movements in which we are engaged TO cs-
tablish better order of society on earth, to
deserve the guardian sympathies of good
spirits IN the invisible world, and at death TO
take an humble place among them. Thus,
going about our Fathers business with quick
ened filth in the spiritual realities that tend
to purify the soul, inspire it with sublime
aspirations, and nerve il Tor noble struggles,
we will patiently await whatever light on this
or any other subject may be in store for us.
-------a------
CHArEL ron THE PooR.-"Ah, but you
hav'nt heard that the trustees of Grace
church are building a chapel for the poor,
where you can 90 every Sunday and hear
preaching for nothing" This was said to q
negro-barber by pompous New Yorker,
whom he held at tho same time by the nose.
40, that's il, is ?" replied Cuflee; "t's a
poor church, is IL? Then | 'sppose they'll
have poor God there, poor Savior, and a
poor heaven; p'raps poor hell" There
wasn't anything more said on either side.
Halo, steward~ exclaimed passenger
an an American steamboat after having re-
tired to his bed. "llallO, slewardg' "iIere.
massn:" "Briog me the waybill." "What
Tor, massaF" 81 want to see II these bnos