New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-03-02
LECTURE ON SPIRITUAL MANIFESTO.
TIONS. by PROF. BRITAIN.

A course Of lectures on this subject was
commenced last evening in Hope Chapel by Prof.
Britain before a respectable and deeply attentive
audience. He proposed to show that the pheno.
mena which had of late attracted so much attention,
were no violation of the laws of nature, but were In
entire accordance with the order of nature. The
action OF mud upon matter furnished many striking
ard beautiful anslogies with the manifestations
which were ascribed to spiritual agencies. BY ex-
periments with the galvanometer, especially by
Detrochet and Mateucci, it had been shown that the
electric current affected by the force of votion
Blu. the influence OF mind was still more obvious in
the case CT organic bodies. AS the earth exhaled
its atmosphere, every human being was surrounded
with certain sphere, within which peculiar To-
1uence exerted on all who came in contact with
1t. man OF hrm strong, positive character acted
by bis mere presence alone, on those OF an inferior
tempe remeDt. secret virtue emanatod from him,
modng The will OF others, and attracting all within
the sphere OF his sympathies. This is the expana-
ton of tie excitement OF public meetings One
original, vigorous, molly gifted mind carried captive
the impossible multitude. positive will has effect
even over the external elements Ii can ward oil the
attacks Of cold, pain and disease. No one who srena
ously reslss the weather In danger Of being frozen
to de aih. The lecturer said he himself living
stsIce OF the power ofthe will to disease.
From an hsbitu8l invalid, he had become man of
strong health, and this was effected by the simple
Oh vOlulOH. VIII sucn INSTANCES OF the SOSe-
reignty Of mind over matter it is lot surprising that
di,embodisd spirits should be able TO ACT within our
mater ial sphere. They, we must believe, have the
same affections, the same interests, the ties,
which they cherished on earth. The departed
mother could not forget the darling OF bosom be-
cause she was separated from it by death. Why,
then, should not an intercourse be maintained be-
tween this world and another STILL we should not
regard it as violation Of natural laws II the table
to rise without the application Of any visible
force, il would pseed be contrary 10 the law OF grav
taton butthe effect would be explained by the ac-
ton OF some bisherl law. The whole analogy of the
Universe shows that the grosser forms Of matter
controlled by those Of greater refinement and sub.
tety. On this ground, said the lecturer We believe,
the spiritual manifestations may be accounted
for Al all events they present noble and curious
subject Of investigation There are over 30 900
persons in the United States, who believe in their
reality. Among this number are men Of intellect.
OF education OF hign standing in society Senator'S IN
Congress, and JUDGES In our Courts. II they are
celusion. the persons around our own fresides are
liable to fall into 1t. It's too late to dismiss them
with a sneer They court inquiry and examination.
Let II be given without stint.
Prof Bfittan's next lecture will be delivered In
Hope Chapel next Friday evening.