Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-04-27
EXPLANATION OF SPIRIT RApPINGs.

lZed as opTlLual lNaPplnBs, OF SPheuai-
ISM" Mr.. B. Gas we learn from the N. Y Irib-
une,) accordingly devoted several weeks to the
requisite investigation, and has summed up his
observations and reasonngs thereon In report,
which was read at meeting Of the Association
on the 9th inst. The report is very long, but
the Tribune sums up its main conclusions as
follows:
l. The idea that these "Rappings," or what
ever they may be called, are the product of mere
juggle, or intentional imposture, is not to be
entertained by any one even imperfectly fami-
lar with facts abundantly verified.
O. The hypothesis that these phenomena have
their origin in some hitherto latent action of
Electricity, Magnetism, or any other natural and
physical force, creates many more difficulties
than it overcomes, and is also inconsistent with
some of the best attested facts.
3. In like manner, the idea that these phe-
nomena are caused by some unconscious, invol-
untary mental action of some person or per-
sons still in the body, is equally unphosophi-
cal, equally at odds with the attested facts and
equally open to the objection that it magnifies
the marvel it processes to explain. To say that
table which sustans itself on two legs, or
one, or none, at the request of some person near
it, and responds intelgibly to a dozen ques-
tons as they are asked, is impelled so to act by
Electricity or Magnetism, or some mental i'm
pulse of an individual wholly unconscious of
such influence, is to assume as true what is in
credible, because contrary to the worlds uni
form experience and to all the known laws of
causation.
A. The assumption that disembodied spirits
cannot communicate with persons still in the
flesh, is opposed TO the whole tenor, not only of
Hebrew and Christian, but also of Pagan histo-
ry The possibility of such intercourse-nay,
the fact that it has occurred, has always been
believed by the great mass of mankind The
assumption of the moral impossibility of COM
munication between those we call the dead and
individuals still in the body, is fatal to the exs-
tence of Christianity as a dvinely originated
faith, and cannot be entertained by any believ-
ere, however lax, in the justification of the
Scriptures.
g. The phenomena known as spiritual are re-
ally caused by the spirits of the departed, but
not by the spirits of the blest. 1t is essentially
one with the demOniac possession whereof the
Gospel often speaks-that is, by The control
and use of the bodily organs of living human
beings by disembodied human spirits, Incorrect
y termed Devils" in our English version of
the Scriptures.
6. The fact of the evil character of these mod
ern spirits is demonstrated by their general de-
NAL of the inspiration of the Bible, of the great
fundamentals of Evangelical Christianity, their
disinclination towards vital piety, &C., &c. We
have in the Bible an infallible test of spirit
ual pretensions, and whatever contradicts any
portion of that book or denies it the authority
and obedience due to the revealed word of God,
is thereby proved false and diabolic.
FARMING.-If one half the zeal, energy and
expense that blot so many Gazettes with low
and coarse abuse, setting the whole community
by the ears for the vain and paltry purpose of
few demagogues and ofice-seekers, were be-
slowed on the advancement Of agriculture if
the people were half rs ambitious to improve
and beautify their fields, as they are to settle
the affairs of the nation; and half as angry with
thistles, thorns and poor fences as they are with
their political opponents, who probably wish as
more productive fields, less complaints of pow
erty, more ability to be charitable and magnif- |
cent and abundantly more good feelings From
his father did before him, and the great mass of
farmers are as stationary in theory as in prac- |
tice Nine in ten at this moment, think that |
DOOk 10 tuO iicIo uoClCoS, visionary |
dreaming of men that know nothing but prac-
teal agriculture.
We would tell them that England is the gar
den of Europe, simply because almost every
acre of the land is cultivated scientifically, and
on principles which have brought to the test the
most rigid and exact experiment We would
tell them that New England of whose soil and
climate they are accustomed to think as con-
signed, by Providence, to fertility and incemen-
,y, is the garden of the United States, only be-
,ause the Industrious and calculating peop pie do
not throw away their efforts in the exertion of
mere brute strength-but bring mind, pains,
system and experience to bear upon their natu-
ally hard and thankless soil.
On every side the passing traveller sees ver-
lure, grass and orchards in the small and fire.
luent enclosures of imperishable rock, peculiar
rom the opposition of the elements and nature.
After an absence of ten years. on our return to
our country, we were struck with this proud
md noble triumph conspicuous over the whole
egion.
The real benefactors Of mankind, as st. Pier
q so beautifully said, are those who cause two
,lades of wheat to mature where one did Before.
The fields ought to be the morning and evening
hemes of Americans that love their country.
TO fertilize and improve his farm, ought to be
he main object of the owner Of the substantial
oil All national ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, power and
wealth, may be traced to agriculture, as its ulti-
late source. Commerce and manufactures are