Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1853-04-21
sniritnaI Manifestations.

The phenomena termed Spiritual Manifestations,
which is ridiculed as gross ~humbug, by large
portion OF the people of this region, attracting
the attention Of all Classes in the eastern States
In many places, the most leaned and scientific
have given their attention 10 an investigation OF
the matter bat as yet no one has been able 10
count for themanifestations satisfactorily 10 them
Selves or to others, in any other way than to at
tribute the power displayed through the called
mediums 10 disembodied spirits.
A few weeks since the Brooklyn Association of
Congregational Ministers, appointed committee
Of which Rev. Charles Beecher was chairman, TO
investigate and report upon the phenomena. The
committee having devoted much time to the sub
ject, report was submitted to the association
the 9th inst the main conclusions of which we
gather from the New York Tribune as follows
lst The idea that these manifestations are the
product OF mere jugle or intentional imposture is
not 10 be entertained BY any one even inperfectly
famHsar with facts abundantIy verified.
I'd. The hypothesis that they are produced By
Electricity. Magnetism or any other natural OF
physical force Is inconsistent with some of the
best atfes,ed facts and creates more difficulty than
it overcomes
81 Tha, the idea that these phenomena are
caused BY some unconscious, involuntary mental
action of some person or person still in the body,
IS equally nnphosophical, equally at odds with
the at,ested facts and equally open to the objec-
ton that it magnfes the marvel il processes TO
explain.
4th The assumption that disembodied spirits
.,I1 "a,
flesh is opposed to the whole tenor, not merely of
Hebrew ANA Christian but also of gan History
The possibility Of such intercoursc-nay. the fGei
that II has occurred, has always been believed by
the great mass Of mankind The assumption OF
the moral impossibility of Communication between
those we call The dead and individuals still in the
body. IS fatal 10 The existence of Christianity as
divineiy originated faith, and cannot be entertain
ed by any believers however lax, in the justihca-
ton Of the Scriptures.
5ih The phenomena known as Spiritual are
really caused By the spirits of the departed but not
BY the spirits Of the blest. 1t is essentially one
with the ds1ssni- possession whereof the Gospels
often speak,hat is, by the control and use of the
bodily organs Of living human beings by disem-
bodied human spirits, incorrectly termed devils
in our English versions of the scriptures.
9th The fact Of the evil character of these mod
ern spirits is demonstrated by their general denial
of the Inspiration of the Bible of the great funda
mentals Of Evangelical Christianity, their disncli-
nation toward vital piety, &c. &c. We have in
the Bible intaibe test of spiritual Pretensions
and whatever coutradicts any portion of that Book
or denies II the authority and obedience due TO the
revealed Word Of God, Is thereby proved false and
daboIic.
We have not seen Mr. Beecher's entire report
and know not " hat evidence he adduces TO prove
the assertion that these modern spirits generally
deny the inspiration of the Bible" &c. We have
witnessed some OF the Demonstrations, and read
many communications purporting to have been
dictated by spirits. which teach lessons of morali-
~ and love TO God, taat would come with rather
an III grace from The Evil One The cries of inf
deity" opposed 20 the Bible" contrary 10 the
teachings OF religion, sc. only echoes of the
cries raised against Mesmerism, Phrenology, &c
in their infancy and whatever these phenomena
may turn out IN TIE end, at present they appear
70 US TO porteni too much of the beauty OF Divine
perfection and wisdom to be attributed 10 the Dew
H. unless ne possesses very different character
from that attributed To him in the Bible