The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1853-04-20

From the NJ Y. Tribune
Rev. CHARLES BEEcHER Of Newark was
some lime since designated by the Brooklyn
Association of Congregational Ministers 10 in.
vestigate and report upon the phenomena Of
the day, currently characterized -sSpiritualism,"
and sometimes as ''Si-it Rappings." Mr. B.
accordingly devoted many weeks 10 the requisite
investigation, and has summed up his observa-
lions and reasonings thereon in Report, which
(by reason of the authors recent departure for
Europel was read in his behalf by his brother,
Rev. Thomas X Beecher of Williamsburgh
at meeting Of the Association on Wednesday
in Rev. J.B. Grinnell's church. Fourth-st. The
report is to long even for columns SO ample as
ours; but its reasoning is compact and forcible,
and lis conclusions SO striking ba. we are glad
neat pamphlet by Putnam. lis main concu-
sions, so far as hasty perusal has enabled US
to apprehend them, are as follows.
1. The idea that these ''rappinge," 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 ia
miar with facts abundantly verified.
2. The hypothesis that these phenomena have
their origin in some hitherto latent action of
Electricity, or magnetism, or any other natural
and physical force. creates many more dfficul-
ties than it overcomes, and is Inconsistent with
some of the best attesied facts.
8. In like manner. the idea that these phe-
nomena are caused by some unconciou<, invol-
untary mental action Of some person or persons
till in the body is equally unphilosophical, equal
ly at odds with the attes:ed facts. and equally
open t, The objection that it magnifes the mar
vel it processes to exp'ain. say that table
which sustuIns itself on two legs, or one, or
none, ct the request Of some person near it and
and responds in:elligently TO a dozen various
questions as they asked is impelled SO 10 act
by Electricity. Magnetism, or some mental
impulse of an individual wholly unconcious Of
such influence, is 10 assume as true what is in
credible, because contrary to the worlds uni
form experience and to all the known laws of
causalon.
4. The assumption that d;sembodied spirits
cannot communicate with persons sill in the
fls,h, is opposed by the whoeieno not merely
of Hebrew ana Christian but nlso of Pagan His
tory. The possibility Of such intercourse
nay, The fac: tha. il has occur red, has always
been believed by the great mass of mankind.
The assumption Of the moral imp ossibilhy of
communication between those whom we call
dead and individuals still in the body, is fatal to
the existence of Christianity as a jivinely orgi
mated faith, and cannot be entertained by any
believers, however lax in the justification of
the Scriptures.
5. The phenomena known as Spiritual are
really caused by the spirits of the departed, but
net by The spirits of the best 1t is essentially
ons with the demoniac possession whereof the
Gospels often speak-that is, by the control and
use of the bodily organs of living human bengs
by disembodied human spirits, incorrectly termed
''devis" in our English version Of the Scrip
lures.
6. The fact of the evil character of these
modern spirits is demon: tra,ed by their general
denial of the Inspiration Of the Bible, Of the
great fundamentals Of Evangelical Chris tiani'y.
their Gisnclnaion towards vial pie;y, &c. &c.
We have in the Bible unfallible test OF spiritual
p1etensions, and whatever contrndicts any por-
ton of that Book, or denies it the authority and
obedience due to the revealed Word Of God, is
thereby proved false and diabolic
Such are the leading ideas Of MIR. Beech.
er's Report, which is reple,e with curious and
Interesting illustrations of ancient and more re-
cent phenomena akin TO the modern spiritual
ism and supposed to cast light upon it, with CLAN.
ces al the lives and writings of necro.narcers
and mys,ugogues through ull ages. We car
no, guess how many will acquiesce in Mr.
Beecher's conclusions, but we think very man
will be anxious 10 obtain and read his report.
HoME-M MADE LIGnTNING.-The freaks OF the
electric or magnetic power surprising that 1t