New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-02-23
MODERN .sPIRITUALIsM.,

MODERN sSPIRITUALISM.'
We have received several expressions of dis
satisfaction with our recent article on GhOstly
Literature, wherein we characterized the
great mass of the alleged revelations or COM
muncatiOns from the unseen world in our day
as (in our judgment) vapid unimpOrtant, and
often silly. That judgment may eyince bad
taste on our part, but il was certainly an hon
ess one. We do not pretend TO capacity to
cross-examine the accounts Of the geography
Of the Land of Souls, nor Of the condition. pur-
suits and enjoymeuts Cor othcrwise) of its in-
habitants; but when we have set before us
poem which purpOrts 10 have been dictated
thence BY Byron or Wordsworth, We do claim
some ability to decide whether it is IKE the
alleged authors terrestrial productions, and
whether il is better or worse in the respects
wherein IL differs from those and we say I'M
hesitatingly thai we have seen very few alleged
communications fcom eminent persons who
have passed from earth that did not seem un-
worthy OF their reputed parentage. And we
believe the Judgment of great majority Of
those who have candidly looked into the bust
ness will on this point corroborate our own.
The 'Spiriualists have no good reason for
taking of.ense at this Judgment; forwe as free
y state fats aud give opinions fayOriug their
hypothesis as those that bear against it. Nay,
we expect 20 see them ere long quoting orr
opinions on this very subject in defense Of their
theory against a most formidable demonstra-
ton against t. The very latest ground Of as
sault upon them in the Lectures and Sermons
through which grave Diyines are wont TO VEN
tilate their ignorance Of the whole matter im-
ports that these Manifestations are the work
of the Ancient Nicholas and his ultra mundane
satellites and We can Test fy against them IN
this head. Judging from the specimens of his
forensic and Conversations! ability given in
Job l. ii. Matt iy, DC we are ssre Od MEX. if
he were really TO ser about lnyenting messages
from our friends in the Spirir World and rap
ping or tipping them out TO MS, would make
a great deal better list OF il than do those who
are now engaged in the business, be they who
they may.
A Mr. John 5 Adams, of Down East, has
written Answers TO Seventeen Objections
against Spiritual Intercourse, which FOviers
4 Wells have published m d small, neat vol
ume. Nr Adams appears to De very much in
earnest, and meets some objections very iorci-
bly,, without a needless expenditure Of words
In reply 10 the question " Ii these commune
cations are from spirits, why do ge receive any
that are useless, inconsistent and contradic-
tory Z" he says:
'' The mediums Oiten imperfect; ia TACT, there are
not Fry Pf.d ], drl ,u Tor The ~ ~ ny aside their
own mind O. make their 0gsn win inactive. yet these
things e,usre, n order to have ne cO-nmun.ca-
non. At al times consistent, nd precisely what the
spirit commu. cstor wishes ;nem o. be
"Qusstons otentines uisurders,ood. Tae ilea
N our own m.nd i poorly defined Az one moment
question i put admitting a s-rmaIve and On, net
enc aGE.E ny Of negutgr response Furthermore
halt dozen mental question, admitting Of VARIOUS
u--w-rs are given y ~ many u-ebers OF acrcle and
Rhat one cuestoner tskes tor re answer 70 h inquiry
my oe the reply 70 that 81 slo.ler.
Bg. a'jer ~ there = III nsct Inconsistency or
cons-iictln YOu 90 rot ssy hat here Is ycu only
tx Why there should b. GHy I link 4 moments
thought W saf yea Of BE .a4-s.
cp1ir are DOT OInHisc.e-r nsiLer are they OaniDl
tent Wesre ap. - attribute ~ --sl every dtIl -sa
ing feature OF tbe Creator Nd % -1rpose Dec ss Of
tier nature they have lroR,s-e q. aIl tlings aud
c.. srsweg any III az Cua...,- We may c0u' are ID
Tfis view u their ability 4 xroag one. ani con.
Eic:s with the Truth IN iLgst ions o. this sgbecs
We sAosld Commune win spr.ts somewhat a. with
trends IN Inc body FROM their pesiuon tney kDoy
more than We 10 about some particular thinEs while
Hoeui other matters We know more than they DO"
This is DOT all but il fair specimen Of MS
line Of argument. IL does not exactly meet
cur criticism, but comes nearer 70 it than any
thing else We find in his book
tn Spiritual r.l,gYdp& OF or City is aou
devoted in part TO controversy between Prof
Britain IS Editor and Dr. 3. " Richmond.
Of Ohio whose acareness ard acquaintance
With the subject are rarely surpassed. ~ long
SIS the Or. lad the affirmative Ca tie qtirssi,o
We did not see thar much headsay was raase:
bur since Prof brirtau tOok the laooring oa-
On the side Of SpiriruaLEm. wiki D.. Richmond
maintaining the theory Of the natural or nun.
dane origin Of the phenouit ~ Il reply. tbe lii.
eussion has been more 2lng-nt and sarisfac.
'ory than anything vt had previously read an
the subject The Professor seems 70 he yg.u
provided ViIh tacts - attesres.) ,ileularsJ -