Windham County Democrat. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1836-1853, 1853-04-20
From the n. Y. Trihnne.

Rev. CHARLES BEEcHER, of Newark, was some
time since designated by the Brooklyn Association of
Congregational Ministers to investigate and report up
on the phenomena of our day, currently characterized
'Sprituasm, and sometimes as esprit Rap
pings" Mr. B. accordingly devoted many weeks to
the requisite investigation, and has summed up his
observations and reasonngs thereon in Report which
(by reason of the authors recent departure for En-
rope) was read in his behalf by his brother, Rev.
Thomas K. Beecher of Williamsburgh, at a meeting
of the Association on Wednesday in Rev. ]. b. Grin
nes Church, Fourth-st. The report is too long e.
zen for columns so ample ours but its reasoning
is compact and forcible and its conclusions striking
that we are glad to hear the Report will very soon
be issued in neat pamphlet by Putnam. It's main
conclusions so far a hasty persa has enabled US
to apprehend them, are as follows
1. The idea that these "Rappngs,'' or whatever
they may be called, are the product of mere uggle,
or intentional imposture, is not to be entertained by
any one even imperecty familiar with facts abundant
ly verified.
2. The hypothesis that these phenomena have their
origin in 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 sumo of the best attested
facts.
3. In like manner, the idea that these phenomena
caused by some unconscious, involuntary mental
action of person persons still in the body, is
eqaully unphosophical equally at odds with the at
tested facts, and equally open to the objection that it
magnfes the marvel it processes TO explain. To say
that table which sustains itself on two legs or one
none, at the request of person it, and
responds intelgently dozen various questions as
they are asked is impeed so to act by Electricity,
or Magnetism, or some mental impulse of an individ-
nal vel Of suo nfu lie tn as
sumo what is Incredible, because contrary to
the worlds uniform experience and to all the known
laws of causaon.
4. The assumption that disembodied spirits cannot
communicate with persons still in the esh is oppos-
ed TO the whole tenor, not merely of Hebrew and
Christian but also of Pagan IIi7t0ry. Tho Po=4ibil;
ty of such inercourse-nay, the fact that it has
cured has always been believed by the great of
mankind. The assumption Of the moral impossible
ty of communication between those call the dead
and individuals still in the body, is fatal to the exs-
tence of Christianity a dvinely originated faith,
and be entertained by any believers, however
lax, in the justification OF the Scriptures
s. The phenomena known as Spiritual are really
caused by the spirits of the departed, but not by the
spirits of the best 1t is essentially one with the de-
mOniac possession whereof the Gospel often speaks
that is by the control and use of the bodily organs
living human beings by disembodied human spirits
incorrectly termed devils in our English version o.
the scriptures.
6. The fact of the evil character of these modern
spirits is demonstrated by their general denial of the
Inspiration of the Bible, of the great fundamentals
Evangelical Christianity, their Discrimination towards
vital pety, &C., &c. We have in the Bible an in
falibe test of spiritual pretensions, and whatever con
tradics any portion of that Book, denies it the au
thority and obedience due to the revealed Word o
God, is thereby proved false and diabolic.
Such are the leading ideas of Mr.. Beecher's Re
port, which is replee with curious and interesting il
Illustrations of ancient and more recent phenomena a
kin to the modern Spirualism, and supposed to cas-
light upon it, with glances at the lives and writing
of necromancers and mysagogues through all ages
We cannot guess how many will acquiesce in Mr.
Beechers conclusions, but think very many will
be anxious to obtain and read his Report.