Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1853-04-22
Rcv. Chas *. Beecher, on the Rap
pings.o


pings.o
EE Rev. CHARLES BEEcHER, of Newark
was some time since designated by the Brook
lyn Association of Congregational Ministers
to investigate and report upon the phenome-
ma of our day, currently characterized as 'Spi-
ntualism, and sometimes as Spirit Rappings.
Mr. B. accordingly devoted many weeks to
the requisite investigation, and has summed
up his observations and reasonings thereon in
a Report, which (by reason of the authors
recent departure for Europe) was read in his
behalf by his brother, Rev. Thos K Beecher
of Williamsburgh, at meeting of the Asso-
citation on Wednesday in Rev. J. B. Grin
nelIs Church, Fourth-st. The report is too
long even for columns so ample as ours; but
its reasoning is compact and forcible and its
conclusions SO striking that we are glad to
hear the Report will very soon be issued in
a neat pamphlet by Putnam. It's main con
customs SO far as hasty perusal has enabled
us to apprehend them, are as follows:
1. The idea that these "Rappings,' or
whatever they may be called, are the product
of mere juggle, or intentional imposture, is
not to be entertained by any one even imper-
fectfectly familiar with facts abundantly veri-
fed
2. The hypothesis that these phenomena
have their origin in some hitherto latent ac-
ton of Electricity, Magnetism, or any other
natural and physical force, creates many more
difficulties than it overcomes, and is also in
consistent with some of the best attested facts
3. In like manner, the idea that these phe-
nomena are caused by some unconscious, in
voluntary mental action of some person or
persons still in the body, is equally unphilo-
sophical, equally at odds with the attested
facts, and equally open to the objection that
it magnities the marvel it professeato explain.
TO say that table which sustains itself on
two legs, or one, or none, at the request of
some person near it, and responds intelligent
" to dozen various questions as they are
asked is impelled so to act by Electricity, or
Magnetism, or some mental impulse of an
individual wholly unconscious of such inhu-
ence, Is to assume as true what is incredible,
because contrary to the worlds uniform ex-
perence and to all the known laws ofcausation.
4. The assumption that disembodied spi-
rits CANNOT communicate with persons still
in the fish, is opposed to the whole tenor,
not merely of Hebrew and Christian, but al
so Of Pagan History The possibility of such
intercourse-nay, the FACT that it has occur
red, has always been believed by the great
mass Of mankind. The assumption of the
moral impossibility of communication be-
tween those we call the dead, and individuals
still in the body, is fatal to the existence of
Christianity as a divinely originated faith,
and cannot be entertained by any believers,
however lax in the justification Of the Scrip
lures.
5. The phenomena known as spiritual ara
really caused by spirits Of the departed, but
not by the spirits of the bles4. 1t is essen
TALLY one with the DEMoNIc possession where
of the Gospels often speak-that is, by the
control and use of the bodily organs of living
human beings by disembodied human spirits,
incorrectly termed devils in our English
version of the scriptures.
6. The fact of the evil character of these
modern spirits is demonstrated by their gen
eneral denial of the Inspiration of the Bible
of the great fundamentals of Evangelical
Christianity, their dissemination toward vital
piety, DC. DC. We have in the Bible an in
fallible test of spiritual pretensions, and what
ever 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.
Such are the leading ideas Of Mr.. Beech
ers Report, which is replete with curious and
interesting illustrations of ancient and moro
recent phenomenon akin to the modern spir-
itualism, and supposed to cast light upon it,
with glances at the lives and writings of ne
cromancers and mystagogues through all
ages. We cannot guess how many will ac-
quiesce in Mr.. Beeeher's conclusions, but we
think very many will be anxious to obtain
and read his report N. Y. Tribune,