The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1853-11-18

| "'N'N''"' NV oC'HB IuIOWH uslue3 hc 10
more capable of enrering upon and ad-
vancIng in the great object Of his crca-
alton; and that that object is Progression
onward, upward toward perfection for
ever.
We are taught wha. is the state of ex-
istence into which man is ushered after
the life on earth. As under the Mosaic
dispensa,ion mankind we're taught the ex-
istence Of one God, rather than the thou
sand gods with mortal attributes then
worshiped, and as under the Christian dis
pensalion they were taught the immortal
! i,y Of the soul and it's existence forever,
so now, il is being revealed to them, for
the first time, what tina. state of exists
ence is, and how in this life they may
we'll and wisely prepare TO enter upon
,ha. and make il either undescribably sor.
rowful or inexpressibly happy.
am not speaking Of matters which
are revealed 10 me alone. am not DWELL
ing on things which come through chan
nels Which are excessible 10 me only, but
in matter which is open TO all alike,
which all may investigate and learn as ]
have, and where the means Of correcting
any error into which l may have fallen
are within the reach Of any one who may
choose to examine for himself, with The
same earnes, and fearless desire for the
truth which has actuated NE.
There has been wrought in my mind
the thorough conviction that these reve>
lations, SO important 10 man, are Of God,
and that they spring only from an earnest
desire in an unseen intelligence to open
to the word the truth Of another life; to
aid in removing from the eyes of the will
fully blind the scales Of error, prejudice
and superstition; TO give man hope,
which is not dependent on the denuncia>
tions of the priest, that there is better
life beyond the grave-a life in which The
spirit upfolds its wings, and soars TO re-
gions where the Spiri, Of God is indeed
manifest; 10 remove ,ha, fear which bows
the siou,est heart, and renders the firm
est mind a ready believer in the fallacles
which are taught as Gods revelation, and
to bring all religion 10 one simple point,
that God is indeed sufficient in himself
10 the perfection Of that which is of him
SELF"
We have given fair and impartial uc-
count of the contents OF this volume
We consider it a more plausible defence
Of the theory ofspiyilual communications,
than any which has been previously laid
before The public. Many ofiss statements
are in the highest degree marvellous, but
with the testimony adduced in their sup.
porl can hardly be rejected by the intelli-
gent reader. Still, this work, we must
confess, like every one on the subjcc,
which we have examined, fails 10 convince
us of the validity ofits pretensions. Ad-
mil,ing the ability and good faith Of the
au,hors-which we do not for moment
ques,ion-admit,ing that the external
facts occurred in the manner here de-
scribed--there is. yet much wanting to
The argument that they are TO be re-
fered to the agency Of supera>muadane
spirits.
The communications ascribed 10 Ba-
con and Swedenborg bear the same stamp
ofmysticism, vagueness, dream>like .re-
mulosity, which distinguish most of the
effusions of the pretended spiritual medi-
ums. lf we could suppose for moment
that Bacon and Swedenborgh had any
agency in inditing the productions,
we should only regret that the future
state, so far from being spere of prog
ress, was region of senility and dotage.
The same may be said Of The communi-
cations, attributed to Webster Clay, and
Calhoun, which, if authentic knock, in
the head all our notions Of probability,
derived from internal evidence.
In regard 20 this question our verdict
can only be, "Not Proven" And, until
better advised, we shall continue 10 bee
ljeve that the cultivation of science on
known principles, is more legitimate
employment Of the iDtellec: than the al
temp, 10 raise the veil from The secrets Of
futnrity. .
One Of the most celebrated members
Of the Pnris bar, was consulted the other
day by younger practitioner, upon an
ohccnra Do;nt oc1o,u CT oopnot niv,. vou