The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-06-01
Some More Talk on the Spirits.

rife, at this time, in the Queen City and
her dependencies. And, mauger all our
slave laws, there is no witch so poor that
she cannot command, at any time, a dozen
or two familiar spirits. We always thought
that death was a great leveler, but we never
dreamed that he could sprawl after this
| fashion. Clay, Webster, Calhoun, and
Paine, come and go at the beck and call
of any simple girl who has the invisible
mark in her eye. We begin to get clear
views, also, Of the amplified powers OF 10,
comotion in the spirit-land. As far as we
have understood, fifteen minutes will suf-
| fice to subpoena a ghost, on either side OF
the river Styx. Indeed, from the apro.
pos congregating of kindred-living and
dead-we might suppose that the familiars
telegraph all who are interested on the
other side of the water, at the very COM
mencement OF the incantations. This
thing of bringing up such men as Wesley.
| Clay, and Swedenborg, and making them
/ recant those views, religious and political,
which they so dearly cherished through
1 life, is only little less honorable than
i grave yard robbery. 1t seems to be a very
easy. matter for the conjuror to bring the
peaceful and illustrious dead into the unity
. Of the faith with himself; but il is not easy
4 to subdue the bigotry Of his fe!low-chips
on earth. We did hope that this robbing
1.-The dead Of their confessions of faith was
the ne plus ultra of their blasphemous
depredations. They were asked, some
time since, if they could commune with
the Saviour7 They modestly answered
f "No; he is in the upPermost state OF spir-
Iitual existence, and cannot hold inter-
, course with lower regions" We suppose
there were then some glimmering streaks
of gracious light remaining on their con.
science. But it has all fed. They have
, scaled the mount; and now-l tremble as
| write-they profess TO have an epistle
i, from Jesus Christ. In this communica.
i ton, they sag, he apologies for the nu'
y merous blunders in the Bible, on the score
a that the mediums who wrote it were very
4 imperfect in that day. 1t is stated. the1
1 sau that he himself was only medium
g and that the Churches are at fault in as
9 cribing to him divinity, etc. Here tht
b "cloven foot sticks out" Some Church
!. members who inquire of such as hav'
/. familiar spirits, say. "Surely they are goot
v spirits; they talk religiously and charge u
!. to cherish piety and all the social virtues.
u Yes. the devil, himself might afford to b
). religious, when it clothes him with add
q ZION al power to sap the very foundation o
d all practical Christianity. 1t is as ii
Of m an should say to his fellow, "Sir, woui
IN not hurt hair on your head. because
,e is a Necessary and comfortable covering
10 and withal very graceful ofnament; bt
st only be so complacent as to suffer me
nj amputate your feet" When our Saviou
Is asked his enemies-they, too. were rel
.ir gious-for which Of his good works the
E. were going TO stone him? they tevolted
at the idea. 1t was too unpopular even II
in the mob. They answered, "For goo
n ,vork we stone you not; but for 5laspheny.
ha Yes, it was the same blasphemy y-makin
~. himself equal with God. But we woul
bv like 10 see fhe witch or wizard who MAKE
he no pretensions TO religion. The first tn
n. we became acquainted with, in our bo,
av hood. carried on their peepings and mu
,;s terinps under the lids of the Bible.
nm There came once, q professional wizar
in or fortune.teller, into the station where
mo- llabored. He gathered up about five hu
al. dred dollars, before knew what ne W
an about. Some of our Church plunged in
10 his snare, like Tantalus, up to their llE
ID But they said. by way Of apology, tn
he .the man was very reiigiors. He ha
,bs 1.-THE Sabbath before, attended the Presb
CIV teriafi Church, and seemed quite devot
III. Indeed, he was so charitable that he COT
-. not 80 sectarianize his ample soul as
i. ID Iioin himself 10 any Church. The nj
~ Sabbath he came to the Methodist Churt
Iar and planted himself conspicuohsly IN
large congregation; when | arose, and
, of recting my eyes to the right point o. !,
re. compass, gave out a. the text: -
Is. M works Of the flesh are these" etc. Al
az sne lobserving that my text embraced . lal
- sn and wicked family. even drnnkeniiess 9
8. murder; gave the congregation to und
-. stand that 1 would confine myself to
os b;oor. SIsv and character of one OF