Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1854-09-01
Spiritual His cussE0a.
SYRACUSE, August %.

SYRACUSE, August %.
Spiritual Discussion.
Elder Lothrop gave notice that he
would urge some difficulties to belief
in Modern Spiritualism to all who would
convene at the Court House last Sunday
to hear him, and announced that any who
chose would be invited to clear up TIE
difficulties.
Accordingly, large, earnest, and in
telligent audience convened to hear the
discussion.
Dir. Cory and j. c. Smith, Esq, OF
Waukegan, who have given much thought
and attention to the investigation of tie
facts and philosophy of Splritualism, and
who had been notified of the Elders APP
pointment and invitation, were present
and prepared to listen and reply to the
difficulties.
The Elder opened the meeting in the
usual manner of Sunday meetings, and
read for his text John T. l-3.
lie then directly adverted to the Sub
iect of the discourse-thc doctrine OF
communications with our friends in the
spirit land.
No one, he said, denies the Bible doc
trine that Ange'S visit the World. But
they were sent Of God, as his messengers
will not now deny the phenomena OF
SpiritualiSm-that communications are
purportcd to be made from the spirit
land to the friends Of departed spirits il
this world. Many Of these are of a pc
culiar and extraordinarily interesting
character. They are often exceedingly
/ interesting. Children often receive com
munications from what purports to bt
their parents, and parents from children
and friends from friends. And whatever
the credibility Of these reputed commu
nications, they do not, and cannot fail tx
be most deeply interesting; and whethe
from spirits or not, they are more or les
greatly beneficial giving the best Of adj
vice, and tending greatly to sooth the
sorrows Of the bereaved.
But the great Question is, Docs Goo
now communicate with men in this way
There are. in my mind, few Difficult
ties in the way of tue modern philosophy
of Spiritualisn. some Of which will urge
beginning with the least first.
lst. The appearance Of omniScienct
and oA,niprescace. The great ones O
the departed are looked to for informa-
ton in regard to the affairs Of life. The
spirits OF such persons as Webster and
Franklin, for example, are continually
sought for. Now we are told by the
teacheres Of Spirtuali$'n that there are
many Thousands Of media, and that the
number is continually increasing. The
spirit Of franklin is liable t. be called OF
by al these at once. And granting him
power to answer them all, is granting him
an attribute belonging only to God-the
attribute Of omlipreseaee.
ID. The 1eum Of a teF to haor The
true from the false spirits. When one
receives what purports to be acommuni-
cation from del arted spirit, momen-
tous inquiry is, Is the message true? BY
what standard shall we know that they
are divine communications?
Here the Elder quoted from the wri-
tings of eminent spiritualists, in which II
was admitted that they arere false as well
as true Communications as well
as true spirits 1t was laid down that
spirits, like individuals in this life. were
Of different degrees of Development
those Of the highest development were
better, purer, truer, While those Of the
lowest development lowered near the
earth, partook more or less Of its gross
ness of character, and resorted to the
tricks and means of ignorance and deceit
to accomplish their wishes
The Bible teaches standard Of truth
the spirits of the Bible profess to be
sent of God-they acknowledge that Je-
sus was in the flesh, for the salvation of
the world.
Sd. The doctrine Of Spiritual Com
munications is made Of more Importance
than God hinsseicThe Human Broth
eyhood is raised ADORE the Dirine Pdter-
mtg.
There is nothing more interesting than
communications from the recently dead.
They consol grief, and take from bereave-
ment its greatest poignancy. And the
sympathy with and for these communica-
tions, whether true or false, destroy S
sympathy with God. 1t is made to take
the place Of Divine Sympathy. The doc
trine of Pantheism is sustained by it, and
that of the Divine Paternity is destroyed.
The spirits of Andrew jackson Davis as
taught in his writings. are more loved and
worshipped than God himself.
Religion is love. Love must have a