Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1854-04-04
GDMMUMICAYID,
Foi the Spirit OF the Times.
SPIRITUALIS Nj No. 3.

That .here is something new in the
theory Of Spri,ualism as at present un.
dersood, is corrpct-whether | shall be
able to explain to the comprehension
Of your readers, remains to be ascer.
tained, yet it is an ackno wledged fact
that there are impercep,ible influence of
mind over mind, among men, that can.
not better explain, perhaps, Than by re.
ference TO instructions from the pulpit.
We ore taught, and have often seen i,
demonstrated, that in order 10 enjov the
rennovating influence Of the Gospel in
anfextraordinary manner, it is not only
necessary that the church membership
should lhemsclyes be awake TO the i'm.
portance of the enlargement of the spir
itual kingdom m-but 'ho, they should 'ex
ercise a lively faith in its power, anil
make a combined effort by d unity Of
feeling, which can best be accomplish.
ed by assembling themselves together.
And when so assembled, the unity OF
thought and exercise of faith necessary
to a demonstration Of the spirit Of di.
-vinity, almost invariably corresponds to
the comparative size Of the building or
circle Of assemblace, the number pre-.
sent, and the preponderance Of good or
evil influences drawn around them by
the direction Of their own thoughts.
Thus in large building, with a. small
congregation, it is necessary TO call the
assemblage together so that the inau
ence Of mind over mind by the action OF
electricity may have less to ohstruct its
operation. Hence The expression, "let
the power and influence of thy spirit run
from heart to heart, until it leaven the
whole lump" Again, according to thy
faith so shall it be unto thee" Then il
Christ's disciples are weak in the faith,
they are. unable to br ng sulficiency oil
heavenly influences 10 their aid to over
come the spirit Of evil in an ordinary
assembly, and conseque lily this teach
ing to greater or less extent unavalling
But when thu soul is full Of the love o
God, one can chase a thousand, and
two put ten thousand to fight, not tina
they are proportionately stronger in
themselves considered, out that like +
..lisha, their faith calls around them tht
spirits Of Gods servants, "until they
that be with US, are more than they tha
,be with them"
Now what is new in this theory is,tha
BY willing submission in the mind o
man, yet in the body, the spirits Of thos
that have left the body, take control o
The material organism, by magnetic in
fluence similar to, and governed by tn
same laws, that one individual mesmer
ises another, and makes him convey hi
own IDEAS, and ,hroush that organism
converses with those in the body. Tha
such influence is exercised by one ind
,yidual over another here, is not MAJ
,ter Of dispute. Then the. only questio
f.. whether the immortal spirit loses a n
of its original inherent powers BY s,
narration from the grosser faculties an
passions impaired to it by his matefis
nature.
That spirituaiism does not accord
the present organized systems OF wo
ship, that full perfection which many
their votar,es so earnestly contend 10
Il nevertheless true. That it is an en-
nv 10 religion is as certainly erroneou
HOn the contrary il presents higher g.
moro extended motives for the adooue
and psrpstuation Of q truly felleio
life than any other teaching we have 9
ly.hssrd.p 1t rises above the 'essssll
prsiudices and bigo.fies that dlstra
.;he asssmblages Of prolessed chflstlsi
and while il illustraieS the truth that
house divided sgsnst itself cam cam
sstsad.' presents bfoad platform whe'
.on sll the true worshippeie OF God 9
ip Ohiist, can strive iogsshsF 20 ssss
f5-.Y tI