The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-02-17

ect; but have submitted TO the socitations o. mi
ends rather nan 70 the dictates OF my own eeit Ss
WHILE on the one band acknowledge no subnaiss. VI
70 popular clamor while cannot bow in obedience b
the conyentonstes of society that would trAmnae my
freedom WINE acknowledge no vassa'age to that fell
spirit Of tectarsnism, and claim the right stand NJ
In tne supremacy OF my reason, and acknowledging
afgihnce except 10 the source from whence derived
all power-on the other band acknowledge the duty
owe to those who have imbibed and entertain the came
faith that bave, and who say TO me have right TO
De SO seihsh as 70 close lips when be OF service
to 80 great caufe Therefore yield my own feelings
and stand before you this occasion. But came now
not to endeayor TO demonstrate to you the reality OF
intercourse between the sprita Of the departed
such il not my purpose. How vain, how futile would II
be Tor me 70 attempt -how idle and prcsumptuous the
task when God himself has planted the testimony in your
midst makes II spring up at your fresdel come
not, therefore now 10 attempt to demonstrate that but
investigated think have discovered In relation to this
mighty suhject, and came in the hope that many who
results OF our iabors, 70 begin their investigations
There Is much &c learn kyen the mos. forward among
us have learned little OF that which freely proered
to us. The harvest is immsnse-the field Ia great-lA
borers wanted for the work Many min 10 are need
ed to investigate. kapy difficulties are yet to BE- over
come. We have to contend with prejudces of early edu
cationthe violence Of dogmas-the active hos
tlty OF fearagainst tie most unhappy and palpable
ignorance Of the subject not merely Of the world
large, put even amongst ourselves We have TO con
tend with our own fanatlcsm; for assure you, from
my own experience and observation that the fascination
lead the mind away from it, proper Judgment and ins
spirit Of fanaticm most revolving to the calm aad
natural mind. We have also 10 contend against the
procliyes OF the age TO build theories Theory after
theory Is built in our ignorance; and yet all
these things We are constantly called upon to
struggle against, ana IN so doing forget that all
truth is slow in its progress with and the more
important aud vast the truth the difficult Il for
the human mind TO comprehend and theorize upon
How many thousand Yeas passed away before one
truth was acknowledged. which mankind were aiding
theories upon 10 regard to ourApanetary sysemf How
often were well established facts thrown aside in order
to sustain the theory that the earth was the centre OF
the universeS A. length facts enough adiuced to
give the true philosophy to mankind. And we ask now
In reference to this great subject such aid ia its nves
CATION that We may Obtain facts enough upon which We
II is matter In what form that investigation may be
prosecuted-whetber al the table with It's quiet rap
pngs, or in the higher walks Of spiritual ns estgaton-
lie 1t In what form II may II Is the number OF minds
wish TO enlist in this matter. rhe planetary dis.
coveries made by thousands OF telescopes we're here
alluded 20 as illustration Of this prncple We ask
that intelligent minds Of this country and Of Chrsten-
dom shall devote to this subject also the aon
that out Of this wide spread investigation, truth
may come. There are many questions in reference
TO this whole subject OF spirtuam that the very
informed cannot answer We cannot say what II Is that
the table TO move but we know what is infinitely more
impor lant-that through these raps aud this motion
understand. 20 may not know what IL 10 that
blade OF grass 70 grow, but know what 20 make
Of 1t when Il i grown. When Franklin discovered
electricity he built his theory and that great
and wise made practical Of his discovery sni
mankind have in after acknowledged the benefits
of IT, So II with spirituasm There are m nv things
We cannot understand, yet may know the reality,
and make practical use OF H. What we ask IL that
practical and intelligent minds should do as we have
dont-make practical application OF the knowledge Of
the fact that stands before But many what is
the use-wfat benefit can possibly flow from ~ With
US, NY fiiends, IL l. not the qualification of idle
curosry-r Is not to pander to diseased
appetite for the mHrvclltus--it Is something beyond
believe that We find II in the amsiioration OF
condition here and hereafter and the exten nR of
our knowledge both OF the arts and scences We be.
heye that We have practical use Of neaiculabe ad
vantage TO here, where he Is enlightened or else.
where, where he may be tnsaved ignorance. We
beevh that find the advantage in the knowledge OF
temporal and future conditions The intercourse
with spirts OF the departed has always been religion
theory History, both srcTed and Iroane is full OF
counts of hueh communications. And thus
recognized al ages Of the wori. Shau lmi.
tate the dark ages and remain ia blindness shall
inyefteate IL for ourseles We ask permission 70 DO
this, and ve ask that all intelligent minds shall assist
Ia the work There never was time 50 favorable AS
the present for such invest gaons Tor the last Gfy
years We have been eady advancing In the arts and
sciences uDtO we baye rsen TO proper pitch aud
prepared for the outy. The question Il, whether we
shal remain Ia The dark or search for the light But
suppose we are willing 10 inycsgate-somc minds viii
ask of what benefit will II be 70 usy This knowledge will
be Of vast service to u IN many respects Many mysie
fes III he made clear. We shall understand own
better and the connection OF the soul sh the
bo6y viii be made pla % II will be of the highest
b. ne to US in ncreasng the range Of ntegence.
Tie sctnce Of medUusbp Il capable Of being cultivated
10 any extent This means Of communication may yct
he common that Of speech But when this power
is found within u.s. ts power IL greater than
that We lave any idea of n dives down uto our hearts
. nd reveals most secret thoughts. Many a time had
tie altr seen the strong bo red down when his
dearest secrets laid bare And, " this Is truef
this should become general who say that alsehood
and deceit may not be preyentsd WbAtt may do here
after II SHOWN b. what il done already. spiritualsm
has already reclaimed the crringi has arrested the sui
ciGc-t has reformed the crunkard-it has reclaimed
the thef-t has eomforted the monrnerit has taught
10 meet our fellow VI ia better and higher feel
ingst teaches that Office is not for srola but
place of honor destined 70 adorn its holder II teaches
what death ~ and robs II Of is terTorsit denou
Strates 10 his existence in after life. No man
after seeing these facts doubt that he may
nIcate with the spirit Of HIS cepartcd friend We have
already reaped many advantages from sprituism and
this Is what We suppose spritualism has done for
And We ash that as spirtu Il sanctioned BY scrip
ture and by history, Why not pursue itwhy not cher
lAh n-why not investigate H. And may not ask II
say that IL the work OF spirits Of evil BY what
ear marls are we 10 know this The progress of spirit
uam has not been arrested BY opposition or perseca
ton II yet destined 10 roll over the land, gathering
strength at every Hretide, and enEchng the land and
hearing you up 10 country whore may stand haul
in bard as great brotherhood of fteemeu worship
ping one God bsnsbng from midst the fell spirit
Of Aectarianii n, which has long srmsd against
his fellow,
After benediction, the audience dispersed.