New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1855-12-07
communicated. j
S Modern Spiritualism.

EpfroRs DAILY CRESCENT Gentlemen: In your issue
this morning speaking Of the lecture delivered last
ing by Bishop Hopkins at Odd Fellows Hall you use tbt
His subjsct-Modern spirituasm-was ably handled
and without gloves at that and doubt if more thor
ough and crushing exposure Of 7sicous doctrine wal
ever made y @
was present at the lecture, but understood that
the force Of the Bishops attack was mainly directed
against what he calls denial Of the Bible and Of the nj
vinty Of Christ by modern spirtuaEm IF this be the
perncous doctrine Of which you speak your language
has my hearty sympathy if the charge be proved if
however it be shown that modern spirituasm wher
correctly interpreted pillows upon the inspiration
of the Bible and netes its heart upon the Divine HUI
mainly of Christ you reconcile the barhness of
Language with that love which springs from Charity
that justice which is born of Truth?
shall not follow the Bishops lecture with any feelings
Of upkindneks or hostility but simply DENY his right M
take Judge Edmonds as an exponent OF the views Of
modern spirituaiss The Judge like other Investigators
therefore stands forth the those only
who agree with him, Can the Bishop undertake to say
how great is the number?
II Truth and Truth alone guides the honest inquirer
after the doctrines Of modern spirituasm think that
very small research will satisfy him that sprituaiss are
divided into two distinct easseEone Of which may be
designated as Harmoniasts the other, Bible Spr-
ualists AS these two classes occupy the extremes in
spirituasm, glance at their doctrines of belief will
able us to arrive at standard by which all may be
sured from the extremist to the conservative who holds
mean course between the two baiancng to the
other according to the nelnaIons Of the heart or the
perceptions Of the understanding.
The harnoual spirituass deny the authority of the
Bible as Gods Word believing its writers to have been
developed mediums only as they may have uttered
truths. Some believe in God, without however any
distinct idea upon the subject beyond that he the
source and fountain Of all Truth and Love others again
believed in no God, beyond the fixed laws Of nature
Progression the great word Of their faith by which,
they mean that all suffering and sin is simply ignorance
Of the laws Of being that in the next world advance
in intelligence consequently in happiness and some
think far hold that this progression goes on
until man s absorbed in and becomes part aud parcel Of
Deity itself Such are some of the leading doctrines of
the Harmenia Philosophy. As do not affiliate with it
in any FORM trust that have not been led into any
Misrepresentation, by preudices 1t gives great plea
however add that they strictly teach the necessity
Of charitable aud truthful life they understand
truth, planting themselves the golden rule of doing
unto others as you would be done by
The Bible Sptualsts believe the Bible to be the Word
Of God penary In its Inspiration leaving each deter
mine for himself what properly constitutes the Bible what
ftsinterpoatops They believe in One Invisible Eter-
nal God the Father Of ALL who descended upon earth
assumed the human form ncarnated in Christ glo-
rifsd His Humanity ard is One and indivisible in
body and spirit we earth and indlvsble in
soul and body Thus in their worship they worship God
in Christ soul in body Divine and Infinite we
created and finite They regard Spirituam the hand
maiden of true religion whose Office il is minister
unto us as q mnistering angel; warming our affec-
tlons and strengthening us in our daily efforts tv lead
life in accordance with Hislaw.
Should 1t be charged that the communication of spirits
is substituted for the guidance Of the word the reply is
not they simply claim that all inteigences Of
Truth simple Instruments in the hands Of the Lord
all truthful revelations from the Spirit world
simply regarded unfoldings of His grace Should
they be asked by what standard they the truth
funess and reliability Of communications. the answer ia
by their accordance first with Gods law unfoded in
His written word and second with the acceptations OF
sound nationality free from ali bigotry superstition and
prejudice.
The Rev. 4 L. Harris Of New York who is nov preach
ing every Sabbath morning and evening" at the lecture
room of Odd Fellows Hall is regarded distinguished
representative of Bible spirituasm, and should these
lines arrest the attention Of any who would learn
Spirituased Christianity, would respectfully refer
them to his discourses.
Trusting that Gods charity will rest on all differences
Of opinion, remain, truly yours,
.. A BIBLE srIRlTuALisr.p
New Orleans, Dec 9th 1856