New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1855-12-08
BISHOP HOPKINS FOURTH LECTURE.

Modern SpifitucGsns Continued "A large audience,
gathered from the intelligent classes Of society
the lecture Of Bishop Hopkins last evening upon the sub
ject Of Modern spirtuAlism. great many young and
pretty ladies present notwithstanding the fact that
they usually credited with preference for theatre
Gals and fashion any metaphysical doctrinal dis
cussion. III aS IA
Our space will not permit than brief outline of
the learned gentlemans remarks he stated in the out
set that he trusted he had already shown In former leo
ture that the whole tendency of modern sprtuaism
opposed to Christianity taught by the Bible taking
place thereof the pretended revelations Of departed
spirits and that evidently it is merely device of the
old enemy Of mankind his principal object this evening
to controvert the doctrine upon the very evedence
which ID put forth to maintain it. He stated in full his
opinions regard to the existence spirits and their ma
Ign agency IN human affairs for the purpose Of explain
ing his reasons for having attended meetings Of
pirualists and investigated their claims upon creduy
by personal observation In view of the evidence brought
forward and attesed by believers in the doctrine spirit
usism difficult TO deny that the various phsnom-
often produced and unexplained, table moving
raps music, ringing of bells, etc. brought about
through other than human agency. He admitted the
presence In these manifestations of powers within
thu reach Of man. but he must sscribe them directly to
thu efforts Of the evil to deuds and the sous
of men These results wrought through the mschi
nations Of the fallen angels, and the Divine Word had
plainly and expressly forbidden with them He
did not wish to dsobey the of God for the pur-
pose Of avain and rutless investigation into phenomena
whose existence he did not deny and Of whose evil origin
and purpose he was well satisfied and would endeavor
TO throw some light upon.
The lecturer then proceeded to state the manner
in which the mediums and believers operated to produce
the phenomena Of spirtualisma to the pub
ished experience Of Judge Edmondsand quoted largely
from his statements. The Judge after describing the
manifestations which had fallen under.hs own
obseryation and had finally led him to believe the doe
tne had stated that such proofs had existed in every
the world many Of which are related in the Bible
Tbs lecturer denied the existence Of any analogy be-
tween the related in the Bible those occurring
In the day. except regsrds the agency of evil
spirits There TO be found but single instance in
Scripture Of the Deity having made revelation through
departed human aplrt 1.-THE rAising Of the spirit Of
Samuel By the Witch Of Endorl and that bore
ssmbancs to the cited by modern spiritualsts
The Almighty had chosen his methods Of transmitting
bis revelations to mankind. The Deity was incarnated
In our nature in Jesus Christ for the purpose Of engkt
ening and redeeming man living had been chosen
to promnsats the light Of the gospel and the win Of God
ard In Casa except the mentioned had departed
sprits Of men been chosen to perform such Missions
There was no resemblance whatever between the modes
chosen by Heaven to communicate wihmanknd and the
manner In which spirits Of the present day alleged to
make themselves known but between their manifestation
and the adopted by evil spirits throughout the
whole history q the world 70 deceive and lead away
kind, there striking likeness. He then proceeded
support Of this position cite numerous accounts Of
spiritual rhsnoens through evil agents drawn from the
Scriptures and other sources and compared chem with
the manifestations Of spirits in the present day
The doctrine that departed friends erain about
Ard may communicate with Is with the
II 49, Ly--s .rx ..T N - FVYm.