Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1857-10-02

while on clrth-is well founded and fully
established. THE Reply ., quite readable
and It We were called upon 60 make up uur
mind Of the character Of the sermon Of DR.
Dwight. wholly from the quotations and
comments hor' prc-cntcd, We should be
compelled 10 SAY, that the author has the
advantage in the argument, and force OF
statement
Here we might ret our review oi this
Reply. We could jus,ly saw that il bad
been noticed AMI that IT, character In our
opinion had been bricly submitted 90 the
public. hut one word more now wo are
upon the subject.
Tha, there i, actually and truly 'om0-
hrqr, invisible. impalrhle and iucompr'-
hsn.ibl, which influences the motives, IN
tantious aud actions Of men, according a.
,hoy hood or ucslrc, 1.-THE tendency OF
which is generally g. promote justice, right
cousnr,s aud T.lcc-an emauai.'no r essence
flowing from an Omni,cisut Intelligence,
there cannot ho doubt. The BihlCab1unds
in 10. our acrcd poetry is made mp # o..
aud were We 90 erase on that alluic % this
Invisible influence there would not hoaskcl-
ctln Ut poetry len. Il is the essence u
cans-icntousurss worship, and yrncration.
I, imagine a hrman being without 10 is %
imagine him without the essential element
ofhumani,y Every man experiences thg
presence Of such an agency Go where De-
may hr cannot hide himself from 10 Do
what hc may il is always near 30 excuse or
acrus, him and tho moro ho notices and
attends 20 his own thoughts the moro will
ho h. satisfied that such 3, thc casc. We
sr-ak II such a something a. " good am
gel. " a. " good sririt,' O. " holy angel, ~
and as " beings of glory watching over our
lrads' and guarding us in action and IA
sleep.
Now admitting that this something IT:
an invisible spiritual rresncc, directing,
calling, and warning every man 20 follow
che " Golden Rule" the grel iquc,'iob h.,
and u Is one OF no ordinary momcu, Ia,
mau the power 20 converse with thi, some.
thing Can or docs this spiritual some.
thing APPEAR iu essence M an sorts Of hu.
man character. aud most OF all among thc
ignorant and supsrsiitious, and ,silius Ger.
tan Persons by the hand or head write poe
try, teach morals, and compose sermon, p
or. IN other cases, d0cs il show itself with
stall greater power and mystery by entering
iuauimatc subjects, moving tables and rap
ping out the pety Of old sinners, perform.
ius dancing tunes On Giilcs and pianos aud
revealing the disease. and aches Of inulIIs7
Aud j. this rcrulins something modern
Spirituali.m, Identical with that exhibited
by Swcienbors, Hare, Elmonl,, the Foxes
aud other lesser hsht.2
The proof tia, the spiritual presence
which j. all poryalrnc has any mode beside
that OF a purely spiritual one IN influencing
tbc thoughts andaction' ofmgn syoi want
ing. The proof that departed spirits 10 To-
turn end communicate, as alleged by mod
crn sp.riiualist., with living per.9ns BY
signs and act. may DO satisfactory % some
but We must regard the question a, ye, uu.
settled. And, until ,hi. proof !, fan ami
clear the whole question ormoi,rn Spiritu-
ali,m i. in doubt,
Il seems to u, that the science of Spirit
ual.,m should BE- settled like any other .gi-
cucc. 1t must be based on facts and obs.r.
Walton. II, facts and observations should,
in order to be such, Do appreciate to an
who would take the trouble to try to see
and understand them. II is q fact that au.
finals having a large Development Of brain
between the ears are fond o. quarrcling and
lighting; and upon such an organization
We predicate such disposition. Upon such
fact. Is based the science Of Phrcnology n
Spiriualism is true Why not require that ~
facts shall possess similar tangibilIty. II
a certain person while sitting by the side Of
"a table with his hand, in a certain position
can produce rap' as a sign Of the presence
Of a departed spirit, tany time, why should
be not be able to produce them a, all times
and under all circumstances AMI WHY
should not all persons equally capable ct
concentrating their powers DO equally able
to produce the same mps? Aud IT departed
spirits can return to earth and tip tables,
rap out sentences and answer question.
through the agency OF mediums at one time
under certain circumstances. why should
they not do 20 at al times, and under all
circumstances, Or explain why not2 The T.
truth is there is no series OF we'll autheuiI-
Gated facts observed by all classes Of indi-
yiduals whether skepucal or not. by which
modern Splritualism is established. The
rapping may be established. 80 may the
writing and visions but this does not prove
that they come from departed spirits; nor
does it show that phenomena arising from
impaired cerebral action might not have as
mach to do with 1t as such spirits. /
Reply for sale by DR.. Rust, South Paris.
The substitution i'm New York far the re-