Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-10-18

L :. eutl00n- Ne SpCAE- -
Ma. EDIToR Perhaps, in justice to my good
friend, T. s. Sheldon, Of Randolph, n. Y, a.
well as to the cause Of truth generally, ought
to correct some very gross misrepresentation
which are going the rounds of the newspapers
and which were copied into your paper OF
Friday with some additions.
1t is not true that this gentleman, ,nOrany other
one has expended single dollar "in digging
cave" at Kiantone during the Presen. season
Nor is it true that he is ''lenniless" or insane
nor incapable in any manner Of performing
the varied duties which devolve upon him as
/ a husband and father, or a most worthy member
of Society. Nor is it true that he negieets IN
any manner to perform these duties as becomes
an honest man and good Christian Spiritual
| ist.
But it is true that-somewhat IN imitation oil
brother merchantmaD spoken of by the blessed
Jesus "who while seeking gOOdly pearls when
he had found one pearl of great price, went and
sold all that he had and bought it''-ior several
years past in common with thousands Of the
most intelligent and consistent portions Of the
community he has been very much interested IN
the cause of Spiritualism, and has devoted con-
siderable time and some money, not only IN the
investigation of this very important subject, but
also in TIE prosecution of various projects which
in his opinion would greatly subserve the IN
terests of Humanity; that some four years since
for good and substantial reasons then apparent
to him, and still more so at the present time.
he did, with one other noble-hearted man
styled by you as the ''master builder" exPend
two or three hundred dollars and no more, all
told, in certain excavatory laoOrs-the result OF
which are, the existence of an invaluable book
of come 700 pages, called the Educator" con-
tanning teachings and principles Of a very I'M
pOrtant and varied character, coming as IS elaim-
ed and believed from the Spint-WOrld-also an
invaluable Medicinal Spring, worth more to
humanity than all the gold and silver ever
owned by either or both of those gentleman, and
which neither they nor their friends would eX-
change for many thousands of dOllars-all of
which excavatOry labors were prosecuted under
and through the particular direction of high and
benefcent Spiritual Intelligences, through their
chosen communication" or medium, that indus
trious, selfsacriicing gOdly man, John NJ
Spear.
Nor is it true that "Ihat other gentlemen Of
youf city" has ever expended one farthing in
digging for treasures springs, either at Kaine-
tone or elsewhere, other than that through
life of industry, economy and integrity, he has
exhumed suiiiciency of this worlds treasures
fIr present and future purposes of self and fam
lily, and good portion he hopes for humanity;
but if she has spent good deal of money
and lime" at kaInetOne, or New York, or other
places, it has always been done in strict
accordance with the highest wisdom which
good G cd has given him and with these e1pendi-
tures he now is, and he trusts ever will be sat
isfed If in so doing he has expended his own
honest earnings for purposes which to him
seemed Just and proper, it i'll cOmports in his es-
timation with the sphere or dignity Of a pub
lie journalist to pass judgment upon the same;
and if his slime" thus devoted intelligently and
cOnscientiously, is not duly appreciated by 9TH
ers, as when employed in the past in building
of churches and supporting various literary re-
formatOry and religious enterprises, while he
NAV regret the fact he is not disposed 70 blame
or censure any one but he must beg the privi-
lege of judging and acting for himself and not
sacrifice his own intelligence or conscience to
the behests of others.
This "other gentleman" takes this occasion
TO say--for the benefit of all concerned, as he
has quite unwillingly been dragged before the
publie-that while he believes 10 spirit CON-
munion and kaOlrs it to be fact, and purposes |
devoting the balance of his life to the dissem- |
ination and actualization of the true spiritual |
philosophy, the basic principles Of which are /
Glove to God and good will to man''-that while 1
order on 6Syssss SYSqs Hssgenees Of the highest
lsnthrOpy, which has in view the elevation Of |
man and the regeneration of the race and that
they have through their chosen communication,
John N. Spear, given Us principles and plans,
which if faithfully, truly and unselfishly car
ried out, will do more 70 effect the aforesaid
purpose, than any other scheme yet given TO
man-a moiety of which principles and teach
ings to he found in the above name, SD
ucatOr yet he recognizes, neither in those
nor In the Educator, nor in any
other book, an infallibe guide-mueh less does
he, or the friends associated with him, receive
John III. Spear, or any other medium, as a
Grand Llma"-or one authorized to dictate to :
DR. teach ID, only so far as the teachings or /, ,
principles coming through him as a 81 tunnel " !
commend themselves to our reason, under I
itsnling and conscience. Neither do our I
pirit friends desire Us to view them in any c
,ther light Their professed object is to eda- S
Iate US, and how can we be educated and de- G
-eloped, while we ignore our own reason and =
neglect the exercise Of our God-giyen facultiesi
Will you. Mr.. Editor, and others, who have Or
aken little or no pains to inform youselvesup- 81
N this matter, examine the Educator" and
ther forthcoming volumes, and see If possibly Z
ou may not be mistaken, and that IN the end
may appear that those upon whom you SEEM
lgly delight to cast oblOquy and repr6aeh, may 7
e night and yod wrong, ever remembering the L
dvice of the wise Gamaliel, " If this work be
man, it will come to n0ught But if it be
God, We cannot overthrow it, lest hsplT ys
e found even to fight against God"
JOHN II. STERLING. z
P. S.-Analysis Of one of the Springs by p
rof Chiffon, of New York-Free Sulphuric =
cid, Sulphate of Magensia, Sulphate Of Soda,
llPhate Of Iron, Sulphate of Lime, Chloride
Sodium, Chloride Of Aagensil, Silica, Or
mic Matter. GS