The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-07-06
fhe Religion Of Revolution Every Man his

ths net&tou OF Ncvolut1oN -EvaIy MEn MIG
own Evsngciiss.
sTATlsrICs AND STATUS OF sPIaIrUALIsM-A FREE
CONVENTION IN vERMoNT-rHs REVOLUTIONARY
TENDENCY OF THE NEW CREED ITS WAR AGAINST
CHUkCH COMMUNICATIONS GROWTH OF
sHS EPILEPrIc PRACTICES OF MEDIUMSHIP, grc.
The anniversary proceedings which have monopo-
hzed space of late, presented the condition of
our religious and charitable organizations affordng
such evidence of their prosperity they fit to
report of themselves. There were several impor-
tant sections of the religious community, however
not represented in our bulletins. or these, none
could web have afforded curious interest than
the new movement of the spiritualists, had they
seen fit to put themselves upon the stand and render
their accounts current There is ample evidence on
every hand that this movement is exercising most
subtle and widespread influence Without some no
tice of its progress our gazette would be materially
deficient as an index TO the prevailing religious in
terest and its developements. 1t may be expedent
for the churches to ignore the parvenue creed
of the spirit rappers, but the vocation
of journalism does not dictate suck a poiicy
We present accordingly such facts and statements as
could be gathered the subject from the journals
and tracts, as well as from the lecturers and disci-
Piles of the new revelation"
free convention of spritualists, in the manner Of
at Rutland VT, and we understand that matters o.
unusual and permanent Importance to their interest
as q body were brought up on that occasion The
principle or phenomenon, in which the movement
originated has had its due share of notoriety. But
it was no new thing and its affinity with popular de-
monology, witchcraft and the apocryphal miracles
Of antiquity from the question Of their truth
r. frankly acknowledged. The spiritualists are, it
40 r1u tinr
where they can stand above this phenomenon, and
present themselves more in the vestments of phio
sophcal religion than in the garb of frantic SUPER
stition. Tley feel keenly the pnsparng onslaught
which has been made upon them, but with the con-
idence of their increased numbers, and the pro-
gress they have achieved, they now manifest
spirit OF assault and retaliation. The for
mula of this proposed attack upon the church or
CARNATIONS has novelty than the basis of their
creed. They lay it down as a cardinal duty to
oppose and destroy all =" authoritarianisrn" in
religion. They have meetings for lecture and
worship, but no appointed or recognized minis
try; they hold conventions for discussion but
make election of delegates the expenses of their
places Of worship they are anxious tn have paid
upon the straightforward cash plan of asmal fee at
the door, and settle all round when the service is
closed. They have no ordinations or covenant OF
creed they have no funded property, real estate
leases Of church buildings; they have no chartered
institutions, or any written or implied compact OF
association; they will recognise no organization and
assert the absolute uncomfortable sovereignty ofeach
individual, only answerabie in the sight Of God
They do not ask their disciples even to GENE out of
existing organizations, but If possible remain in
them and heaven them with new doctrines. NOtwith
standing these apparent hindranees, they claim to
be already religion, and a:harmonious church-a
power of the first rank among Christian sects.
In the progress they have made since the whole
thing was but mysterious noise in an old house ut
Rochester. fifteen years since, they assume in the
most confident manner TO see the doom and over
throw Of the entire ecclesiastical system which pre-
IT. 81 .nf 11t.sA.. I. h.,
developement of these ideas would prove, without
question, the most revolutionary movement which
eccesiastcism has confronted since the Reformation.
A nucleus of more than million OF protested and
attached believers is already claimed for such re-
youton. Its barbados, they say, are not, indeed,
drawn up Broadway or Pennsylvania avensc but in
the far vital precincts Of the jury box and the
ballot box; in the Senate anu the halls Of legislation;
on the bench, the press, and even in the pulpit
itself The movement Is essentially indip eEous and
American, bearing the most absolute marks OF It's
democratic and popular origin.
To back up this curious and radical basis OF
a religion, they assert not only the Protestant
principie-the right and duty Of every man,
woman and child to have access to the evan
pelical writinCs-but they assume also, the duty
and the ability of every individual TO be-
come an evangelist for himself, TO find access TO
the spiritual world, and draw thence a spiritual
inspiration for his moral sustenanoe, as TIE trees alb
sorb their own light and air. The means proposed in
this method for eyangelizing' the world rendered
the matter apparently parallels with the practical
bility of the submarine Accomplishments, but ~
must be done. The two methods in practice are
those of the cairvoyants, whose faculties. by spe-
cies Of dervshlike trance, are supposed 20 he ele
waited 20 the spheres Of immortal life and those Of
the various mediums who assume 70 have the gift
of calling about them the spirits of the departed
Al Dodworth academy, the chief exponent, prophet
and medicine man of this American dervish delusion
has inst commenced fresh course OF lectures which
aftrac. no little attention. What he has say is
chiefly in explanation of his personal experience
practical evangelist ITS processes and its results,
in his own life. He stands mp 10 this task before his
audience with the GOODNESS and confidence of an
Elijah who indeed had gone up IN the old fashioned
fiery chariot. but was now returned by the more
commonplace but much more convenient method OF
"a railroad train. He has creed, no evangelical
code no church organization 70 preach; he does not
even present the infable accuracy Of his own state
ments nor do any Of those engaged in this movement
He simply attests the discovery Of an occult and
fascinating Of religions ecstacy, sort Of theo-
logical Northwest passage 20 the spiritual world by
which the Bible is superseded practically aud where
any one may 60 and explore for himself
Il would be useless 20 deny the extent 70 which
this new superstition prevails. The more noisy and
preposterous manifestations OF 4 have subsidized az
matters Of public excitement but the private prac
tice ofits manipulations and ecsta lies vel known
90 have taken deep hold Of our community. Spirit
manifestations make a chief and most exciting sub
ject Of attention in numberless households especially
ia the stagnant social life OF our country towns
Cergymen travelling lecturers and coporterrs bear
witness unanimously 70 its equally alarming and
Astonishing growth II has established a new means
of mental dissipation and delaucbcry among US. tho
more deplorahle a. it, victims mainly among
women and children. It's mystical fascination. aud
the religious garb with which Il Is shielded ensure
st. encouragement where u should BE repressed The
sckly exbaustng and epcptic practices OF medium
ship have accordingly gained hold here. Such can
only he paralleled elsewhere by TIE vice Of opium
eating In China. the worship ~ MANAGES in India,
and the Ike. Is real extent would be impossible 60
determine. or those Christians who accord 10 a
tacit assent and accept IL distinctive doctrinethe
substantial and material being ~ the human soul and
Of God-the number Is quite beyond computation
II Il In this pont of view that the sprtnaliss have
made as vet, their only al ding impression. The
number Of six hundred professional speakers and
mediums were given In the Spiritual Register. with