The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-09-12

have Planohette board in the homes, aud
their advice is given not as joke as some
would naturally think. It is given to ignorant
servant girls, and most of the GLASS OF small
Intelligence, and is calculated to awaken in
them emotions of real aversion and fear. 1t
seems to thinking mind almost Incredible
that such an article could be actually written.
Why 1t completely sustains all notions OF TO-
fernal propriety. To sacrifice hoofs for wheels,
to cut off his tail and resign his horns, to say
nothing of abandoning his principal diet, is
really too much for us to ask the Devil to do,
in order that he can help ten fingers pressed
on board. The fact to our minds does not
admit of discussion, and the reason why We
think the Universe is wrong we will state
briefly.
First. The article in question looks too much
like an advertisement. Chow much line ?''
seems an appropriate inquiry. If the patentees
of that article, if there be any, would not con-
sent to pay 81 line, then they are no men OF
business and ought to consult their star and
get wisdom. Yet we fear that such an attack
is calculated to enlarge the sale for this horror
of horrors The deprsvity of the age would
lead every man to want to have a little devil
all to himself and he would not hesitate to in
vest the necessary funds; and,
Second. Because the argument by which the
Universe deduces its startling conclusion is a
fallaoy. 1t says:-
"It moves; undoubtedly it does And how?
lntellgeDtlyl IL answers questions of any
KIND put TO 1t in any language required 1t
does this; This cannot be done but uy inteli-
q 10 hnra af,pa f.,N ynIH
telligence. Well by what desert ption or intel-
ligence2 1t cannot be supposed that the Divine
conceived To make such a manifestation of
Himself as Plsncnette exhibits correspJrd-
ing reason Gu off The idea that tits presided
over by an angelic intelligence And 1t is
evident 10 All tnat humsn mind does not
control IL. Tnere Is but one mora character OF
lnielllgence-that of the evil spirits"
Now there is an error here, and palpable
one. 1t overlooks species of intelligence
quite abundant in the world, although it seems
to be singularly lacking in certain quarters of
it-human intelligence. Why, is not Plan
chette moved by the human ,oiH9 We have
seen men mesmerized by will. We have
we'll authenticated writer's of "second sight, {"
as the Scottish call it, performed by the wiA.
Why not Planchette The idea that the
devil caused rappings has long since exploded,
1t is in all probability the same agency which
moves Planohette as caused the seance
tables to move. There is no more devil in it
than there is in any other physical cause
producing phyiical effects. Call it electricity;
call it magnetism; call it what you please,
but don't make the king of darkness conds-
scend to push three-cornered board ON three
wheels over sheet of white paper. Despite
the warning of the Universe we will not have
an auto da fe over our Plancbette. We need
not fear that special one which is our pro-
perty. First, Because there is no devilish
spheres in any Planchette and, secondly, be-
cause there certainly is not in ours, for no
agency, human or Internal has ever made it
write word.