The union Democrat., 1869-02-06


belief, and witnessed at a circle some of the
elementary phenomena assume TO he its ex-
Founders and propagarors. They dig for
| money. The spirits tell them soto do. They
run after other mems wives The spirits tell
them SO to do. Their actions are character
lied by as much folly and extravsgance as in
most cases, they were before becoming Spr-
itualists. A member Of any society. orgaui-
zaiion, or poliiica! party is not obliged to bear
the sins of the idiots attaching themselves 10
such. Not so with person who disiaining
all lengthy explanations as TO the kind. de-
gree or limitation OF belief. says when asked;
Yes, am a Spirtuals,. There are bat
talions Of people who come to you in private,
and acknowledge half belief in the matter.
in the middle Of ten acre Lot, they wax
courageous, and confess their faith. They
seem to imagine that you ought to be gratt-
ed. And you are not You knew that the
moon is not the sun. If they, after having
for years persisted in calling it the sun, come
to their senses and term it the moon. " hat do
you care? Bat these ten acre lot confessors
keep their half beliefs tightly locked up when
they return to the herd. II is not popular.
Then comes another battalion, who half be-
lieying are afraid to have anything to do with
il. They think ''there is something in it. !"
But it makes, say they, peonle unsettled. 1t
sends many to Stockton. No good comes out
of it. And they go their way rejoicing
after confessing TO their weakness Of intellect
Perhaps they Go we'll. Nobody should at
tempt investigation unless they can bring an
average amount of sound common sense to
bear on the matter Rum sends large pro-
portion of people tn Stockton. Few however,
are afraid to investigate that. Many ask,
why don't their spirits do this. that and the
other thing? Why don't they constitute
themselves bearers of news, if they move 50
fast, or set up type, or help us make living?
These people assume that in another state of
being, there is absolutely nothing for them to
do and that we should be benefited by having
all occupation taken from our own hands.
But twenty years hence, this, perhaps under
same other name will be a popular belief.
Then the number credting it without other
proof, than the say so, OF somebody to whose
skirts are tied their intellects, will be as great
as that of those who scorn it now without due
investigation. Even now, throughout the
land there Is great number Of people who
are perfectly satisfied in their minds regard
ing this matter, who being convinced them
selves, care very little to make proselytes. and
who are going through the world quite firm.
sincere believers that mind after death is nei-
ther destroyed, nor east into lake of fire and
birthstone, nor employ in an eternal and tire
some seranade Of the Almighty. but still ex-
listing, having form, shape and locality, not
myth, having occupation, and enjoyment,
and uble, certain conditions being granted, to
return and speak word to those left behind
When little over three years ago first came
to San Francisco, prominent newspaper pro-
NrI 1th / r
the world. believer in the practice of lesiti-
maiely humbugging the people. n man having
all the nublic and private points of the town
at his tongue and fingers ends, said TO me on
expressing some doubts ns to the p,atter ;
"Wby, bless your soul. The belief has been
known and acknowledged in the best society
of New York, for the last twelve years Two
mediums III my own family. As common to
sit down and have talk with the spirits. as
to eat our dinners. DON'T make it public, be-
cause OF toomany disagreeable contingencies.
Folks hear there's medium in your family,
and all Mt once there comes a string ef fnols.
wanting their fortunes told, and all manner of
ridiculous things. Tis'nt popular. And
when yoa write about il, said he. " treat it
with sort of levity, SO as to make people
doubt whether yon believe it or not. Mustn't
get the name Of n Spiritual newspaper"
These were my orders. 1 oheyed them. But
hsring opportunities for investigation not af-
forded to many. improved them to such an
extent, that my reason and Judgment now
compel me when asked the question: " Are
you q Spiritaaiist?' TO an@wer so far as
belief that. what we call death, is but q
change of condition. and that the soul then
freed from the body Is still able to communi-
cate with earth. I am. and very glad indeed.
am [, TO say since this opinion frees me
from certain old inhorn orthodox horrors of
HILL. and the Dewitt and Eternal Damnation,
which haunted me for years.
WHlTE PINERs.
Specimens Of White Pine ore are becoming
common in the shop win lows. and spec mems
Of fnrinnst to White pinnrs nre frnnnant In thn