The New York herald., 1871-12-04
DEECHRR ON SPlRIlUALISM.
The Necessity of Influences from
Higher Sphere.
HE MINISTRY OF ANGELS.
Sermon by Henry Ward Beecher
Last Evening.

Mr.. Beecher preached q sermon touching on splr.
ltuasm last evening, taking his text from Jonn ILL.,,
8-"Ihe wind bloweth where 1t listeth, and those
nearest the sound thereof and canst not tell whence
1t comeJh and whittier 1t goeth; every that
Is born OF the spirit" After speaking OF the con.
versation OF Christ with Nicodcmus about being born
OF the spirit Mr. Beecner said:I suppose that from
the beginning OF things this World has been
open to the influence OF spirits; that other
influences come into the world. Such a
truth as this is to be infinitely desired.
There Is disposition TO treat 1t with and neg
lect. 1t Is not impossible to believe that there is
spiritual unity or influence which we can neither
understand nor appreciate. This is certainly the
doctrine OF the New Testament 1t is taught by the
Saviour and the apostles that both divine ana
DEMoNAC INFLUENCES
did roll in upon the human soul. It is the atti-
tude OF most thinkers to repel everything
that they cannot prove by the senses
and therefore the doctrine OF spirltualism has
been in bad repute. There is nothing that we so
much needed and should so much desire as that
there should be waited into this sphere the infiu-
ence OF the Divine spirit. This doctrine fits and
harmonlzes with the higher lie towards which we
are cropping our way. We DO not know what we are.
We go step by steps we conscious OF vague long.
ing and aspirations, and don't know how to locate
them. What every thoughtful. rational man should
desire Is that there should be influence to teach
us the divine Fantastic and false notions
have arisen during all ages in connection with
spiritual phenomena. This does not interfere
with the truth In the minds OF the real seeker for
truth. Where does our knowledge OF the Divine
come froms IL is no argument against astronomy
that men sought 1t through astrology, or against
chemistry that it was sought through alchemy.
Seeking shows need tnat 1t is not part OF Gods
economy to allow. Our Saviour declares tnat we
~ have tod you Of earthly things and, Ss ys
hseye II Io n9W e oieye
to interpret higher sphere to those lii lower We
are not to suppose the spiritual influence super
from the Word OF God it would seem as though This
Is q process recreatlDg. IT wakes up our dormant
powers; II ministers to our necessities; II revves,
beauties and 1ructlfes The period OF growth have
been v hen men believed most
IN TIE INVISIBLE.
This belief has inspired men TO activity in
often conscious OF being influenced by a spirit
outside Of ourselves. u comes unexpectedly.
this Is understandable. There Is way to prepare
ourselves Ior the presence and action OF the spirit
to put themselves In q state OF reception for the
spirit. There wonsl be summer If there wasn't a
il there wasn't Ierlst in the land. But inc farmer
prepares his ground, and We cooperate with
the divine Influences that seek to guide US.
grow, Iut can successfully resist dcmonIac
influences We are not TO set up antagonism to
been lovingly won from evil ways by this divine IN
nuence. AS The sun wakes up the 1owers so does
induenccs come to yon that STIR the better nature
and make you hate evil, believe II you are given
noble conceptions OF what you are capable Of being,
believe. 1t Is the light that comes from above. II
there comes sense OF sweet spirit communion, be.
leve unat Gods great love sends the ministers Of
there thing that VIC desire so much as that light
should shine upon the Great Beyond9