New-York tribune., 1871-12-26


a,. In the pantry, and then the sound oi so'is f
dipped into the goblet but putting my nyca n"ou ouv for
Then just bchind me- heard sound a. u tue sass Ui
the clock on the inanteiece were touoncu @ ~, those
All this time there word spoken except 1y u"s'
at the table; but, once or twice. there "as "'"e
When soon after we were hidden by the raps to re- re-
light the gas, found three door keys on tne 'n % he
room doors were closcd but, try ing them fonnu
that neither locked Two Of the keys On M Inc tn,rd
ftted them The door OF the pantry, when tne ul, ~
sugar pushed partly of" the sif name and heard the
figure, was open.
Mr. Owen appears not to entertain the sllehteS'
doubt that this was an authentic instance of a
manifestation from the world of departed spirits
and accents il ~ a chief cornerstone i'll the new
temple of faith which he essays to erect on
the ruins of skcpticism.RBn the cautious, not
to sav the increduous. reader will find noth-
ine of the kind in the details OF the
story At the utmost, he will place 1t III the ca'e
CORY of marvellous phenomena, which III every aye
have poucd the wonder of the curious ana 10 this
dav. have received no explanation that brings
them within the circle of legitimate science
He will not readily be persuaded, in spite OF the
cool breeze blowing on Mr. Owens cheek" the
white and shining material, like fine lincn," :" the
ratting of the crockery in the cupboard" the nerv-
china should be broken and the lump of loafsugar in
the goblet that this scene was intended rs
an aftcrpiece TO the great drama of redemption,
or the bringing forward of q corps-de-rescrve
in aid If the Protestant religion Ill ITS
contest with the Roman Catholic Church.
In agreeable contrast with the overwcening
confidence Of Mr. Owen, are the modest con-
clusions of Mr.. LivcrmOrc, prominent Dusl-
ness-Inan of Ncw-IorE, who has had various
experiences in this kind Of an even moro extraor-
dinary character than those Of the author sensl-
blc letter of his dated ,Inly &c, 1871, as given MI
Owen. presents the following results OF his
inquiries on the subject. though for the
sake If brcvity, we abridge his statement.
After ten years scrutiny, find that the phenomena
are real. Under certain conditions, there exists
mysterious force capable of moving heavy bodies
and exhibiting intelligence. Temporary forma-
tons, material in structure and cognizable by the
senses, are produced By the same influence are
animated by the same force, and pass OFF as income
pIchcnsLly as they came. The intelligence
which governs this force is external to the
minds Of the medium and operator, but the
oriqia Of these phenomena is an open Ques-
fon" Now if The statement which we have
Italicized be corrcct-and it comes from the mouth
of one of his own witncsscs-thc fine dream of Mr..
Owen Of establishing the religious faith Of the nine
tccrth century. Of renStatingi the old Christianity
in form adapted TO modern enlightenment,
and Of resting the Immortality of the Soul on
"phenomenal basis fades away in a series of dis
solving views. However wonderful the "epiphanes'
they Will not serve 10 lay religious 'IOundatlon
other than that which las been laid
Setting aside then the rhostly narratives on winch
Mr. Owen POUNDS his appeals for the reception Of
new faith in the immortality of the soul, We find
certain IctIc,lnclIt in the good sense and kindly
spirit in which he sets forth the danger of tamper-
ing with occult powcrsand reltng on mystic lucanta'
tOns instead Of the Suggestions Of reason leneednot
have pushed his alignment much further 10 convince
every sound mind of the wiodola of abstinence from
the cup If spiritual iDtoXicaon presented by lnNls-
bile hauds Mr. owen warns the Spiritualist against
the illusion that the lights afford revelation o1
ruth from an infalibc souIce. Such teachings i'll
regard to the details of human conduct and earthly
auars do not enter into The economy Of the universe
Especially should men refrain from seeking worldly
wealth through the medium Of the spirits Money
changers are out of place i'll the temple OF the Lord
Man is destined, says NJ. Owep to earn His bread
by industry, and not by dIyin.;ion. This ia WISE
ma IT, but in on; o, iniol = ic 70 the pursuit OF
truth 40 ]cr, than to the Vr.t "l gtin. The living
fo-.t.Ins of the soul prc-ontr. ~ iaaanf sonoc
Of know ledge than al our dea.iuis win tLr dead.
whether 1lnoil.i thc med. k.A g., cnchait, ;dl
eloud-hkc shape -.
Nor. acco!dlng 20 ,hr sar" cornScs q, =,
can any one udd't himself t. these N'..
exclusively and fpr n I'"g sra"c # '''.
-o.iuus IisA Of dr.r-'oiI t,aG II"..'ai ln."
Wei sugc,,ie, j, duties of Ii. l:fr f.
~ .,..ia,.Jn r.. t.~ life to come Tie Ga.
~ ti2;,ato the period If youth " f..
conccluiug it, condition. nor the lnan in h.
in IDLE ebprIlgt
age. I.ch ,PJ... CI c>.sl,A,e, o".I I'~.,
Of experience las its appropriate duti"S
and tho clr1 Il work Of the urc~, ut hest bridges
The /, .l,>i ion 10 tie future. Ia like manner Mr
owen anirn.s, that exclusive devotion 70 sputu;d
influences connected win the next world produces
d" 3. vague and heavy literature ii which common
sense has no ralt' OF This, have ample proof in
+ Or Swarm cf fantastic md t9s'rlcss productions
which are sometimes la hricd on the great minds
of formcragc and sometimes accepted as The fruits
Of original rrliut tha' Is appointed 10 rcg'ncrate
the world Al Ill events those vapid aud barren ef
1uaOIIa. f oImn' part vi The Intellectual economy
Of the future wOi.d, are sufficient 70 make the idea
Of Immortality d nuisance, and add fresh pang 10
the terror> Of death. We fully agree with llr. Owen
il l, aversion tp 'Ar rIipl 1T, ,raturc which pre-
clrt5 = cloud s .,."lovy ion in The obscurily
of tvili-at. ~, W, c,uuot believe with him
that tAc "o...:h :~:r.rir." with which Spirit
uali>ln j. cor,rr,,i.t vii "rchly repay
calncst Ics,aIch. '. illustrations of religious
TRUTH they can never ic the place Of the orace-
Of old; as fctions Of na-natOn they are inferior
TO the creations of Romance; aid cXpos.tions Of
scientific facts, they folly and a snare. The
hope of gaining increase of knowledge from such
glamour is 10 less absurd than 10 stndy the me-
chancal principles of motion. in the mysteries Of
Chinese puzzle.
ENGLAND IND AMERICA ~ lis2.