Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1872-02-08
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
Rev. A. f. Bailey and SpirifuaIism.
MIDpLEpURY. Feb. 8. 1872.

for January Gath you quote the opening
sentence in the closing article of the dis
cussion in the Middlebury Register on
the subject of Spiritualism.
So far as that article or that portion
of it appeared in the Register, the read
ers of which having had the opportunity
to judge of both sides in the controversy,
/ am perfectly satisfied. But when you
quote passage which has tendency to
convey false impression to multitudes
of your readers who have seen nothing
of my articles, of my alleged ''want of
argument" of my Language" and of
my standard of morals, which is charac-
terized by my very amiable critics as
F'below their ideas Of refinement, moral
ity, or even common decency," it seems
but justice to myself to notice it, and
am sure you will allow me so to do.
care nothing about the allusion to
argument, or to the ''want" of it. That
is easily said by those who don't know
what argument" means. Those who
have read my articles and know what
logic is, can judge of that. am will
ING to abide their decision
Said a gentleman of culture to me,
without any questioning or reference to
the subject whatever ON my part-a
name, should [ give it, that would have
weight with any candid reader, said
he. Il have read the whole controversy
you have held on Spiritualism, and |
have purpOsed to have Writttn you, by
way Of encouragement and COmmenda-
ton, both of your arguments and your
style. You have answered fools accord
ing to their folly, lest they be wise in
their own cOnccit."
Such, substantially, were his words,
and he was but one of many whose
criticism was similar, and whose judg-
ment felt was highly complimentary.
All may not judge so as respects my
style. but [ leave that matter in the
hands of a discerning public, and Of
those competent to decide on all such
matters as style and argument.
But word more as 10 logic. To show
what astucious critics on this subject
my opponents are, take a specimen or
two. John Wesley believed in spirits
that they read our thoughts that they
are often present with us when We do
not think of them. l. e..--t!Ir spirits Of
our departed frienda,-crgo, John IVES
ley was a modern SpilituaIist and be
lever in its anti christian doctrines
care not what Wesley did or did not be
licyc, for he believed and did good
many things which go to show that he
was fallible like the rest of us. But
what has all that to DO with the qucs-
ton Others have believed the spirit
manifestation, some of them, to be super
natural, so does the author of 'Jo Dai-
mOniOn, so does Miles Grant, 50 did F.
Cotton Mather, but who was so stupid /
as to think them Spiritualists. Why, F.
one of my opponents calls nae one Of the .
ilk, because believe, in common with .
Christians, generally, that'man has spirit .
which unimbOdicd, survives the sepera- .
ton of itself from the body. Surely if I .
had had noother endin view, than t0hold .
a controversy with such logical experts,
my ink had not been lessancd nor my
pen blackened. But had, and now
have the best of reasons to know that
have gained my object, to a degree most
fattering to my humble effort.
l could give other equally wonderful
specimens of their knowledge and Use Of
the ratiocinative faculty but should 7
give all, l must reproduce most they
have written, Let them test mine not
by their assertions, but by the rules Of
reasoning Il they dare. could call at
tention to their comments on tn" word
'perSonal' a. applied 10 Deity. as If that