The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1872-01-02
ThoneMN on Rec A.F. Bailey spirit
unlistc ExuYinc'>.

ohcr lew thoughts on the Kew. a. Il.
Bailey's Spiritualistic Exuviac.
At the bottom of his communication
in the REGISTER Of the 10Th inst, there is
a note appended in answer to myself, as
follows answer that Christianity
which was the matter TO which | referred,
and not Mosaism, as founded on the New
Testament so far from standing in Mr..
Garrisons way that nothing really availcd
against slavery, and the slave trade, but
deep persuasion that slavery was utter
ly opposed, if not to the letter, yet to
the entire Spirit of Christianity, and that
it and the Gospel could not co-exist in
perpetuity.
AS for the church, am no defender
Of churchanity, any farther than it rep
rcsonts faithfully christianity. 80 far
then at least, the Bible and Christianity
did not stand in the way of anybody's
efforts to lift up the down trodden but
was the great inspirer and guide in such
efforts. The reply is courteous, gentle
manly and satisfactory, so far as myself
is concerned but there seems to be ad-
missions that l did not think Mr.. Bal.
ley would make. lie seems to ignore
the Old Testament (Which he calls Mos
aism) SO far as basing his religion up
on it, and clings merely to the Spirit Of
the New Testament. Not even claiming
that the letter of that is adequate to sus-
tain him in the position that he assumes
to occupy, This is modest claim in
deed. Nothing left now but the spirit.
Is he not getting to be Spiritualist or
Spiritist. Why Mr.. Bailey, 1 think you
are about to be swallowed by Spiritism,
or may be by the Sprtualists, as Mrs.
Slocum says they are abroad in great
numbers, equalling all the orthodox
churches put togather.
You will be lost in the absorbing yor.
tex. No sir, do not surrender so much,
stick to the Old Testament as well as the
new 1t is the outer works to the Christ.
ian strong hold. If in your generosity,
you surrender, that do you not see that
the inner works are exposed, and that
they are no stronger. Stick TO the whole
Old and New, letter and Spirit Do not
admit even a mistake or mistranslation
Surrender nothing for when one surrend.
ers the outer works, tho end is at best I'm.
certain; or rather it is most probable
that he will have to abandon the field al
together To be sure the old Testament
makes God the justifer of slavery, in its
its most revolving form; but it is not
your fault, especially, unless you indorsc
it. Is the New Testament any less OBJ.
iectionabc in that respect. don't know
but it is; still | am not aware that Christ
raised his voice, especially against that
institution; though | believe it existed
when he was on earth. He tells us the
law was not to be destroyed, but fulfilled,
a part of which was the institution of
slavery. 1t is therefore to be presumed,
that he not only was not opposed to, but
was in favor of the whole being executed
as established by his father.
L am not aware that the Lord God
The Lord Hosts-The Jehovah, las Mr..
Bailey calls it) even repents of establish
ing slavery, though we read that he some-
times did repent of things that no had
done. Why then should Christ or the
church turn their backs on slavery.
Mr.. Bailey seems to be aware that in
repudiating slavery. lie also repudiates
and turns mis- back upon, at least that
part of the word Of God ordaining and es.
tabishing slavery on tho earth, and
among men, as set forth in the old Tesla.
ment. If it was blessing among men ;
thing to be desired in olden times ;
why not now. Here are some mysteri.
GUS and knotty questions to be solved.
People are thinking and inquirng using
their minds, their brain, seeking truth,
seeking to be enlightened This inquiry
cannot be stopped.
will have the fairness and charity to
suppose that nobody wishes to stop it.
Mr. Bailey | think you are Spiritual
ist in what call the strict sense of the
word, as well as Mrs. Slocum. That is,
you believe that people have spirits, that
leave the body at death, and live after
the body dies. You have preached that
doctrine, all your life, and helped to make
people believe it, Mrs. Slocum among the
rest suppose. So far then you and the
modern Spiritualist are alike. Isuppose
you believe these spirits in whom you be.
lieve know something, and can do some.
thing for if they know nothing, and can
do nothing they would be of but slight
importance. Then if they know some
thing and can do something, why net
whisper word Of comfort to Mrs. So.
cum, or make tiny rap. Mrs. Slocum
and others of similar faith with her, be-
lieve they have these whispers and raps,
etc, in answer to their anxious inquiries.
This belief gives her hope, comfort, pleas.
ure. You believe in certain things. That
belief gives you pleasure, gives you COM
fort The pleasure and comfort comes
not in consequence Of the thing believed
in but in the belief itself.
Suppose Mrs. Slocum TO be mistaken
still she believes, and that belief brings
her comfort. Let her enjoy it. Why
wish to deprive her of it, any more than,
she to deprive you Of your enjoyment, you
derive from your belief. As all religion.
lists have so many things in common, let
US be charitable. | have no faith in these
communications. suppose the reason is
| have not had the evidence. But can.
not do the Spirituaists with whom am
acquainted, justice, without | deem then
to be among the most worthy citizens
within my acquaintance. Apparently
having kind hearts, ready to do good fol
the sake of the good. | do not think it
possible that they can be altogether bad
as you suppose. If at Middlebury, OF
any where else, they did any thing oil
justified anything that is wrong, condemn
them for that, but for their honest opin.
ions hare charity
With considerations of high regard,
remain your friend and humble servant,
H. WILKINS