Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1873-03-08


What is it? We consider this al
important and Interesting question
one that is now asked, and the an
swer sought after by thousands
wherever the beneficent influence O
christian civilization has extended.
We donot propose to enter into any
elaborate disquisition in answering
it-nor to theorize: a simple state.
ment, diyested of the scholasticism,
mysteries and inexplicable dogmas
which characterize many of the or.
thodox creeds, is all that is necessary
to be given. -
: "The following may be taken as
the great leading principles, on which
intelligent Spiritualists unite:
1st. This is world governed by q
God of love and mercy, in which all
things work together for good to
those who reverently conform to His
eternal laws.
End. In strictness thereis no death.
Life continues from the life which
now is into that which is to come,
even as it continues from one day to
another; the sleep which goes by the
name of death being but a brief tran
sition-slumber from which, for the
good, the awakening is immeasura-
bly, more glorious than is the dawn
of earthly morning, the brightest
that ever shown. In all cases in
which life is well spent, the change
in which men are wont to call Death,
is Gods last and best gift to his crea-
lures here.
3rd. The earth-phase of life is an
essential preparation for the life
which is to come. Its appropriate
duties and callings cannot be neglect
ed without injury to human welfare
and developments, both in this world
and in the next.
4th. The phase Of life which fol-
lows the death change is, in strictest
sense, the supplement of that which
precedes it.
5th. Our state here determines our
initial state there the
ruling loves of man therefore, decide
his condition on entering the
next world: not the written articles,
of his creed, nor yet the incidental
errors of his life.
9th. We do not, either by faith or
works, earn Heaven, nor are we SEN
fenced on any Day of wrath to Hell.
In the next world we simply gravi-
tate to the position for which, by life
on earth, we have fitted ourselves
and we occupy that position because
we are fitted for it.
9TH. There is no instantaneous
change of character when we pass
from the present phase of life-our
virtues and vices; our propensities,
andour aspirations all pass over with
us, and are essentially the same as
when the death slumber over us.
Sth. The suffering there, natural
sequents ofevil-doing and evil-think-
ing here, are as various in character
and in degree as the enjoyments; but
they are mental, not bodily. There
is no escape from them except only as
on earth, by the door of repentance.
9th. In the next world Love ranks
higher than what we call wisdom,
being of itself the highest wisdom.
There, deeds of benevoience far out
weigh professions of faith the hum
BILE are exhalted and the merciful
obtain mercy. There is no respect of
persons. There, too, self-righteous-
ness is rebuked, and pride brought
low.
10th. A trustful, childlike spirit is
the stateof mind in which men are
most receptive of beneficent spiritual
impressions; and such spirit is the
best preparation for entrance into the
next world.
11th. There have always existed |
intermundane laws, according to |
which men may occasionally obtain,
under certain conditions. revealings |
from those who have passed to the
next world before them. A certain |
proportion of human beings are more |
sensitive to spiritual perceptions and
influences than their fellows; and it
is usually in the presence, or through
the medium, of one or more of these
that ultramundane intercourse Oc-
ours.
18th. These revelations, in their
highest phases, furnish proof of the
reality of another life-they bring
to light under blaze of
evidence which outshines, as the sun
the stars, all traditional or historical
testimonies.
18th. The chief motives which in
duce spirits to tocommunicate with men
appear to be--a benevolent desire to
convince us, past doubt or denial,
that there is world to GOMEZ
(and TO prepare us for its highest en-
joyments.)
This is essen TALLY the spiritualistic
faith. 1t is as simple as it is beauti-
ful. Its keystone is the Divine Love;
and its chief aim to make man so
live that he may become more
worthy to be its recipient. 1t tpoints
out to him the glories of the life be-
yond, if he will receive the spirit of
truth as whispered in the still, small
voice coming from the Kingdom
of Heaven within him. 1t rises
above all sectarian dogmas: 1t calls
upon man not to live recreant to
Gods eternal laws-to love truth and
justice-to visit the sick, help the
poor, minister to the naked and hun
cry, and to those in bonds and
in prison-to obey the ROYAL LAW,
aud to worship God as loving Faith
er, ever ready to forgive his repent
ant children, and to grant them his
spiritual blessings. The author of
is its great exemplar:
Many of the Spiritual gifts which he
exerciZed in his ministrations, and