New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-08-23
Spiritualism and Its Tenets.

The open professions of the religious doc
trines of the s~pirituaiists by SO eminent
scientific authority as Mr.. Alfred Russell
Wallace, and his explanation of the physi
cal researches through which he has beer
brought to his present belief, have natur
ally attracted a great deal OF attention il
England, following, as they do, 30 close
upon the publication of Mr.. Crookes in the
last January number of the Quarterla
Journal Of Science, Of the results of his ex.
periments in the same direction. 1t is
probably unnecessary for me to remind any
OF our readers that Mr.. Wallace is conced.
ed, by Darwin himself, to have arrived, by
original Investigations, independent OF
Darwln's, at the great generalization of
natural selection" which constitutes the
chlef element of the latter's fame.
Mar. Wallace's views are expressed in two
eiaborite articles, printed respectively in
the May and June numbers of the Fort
nightly RerieW, and entitled "a Defense of
Modern Spiritualism." AT the close of the
article IN the June number he recounts the
more Important uses and teachings of
SplrltualismN under two heads-frst, of
historical teachings; second, of moral teach.
Ings. Among the former he includes the
explanation of the demon of Socrates, of
the oraeles of antiquity, of the miracles
recorded in the Old and New Testaments.
and of those performed by the Christian
fathers and medieval saints; also, of witch
craft and second sight, and particularly of
the efficacy of prayer, in respect to which
he cites at some length the instance Of
George Muller and the four thousand
orphans under his charge. We copy the
latter almost entire, as it possesses a curious
interest in affording the ~clearest definition
ever made, by q man OF singular ability and
good faith, of the religious doctrines of
C,rxL+n.a1 NpirifunEsfE Mr. Wa11oaa
savs:
We have now to explain the theory of
human nature, which is the outcome of the
phenomena taken in their entirety, and is
also more or less explicitly taught by the
Communications which purport to come
from spirits. 1t may be briefly outlined as
follows:
/, Man is a duality, consisting OF an or
gained spiritual form, evolved colncldentiy
with and ~permeating the physical body,
and having corresponding organs n de-
vel0pment.
9. Death is the separation of this duality,
aud effects no change In the spirit, morally
or intellectually.
8. Progressive evolution of the intellec-
tual and moral nature is the destiny of in
dividuals; the knowledge, attachments and
experience OF earth life forming the basis of
spirit life.
A. Spirits can communicate through prop
erlv endowed mediums. They are attract
ed to those they love and sympathize with,
and strive to warn, protect and influence
them for good by mental impression when
thew can not effect any more direct com
munication; but, 9 follows from clause
two, their communications will De fallible,
and must be Judged and tested just as we
do those of our own fellow men.
The foregoing outline proportion viii
suggest 8 number of questions ard diff
for answers to which our readers
are referred to the works of r. u. owen,
Hudson futile, Professor Hare and the
of sp~iritualism passfm. Here J!
must pass on to explain with some amount
detail how the theory leads to q pure
of morality with sanctions tar more
powerful and effective thaa any which