The New York herald., 1875-02-07
MODERN SPIRITUALLSM.

Liverpool or MancneStor.
MODERN SPIRITUALLSM.
INQUIRIES" SHARP REPLY TO THE sPIRrTuAL<
lists.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
do not wish to continue q controversy be-
yond the limits OF courtesy or pronr; but this
matter OF Spritualism has assumed such pro-
portions that to my mind, 1t invites attack
and needs defence. letter In your paper over
the signature OF AN. Dr. rather provokes me to .
plain statement OF facts and principles. believe
have never denied the possibt ity or the proba-
binty OF communication between the two worlds;
but have simply asserted that these men VINO pre-
tend to accomplish supernatural results by means
or an unknown power within themselves do
consciously ana wiliully practise fraud on the
community. and ought to be denounced as charla-
tans- and tricksters. I should be very sorry to
give up what faith have, that under the roof OF
modern Spirttuaism certain phenomena nave
actually occurred which cannot oe referred to
known science; but DO contend, beyond all fear
OF contradiction, that Mansfield reads cOmmuni-
cations BY holding them up to the light, because
have seen him do it, and because can read
questions in the same way; that Slade
and Foster do employ selght-ofhand
to perform some OF the most remark
able results, because l have myself caught
tnem III Lnc ACT, anu IurCuor, DcCduSc eau uO
the same things with the use OF ordinary human
agencies. II can DO what Slade and Foster do
and explain how do 1t. why am called upon to
believe that spirits DO 1t for them while little
skilful juggery is sufficient for me9
Your correspondent an. d." states that am
not able to form judgment, because have seen
Foster only twice, while he has seen him many
times. That, confess Is style OF argument to
which am not accustomed. Il see that horse,
is lame the drst time drive him IT is not neces.
sary to drive him every day for month ia order
to put the fact beyond peradventure. II catch
man In q papable lie am competent to assert his
untruthfulness without listening to his CONVERSE
ton for year. Repeated interviews have moth
ing to do with the correctness Of my judgment.
On the contrary, I adopt as my rule the old saw,
III q man cheats me once 1T Is his fault; II ho
does It twice 1t Is my fault" have seen Siado
and Foster end know what they can do and also
how they DO It, and have no more money to
waste on their trickery.
Now, I DO not wish to appear precipftate
in this matter. and will make this PROPOSE
ton III Mr.. Slade viii permit me TO take an
ordinary double slate to his house. place .
piece OF pencil IN 1t and put 1t on the table-ho
may put his fingers on 1t, for the sake OF the mag
table where can't see it-and viii then cause to
be made thereon q single mark three inches long,
e1 every 70 Ge have cast on him and puesy
acknowledge my error. SO sure am that this
$50 to accomplish such . result and scknow Wedge
that have been mistaken In him. make tnls
Il and also wisn the hope that he may be- SUCCESS
full for II there IS one desire OF my heart stronger
than any oner 1t is 70 believe In this new theory,
which in many respects Is iull OF comfort and con-
ISOLATION.
mind in which to visit medium. II I'M. D."
will allow me to say so, think he makes certain
statements in respect to this which Will not bear
Hn tnIlu haf fhoaa mi
ums are sensitives and extre mey subject to take
the mood OF the sitter. II this be so, and Will
that was Is in the proper state Of mind TO be con-
vincea. When first went 1t was not as sceptic.
mind we're in iavor OF the medium. Mind you,
was not IN condition to accept with unquestlon-
ing nS svsn anxoSs % be eeo
vinced. II the testimony onered should be satls-
asked than this "Test the Spirts,n Is q good Old
biblical rule, and If the spirits could pass the test
1t would be enough. Will not require OF modern
spirtuasm any other test than tnat which which
every honest truth loving man IS bound
to require OF any new philosophy whicn
hrst came to the Fox girls they were Dewildered
and did not accept the new philosophy until they
had subjected those raps to sorts questlonings.
Tney did not become Spirituafists with the first
rap that came On the contrary they scouted tho
idea and attributed those raps 70 va,te.y OF
supernatural origin. When the raps proved them
selves, them and tnen only, were tney accepted.
Again, II theory OF light, or OF astronomy, IS
asserted, the proper state OF mind Tor an investl-
gator is not that Of credulous acceptance. wnen
sass sn Of = ndsputaSe s c facts. now DO u not md
fault VITA any man or woman In the world who
simply say that no such experiences have come to
me. and that, there ore, can't believe. Neither
ment. II assert that have been to the moon
do not blame men ior douDting my ss Word; 20 90
ee bess @ You to me and
say 81 have seen the chairs move anq the taplo
~, therefore the spirits d,d IT," la ! answer, SuM,
the chairs and table move; pd know nor,s
was DONE because can do 1t myelf" insist tnat
fectly willing 10 submit Itself to all honorable tests,
and / further insist that the eminently proper
state OF mind for an investigator Is very watch
ful Willingness TO accept anything which can't 10
accounted for except on the basis brought for
ssts that you shall believe before you nave tnves-
tigated and the very word investigation" implies
a0aS 81 says ursher that the medium S takes the
condition OF the sitter. That Is very curious. II
go down to the Tombs to pray with % man who a sa
body's pocket myself; and II set myself to talk
with profane man do not take his mood ana
spirit OF my father really comes to the earth my
doubt whether he is actually present or or
OF my father to crosse xamination In IN
that fact does not make the medium cneat me.
MY iather, before he died. knew tnat II is not nv
ha as 70 accept rs o and be- approved Of my
course. Wherever he Is at the present time ne 49,
OF course, just as We'll acquainted with TINS naGit
OF my mind and, whether ne approves III or not,
he Knows tnat the surest and shortest road to
conviction is to prove himself TO be my tatner In
some way which admits or no doubt. II am Will
inQ to receive such proof and willing to be con-
vinced by 1t sensible spirit eltner III OF OUT Oh
the nesn, can complain. -.
spoken submit to an honorable test. The truth is
not one OF them dares 20 do It, ! VIII not cali ~
nonsense hut Nc strikes me that 1t is nearer that
than anything else. TO say that sceptica state OF
mind Is not tho proper one Tor an nvesugator It
is the 0niy slate OF mind tnat insures careful
sitting of facts and statements, and If Spirituslsm
is not willing to submit to 1t then 80 much the
worse for IL. I think that Is the verdict OF ALL
r,oht.minded men AN INQUIRER
MEDIUMS DEFENCE OF sLADE co.
"A Medium defends Messrs. Foster, slade and