The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1877-08-09

LECTfIRH:'

=, .'.... ,~> LECTURM =
Thos. Cook, a lecturer on the Bible
and Spiritualism, lectured in the cor
ner room in Methodist Block, on Mon.
day and Tuesday evenings last. He
had fair audiences, and we noticed that
our Methodist friends gave him larg-
er hearing than the other churches, and
on Tuesday evening furnished the Hall
gratis. Their spirit in this respect is
to be commended, for they seemed to
be willing to hear the man, however
much they might disagree with him.
The lecturer claimed to believe in
the Bible. to be follower of Christ,
and preached universal salvation and
universal love to all men. He claimed
that Modern Spiritualism was the same
as Ancient or Bible Spiritualisn, and
that the angel-world, now as then,
were manifesting themselves to the
world and preparing to bring in the
millennium.
It is not our province to argue these
questions, but to report what occurs in
the community. But a word of expla-
nation seems to be necessary in con-
nection with the matter. Our enemies
attempted to hold US responsible for
Mr.. Cooks lectures, just as they have
held us responsible for the grasshoppers,
the billiards., and all the sufferings of
the people. The facts are, that Mr..
Cook was requested by Mr.. Brooks, of
Lu Verne, and others, to come there
and lecture. On his way there, he nee
essarily stopped at Worthington to take
the train. Several persons, among
whom were the editor of the ADVANCE,
expresseda willingness and desire to
hear what he had to say, and he stated
that on his return, if hall could be
had, he would lecture.
These are the facts, so far as the lee
lures are concerned. In connection
with this, on Monday, our enemies
went up and down the streets holding
us responsible for introducing Spiritu-
alism into Worthington and saying we
had became Spiritualist.
So far as Spiritualism is concerned,
we have investigated the matter some,
and have not passed the A. B. Is. We
have met some things for which we
cannot account and which seem won
derful. If this is the work of the dev-
il, we ought by all means to know it
and the Christian churches ought to
condemn it. Our friends in the church
know where we have always stood, viz:
in favor Of investigating, Of giving all
men a hearing, of taking no man s
word, but trying everything by the b.
bic. There we stand and shall always
stand. Whatever disagrees with the
Bible must 60 down. If Spiritualism
disagrees with it, if Catholicism disa-
grees with 1t, if any form of religion or
worship, or any philosophy disagrees
with it, they must all 60 down. We
stand apon the Bible, and shall study it
for ourself. The church which will
not permit this we condemn. The man
who undertakes to dictate to us in re-
ligious matters we shall send away
with a hint to mind his own business.
We shall give any lecturer a hearing.
if it is convenient to do so, and the
man who says we shall not do so, we
shall of course consider bigot.
About Spiritualism, we say as Ga
maliel said to the Jews who were about
to kill Peter. He showed how Theudas
and his followers came to nought, how
one Judas drew away much people af-
ter him, and he also persisted. And
then he said:
3S. And now 1 say unto you, Refrain
from these men, and let them alone:
for If this counsel or this work be of
men, it will come to nought.
80. But if it be of God, ye cannot
overthrow it, lest haply ye be found
even to fight against God.
40. And to him they agreed.
And this is our position. If this
Spiritualism be not of God, it will come
to grief, as did the teaching of Theu-
das and Judas. If it he of God, it will
prevail.
We rest in the Bible as the word of
God. We believe in Christ as the Saw
Jour Of men and the author of the true
religion. Whatever disagrees with
this we reject. If Spiritualism over
throws the Bible, it is indeed the work
of evil, but if it overtlrows the Catho-
lie sect, or any particular sect, it will
matter very little, for the Church of
Christ will prevail. Every knee must
bow to his religion and all natl ms
must receive it.
The Journal still gives us credit for
having an interest in the Worthington
Bank and being in with all the money
lenders who are charging high rates of
interest. 1t used to hold us RESPONSE
BILE for the billiards, the grasshoppers,
the wet weather, the drouth, and what
ever else interfered with the crops and
the comfort of the people. Now we
must be CHARGED with fixing the high