Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1877-08-22
correspondence.
Reply to Rev. DR.. Ballou
White River Junction, }

| EDITOR OF THE AGE:--I saw in your
paper short time since report Of the
substance of Sermon by Doctor Ballou,
concerning Spirituaiism. If you will al
low me little space in your valuable
paper, will notice a few things, contain
cd therein, which consider utterly false.
First, the learned Doctor says that the
Spiritualists are low in their estimate of
God! Where, and Low, did he learn this
Surely rot IN exercising charity, that
heaven ben principle, towards brother
christians. The Sprtuaists believe in o
God who is he motive power of all things,
and who fills all space. They believe
that his spirit enters into every thing and
becomes the life of every being, Of every
tree, shrub, or plant which raises its
head to kiss the morning dew. Again,
the Doctor says tina, the Spiritualists re-
gard God as blind material force. Now
Mr.. Editor, this statement has no founda-
ton. For they regard God as a spirit
that fills all immcnsity and space, and is
the great motive power Of the universe
and who giveth life to every thing that
moveth and croepcth upon the earth,
and who guid,th and guardeth all things,
not only in this world but in the world to
come. And whose loving Kindness and
tender mcrcics are over all the works of
his hands, and whose watchiul care will
not suffer sparrow to fall to the ground
without his notice. Mr. Ballou says the
Spiritualists view Of Deity is equivalent
to 10 Deity O, shame, where is thy
blush o, charity, where, o, where,
hast thou fled 1t must be that the Doc
tor, was ignorant Of their belief or either
he meant to misreprescnt their views to
the world. In regard to their views con-
corning Deity l need say no more. II
the Doctor knows more about Deity than
other people, why does he not give that
Knowledge to the world, so that poor
sinners may see the shining light, and
glorify his Father in Heaven? But as
said before, in regard to their views con-
corning Deity need say no more. Per-
haps it would be well to say here, that
Spirtualists do not worship personal
God, who stitch upon 4 great white
Throne in some far Off land. Oh, no, the
God that they worship is everywhere
present, aud has no particular location.-
Again he says this view of Deity amounts
to Atheism. The Doctor should first pull
the beam out of his own eye, then he can
sec to pull the mote out Of his brothers
eye. He should also also bear in mind,
that bis views arc just as much deterrent
from the Spiritualists' views, rs their
views are from his. Therefore he should
be little more charitable towards those
who differ from him, for what assurance
has he that his views are right, and theirs
wrong Does he know it? If so. how
came he by that knowledge? Has he
brought forward any proof to convince
people that SpiritualiSm leads to Athe.
ism? Does belief in God of infinite
wisdom and love, who careth for every
son and daughter Of earth, and who en-
circles within his arms the whole human
race, and who will bring, at last, within
his fold, the last truant lamb and fold i
to his breast, lead to Atheism ? If so
God grant, that we all, may be Atheists
: Again be says: This beliefs not Chris
tian. AS much as to say that Spirituaist:
are not Christians. Who are Christians
Is it those who sound their bugle longes
and loudest ? Oh, no. 1t is those who
perform deeds of mercy and charity, who
feed the hungry, clothe the naked, ant
who visit the widow and fatherless il
their affliction. Also, those who follow
the golden rule, to do unto others, as they
would have Others do unto them. Mr.
Editor, honor and respect Mr.. Ballou a.
a gentleman and a scholar, yet he ough
to be little more charitable when speak.
: ing of other sectS whose tennets are
different from his. All denominations o
Christians worship the same God. Ye
all do not agree in regard to his attributes
and character. Now who will step to the
front and say, that know that my view:
arc right and all others are wrong? vii
Mr.. Ballou do it? He may think his
, views are right and all others wrong
But does that make it so ? Are not tho
SpiritualiSts, Mr. Editor, just as apt to BIZ
right in regard to the attributes of Deity
as any other sect of Christians ? There
are hypocrites and false prophets among
the Spiritualists, this do not deny
Some who call themselves Spiritualists
are bad men and bad women. But are
there no bad people belonging to othel
sects? Let the world judge. A few
words more and l close. Atheism says
"Nothing, after DEATH" Spiritualisu
says, ga beautiful home for every sol
and daughter of earth, where flowers for
ever bloom, aud love and friendship rein:
supreme"
Yours truly, N. K. C.