The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1879-03-20
THE DIFFERENCE.

EDllOR ADV ANCE. We 1lOLICtu Ill
your paper communication from one
of your subscribers expressing wish
that you would not publish anything
on the subject Of Spiritualism.
Our conservative friends do not seem
to be aware that they show the weak
ness of their position when they try to
suppress free thought and tell their
people not to listen to skeptical or rad
ical speakers. We wish to notice 4 few
reasons why Spiritualism is the most
beautiful and consoling religion ever
evolved from the bosom Of the Infinite,
and why it is superior to Christianity.
In the first place, it has evidences of
Immortality in its varied phenomena
occurring all over the civilized world.
Now, while Christianity points you
back l 800 years, and says, "accept by
faith the inspiration on record in holy
writ" Spiritualists accept all the NOR
alty and benevolence taught in the
Scriptures, while they regard with
utter contempt the scheme OF salvation
elaborated by d. Ds. This wonderful
plan is said to be projected by the God
Of the universe, that is, God himself
incarnated in the person Of Jesus
Christ to shed his blood for the ransom
of sins. Cora l.. V. Richmond, the
trance speaker, said in Il lecture deliv-
cred in New Bedford, Mass. in 1855,
''sl,ame should crimson the cheek of all
those who profess to believe in /. God
Of love and mercy, and then attribute
such an act to him. Thus we see
Spiritualsm has never Endorsed the
idea of atonement by the blood of
Christ, but has ever denounced this
dogma us repulsivc to all the finer feel
ings Of the soul, while it accepts the
life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth
| rs adapted to every age and nation, to
every cline and every race. Spiritual
| ism does not strive to bind people to
| one formula OF worship ordoctrine. 1t
has 10 heathenish rites and ceremonies
such us eating little crumb Of bread
and drinking wine, naming it the body
and blood OF Il young man who was
cruelty murdered because he taught {,
new religion. Orthodox people may
think we are saying too much, but we
|
dom of expression. We cannot better
show the beauties Of the spiritual re.
ligion than to quote the language Of
Prof. Brittian in his article entitled
1.-The Conqucsts of the Century,
lie says: The conquests of Spiritual
ism are the victories Of peace. 1t IS OPP
posed to the bloody strifts of nations
1t neither builds gibbets nor dungeons
and never fortunes men for inherent
weakness and constitutional tlepravity
1t Acknowledges one supreme Beng, Of
infinite good and tr!lth, but recognizes
no diabolical agent, with fathomless
ability, and power to resist the Divine
administration. 1t does not believe
III punishment us an end, and disap
proves of all vindctive penalties as I'M
wise and calculated to excite the brut
al passions Of men. Like the great
Spiritualist of Nazareth, it calls fol
ENERGY and not sacrifice.'
1t is irrational to condemn Spiritual
ism Oh account Of the small irregular
tiles Of it's weak deciples. while the au
thOrs of such denunciation profess tt
Venerate the names and deeds recorded
in sacred hlstory,' Of Moses, Joshu;
and David.
The Christian Church has had its in
QUESTION, and it's victims were burned
alive by thousands, nearly half a mil
lion having been tortured in one wa,
or another, during its accursed reign
Spiritualism. on the contrary, offers M
bloody sacrifices. It aflirms that al
bitterness, malice and cruelty are for
ever ut war with the ''pure spirit of it!
living Gospel.'' Mr.. Brittian thel
adds: IT it were possible, we would bio
out the very name of lnquisition from
the mind of man. and bury the memor,
of the heartless inquisitors with thei
broken chains, and racks and thumb
screws" When we contemplate TIN
worlds progress in the last SO years
the wonderful results achieved by TIN
power Of steam and electricity, tin
amazing display of inventive genius il
labor-saving machinery and the sub
lime heights to which people have arts
en- in enlightenment, it is not suppose
ble religion would be behind the time
and longer lnger in the dark valleys O
superstition and ignorance.
We hope and trust the rapid growth O
the spiritual religion will continue un
til all will be satisfied there is futur
life, and be blessed with the compan
ionship Of angel friends.
LUHY n. CRAPSEY.