The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1879-05-23
a Convict TO selal-uAi,sx.
THE STIR WHICH SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT
EIDpEL, OF NEW YORK, is MAKING.
N. Y. Corr. Phil. Times.

| N. Y. Corr. Phil Times,
The talk of the town in educational and
literary circles is the surprise which Super.
intendent Riddle has executed on his
friends and the public. Mr., Henry Kiddle
mas oeen for about nine years superintend.
ent OF the Public Schools of this city. He
grew up in the profession of teaching, and
mas for nearly forty years been Unidentified
IN one way or another with the public
schools. He is scholarly gentleman, OF
about Afty-ave years of age, exceedingly
coRrtly in his manners and most diliaen,
worker. AS an organizer of educational
affairs he has probably few superiors. Re.
ligiously, his affiliations have been with the
Protestant Episcopal Church. MIR. Kiddle
now astonishas everybody by procla:ming
himself spiritualst, and BY issuing book
about spiritualism, on which he has for
two or three years been laboriously spend.
ing his spare hours. The book takes the
most advanced ground in regard to the
communications of the departed made to
the dwellers In this world. 1t does not set
spiritualism up as antagonistic to ordinari-
ly received religion; but takes hold of it as
a new phase of truth, confirming and illus
trating Christian belief. Its author does
not appear to be in sympathy with the
charlatans who hold seances for money, or
who are Spirituallsts for the sake of the ad-
vancement of their business interests. A
noteworthy feature of the publication of
the book is bis intention that nobody shall
make any money out of it. He is going to
issue large edition for cheap or possibly
gratuitous circulation among the public.
he announces that the special mission of
the book is to convert men to Christian
ity.
It is naturally asked how SO eminent and
cultured man as Professor Kiddle ever
wandered into such line of thought and
belief as to lead him to conclusions which
are accepted by most sound thinkers as be-
ing decidedly queer. He claims to have
founded his present belief on a protracted
series of personal Investigations, aided by
mediums, chiefly members of his own fam
lily. He, curiously enough, discovered his
eldest daughter to be a medium, and it was
| through her that he first received messages
from the departed. As to the genuineness
OF these messages he says he has entirely
satisfied himself, although he does not offer
| to describe to others the proeoss-by which
he arrived at this state of satisfaction. He
declares his entire confidence in the medi-
ums, and liis assurance that they would not
deceive him. Indeed this assured conf
dence would seem to be his main reliance,
for ne admits that trustworthy proof in
such matters is hard to be obtained. He
also relies to large extent on what COM
mentators call the g internal evidence" of
the messages he received. Beyond this he
leaves the readers in doubt. They must
trust to him, and he believe him as he has
believed his mediums and the people who
spoke through them.
AS to th material of Mr.. Kiddle's book,
it is very comprehensive. Its chief attrac-
tion is not so much the arguments of the
author as the communications he has re-
ceived from disembodied spirits. That
these spirits have been selected for their
eminent responsibility is something which
nobody can deny. Saints. poets, clergy
men, merchants and statesmen are among
tho contributors, and most remarkable are
the contributions which they send. Shakes
peare sends some verse hardly good enough
for obituary poetry. Byron's is not quite
up to the standard of that which is used
used for clothing-store advertisements.
Good old Mr.. Bryant inferentially frowns
down all poetry. st. Paul and John the
Baptist utter platitudes. Pho Mono whacks
his old associates over the head and seems
to have turned Protestant Moses appears
not as the meekest man but as one of the
most stupid, if we may judge by what ne
writes. Bill Tweed has good word to sag
for himself, and wants it understood that
he is not as black as people painted him.
A. T. Stewart is wandering about in an un-
happy and remorseful state, conscious of
not having lived up to his opportunities, and
knowing nothing of the whereabouts of his
stolen bones. Pontius Plate repents his
inlquity. Ben Franklin gives little lame
poetry, and Theodore Parker says that he
is now the physician of all souls. The
most unhappy on the whole list is poor Jim
Fisk, who seems to be choking to death,
yet unable to die. But there is consolation
even for for Jim, for at at the close of bis
somewhat legthy message he says, "Dear
friends, feel better" Hardly anybody,
either in this world or the next, could get
off such weight of nonsense as Mr.. Fisk
sends, without feeling relieved by doing
SO.
The members of the Board of Education
are to some extent in ferment about this
novel action of their chief Some say that
be is crazy and will have to resign. Others
say that he is attending to his work with as
slear head and as firm hand as ever.
Some profess to fear that hs will introduce
spiritualistic teachings In the schools, but
&
this be could not do, If he ever 80 greatly
desired. Meantime he says he viii stick to
bis work as OF old, smile ct all opposition,
and be as geod Christians as he knows how
TO be-.
THE UNATRAINABLE.-We ara always
striving for the things just ont of Our
reach. The giittering pleasure In the dis
tance looks brighter and fairer than any
thing we possess. The friend who reaches
out hand and offers rs his sympathy is |
carelessly put aside, while we arc eager TO |
win the friendship of those who have |
nothing to give rs but coldness. And the
sunshine of to-day Is not as golden as that |
of tomorrow will be. Forgetting or me-