The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1880-04-01
REV JOSEPH COOK AND PSYCHIC

Mr.. Cook, at the outset, calls atten-
ton tn what he thinks are the six best
books on Spiritualism. These books
he exhibited to the audience.
They are: NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
Researches in the Phenomena of
Splritualism, by VIM. Crookes, Fellow
Of the Royal Society. -
Miracles and Modern spiritualism,
by Mr.. Wallace.
The Report of the London Dialecti-
cal Society on Spiritualism, published
in 1871. t.:-:. ~ :
Zeitschrift fur Philosophie, contain
ing Ulrici's celebrated paper on Spirit
ualism.
Der Neuere Spiritualisimus, by J. H.
Won Fichte.
Wissenschattliche Abhandlungen,
Prof. Zollner's famous work recently
issued, which Mr.. Cook pronounces the
supreme authority as to experimental
facts. This famous work he prOn0unc.
es an absolutely overaeoing scientific
works.
Mr.. Cook then considers what he ad-
mits is established by this absolutely
oyerawing work." and Classics the
experiments as follows:
/. Experiments with 4 closed slate.
A sheet of blackened paper is put in
side of tho closed slate by Prof. Zoll-
ner. He holds the slate on his own
knees for a moment. He feels 4 pres
sure on the slate. The slate is opened
and the impression of two beautiful
human feet are found, right foot on
one side and left foot on the other side
Of the paper.
2. Experiments with knots in endless
threads ind straps. Prof. Zollner put
the two ends of thread together and
sealed the ends. The sealed part was
held between his thumb and finger
while the curved part hung down in
his lap. Suddenly four knots were tied
in the thread, while the Prof. held it
in the same position. This is one OF
the experiments which forced Zollner
to the conclusion that there is a fo,erth
dimension Ot space.
3. Experiments concerning the dis
appearance and temperance of mat
ter. A small round table moved with
out visible force to the card table at
which Zollner was sitting and lay un-
der the table. Suddenly the small ia
bic disappeared and could nowhere be
found. After few moments ZOllner
looked up and saw the small table near
the ceiling of the room. 1t d. scended
rapidly and lay on the table at which
they were sitting.
4. Experiments concerning the pow
er of matter to pass through matter.
A small cOnch shell lay on the table
covered by larger one: Slade was
holding slate under the table to re-
ceive writing. Suddenly clatter was
heard on the slate. Slade withdrew
the slate and to Zollner's establishment
the smaller shell lay on it. Zollner
seized the shell and found it so hot
that he came near letting it fall.
5. Experiments oncerning the appear
ance Of Tangible Hands. A bowl of
-four was placed under the table.
Suddenly Zollner's right knee was
clasped vigorously and pushed down.
ward by large hand. The bowl of
-four was pushed ont without visible
toucn and the impression of large
hand, larger than Zollner:s or Slade's,
was distinct on the -four, while the
mark of hand in flour was plain on
Zollner's right knee.
Mr.. Cook also alludes to the expert
ments made by Prof. Crookes and the
London Dialectical Society. His con-
illusions may be summarized as fol-
lows:
l. These are scientific facts not to be
gainsaid.
2. They prove an occult force which
Mr.. Cook joins with Prof. Crookes aud
Sergeant Cox in calling Psychic
force
3. They must be scientifically inves-
tigated. The clergy cannot avoid or
evade them.
4. If they result in proving indepen-
will only be the frmer believer in the
Bible, with its whole supernatural his
tory.
Mr.. Cook shows that DR.. Carpen-
ter and Prof. Hammond jumped at
conclusions without sufficient investi-
CATION in the work they have published
against Spiritualism.
MIR. Cook is 50 much in earnest in
his wish to investigate this absolutely
overawing'' subject that in his Mon
day lecture of March LIST lie says:
l. VIII ulGUL1O.l lIO udlJ0Ss Uut l.
must say that l have personally offered
the foremost exposer of Spiritualism
on this continent, and one of the acut-
est students Of nervous diseases that
America has produced, one hundred
dollars an hour to repeat the Leibnitz
experiments before my audience on this
platform, and to explain them by caus-
es known to science, and he confessed
hi IH1 INS( Itvyf tn n tn nh nSr e.
me at any price any one who could.
and if he would have come here, and l
have had them both here together"
Mr.. Cook quoted Prof. Phelps. of
Andover, IA college of which it is said
that they swear every student when he
leaves never to learn anything more
as believing that Spiritualism is of
Satanic origin. Prof. Phelps writes to
the Congregationalist and says he does
not think it is Of Satanic origin, with
out qualification, but will be inclined
to that view till science grapples with
and throws light upon it. Prof. Phelps
further says:
''Spiritualism is not an error of the
schools; it is III the homes If the peo-
pie. 1t is extending broadcast. Our
home missionaries find it away up in
the mountains. Young pastors in
quire what to do with it. Not relig-
ious newspaper in the land has so large
Il circulation as that of it's leading or
gan. We cannot afford to wait indefi-
nitely, meanwhile believe nothing, for
science to rid US If it. If it is device
OF Satan. the sooner we find that out,
and as religious teachers proclaim it, the
better.
Bravo! Prof. Phelps. Exactly what
We have maintained for the past three
years through the ADVANCE. With
Spiritualism as religion we have
nothing to do. It is with the fact that