The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1882-12-30
A TALK ON SPIRITUALISM.
Mediunship Passing Through the Crucible
of Criticism Over the Fire of Dis
CuSsion.

cussion.
SAN ANTONIO, December 25, 1882.
Editor of the EVENING LIGHT.
In answer to the correspondence in your
issue OF December l2th written by II. X. It, l
scarcely determine which to take UP first as
am especial y compelled to consult condition.
But WILL however, as poor writer and old
investigator and Spiritualist, present you to-
day with brief outline for answer to your
kind words and statement of facts and personal
opinion, also the tallacy of my present position
| in regard to honest mediums and impOsters.
With permission will say that there are some
advanced spiritualists or those who sought to be
advanced in spiritual knowledge, and in conse-
qlent wisdom and happiness who are in my
opinion behind the advancing power and the
beautiful development Of our glorious phosO-
ply to,. ,uo ,o,,., j., ,,
Ignorant of more recent processes OF spirit COM
munication. When tell some of them can
send spirit through instrumentality of clear
way medium to pay visit to friend or
brother at distance, and report to me the
condition and surroundings of the same; or
mat we know OF aYrcat many blessed mediums
Oh some very remarkable power, of which
mention DR.. Wood, now in this city, who co1l-
petely healed of an one years paralysis my
right arm by simple strOking by the hand Of
ms remarkable healing power. Yet manifesto
lions like this have been and are quite abund-
ant and penteOu' now-a-days. But many
express doubt or at once discredit my asser-
ton: ana then savant Hercules in the Freie
PresSe Will Say!-it must be something wrong
IN the upper story, and then look and talk rs if
the thing was utterly observation-disclosures
and then the Savant Hercules wants to eat up
all the piginies and says,
Schlmpfte ich ueber SDiritOlisten nicht
SO machte ich mein Laben nicht"
Now. sir, is their state and condition not the
result OF the want Of closer relationship to
the spirit world! They are certainly not on
very familiar terms with their sprit-friends
or 90 they visit private honest meAumsl l
think not very often; and how can they expect
to keep up with the growing and advancing
science OF the spiritual truth il they fOrbear TO
take the legitimate means to acquire knowl-
edge developed more and more for the good of
humanity every day and ever hour! They can
not.
But will say q word to the friends who are
still actively engaged in the good cause word
OF cheer ana comforf to those who are begin
ming TO doubt the efforts which are being so
earnestly made to spread the truth abroad the
world.
Thus has it ever been during the past Dis
cussion, agitation Ofany matter. have revealed
at last portions OF the truth in relation to it;
and a. Though great quantity of chaff has
been brought forward by imposters even here
some grain. yet the rich, sweet kernels of wheat
that have been educed from all this threshinn
have proved OF value to the hungry multitude.
wave; we will not pull it down. All we ask is
respectful attitude, tolerance of opinion and
courteous deneanor OF our opponents in the
SlNc us tIcSc cOnultlOnS, which
We in turn are ready to grant on
our side, and we have no fear but
that lasting good will be evolved from the,
camOr of ideas and confusion seemingly OF
sounds by some savant Hercules in this city
that ut times RACES arOundu us.
1t is true that mediumship, with its powers
phases and enfOldments, is frequently called
upon to pass through the crucible of criticism
and under the fire of discussion: but from what
we observe of its work. its achievements and
its triumphs, we are prepared to assert that
trying experience has only made the gold in
mediumship to shine more brightly than ever
before, and 1t has proven, aud is constantly
proving, to the world that not all the criticism
or discussion Of man Us an impOstOr is capable
can detract from or add to, in any manner.
the value of the Spiritual Phenomena or tbs.
genuiness Of its nStrumentalities.
For these are founded upon the rock of
truth, that no incoming tide can sweep away.
But on the other hand Il sincere consideration
of these things is useful in bringing forth more
knowledge of the laws and conditions which
govern them and teaching to NAN the necessity
of attending to these laws IL he would reap thu.
results of spiritual power
am very sorry not to have been able 10
render in English the same feeling as would
have it written in my language, though hope
you will understand it, Respectfully yours
F. G. q