Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1883-06-28
SPiRIIUAliSM

To The Editor Of tie Eagle:
In your paper has appeared from time 10
time notices that certain "miracle" was
to be performed upon the hand of Mrs.
Jane 4. Sexton, and that upon the public
rostrum. As the time has passed, many OF
your readers have looked in vain for some
evidence of its performar ce or failure
One man came six miles to inquire why
the EAGLE did not contain some notice in
regard to it.
II n miracle was performed after so long
and so public 4 notice, it certainly chal-
enges the credulity Of the age. Ii it was
not performed, there certainly ought to be
talent enough in Wichita to discover the
trick, or cause Of failure.
The church everywhere disclaims the
mower to exercise the necessary faith to
perform miracle, but points with pride to
the ancient faith of the church and its an
cient miracles performed thereby. lnger-
sol says, every religion has for its
foundation miracle that is to say yio-
lation of nature--thatis to say a falsehoOd."
He further says, In the olden time the
church. by violating the laws of nature,
proved the existence OF her God. At that
time miracles were performed with the
most astonishing ease. But now this same
church-the people having found some lit
tie sense-admits, not only that she cannot
perform a miracle, but insists that the abb
sence of miracle, the steady and unbroken
y.a or nd afraet q avis.
lance of power superior to nature. The
fact is, however, that the indissoivable
chain of cause and effect proves exactly
the contrary"
.'There is but one way TO demonstrate
the existence of power Independent Of
and superior to nature, and that is by
breaking, if only for one moment, the con-
tinuity OF cause and effect. Change the
fact. just for one second, that matter at
tracts matter and q God appears
Did the Spiritualists, at Asks hall, en-
the evening OF June the Sth, 1883 demon
strate TO that large audience, that there ex-
listed power-eal it Jesus, or God, or
what you please--sutlieient to break the
continuity of cause and effect" or
change the fact that Z" matter attracts
matter:''
The terrible explosion OF benz inc was
the cause, the crisp, hardened. and crook
ed fingers was the effect, the adhesion OF
the ligaments and tendons to the bones
was the fact that matter attracts matter,
and when Mrs. Jane T. Sexton went upon
a 10 a,,l
held it up, slowly turning it, that all
might see it, in its crippled condition,
when every eye was all attention and a
breathless stiffness reigned, all saw those
fingers straighten and become flexible, and
listened to the eioquence, poetical imagery
rythm and pathos, that for three quarters
of an hour flowed from her lips, then and
there had q demonstration, that nature
has n master.'' Then and there was DEM
onstrated 10 the people Of Wichita what
viii prove to be the Que GROWING glory of
the nineteenth century, the discovery Of
the power and conservation Of mind over
matter and force.
There is but one question that can arise,
was her fingers Strengthened before she
went upon the stage? The condition of
the terrible burn, and that it would be
healed publicly, by Jesus of Nazareth. was
published in both our weekly papers, and
also announced before very large assem-
bly, at the Old Settlers meeting. The
hand was on exhibition for four months.
Scores and scores of people came to see the
hand. Over twenty-five persons signed a
paper stating, 1--WE. the undersigned,
have examined Mrs. Jane T. Sexton's
hand since IL was burned and believe it to
be permanently disabled" They are solid
citizens, belonging TO the different churches
Of the city. Her children and son-in-law
who were cognizant OF the condition of the
hand up to the very hour of its healing ex.
hibited overwhelming joy when they saw
the fingers siraighten and will not brook
for an instant the charge that she over con-
nived at trickery TO deceive the public.
Every possible means was used to make
it fair and open to the inspection Of all.
A miracle is not violation of natural law,
hut is a demonstration of power beyond
the protoplasm, beyond the alton, the abb
solute control of the forces Of matter, the
center, source and sum OF all things, with
whom everything that is. is right.
RICHMOND.