The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-03

able a'gradual improvement in the intrin-
sic character OF these communications, in
their subject matter and their style, until
we reach truths OF undoubted Importance,
couched in dignified and noble forms.
There appears to be a higher Spiritualism
OF which few know much, in whose inner
circles the communications seem worthy
OF our ideals OF the spirit world and COM
mensurate in importance with the stir
made in our earth plane. The story OF the
movement at large is the story OF every
private series OF seances.
The fact of this general orderly devel-
opment is clear. What is its significance?
Have we here iugglery imposing upon it.
self Or have we the education OF an UNI
conscious self, hiding within the ''abysmal
depths OF personality" Or, yet again,
have we the mastery OF the means OF com
munication between the spheres by some
quite conscious selves outside Of us, to the
end that new revelation may be impaired
10 man2
Is 1T TRICKERY OR DIVINE TRUTH2
8. Spiritualsm claims, iDsistently or
persistently, to be such purposeful effort
on the part OF spirits to discharge mis-
sion in the inspiration Of new religious
pings down to the latest manifestation in
every land this has been the uniform do
claraton OF the power be it what il may,
which is working in this movement. The
Hydesvlle disturbances found always one
and the same Interpretation Of their eerie
noises and uncanny performances through
the alphabctic code OF signals. To the
Fox sisters the messages came:-"You
h., 10
for the work." "You have been chosen to
20 before tho world to convince the scep-
teal Of the great truth OF Immortality"
The burden Of these new oracles is always
this same claim Of religious mission.
However inconsistent with itself in other
matters, Spiritualism is uniformly consis-
tent in this profession OF its faith.
Is this the bona fide utterance OF our
modern seershp under new inspiration,
or is it the craft Of a new priesthood, the
cunning OF medumship2
o. Spirituaism does, as matter OF fact
seem to substantive the claims OF its
priests. II goes without saying that, II II
be accepted as what II claims 10 be, q sys-
tenn of communication between spirits and
men, IL is demonstration OF the reality
Of Immortality, out Of which must issue
the mightiest revival OF this basic faith OF
religion known TO history. Such an ac-
ceptance OF It's claim being conceded by
stoadily-growing host OF men and women,
this revival OF religion is following as an
incontestiblo fact, and myriads OF men
are finding q dubious dogma once more
beco ing a living conviction, full OF power
and peace. Is this the result OF genuine
sight OF the reality behind the veil, or Is II
the old story OF the wish becoming father
to the thought
NOBLE THINGS ~ sPTRTTUALIsM.
10. Spiritualism seems TO bear out this
claim Of a mission In religion by the con-
tents OF its communications. The sncer
that naturally rises 10 tho lips OF the
reader, familiar only with the senile maun-
behring's OF the conventional message, does
not conclude the case.
As already limited, there appears 10 be a
higher spirimalism In whose circles, II
found, candid student ought fairly TO
look for the real secrets OF this mysterious
movement This higher spintualism seems
10 manifest the very characteristics that
ought to be found in a systematic move
mcnt such rs this claims 10 be. There
should, In such case, DO a substantial
harmony In tho ideas communicated, and,
In this consensus OF thought, progress Of
religious truth. The spirits ought to have
somewhat TO say which should hang TO.
gelher and which should draw men for.
ward In the evolution OF faith. IL is GER
tnnly very curious 10 note how com.
| pletcly the facts conform 30 this theory OF
spirilnalsm-ii the records are 10 be
trusted. Among widely different peoples
through circles representing all phases OF
so-callcd messages. which, while discrcpant
In all matters OF detail, are substantially
accorlant In the general outlines OF their
thought concerning the problems OF re-
hgion, the mysteries Of life here and here.
after. This consensus OF thought bears
everywhere directly against the received
opinions OF the religious world aud makes
for ireer theology. Mediums OF every
variety unto in giving utlefanco 10 ideas
OF a positively ecclesiastical and anti.
dogmatic nature.
Wherever spiritualism spreads the ira.
ditional. conventional orthodoxy disinte-
crates, often, alasl into undeyoutness aud
un.piritualily, not unmingled with ian.
morality, ~ has been the case with every
religious reformation Of hisiory-but, in
the higher circles, rccrystallizing into q
|
srinlruALisM AND IMMORTALITY.
The great spiritual verties Of religion aic
rcasscrtcd by the higher Spritualism in
undogma,ic aud elastic forms. THIS higher
Spirtualism Is thoroughly theisiic, while
spcculaliycly agnoslic. insisting always
upon the truth. Who can by searching
find out God7 II Is thcistic agnosticisrn.
The spiritual nature OF man Is not only EN-.
phasiYed aircsh, but Is stated intclligibly
IN philosophy " man which IA seli-con.
sislent, harmonious with the teachings oI
clafvoyanis, seers, mystics aud poets In
different races and ages and accordant with
whatever hints the deeper knowledge OF
physical science throws ont upon this sub.
lcct. Immortality IA not only realistically
brought TO light, but Il Is shaped into d
noble realism. In contrast with the vision
which ecclesiastical theology has given, the
pnnomma of the hereafter which Spiritu.
nlism unrolls IL nc once reasonable and
ethical. Mr.. Huxley may have hastily
concluded, In his famous dicium, that Il
the scancc dscloscs an actual hereafter il
reveals one from which q sensible man
shrinks In disgust hut oven tho spirit
tNadllo. thus naturally nauscatng him,
has q significance which makes the liic
beyond unulicmbly solemn. 10 In M
ethical revolution In faith 10 recognize
that death works no miracles; that there
afo fools Tower thefr' ~ well a. here, that
literally whatsoever u man HOwCth that
shall hc also reap" oven u Il be- intellect.
ual imbcriliiy, that the Buddhist doctrine
Of karmh IL the ycritablc inner secret oil
immortality. Hell, as thcologians have
fashioned Il, j. 10 these visions no more