davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-06
PROF. ELIOT CoUEs.
PALPABLE DECEPTIONS.
4 Rather Uncomplimentary View Of the Re-
lgious History of the World.

A Rather UucompIimentnry View of the Re-
ligious History of the World.
First-As understand a miracle to be
the occurrence or performance of an impos-
sibility, certainly do not believe such
thing has ever taken place, and of course
this means the total disbelief in many So
called holy things. The elder Disraeli, in
his "Curiosities of Literature" drylY de-
scribes the thousand and one instances of
deception and the manufacture of spurious
relics, mentioning in particular the Glou-
cestershire miracle of the blood of Christ,
which was visible only to those who were
not in mortal sin. 1t turned out to be the
blood of a duck, which was contained in q
vial having one side Opaque and the other
side transparent, and the monk upon whom
devolved the duty of Snowman, turned the
side he thought desirable to the pilgrims,
being governed somewhat by the size OF the
offerings made by the latter.
The religious history ofthe Middle Agesis
so full of these instances of trickery that
there is usually no difficulty in divesting the
so-called miracles of their supernatural sig
nifcance. Personally believe there are no
miracles that cannot be repeated or ex-
planned in these days OF the telephone and
phonograph. L can very easily imagine
how a person in a state of religious enthu-
siasm. which borders on insanity, can be-
lieve in a communication from heaven, and
I see such cases every day.
DIR. ALLAN MCLANE HAMILTON,
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-06

and if they cannot tell me there shall have
to call at every house near the Prospective
and inquire" He left the room hastily.
My father is so easily disquieted." said
Jana. Il cannot see anything in this that
we should be so frightened"
Unfortunately" said Lanin, 81, also,
have become anxious. / never saw your
father in such state of excitement"
Count Ivon, the owner of the house in
which Schelm lived, had arranged it after
French fashion. The PORTER inhabited a
small room, from which all the staircases
started that led to the different apartments
of the tenants. As in Paris, he also received
all that came by post for the inhabitants OF
the vast building.
1t might have been 7:3O when Schelm
came home and passed the portier's lodge.
Here is letter for you," cried the latter
give it to me at oDceP said Schelm,
stopping moment.
As soon as he had received the letter he
stepped under the lamp that lighted up the
hall. At the sight of the imposing address
he began to frown; quickly he tore open the
envelope and found this letter:
The Privy Councillor, A. A. Wernin, has the
honor to inform you of the engagement of his
daughter Jana with Count Vladimir Lanin, and
at the same time. to invite you to be present at
the wedding ceremony in the Cathedral of Our
Dear Lady of Kasan on November
For moment Schelm stood as if struck
by lightning; he grew fiery red, the perspira-
tion covered his forehead and his knees
trembled. With one hand he took off his
spectacles. With the other he sought his
yellow silk handkerchief, wiped his brow,
looked blankly at the PORTER, who smiled
stupidity, and crushed the letter wrathfully
and threw it down; then he rushed out into
the street without his hat and spectacles.
"What look that WASH said the PORTER
to himself, "he must have gotten bad news"
Faithfully following the example of his
Paris colleagues, he picked up the letter on
the floor and tried to read the contents.
Schelm could not have gone far when a car
riage drove up, and a gentleman covered
with decorations called the PORTER and in
quired for Schelm.
He has just left" answered the PORTER.
did he get any letters?'
"Yes, Your E1cellency; he had just re-
ceived this note, and had thrown it, crum-
pied, to the floor so thought :"
"Quicki hand it herel You ASST cried
Wernin, tearing the ball of paper from the
portier's hand. "Too lateI" he whispered,
after he had read the fatal invitation.
Then he returned the letter to the PORTER,
and stepped into his carriage, saying to him
self, II was not mistakenl We shall have
to fight a fierce battle!''
(TO be continued rezt sunddy)
Copyright. 1880 by Meta de Vera
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-06
MIRACLES ARE MYTHS
The Consensus of Opinion of Eminent
Scholars and Skeptics.
NATURES LAWS ARE IMMUTABLE,
Efforts to Explain Away the Phenomena
Described in the Bible.
FEATs OF MODERN WONDER WORKERS
PREPARED FOR THE DIsPArcH.I

IfHEfARhD FOh THE DIbPATCH.J
A series of questions regarding miracles
has been put to the writers on ghosts and
Hindoo magic already we'll known to readers
of The DISPATCH. The replies given here
with are full OF interest and suggestive.
The questions were as follows:
First-Do you believe there is such a
thing as miracle, or that there has ever
been?
Second-What is your explanation of the
miracles referred to in the Old and New
Testament?
Third-Can modern magicians, j. e., the
magicians of to-day, duplicate or equal
those ancient marvels?
The most concise answers come from Prof.
E. D. Cope, of the University of Pennsyl-
vania, as follows:
First-Interferenc with the laws of mat
ter and energy is not to be expected. I have
never known OF case.
Second-Careless observation, ine1act re-
cording and absolute fabrication.
Third-They can perform some of them.
Others cannot be duplicated.
Daniel Greenleaf Thompson answers in a
similar vein, as follows:
First-If by miracle is intended an arbi-
trary interference with the order of nature,
do not believe it. At the same time, I see
no reason why any power that makes nature
cannot control nature and act in ways that
we do not understand. The evidence is,
however, of complete uniformity of ma
ture.
Second-Those statements in the Scrip
lures which set forth facts commonly STYLED
miraculous are, in my judgment, false; their
falsity coming rather from mistakes Of tact,
made in relying upon traditions with their
primitive credulity, which is seen in all
Eastern peoples.
Hermann, the magician, answers the
questions as follows: 1 think the miracles"
were simply sleight-of-hand tricks. think,
for instance, that Moses was an excellent
sleight-ot-hand performer and adept presti-
digitateur, who did not hesitate to use his
skill in this direction to fortify and strength
en- his position as leader. 1 think that
the magicians of today are the best magi-
clans the world has ever known.
Seth Pancoast writes: For a miracle to oc-
cur it would be necessary to suspend some
one of the laws that upholds or sustains the
perpetuity of movement observed in nature.
Perhaps eight-tenths of the alleged miracles
never occurred. We know very we'll that the
sun never ceased to revolve or that Elijah
never assembled to heaven in his physical
body and in a material chariot. In both
cases the laws of gravitation would have to
be suspended.
A small portion of the Old Testament and
a larger portion of the New are purely
cabalistic. The first four chapters of Gene
sis give an allegorical des ption of crea-
tion of the exoteric cosmos the unse1ual
spirit and its NATURALIZATION in organic
forms; it also describes the fall of humanity
by the bisexual division of the spirit and a
final REDEEM ption.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-06
CAN'T SUSPEND NATURAL LAWS.
Miracles Either Did Not Occur or Must Have
Been HIisunderstood.

IL do not believe there is or ever has
been such thing as miracle in the vulgar
sense of the word, as something out OF or
contrary to the established course OF nature
There is no room for the supernatural or the
miraculous in the schedule of things which
any sound, sane mind can conceive. If 1
should see one arise from the dead should
suppose that either he had not quite died, or
else that his arising was an entirely reason
able, natural, proper and indeed necessary
event. do. indeed, know that many things
considered by the ignorant as miracles, and
cherished as such by designing persons for
purposes of their own, happen in the shad-
owy border-land between mind and matter.
But 1 am bound as scientist to consider
them as natural as any other occurrences, to
study, investigate and explain them to the
best OF my ability.
2-Our traditional alleged miracles are
the inventions, lies and forgeries Of
priestcraft for theocratic purposes; partly the
myths which grow out of the honest delu-
sions of unlearned populaces; but they
mostly have a high and true meaning, as
allegories, parallels, or yelled representa-
tions of possible or actual events.
81 know that the same spiritual powers
and occult forces which have formerly
proved adequate to the production of phe-
nomena miscalled miraculous are operative
to-day. Natural magic, or practical occult
ism, is science which may be studied and
an art which may be practiced. But it
is always easier to produce a spurious or
counterfeit marvel, by some de1trous tricks.
than to cause a genuine manifestation of
psychical effects.
ppnr ET TOvr
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-06

would not be a man to be despised. At all
events. we must be careful not to offend
him. and shall at once GO to the Minister
and tell him that Mr.. Schelm came too late.
Monday shall call on Mr.. Schelm him.
SELF"
"Do YOU know this admirer?" asked
Lanin.
Il never saw him." answered Jana. "To
tease father I asked him if my unknown
worshiper was handsome and young. He
is not 40 vet, was the answer, and has al
ready secured high position; he looks very
we'll too, when he puts on all his orders and
decorations To punish father TOR saying
this, 1 forbade his going to the Minister, and
told him to use nothing but empty phrases
of pollteness and not to forget our wedding.
He wanted to make excuses" continued
jana, laughing merrily, "but did not let
him get his breath, SO that, to this day, I
have no idea what sort of man he may be
nor do l care in the least"
"Schelm! Schelml" repeated Lanin. '1
remember fellow-student who had that
curious name; he studied law. He was an
untidy, malicious, poisonous sort of man
whom nobody could endure. Perhaps it is
he?"
WHAT" exclaimed jana. "Such a man
dared ask me to become his wife? We must
punish himi Write at once his address on
one of those cards of invitation, but do not
forget to give him all his title. My father
can afterward make his excuses to the
Minister Quickl Quickl Write to Mr..
Onophri Schelm, ETC., etc. Copy the card
faithfully"
Lanin was hesitating, but jana frowned
and he quickly did as ne was bid.
"What is now to be done with his visiting
card?" he asked, alter having copied it ex-
actly.
"Ihrow it into the fire" she said eagerly,
'seyen his memory shall perish. A man
whom never saw in all nv life, who did
not even condescend to appear in person as
suitor tor NV hand, he dared ask my hand.
L have indeed a right to be angry"
Lanin tossed the card into the fire and
rang bell.
~ sometimes see you, in my dreams, alone,
forsaken and unhappy" said jana after
the letters had gone. 81 see you in far
off country in hut, hopeless and almost
despairing. 1 step into the poor, wretched
hut. but not in ricn dresses and full of joy,
not as now, surrounded by fatterers and
admirers, but tatigued by long journey
and in rags. And yet l am fair and you
love me still You were despairing mainly
because you thought you would never see
me again. NV presence makes the hut look
beautiful to your eyes; l bring you new hope,
happiness, the best consolation, and am
myself happy. Oh, so happy"
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-06

money, no influence, can save us from ruinr'
Jana did not mind her fathers ominous
forebodings in the least.
'He must be Chamberlain" she said,
ironically, "or you would not esteem him
so highly. How is it that this title is not
on his card?'
Perhaps for the first time in his life the
old man cast stern look at his daughter.
'My child,' he said very seriously, "your
jests are out of place here. No, Schelm is
not Chamberlain; he does not even hold a
high place, but his power is great. 1 am
not Liberal, and I do not despise the men
who are necessary in order to watch over
the life of His Majesty, and who honorably
do their duty. / know Schelm too little
to say what sort of man he is, but his
hatred fills me with apprenensions for you,
my child, my dearest Jana here the
poor old mans eyes filled with tears, and
he pressed his daughter to his breast. 81
tremble for you, Vladimir, and for my own
child"
The young diplomat, who had silently
listened to the old mans words, looked
proudly up and said:
Fear not, Councillor, for us! My life is
blameless. 1 am loyal to my Emperor and
always shall be. 1 fear nothing, but against
vile calumnv the influence of my uncle, the
Adjutant of His Majesty the Emperor, will
protect me"
"And if he were the Adjutant of ST. Mich
olas himself he could not protect you against
Schelm's denunciation! Do you hear that,
young Hotspur?"
Never had the Councillor shown such e1-
citement-never had he uttered the names
of the Emperor and of st. Nicholas in such
a way. Jana became at last aware that her
ill-timed jest might find result in evil conse-
quences, and as in the depths of her heart she
loved her father dearly, she stepped up to
him, kissed him tenderly and said:
''Be calm, beseech you, dear father! If
this Mr.. Schelm holds such a high position
he cannot be fool. He must see the real
meaning of our invitation and look upon it
as poor joke"
"Schelm is vain, ugly and malicious
MAI" replied Wernin; forgetting what he
had just said. "He makes all the greater
pretensions because he feels how little he
deserves them. Perhaps 1t would be better
for you if you had consp1red against the
Gar, than to indulge in such dangerous
jest. But this is no time for complaints
we must see what can be done. Tell me
quickly where he lives"
Father" said Jana, folding her hands.
II have burned the cards and cannot re-
member the address"
What chain of mishapsp said the old
man. jana, my angel, what is to become
of us? shall hasten to see the Minister
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-06
A CAUSE FOR EVERY EVENT.
KolIar Maintains Tint Christianity II New
Form of Solar Worship.

Form of Solar Worship.
First-No. / believe there is natural cause
for every event, although We may be ignorant
often of the cause OF the phenomenon. As
we all have a grain of superstition in our
nature we are prone to ascribe to some
supernatural power things that we do not
understand.
Second-My opinion is that Christianity
is new form OF solar worship; that Christ
is a sun god, and that all the miracles
ascribed to Him in the New Testament
are merely a history OF natural events
veiled in aliegory, caused by the suns
action on the earth. For instance, the
changing of water into wine is the trans
formation by the suns warmth OF the
waters of January into the grapes of
September; the changing the five small
loaves into sufficient to feed 5000, and
when they had all eaten there remained
fragments sufficient to fill IL baskets is
a miracle performed annually by the sun.
when his rays fecundate the earth and
change the grains sown by the husband
man into the aatumnal harvests. Christ's
death and burial, and his resurrection ON
the third day, is in my opinion alleeorical
of the winter solstice, when the sun is
further south and apparently stands still a.
far az his north and southwark motion Is
concerned for about three days, before he
starts on his northern course again and rises
toward the zenith Of his glory. There are
many reasons for believing that Christ was
the sun personifed; He was born on the
18th OF December, when the new sun is
born; Christ was ushered in by John the
Baptist, who baptissd with uatsE; the nsv
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-06

on them to speak o., sat in the front seats,
not knowing anything that was going on
any more than other people do who go to
watch the Legislature. Finally, however,
Sam Davis came and told Mr.. Sides that
the bill had passed and that he was now
pure as the driven snow. 1 saw him last
week, but it seemed to me it was about time
to get some more special legislation for him.
Once Mr.. Davis met Mr.. Sides on the
street and was so glad to see him that he
said, johnson, like you first rate, and
would always be glad to see you. When
ever you can, let me know where you are"
The next week Sam got quite lot of
kilograms from along the railroad-for the
Indians ride free on account of their SYM
pathies with the road. These kilograms
were dated at different stations along the
way, and were hopeful and even CHEEKY, all
marked COLLECT" They were about as
follows:
Sam Davis, Carson, New:
WINNEMUcCA, NEv., March 81. 80.
am here. JOHNSON SIDES.
Every little while, for quite long time,
Mr.. Davis would get bright, CHEEKY
telegram, sometimes in the middle of the
night. when he was in bed, assuring him
that johnson Sides was "there." and he
would go back to bed cheered and soothed
and sustained. BILL NYE.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-06
SIMPLY GNGXPLAINABLE,
Miracles Are What We Cannot, but May
Some Time Understand.

Miracles Are What We Cannot, but May
Some Time Understand.
First-Webster defines miracle as "an
event or effect contrary to the established
constitution and course of things, or devia-
ton from the known laws of nature" That
an event or effect ever occurred contrary to
the established constitution and course of
things do not believe. On the other hand,
phenomena are constantly occurring which
are deviat:ons from the known laws of na-
ture. All forms of mesmerism, hypnotism,
telepathy. psychometry, psycography and
psychic vision come under this head. At
the best, we can only regard miracle as an
unexplainable occurrence. The firing of
cannon would be to savage who knew
nothing of powder or guns a miracle. The
wiser a people become the less they can be
imposed upon by miracles.
Second-So far as human intelligence is a
guide it seems reasonable to assert that a
large percentage of the miracles OF the
Bible never occurred. except in the i'm
agination of the writer's of these stories.
Take, for instance. the statement that at
the command of Joshua, in the name of
the Lord, ''the sun stood still, and the
moon stayed until the people avenged
writer of this miracle had known even a
little of astronomy he probably would
have killed off the enemies of Joshua's
people in some manner not so likely to
be fatal strain upon the faith of any one
who wishes TO believe the story, but
at the same time understands the dire
effects that such staying of the moon and
sun would cause throughout the entire
planetary system. Many of the Old Testa-
ment miracles are plainly symbols of natural
truths. more or less of an occult nature.
This seems also to be true of some of the
statements Of wonderful, phenomena in the
New Testament. Yet if Jesus was the
master that his disciples declare, it cannot
be denied that much of the phenomena de-
scribed as His miracles in reality may have
been worked by him.
Third-Anything that was possible /, 900
or 5000 years ago, so far as the production
OF miracles" is concerned, is equally as
possible to-day.
JOHN RANSOM BRIDGE,
President of the Boston Theosophic Society.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-06

me 10 make YOU aware of his dissatisfaction,
as will be done moreover bv the Minister of
the Interior also"
Scheim turned pale and trembled.
His Majesty the Emperor does not seem
to know"
The Count turned to the door, saying as
he went out:
"I have nothing else to say TO you!'
When both were alone Palkin at once
drew himself up and his arrogance returned
doubly offensive. On his narraw lips how
cred a smile of triumph. He patted ScheIm
on his shoulder and said:
"Hal hal hal What do you saw now,
Minister? But am an honest fellow and
bear no ill-will. To honor my new decora-
tion invite you to dinner"
go 10 the devil" said Schlem.
"All right 1 am going at once, replied
Palkin, humming an air that was then very
popular.
Your wrath rejoices, rejoices me highly!
This song of triumph resounded long
time in the ears of the unfortunate head of
division; long he sat at his desk absorbed in
sad thoughts, throwing unconsciously his
papers from one place to another.
Suddenly he rose, and supporting himself
with his hand on the table, he said, look
ing at the Emperor's portrait, with reso-
lutte voice:
ITO win your favor we must discover or
make up a conspiracy? Very we'll then. 1
shall discover one and such one that you
shall tremble on your throne, you ruler of
all the RusSiaS."
Then he took off his spectacles. wiped with
his dirty yellow handkerchief the large
drops of perspiration that had gathered on
his brow, took his mar, pulled il down over
his face and iurriedly left the office.
The official on duty in the anteroom made
q deep bow and accompanied it with q
scorntul smile, which he did not even at
tempt to conceal, since Schelm never
deigned 10 look at one of his subordinates
He then went into the Office of the head of
division, arranged the papers on the table
and did not leave the Ministry till towards
o'clock
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-06
KELLAR, the Magician.
The MIRACLES OF TO-DAY.
wonders In n Great Church ns Remarkable
Tha.a If nlH.n Tfruaa-

wonders In n Great Church ns Remarkable
as Those of OIden Times.
First-I confess that many Of them are
incredible, but, then, so are the miracles
that happen to-day. The Roman Catholic
church has always cultivated the mystic and
the occult, just as the prophets and disciples
OF old were wont to do, consequently mira
cles are OF constant occurrence in Catholic
countries. The phenomena connected with
the grotto OF Lourdes, the annual liauefac-
tion of the blood of San Tennaro. in
Naples, are two noteworthy instances of
this fact. The Catholic church will not
admit that any person having be-
longed to il is worthy Of canonizatiou
until he or she has performed a prescr ibed
number of miracles. But who ever card
Of miracles among blue Presbyterians. or
Methodists, or Protestants generally? The
miracles performed in Roman Catholic
countries at the present time are fully an
wonderful as any that are recorded in the
Bible, and for nv part it is Just as easy To
believe that the Virgin Mary appears to n
lot of French peasants and instructs them
as to the proper method of glorifying her
divinity; or that the miracle of the transub-
sanitation is fact, as to believe that Christ
walked upon the sea, or turned water into
wine. If we admit the possibility of one
miracle, we admit the possibility of 20 900.
Second-Modern magicians are quite capa-
BILE of duplicating, or, at least, equaling
these extraordinary feats. There are persons
whom we all recognize as being endowed
with exceptionally fine perception and a
wonderful senslbilitJ. Now, following strictly
the law of natural selection, it is possible
k.ok,
1ty and highly cultivated intuitive knowI-
edge might be evoked into we know not
what marvellous capability. And if, as We
are told in the New Testament, faith can re-
move mountains, faith might eventually fill
Nine. BIavatsky's cash drawer, as she
claims, with money whenever she needs it.
MARQUISE DI LAMA.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-06

The Prudent Wife Will Set Apart Room for
His Exclusive Use.
Detroit Free Press.l
A man wants some one place in his home
that he can call his very own, some portion
of the house where his will is law, where no
conflict OF authority can arise. This is not
altogether for the purpose of securing solI-
tude, for his family is usually most welcome
there, but the need for it springs from the
desire for that sense of proprietorship which
is his habit abroad, and from the wish to be
able to do precisely as he pleases in at least
a corner of his own house.
Here should be the comforts that the man
devises for himself; the lounging chairs, the
desk and library, his smoking materials,
with license to use them. Here he should
be able to feel absolutely at his ease, troubled
by no fear of 'mussing things"