The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1894-09-07
SPIRlTUAllSM.

alism, we find it as with every other SUBJ
ject, something that has defenders and
opponents it is sustained by affirmations
and combatted with denials, and the
same can be said of every ism the world
has ever known. Conflicting opinions ex-
list from necessity, as all do not and can
not see and think alike. But belief or mere
opinion has no power to impair or destroy
fact, and if truth or reality has an
existence, ridcule, sarcasm. sophistry or
endless argument cannot and does not
effect it. Spiritualism, what is known as
the modern kind, had it's origin in mani
festations which occurred in Hydesville,
N. Y, in 1913, and from that day to this,
its spread and growth has been wonder
full and rapid. In every part of the globe
Spiritualism today has a foothold, and its
phenomena is universally prevalent. Pub
lie mediums are everywhere found for all
phases of manifestations, and in thous-
ands of private homes are mediumistic
persons of whom the world never hears
and in whose presence that mysterious
phenomena regarded as the work of dis
embodied spirits, is constantly occurring.
The phenomena on which Spiritualism is
based, is not and cannot longer be denied
and there is but one thing in connection
with it to be settled as an undeniable fact.
That is this: Is the phenomena what it
claims to be, the work of spirit beings
who were once mortals clothed in flesh,
or does it result from some subtle and
psychic powers the nature of which man
ing principle in man which animates flesh
and blood is possessed of consciousness
and endowed with reasoning faculties is
self-evident fact but what the nature,
extent or power of this principle, no one
definitely knows whether it can perform
seeming impossibilities while animating
material body, or whether its release
by death makes possible the production
of phenomena that puzzles and confounds
the beholder, is the great mootable ques-
ton of this day and age. Samuel p.
Putnam, an outspoken and consistent
materialist, who puts man in the grave
and leaves him there, to resolve back in
to the elements of nature with conscious
ness forever destroyed; does not deny
much of the phenomena accredited to
modern Spiritualism, but takes the
ground that this phenomena though it
occurs, does not prove the Immortality
of the soul, or demonstrate the positive
certainty of continued existence after
the destruction of the physical body. On
this basis of admission or accepted belief,
was found material for the late discus
sion between this gentleman and Moses
Hull, one of the ablest debators to be
found among the advocates of Spiritual
ism. What was the result of such de-
bate9 Just what it always was and will
be, when opinions meet in conflict with
out evidence to sustain the affirmative-an
unsatisfactory interchange of ideas and
beliefs. Mr. Hull brought forward reli-
able testimony to numerous facts, and
labeled them esprit manifestations" but
Mr.. Putnam maintained that the facts
| themselves. though somewhat surprising
| and mysterious, did not establish spirit
origin; and his position hold as invul-
nerable. The facts which have been seen,
recorded and testified to, may be attrib-
uted to the action of spirits, but how can
| it be SO demonstrated beyond doubt?
Only by dying, going behind the scenes
and entering the world of spirit, if there
is one Belief must and always will
| play an important part in Spiritualism,
for knowledge, sure, certain and undeni-
able escapes our grasp. We have the
mysterious facts, but through faith or
belief must behold the action of spirits In
producing them. But some may say,
"does not clairvoyance see and prove the
existence of spirits?" In reply shall
quote from that cratic, but still wonder
full man p. b. Randolph. ave have all
h ard of the ghosts of dogs and birds
and phantoms in those shapes have un-
doubtedly been seen, but such are