The labor world., 1899-07-08
HEAVENLY TRUSTS.
We Wonder if Pullman, Gould and the Rest
of 'em Are Combining the Territory
in the Spirit Land.
in the Spirit Land
By PAUL WILLIAMS.

>>o->S>-e-s->>-e->->->
ticn in the circle, of number of per-
sons at spiritual seance, is it not,
Doctor?"
''What are supposed to be the very
best conditions with a company in a
room whereby spirits may communi'
cate?''
"The most favorable condition is
supposed to be in an isolated room
where there would be no noise to dis
tract attention, where all the audi
ence believe they can have commun;-
cation with the spirit world, and
where the room shall be partially
darkened to prevent attention being
directed to objects in the room. An
audience thus situated, having each
an intense desire to receive intelli-
gcnce from the spirit world will be
very likely to receive it, the spiritual
lists claim, through some highly sus-
ceptible person in the room, known
as medium"
''Is not a prayer meeting, Doctor,
along this same line of favorable con-
dition for receiving impression?'
Certainly; prayer meetings, camp
meetings, sall religious gatherings are
favorable for the reception of spiritual
influence. Thousands of people will
testify that they have come from the
prayer meeting with new light and a
happy condition of mind, probably the
result of Impressions received there
through spirit influence" s.-, 5..$s5
Tens of thousands of men will tell
you, Mr.. Williams, that, moved to
drop into church out OF spirit of
curiosity, while sitting there in a dark
ened corner, perhaps, listening to the
low and quieting music, a feeling of
spiritual gladness came over them By
which they felt it. was well that they
should be there. And because Of that
ray Of happiness that shone in upon
them, thus they came again and
again, Or they became regular attend
ants and better men,
"You would regard church going,
camp meetings, prayer meetings, and
all religious gatherings, as beneficial
to the human family, would, you, Doc
tor ?'' E..-s ..q ..a
eyes. The minds of all congrega-
tions thus assembled are in passive
condition and favorable for receiving
impressions from the spirit world.''
"You would then think that prayer
might be answered, would you not,
Doctor?" .=-l -. ,..-. #
Certainly, and in a perfectly nat
ural manner. The placing of the mind
in passive, receptive condition, alone
in the chamber, in the prayer meet
ling or the church, is the placing of
ones self in favorable state OF. mind
whereby the outside intelligence can
take control and benefit the person
who seeks help through prayer
''You would regard the church, then,
Doctor, as an important institution
which should be maintained?" .>
'Certainly, Mr.. Williams. One day
in the week the people should assem-
bic and receive moral instruction and
be taught concerning spiritual things
by some. person in the congregation
most competent to lead and instruct.
The fact that certain religious sects
may have some absurd beliefs is moth
ing against the Importance of frequent
asscmblage by a people for spiritual
guidance. We place this on perfectly
rational and philosophical grounds.
Church going and spiritual thought
leads the mind upward and conduces
TO better life.''
"What do you think, Doctor, of the
efforts of certa in noted intidels who
ridicule religion and look with con-
tempt upon church going?"
"Those infidels have done certain
good work. Under the guise of reli.
gie<.there have been bigots, at all
periods of the worlds history, who
have inflicted the most astonishing
cruelties on the idea that they were
commanded to commit these atrocities
in the name of religion. This bigotry
should be broken up and it has been
largely, by broad minded liberalists,in
late years. But the assembling in fre.
quent gatherings for prayer, for com
ruunion with spiritual intelligence
fol the consideration of the best gooo
Of the people-all that. should be com
monded as of the utmost, importance.
"Wcll, Doctor. [ cannot see how the
most thoroughly orthodox can objec1
to your views, and l do not see how