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.
BY PAUL WILLIAMS.
in the Spirit Land

e->-~->-e->-e->>>>>->->-
ticn in the circle, of a number of per
sons at spiritual seance, is it not
Doctor?'
''What are supposed to be the very
best conditions with "a company in {
room whereby spirits may communi
cal te?''
"The most favorable condition il
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, ani
where the room shall be partially
darkened to prevent attention being
directed to objects in the room. An
audience thus situated, having each
all intense desire to receive intelli.
gcnce from the spirit world will be
very likely to receive it, the spiritual
isis claim, through some highly sus.
ccptible person in the room, known
as medium
t "Is not a prayer meeting, Doctor,
along this same line of favorable con.
dition for receiving impression?'
Certainly; prayer meetings, camp
meetings, 'all 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<.r.
'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 dark.
elled 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 % &. $5
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?" Y.
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:
Ing or the church, is the placing tot
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 seets
may have some absurd beliefs is moth.
ing against the Importance of frequent
sssemblage 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.''
s<What do you think, Doctor, of the
efforts of certa in noted intidels wh,
ridicule religion and look with con
tempt upon church going?'
''Those infidels have done a certain
good work. Under the guise of reli
giG>there have been bigots, at all
periods of the worlds history, who
have inflicted the most astonishing
cruelties ON the idea that they We're
commanded to commit these atrocities
in the name of religion. This bigotrs
should be broken up and it has beer
largely, by broad minded liberalists,in
late years. But the assembling in fire
qucnt gatherings for prayer, for com
munion with spiritual intelligence
ful the consideration of the best gooC
Of the people-all that should be com
mcnded as of the utmost Importance.
"Well, Doctor, 1 cannot see how tht
most thoroughly orthodox can objcc
to your views, and l do not see how