Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1899-06-24
the subject being "Sfiritualism, .
/ the Rev. Mr.. Moreland said in the

the subject being "Sfiritualism,"
The Rev. Mr.. Moreland said in the
outset:
at is usual to begin sermon on spir-
itualism by pronouncing it system of
! fraud and treachery, declaring it to be
bull, entirely upon humbug and decep-
ton. and denyiRg the existence of one
single fact underlying its claims and
manifestations. | cannot take that posi-
ton. | cannot lightly dismiss the whole
| phenomena Of spiritualism as not pos
sessing an atom of fact, for these reasons:
| a. Because as Christian and a spur
| itual being believe that communications
with the spiritual world are reasonable
and to be expected; indeed that our
whole religion reveals it and requires II,
and that as matter of fact we practice
| intercourse with the spiritual world ev
cry day Of our lives.
| ~. Because / feel bound to respect
the testimony of intelligent, earnest peo-
| pie whom would believe il testifying OH
other subjects. They have attended
| circles and 'seanccs;' have not. They
arc convinced that there is some commu-
nication from a supernatural source.
| They are as ready to denounce the vast
superstructure of fraud and gross impo
sition which has been built up by tricks
sters and vulgar mediums, who for mer-
cenary reasons pray upon the credulity OF
the people, especially upon those who
are freshly bereaved."
The speaker then dwelt at con-
siderable length upon the investi'
cations set on foot by various people
and learned bodies i'll search OF ex-
act truth regarding the phenomena
and bestowed special attention
to the study given The subject by
Professor Hodgson, American Sec
rotary Of The English Society OF
Physical Research. He had
given his life to the study of men
tai and physical phenomena" said
the speaker, and she told me he
! had investigated $50 instances o
S spiri,ualism in America and hat
4 not discovered one fact which coult
$ not be accounted for on natura
: grounds. This was in 1894. Sine
c then | have heard from him tina
s he has changed his judgment; tina
! in continuing his studies he ha
r been compelled to face facts whic
It require a supernatural agency
of which could not be explained o
10 any other ground. He is now cor
,r WINGED that there Is some fact.
It small quantity, mingled with a
It immense amount OF trickery an
1t fraud in the phenomena OF spiritr
II alism." Continuing, he furth,
10 said
ne Now, mark you, if there is any res
&c dunn of fact whatever, it must be aceour
n. ed for. 1t cannot be ignored. Al
!, because such men as the expert l ha
nemed, and intelligent people whom
occasionally meet, now declare me
II. POSITIVELY that thereis something in spir
ne ualism, l am not prepared to say there
r. nothing in it.
-, "But the evidence that has most weig
with me, pcrsuading me that there III,
"o be something besides humbng in spir
ne ualism, is the testimony of the Word
he God. From the earliest times of Co
at dealing with men, we find Him warm
=, us against spiritualism. The Egyptai
were race of Sorcerers and necromance
Nv and lest the chosen people should fall
M to their ways, God enacted laws of
use greatest severity: Thou shalt not sui
air a witch to live Eek. "a, IS); and aga
ar. "A man OF woman that hath famil
spirit shall surely be put to death; Il
shall stone them with stone (Levitic
ihi 40, 81. Repeatedly through
'us pages ofthe Bible, God condemns wizar
Sc. medieums, OWNERS of omens, necrom
90. GERS or seekers of the dead. whisper
and mutterers sorcerers and astrolog,
such as mentioned in the book of ID
iel
SIN -
Mrs. Arthur Powell, of Asotin ca