The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-25
SPIRITUALIsM DISCUSSED.
Rev. II. W. Hunter Uses Harsh Words
in His Sermon.


Rev r. ". Hunter, of the Seventh Pres
byterian Church. discussed the subject or
..spiritualism' at the evening services yes
terday. He began by saying that he had
given the subject of Spiritualsm some
study, and had observed the methods pur-
sued by those who profess to be mediums.
SO while he did not pretend to speak as an
authority he did claim that he had given
the subject more than casual investigation,
ard could therefore give an unbiased ex-
preston of opinion concerning it.
Throughout the worlds history" he said.
there have been innumerable false proph
cts. Mahomet became dissatisfied with re-
ligion as it existed In his time and went
forth to seek a new one. In later times IN
our own country Brigham Young and his
colleagues also became restless under ex-
listing religious forms and went forth into
the desert to create one which they con-
ceived to be better. The principle melting
this action has continued to be a force
among men, and has reached down into
the people about us and created various
forms of dissension from the general order
of things. One manifestation of this fact
is the upgrowth of what is known as Spir-
itualism.
to say this: While it is undoubtedly true
that some people have more magnetic force
than others, and some very strange things
have been accomplished by the exertion of
stantial evidence produced that the spirits
of disembodied friends have returned to
with living person. There has not been
one bit of proof presented by those who
claim to be adept in the business that
would stand the scrutiny of a thorough
and dispassionate scientific investigation.
When Spiritualism was first introduced by
q family named Fox, of Rochester, N. Y,
about the year 1S4S, there were many sur
misses to the true explanation. Some
persons thought that the rappings which
were heard came from real spirits, others
abnormal magnetic powers OF the medium,
while still others were of opinion that the
eounds were caused by the cracking of the
| joints OF the body OF the medium. But
neither then nor at any time since has
there been worthy evidence that messages
| from the spiritual world have been re-
ceived. 1t is strage fact, too. that In
| at best al ignorant and uncultured person.
| 1t Is also a fact that those who take up
with the idea are well meaning persons
who are either not well balanced mentally,
| or are ignorant. Then there are some who
| are anxious to hear from deceased
| loved ones that they get into state of
| mind where they are easily susceptible to
| bad influences. / would not speak of this
matter so seriously it not for the
| fact that there are many people who be-
| lieve In this fraud. as is attested by the
/ fact that right here in own city Is i
Church OF SpiritualiSm. And II Is also true,
! in my opinion, that person who assumes
this doctrine soon loses all his religion"
Mr.. Hunter sarcastically referred to the
| fact that all seances take place In the dark,
where the movements of the medium are
| not discernible. He also gave instances
where the fraud has been detected and
| explained the inconsistencies OF the chic:
works which have been issued pertaining
| 10 the subject. In conclusion he declared
that Spiritualism Is "humbug, lie. and
/ a sham