The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-26
A Minister Denounces spirituaIism.

To the Editor Of the Indianapolis Journal:
Rev. r. ". Hunter. of the Seventh Pres
byterian Church. this city, in his sermon,
Feb. "a, denounced spiritualsm as "a hum
bug, a lie and sham He. however.
prefaced his remarks by the statement
that he does pretend to speak an
authority. 1t has been the custom OF
preachers to brighten. or. at least. TO de-
ter members of their hocks from becoming
enlightened and cOmf0rted by personal IN
vestigation of spiritualism. knowing that
" hen the veil Is lifted the ShamS of church
forms anc erroneous teachings Will be
patent 10 the seeker after unadulterated
truth Spiritualism needs not the indorse-
ment OF any person to give it standing
before the world. 1t is everywhere recog-
nized that spiritualism gives the only proof
OF Immortality, and OF the continuance OF
individuality after the transition called
death.
But would recommend that the Rev. Mr..
Hunter, before pursuing the subject fur
ther. publicly: read the testimony of the
festation of spirit and communion OF
saints"-Ignatius. Irenaeus. Tertullian.
Of Plus. bishop of Rome Eusebius. s..
Bernard, Mather, Hook, Maitland, Barnes,
Bishop Hall. Bishop French. Bishop Wat
son, Bishop simpson. Beecher. Thomas.
research of Europe and America are in
teresting. A glance at the list of men
eminent IN SCIENCE anu letters VINO nave
had the manhood to acknowledge facts
learned through personal experience with
the phenomena of spiritualism-Crooks,
Wallace. Zollner. Flammarion, Kardec.
Hartmann. Adams, Balfour, Ramsey, Bow
ditch. Hodgson, Hyslop (the list is too
long for the space at command)-is suf-
ficient to cause thoughtful. earnest per-
son to gain this knowledge for himself,
at first hand. The way in which Robert
Dale Owen proceeds TO establish the truth
of spiritual interference in the matters OF
u ArlI t. wl-t e. nxah
very simple. He asserts. and easily proves
his assertion, that we do not know all
things, and that to declare that certain
occurrences do not take place because we
understand them not is narrow and fool
ish. 1t is to place the extent of the world
at the horizon of our vision. But as We
know there are lands and places beyond our
vision. so do we know there are laws
which surpass our present knowledge and
understanding, but with which We will
er states of enlightenment.
To an educated Christian, the possibility
or spirit interference is as well known
world of spirits. "As Thy holy angels do
Thee service In heaven, they may sue
cor and aid us here on EARTH" is prayer
OF the Episcopal Church.
knowledge is now no more a fountain
Drink deep. until the habits of the slave,
Inc sins of emptiness. gossip and spite and
SANDER die
Spirit return. healing. seership and the
ful range OF power not only prac-
ticed by Jesus, but taught the twelve
initiates, known as apostles, and all per-
sons commissioned of heaven to be min
1sters We're to be recognized by these
gifts, or signs" How many preachers
in all the churches of America to-day have
this power-this divine certificate" with
out which they should not occupy any ros-
trum as teachers)? THE CLOTH" as min
listers of to-day call themselves, has grown
away from Jesus and truth. and the church
rews are emptying because people crave
knowledge, and are personally seeking it
wherever 1t can be found. Church of
Spiritualism' has been established in this
city, because there are enough lovers of
truth residing here to maintain a meeting
house, and their motto should be en-
craven In every mind. and conscientiously
ived-"Deeds not creeds" The twentieth
century minister must have an up-to-date
knowledge of the after-life and of the re-
suits of the different phases of earth life
upon a spirit, how they influence his con-
dition In the other world. A recital of the
actual experience of persons who one time
lived on earth would carry to the mind
or the listener a mighty lesson 1t is
criminal TO selfshly conceal from our fell
lows the truth We have learned concerning
anything, but II Is a greater crime in a
supposed teacher TO deny facts.
F. s. PHILLIPS.
indianapolis, Feb. 25