Los Angeles herald., 1907-01-27
specialists in any field of scientific re-
Priest Espouses Belief

What Darwin and Wallace accom-
plished in the field of evolution, Crookes,
Lombroso, Varley, Damiani, Hare
Mapes, Dodge and others have done in
the field of psychism. The Literary Di-
gest of December Is contains an inter-
esting and instructive translation of
part of an article by Father G. G. Fran
co, originally published in the Roman
Civita Catholica, papal organ. In
this article Father Franco takes the
bold position that the phenomena of
Spiritualism are scientifically estab-
lished, and that they are questioned
only by those men Whose feet are upon
earth but whose wits go wool gathering
in the moon.' He numbers some of the
learned professors in the universities
of Italy in this class, likewise some spe-
cialists in psychology. 1t is not to be
supposed that The Herald writer's will
claim that they are better able to weigh
evidence than CrookeS, Lombroso and
their compeers. Nor can we imagine
that they will accept Father Frances
conclusions in regard to all psychic phe-
nomena. He admits their genuineness
at least the genuineness of many of
them-but ascribes their origin either
to Satan or to "unclean spirits" To
admit the interference of dark" or
'unclean spirits" in mundane affairs
would be to admit the genuineness of
psychic phenomena.
Let Reason Be Paramount
The Herald writer's are, we hope, not
on intimate terms with any of The
powers of evil, hence we trust that they
will heed Ingersolls admonition and
"let the little lamp Of reason shine!"
This light would lead them to see that
there is a scientific basis for these phe-
nomena, and that they are not produced
outside of or above natural law, but IN
perfect harmony with it. In the lime
light of natural law, Satan and the
unclean spirits quickly disappear and
forever from the gaze of intelligent
people.
Many Catholic prelates admit the sci
entific likewise the religious aspects OF
psychic phenomena, but hold that they
are the property of the holy Catholic
church, hence should not be presented
outside of it's sacred walls. Not few
progressive Spiritualists freely admit
that there are Catholic priests far bet
ter qualified to handle these phenomena
intelligently and instructively than are
many of the so-called mediums in Spir-
itualism, yet they strenuously object to
any and all vested rights and special
privileges in spiritual things, hence hold
that these phenomena are for the COM
mon good of our Sorrowing humanity
everywhere, consequently plead for
their presentation in all sincerity of
purpose and honesty of soul to meet the
common needs of all the suffering sons
and daughters of God. This plea is ever
accompanied by n demand that these
phenomena shall bear the unmistakable
stamp of genuineness, and have no con-
nection whatever with the commercial
elements with which The Herald is so
courageously dealing.
Truth Must Prevail
All that fair minded, intelligent
Spiritualists request of The Herald is
this-that due emphasis be laid upon
the genuine phenomena that Spiritual
ism has long since proved to the world
whenever an exposure of a counter.
feiter takes place. All Spiritualists of
any standing are demanding that the
Augean be purged of those elements of
wickedness that have long been hidden
In them.
They will gladly lend their aid and
experiences to the work in question, bur
they ask IN all sincerity that the resi-
dunn of truth which they know they
have for the children of men be made
as conspicuous and equally as em-
phatic as the admitted presentations Of
fraud and chicanery. Truth only asks
a hearing. for II never fails to over
come error whenever ii Is given an
opportunity to do so. Yours for truth.
HARRISON ID. BARRETT,
President National Spirltualist asso-
citation and editor-at-large, u. S. A"