The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1909-01-23
THE SPIRIT WORLD.

This Is an age Of superstition among
the Protestant sects, especially among
the educated classes who have not the
gift of faith. They hove grown tired
Of listening to philosophical platitudes
from the pulpits insyead of Christ's
gospel and seek elsewhere for spiritual
pabulun. Some of them, by the grace
OF God, find their way into the Catholic
church, but the ,most Of them wander
in the wilderness Of skepticism and
agnosticism.
Goodwin Smith, of Toronto a learned
professor, and a man OF superior men,
tai endowments, who is now IS years
old, recently wrote to the New York
Sun asking somebody to convince him
of the existence Of God and a here
after. He is all at sea about things
spiritual, and is In deplorable state
of mind in spite Of all his literary
achievements.
Now comes in a special cable to the
Pioneer Press from London, the
strange news that William T. Stead,
the famous English editor, Is in CON-
munication with the spirit world ami
receives letters from bis son who de-
parted this life year ago. Mr.. stead
uses planchette and says that WITH
his pen resting on the instrument the
letters from his son are written ,,y
my own passive hand which moves
absolutely automatically" and that 70
exercises no will power in the matter
either to hold the pen or move it.
Then he adds: "Willie's letters are
simply splendid. They are exactly
like him and full of his characteristic
spirit. He talks with me at great
length and tells me everything he seex,
how he feels and what his hopes arc
respecting myself and other members
of the family. He says that the spirit
world is quite as anxious to establish
communication with this world as we
are with it, -'
William r. Stead IS journalist CT
worldwide repute, man Of pure life
and generous impulses. He is desti-
tute of the gift of faith and is carri I'd
away by his emotions. He is a men,
Der Of the Psychical Society and sons-
what Of a Spiritualist, judging from :he
articles that have appeared in his Re-
view Of Reviews. He believes in the
immortality Of the soul as Plato did,
and his son has gone to that coun-
try from whose bourne no traveller re-
turns" 1t is not surprising, therefore,
that he resorts to the use of the plan.
Ghetto, and that he believes his sons
spirit is in communication with him.
Mr.. Stead is an object of commisera-
ton, and he should not be ridiculed
by those who know his worth as a
man and citizen. Catholics, surely,
have no cause to condemn him, for he
has always been friendly to their
church. Not long since, in the New
York Times, Rev. DR.. George M. Searle,
superior of the Paulists. had this to say
anent spiritistic manifestations:
1T is, or should be. plain enough to
every one that in spiritism we are en-.
countering an agency, and a very pow
erful one, exercised By beings outside
of ourselves, and over whom we have
no control. And it should also be plain
enough to any one shat the matter Is
dangerous one to handle. In fact,
the danger is one that applies both to
regular mediums and to those who pri-
vately and in an amatsrrish way sur
render themselves to spirit influences.
1t is an extremely perilous thing to
make ones self passive to an unknown
influence Of any kini, and the actual
experience of those who have done so
by experimenting in phychic matters
is a pretty strong indication that the
influence is-in most cases, at any rate
Injurious and suggestive Of demo-
MAC origin. even whoa it does not so
so far as to resemble, If not really %
be. diabolical possessi on"
These words of the Paulish priest
deserve attention from Catholics in
these days Of spirit rapping, clairvoy-
ants and prognosticators of future
events. Every large city in the coun.
try is infested with fakirs who pretend
to possess preternatu.al and oracuiur
powers when in mesmeric state. San
Francisco is the first city to prohibit
their operations. Which will be tho
next? A short time ago, one Of thesa
parasites Of society offered to give
seances in Minneapolis for twenty-five
cents. He went under the name Of
Robert Emmett! A certain daily paper
makes a specially Of advertising tho
impostors for revenue OILY. and in tho