The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-01-26
4SP|RITISM" THEME OF STRONG ADDRESS BY DR. [. BENNETT
Views of Bishops, Eminent Scientists and Noted Writers Analysed By
 Rector of St. Johns

pr. Edmopds Bennett, rector of St Johns Church, Ensley, made an address of absorbing interest on "Spiritism" at the morning service yesterday before large congregation.
 Dr. Bennett announced as his theme "The Posture of the Church Toward Spiritualism' and said. in part:
 In 16S3 A. D. Calico, the Florentine astronomer, was severely disciplined by the church for affirming that the earth moved round the sun, on the ground that the theory was contrary to Scrip ture. On the same grounds, our ec- clesiastical masters today look askance at the phenomena of spiritism as ex pounded in the inquiries of such men a s Sir oliver Lodge and Dr. Conan Doyle Two notable bishops, representing the Anglican church, one on this and the other on the neither side of the At lantic, have spoken quite recently Bishop Gailor of Tennessee and the bishop of London. In the manifesto tions, each of these prelates detects or at least suspects demon agency. The church as a body has made no author itative pronouncement. Its rules, how ever, as q class cannot be claimed as sympathetic, although there is diver sity of conviction even among the mag mates. i. e, the bishops, deans and pro- fessors. Suppose we try the case in our own way, taking a trio of representa- tive men from either side.
 "The two bishops named, with Dr. 1nge, dean of St. Paurs Cathedral Lon don a strenuous opponent on one side, Sir Oliver Lodge the late very noted French astronomer, Flammarion, and Alfred Wallace, the English peer of Darwin. on the other.
 The ecclesastics hold Scripture op- posed But that belief stands upon their interpretation of Scripture.
 "The conviction of the three scien- lists is based on prolonged and pains taking investigation in which the cler- gymen have taken no part
 SCORES FOR SCIENTISTS
 Whilst the clergy quoted are eminent in their order, the men of science quoted are more eminent in theirs, and of equally unquestioned integrity and with not less at stake to hazard in their regulations. Further, it may, l think, be fairly af- trmed, that the masters asserVatinS, fn- cluding Canon Doyle, the late William T. Stead, Canon Wilberforce and others of the patiently Investigating clergy, pro- nounce with more positive note of con- Nicton and with less circumlocution, than do the right reverened objectors; and they assuredly have not reached their conclusions hastily nor easily
 Huxley said, Faith is the cardinal sin That was his pronouneement as man of science not as an augustic in religion. The scientists quoted have been true to that dictum in their researches; re- searches to which the prela&es in ques- tion are strangers.
 SUMMING UP
 There is too much produced that does not fall within the roll of demons, but is contrary to the genius of evil The al legged attendant demoralisation is de- batable; very distinctly so It assuredly is not general: How about the effect on the morals and outlook of the men at the top? Insanity indeed The same has been charged against religion a thousand times
 Further yet. Surely 1t is an encourag- ing thing to have scientific masters of the first water enlisted as they have been in a quest like this, Surely it is better to have the natural and the spiritual blend