Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-19
SP|RTUAL|SM HIT
BYB|SHOP GARLAND
Practice Is Degrading, He Says,
in Noon Lenten Service
at Garrick
RAPS CLERGYMAN'S LETTER

Spiritualism was attacked as degrad
ing by Bishop Garland in his sermon
today at the noon Lenten services in
the Garrick Theatre under the auspices
OF the Brotherhood of st. Andrew.
He spoke with contempt of mediums
and said that a man sank "to the low
est degradation to which he could 40
when we went to consult familiar
spirits"
Bishop Garland said that he had pre-
pared a different sermon for the serv
ices. but had decided not to use 1t after
reading letter that had been written
to newspaper by n clergyman. He
disagreed. he said. with this clergy
mans Interpretation of the Bible.
Bishop Garland said that there was
nothing in the New Testament which
supports belief in spiritualism and that
the chapter in the Old Testament which
tells of Saul's visit to the witch to con
suit with the spirit of Samuel did not
support spiritualism.
Most modern commentators" said
Bishop Garland, think that Samuel
appeared to Saul, but I do not think
so.''
Doesn't Object TO Psychical Research
Il have no objection to psychical re-
odiu blsHop udrlanO, but
when it comes to spiritism ! can see
no good. After study of the effect
upon persons of spiritualism, I havn't
seen the slightest indication of the up-
building OF character, but I have seen
that spiritualism has been marked by
strongly demoralizing influences.
bishop Garland insisted that if the
spirits of the departed were able to
communicate with the living they
would not send their messages through
mediums: persons they had never
known in life.
Those who procrastinate and nut off
It'll tomorrow are among the devils
own, is the opinion of Bishop Ethelbcrt
Talbot. of Bethlehem. who preached
the lenten sermon at st. Stephens P.
E. Church this noon.
Remember the legend of the deyil?"
he asked. He summoned his imperial
stan and offered a reward to that mem
Der who would suggest the best way
to destroy the human soul. One said,
prove there is no God Others said prove
there is no immortality and no Bible.
But the one who was given the prize
Was tne one, who suggested proving
Speaks on Influences Of Lent
Bishop Talbot based his talk on the
text: Jesus of Nazareth Passeth
By, or The Restoring of Sight to the
Blind Man. He spoke of the fact that
millions of people were now observing
Lent and millions of others felt the
influence of Lent in home and social
life.
1T is season for meditation and
sell examination" he said. 1--WE need
Such time because we are all composed
OF flesh and spirit, and these two are
in constant conflict"
Bishop Talbot told the story of the
blind man, likening him to humanity
seeking the light of God
Jesus Christ is the light of the
world he said. He is now saving
10 each of us. What eau l do for you?'
Now is the day of salvation"
A return to the apostolic form of
,er"lce was advocated by the Rev. DR.. |
Paul Matthews, bishop of New jersey.
it the noon lenten service in Christ |
-hurch. Second street above Market.
What we need as a nation" he
'ald, lis return to the apostolic sery-
ce; There is but one divine service.
md that is Christ's own service of
Holy Communion.