PrefacePage3PREFACEFORoveronehundredyearsSpiritualismhasbeenbeforetheworld。
Thissurelyistimeenoughtoenableittoshowitscharacterbyitsfruits。
"Bytheirfruitsyeshallknowthem，"isarulethatadmitsofnoexceptions。
Ifevilfruitsappear，thetreeiscorrupt。
Spiritualismhasmadeunboundedpromisesofgood。Ithasclaimedtobethelong-promisedsecondcomingofChrist;theopeningofaneweraamongmankind;therosyportalofagoldenage，whenallmenshouldbereformed，evildisappear，andtherenovationofsocietycausetheheartsofmentoleapforjoy，andtheearthtoblossomastherose。
Hasitfulfilledall，orany，ofthesepromises？Ifnot，isitnotadeception？andifadeception，consideringitswide-spreadinfluence，andthenumberofitsadherents，isitnotoneofthemostgiganticandappallingdeceptionsthathaseverfallenuponChristendom？TheBibleintheplainestterms，declaresthatinthelastdaysmaligninfluenceswillbeletlooseupontheworld;falsepretensionswillbeurgeduponthemindsofmen;
anddeceptions，backedupbypreternaturalsignsandwonders，willdeveloptosuchadegreeofstrength，that，ifitwerepossible，theywoulddeceivetheveryelect。Page4IsitpossiblethatSpiritualismmaybetheverydevelopmentofevil，againstwhichthiswarningisdirected？
Toinvestigatethesequestions，andtoshowbyunimpeachabletestimony，whatSpiritualismis，andtheplaceitholdsamongthepsychologicalmovementsofthepresentday，istheobjectofthesepages。NotafewbookshavebeenwrittenagainstSpiritualism;butmostofthemendeavortoaccountforitonthegroundofhumanjuggleryandimposture，oronnaturalprinciples，thediscoveryofanewandheretoforeoccultforceinnature，etc。，fromwhichgreatthingsmaybeexpectedinthefuture。Butrarelyhasanyonediscusseditfromthestandpointofprophecy，andthetestimonyoftheScriptures，theonlypointofview，aswebelieve，fromwhichitstrueorigin，nature，andtendency，canbeascertained。
ManyfeaturesintheworkofSpiritualismwouldseemtoindicatethatthesourcefromwhichitspringsisfarfromgood;butitisbaseduponachurchdogma，firmlyestablishedthroughallChristendom，whichinmanymindsisofsufficientweighttooverbalanceconsiderationsthatwouldotherwisebeconsideredamplegroundsforshunningorrenouncingit。Itisthereforethemorenecessarythatthereader，inexaminingthisquestion，shouldletthebondsthathaveheretoforeboundhimtopreconceivedopinions，sitlooseuponhim，andthatheshouldputhimselfinthemoodofDr。Channingwhenhesaid："Imustchoosetoreceivethetruth，nomatterhowitbearsuponmyself，andmustfollowitnomatterPage5whereitleads，fromwhatpartyitseversme，ortowhatpartyitallies。"
Andheshouldrememberalso，astheeminentandpiousDr。Vinetoncesagaciouslyobserved，that"evennow，aftereighteencenturiesofChristianity，weareveryprobablyinvolvedinsomeenormouserror，ofwhichChristianitywill，insomefuturetime，makeusashamed。"
Inview，therefore，oftheimportanceofthisquestion，andthetremendousissuesthathangonthedecisionswemaymakeintheseperiloustimes，wefeeljustifiedeveninadjuringthereadertocanvassthissubjectwithaninflexibledeterminationtolearnthetruth，andthentofollowitwhereveritmaylead。UriahSmithBattleCreek，Mich。，1897。
ModernSpiritualism：ASubjectofProphecyandaSignoftheTimes，Chapter1Page9CHAPTERONEOPENINGTHOUGHTWHATthinkye？Whenceisit——fromheavenorofmen？SuchwasthenatureofthequestionaddressedbyourSaviourtothemenofhistime，concerningthebaptismofJohn。Itisthecrucialquestionbywhichtotesteverysystemthatcomestousinthegarbofreligion：Isitfromheavenorofmen？Andifatrueanswertothequestioncanbefound，itmustdetermineourattitudetowardit;forifitisfromheaven，itchallengesatonceouracceptanceandprofoundregard，butifitisofmen，soonerorlater，in。thisworldorintheworldtocome，itwillbedestroyedwithallitsfollowers;forourSaviourhasdeclaredthateveryplantwhichourheavenlyFatherhasnotplantedshallberootedup。Matt。15：13。
Tothosewhodonotbelieveinany"heavenlyFather，"norin"ChristtheSaviour，"norinany"revealedwordofGod，"wewouldsaythatthesepointswillbeassumedinthisworkratherthanPage10directlyargued，thoughmanyincidentalproofswillappear，towhichwetrustourfriendswillbepleasedtogivesomeconsideration。ButweaddressourselvesparticularlytothosewhostillhavefaithinGodtheFatherofall;inhisdivineSon，ourLordJesusChrist，throughwhosebloodwehaveredemption;intheBibleastheinspiredrevelationofGod’swill;
andintheHolySpiritastheenlightenerofthemind，andthesanctifierofthesoul。Toallthosetowhomthispositioniscommonground，theBiblewillbethestandardofauthority，andthecourtoflastappeal，inthestudyuponwhichwenowenter。
AMANIFESTATIONOFPOWERSpiritualismcannotbedisposedofwithasneer。Atossoftheheadandacryof"humbug，"willnotsufficetomeetitsclaimsandthetestimonyofcareful，conservativemenwhohavestudiedthoroughlyintothegenuinenessofitsmanifestations，andhavesoughtforthesecretofitspower，andhavebecomesatisfiedastotheone，andbeenwhollybaffledastotheother。Thattherehavebeenabundantinstancesofattemptedfraud，deception，jugglery，andimposition，isnottobedenied。Butthisdoesnotbyanymeanssetasidethefactthattherehavebeenmanifestationsofmorethanhumanpower，theevidenceforwhichhasneverbeenimpeached。Thedetectionofafewshammediums，whoaretryingtoimposeuponthecredulityofthepublic，formoney，maysatisfythecarelessandunthinking，thatthewholeaffairisahumbug。SuchwilldismissthematterPage11fromtheirminds，anddepart，easiersubjectstobecapturedbythemovementwhensomemanifestationappearsforwhichtheycanfindnoexplanation。
Butthemorethoughtfulandcarefulobserverswellknowthattheexposureofthesemountebanksdoesnotaccountforthenumberlessmanifestationsofpower，andthesteadycurrentofphenomena，utterlyinexplicableonanyhumanhypothesis，whichhaveattendedthemovementfromthebeginning。
ThePhiladelphiaNorthAmerican，ofJuly31，1885，publishedacommunicationfromThomasR。Hazard，inwhichhesays：——"ButSpiritualism，whatevermaybethoughtofit，mustberecognizedasafact。Itisoneofthecharacteristicintellectualoremotionalphenomenaofthetimes，andassuch，itisdeservingofamoreseriousexaminationthanithasyetreceived。Therearethosewhosayitisallhumbug，andthateverythingoutsideoftheordinarycoursewhichtakesplaceattheso-calledséances，isthedirectresultoffraudulentanddeliberativeimposture;inshort，thateverySpiritualistmustbeeitherafooloraknave。Theseriousobjectiontothishypothesisisthattheexplanationisalmostasdifficultofbeliefastheoccurrenceswhichitexplains。
TheremustcertainlybesomeSpiritualistswhoarebothhonestandintelligent;
andifthemanifestationsattheséanceswerealtogetherandinvariablyfraudulent，surelythewholethingmusthavecollapsedlongbeforethis;
andtheSeybertCommission，whichfindsitnecessarytoextenditsinvestigationsoveranindefiniteperiod，whichwillcertainlynotbelessthanayear，wouldhavebeenabletosweepthedelusionawayinshortorder。"Thephenomenaaresowellknown，thatitisunnecessarytorecountthemhere。Amongthemmaybementionedsuchachievementsasthese：VariousarticleshavebeentransportedfromplacetoPage12place，withouthumanhands，butbytheagencyofso-calledspiritsonly;
beautifulmusichasbeenproducedindependentlyofhumanagency，withandwithouttheaidofvisibleinstruments;manywell-attestedcasesofhealinghavebeenpresented;personshavebeencarriedthroughtheairbythespiritsinthepresenceofmanywitnesses;tableshavebeensuspendedintheairwithseveralpersonsuponthem;purportedspiritshavepresentedthemselvesinbodilyformandtalkedwithanaudiblevoice;andallthisnotonceortwicemerely，buttimeswithoutnumber，asmaybegatheredfromtherecordsofSpiritualism，allthroughitshistory。
Afewparticularinstances，assamples，itmaybeallowabletonotice：
Notmanyyearssince，JosephCookmadehismemorabletouraroundtheworld。
InEuropehemetthefamousGermanphilosopher，ProfessorZöllner。
Mr。ZöllnerhadbeencarefullyinvestigatingthephenomenaofSpiritualism，andassuredMr。Cookofthefollowingoccurrencesasfacts，underhisownobservation：Knotshadbeenfoundtiedinthemiddleofcords，bysomeinvisibleagency，whilebothendsweremadesecurelyfast，sothattheycouldnotbetamperedwith;messageswerewrittenbetweendoublyandtreblysealedslates;coinhadpassedthroughatableinamannertoillustratethesuspensionofthelawsofimpenetrabilityofmatter;strapsofleatherwereknottedunderhisownhand;theimpressionoftwofeetwasgivenonsootedpaperpastedinsideoftwosealedslates;wholeanduninjuredwoodenringswereplacedPage13aroundthestandardofacardtable，overeitherendofwhichtheycouldbynopossibilitybeslipped;andfinallythetableitself，aheavybeechenstructure，whollydisappeared，andthenfellfromthetopoftheroomwhereProfessorZöllnerandhisfriendsweresitting。
Infurtherconfirmationofthefactthatrealspiritualisticmanifestationsarenosleight-of-handperformances，wecitethecaseofHarryKellar，aprofessionalperformer，asgivenin"NineteenthCenturyMiracles，"p。
213。Theséancewasheldwiththemedium，Eglinton，inCalcutta，India，Jan。25，1882。Hesays：——"ItisneedlesstosaythatIwentasaskepticbutImustownthatIhavecomeawayutterlyunabletoexplainbyanynaturalmeansthephenomenathatIwitnessedonTuesdayevening。"Hethendescribestheparticularsoftheséance。Anintelligence，purportingtobethespiritofoneGeary，gaveacommunication。Mr。Kellardidnotrecognizethenamenorrecalltheman。Themessagewasrepeated，withtheaddedcircumstancesofthetimeandparticularsofapreviousmeeting，whenMr。Kellarrecalledtheevents，and，muchtohissurprise，thewholemattercameclearlytohisrecollection。Hethenadds：——"IstillremainaskepticasregardsSpiritualism，butIrepeatmyinabilitytoexplainoraccountforwhatmusthavebeenanintelligentforcewhichproducedthewritingontheslate，which，ifmysensesaretobereliedon，wasinnowaytheresultoftrickeryorsleight-of-hand。"Page14Anotherinstancefrom"HomeCircle，"p。25，isthatofMr。Bellachini，alsoaprofessionalconjuror，ofBerlin，Germany。Hisinterviewwaswiththecelebratedmedium，Mr。Slade。Fromhistestimonywequotethefollowing：
——"Ihavenot，inthesmallestdegree，foundanythingtobeproducedbyprestidigitativemanifestationsormechanicalapparatus;andanyexplanationoftheexperimentswhichtookplaceunderthecircumstancesandconditionsthenobtaining，byanyreferencetoprestidigitation，isabsolutelyimpossibleIdeclare，moreover，thepublishedopinionsof-laymenastothe"How"ofthissubject，tobepremature，andaccordingtomyviewsandexperience，falseandone-sided。"——Dated，Berlin，Dec。6，1877。Whenprofessionalconjurorsbearsuchtestimonyasthis，whileitdoesnotproveSpiritualismtobewhatitclaimstobe，itdoesdisprovethehumbugtheory。
Inadditiontothis，itappearsthattwopropositions，oneof$2000，andtheotherof$5000，havebeenofferedtotheonewhoclaimedtobeabletoduplicateallthemanifestationsofSpiritualism，toduplicatetwowell-authenticatedtests;butthechallengehasneverbeenaccepted，northerewardclaimed。SeeReligio-PhilosophicalJournal，ofJan。
15，1881，andJanuary，1883。
AwriterintheSpiritualClarion，inanarticleon"TheMillenniumofSpiritualism，"bearsthefollowingtestimonyinregardtothepowerandstrengthofthemovement：——"Thisrevelationhasbeenwithapower，amight，thatifdivestedofitsalmostuniversalbenevolence，hadbeenaterrorPage15totheverysoul;thehairoftheverybravesthadstoodonend，andhischilledbloodhadcreptbackuponhisheart，atthesightsandsoundsofitsinexplicablephenomena。Itcomeswithforetokeningandwarning。Ithasbeen，fromtheveryfirst，itsownbestprophet，andstepbystep，ithasforetoldtheprogressitwouldmake。Itcomes，too，mosttriumphant。Nofaithbeforeitevertooksuchavictoriousstandinitsveryinfancy。Ithassweptlikeahurricaneoffirethroughtheland，compellingfaithfromthebaffledscoffer，andthemostdetermineddoubter。"Dr。W。F。Barrett，ProfessorofExperimentalPhysicsintheRoyalCollegeofDublin，says：——"ItiswellknowntothosewhohavemadethephenomenaofSpiritualismthesubjectofprolongedandcarefulinquiry，inthespiritofexactandunimpassionedscientificresearch，thatbeneatharepellentmassofimpostureanddelusionthereremaincertaininexplicableandstartlingfactswhichsciencecanneitherexplainawaynordeny。"——"Automatic，orSpirit，Writing，"p。11（1896）。IntheArenaofNovember，1892，p。688，Mr。
M。J。Savage，thenotedUnitarianministerofBoston，says：——"Nextcomeswhatareordinarilyclassedtogetheras’mediumisticphenomena。’Themostimportantofthesearepsychometry，’vision’of’spirit’
forms，claimedcommunicationsbymeansofrappings，tablemovements，automaticwriting，independentwriting，trancespeaking，etc。Withthemalsooughttobenotedwhataregenerallycalledphysicalphenomena，thoughinmostcases，sincetheyareintelligiblydirected，theuseoftheword’physical，’
withoutthisqualification，mightbemisleading。Thesephysicalphenomenaincludesuchfactsasthemovementofmaterialobjectsbyotherthantheordinarymuscularforce，themakingobjectsheavierorlighterwhentestedbythescales，theplayingonmusicalinstrumentsbysomeinvisiblepower，etc……Nowallofthesereferredto（withtheexceptionofindependentwriting，andmaterialization）IknowtobePage16genuine。IdonotatallmeanbythisthatIknowthatthe’spiritualistic’interpretationofthemisthetrueone。Imeanonlythattheyaregenuinephenomena;thattheyhaveoccurred;thattheyarenottricksortheresultoffraud。"IntheForumofDecember，1889，p。455，thesamewriterdescribeshisexperienceatthehouseofafriendwithwhomhehadbeenacquaintedeightortenyears。Whenabouttodepart，hethoughthewouldtryanexperiment。
Hesays：——"SheandIstoodatoppositeendsofthetableatwhichwehadbeensitting。Bothofushavingplacedthetipsofourfingerslightlyonthetopofthetable，Ispoke，asifaddressingsomeunseenforceconnectedwiththetable，andsaid：’NowImustgo;willyounotaccompanymetothedoor？’Thedoorwastenorfifteenfeetdistant，andwasclosed。Thetablestarted。Ithadnocasters，andinordertomakeitmoveasitdid，weshouldhavehadtogobehindandpushit。Asamatteroffactweledit，whileitaccompaniedusalltheway，andstruckagainstthedoorwithconsiderableforce。"Fromthesamearticle，p。456，wequoteagain：——"Iaddonemoreexperimentofmyown。Isatonedayinaheavy，stuffedarmchair。Thepsychicsatbesideme，andlayinghishandonthebackofthechair，graduallyraisedit。ImmediatelyIfeltandsawmyself，chairandall，liftedintotheairatleastonefootfromthefloor。Therewasnounevenmotionimplyinganysenseofeffortonthepartoftheliftingforce;andIwasgentlyloweredagaintothecarpet。Thiswasinbroadlight，inahotelparlor，andinpresenceofakeen-eyedlawyerfriend。
Icouldplainlywatchthewholething。Nomanlivingcouldhaveliftedmeinsuchaposition，andbesides，Isawthatthepsychicmadenottheslightestapparenteffort。Norwasthereanymachineryorpreparationofanykind。Mycompanion，thelawyer，ongoingaway，speakinginreferencetothewholesitting，said：’I’veseenenoughevidencetohangeverymanintheState——enoughtoproveanythingexceptingthis。’Page17"ProfessorGrookes，ofLondon，relateshavingseenandheardanaccordionplayedonwhileitwasenclosedinawirenet-work，andnottouchedbyanyvisiblehand。Ihaveseenanapproachtothesamething。
IndaylightIhaveseenamanholdanaccordionintheair，notmorethanthreefeetawayfromme。Hehelditbyonehand，graspingthesideoppositetothatonwhichthekeyswerefixed。Inthisposition，it，orsomething，playedlongtunes，thesidecontainingthekeysbeingpushedinanddrawnoutwithoutanycontactthatIcouldsee。Ithensaid，’Willitnotplayforme？’Thereplywas，’Idon’tknow：youcantryit。’Ithentooktheaccordioninmyhands。Therewasnomusic;butwhatdidoccurwasquiteasinexplicabletome，andquiteasconvincingasadisplayofsomekindofpower。Iknownothowtoexpressit，exceptbysayingthattheaccordionwasseizedasifbysomeonetryingtotakeitawayfromme。Totestthispower，Igraspedtheinstrumentwithbothhands。Thestrugglewasasrealasthoughmyantagonistwasanotherman。Isucceededinkeepingit，butonlybythemoststrenuousefforts。
"OnanotheroccasionIwassittingwitha’medium。’Iwastoofarawayforhimtoreachme，evenhadhetried，whichhedidnotdo;forhesatperfectlyquiet。Mykneeswerenotunderthetable，butwerewhereIcouldseethemplainly。Suddenlymyrightkneewasgraspedasbyahand。Itwasafirmgrip。Icouldfeeltheprintandpressureofallthefingers。I
saidnotawordofthestrangesensation，butquietlyputmyrighthanddownandclaspedmykneeinordertoseeifIcouldfeelanythingonmyhand。AtonceIfeltwhatseemedlikethemostdelicatefingertipsplayingovermyownfingersandgraduallyrisingintheirtouchestowardmywrist。
Whenthiswasreached，Ifeltaseriesofclear，distinct，anddefinitepats，asthoughmadebyahandoffleshyvigor。Imadenomotiontoindicatewhatwasgoingon，andsaidnotaworduntilthesensationhadpassed。
AllthiswhileIwascarefullywatchingmyhand，foritwasplaindaylight，anditwasinfullview;butIsawnothing。"Weneednotmultiplyevidenceonthispoint。AremarkbyT。J。Hudson（"LawofPsychicPhe-Page18nomena，"p。206，McClurg&Co。，Chicago，1894）mayfitlyclosethisdivisionofthesubject。Hesays：——"Iwillnotwastetime，however，byattemptingtoprovebyexperimentsofmyown，orofothers，thatsuchphenomenadooccur。Itistoolateforthat。Thefactsaretoowellknowntothecivilizedworldtorequireproofatthistime。Themanwhodeniesthephenomenaofspiritismto-dayisnotentitledtobecalledaskeptic，heissimplyignorant;anditwouldbeahopelesstasktoattempttoenlightenhim。"AMANIFESTATIONOFINTELLIGENCEFromthetestimonyalreadygivenitisevidentthatthereisconnectedwithSpiritualismanagencythatisabletomanifestpowerandstrengthbeyondanythingthathumanbeings，unaided，areabletoexert。Itisjustasevidentthatthesameagencypossessesintelligencebeyondthepowerofhumanminds。Indeed，thiswastheveryfeaturethatfirstbroughtittotheattentionofthepublic。Spiritualism，asthereaderisdoubtlessaware，originatedinthefamilyofMr。JohnD。Fox，inHydesville，nearRochester，N。Y。，inthespringof1848。RobertDaleOwen，inhisworkcalled"FootfallsontheBoundaryofAnotherWorld，"p。290，hasgivenafullnarrationofthecircumstancesattendingthisremarkableevent。
Theparticulars，hestates，hehadfromMrs。Fox，andhertwodaughters，MargaretandKate，andson，David。Theattentionofthefamilyhadbeenattractedbystrangenoiseswhichfinallyassumedtheformofraps，ormuffledfootfalls，andbecameveryannoying。ChairswerePage19sometimesmovedfromtheirplaces，andthiswasoncealsothecasewiththedining-roomtable。HeardoccasionallyduringFebruary，thedisturbancesoincreasedduringthelatterpartofMarch，asseriouslytobreakthenightlyreposeofthefamily。Butastheseannoyancesoccurredonlyinthenighttime，allthefamilyhopedthatsoon，bysomemeans，themysterywouldbeclearedaway。TheydidnotabandonthishopetillFriday，the31stofMarch，1848。Weariedbyasuccessionofsleeplessnights，thefamilyretiredearly，hopingforarespitefromthedisturbancesthathadharassedthem。Inthistheyweredoomedtoespecialdisappointment。WecandonobetterthantoletMr。Owencontinuethenarrative，inhisownwords：——"Theparentshadremovedthechildren’sbedsintotheirbedroom，andstrictlyenjoinedthemnottotalkofnoises，eveniftheyheardthem。
Butscarcelyhadthemotherseenthemsafelyinbed，andwasretiringtorestherself，whenthechildrencriedout，’Heretheyareagain！’Themotherchidedthem，andlaydown。Thereuponthenoisesbecamelouderandmerestartling。Thechildrensatupinbed。Mrs。Foxcalledherhusband。Thenightbeingwindy，itwassuggestedtohimthatitmightbetherattlingofthesashes。Hetriedseveraltoseeiftheywereloose。Kate，theyoungergirl，happenedtoremarkthatasoftenasherfathershookawindow-sash，thenoisesseemedtoreply。Beingalivelychild，andinameasureaccustomedtowhatwasgoingon，sheturnedtowherethenoisewas，snappedherfingers，andcalledout，’Here，oldSplitfoot，doasIdo！’Theknockinginstantlyresponded。
"Thatwastheverycommencement。Whocantellwheretheendwillbe？
"IdonotmeanthatitwasKateFox，whothus，inchildishjest，firstdiscoveredthatthesemysterioussoundsPage20seemedinstinctwithintelligence。Mr。Mompesson，twohundredyearsago，hadalreadyobservedasimilarphenomenon。Glanvilhadverifiedit。SohadWesley，andhischildren。Sowehaveseen，andothers。Butinallthesecasesthematterrestedthereandtheobservationwasnotprosecutedfurther。As，previoustotheinventionofthesteamengine，sundryobservershadtroddentheverythresholdofthediscoveryandtherestopped，sointhiscase，wheretheroyalchaplain，disciplethoughhewasoftheinductivephilosophy，andwherethefounderofMethodism，admitting，ashedid，theprobabilitiesofultramundaneinterference，werebothatfault，aYankeegirl，butnineyearsold，followingupmoreinsportthaninearnest，achanceobservation，becametheinstigatorofamovementwhich，whateveritstruecharacter，hashaditsinfluencethroughoutthecivilizedworld。
Thesparkhadbeenignited，——onceatleasttwocenturiesago;butithaddiedeachtimewithouteffect。Itkindlednoflametillthemiddleofthenineteenthcentury。
"AndyethowtriflingthestepfromtheobservationatTedworthtothediscoveryatHydesville！Mr。Mompesson，inbedwithhislittledaughter（aboutKate’sage），whomthesoundseemedchieflytofollow，’observedthatitwouldexactlyanswer。indrumming，anythingthatwasbeatenorcalledfor。’Buthiscuriosityledhimnofurther。
"NotsoKateFox。Shetried，bysilentlybringingtogetherherthumbandforefinger;whethershecouldobtainaresponse。YesIItcouldsee，then，aswellashear。Shecalledhermother。’Onlylook，mother，’
shesaid，bringingtogetheragainherfingerandthumb，asbefore。Andasoftenassherepeatedthenoiselessmotion，justasoftenrespondedtheraps。
"Thisatoncearrestedhermother’sattention。’Countten，’shesaid，addressingthenoise。Tenstrokes，distinctlygivenI’HowoldismydaughterMargaret？’Twelvestrokes。’AndKate？’Nine。’Whatcanallthismean？’
wasMrs。Fox’sthought。Whowasansweringher？Wasitonlysomemysteriousechoofherownthought？Butthenextquestionwhichsheputseemedtorefutetheidea。’HowmanychildrenhaveI？’sheaskedaloud。Sevenstrokes。
’Ah！’shethought，’itcanblundersometimes。’Page21Andthenaloud，’Tryagain。’Stillthenumberofrapswasseven。
OfasuddenathoughtcrossedMrs。Fox’smind。’Aretheyallalive？’sheasked。Silenceforanswer。’Howmanyareliving？’Sixstrokes。’Howmanyaredead？’Asinglestroke。Shehadlostachild。
"Thensheasked，’Areyouaman？’Noanswer。’Areyouaspirit？’Itrapped。’Maymyneighborshear，ifIcallthem？’Itrappedagain。
"Thereuponsheaskedherhusbandtocallherneighbor，aMrs。Redfield，whocameinlaughing。Buthercheerwassoonchanged。Theanswerstoherinquirieswereaspromptandpertinent，astheyhadbeentothoseofMrs。
Fox。Shewasstruckwithawe;andwhen，inreplytoaquestionaboutthenumberofherchildren，byrappingfour，insteadofthree，assheexpected，itremindedherofalittledaughter，Mary，whomshehadrecentlylost，themotherburstintotears。"Wehaveintroducedthisnarrativethusatlengthnotonlybecauseitisinterestinginitselfbutbecauseitisofspecialinterestthatalltheparticularsoftheorigin，orbeginning，ofsuchamovementasthis，shouldbewellunderstood。Thefollowingparagraphwillexplainhowitcametobecalled"TheRochesterKnockings，"underwhichnameitfirstbecamewidelyknown。Itisfromthe"Reportofthe37thAnniversaryofModernSpiritualism，"
heldinBrooklyn，N。Y。，March31，1885，andreportedintheBannerofLightthe25thofthefollowingmonth：——"AfterasongbyJ。T。Lillie，Mrs。LeahFoxUnderhill，theelderofthethreeFoxsisters（whowasonourplatform），wasrequestedtospeak。Mrs。Underhillsaidthatshewasnotapublicspeaker，butwouldansweranyquestionsfromtheaudience，andinresponsetothesequestionstoldinagraphicmannerhowthespiritscametotheirhumblehomeinHydesville，in1848;howonthe31stofMarchthefirstintelligentcommunicationfromthespiritworldcamePage22throughtheraps;howthefamilyhadbeenannoyedbythemanifestations，andbythenotorietythatfollowed;howtheyoungersisters，CatherineandMargaret，weretakentoRochester，whereshelived，bytheirmother，hopingthatthisgreatandapparentcalamitymightpassfromthem;howtheirfatherandmotherprayedthatthiscupmightbetakenaway，butthephenomenabecamemoremarkedandviolent;howinthemorningtheywouldfindfourcoffinsdrawnwithanartistichandonthedoorofthedining-roomofherhomeinRochester，ofdifferentsizes，approximatingtotheagesandsizesofthefamily，andthesewerelinedwithapinkcolor，andtheyweretoldthatunlesstheymadethisgreatfactknown，theywouldallspeedilydie，andenterthespirit-world。
"Gladlywouldtheyallhaveacceptedthispenaltyfortheirdisobedienceinnotmakingthistruthknowntotheworld。ShetoldhowtheywerecompelledtohireCorinthianHallInRochester;howseveralpublicmeetingswereheldinRochester，culminatingintheselectionofacommitteeofprominentinfidels，who，aftersubmittingtheFoxchildrentothemostseveretests，——theybeingdisrobedinthepresenceofacommitteeofladies，——reportedintheirfavorAllthetimeshewasonourplatform，therewasacontinuousrappingbythespiritsinresponsetowhatwasbeingsaidbytheseveralspeakers，alsoinresponsetothesinging，andallourexercises。"InthesamevolumeoftheForumfromwhichquotationshavealreadybeenmade，M。J。Savagestatesmanyfactswhichhaveadeterminatebearingonthepointnowunderconsideration;namely，theintelligencemanifestedinthespiritualphenomena。Fromthesewequoteafew。Hesays（p。452
andonward）：——"IaminpossessionofquitealargebodyofapparentfactsthatIdonotknowwhattodowith……Thatcertainthingstomeinexplicablehaveoccurred，Ibelieve。ThenegativeopinionofsomeonewithwhomnosuchthingshavePage23occurred，willnotsatisfymeIamreadytosubmitsomespecimensofthosethingsthatconstitutemyproblem。Theycanbeonlyspecimens;
foradetailedaccountofevenhalfofthoseIhavelaidby，wouldstretchtothelimitsofabook。
"AmerchantshipboundforNewYorkwasonherhomewardvoyage。ShewasintheIndianOcean。ThecaptainwasengagedtobemarriedtoaladylivinginNewEngland。Onedayearlyintheafternoonhecame，paleandexcited，tooneofhismates，andexclaimed，’Tom，KatehasjustdiedI
haveseenherdie！’Thematelookedathiminamazement，notknowingwhattomakeofsuchtalk。Butthecaptainwentonanddescribedthewholescene——theroom，herappearance，howshedied，andallthecircumstances。Sorealwasittohim，andsuchwastheeffectonhim，ofhisgrief，thatfortwoorthreeweeks，hewascarefullywatchedlestheshoulddoviolencetohimself。Itwasmorethanonehundredandfiftydaysbeforetheshipreachedherharbor。Duringallthistimenonewswasreceivedfromhome。
ButwhenatlasttheshiparrivedatNewYork，itwasfoundthatKatediddieatthetimeandunderthecircumstancesseenanddescribedbythecaptainoffthecoastofIndia。Thisisonlyonecaseoutofhundreds。Whatdoesitmean？Coincidence？Justhappenedso？Thismightbesaidofone;butahundredofsuchcoincidencesbecomeinexplicable。"Thefollowingisanotherinstancementionedbythesamewriter：——"IwenttothehouseofawomaninNewYork。Shewasnotaprofessional。Wehadneverseeneachotherbefore。Wetookseatsintheparlorforatalk，Inotlookingforanymanifestation。Rapsbegan。Idonotsaywhethertheywerereallywheretheyseemedtobeornot;Iknowrightwellthatthejudgmentissubjecttoillusionthroughthesenses。
ButIwastolda’spiritfriend’waspresent;andsoonthename，time，andplaceofdeath，etc。，weregivenme。ItwasthenameofafriendI
hadonceknownintimately。Buttwentyyearshadpassedsincetheoldintimacy;
shehadlivedinanotherState;IamcertainthatsheandthePage24psychichadneverknownorevenheardofeachother。Shehaddiedwithinafewmonths。"Mr。Savagethengivesexampleswherethepowerinquestionwasexclusivelymental：——"ThefirsttimeIwaseverinthepresenceofaparticularpsychic，shewentintoatrance。Shehadneverseen，and，sofarasIknow，hadneverhadanywayofhearingofmyfather，whohaddiedsomeyearspreviously。WhenIwasaboy，healwayscalledmebyaspecialnamethatwasneverusedbyanyothermemberofthefamily。Inlateryearshehardlyeverusedit。Buttheentrancedpsychicsaid：’Anoldgentlemanishere，’
andshedescribedcertainverymarkedpeculiarities。Thensheadded：’Hesaysheisyourfather，andhecallsyou，’usingtheoldchildhoodnameofmine。"Again，samepage：——"Onecasemore，only，willImentionunderthishead。Amostintimatefriendofmyyouthhadrecentlydied。ShehadlivedinanotherState，andthepsychicdidnotknowthatsuchapersonhadeverexisted。
Weweresittingalonewhenthisoldfriendannouncedherpresence。Itwasinthisway：Aletteroftwopageswasautomaticallywritten，addressedtome。IthoughttomyselfasIreadit，——Ididnotspeak，——’Wereitpossible，Ishouldfeelsureshehadwrittenthis。’Ithensaid，asthoughspeakingtoher，’Willyounotgivemeyourname？’Itwasgiven，bothmaidenandmarriedname。Ithenbeganaconversationlastingoveranhour，whichseemedasrealasanyIeverhavewithmyfriends。Shetoldmeofherchildren，ofhersisters。Wetalked，overtheeventsofboyhoodandgirlhood。Iaskedherifsherememberedabookweusedtoreadtogether，andshegavemetheauthor’sname。Iaskedagainifsherememberedtheparticularpoemwewerebothspeciallyfondof，andshenameditatonce。Intheletterthatwaswritten，andinmuchoftheconversation，therewereapparenthintsofidentity，littletouchesandpeculiaritiesthatwouldmeanmuchtoanacquaintance，butnothingtoastranger。Icouldnotbutbemuchimpressed。Nowinthiscase，IknowthatPage25thepsychicneverknewofthisperson’sexistence，andofcoursenotofouracquaintance。"Mr。Savagethenmentionscaseswhichhecallsstillmoreinexplicable，becausetheinformationconveyedwasnotknowneithertothepsychic（whichseemstobethenewnameformedium）ortohimself。Hesays：——"ButonemorecasedareItakethespacefor，thoughthebudgetisonlyopened。Thisonedidnothappentome，butitissohedgedaboutandcheckedoff，thatitsevidentialvalueinascientificwayisabsolutelyperfect。Thenamesofsomeofthepartiesconcernedwouldberecognizedintwohemispheres。Aladyandgentlemanvisitedapsychic。Thegentlemanwasthelady’sbrother-in-law。Theladyhadanauntwhowasillinacitytwoorthreehundredmilesaway。Whenthepsychichadbecomeentranced，theladyaskedherifshehadanyimpressionastotheconditionofheraunt。Thereplywas，’No。’Butbeforethesittingwasover，thepsychicexclaimed，’Why，yourauntishereShehasalreadypassedaway。’’Thiscannotbetrue，’saidthelady;’theremustbeamistake。Ifshehaddied，theywouldhavetelegraphedusimmediately。’’But，’thepsychicinsisted，’sheishere。Andsheexplainsthatshediedabouttwoo’clockthismorning。
Shealsosaysthatatelegramhasbeensent，andyouwillfinditatthehouseonyourreturn。’
"Hereseemedaclearcaseforatest。Sowhiletheladystartedforherhome，herbrother-in-lawcalledatthehouseofafriendandtoldthestory。Whiletherethehusbandcamein。Havingbeenawayforsomehourshehadnotheardofanytelegram。Butthefriendseatedhimselfathisdeskandwroteoutacarefulaccount，whichallthreesignedonthespot。
Whentheyreachedhome，——twoorthreemilesaway，——therewasthetelegramconfirmingthefactandthetimeoftheaunt’sdeath，preciselyasthepsychichadtoldthem。
"Herearemostwonderfulfacts。Howshalltheybeaccountedfor？Ihavenottrustedmymemoryforthesethings，buthavemadecarefulrecordatthetime。IknowPage26otherrecordsofasimiliarkindkeptbyothers。Theyarekeptprivate。Why？ThelateRev。J。G。Wood，ofEngland，theworld-famousnaturalist，oncesaidtome：’Iamgladtotalkofthesethingstoanyonewhohasarighttoknow。ButIusedtocalleverybodyafoolwhohadanythingtodowiththem;and’withasmile——’Idonotenjoybeingcalledafool。’
"Psychicandothersocietiesthatadvertiseforstrangephenomena，mustlearnthatatleastarespectfultreatmentistobeaccorded，orpeoplewillnotlaybaretheirsecretsouls。Andthen，intheverynatureofthecase，theseexperimentsconcernmattersofthemostpersonalnature。Manyofthemoststrikingcasespeoplewillnotmakepublic。Insomeofthoseaboverelated，Ihavehadsotoveilfacts，thattheydonotappearasremarkableastheyreallyare。Thewholecannotbetold。"Aquotationfromthissamewriter（"AutomaticWriting，"page14），Says：
——"IaminpossessionofarespectablebodyoffactsthatIdonotknowhowtoexplainexceptonthetheorythatIamdealingwithsomeinvisibleintelligence。IholdthatastheonlytenabletheoryIamacquaintedwith。"Inthesamework（page19），theauthor，Mrs。S。A。Underwood，astheresultofhercommunicationsfromspirits，says：——"Detailedstatementsoffactsunknowntoeitherofus[thatis，herselfandher"control"]，butwhichweeksafterwardwerelearnedtobecorrect，havebeenwritten，andrepeatedagainandagain，whendisbelievedandcontradictedbyus。"Onthispoint，also，asonthepreceding，testimonyneednotbemultiplied。
ThefactsaretoowellknownandtoogenerallyadmittedtowarrantthedevotionoffurtherspacetoapresentationofthePage27evidence。Thequestionmustsoonbemet，Whatisthesourceofthepowerandintelligencethusmanifested？ButthismayproperlybeheldinabeyancetillwetakeaglanceatTHEPROGRESSOFSPIRITUALISMduringthefiftyyearsofitsmodernhistory。Itbeganinawaytoexcitethewonderandcuriosityofthepeople，theveryelementsthatwouldgivewingstoitsprogressthroughtheland。Mensuddenlyfoundtheirthoughtscareeringthroughnewchannels。Anunseenworldseemedtomakeknownitspresenceandinviteinvestigation。Asthephenomenaclaimedtobeduetothedirectagencyofspirits，themovementnaturallyassumedthenameof"Spiritualism。"Itwasthenhailedbymultitudesasanewandlivingteacher，cometoclearupuncertaintiesandtodispeldoubtsfromthemindsofmen。
Atleastanirrepressiblecuriositywaseverywhereexcitedtoknowwhatthenew"ism"wouldteachconcerningthatinvisibleworldwhichitprofessedtohavecometoopentotheknowledgeofmankind。Everywheremensoughtbywhatmeanstheycouldcomeintocommunicationwiththespiritrealm。
Intowhateverplacethenewsentered，circleswereformed，andthenumberofconvertsoutstrippedthepenoftheenroller。Itgatheredadherentsfromeverywalkoflife——fromthehigherclassesaswellasthelower;
theeducated，cultured，andrefined，aswellastheuncultivatedandignorant;
fromministerslawyers，physicians，judges，Page28teachers，governmentofficials，andalltheprofessions。Buttheindividualsthusinterested，beingoftoodiverseandindependentviewstoagreeuponanypermanentbasisfororganization，thedatafornumericalstatisticsaredifficulttoprocure。Variousestimates，however，oftheirnumbershavebeenformed。Aslongagoas1876，computationsofthenumberofSpiritualistsintheUnitedStatesrangedfrom3，000，000byHepworthDixon，to10，000，000
bytheRomanCatholiccouncilatBaltimore。OnlyfiveyearsfromthetimethefirstconverttoModernSpiritualismappeared，JudgeEdmonds，himselfanenthusiasticconvert，saidoftheirnumbers：——"Besidestheundistinguishedmultitudes，therearemanynowofhighstandingandtalentrankedamongthem，——doctors，lawyers，andclergymeningreatnumbers，aProtestantbishop，thelearnedandreverendpresidentofacollege，judgesofourhighercourts，membersofCongress，foreignambassadors，andex-membersoftheUnitedStatesSenate。"Uptothepresenttime，itisnotprobablethatthenumberofSpiritualistshasbeenmuchreducedbyapostasiesfromthefaith，ifsuchitmaybecalled;
whilethemovementitselfhasbeengrowingmoreprominentandbecomingmorewidelyknowneveryyear。Theconclusionwouldthereforeinevitablyfollowthatitsadherentsmustnowbemorenumerousthaneverbefore。A
letteraddressedbythewritertothepublishersofthePhilosophicalJournal，Chicago，onthispoint，receivedthefollowingreply，datedDec。24，1895：——"Beingunorganized，largely，noreliablefigurescanbegiven。
Manythousandsareinthechurches，andarecountedthere。ItisclaimedthatthereareaboutfivemillionintheUnitedStates，andoverfiftymillionintheworld。"TheChristianatWorkofAug。17，1876，undertheheadof"WitchesandFools，"said：——"Butwedonotknowhowmanyjudges，bankers，merchants，prominentmeninnearlyeveryoccupationinlife，thereare，whomakeitaconstantpracticetovisitclairvoyants，sightseers，andso-calledSpiritualmediums;
yetitcanscarcelybedoubtedthattheirnameislegion;thatnotonlytheunreligiousman，butprofessingChristians，menandwomen，areinthehabitofconsultingspiritsfromthevastydeepforinformationconcerningboththedeadandtheliving。Manywhopassforintelligentpeople，whowouldbeshockedtohavetheirChristianitycalledinquestion，areconstantlyengagedinthisdisreputablebusiness。"Thefollowingappearedsomeyearsago，intheSanFranciscoChronicle：——"Untilquiterecently，sciencehascoldlyignoredtheallegedphenomenaofSpiritualism，andtreatedAndrewJacksonDavis，Home，andtheDavenportbrothers，asiftheybelongedtothecommonfraternityofshowmenandmountebanks。Butnowtherehascomeamostnoteworthychange。
WelearnfromsuchhighauthorityastheFortnightlyReviewthatAlfredH。Wallace，F。R。S。;WilliamCrookes，F。R。S。andeditoroftheQuarterlyJournalofScience;W。H。Harrison，F。R。S。andpresidentoftheBritishEthnologicalSociety，withothersoccupyingahighpositioninthescientificandliteraryworld，havebeenseriouslyinvestigatingthephenomenaofspiritism。Thereportwhichthoselearnedgentlemenmakeissimplyastounding。Thereisnofairytale，nostoryofmythormiracle，thatismoreincrediblethantheirnarrative。Theytellusingraveandsoberspeech，thatthespiritofagirlwhodiedahundredyearsago，appearedtotheminvisibleform。Shetalkedwiththem，gavethemlocksofherhair，piecesofherdress，andherautograph。TheyPage30sawherinbodilypresence，feltherperson，heardhervoice;
sheenteredtheroominwhichtheywere，anddisappearedwithouttheopeningofadoor。Thesavantsdeclarethattheyhavehadnumerousinterviewswithherunderconditionsforbiddingtheideaoftrickeryorimposture。
"Nowthatmeneminentinthescientificworldhavetakenuptheinvestigation，Spiritualismhasentereduponanewphase。Itcannolongerbetreatedwithsilentcontempt。Mr。Wallace’sarticlesintheFortnightlyhaveattractedgeneralattention，andmanyoftheleadingEnglishreviewsandnewspapersarediscussingthematter。TheNewYorkWorlddevotesthreecolumnsofitsspacetoasummaryofthelastarticleintheFortnightly，anddeclareseditoriallythatthe’phenomena’thusattested’deservetherigidscientificexaminationwhichMr。Wallaceinvitesforthem。’Thisistreatingthematterintherightway。Letallthewell-attestedfactsbecollected，andthenletusseewhatconclusionstheyjustify。Ifspiritcommunicationisafact，itiscertainlyamostinterestingone。InthelanguagewhichtheWorldattributestoJohnBright，’Ifitisafact，itistheonebesideswhicheveryotherfactofhumanexistencesinksintoinsignificance。’"OneofthereasonswhyitwouldbequiteimpossibletostatethenumberofrealSpiritualistsinourlandto-dayhasalreadybeenhintedatinaforegoingextract。Itisthat"manythousands，"andwethinkthenumbermightinallprobabilityberaisedtomillions，whoareinrealitySpiritualists，donotgobythatname。Theyareinthevariouschurches，andarecountedthere。YettheybelievethephenomenaofSpiritualism，acceptitsteachingsintheirownminds，andquietlyandconstantly，astheChristianatWorkavers，consultclairvoyantsandmediums，inquestofknowledge。
ThegrosserfeaturesoftheteachingsofSpiritualismwhichwerepainfullypromi-Page31nentinitsearlierstages，whichthereisnoreasontobelievearediscountenancedorabandonedeitherintheoryorpractice，arerelegatedtoaninvisiblebackground，whileinitsoutwardaspectitnowposesintheattitudeofpietyandthegarbofreligion。ItevenprofessestoadoptsomeofthemoreprominentandpopulardoctrinesofChristianity。InthisphasetheaveragechurchgoercannotseewhyhemaynotacceptallthatSpiritualismhastogive，andstillretainhisdenominationalrelationship。Besidesthis，thecomingtolight，everynowandthen，ofthefactthatsomepersonofnationalorworld-widefameisaSpiritualist，addspopularityandgivesanewimpetustothemovement。SuchinstancesmaybenamedasthefounderoftheLelandStanfordUniversity，ofCalifornia;thewidowofex-Vice-PresidentHendricks，ofIndiana，who，itissaid，iscarryingonsomeverysuccessfulfinancialtransactionsbydirectionfromthespiritworld;andMr。W。T。
Stead，LondoneditoroftheReviewofReviews，who，in1893startedanewquarterly，calledTheBorderLand，tobedevotedtotheadvocacyofthephilosophyofSpiritualism，whichhehadthenbutrecentlyespoused。
Inothercountriesithasinvadedtheranksofthemobility，andevenseateditselfonthethronesofmonarchs。ThelateroyalhousesofFrance，Spain，andRussiaaresaid，bycurrentrumor，tohavesoughtthespiritsforknowledge。
Nocausecouldcovetmorerapidandwide-spreadsuccessthanthishasenjoyed。
ModernSpiritualism：ASubjectofProphecyandaSignoftheTimes，Chapter2Page32CHAPTERTWOWHATISTHEAGENCYINQUESTION？HAVINGnowshownthatthereareconnectedwithSpiritualismsupermundanephenomenathatcannotbedenied，andequallyevidentsuperhumanintelligence，sufficienttogivetothemovementunprecedentedrecognitioninalltheworld，thewayisopenforthemostimportantquestionthatcanberaisedconcerningit，andonewhichnowdemandsananswer;andthatis，Whatistheagencybywhichthesephenomenaareproduced，andbywhichthisintelligenceismanifested？Thisquestionmustbeexaminedwiththeutmostcare，and，ifpossible，adecisionbereachedofthemostassuringcertainty;for，asMr。M。J。Savagesays，"Spiritualismiseitheragrandtruthoramostlamentabledelusion。"
ItisproperthattheclaimwhichSpiritualismputsforthforitself，inthisregard，shouldfirstbeheard。Thisissowellknownthatitscarcelyneedbestated。Itisthatthereisineveryhumanbeingasoul，orspirit，whichconstitutestherealperson;thatthissoul，orspirit，isimmortal;
thatitmanifestsitselfthroughatangiblebodyduringthisearthlife，andwhenthatbodydies，passesunscathedintotheunseenworld，intoanenlargedsphereoflife，activity，andPage33intelligence;thatinthissphereitcanstilltakecognizanceofearthlythings，andcommunicatewiththosestillintheflesh，respectingsceneswhichithasleft，andthosemoreinterestingconditionsstillveiledfrommortalsight;thatitisbythesedisembodied，or"discarnated"spiritsthatrapsaregiven，objectsmoved，intelligencemanifested，secretsrevealed，slateswritten，voicesuttered，facesshown，andepistlesaddressedtomortals，asfriendwouldwritetofriend。Ifthisbetrue，itopenswhatwouldindeedbeconsideredagrandavenueofconsolationtobereavedhearts，bygivingthemevidencethattheirdepartedfriendsstilllived;thattheyrecognized，loved，andaccompaniedthem，anddelightedstilltocounselandinstructthem。Ifnottrue，itisamasterpieceofsuperhumancraftandcunning;forittakesChristendomonthesidewhereitisleastguarded;
astheviewiseverywhereheldthatthedeadareconscious，andtheonlyquestionwouldbeastotheirpowertocommunicatewithpersonsstilllivinginthebody;anditthrowsitsarmsaroundtheindividualwhentheheartisthemosttender，whenplungedintoaconditioninwhicheverypangofbereavedsorrow，everytieofaffection，amideverythroboflove，presshimtocravewithallhisbeingthatcommunicationwiththedeadmaybeprovedafact，andtoconstrainhimtoacceptthedoctrine，unlesskeptfromitbysomepowerstrongerthanthecordsthatbindhearttoheartindeathlesslove。Ifitbeadeception，itoccupiesavantagegroundbeforewhichmenmaywelltremble。Page34But，ashasbeenalreadystated，thequestionisheretobediscussedfromthestandpointoftheBible;theBibleistobetakenasthestandardofauthoritybywhichallconflictingclaimsrespectingthenatureofman，mustbedecided。TheauthenticityoftheScriptures，inreferencetothosewhodenytheirauthority，isanantecedentquestion，intothediscussionofwhichitisnottheprovinceofthislittleworktoenter。Aword，however，bywayofdigression，maybeallowedinreferencetoitsauthorship。
CREDENTIALSOFTHEBIBLE1。TheBibleclaimstobethewordofGod。Thosewhowroteitassertthattheywroteasthey"weremovedbytheHolyGhost;"andtheyappendtowhattheyutter，a"ThussaiththeLord。"
2。Ifitisnotwhatitclaimstobe，itisanimpostureinventedbydeceiversandliars。
3。Goodmenwouldnotdeceiveandlie;thereforetheywerenottheoneswhoinventedtheBible。
4。If，therefore，itwasinventedbymenatall，itmusthavebeeninventedbybadmen。
5。Allliarsandreligiousimpostorsarebadmen;but——
6。TheBiblerepeatedlyandmostexplicitlyforbidslyingandimposture，underthethreateningofmostcondignpunishment。
7。Would，therefore，liarsandimpostorsinventabookwhichmorethananyotherbookeverwritten，denounceslyingandimposture，thuscondemningPage35themselvestotheseverestjudgmentsofGod，andatlasttoeternaldeath？
8。If，then，theBibleisnottheinventionofgoodmen，——becausesuchmenwouldnotlieanddeceive;norofevilmen，——becausesuchmenwouldnotcondemnthemselves;norofgoodorevilangels，forthesamereasons，whoelsecanbeitsauthor，buthewhoclaimstobe，thatis，thelivingGod？
9。If，therefore，fromtheverynatureofthecase，itmustbeGod’sbook，whynotbelieveit，andobeyit？
Toreturn：AppealisthereforemadetotheBible;andtheobjectistolearnwhattheBibleteachesaboutSpiritualism。Whentheclaimisputforththatitisthedisembodiedspiritsofdeadmenwhomakethecommunications，theBiblereaderisatonceawareofaconflictofclaims。IntimeswhentheBiblewaswritten，therewerepracticesamongmenwhichwentunderthenamesof"enchantment，""sorcery，""witchcraft，""necromancy，""divination，"
"consultingwithfamiliarspirits，"etc。Thesepracticeswereallmoreorlessrelated，butsomeofthembearanunmistakablemeaning。Thus，"necromancy"
isdefinedtomean"apretendedcommunicationwiththedead。"A"familiarspirit"was"aspiritordemonsupposedtoattendonanindividual，ortocomeathiscall;theinvisibleagentofanecromancer’swill。"——CenturyDictionary。Spiritualistsdonotdenytheirtheirintercoursewiththeinvisibleworldcomesundersome，atPage36least，oftheseheads。ButallsuchpracticestheBibleexplicitlyforbids。
Deut。18：9-12："Thereshallnotbefoundamongyouanyonethatmakethhissonorhisdaughtertopassthroughthefire，orthatusethdivination，oranobserveroftimes，oranenchanter，orawitch，oracharmer，oraconsulterwithfamiliarspirits，orawizard，oranecromancer。ForallthatdothesethingsareanabominationuntotheLord。"Lev。19：31：
"Regardnotthemthathavefamiliarspirits，neitherseekafterwizards，tobedefiledbythem：IamtheLordyourGod。"Seealso，2Kings21：2，6，9，11;Rev。21：8;Gal。5：19-21;Acts16：16-18;etc。ThusplainlyinboththeOldandNewTestaments，arethesepracticesforbidden。
ANIMPOSSIBILITYButwhydoestheBibleforbidsuchpracticesasnecromancy，ora"pretended"
communicationwiththedead？——Becauseitwouldbeonlyapretenseatbest;forsuchcommunicationisimpossible。Thedeadareunconsciousintheirgraves，andhavenopowertocommunicatewiththeliving。Letthistruthbeonceestablished，anditisthedeath-blowtotheclaimsofSpiritualism，inthecasesofallwhowillreceiveit。Allusionhasalreadybeenmadetoapopularandwide-spreaddogmaintheChristianchurchwhichfurnishesabasisforSpiritualism。Itisthatthesoulisimmortal，andthatthedeadareconscious。Spiritsmakeknowntheirpresence，andclaimtobethespiritsofpersonswhohaveoncelivedPage37hereinhumanbodies。NowiftheBibleteachesthatthereisnosuchthingasadisembodiedhumanspirit，aknowledgeofthatfactwouldenableonetodetectatoncetheimpostureofanyintelligencewhichfrombehindthecurtainshouldclaimtobesuchspirit。Anyspiritseekingtheattentionofmeninthislife，andclaimingtobewhattheBiblesaysdoesnotexist，comeswithafalsehoodonitslipsorinitsraps，iftheBibleistrue，andthusrevealsitsrealcharactertobethatofadeceiver。InthiscasetheBiblebelieverisarmedagainsttheimposture。Nomanlikestobefooled。
Nomatterthereforehownicethecommunicatingintelligencemayseem，howmanytruethingsitmaysay，orhowmanygoodthingsitmaypromise，theconvictioncannotbeevadedthatnorealgoodcanbeintendedorconferredbyanyspirit，orwhateveritmaybe，masqueradingunderthegarboffalsehood，orpretendingtobewhatitisnot。Onsuchafoundation110stablesuperstructurecanbereared。Itbecomesadeathtrap，suretocollapseandinvolveinruinallthosewhotrusttherein。
Itisverydesirablethatthereadercomprehendthefullimportanceofthedoctrine，asrelatedtothissubject，thatthedeadareunconsciousandthattheyhavenopowertocommunicatewiththeliving。Thisbeingestablished，itsweepsawayatonestroketheentirefoundationofSpiritualism。
EvidencewillnowbepresentedtoshowthatthisisaBibledoctrine;andwhereverthisisreceived，thefabricofSpiritualismfrombasetofinialfalls;itcannotPage38possiblystand。Butwherethedoctrineprevailsthatonlythethinveilthatlimitsourmortalvision，separatesusfromaworldfulloftheconscious，intelligentspiritsofthosewhohavedepartedthislife，Spiritualismhasthefield，beyondthepossibilityofdislodgment。Whenonebelievesthathehasdisembodiedspiritfriendsallabouthim，howcanhequestionthattheyareabletocommunicatewithhim？andwhensomeunseenintelligencemakesitspresenceknown，andclaimstobeoneofthosefriends，andreferstofactsorscenes，knownonlytothemtwo，howcanthelivingdisputetheclaim？Howcanherefusetoacceptaclaim，which，onhisownhypothesis，thereisnoconceivablereasontodeny？Butif’thespiritsarenotwhattheyclaimtobe，howshalltheinexplicablephenomenaattendingtheirmanifestationsbeexplained？——TheBiblebringstoviewotheragencies，nottheso-calledspiritsofthedeparted，towhoseworkingallthathaseverbeenmanifestedwhichtomortalvisionismysteriousandinexplicable，maybejustlyattributed。
THESOULNOTIMMORTALSpiritualismdeclaresittobethegreatobjectofitsmission，toprovetheimmortalityofthesoul，which，itsays，isnottaughtintheScriptureswithsufficientclearness，andisnototherwisedemonstrated。ItwellattributestotheScripturesalackofplainteachinginsupportofthatdogma;anditwouldhavestatedmoretruth，ifithadsaidthatthePage39Scripturesnowherecountenancesuchadoctrineatall。But，itissaid，theScripturesarefulloftheterms，"soul"and"spirit。"Verytrue;buttheynowhereusethosetermstodesignatesuchapartofmanasincommonparlance，andinpopulartheology，theyhavecometomean。Thefactis，thepopularconceptofthe"soul"and"spirit"hasbeenformulatedentirelyoutsidetheBible。Sedulously，unremittingly，formorethansixthousandyears，theideahasbeeninculcatedinthemindsofmen，fromthecradletothegrave，thatmanisadualbeing，consistingofanoutwardbodywhichdies，andaninwardbeingcalled"soul，"or"spirit，"whichdoesnotdie，butpassestohigherspiritlife，whenthebodygoesintothegrave。Thefatherofthisdoctrineisrarelyreferredtobyitsbelievers，asauthority，possiblythroughalittlefeelingofembarrassmentastoitsparentage;
forheitwaswhoannouncedittoourfirstparentsinthesewords："Yeshallnotsurelydie！"Gen。3：4。Whenmenbegantodie，itwasashrewdstrokeofpolicyonthepartofhimwhohadpromisedthemthattheyshouldnotdie，totrytoprovetothosewhoremainedthattheothershadnotreallydied，butonlychangedconditions。Itisnomarvelthatheshouldtrytomakemenbelievethattheypossessedanimmaterial，immortalentitythatcouldnotdie;but，inviewoftheghastlyexperiencesofthepassingyears，itisthemarvelofmarvelsthatheshouldhavesucceededsowell。
ThetroublenowisthatmentakethesemeaningswhichhavebeendevisedandfosteredintoPage40stupendousstrengthoutsidethepaleofBibleteaching，andattachthemtotheBibletermsof"soul"and"spirit。"Inotherwords，themongrelpago-papaltheologywhichhasgrownupinChristendom，letstheBiblefurnishtheterms，andpaganismthedefinitions。ButfromtheBiblestandpoint，thesedefinitionsdonotbelongthere;theyareforeigntothetruth，andtheBibledoesnotrecognizethem。TheyareasmuchoutofplaceaswastheinventorofthemhimselfinthegardenofEden。LettheBiblefurnishitsowndefinitionstoitsownterms，andallwillbeclear。TheopinionofJohnMilton，thecelebratedauthorofParadiseLost，isworthyofnote。
Inhis"TreatiseonChristianDoctrine，"Vol。I，pp。250，251，hesays：
——"Manisalivingbeing，intrinsicallyandproperlyoneindividual，notcompoundandseparable，not，accordingtothecommonopinion，madeupandframedoftwodistinctanddifferentnatures，asofbodyandsoul，butthewholemanissoul，andthesoul，man;thatistosay，abodyorsubstance，individual，animated，sensitive，andrational。"Inthissensethewordisemployedmanytimes;butwhoeverwilltracetheuseofthewords"soul"and"spirit"throughtheBible，willfindthemappliedalsotoagreatvarietyofobjects;as，person，mind，heart，body（intheexpression"adeadbody"），will，lust，appetite，breath，creature，pleasure，desire，anger，courage，blast，etc。，etc。，inallnearlyfiftydifferentways。Butitisafactwhichshouldbeespeciallynoted，thatinnotasingleinstanceistheretheleasthintgiventhatanythingexpressedbythesePage41termsiscapableofexistingforasinglemoment，asaconsciousentity，orinanyothercondition，withoutthebody！Thisbeingso，noneofthese，accordingtotheBible，aretheagencyclaimedtobepresentinSpiritualism。
Anotherfactinreferencetothispoint，shouldbealloweditsdecisivebearing。Thequestionnowunderinvestigationis，Isthesoulimmortal，asSpiritualismhastakenuponitselftoteach，andclaimstodemonstrate？
TheBibleisfoundtobesolavishintheuseoftheterms"soul"and"spirit，"thatthesewordsoccurintheaggregate，seventeenhundredtimes。Seventeenhundredtimes，bywayofdescription，analysis，narrative，historicalfacts，ordeclarationsofwhattheycando，orsuffer，theBiblehassomethingtosayabout"soul"and"spirit。"Themostimportantquestiontobesettledconcerningthem，certainly，iswhethertheyareimmortalornot。WillnottheBible，sofreelytreatingoftheseterms，answerthisquestion？Verystrange，indeed，ifitdoesnot。Butdoesitonceaffirmthateitherthesoulorthespiritisimmortal？——Notonce！Doesiteverapplytothemtheterms"eternal，""deathless，""neverdying，"oranywordthatbearsthenecessarymeaningofimmortal？——Notinasingleinstance。Doesitapplytothemanytermfromwhichevenaninference，necessaryorremote，canbedrawnthattheyareimmortal？Evenreducedtothisattenuatedform，theanswerisstillanemphaticandoverwhelming，No！Well，then，doesitsayanythingaboutthenatureandcapabilitiesofexist-Page42enceofthatwhichitdenominatessoulorspirit？——Yes;itsaysthesoulisindangerofthegrave，maydie，bedestroyed，killed，andthatthespiritmaybewounded，cutoff，preserved，andso，conversely，madetoperish。
ItissometimesclaimedthatitisnotnecessarythattheBibleshouldaffirmtheimmortalityofthesoul，becauseitissoself-evidentafactthatitistakenforgranted。Butnoonesurelycansupposethattheimmortalityofthesoulismoreself-evidentthanthatofJehovah;yettheBiblehasseenfittoaffirmhisimmortalityinmostdirectterms。1Tim。1：17：
"NowuntotheKingeternal，immortal，invisible，theonlywiseGod，behonorandgloryforeverandever。Amen。"1Tim。6：16："Whoonlyhathimmortality，dwellinginthelightwhichnomancanapproachunto;
whomnomanbathseen，norcansee：towhombehonorandpowereverlasting。
Amen。"Let，then，similarBibletestimonybefoundconcerningthesoul;
thatis，thatitis"immortal，"or"hathimmortality，"andthetaken-for-granteddevicewillnotbeneeded。
ModernSpiritualism：ASubjectofProphecyandaSignoftheTimes。
Chapter3Page43CHAPTERTHREETHEDEADUNCONSCIOUSFROMthefactnowestablishedthatthesoulisnotimmortal，itwouldfollowasaninevitableconclusion，thatthedeadarenotconsciousintheintermediatestate，andconsequentlycannotactthepartattributedtotheminmodernSpiritualism。Buttherearesomepositivestatementstowhichthereader’sattentionshouldbecalled，andsomeinstancessupposedtoprovetheconsciousstatewhichshouldbenoticed。
1。TheDeadKnownotAnything。——AsasampleofthewaytheBiblespeaksuponthisquestion，letthereaderturntothewordsofSolomon，inEccl。9：5，6，10："Forthelivingknowthattheyshalldie：butthedeadknownotanything，neitherhavetheyanymoreareward;forthememoryofthemisforgotten。Alsotheirlove，andtheirhatred，andtheirenvy，isnowperished;neitherhavetheyanymoreaportionforeverinanythingthatisdoneunderthesun……Whatsoeverthyhandfindethtodo，doitwiththymight;forthereisnowork，nordevice，norknowledge，norwisdom，inthegrave，whitherthougoest。"
Thislanguageisaddressedtothereal，living，intelligent，responsibleman;andhowcoulditbePage44plainer？Onthehypothesisofthecommonlybelieveddistinctionbetweenthesoulandthebody，thismustbeaddressedtothesoul;forthebodyconsideredasthemerematerialinstrumentthroughwhichthesoulacts，isnotsupposedofitselftoknowanything。Thebody，asabody，independentofthesoul，doesnotknowthatitshalldie;butitisthatwhichknows，whileoneisalive，thatitshalldie——itisthatsameintelligentbeingthat，whendead，knowsnotanything。ButthespiritsinSpiritualismdoknowmanythingsintheircondition;thereforetheyarenotthosewhohaveoncelivedonthisearth，andpassedoffthroughdeath;forsuch，oncedead，thisscriptureaffirms，knownotanything——theyareinaconditioninwhichthereis"nowork，nordevice，norknowledge，norwisdom。"Thisisaplain，straightforward，literalstatement;thereisnomistakingitsmeaning;andifitistrue，thenitisnottruethattheunseenagentsworkingthroughSpiritualism，arethespiritsofthedead。
2。TheSpiritReturnstoGod。——Anotherpassagefromthesamewriterandthesamebook，mayrecurtothemindofthereader，asexpressingadifferentandcontradictorythought。Eccl。12：7。"Thenshallthedustreturntotheearthasitwas：andthespiritshallreturnuntoGodwhogaveit。"AcarefulanalysisofthispassagerevealsnosupportforSpiritualism;
foritdoesnotsaythatthespirit，onreturningtoGod，isconscious，oriscapableofcomingbackandcommunicatingwithmortals。ItisnotdeniedthatdifferentcomponentpartsenterintoPage45theconstitutionofman;andthatthesepartsmaybeseparated。Solomonhimselfmaythereforetelluswhathemeansbytheterm"spirit"whichhehereuses。Heemploysthesamewordinchapter3：21ofthissamebook，butsaysthatbeastshaveitaswellasmen。Andtheninverse19，heexplainswhathemeans，bysayingthatthey（manandtheloweranimals）allhaveonebreath。Therecordofman’screationinGen。2：7，showsthatavitalizingprinciple，calledthe"breathoflife，"wasnecessarytobeimpartedtotheorganizedbody，beforemanbecamealivingbeing;
andthisbreathoflife，ascommontomanandtoallbreathinganimals，isdescribedinGen。7：21，22，bytheterm[HEBREWCHARACTERSINPRINTED
TEXT]（ruahh），thesamewordthatisusedfor"breath，"inEccl。3：19，"spirit，"inverse21，and"thespirit，"whichGodgavetoman，andwhichreturnstoGod，inchapter12：7。Thusitisclearthatreferenceisheremadesimplytothe"breathoflife"whichGodatfirstimpartedtoman，tomakehimalivingbeing，andwhichhewithdrawstohimself，inthehourofman’sdeath。Jobstatesthesamefact，anddescribestheprocess，inchapter34：14，15：
"Ifhe[God]sethisheartuponman，ifhegatheruntohimselfhis[man’s]spirit[sameword]andhisbreath;……manshallturnagainuntodust。"NoonecanfailtoseeherethatJobreferstothesameeventofwhichSolomonspeaks。
Andatthispointthequestionmayaswellberaised，andanswered，"Whencecomesthisspiritwhichisclaimedtobetherealman，capableofanPage46independentandsuperiorexistencewithoutthebody？Bodiescomeintoexistencebynaturalgeneration;butwhencecomesthespirit？Isitapartofthebody？Ifso，itcannotbeimmortal;for"thatwhichisbornofthefleshisflesh。"John3：6。Isitsuppliedtohumanbeingsatbirth？Ifso，isthereagreatstorehouse，somewhere，ofsoulsandspirits，ready-made，fromwhichthesupplyisdrawnasfastaswantedinthisworld？Andifso，further，isittobeconcludedthatallspiritshavehadapre-existence？