56, she says: -- "Then the assumption of great names by apparently common-place minds is a very strange thing. I was horrified and annoyed when this occurred under my own hand, because that is one of the things which disgusted me with spiritual messages before this writing came to me, as I had occasionally glanced over such messages. When I protested against such assumption, Iwas told that 'Elaine and Guinevere' were not real beings, but types. So somewhere in our sphere are spirits who embody cleverness in creations of their own fancy, and adopt names suited to that fancy." Thus the spirits themselves confess that the names they often assume are not those of real beings, but typical and fanciful. Nothing more, it would seem, is necessary to complete the condemnation of Spiritualism, so far as its own nature is concerned. When in addition to all else, it appears that the spirits cannot be identified; that the whole underlying claim that the spirits are the spirits of the dead, must itself be assumed; and that, too, in the face of the numberless known falsehoods and deceptions that are constantly issuing from the unseen realm,-- there is nothing left for it to stand upon. Notes [1] The revision of Dr. Clarke's Commentary by Dr. Curry, proves the truthfulness of what the doctor here says, for this important passage is entirely eliminated, and its place filled with statements which Dr. Clarke did not make, and sentiments which he did not believe. It is no less than a crime to treat a dead man's work in this manner.
Modern Spiritualism: A Subject of Prophecy and a Sign of the Times.
Chapter 6Page 125 CHAPTER SIXITS PROMISES: HOW FULFILLED IT is fair to call Spiritualism to account as to the fulfilment of the promises involved in its challenge to the world when it stepped upon the stage of action. No movement ever opened with more magnificent promises. It posed before the world as an angel of heavenly light. It claimed to be the second coming of Christ. It claimed to have been sent to regenerate mankind, and renovate the world. We give herewith a few of its spirit-inspired pretensions. Its "Declaration of Principles," Article 20, says: -- "The hearty and intelligent convictions of these truths [the teachings of spirits] tend to energize the soul in all that is good and elevating, and to restrain from all that is evil and impure, . . . to quicken all philanthropic impulses, stimulating to enlightened and unselfish labors for universal good." In behalf of the cause of woman it says: -- "Spiritualism has done more for the advancement of true womanhood than the Church or any of its accessories."-- Dr. Watson, in Banner of Light, April 16, 1887. Miss A. L. Lull, in the Religio-Philosophical Journal of Jan. 23, 1886, said: -- "Spiritualism is the saviour of humanity, because it is reaching out toward the criminal, and in its effort to lift Page 126 humanity to a higher plane, it is laying the foundation for future generations. . . . Spiritualism comes to cleanse out the dregs and wretchedness of humanity." Mrs. Cora L. V. Richmond, in a mediumistic discourse reported in the Banner of Light, April 3, 1886, said: -- "The Great Reformer of the world is Spiritualism. When modern Spiritualism made its appearance, it said in so many words, I come to reform the world Spiritualism came to put the ax at the root of the tree of human evil, it came to decide upon the most important and vital thing connected with existence; i. e. , Is man only an evanescent, material, earthly being, or is he immortal? . . . Spiritualism came to reform death, to resolve it into life; came to reform fear, to resolve it into trust and knowledge;came to reform the darkness which rests upon humanity concerning the nature of man's existence." In the same paper, April 6, 1887, was given the following prediction of the future of Spiritualism: -- "Modern Spiritualism will grow, and deepen, and broaden, and strengthen, until all false creeds and dogmas shall be swept from the earth -- when faith shall be buried in knowledge, when war shall be known no more, when universal brotherhood shall prevail to bless mankind." In "Nineteenth Century Miracles," p. 79, M. Jaubert speaks as follows:
