The Spiritualist newspaper > No.322, October 25th 1878

tint SiaftlTtiALlStf.
Oct. 25, 1^78.
The question with me is, what power kept this paralysed I
body above water for five hours, so that it did not drown, |
and finally floated it in the direction of the searchers ? J
There was some delay in bringing the body of young j j
Robert to the city, in consequence of the coroner’s inquest,
so that the young man who had the dream did come down J
to the city in the very train that carried the coffin of Robert,
thus fulfilling another part of his dream. !
John A. Hoover.
Philadelphia, Sept. 5th.
SPIRITUALISM AND MATERIALISM.
BY ELIZA BOUCHEB. |
Among the subjects which I have long wished to bring i
before the notice of Spiritualists, that which has stood out
most prominently is the desire to do something, however j
humble, to bring about a better understanding between
Spiritualists and honest Materialists. That their differences j
are many and great I do not attempt to deny, and as they
are patent to the most casual observer, I need waste no time !
in descanting upon them. In this paper (although I only i
rank myself as an investigator) I shall write from a decidedly j
Spiritualistic point of view; and I cannot help expressing my !
conviction that Spiritualists and Materialists, though con- |
stantly indulging in a variety of questionable little compli- I
ments towards each other, and appearing to be bitter j
opponents, are in reality working in precisely the same I
direction, or at all events, to use a familiar expression, I
e< playing into each other’s hands.” Let us briefly note the
points of resemblance. Both are believers in immortality and |
eternal progress—the one for the individual, the other for i
the race. Both cherish the beautiful doctrine of universal I
brotherhood—the one as taught by the ce gentle Nazarene,” j \ ■,
and other great reformers in the truly a golden rule the |
other as enunciated by that kind, maligned, and misrepre- !
sented Apostle of Freethought, Thomas Paine, in his
magnificent declaration, <c I regard the world as my country, I
mankind my brethren, and to do good my religion.” Again, j
both believe intensely in promoting the physical wellbeing I
of mankind. The simple aim of the Materialist is to j
make this little spot of earth which entirely bounds |
his mental vision, a little better, a little purer,
a little less sad for those who come after than he has found j
it himself; and at the same time to develop to the fullest !'
extent of their capabilities the physical, intellectual, and
moral nature of man. Bravely he storms the citadel of the
mental oppressor, quenches hell fire with water thrown
from the deep wells of science, and fights the great battle I
for truth and right as gallantly as any Spiritualist. Grand are
his aims, u and dust, alas, his reward!” This, at least, is
his belief, and a nobler or a sadder picture it is impossible
to conceive. Surely, surely, it should command the most j
respectful admiration and excite the tenderest compassion j
in the heart of every true Spiritualist.
How different is the position of the latter. He feels as
deeply as the Materialist the necessity of working for the |
general development of man, but he believes it to be no |
mortal germ which he is cherishing into radiant beauty. His
work may be discouraging, but he is cheered by the thought i
that angels minister to him ; .that the darkness of the pre¬
sent will ere long be illuminated by the li light which never
was on land or sea ”—the glorious spirit-light from those
regions which have no need of earthly sun or moon to irra- j
diate them. Both the Spiritualist and Materialist are alike
ardent seekers for truth, and she it is for whom each soul
earnestly longs; and in her temple each, t( after his
own manner,” devoutly worships—the latter through |
a glass darkly, the former, in comparison, face to |
face; yet both earnestly and sincerely. In the deep I
mine of Materialism many a noble, unselfish spirit toils j
incessantly for the world’s regeneration, and that very toil j
has within it the undying seeds of spiritual elevation. If !
man be immortal and progressive, then faithfulness and |
truth in man’s soul can never die. Mind and body are so
entirely in sympathy that we can hardly elevate the one
without to a large extent benefiting the other; in fact, it is
scarcely possible to develop a healthy mind and a virtuous
soul in a diseased and ill-conditioned body. This healthy body
195
and sound mind it is the aim of the Materialist to produce.
With vigorous hand he clears away the rubbish of the
logical absurdities, false conceptions, prejudice, and dogmat¬
ism, and thus prepares the ground for the foundation stone of
scientific Spiritualism. To the-enlightened votaries of the
latter it remains to enlarge its basis of facts, to see that
every test is complete, to hunt out the false friend credulity,
and to patiently, slowly, and scientifically lay that founda¬
tion on the rock of incontrovertible truth. But not perhaps
before the noble edifice is completed will the builders recog¬
nise and remember the good work of the honest Materialist,
whose sharp, critical eye detected every flaw in the timber,
every defect in the marble, and every laxity in the workmen.
What the rough Storm Nurse is to the giant oak, what the
she-wolf was to the founders of Rome, what the stern hair-
clad desert preacher was to the Messiah, such is Materialism
to Spiritualism ; and like the wolf and the lamb of the
millennium they shall, in the bright future, lie down together
in peace as joint conquerors of error and of sin.
Albion Villa, Fremantle-square, Bristol.
' SPIRITUALISTIC WORK IN THE PROVINCES.
The following correspondence has taken place between the National
Association of Spiritualists and Mr. John Chapman, of Liverpool:—
“ 10, Dunkold-street, Liverpool, June 8, 1878.
“ Deak Madam,—I herewith send you my subscription to the
B.N.A.S. I am sorry the Association does not take up more work
of a national character than it has hitherto done. Its original intention
appears to be lost sight of in its centralisation. It ought to have adopted
measures like those of the ‘ Lancashire Committee,’ in sending mediums
and speakers out in all the provinces to spread a knowledge of Spirit¬
ualism in all parts of the country. You must expect subscriptions to fall
off from outside your local sphere, except you adopt some measures to
meet and co-operate with other towns and societies.
“ This can be done by engaging and sending out speakers, &c., whose
mission would draw a sympathy towards the institution. Could it not
be blended with the ‘ Lancashire Committee,’ and made to work so as to
effect economy, and have the greatest work done throughout the
country ?
“ Could not every local institution work in its own way, each having
the privilege of a speaker sent wherever a door can be opened, even
where a society, or the people, cannot pay much, or nothing, for a time ?
Aid, no doubt, would be forthcoming, when the work was seen, and we
have now plenty of Spiritualist papers to show it well up. Thus upon
the efforts of the B.N.A. of Spiritualists must the institution, in my
opinion, rise or fall. “ John Chapman.
“To Miss Kislingbury, Sec, B.N.A.S.”
“June 22nd, 1878.
“ Mr. John Chapman,
“ Deak Sir,—Your letter of June 8th, which was read to the Council
on the 11th inst., and referred to the General Purposes Committee, was
laid before that committee at their meeting on the 19th inst. In reply,
I am instructed to say that your letter was received with respectful con¬
sideration, and that after considerable discussion it was agreed that,
while the committee recognise the desirability of more extended action,
the present state of our finances does not admit of such action being
taken at present. The committea would at the same time call your
attention, and that of all provincial friends, to the fact that a certain
amount of benefit is reflected on the whole Spiritualist movement by our
maintaining a strong and vigorous centre in London; that an honourable
recognition and a better social standing is thus gained for it in the
world, and a higher standard of public opinion created among ourselves,
and that the money expended in keeping open good reception rooms, a
well-stocked library, free siances for inquirers, and fortnightly meetings,
the papers read at which are published in full, and can be read by all,
goes as far in support of the movement at large as if we were directly
aiding local societies in their work; further, that all foreign Spiritualists
are received at these rooms, the literature of foreign societies is filed,
and correspondence with their members maintained; and that thus it
can hardly be said that the work of the National Association is purely
local, but rather general and a'wtfernational; and that though some of
the advantages offered are only available for London members, it must
be borne in mind that these pay a higher subscription in consideration
thereof, and that five-shilling membership is still open to all Spirit¬
ualists, with the privilege of- a vote at the annual general meeting, of a
seaton the Council, and of sending in motions for discussion on any
question affecting the work or government of the Association.
“ The committee have recommended that a copy of this letter be pub¬
lished and sent to the secretaries of local societies, in order that this
view of the position of the National Association may be as widely dis¬
seminated as possible.
“ Emily Kislingbury, Secretary B.N.A.S."
In Cuba a new attempt has been made to publish a Spiritualistic
magazine, but the proofs came back from the censor so mutilated that
the project was abandoned.—Boston Sunday Herald.
Mrs. Noswoethy writes in relation to the late Mr. George Thompson :
•—“ My father’s portrait and memoir will be in the Christian Herald
and Signs of the Times this week,”