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POIJB LEtTfBEH.IplrltMfiUiaB.. Dftnfinlaia. lugfMrtl-iim,* imd ■'■IrfitalUns. Ably flb-fniMiil by 1«t. i. B. ■ S«lomoBi','«rId accordauce with the announcement made.iu the col umutfot tire Advanceago. Rev; j. B* SoloaionvpaHlor^Stie Baptist Church of Sharon, delivered * wwrw of four lecture#, ut Mays-villtr, lliree Ulile# went of Eliis place, during hist week.*1 The lecture# were delivered on the Invitation and tfntferHAato,~wi?0*,.lt;,r**L Hie auspices of the West Salem Sab*, bath School Institute. Joel Smith,Esq., presided throughout the lectures.No fee was charged at the door of the church, but all were Cordially iuvireil U» coine. The expenses attending tfie lecture Were defrayed by voluntary contribution. Theattepdaucethroujh-□1 was large, aud the audiences attentive and intelligent. ..The utmost respect was shown to the lecturer, and tie in turn treated hia audiences wllh ill due. respect, and at the. dose of the coure on Friday night, the very best f good feeling prevailed, even among those who hold widely ' different views from the speaker and froui each other. Indeed, wo. thought it unusual and remarkable lo wltueas so much good feeling in au audience, after listening to the free and fearltee ilscussiou of so mauy topics of such importance, aud upon which there are such decided and diversified views iinong meu. It is highly crediluble to the lecturer aud audience Uiat such a state of facts prevailed.The lectures all gave evidence of very careful and elaborate preparation, and however meu may differ with their author in seutimeut or belief, all are willing P) accord to Rev.Solomon scholarly ability, honesty of purpose, and a disposition to seek after truth without unnecessarily crossing the path or wounding the feelings of anyone.The first leature, delivered on Tuesday evening, was upou Spiritualism.The first things noticed by~tbe speaker were the many wonderful advances made iu civilization in the last halt century—not iu a few, but in all tli* departments of humao activities, as well as in the more abstract sciences of Chemistry, Mathematics, Geology,Astronomy, Meteorology, Physics, and Mineralogy, and in the departments rtf applied scieuce, as raediciue, law. navigation, govern me ula) philosophy, civil societies, individual rights and obligations. Looking at knowledge us at present technically applied, we are filled with niter amazement. By the application and union of scientific discoveries and tnecbauir-al inventions, time and space have almost been annihilated. Nations that scarcely knew of each other’s existence fifty years ago, are uow made neighbors. As an illustration of this, the speaker mentioued that during his visit to the Southern Baptist Convention last May, in Atlanta. Ga., the Convention received a communication from aud returned ooe to hia old college-njate, Dr. Yates, iu Shanghai, China, in a few hours, notwithstanding the fact that these communications passed almost around our globe.Besides tbose elements now acknowledged to be essential lo human advancement, there have been mauy discoveries that tend to enlarge the horizon of man’s mental vision.Whether all, or Indeed any of this class of discoveries shall take u permanent place among principles acknowledged to be fundamental, or necessary to human advancement, tnay be a question. Future discoveries may require tholr rejection, and may confirm their soundness in theory and usefuloess iu practice.Phrenology, Biology, Meesmerlsm,Animal MaKn0tl-qru. a°d “Spiritualism,” belong to this class of discoveries. That there have been much deception aud fraud practiced under these names canuot admit or a doubt, and Ibis fact lias induced the incredulous to class all the phenomena connected with these arts with those that have been proved to be frauds. The part of honesty in to separate the facta from the frauds aud give them the candid t-nuskleraUon they deserve. It is unwise as well us disingenuous to deny faci«- “Accept everything :hat is Hue, for no truths can possibly be contradictory -or InouoBisreut with each other. But we must distinguish between facts and theories.Facts are certalu, while deductions from them may he false and rulnaus.“SPlBlTtfALlSM.”There are doubtless many things iu this world of oure—material anil immaterial—“that have never been dreamed of in. our philosophy”—the discovery and application of which would enlarge man’s conception of his beinir aud surroundings, and tend, eventually, to attune his ear to the grand symphonies of his creator’s wonderful works. Iu this catalogue, the lecturer places Spiritualism. All such phenomena as spiritualism, witchcraft, magic, oecrumancy, sorcery, and enchantment, he holds to be of the same essential nature, and sub ject to the same principles. Here the lecturer gives au Iutertsting account of the first development of the phenomena of tnoderu spiritualism in the Fox fainjlv.of Hydeville, Wayne Co., N. Y., iu aod ita eubsequeut history in this country, England and Frauce. From the simple rapping# in whicli the phenomena were first presented, the maxiifeslalions HKsuured a great variety of forms, as written communications through a human medium, clairvoyance, diagnosis of disease, and prescription of remedies, and latterly through speaking mediums, revealing the mysteries of the splrit-land aud instructing meu iu the secrets of the future, Ac.The lecturer here inquires ©oncoming the nature of theae manifestations. Are they ureter natural or can they bo accounted lor on any known laws of human existence? If supernatural, are they simple, independent human spirits, or are they under Diviue or diabolical control; or are they independent spiritual existences under no superior power? The speaker is inclined lo the belief that some of these manifestation# are the results of natural laws. Experiments in table turning.” In which he took part long ago, cotivlnced him of thlfl fact. The experiments are here fully detailed by the lecturer. But beyond these manifestations there are others of a different and far more mysterious nature, of which that form developed iu written communications is'Ca type. For these manifestations, after describing them fully, says the lecturer, I have no satisfactory explanation. Bo far as any known law of our being is concerned, they are of a supernatural character. Future investigations may prove them otherwise. . The facts iu some cam ' e indisputable, and It is folly to deny, or try to evade them by charging them to any species of legerdemain or collusion and fraud.But what value should be. given to these manifestations ? This is the point of prime importance. Examine these phenomena in the (fgbt.of the Bible and facts, t. The Bible declares the exltteooeof disembodied spirits. No conflict here between the.BioIe and Spiritualism. . 2. The Bible informs us that theae spiritual beings are to some exteqt oogqlwwt of and interested in the affairs., of -.men.. Corroborating.te^to are here quoted-No discrepancy here between the HI-, ble and Spiritualism. Tl*e Blbl? tplla qs that tfcpee spirits were aome-ymeajpermitfed to assume a visible form and to make communications to men in-human language. Example* are given. No oonflict bptwpen the Bible and Spiritualism Sere.' 4. The Scriptures recognize tfceexlstepoe.of good, and* evil spirits^ Spiritualism teeme, to ignore thb existence of Ml ajijrira. and recognlaes aft aa eqhaUy godd-and entitled to credit. Hei£l*A point of difference bet weeo the BlbJ* anti thcUlmsof Spiritualism.; .Here the lecturer examinee somewhat at length and 'With marked force and ability the teachings of the ,^i ble on tbie aud kiudred subjects, particularly uoder-iu various names and phases, and the apparently possible power of meu over the spirits of the departed.The lecturer bolds that modern gplrlLualism ha# much iu common with the magic of the aucients. They rest upon a common b^isis; propose t lie same ends, in large measure; assort similar claims to suj eruatural influences, claim lug jKwer over the spirits or. the departed.. Several deductions force tliemBelves upon our convictions: 1. However, mysterious it may be, the fact that commerce with tbo spirit world is possible, is attested both by I he com mon consent of the race and by the teachings of the Bible. The recognition of ibis truth by no means impairs the Diviue authenticity of the Bible As to the reliance to be placed in the communications made, that le another thing, to be considered hereafter.Again, it is unwise to discard a fuel because we cannot explaiu It. lhere are many facts received and acted upon by us daily, that we cannot explaiu. This thought is here enlarged upon.-The nature of the spirits concerned Iu these manifestations and their claims to our esteem are examined. The existeuce. attributes, and prerogatives of- God, aud the f.ici that He huu given to man just such a revelation of Himself, ami the mutters in whioli man is interested, as His wisdom knew would be best for meu aud most promotlye of His own glory, is assumed. In the light of these views, examine the nature of these spirits. Either they are good or evil spirit#— under Diviue or satanio influence. If Divine, their utterances and manifestations will he iu harmony with tire Divine nature. Otherwise they will Le in harmony with the spirit of evil. The argument might be closed here by asserting what is true, that God will never give ati utterance nor authority for an utteruDCe, inconsistent with the revelation He has given to mau iu His word. Putin the syllogistic form, the argumeul would standthus:1. God has given a revelulion to mau in His word.2. He cannot from His uature contradict Himself.3. Modern Spiritualism does contradict the word of God.Therefore, Modem Spiritualism iu not of God.The rnunner is emphatic aud theiu-uiaiices numerous in which modern spiritualism contradicts the word of God. A cursory glauce at the general cl i a racier of these spiritualistic utterances is all that 18 necessary. They-are generally concerned in tle mere trivial mid unimportant affairs of humau life—ihuch as the gypsy fortune-teller is. Eveu when they would rise to the dignity of things pertaining to the world to come, they are betrayed into the most senseless puerilities, How puerile—how childish are all their utterances compared with the teachings or the Divine oracles? What grand truth have these dealers with familiar spirits ever giveu to man? How much ha9 the ruee, or even the favored few been elevated it) the scale of moral and intellectual be-iug by these teachings? Whul has been and still is the Leu deucy of there communications? By their. fruilB ye shall know tbero.”The Bible, while it admits their existence, warns us against these iyiug spirits.” The spirits that opposed tire spread of the Gospel In apostolic times were of u kiudred character. The phenomena now called spiritualism and their nature seem to have been intended in many passages of1 the New Testumeut: For false Christs aud false prophets shall rise, aud shall show signs aud wonders, to seduce if possible, even the elect.” “The Spirit [of God] spenketh expressly. Llmt in the latter times, some shall depart from the faith, giviug heed to seducing spirits and doctriues of devils, speaking lies in hypocrisy.”The lecturer closed with a most eloquent tribute hi the grandeur or the conceptions aud teachings of the Bible as compared with the drivel of the modern spiritualistic medium, wad warmly exhorted hia nudieuce to give heed to ha teachings, and uot be deceived by these spirits of evil.Of course the above Ib but ho imperfect outline nf the able lecture, which wiit bear repeating mauy tlitres and he profitable in many localities.it is probable some of our reader# will couclude tliul Rev. Bolotnou admits the genuineness of more of modem spiritualistic manifestations than they are’ willing to. This was our own chso at first blusli. There are undoubtedly rrequent frauds perpetrated by so-called spiritualistic mediums oi the dilfereut classes. A no table instauca occuired at North Adams some leu days ago, iu which one of the Eddy family, Mrs. Mary Eddy Huntoou. was terribly exposed. She appeared Id the guise of an Indian chief. Iu the audience was a committee quietly prepared to test the genuineness of the spiritual maulfes-tntiona of the eveuing’s entertainment, and immediately ou her ap-Fa*a:Ekelt;I*.*»U*;JcPSeigoiaiituolspea ranee, as above, the “Chief wasseized by one «r the committee and held fast, and when the disguise was removed, it was fouod to be nobody and uothingelse than the medium” herself. And so it doubtless is in mauy cases.But we would uot advise anyone to take sharp Issue with Rev. Solomon on any point he attempts to rnuke in the above lecture without first giving to the subject careful attention in all its phases. In (Juuounoing frauds anddeceptions, it is well to remember thatcouuterfeits always presuppose existence sometblug geuuiue.theDARWINISM-The recoud lecture or the course was delivered ou-Wednesday evening lo a Tull house. The lecturer remarked that the questions involved hi the proposed discussion were such . ai affect our most sacred aud important iutoreets, as individuals, as a community. JM»a “ r“oe- 'J'h* child very early inquires concerning its orign, uature, duties and destiny, and the same iuquirlea are made by the hoary-headed octogenarian, as he sinks iuio the bosom of our mother earth. No wonder, then, the peusnut and tire noble, the subject aud the kiug. the philosopher and the rustic, the learned and the unlearned, the enlightened and the barbarous, are listening and looking with proftiuudesl interest tu the answers given to these inquiries. What is man?” id a question nT most mnmeutouf import, mid concerns every child of Adam—num. Of late years science, falsely so called, has assumed so lo answer tire question as to drive Jehovah from tire issue involved, and degrade man to a level with the beast.Here an elaborate and learned review of the principle* which underlie the Darwin system previous to the date of Prof. Charles Darwin’s appearance as their exponent and advocate, is indulged in. The views and teachings of Anaximander, a Grecian philosopher, who wa» boru 610 aud died 47 years B. C. are uoticed. So also of Empedocles, another Grecian philosopher, born 450 years B. C., and Anaxagoras, still another, who lived from 500 to 426 years B. C. The marked difference of views entertained by Aristotle, the wisest of the Greek philosophers aud the founder of Natural History, frem those previously quoted, ia appropriately mentioned. Coming down to modern times, the views and teachings of Linnaeus aud Buffon, both born A. D. 1707, are noticed,showing that they were the first among modern naturalists who formed defluite concepUoua of a progressive development, or progressive organic advancement. The views of Itnmau-uel Kant, half a century later, are noticed, then those of Dr. Erasmus Darwin, the graud-father of Charles Darwin, In t7§4 Then the publication in 1809 and 1815 of Lamarck, a
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Greenville Advance Argus
Greenville, Pennsylvania, US
Thu, Nov 06, 1879
Page 2
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MA, USA 06 Sep 2017
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