opology of the Bible, is highly odic, and must be
studied as such. As such it will be found to harmonize with the
general principles of human experience in such matters in all ages. If
a theory be adopted everywhere else but in the Bible, excluding
spiritual intervention _in toto_, and accounting for everything
physically, then will the covers of the Bible prove but pasteboard
barriers. Such a theory will sweep its way through the Bible and its
authority, and its inspirations will be annihilated. On the other
hand, if the theory of spiritual intervention be accepted in the
Bible, it cannot be shut up there, but must sweep its way through the
wide domain of 'popular superstitions,' as they are called, separating
the element of truth on which they are based, and asserting its own
authoritative supremacy."]
Then if you must for a partisan purpose ignore all this, and select
obscure people to represent the other side of the question, it would
be very easy to find mediumship of a pure and honorable
character--mediums whom no one visits without carrying away a sweet,
refining influence, a stronger faith, and a brighter realization of
heavenly truths. And there are mediums, too, from whose lips distil a
lofty eloquence and a remarkable wisdom upon any or all subjects
proposed, with a flow of extemporaneous poetry or of heavenly music
which has never been equaled under such circumstances by uninspired
mortals.
But, forsooth, they must come to a psychic society that the world may
learn from their papal infallibility if anything exists at all worthy
of notice. This is indeed seriously proposed! Well, if a group of
clergymen in synod assembled should summon all geologists and
astronomers to come before them and show if there was anything in
their scientific teachings, their heretical, astronomical, and
geological doctrines, would any one have responded to the presumptuous
demand? Would Airy, Lyell, Miller, Darwin, or the poorest country
school master have taken any notice of such a demand?
The majority of the American Psychical Research Society know vastly
less of psychic science than clergymen know of geology and astronomy.
They have been not inquirers, but obstructionists, assailing those who
dare to inquire, and the subject, as their friend says, has only
lately encroached on their attention. The admirable scientific
experiments of Professor Hare and Professor Crookes have long since
settled the questions which they now
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