Certainitis，wefindsufficientthatisdivineinhislifeandteachings，withoutprofessingtobelieveinthefablesofPage84theologiansrespectinghisbirthandparentage。Wearecontenttotakethesimplerecordasitstands，andtoregardhimasthesonofJosephandMary，endowedwithsuchpurityandharmonyofcharacterasfittedhimtobetheApostleandRevelatorofthehighestwisdomevertaughttoman。ItisthefundamentalarticleinthecreedofmodernChristianity，thatJesuswasdivineinhisnature，andofmiraculousoriginandnativity。
　　Now，nohumanbeingofordinaryintelligence，unwarpedbyeducationalbias，wouldeverprofesstobelieveinsuchamonstrousfigment，whichonlyshowstheblindnessofsuperstitiousprejudice。"Hereissomethingtwenty-fouryearslater。AséancereportedintheBannerofLight，Oct。9，1886，givesthefollowingquestionsandanswer：——"Ques。——Do’spirits’generallybelieveinthedivinityofJesusChrist;thathewastheSonofGod;thathewascrucified，dead，andburied，androseagainthethirddayforthesavingofallwhoshouldbelieveinhim？
　　"Ans。——No;spiritsgenerally——advancedspirits，thosewhoareintelligent，havingstudieddeeplyintotheprinciplesoflife——donotacceptthetheoryofthedivinityofJesusChrist;theydonotbelievethathewascrucifiedformankind，intheacceptedunderstandingofthatterm。"SomeyearsagoaclasswasformedinNewYorkCityforthepurposeofinvestigatingwhatiscalledthespiritualphilosophy。Beforethatclass，Dr。Weissesaid：——"FriendOrtonseemstomakeratherlightofthecommunicationsfromspiritsconcerningChrist。Itseems，nevertheless，thatallthetestimonyreceivedfromadvancedspiritsonlyshowsthatChristwasamediumandreformerinJudea;thathenowisanadvancedspiritinthesixthsphere;
　　butthatheneverclaimedtobeGod，anddoesnotatpresent。Ihavehadtwocommunicationstothateffect。IhavealsoreadsomethatDr。Harehad。IfIamwronginmyviewsoftheBible，Ishouldliketoknowit，forthespiritsandmediumsdonotcontradictme。"Page85ThepeculiarinsultherepurposelyofferedtotheSaviourwillbeappreciatedwhenitisnotedthatataboutthesametimethespiritslocatedThomasPaine，thewell-knownskeptic，intheseventhsphere，onesphereabovethatofChrist。Hemustthereforehaveprogressedveryrapidly，seeinghesoquicklysurpassedChrist，whohadover1700yearsthestartofhim。
　　BeforethesameclassDr。Hareisreportedtohavespokenasfollows，whichwegivewithoutassuminganyresponsibilityforthespiritualgrammarthereinexhibited：——"HesaidthathehadbeenthusprotectedfromdeceptionbythespiritsofWashingtonandFranklin，andthattheyhadbroughtJesusChristtohim，withwhomhehadalsocommunicated。Hehadfirstrepelledhimasanimpostor;butbecameconvincedafterwardthatitwasreallyhim。
　　Herelatedthathehadlearnedfromthathighandholyspirit，thathewasnotthecharacterthatChristendomhadrepresentedhimtobe，andnotresponsiblefortheerrorsconnectedwithhisname，butthathewas，whileonearth，amediumofhighandextraordinarypowers，andthatitwassolelythroughhismediumisticcapabilitiesthatheattainedsogreatknowledge，andwasenabledtopracticesuchapparentwonders。"WhenChristwasuponearth，itwasenvy，jealousy，andmalicethatmovedthePhariseesagainsthim（Matt27：18）;anditseemsthatheisfollowedbythesamefeelingsinthespiritworld。Thisisnatural;forhewhofiredtheheartsofthePhariseeswiththeirmalignantspirit，isthesameone，aswehaveseen，whoisworkingthroughthepowersofdarknessintheunseenworldto-day。AnywaytodegradeChristinthemindsofmentoalevelwith，Page86orbelow，themediumsofourtime，andmakeitappearthattheycandoasgreatwondersashe，seemstobetheobjectinview。
　　ThereisplainlymanifestanirrepressibledesireonthepartofspiritsandmediumstoshowChristtobeinferiortotheleadersofothergreatreligionsoftheworld，asBuddha，Confucius，Zoroaster，etc。Thus，ataséanceheldin1864（BannerofLight，June4），thespiritswerequestionedasfollows：——"Ques。——HaveyoueverseenConfuciusorZoroaster？
　　"Ans。——Yes，manytimes。
　　Q。——Intheorderofdegree，whichstandsthehigherinmoralexcellence——JesusChrist，Confucius，orZoroaster？
　　"A。——Confuciusstandsinmoralityhigherthantheothertwo……Jesushimselfclaimstohavebeeninspiredtoalargeextent，bythissameConfucius。Andifwearetoplacerelianceupontherecordsconcerningeachindividual，weshallfindthatJesusspokethetruthwhenhetollsusthathewasinspiredbyConfucius。"Indeed！Wherearetherecordsreferredto？WhereandwhendidJesus"speak"
　　thewordsattributedtohim？Andwheredoeshetellus，thathewasinspiredbyConfucius？Sowearetobelieve，arewe，thatthegospelofJesusChrist，isonlyarehashofwhatwasoriginallywroughtoutinthebrainofConfucius，andnotwordsfreshfromthefountainoflightgivenhimbyhisFatherinheaven，tospeak，asheclaimedthemtobe？
　　Yethewasahighandholymedium。Wewonderwhatstandardofholinessandperfectionthespiritscanhave。
　　Butstilllater，in1896，wefindthespiritsputtingforththesameteachinginreferencetoJesusChrist。In"Automatic，orSpiritWriting，"
　　pp。148，149，wehavethis：——Page87"Ques。——DoyouacceptJesusasthemodelofspiritualknowledge？
　　"Ans。——Shallyougiveusabetterexample？
　　"Q。——Well，wearewillingtoaccepthimasoneofmany，butnotaschief。
　　"A。——Changethename。Callhimbyothernames——Buddha，Krishna，orMohammed，thespiritisone——iseverandeverthesame。Spiritisone，notmany，howeveroftenthenameischanged。
　　"Q。——WerenotJesus，Buddha，andMohammeddistinctpersonalities？
　　"A。——Nomorethanallatomsemanatingfromthesamesource——
　　partsofthegreatAllofBeing，partakingofthegeneralcharacteristicsofthegrandwhole——butyieldingtoenvironments，showedmarkedindividualism，suchastheforceofthetimesinwhichtheyappearedwouldcreateintheircharacters。
　　"Q。——Aretheseleadersofreligiousthoughtnotdistinctindividualitiesnow？
　　"A。——No，notonspiritualplanes，whichdonotrecognizeanynow。"ThustheypersistindenyingthatJesusholdsanypre-eminentpositionasareligiousteacher。HemayaswellbecalledBuddha，Krishna，orMohammedasJesus。Theyareallthesamespirit，allatomsofthegreat"AllofBeing，"allasmuchalikeasthreedropsofwaterfromthesameocean，andwhatismorebewilderingstill，theyhavenowalllosttheirindividualityinthespiritworld。How，then，canitbetoldthatChristisinthesixthsphere，andPaineintheseventh？Suchteachers，thoughtheymayclaimtobegoodspirits，arebrandedasantichristbybothJohnandJude。Johnsays："WhoisaliarbuthethatdenieththatJesusistheChrist？HeisantichristthatdenieththeFatherandtheSon。"1John2：22。Again，"EveryspiritthatconfessethnotthatJesusChristiscomeinthefleshisnotofPage88God。"1John4：3。Accordingtothespirits，JesusChristhasnomorecomeinthefleshthanhaveBuddha，Mohammed，Confucius，Zoroaster，oranyotherreligiousteacher。Theyallsimplyyieldedtotheirenvironments，andshowedmarkedindividualismwhileonthisearth，andhavenowbecomeabsorbedinthe"greatwhole"inthespiritworld。Thus，asJudesays（verse4），theydeny"theonlyLordGod，andourLordJesusChrist。"
　　SomuchfortheirdenialofChristinhisperson。Theyalsodenyhiminhisoffices;fortodenyandridiculewhathecametodo，isoneofthemosteffectualwaysofdenyinghim。ThegreatworkofChristwasthesheddingofhisbloodtoatoneforthesinsoftheworld;andthespiritsareparticularlybitterindenouncingthatidea。Ifsuchsentimentswereutteredonlybyopenandprofessedscoffers，itwouldnotdosomuchharm;
　　butitisnotunusualtofindthosebearingthetitleof"Reverend"descantingonthesethemesinamannertoshowthemselvesantichrist，accordingtothedefinitionofthattermbyJohn。Andeventhisneednotsurpriseus;
　　forthesurewordofprophecyhasforetoldthatsomewhohaveonceheldthetruefaithwilldeparttherefromtogiveheedtoseducingspirits，anddoctrinesofdevils。1Tim。4：1。
　　OneR。P。Wilson，towhosenameisattachedtheministerialtitle，inhislectureson"SpiritualScience，"said：——"Althoughasabelieverintruespiritualphilosophy，wecannotreceivetheorthodoxviewsofsalvation，yetwerecog-Page89nizethebirthofaSaviourandRedeemerintotheuniversalheartsofhumanity，whereintrulythedeityisincarnate，dwellingintheinteriorofman’sspirit。WebelievethateachsoulofmanisbornwithhisorherSaviourwithinthem;forasmanisanembodimentoftheuniverseinepitome，hecontainsinhiscentralnatureanincarnationofdeity。Thegermofimmortalunfoldingsresideswithinthespiritofit，whichneedsonlyappropriateconditionstocallforththeexpandingandelevatingpowersofthesoul。"In"SpiritualScienceDemonstrated，"p。229，Dr。Haresaid：——"Sincemyspiritsister’stranslationtothespheres，shehasrisenfromthefifthtothesixthsphere。Ithasbeenallegedbyherthatherascentwasretardedbyherbeliefintheatonement。"A"spirit"callinghimselfDeaconJohnNorton，asreportedintheBannerofLight，said：——"Iusedtobelieveintheatonement;IhonestlybelievedthatChristdiedtosavetheworld，andthatbyandthroughhisdeathallmustbesavedifsavedatall。NowIseethatthisisfolly——itcannotbeso。ThelightthroughChrist，theHolyOne，shoneindarkness;thedarknesscouldnotcomprehendit;andthusitcrucifiedthebody，andChristdiedamartyr。Hewasnotcalledinthatway，thatbythesheddingofhisblood，thevastmultitudecomingafterhimshouldfindsalvation。Everythinginnatureprovesthisfalse。TheytellmeherethatChristwasthemostperfectmanofhistime。Iamtoldherealsothatheisworthytobeworshiped，becauseofhisgoodness;andwheremanfindsgoodnesshemayworship。God’sfaceisseenintheviolet，andmanmaywellworshipthistinyflower。"InthepantheismofSpiritualism，everyobjectinnature，thetinyflower，thepebbles，thetrees，thebirdsandbees，areworthytobeworshipedasmuchasChrist。Inonebreaththespiritsextolhimasamostperfectman，pre-eminentingoodnessandPage90worthytobeworshiped，andinthenext，placehiminapositionwhichwouldmakehimthegreatestfraudandimpostorthateverlived。SuchinconsistenciesshowthatChristisamiraclewhichevilmenandevilangelsknownothowtodisposeof。
　　AstheydenyChrist，theymust，logically，denythedoctrineofhissecondcoming。ThisdoctrineismadeofespecialimportanceandprominenceintheNewTestament。Thenatureofthatcoming，itsmanner，andthecircumstancesattendingitaresofullydescribed，thatnoonewhoadoptstheBibleviewcanpossiblybedeceivedbyfalsechrists。Butthechurchandtheworldhavebeenturnedawayfromthetruedoctrineofthesecondadvent，andthewayisthuspreparedforthegreatdeceptionsofthelastdays。Spiritualismisoneofthese，andclaimsthatitisitselfthatsecondcoming。JoelTiffany，aformercelebratedteacherofSpiritualism，hassaid：——"ImustlookforthecomingofmyLordinmyownaffection。
　　Hemustcomeinthecloudsofmyspiritualheavens，orhecannotcomeforanybenefittome。"AndthroughMrs。Conant，afamousmediumoftheearlydaysofSpiritualism，thecontrollingspiritsaid：——"ThissecondcomingofChristmeanssimplythesecondcomingoftruthsthatarenotthemselvesnew，thathavealwaysexisted……
　　Hesaid，’WhenIcomeagain，Ishallnotbeknowntoyou。’SpiritualismisthatsecondcomingofChrist。"——BannerofLight，Nov。18，1865。ButtheBibledescriptionofthiseventis，therevelationoftheLordhimselfinthecloudsofPage91heaveninthegloryoftheFather，thereverberatingshoutoftriumph，thevoiceofthearchangel，thetrumpofGod，theflashofhispresencelikethatofthelightning，thewailingofthetribesoftheearth，astheythusbeholdhim，whileunpreparedtomeethim，andtheresurrectionoftherighteousdead。Andwhereandwhenhavetheseinseparableaccompanimentsofthateventbeenseen？Theydonotoccurwhenapersonisconvertedfromsin，nordotheyoccurintimedyingchamber，norhavetheyoccurredinSpiritualism;anduntiltheydotakeplace，thesecondcomingofChristisnotaccomplished。
　　Manyseektodisposeofsuchtestimonyasthis，bymakingitallfigurative，ormeetingitwithabolddenial，asinthecaseoftheresurrectionofthebody。Andthewayhasbeentoowellpreparedforthisconditionofthings，bymuchoftheteachingofpopularorthodoxy，whichturnstheearlyrecordsoftheBibleintochildishallegory，pervertsthetruedoctrineofthecomingandkingdomofChrist，anddeniestheresurrectionofthedead，bydestroyingitsnecessitythroughtheimmortalityofthesoul。
　　Onthevitalpointoftheresurrection，Dr。Clarkemakesthisnoteworthyremark：——"OneremarkIcannothelpmaking，——ThedoctrineoftheresurrectionappearstohavebeenthoughtofmuchmoreconsequenceamongtheprimitiveChristiansthanitisnow！Howisthis？——Theapostleswerecontinuallyinsistingonit，andexcitingthefollowersofGodtodiligence，obedience，andcheerfulnessthroughit。Andtheirsuccessorsinthepresentdayseldommentionit！Sotheapostlespreached，andsotheprimitiveChristiansbelieved;
　　sowepreachandsoourhearersPage92believe。Thereisnotadoctrineinthegospelonwhichmorestressislaid;andthereisnotadoctrineinthepresentsystemofpreachingwhichistreatedwithmoreneglect。"——On1Corinthians15（originaledition）。[1]InviewofthewaytheBiblehasbeentreatedbyitsprofessedfriends，itisnowonderthatinfidelityprevails，andSpiritualismprospers。
　　3。TheyDenytheBible。——ThedenialofGodandChrist，assetforthaboveis，ofcourse，adenialoftheBible;andnotmuchneedthereforebeaddedonthispoint。Wequoteonlyafewrepresentativeutterances。
　　DoctorHare（"SpiritualScienceDemonstrated，"p。209）says：——"TheOldTestamentdoesnotimpartaknowledgeofimmortality，withoutwhichreligionwereworthless。Thenotionsderivedfromthegospelsarevague，disgusting，inaccurate，anddifficulttobelieve。"AstotheOldTestament，itwouldseemdoubtfulwhetherMr。Hareeverreadfarenoughtofind（1）Jobexclaiming："ForIknowthatmyRedeemerliveth，andthatheshallstandatthelatterdayupontheearth：andthoughaftermyskinwormsdestroythisbody，yetinmyfleshshallIseeGod：whomIshallseeformyself，andmineeyesshallbeholdandnotanother;thoughmyreinsbeconsumedwithinme"（or，asthemarginreads："Myreinswithinmeareconsumedwithearnestdesire[forthatday];"or（2）David："Ishallbesatisfied，whenIawake，withPage93thylikeness;"or（3）Isaiah："Thydeadmenshalllive，togetherwithmydeadbodyshalltheyarise。Awakeandsing，yethatdwellinthedust;"
　　or（4）Ezekiel："Behold，Omypeople，Iwillopenyourgraves，andcauseyoutocomeupoutofyourgraves;"or（5）Daniel："Manyofthemthatsleepinthedustoftheearthshallawake，sometoeverlastinglife，andsometoshameandeverlastingcontempt;"and（6）Hosea："Iwillransomthemfromthepowerofthegrave，Iwillredeemthemfromdeath。"Job19：25-27;
　　Ps。17：15;Isa。26：19;Eze。37：12;Dan。12：2;Hosea13：14。AndasfortheNewTestament，itisnodoubt"disgusting"tomanySpiritualiststoreadthat"thefearful，andunbelieving，andtheabominable，andmurderers，andwhoremongers，andsorcerers，andidolaters，andallliars，shallhavetheirpartinthelakewhichburnethwithfireandbrimstone：whichistheseconddeath;"andthatwithoutthecity"aredogs，andsorcerers，andwhoremongers，andmurderers，andidolaters，andwhosoeverlovethandmakethalie。"Rev。21：8;22：15。
　　CommunicationsfromspiritsareofferedinplaceoftheBibleasabettersourceofinstruction，theBiblebeingdenounced，asabovequoted，as"vague，inaccurate，anddifficulttobelieve。"Abriefcomparisonofthetwowillfurnishpertinentevidenceonthispoint。Take，ontheBibleside，forexample，aportionoftherecordofcreation（Gen。1：1-5）：——"InthebeginningGodcreatedtheheavenandtheearth。Andtheearthwaswithoutform，andvoid;anddarknesswasPage94uponthefaceofthedeep。AndtheSpiritofGodmoveduponthefaceofthewaters。AndGodsaid，Lettherebelight：andtherewaslight。AndGodsawthelight，thatitwasgood：andGoddividedthelightfromthedarkness。AndGodcalledthelightDay，andthedarknesshecalledNight。Andtheeveningandthemorningwerethefirstday。"Thefactsstatedinthisrecord，theprofoundestmindscannevercomprehend;
　　thelanguageinwhichtheyareexpressed，alittlechildcanunderstand。
　　Thestatementsareplainandsimple，aperfectmodelofperspicuousnarrative。
　　Placebythesideofthisanaccountofthesameeventasgivenusfromthe"spheres。"ThespiritshaveundertakentoproduceanewBible，beginning，liketheold，withthecreation;andthisisthewayitstartsout，throughthemedinmshipof"Rev。"T。L。Harris：——"1。InthebeginningGod，theLifeinGod，theLordinGod，theHolyProcedure，inhabitedthedome，which，burninginmagnificenceprimeval，andrevolvinginprismaticandundulatoryspiral，appeared，andwasthepavilionoftheSpirit：Ingloryinexhaustibleandinconceivable，inmovementspherical，unfoldedinharmoniousproceduredisclosive。
　　"2。AndGodsaid，Letgoodbemanifest！andgoodunfoldedandmoral-mentalgerms，ovariumsofheavens，descendedfromtheProcedure。Andthedomeofdisclosivemagnificencewasheaven，andtheexpandedglorybeneathwasthegermofcreation。AndthedivineProcedureinbreatheduponthedisclosure，andthedisclosurebecametheuniverse。"Wewillinflictnomoreofthis"undulatoryspiral"nonsenseonthereader。
　　Henowhasbothrecordsbeforehim，andcanjudgeforhimselfwhichisthemoreworthyofhisregard。TherehavebeenSpiritualistswho，writingintheirnormalstate，andnotyetfullydivorcedfromtheinfluenceoftheirPage95formereducation，haveacknowledgedtheauthenticityoftheBible，andthedoctrinesofJesusasrecordedinthegospels。Butthese，itisclaimed，aretobeunderstoodaccordingtoaspiritualmeaningwhichunderliestheletter;andthisspiritualmeaninggenerallyturnsouttobecontrarytotheletter，whichisavirtualdenialoftherecorditself。Butthequotationsheregiven（onlyaspecimenofthemultitudesthatmightbepresented）
　　aregivenontheauthorityofthe"spirits，"whoseteachingsarewhatwewishtoascertain。
　　THEYDENYALLDISTINCTIONBETWEENRIGHTANDWRONGThereisimplantedintheheartsofmenbynature，asenseofrightandasenseofwrong。EventhosewhoknownotGod，norChrist，northegospel，possessthispowerofdiscrimination。ThisiswhatPaul，inRom。2：15
　　calls"theworkofthelawwrittenintheirhearts，theirconsciencealsobearingwitness，andtheirthoughtsthemeanwhileaccusingorelseexcusingoneanother。"Thatthisdistinctionshouldnowbedeniedbyaclassinacivilizedcommunity，professingtobeadvancedthinkersandteachers，amongwhomarefoundthelearned，therefined，andtheprofessedlypious，showsthatwehavefallenuponstrangetimes。Tobesure，manyofthemtalkfluentlyofthebeautyandperfectionofdivinelaws;butinthesenseinwhichtheywouldhavethemunderstood，theyrobthemofallcharacteristicsoflaw。ThefirstgreatessentialoflawisPage96authority;butthistheytakeawayfromit;thenextispenaltyforitsviolation;butthistheydeny，andthusdegradethelawtoamerepieceofadvice。The"HealingoftheNations，"anauthoritativeworkamongSpiritualists，pp。163，164，says：——"Thusthybodyneedsnolaws，havingbeeninitscreationsuppliedwithallthatcouldbenecessaryforitsgovernment。Thyspiritisabovealllaws，andaboveallessenceswhichflowtherein。Godcreatedthyspiritfromwithinhisown，andsurelytheCreatoroflawisaboveit;theCreatorofessencesmustbeaboveallessencecreated。Amidifthouhastwhatmaybeormightbetermedlaws，theyarealwayssubservienttothyspirit。
　　Goodmenneednolaws，andlawswilldobadorignorantmennogood。Ifamanbeabovelaw，heshouldneverbegovernedbyit。Ifhebebelow，whatgoodcandead，drywordsdohim？
　　"Trueknowledgeremovethalllawsfrompowerbyplacingthespiritofmanaboveit。"AcorrespondentoftheTelegraphsaidofthiswork，"TheHealingoftheNations："Accordingtoitsteaching，noplaceisfoundintheuniversefordivinewrathandvengeance。AllarealikeandforevertheobjectofGod’slove，pity，andtendercare——thedifferencebetweenthetwoextremesofhumancharacteronearth，beingasamereatomwhencomparedwithperfectwisdom。"Thisisafavoritecomparisonwiththem，——thatthedifferencebetweenGodandthebestofmenissomuchgreaterthantheextremesofcharacteramongmen，——themostuprightandthemostwicked，——thatthelatterisamereatom，andnotaccountedofinGod’ssight。ThatthereisaninfinitedifferencebetweenGodandthebestofmen，isalltrue;forGodisinfiniteinallhisattributes，andmanisveryimperfectatthebest。ButtoarguefromthisthatPage97Godisinferiortoman，sothathecannotdiscerndifferenceincharacterhere，evenasmancanplainlydiscernit，seemsbutmad-housereasoning。
　　Whatwouldwethinkofthemanwhohadthesameregardforthethiefasforthehonestman，forthemurdererasforthephilanthropist？Toignoresuchdistinctionsasevenmenareabletodiscernwoulddestroythestabilityofallhumangovernments;whatthenwouldbetheeffectonthedivinegovernment？
　　Godhasgivenhislaw——holy，just，andgood——tomen，andcommandedobedience。Hehasattachedthepenaltytodisobedience："Thesoulthatsinneth，itshalldie，""Thewagesofsinisdeath。"Eze。18：20;Rom。
　　6：23。Andinthejudgment，thedistinctionGodmakesincharacterwillbeplainlydeclared;forhewillsettherighteousonhisrighthand，butthewickedontheleft。Matt。25：32，33。
　　Thisviewofthefailureoflaw，andtheabsenceofallhumanaccountability，naturallyleadstoabolddenialofsinandtheexistenceofcrime。The"HealingoftheNations，"p。169，says："UntoGodthereisnoerror;alliscomparativelygood。"ThesameworksaysthatGodviewserroras"undevelopedgood。"A。J。Davis（"NatureofDivineRevelation，"p。521）says："Sin，indeed，inthecommonacceptationofthatterm，doesnotreallyexist。"
　　AdiscoursefromJ。S。Loveland，onceaminister，reportedintheBannerofLight，containedthisparagraph：——Page98"WithGodthereisnocrime;withmanthereis。CrimedoesnotdispleaseGod，butitdoesman。Godisinthedarkestcrime，asinthehighestpossibleholiness。Heisequallypleasedineithercase。Bothharmonizeequallywithhisattributes——theyareonlydifferentsidesofthesameDeity。"In"AutomaticWriting"（1896），p。139，aquestionwasaskedconcerningevil，meaningsinandcrimesamongmen。Thespiritansweredthatthesewereconditionsofprogress，andweresonecessarytoelevationthattheyweretobewelcomed，nothated。Thequestionsandanswersareasfollows：
　　——"Ques。——Canyougiveusanyinformationinregardtotheso-calledDevil——oncesofirmlybelievedin？
　　"Ans。——Devilisawordusedtoconjurewith。
　　"Q。——Well，then，astheworditselfdoubtlessarosefromtheword’evil，’whichmeanstousunhappiness，canyougiveusanexplanationoftileexistenceofevil"A。——Evil——asyouwhoarethegreatestsufferersfromit，nameoneoftheconditionsofprogress——isasnecessary，aye，moreso，thanwhatyoucallgood，toyourandourelevationtohigherspheres。Itisnottobehated，butwelcomed。Itisthewinnowingofthegrainfromthechaff。Childrenoftruth，don’tworryoverwhattoyouseemsevil;soonyouwillbeofusandwillunderstand，andberejoicedthatwhatyoucallevilpersistsandworksasleaveninthegreatworkofmindversusmatter。
　　"Q。——Butitseemstousimpossiblethatbrutalcrimeslikemurder，assassinations，orgreatcatastrophes，bywhichtheinnocentaremadetosufferatthehandsofmaliciousandcruelpersons，shouldworkforultimategood？
　　"A。——PercipientsofthegrandwholeofBeingcanunderstandbutmaynotstatetothoseonyourplane，theunderlyinggoodmakingitselfassertedeventhroughsuchdreadfulmanifestationsofhumanimperfectionsasthecrimesyouname。
　　"Whenaskedwhycertainwrongswereallowedtobeperpetuated，thisanswerwasgiven：——Page99"Thereisalawofpsychicalessencewhichmakesnecessaryalltheseephemeralentanglementswhichtoyouseemsosevere，andyouwillyetseefromyourownstandpointofreasonwhysuchhardshipsmustbeenduredbyquestioningsoulsonthehighwayofprogress。
　　"Q。——Butdoyoufromyourvantagegroundoflargerknowledgegrowcarelessthatsuchinjusticeisdone？
　　"A。——Wedocare，butcannotremedy。
　　"Q。————Whycan’tyouremedy？
　　"A。——Becausehumanityisbutanembryoofexistence。
　　"Q。——Ifyoucanperceivethetrialsandsorrowsofmortals，andcaninterferetosavethem，whydoyounotmoreoftendoso？
　　"A。——Whenundevelopedsoulspaythepriceofdevelopment，westandaloof，andlettheplaygoon。Interferencewilldonogood。"Inviewofsuchaconfession，whatbecomesofthemanyclaimsputforthbyotherspiritsthattheyareeverhoveringneartheirfriendstoassistamidguardthem，tohelpandinspirethem，andkeepthemfromevilanddanger？Thesesaythatthoseterriblecrimes（andthiswouldincludeallcrimes）areallnecessary，thattheyaretendingtodevelopsouls，andbringthemtohigherspheres，andthusarejustaslaudableasgoodactions;
　　sotheysettlebackinagleefulmood，and"lettheplaygoon;"letwickedmencultivateanddevelopandpracticetheirevilpropensities，andtheinnocentsuffer。Wellmaymenpraytobedeliveredfromsuchaspiritassemblyasthat。
　　In"HealingoftheNations，"p。402，Dr。Haresays：——Thatanythingshould，evenforaninstant，becontrarytohiswill，isinconsistentwithhisforesightandomnipo-Page100tency。Itwouldbeamiraclethatanythingcountertohiswillshouldexist。"Alectureonthe"PhilosophyofReform，"givenbyA。J。Davis，inNewYorkCity，bearstestimonytothesameeffect：——"IntheHebrewandChristianScriptures，itisaffirmedthatsinisthetransgressionofthelaw。Butbyanexaminationofnature，thetrueandonlyBible，itwillbeseenthatthisstatementiserroneous。
　　Itgivesawrongideaofbothmanandlaw……ItwillbefoundimpossibleformantotransgressalawofGod。"ThustheyveryillogicallyassumethatifGodhasthewillorthepowertopreventevil，itcouldnotexist，andtherefore，ifthereissuchaGod，heisresponsible，forgettingthatGodislong-suffering，andbearslongwithvesselsofwrathfitted，fordestruction，beforetheypassbeyondthelimitsofhismercyandperish。ButMr。Davissaysfurther：——"Reformersneedtounderstandthatwarisasnaturaltoonestageofhumandevelopmentaspeaceisnaturaltoanother。Mybrotherhasthespiritofrevenge。ShallIcallhimademon？IsnothisspiritnaturaltohisconditionWarisnotevilorrepulsiveexcepttoamanofpeace。
　　Whomadethenon-resistant？PolygamyisasnaturaltoonestageofdevelopmentasorangesarenaturaltotheSouth。ShallIgrowindignant，andbecauseIamamonogamist，condemnmykinsmanofyore？Whomadehim？Whomademe？
　　Webothcameupundertheconfluenceofsocialandpoliticalcircumstances;
　　andwebothrepresentourconditionsandourteachers。Thedoctrineofblameandpraiseisnaturalonlytoanunphilosophicalconditionofmind。
　　Thespiritofcomplaint——ofattributing’evil’tothisandthatplaneofsociety——isnatural;butisnaturalonlytoundevelopedminds。ItisaprofanationsortofatheismofwhichIwouldnotbeguilty。"Page101TheBiblesays，"Woeuntothemthatcallevilgood，andgoodevil;thatputdarknessforlightandlightfordarkness。"Isa。520。Anditmakesanotherdeclarationwhichfindsabundantconfirmationinthesentimentsquotedabove："Becausesentenceagainstanevilworkisnotexecutedspeedily，thereforetheheartoftheSonsofmenisfullysetinthemtodoevil。"
　　Eccl。8：11。
　　Havingthusattemptedtodestroyinthemindsofmenalldistinctionbetweengoodandevil，allbeingalikeinGod’ssight，andallequallygood，theytrytomakethewayalittlebroaderandeasierformentogivefullreintoallthepropensitiesandinclinationsofanevilheart，byteachingthatthereisnoLawgiverandJudgebeforewhommenmustappeartogiveanaccountoftheirdeeds，butthattheyareresponsibletothemselvesalone，andmustgiveaccountonlytotheirownnatures。ThusHon。J。B。
　　Hall，inalecturereportedintheBannerofLight，Feb。6，1864，said：——"Ibelievethatmanisamenabletonolawnotwrittenuponhisownnature，nomatterbywhomgivenByhisownnaturehemustbetried——byhisownactshemuststandorfall。True，manmustgiveanaccounttoGodforallhisdeeds;buthow？——Solelybygivingaccounttohisownnature——tohimself。"AtaséancereportedintheBannerofLight，May28，1864，thefollowingquestionwasproposed，andtheanswerwasbythecommunicatingspirit：——"Ques。——Towhomortowhatisthesoulaccountable？
　　"Ans。——TonoDeityoutsidetherealmofitsownbeing，certainly;
　　tonoGodwhichisacreationoffancy;tonoPage102Deitywhodwellsinafar-offheaven，andsitsuponawhitethrone;tonoJesusofNazareth;tonopatronsaint;tonopersonality;
　　tonoprincipleoutsideourownindividualselves。"The"HealingoftheNations，"p。74，says：——"Manishisownsaviour，hisownredeemer。Heishisownjudge——inhisownscalesweighed。"AlittleovertwentyyearsafterthebirthofSpiritualism，Aug。25，1868，theFifthNationalConventionofSpiritualistswasheldinCorinthianhall，Rochester，N。Y。，atwhichaformal"DeclarationofPrinciples"wassetforth。Fromtimeseventhandeighthparagraphs，underprinciple20，wequotethefollowing：——"Seventh，Tostimulatethemindtothelargestinvestigation……thatwemaybequalifiedtojudgeforourselveswhatisrightandtrue：Eighth，Todeliverfromallbondagetoauthoritywhethervestedincreed，bookorchurch，exceptthatofreceivedtruth。"Thisisthesameprincipleofman’sresponsibilitytonoonebuthimself，authoritativelyadopted。Whatapicturehavewenowbeforeus！Destroyman’sbeliefin，andreverencefor，GodandChrist，astheydo;leadhimtoridiculetheatonement，theonlyremedyforsin;makehimdisbelievetheBible;takeawayfromhismindalldistinctionbetweenrightandwrong，andassurehimthatheisaccountabletonoonebuthimself;andhowbettercouldonepreparethewaytoturnmenintodemons。Allthisthespirits，bytheirteaching，seektodo。Andcananyonefailtoforeseetheresult？
　　ComparativelyasmallproportionoftheinhabitantsofthiscountryPage103havecommittedthemselvestotheseviews;consequentlybutlittleofthelegitimatefruitasyetappears;buttakehumannatureasitisandsupposealltheinhabitantsofthislandtoactontheseprinciples，andthenwhatwouldwehave？——Apandemonium，asceneofanarchy，riot，bloodshed，andalldepthsofrottennessandcorruption——inshort，aworldwherenoplaceandnohumanbeingwouldbesafe。
　　Thatthisstatementisnonetoostrong，willappearaswelookamomentatsomeoftheresultswhichhavealreadydevelopedthemselvesamongthefriendsofsuchviews，andastheirinevitablefruit。Thetendencycanbynopossibilitybeotherwisethantoatheismamidallimmorality。Ashasbeenalreadyremarked，therepulsivefeaturesweremademuchmoreprominentintheearlystagesofSpiritualismthanatthepresenttime。Theyarenowheldinthebackground。Theliteraturetouchingthesepointshasbeenremodeled，andanairofrespectabilityandreligionassumed。Mostofthequotationsthereforedatesomeyearsback，andwouldbecharitablywithheldwerethereanyevidenceofreformeitherpresentorprospective。Butwhereorwhenhavetheseprincipleseverbeenofficiallyrepudiated，andevidencegiventhattheconsequentpracticeshadbeenabandoned？ThattherearemanySpiritualistsofuprightandmorallives，andhonorablemembersofsociety，inthebestsenseofthatterm，wegladlybelieve;butisnotthisbecausetheyarelivingabovePage104theirprinciples;anddue，nottotheinfluence，butrathertothenon-influenceofrealSpiritualismupontheirlives？ThequotationsgivenarefromthosewhohavebeenprominentamongSpiritualistsasauthorsandspeakers。Iftheyoverdrawthepicture，theresponsibilityiswiththem。Dr。B。P。Randolph，authorofawork"DealingswiththeDead，"waseightyearsamedium，thenrenouncedSpiritualismlongenoughtoexposeitscharacter，thenreturnedtoitagain，unabletobreakentirelyawayfromthespellithasfasteneduponhim。Hegiveshisopinionofitinthefollowingscathingwords：——"Ienterthearenaasthechampionofcommonsense，againstwhatinmysoulIbelievetobethemosttremendousenemyofGod，morals，andreligion，thateverfoundfootholdontheearth——themostseductive，hencethemostdangerous，formofsensualismthatevercursedanation，age，orpeople。Iwasamediumabouteightyears。duringwhichtimeImadethreethousandspeechesandtraveledoverseveraldifferentcountries，proclaimingitsnewgospel。Inowregretthatsomuchexcellentbreathwaswasted，andthatmyhealthofmindandbodywaswellnighruined。I
　　haveonlybeguntoregainbothsinceItotallyabandonedit，andto-dayhadratherseethecholerainmyhouse，thanbeaspiritualmedium。
　　"Asatrancespeaker，Ibecamewidelyknown;andnowaverthatduringthe’entireeightyearsofmymediumship，IfirmlyandsacredlyconfessthatIhadnotthecontrolofmyownmind，asInowhave，onetwentiethofthetime;andbeforemanandhighheavenImostsolemnlydeclarethatIdonotnowbelievethatduringthewholeeightyears。Iwassaneforthirty-sixconsecutivehours，inconsequenceofthetranceandthesusceptibilitythereto。
　　"ForsevenyearsIhelddailyintercoursewithwhatpurportedtobemymother’sspirit。Iamnowfullypersuadedthatitwasnothingbutanevilspirit，aninfernaldemon，Page105who，inthatguise，gainedmysoul’sconfidence，andledmetotheverybrinkofruin。WereadinScriptureofdemoniacpossession，aswellasabnormalspiritualaction。Bothfactsexist，provableto-day;
　　Iampositivetheformerdoes。A。J。DavisandhiscliqueofHarmonialistssaytherearenoevilspirits。Iemphaticallydenythestatement。Fiveofmyfriendsdestroyedthemselves，andIattemptedit，bydirectspiritualinfluences。Everycrimeinthecalendarhasbeencommittedbymortalmoversofviewlessbeings。Adultery，fornication，suicides，desertions，unjustdivorces，prostitution，abortion，insanity，arenotevils，Isuppose。I
　　chargeallthesetothisscientificSpiritualism。Ithasalsobrokenupfamilies，squanderedfortunes，temptedanddestroyedtheweak。Ithasbanishedpeacefromhappyfamilies，separatedhusbandsandwives，andshatteredtheintellectofthousands。"ThefollowingisanextractfromthewritingsofJ。F。Whitney，editoroftheNewYorkPathfinder。HisviewofthesubjectaccordswiththatofDr。Randolph：——"Now，afteralongandconstantwatchfulness，seeingformonthsandforyearsitsprogressanditspracticalworkingsuponitsdevotees，itsbelievers，anditsmediumswearecompelledtospeakourhonestconviction，whichis，thatthemanifestationscomingthroughtheacknowledgedmediums，whoaredesignatedasrapping，tipping，writing，andentrancedmediums，haveabanefulinfluenceuponbelievers，andcreatediscordandconfusion;
　　thatthegeneralityoftheseteachingsinculcatefalseideas，approveofselfishindividualacts，andendorsetheoriesandprinciples，which，whencarriedout，debaseandmakemenlittlebetterthanthebrute。TheseareamongthefruitsofModernSpiritualism，andwedonothesitatetosaythatwebelieveifthesemanifestationsarecontinuedtobereceived，andtobeaslittleunderstoodastheyare，andhavebeensincetheymadetheirappearanceatRochester，andmortalsaretobedeceivedbytheirfalse，fascinating，andsnakelikecharmingpowers，whichgowiththem，thedaywillcomewhentheworldwillrequiretheappearanceofPage106anotherSaviourtoredeemtheworldfromitsdepartingfromChrist’swarnings……Seeing，aswehave，thegradualprogressitmakeswithitsbelievers，particularlyitsmediums，fromlivesofmoralitytothoseofsensualityandimmorality，graduallyandcautiouslyunderminingthefoundationofgoodprinciples，welookbackwithamazementtotheradicalchangewhichafewmonthswillbringaboutinindividuals;foritstendencyistoapproveandendorseeachindividualactandcharacter，howevergoodorbadtheseactsmaybe。
　　"Wedesiretosendforthourwarningvoice，andifourhumblepositionastheheadofapublicjournal，ourknownadvocacyofSpiritualism，ourexperience，andtheconspicuouspartwehaveplayedamongitsbelievers，thehonestyandthefearlessnesswithwhichwehavedefendedthesubject，willweighanythinginourfavor，wedesirethatouropinionsmaybereceived，andthosewhoaremovingpassivelydowntherushingrapidstodestructionshouldpause，ereitbetoolate，andsavethemselvesfromtheblastinginfluencewhichthosemanifestationsarecausing。"EveryonewhoknowsanythingaboutSpiritualismhasheardofCoraHatch，whotraveledextensively，andmanifestedherpowersasanextemporaneouslecturerbeforeastonishedmultitudes。Oneofherhusbands，Dr。Hatch，renouncedSpiritualism，andthefollowingisfromthetestimonyheboreconcerningit：——"Themostdamninginiquitiesareeverywhereperpetratedinspiritualcircles，averysmallpercentageofwhichevercomestopublicattention。Icarenotwhetheritbespiritualormundane，thefactsexist，andshoulddemandtheattentionandcondemnationofanintelligentcommunity……Theabrogationofmarriage，bigamy，accompaniedbyrobbery，theft，rape，areallchargeableuponSpiritualism。ImostsolemnlyaffirmthatIdonotbelievethattherehas，duringthelastfivehundredyears，arisenanypeoplewhoareguiltyofsogreatavarietyofcrimesandindecenciesastheSpiritualistsofAmerica。Page107"ForalongtimeIwasswallowedupinitswhirlpoolofexcitement，andcomparativelypaidbutlittleattentiontoitsevils，believingthatmuchgoodmightresultfromtheopeningoftheavenuesofSpiritualintercourse。
　　ButduringthepasteightmonthsIhavedevotedmyattentiontocriticalinvestigationofitsmoral，social，andreligiousbearing，andIstandappalledbeforetherevelationsofitsawfulanddamningrealities。"MuchtestimonyofthisnaturemightbegivenfromthosewhohavehadsimilarexperiencesandequallyfavorablefacilitiesforjudgingofthecharacterofSpiritualism。Wepresentonlyafewextractsmore。
　　Dr。Wm。B。PotterofNewYork，inanarticleundertheheadof"AstoundingFacts，"andalsoinatractentitled，"SpiritualismasItIs，"givestheresultofhisexperienceandobservations。Histestimonyisthemorevaluable，sincehewritesnotfromthestandpointofonewhohasrenouncedSpiritualism，whosefeelingsmayforthetimebeoverwrought，andhislanguagestrongerthanwouldbeusedincalmermoments。Whenhewrote，hewasstillanadvocateofSpiritualism，andspokeasafriendwhowould，ifpossible，induceSpiritualiststoreformtheirfaithandtheirmannerofliving。Hesays：——"FifteenyearsofcriticalstudyofSpiritualliterature，anextensiveacquaintancewiththeleadingSpiritualists，andapatient，systematic，andthoroughexaminationofthemanifestationsformanyyears，enableustospeakfromactualknowledge，definitelyandpositively，of’SpiritualismasItIs。’Spiritualliteratureisfullofthemostinsidiousandseductivedoctrines，calculatedtounderminetheveryfoundationsofmoralityandvirtue，andleadtothemostunbridledlicentiousness。Page108"Wearetoldthat’wemusthavecharity，’thatitiswrongtoblameanyone，thatwemustnotexposeiniquity，asitwillhardentheguilty，’that’noneshouldbepunished，’that’manisamachine，andnottoblameforhisconduct，’that’thereisnohigh，nolow，nogood，nobad，’that’sinisalesserdegreeofrighteousness，’that’nothingwecandocaninjurethesoulorretarditsprogress，’that’thosewhoacttheworstwillprogressthefastest，’that’lyingisright，slaveryisright，murderisright，adulteryisright，’that’whateveris，isright。’
　　"HardlycanyoufindaSpiritualistbook，paper，lecture，orcommunicationthatdoesnotcontainsomeoftheseperniciousdoctrines;indisguise，ifnotopenly。Hundredsoffamilieshavebeenbrokenup，andmanyaffectionatewivesdesertedby’affinity-seeking’husbands。Manyoncedevotedwiveshavebeenseduced，andlefttheirhusbandsandtender，helplesschildren，Infollowsome’higherattraction。’Manywell-disposedbutsimple-mindedgirlshavebeendeludedby’affinity’notions，andledoffby’affinityhunters，’tobedesertedinafewmonths，withblastedreputations，orledtodeedsstillmoredarkandcriminal，tohidetheirshame。"Thesamewriteralsomentionsafactwhichshowswheretheresponsibilityofallthisloosenessofmoralsbelongs。Hesays：——"AttheNationalSpiritualConventionatChicago，calledtoconsiderthequestionofanationalorganization，theonlyplanapprovedbythecommittee，especiallyprovidedthatnochargeshouldeverbeentertainedagainstanymember，andthatanyperson，withoutanyregardtohisorhermoralcharacter，mightbecomeamember。"Thefactthatnoplancouldfindapprovalwhichdidnotprovidethattheyshouldneverbeblamednorcalledtoaccountforanyoftheirdeeds，showsonwhatpointstheyfeltthemostanxious，andplainlyprovesthattheybelongtotheclassofwhichChristspoke，wholoveddarknessratherthanlight，Page109andwhowouldnotcometothelightlesttheirdeedsshouldbereproved。
　　John3：19-21。
　　Itisunpleasanttowadethroughpoolsoffilth，andwethereforesparethereaderquotationsfromthoseSpiritualistswhohavenotonlyavowedthemostrevoltingpracticesoffreelove，butopenlyadvocatedthesame，andendeavoredtoinduceotherstocomeoutlikewise，onthegroundthattheywereonlyhonestlyandpubliclyadmittingwhattheothersbelievedandpracticedinsecret。ForthesamereasonwepassbythenotoriousWoodhullandClaflin，andHullandJamiesonepisodes，inthisfield，which，intheillustrationandlanguageofanother，"burstuponthecountrylikearotteneggthreethousandmilesindiameter！"
　　Itmaybesaidthatthesethingareinthepastandthesituationhasnowgreatlychanged。Forthebenefitofthosewhothusflatterthemselvesweintroduceonemorequotation。Itisfrom"TheLawofPsychicPhenomena，"
　　byT。J。Hudson（A。C。McClurg&Co。，Chicago，1894）。Thelanguageiscandidandconciliatory，andtheauthorcannotbeaccusedofanyundueprejudiceonthequestionofwhichhespeaks。Onpage335，hesays：——"IdonotchargeSpiritualistsasaclasswithbeingadvocatesofthedoctrinesoffreelove。Onthecontrary，Iamawarethat，asaclass，theyholdthemarriagerelationinsacredregard。Icannotforget，however，thatbutafewyearsagosomeoftheirleadingadvocatesandmediumsproclaimedthedoctrineoffreeloveinallitshideousdeformityfromeveryplatformintheland。NordoIfailtorememberthatthebetterclassofSpiritualistseverywhererepudiatedthePage110doctrine，anddenounceditsadvocatesandexemplars。Neverthelessthemoralvirustookeffecthereandtherealloverthecountry，anditisdoingitsdeadlyworkinsecretinmanyanotherwisehappyhome。AndIchargealargeandconstantlygrowingclassofprofessionalmediumswithbeingtheleadingpropagandistsofthedoctrineoffreelove。Theyinfesteverycommunityintheland，anditiswellknowntoallmenandwomenwhoaredissatisfiedorunhappyintheirmarriagerelations，thattheycanalwaysfindsympathybyconsultingtheaveragemedium，andcan，moreover，findjustificationforillicitlovebyinvokingthespiritsofthedeadthroughsuchmediums。"Wehaveitalicizedthatpassageintheforegoingwhichshowsthatthedeadlyevilisstillworkinginsecret，andthatalargeandconstantlygrowingnumberofprofessionalsareaidingandabettingtheiniquity。
　　DANGERSOFMEDIUMSHIPAfewtestimonieswillshowthatwhenonegiveshimselforherselfuptothecontrolofthespirits，suchonestakeamostperilousposition。Thespiritsinsistontheirvictimsbecomingpassive，ceasingtoresist，andyieldingtheirwholewillstothem。Someoftheirpersuasivewordsarethese："Comeinconfidencetous;""Letourteachingsdeeplyimpressyou;"
　　"Youmustnotdoubtwhatwesay;""Learnofus;""Obeyourdirectionsandyouwillbebenefited;""Seektoobtainknowledgeofus;""Havefaithinus;""Fearnottoobey;""Obeyusandyouwillbegreatlyblessed;"etc。，etc。Mesmeristsoperateinthesameway。TheygaincontroloftheirsubjectsinthesamewaythatthespiritsmesmerizetheirmediumsandwhenunderPage111theircontrol，thespiritscausethemtoseewhatevertheybringbeforethem，andhearaccordingtotheirwills，anddoastheybid。Andthethingstheysupposetheyseeandhear，andwhattheyaretodo，areonlysuchthingsasexistinthemindofthemesmerizingpower。Thesubjectiscompletelyatthemercyoftheinvisibleagency;andtoputone’sselfthereisamostheaven-daringandhazardousact。Mr。Hudson（"LawofPsychicPhenomena，"
　　p。336）says：——"Totheyoungwhosecharactersarenotformed，andtothosewhosenotionsofmoralityareloose，thedangersofmediumshipareappalling。"Tofurthergaintheconfidenceofmortals，thespiritsclaimtobetheoneswhoanswertheirprayers。lit"AutomaticWriting，"p。142，wehavethis：——"Ques。——Willourfriendstelluswhetherfromtheirpointofview，thereisanyrealefficacyinprayer？
　　"Ans。[byspirits]。——Shallnot’asoul’ssinceredesire’arouseilldiscarnateandfreespiritsefforttomakethatsinceredesireareality？
　　Whatgoodcancomefromaspirationsonmortalplanes，savethroughtheeffortstomakethoseaspirationsrealizedonspiritualplanes，bythewilloffreedspirits？"Mediumsareunabletoresistthepowersoftheunseenworldwhenonceundertheircontrol。ProfessorBrittan（"TelegraphicAnswertoMahan，"p。10），concerningmediumship，says：——"Wemayfurtheraddinthisconnectionthatthetrancemediumsforspiritintercourseareequallyirresponsible。Manyofthemaretotallyunabletoresistthepowerswhichcometothemfromtheinvisibleandunknownrealms。"Page112Dr。Randolph（"DealingswiththeDead，"p。150）showsthedangersofmediumship，asfollows：——"Isawthatone，greatcauseofthemoralloosenessofthousandsofsensitive-nervedpeopleonearth，resultedfromtheinfernalpossessionsandobsessionsoftheirpersonsbydelegationsfromthoserealmsofdarknessand（toallbutthemselves）unmitigatedhorror。Asensitivemanorwoman——nomatterhowvirtuouslyinclined——may，unlessbyconstantprayerandwatchfulnesstheypreventitandkeepthewillactiveandthesphereentire，beledintothemostabominablepracticesandhabits。"Thissamewriter，inthesamework，pp。108，109，says：——"Thoseill-meaningoneswholivejustbeyondthethreshold，oftenobtaintheirendsbysubtlyinfusingasemi-senseofvolitionalpowerintothemindsoftheirintendedvictims，sothatatlasttheycometobelievethemselvestobeself-acting，wheninfacttheyarethemerestshuttlecocksbandiedaboutbetweenthebattledoresofknavishdevilsononeside，anddevilishknavesupontheother，andbetweenthetwothepoorfallenwretchesarenearlyheart-reftanddestroyed。"AworkbyA。J。Daviscalled"TheDiakka，andtheirEarthlyVictims，"mentionsthenatureofthesedenizensofthespiritworld，andtheirwonderfullocation。
　　Thecountry（tospeakafterthemannerofmen）whichtheyinhabit，issolargethatitwouldrequirenotlessthan1，803，026diametersoftheearthtospanitslongitudinalextent。ThishehadfromaspirithecallsJamesVictorWilson，aprofoundmathematician！Thisspaceisoccupiedbyspiritswhohavepassedfromearth，whoare"morallydeficient"andaffectionallyunclean。"——Page113Page7。Thesamespirit，Wilson，describesthediakkaasthose"whotakeinsanedelightinplayingparts，injugglingtricks，inpersonatingoppositecharacterstowhomprayersandprofaneutterancesareofequi-value;
　　surchargedwithapassionforlyricalnarrations;onewhoseeveryattitudeisinstinctwiththeschemesofspeciousreasoning，sophistry，pride，pleasure，wit，subtleconvivialities;aboundlessdisbeliever，onewhothinksthatallprivatelifewillendintheall-consumingself-loveofGod。"——Page13。Onpage13hesaysfurtherofthem，thattheyare"neverresting，neversatisfiedwithlife，oftenamusingthemselveswithjuggleryandtrickywitticisms，invariablyvictimizingothers;secretlytormentingmediums，causingthemtoexaggerateinspeech，andtofalsifyinacts;unlockingandunboltingthestreetdoorsofyourbosomandmemory;pointingyourfeetintowrongpaths，andfarmore。"
　　Whatthis"farmore"is，wearelefttoconjecture。Theadvertisementofthisbooksaysthatitis"anexplanationofmuchthatisfalseandrepulsiveinSpiritualism。"W。F。Jamieson，inaSpiritualistpaper，calledthesediakka"atroopofdevils，"andquotedJudgeCarterassaying："Thereisonethingclear，thatthesediakka，orfantasticormixedspirits，areverynumerousandabundant，andtakeanyandeveryopportunityofobtrudingthemselves。"
　　HudsonTuttle，authorof"LifeinTwoSpheres"andotherSpiritualisticworks，speaksof"acommunication，throughanotedmedium，toGeraldPage114Masseyfromhis’dogPip，’thesaidPip’lickingtheslateandwritingwithagooddegreeofintelligence。’"Headds，"Mr。Daviswouldsaythat’Pip’wasa’diakka，’andto-morrowhewillcommunicateasGeorgeWashington。
　　TheodoreParker，orBalaam’sass。Thisdiakkaisflesh，fish，orfowl，asyoumaydesire。"
　　Someideaofhowthespiritssometimestormentthemediums，ashintedatabove，maybegainedfromthefollowinginstance。In"AstoundingFactsfromtheSpiritWorld，"pp。253，254，Dr。Gridleydescribesthecaseofamediumsixtyyearsofage，livingnearhiminSouthampton，Mass。Thesufferingsinflicteduponhim"intwomonthsatthehandsofevilspiritswouldfillavolumeoffivehundredpages。"Ofthesesufferings，thefollowingarespecimens：——"Theyforbadehiseating，totheverypointofstarvation。
　　Hewasaperfectskeleton;theycompelledhimtowalkdayandnight，withintermissions，tobesure，astheiravowedobjectwastotormenthimasmuchandaslongaspossible。Theysworebyeverythingsacredandprofane，thattheywouldknockhisbrainsout，alwaysaccompanyingtheirthreatswithblowsontheforeheadortemples，likethatofamalletinthehandsofapowerfulman，withthisdifference，however;thelatterwouldhavemadehimunconscious，whileinfullconsciousnesshenowenduredtheindescribableagonyofthoseheavyandoft-repeatedblows;theydeclaredtheywouldskinhimalive;thathemustgotoNewYorkandbedissectedbyinches，allofwhichhefullybelieved。Theydeclaredthattheywouldboreholesintohisbrain，whenheinstantlyfelttheactionsuitedtotheword，asthoughadozenaugerswerebeingturnedatonceintohisveryskull;thisdone，theywouldfillhisbrainwithbugsandwormstoeatitout，whentheirgnawingwouldinstantlycommence……Page115Thesespiritswouldpinchandpoundhim，twitchhimupandthrowhimdown，yellandblaspheme，andusethemostobscenelanguagethatmortalscanconceive;theywoulddeclarethattheywereChristinonebreath，anddevilsinthenext;theywouldtiehimheadtofootforalongtimetogetherinamostexcruciatingposture;declaretheywouldwringhisneckoffbecausehedoubtedorrefusedobedience。"Whocandoubtthatsuchspiritsaretheangelsoftheevilonehimself？
　　Dr。Gridleyinthesamework，p。19，givestheexperienceofanothermedium，forthetruthfulnessofwhichheoffersthefullestproof：——"WehaveseenthemediumevidentlypossessedbyIrishmenandDutchmenofthelowestgrade——heardhimrepeatJoshua’sdrunkenprayers[Joshuawasastrongbutbrutishmanhehadknowninlife]，exactlyliketheoriginal，——imitatehisdrunkennessinwordanddeed——trytorepeat，orratheractoverhismostbrutaldeeds（fromwhichfordecency’ssake，hewasinstantlyrestrainedbyextraordinaryexertionandsevererebuke）
　　——snapandgratehisteethmostfuriously，strikeandswear，whilehiseyesflashedlikethefiresofanorthodoxperdition。Wehaveheardhimhiss，andseenhimwrithehisbodyliketheserpentwhencrawling，anddartouthistongue，andplayitexactlylikethatreptile。Theseexhibitionswereintermingledwiththemostwranglingandhorribleconvulsions。"Thesedescriptions，itwouldseem，oughttobeenoughtostriketerrortoanyheartatthethoughtofbeingamedium。Butthereisyetanotherphaseofthesubjectthatshouldnotbepassedby。ThesefallenspiritswhoareengineeringtheworkofSpiritualism，tomaintaintheir"assumedcharacters，"and"playtheirparts"liketheaforesaiddiakka，representthatdisembodiedspirits"justoverthethreshold，"stillretainthecharacteristicstheyboreinlife，suchPage116asadispositiontosensualityandlicentiousness，loveofrum，tobacco，andothervices，andthattheycan，bycausingthemediumtoplungeexcessivelyintothesethings，therebystillgratifytheirownpropensitiestoindulgeinthem。ThefollowingsketchbyHudsonTuttle，averypopularauthoramongSpiritiualists，issomewhatlengthy，buttheideacouldnotbetterbepresentedthanbygivingitentire。In"LifeinTwoSpheres，"pp。35-37，hesays：——"Reader，haveyoueverenteredtherespectablesaloon？Haveyoueverwatchedthestupidstareoftheinebriatewhentheeyegrewlessandlesslustrous，slowlyclosing，themusclesrelaxing，andthevictimofappetitesinkingoveronthefloorinbeastlydrunkenness？Oh，howdensethefumesofmingledtobaccoandalcohol！Oh，whatmiseryconfinedinthosewalls！Ifyouhavewitnessedsuchscenes，thenweneeddescribenofurther。