of God as they are about the being of the Devil.
Duty to God is with them out of the question; for those
who do not pray, especially in private,-
and I never
saw a devil-denier who did,-have no religion of any
kind, except the form, whatever pretentions they may
choose to make.”
If it be asked how Spiritism could do injury to
those who consider its claims to be deceptions and
frauds and its votaries to be dupes, we answer that a
large majority of its votaries are those who at one time
thoroughly and heartily denied its claim and consid-
ered them impositions. Those who most thoroughly
disbelieve in Spiritism are often the most ready to test
its professed claims; and when convinced that many of
its claims are genuine and many of its manifestations
supernatural, these former disbelievers are more liable
to become its devotees: whereas, if they had known
just what Spiritism fs, and how and by what power it
operates, they would be on guard, and their judgment
would have a support and guidance which it otherwise
lacks. It is the lack of the true knowledge of Spiritism (imparted through the Scriptures and confirmed
by indisputable evidences from outside the Scriptures)
which causes m many to fall a prey to this delusion.
True, there are frauds committed in the name of Spiritism; but these are chiefly in connection with attempted “materializations.”
That Spiritists have done and
can do, through some power or agency, many wonderful works beyond the power of man, has been abundantly proved in a variety of cases-some of them before scientific men, total unbelievers. Tambourines
have been played while in the air beyond the reach of
human hand
and suspended by some invisible power;
chairs have been lifted into the air while people were