AN UNCERTAIN FAITH.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19157, 14 November 1927, Page 10

AN UNCERTAIN FAITH.

THE CULT OF SPIRITUALISM

"I bedieve it is because so many Christians have lost the truth of the community of, the redeemed that there is so much of the needless groping after ghosts, which is called Spiritualism," said the Rev. W. Bower-Black, speaking at St. Paul's Presbyterian Church last evening. Mr Black said there seemed at present to be a desire amongst many people to dwell longer on thoughts qf that obscure subject. The New Testament led all to believe that their loved ones were not dead, but had passed through the portals of death to N yivid life, retaining their own individuality and recollection, but with Christ. There was no shadow of doubt that only at the risk of grave peril could the average person practise spiritualism, yet it would be futile to regard it as the work of the Evil One. Spiritualism - meant that at least men were no longer indifferent to the new life after death, but were asking if there was anything further. The old unconcern was gone, and men wanted to know whether they would live again. "Because they have no faith to hold on to," the speaker said, "many are- turning to fancy faiths and mediums in darkened rooms, seekui£ an assurance that only lore of God can give them." In spite of the prestige ient to it by distinguished names, Spiritualism had not advanced, had given the world no proof that it had not bad before. It was such a curious collection of evidence the Spiritualists produced that if it was true, the Other Side lost much of its attractiveness. It was disappointing to learn that loved ones who had _ gone were so commonplace and so frivolous. They seemed, according to Spiritualism, to.carry over tailored costumes and suits, but to Jose their intelligence. "Nothing will make me believe," he said, "that our loved ones are at the call of any medium to move furniture about. ■ The God I worship has _ too much to do to indulge in table-rappings and groanings in darkened rooms. At most, spiritualistic messages are tedious truisms, trivialities, flippancies, and worse. At best. Spiritualism is unsat- ■ isfying, uncertain, and unsafe." ,