SPIRITUALISM.

Evening Star, Issue 3094, 18 January 1873, Page 3

SPIRITUALISM.

To the Editor, f 1R> _ I trust that the Presbyterian Synod, which’ is now holding its sittings will not disperse without appointing one of its mem hers to look after Mr Peebles who, according to public notice, will be here next week. The ghost-huuling fraternity here is expecting great things from him, and one of them had the audacity to tell me, but yesterday, that not one of our respected Presbyterian clergymen either could or dare meet him.in public debate, because he is a scholar, a man of letters, and be ng one of themselves for nearly thirty years, is up to all their dodge , and, therefore, fu ly competent to expo e the old fossilised humbug by which they live, but which they are afraid to defend.” I replied “that such a statement w r as false, that they are not afraid of public debate, but that they do not believe public discussions tend to the advancement of truth.” 'Io this he rejoined “that such was not the opinion pf Dusu, of Luther, of Calvin, of Knox, and other early reformers who were, only too glad to meet the enemy on a public platfoim whenever au oppor unity occurred. |Jid they not advance the truth? “ Ihe fact is, he continued, “they are at least doubtful about the matter themselves, and do not wish to disturb it, but to get a quiet liying by it as long as they can.” “That,” I replied, ‘ is a base, ungenerous assertion, that whether right or wrong they believe that they, as good shepherds, are doing their duty best when carefully looking after their flocks and providing them with the bread of life the pure Gospel of Christ.” “Of course,” he answered, “ that is part of their duty, but is it not also their duty to drive away the wolf when he approaches the flock?” “Certainly,” I answered, “ and no doubt some of our clergymen will be both ready and willing to drive away this long-bearded mericau wolf when he makes his appearance.” He laughed, and said, “ We’ll See, but I don’t believe it.” Now, Mr Editor, I hope that in my last answer I may not have spoken too fast. My feelings, 1 admit, were rather touched, and perhaps “the wish was father to th>‘ thought.” Were this only a single case I would not pay any attention to it, but it is the language of too many—men who but a little while ago would believe nothing regarding the supermundane, who are now p’-epared to beJi ev P Ml the ghost stories which can be invented by cunning knaves, fl,ud profess to have a firm faith in all the witch wonders, related to them by their grandmothers. —I am, &c., George HitNier. Dunedin, IGfch January.