THE REV. J.M. PEEBLES, “THE SEER OF THE AGE.”

Evening Star, Issue 3103, 29 January 1873, Page 3

THE REV. J.M. PEEBLES, “THE SEER OF THE AGE.”

According to announcement the Rev. J. M. Peebles, the well known Spiritualist, delivered the first of a series of lectures on spiritualism in the lower hall of the Athemenm last evening. The Hall was well filled, and the chair was occupied by Mr Bedmayne, the President of the local society of Progressive Spiritualists.

The Chairman, in opening the proceedings, said be hud the pleasure of introducing two gentlemen, whose names had become as household words in America, England, and Australia. Mr Peebles had been originally educated for the Church ; but, by force of study, and acquired knowledge, he was led to abandon the ministry and become a teacher of spiritualism. In company with his friend, Dr Dunn, he was now making a journey of the world, gathering matter for a historical work which he was now writing, while Dr Dunn was devo ing his attention to acquiring additional scientific knowledge, which lie intended giving to the world on his return to America. They had visited Europe and Australia, and were now, by invitation, on a visit to Dunedin. It had been said in Victor.a that he and Dr Dunn were in partnership in any proceeds that might accrue from their mission, but such was not the case. Dr Dunn was a clever clairvoyant, and had the power of healing, and no doubt would exercise that power while in Dunedin. They had been persecuted in Victoria, but before they left that Colony they made many sincere friends, who testified their appreciation of them before they left, and he hoped that they would be well received here. Dr Dunn then read a poom by Miss L, Dalton.

The Rev. J. M. Peebles then said that it was with some degree of embarrassment he came before them in the capacity of a lecturer on the phenomena and philosophy of spiritualistic manifestations, and though he came from an English speaking people be felt himself somewhat a stranger. He hoped that the people would listen to wl*at he had to say, and though some of them nfigfit differ from him in opinion, he trusted they would give him credit for being in earnest. In Melbourne he had been abused, but finally ho triumphed. The charges made against him were unjust, but stdl they were not unexpected. He was called an adventurer, a trickster, and a blasphemer of truth, but he had comfort in the words, “Blessed are ye when men shall pers cute you and revile yon and alter all he and his friend could say, “After the manner which they call heresy so worship we the Father.” It was arranged at Melbourne that he and Dr Dunn should visit Dunedin. Dr Dunn was an independent clarvoyant, was largely gifted with the power of healing, and was eloquent as a speaker. They went forth from their home, as did the Apostles of old, to benefit mankind as far as they could. He had to speak of the origin dissemination of the principles the spiritual philosophy. Philosophically speaking, there was nothing new under the sun. With regard to things in this earth, the term creation was simply a synonym for causation. Truth was as old as eternity, but the various conceptions of it sometimes appeared new to us. Man \yaj a rational being whose feelings, sympathies, and intellect weyo, when rightly directed, always in search of truth. He then alluded to ‘'Zoroaster’s address to the King of Persia, to the habits of Plato, and Socrates with his spirit-demon companion, arguing that one and ;iU wove constantly in Search of light asd truth, leading up to a knowledge of God and the other lit e, and by the medium of spiritual communication. Even in the case of Jesus, during the transfiguration on the Mount, when he held converse with Moses and Elias in the nrcsence of Peter, James, and John, what was it but an illustration of the power to bold converse with the spirit world ? According to Eusebius and Morshiem, this power and the power of healing remained with the Primitive Church during the first three centuries. In the times of Plato and Tasso they also existed. History told them that on the night before Louis the Sixteenth was to have been executed, he had a vision which enabled that great scion of the house of Bourbon to anticipate what is called death, fearlessly knowing that he had been informed by an angel of the happy future that awaited him. Joan d’Arc had spiritual visions ; also George Fox and the celebrated Ann Lee. John Wesley had yiaiuna and spiritual voices were beard in his house. HufinbQtham had communication with the spirit-world, and Swedenborg, in a vision, prophesied eighty years after, that spiritual light would spread over the civilised world. Just eighty years after that, the wonderful manifestations at Rochester were experienced. In 1856, William Black, at New York, though apparently dead aud awaiting burial, became sensible, and prophesied that, fourteen years after, books would be published disseminating spiritualistic-kuowle'jgp the earth. That had been Ho then referred tq tpe experience of' Andrew Japkeoa, clairvoyant, who heard spiritual sounds, arid established open communion between both worlds ; also to Arkwright and Npwton, showing that, in the providence of God 4 thuaction and experience of thesemeuled to the establishment of those principles which, though not new, were gaining influence over the minds of men. When these principles were first propounded in America the clergy were strongly opposed to them. Spirit rapping and spirit communion were looked upon as the device of the devil; and when spoken of, the priests of Israel’s God wagged their heads and pronounced the whole thing humbug. He was among these, out after enquiry found there was something in it, _ Twenty-four year’s experience had proved to him the truth of thp spiritual philosophy. It was satisfactory to know that there were millions, who knew that there wai flo death, who belie red that death, 50 called, was only birth into another- and higher state of existence. Judge Edmunds stated that there are 11,000,006 spiritualise in America. Ho founds this fact on the testimony of the Roman Catholic Bishops and others, Robert Dale Owen aaierts that there are now over 5,000 per.ous engaged, in spreading spiritualistic literature over the world, America, England, France, Italy, Spain, Hungary, Australia, and other countries, had now publications devoted to this work. It was not his province now to produce more than a narrative of facts. Dining future lectures ho would present proofs gathered during twenty years’ research. He Sad travelled through America Europe, and

Asia, examining and searching for truth, and he was now convinced that the heavens had opened, and that the angels were ascending and descending to earth, conveying to believers life and knowledge. Without this medium what means had we of demonstrating or producing proofs of the life boyond the grave ? None. If we turned to the burning sun, we found it lifeless ; or to the blazing, burning stars, we fotmd them cold. We turn away, and cry, “Oh, sainted mother, tell me of the life beyond the grave !” and, lutelike, we hear her voice in our spiritual ear. St. Paul says there is a natural body and a spiritual body, and it is unto the spiritual ear that sweet communication from the other spheres are poured. This body to us is nothing ; the head is but the topmost storey, the eyes are but the windows, while the hair was only the shingles. (Laughter.) In short, the body is only the instrument of the spirit, which is all-powerful. When ripe, the spirit cast off the body, and became refined, etherialized substance, capable of passing through stone walls, as light through glass. An old writer said, “ The dust would return to the earth from whence it came, and the spirit to God who gave it.” But where was that God? Heaven was not a place ; neither was bell. God was everywhere, and spirits, basking in his. presence, would pass thr ugh illimitable space. St. Paul was a crazy old Spiritualist, but he relied more on the exercise of faith, than works and knowledge. Carlyle, a rationalist, said that as knowledge increased faith decreased, and experience proved the truth of this verity. Christ himself said, “They who believe in me shall do the works that I do.” And what was believing in him?" Simply the believing in the great spiritual union and communion between God and men. Therefore, every true step gained here by love of God, practice of morals, and spiritual communion, was a step gained i i the march that will continue for ever and ever. The faithful had always guardian angels near them, from whom there were no secrets, but who were alwai s assisting and supporting those whose object and aim was right. He then referred to nis transition from the Calvanists, as a preacher, to the Uuiversalists, and then to the Spiritualists, remarking that, so long as he was able to grasp a single scientific fact, be would go on ransacking after truth, and concluded by pointing out that, by being kind to others, well-behaved and charitable, sincere and truthful, wc should obtain a reward here as well as hereafter.

Mr Bedmayne then announced that Mr Peebles would ledture in the Queen’s Theatre, on Minclay evening next, at 8 o’clock. Mr. J. G, S. Grant proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Peebles, and the proceedings terminated.