SPIRITUALIST CHURCH

Evening Star, Issue 22449, 21 September 1936, Page 1

SPIRITUALIST CHURCH

Mr Reuben A. Webb, whose visit to Dunedin terminates with next Sunday’s service, was again the speaker at the National Spiritualist Church last evening, the subject of his trance address being ‘ Glorious Atonement.’ The control at the outset urged his hearers not to waste time in lamenting the “ what might have been,” but to use whatever talents God had endowed them with to the utmost of their ability ; in that way came joy and happiness. Referring to the subject of Atonement, the control remarked that teachings had in the past been given in various ways, sometimes helpful, sometimes not so helpful towards the unfolding of tho independent, strong and progressive powers of mankind. But that night another message would be delivered, but delivered with no suggestion that the teachings of other churches were wrong. It must be admitted, however, that the clergy of those otheHfchurches had already begun to traverse tho way of unfoldment and progress, and that their teaching would become more and more progressive. It was the desire of those who spoke from the spirit world that no bne on the earth plane should believe without thought or without question.. A teaching was presented, but this should be considered deeply, with every faculty of the being and with spiritual inspiration. “ Cogitate, meditate, and as pirc,” said the control; “the day for implicit obediance—that is to say, for blind faith—has gone by.” Atonement in its original meaning, ho continued, was indeed a sacrifice for someone’s upliftrnent, someone’s salvation, or someone’s benefit. But atonement for spiritualists was based upon repentance, on a realisation of the need for repentance when the realisation of one’s mistakes, and probably of one’s sins of omission and commission had come. Failing atonement on earth, it had to be worked out in the spirit world. Those who had been vested with power and authority on the earth plane and who had abused that authority by causing others bodily and mental pain, or who repressed the spiritual growth of others, were compelled, when - they reached the spirit world, to atone; first of all by utter agony of mind, and afterwards by rendering service in order to redeem what .they bad done by giving the opposite—humility, kindliness, sympathy, understanding. Ultimately, if repentance wore sincere, this service became no longer a task but a sheer joy. But this_ atonement, this repentance and transition to a life of service and joy was possible while one was still on the earth plane. Out of repentance prayer, and earnest endeavour would arise a wonderful power of appreciation of true brotherhood and sisterhood. That was tho real process of atonement, the real glory of it; out of that which seemed to be a penance calling for agony of spirit, arose a glorious aporeeiation of the joy of service. But until that service became a heavenly task ,until there had come a sense of equality with mankind and with God, atonement was incomplete. The world had reached a stage when mankind sadly needed brotherhood, and it was for those who recognised this to work for the attainment, even by blood and fears, of that at-ono-nfent which would bring peace and understanding among nations. The true social life and the progressive spiritual life could not he separated ; they were bound together bv strong ties of divine origin, and the" living of such a life would bring about that brotherhood which alone was the solution of all the troubles and strife from which the earth was suffering to-day. Mrs Elizabeth-Webb delivered a Slumber of clairvoyant messages to members of He audience.