SPIRITUALISM.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1537, 27 July 1886, Page 2

SPIRITUALISM.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — In your issue of the 20th Inst, there ii a report of a sermon delivered on Sunday last by the Rev. Mr Hamilton on the above subject. He says “ all things in the natural world are born, produced, or created, called into being by the creative fiat of God.” Does the rey. gentleman mean to say that that does not apply to the other world as well at to this ? fie then says, “ The popular misconception as regards spiritualism is that the phenomena produced are supernatural, and that, therefore, they are on the same basis as the miracles of Christ which authenticate the Christaiu revelation.” That may be the Ghrist|an misconception, bpl spiritualists do pot beheye sqythipg of the sort. They think that n»tqrs ? s laws are God’s laws, and no matter what happens contrary to our experience must come under some of God’s lavra—- •< Nature comprehends all possibilities.”

The rev, gentleman says that the miracles of Christ prove Hi« Divinity, and that no other person could do them, but Christ Himself contradicts that, for in John xiv, 12, He says, “ Greater works than theae shall ye do, because I go to the Father.” Now, I would like to know how Mr Hamilton is going to prove his mission as a follower of Christ, as, with . soma, bright exceptions in the Roman Catholic Church, I find no record of the signs that were to follow those that believe ? Mr Hamilton then says “ spiritualism produces nothing bat moral ruin.” I challenge him to prove this boaeless assertion. Does the rev. gentleman know that there are about 25,000,000 spiritualists scattered all over the earth ? and that spiritualism has brought comfort and happiness to hundreds of thousands that could not get sufficient proof of a hereafter from any other source? As the rev. gentleman acknowledges that there are both ,s»ood and evil spirits, I do not see how he comes to the conclusion that the teachings are all bad. We have had throe Ministers speak on the subject; the first said the manifestations were of too trivial ■ nature to be the work of spirits; the second said he has seen the manifestations, bat they are produced by evil spirits ; and the third that tbera are both good and evil spirits. 1 think I may safely leave them to settle the difference between tbemselvss. I do not care about taking up too much of your space, or I would give you a condensed summary of the teaching of the spirits, but if any of the rev. gentlemen ask for it, with yonr permission, I will gladly give it. Thanking yon for yonr kindness in allowing me the space yon have done, 1 am, etc., Andbbw Gibson. Burnside, Temuka, July 24tb, 1886.