{ title: 'The olive branch. (Utica, N.Y.) 187?-18??, January 01, 1878, Page 20, Image 20', download_links: [ { link: 'http://www.loc.gov/rss/ndnp/ndnp.xml', label: 'application/rss+xml', meta: 'News about NYS Historic Newspapers - RSS Feed', }, { link: '/lccn/np00110003/1878-01-01/ed-1/seq-20/png/', label: 'image/png', meta: '', }, { link: '/lccn/np00110003/1878-01-01/ed-1/seq-20.pdf', label: 'application/pdf', meta: '', }, { link: '/lccn/np00110003/1878-01-01/ed-1/seq-20/ocr.xml', label: 'application/xml', meta: '', }, { link: '/lccn/np00110003/1878-01-01/ed-1/seq-20/ocr.txt', label: 'text/plain', meta: '', }, ] }
Image provided by: University of Rochester
20 ity, it was but the cloak assumed to cover up the cloven foot of priestly power and clerical despotism. Few look for the cause, but father urge the acceptance of a mere statement with out analvzation. This is spiritual wickedness in high places, denounced by Paul, and by every advanced spirit. Whatever is too sacred for examination, is worthless. If the accredited word of God is too sacred to be questioned, to be analyzed according to natural law, and the power of reason, it is of no benefit to mankind. If spiritual manifestations are of too sacred a na ture to be analyzed, they are worthless. When ever a lock is placed upon the door of reason, there is some cause for that faculty to be im prisoned. The wily priests saw what would be the effect, if the Bible were to be fully and fairly examined, and hence placed an impass able barrier to the presentation of ideas which should endeavor to harmonize the written word with other ideas. The path through life is of such a nature that only as you move on, can you perceive what lies before you. Therefore, keep the admoni tion of John ever before you. Then are you prepared to judge intelligently, and render judgment according to the evidence. D o l p h u s S k i n n e r . WIIA T IS RIGHT? There are many questions, many conflicting ideas arising in the minds of mortals upon as many different subjects, and it is not an easy task to decide instantaneously as to the truth or falsity of what is thus presented for con sideration. A wise judge of the law always requires time to render a decision, and particularly if the matter at issue is one of importance. It would be well for mankind if there were less haste, and more time was given to the analysis of whatever is presented, and which may call for the exercise of the judicial powers pos sessed by the individual. In matters of per sonal interest, each person has the right to enter judgment in accordance with the evi dence presented to them, after a careful scrutiny to discover whether personal preju dices, or opinions previously formed, can in any wav affect their decision. Every person has a right to judge of another, by evidence, not hearsay, but from personal knowledge. And were this, power exercised in the manner designed by Infinite wisdom, what a different condition in life you would have. That such is not the case, is plainly seen by the sorrowful expressions of countenance, and the sad hearts that throb and beat in silence. Whatever is right is just, whether expressed or not. Justice to a fellow being is justice to the Infinite Father; and whatever is unjust towards a human being, I care not what their position in life, is equally unjust towards Deity. The spiritual philosophy plainly demonstr ites that the soul life of man is a part of the Infi nite whole, and to wrong a person by word or deed is equivalent to the same act being per formed towards Deifio power. It is better in all cases to be over charitable than too harsh ov severe in judgment. Acts performed, words spoken, should be weighed before action is taken. Many a spirit now in spirit life has been sent there through the action of others in rendering judgment, and are they not murderers, according to the law of strict justice. It is true that those who were the objects of so great a wrong, were seized and thrust into prisons, and arraigned The Olive Bi'ancli. before earthly tribunals, but my mortal friends, let me tell you there is a tribunal from which you cannot escape. The law of compensation will give to each that exact justice which is the embodiment of God’s infinitude. There are many ways of evading justice in the material conditions of life, but the de cisions of Infinite law are final, and from them no appeal can be taken, nor any stay of pro ceedings granted. In view of these things, let me repeat those significant words uttered by our Elder Brother,—“ judge not, lest ye also be judged.” It is not a trifling matter to be a human being. There are weighty responsibilities at tached to each individual existence. The structure of man plainly indicates that he was brought into being for a purpose. But how few ask for what purpose they were formed. The most of men can give a detailed account of the object and purpose, in refer ence to their neighbors, but when an examina tion of their own natures is required, they fail to take into consideration the purpose of life in reference to self. When that im portant personage is under consideration, a lofty dignity is assumed, and the person often sails along in defiance of all law or justice, and frequently without the exercise of ordinary common sense. All conditions in life are affected to a greater or less degree by this element. It has become a frequent custom to form opinions pro or con in reference to certain manifestations thatare transpiring in the world of matter. There are causes for every mani festation, be they great or small. When the manifestation is of a spiritual nature, the cause belongs to spirit, and if disappointment attend the manifestation, those alone who see the causes, can account for it. If the manifesta tion be purely of a material character, mor tals by study can ascertain the cause which produces them, or why there is a lack of manifestations at a given time or place. In the excitement often attending demonstrations of power, always unseen, it has become a custom to jump at conclusions, whether right or wrong, and acting upon impulse, render judgment which is unjust to the individual, unjust to the person who renders the decision, and injustice to the All-father who pities the weakness and short-sightedness of mortals. The Christian world has for a quarter of a century been rendering judgment against that class of citizens known as Spiritualists, beaause they failed to comprehend what was to the Spiritualist a plain matter of fact, demonstra tions of spirit power. While professing a be lief in the immortality of the soul, when that belief is reduced to a positive reality, by dili gent study of certain laws inhering in the human form, they will not accept it. 1 he fact that the revelations came not through the priesthood, but like the birth of our Elder Brother, were of humble origin, was enough to arouse their opposition, and draw down the anathemas of the clergy and priesthood upon the heads of the devoted few. Spiritualists, who were so situated or conditioned by circum stances as to be in any manner dependent upon those who denied the possibility of spirit power, were in many cases made to feel the iron heel of despotism placed upon their necks, and held there until the victim either received succor from those of their own “ household of faith,” or were compelled to recant. Such has been the course adopted in this free land of America, and it is being practiced to day, causing a blush of shame to mantle many cheeks, even in spirit life. America is claimed to be the land of the free, where the right of speech was granted to 'every citizen, and religious liberty to all, making no distinction. So far as national en actments affect the individual, this is true, but when we look at Church organizations, and Yol iii.— No. 1 society, we find a fa r different state of affairs. We find in these so-called religious organiza tions the thumbscrew and lash; not those used in the inquisitions of Spain, but instruments of torture which are equally severe. The tongue when moved by the power of malice in the heart, is an instrument of torture the most severe. A word spoken by another, often penetrates deeper into the human soul, than the knife of the inquisition. And this power is especially brought to bear against the class known as mediums. And why should a specialty be made of this class ? Because, either fortunately, or unfortunately, they are the channels through which the knowledge of immortality is given. The Church power understand this, and to be known as a medium, is to bare your breast to the thrust of the dagger, and your head to the scalping knife, and give your cha'acter to be assailed, as though you were an outcast and a felon. Is this right ? Is it justice from man to his fellow man? What should give rise to such enmity and bitter hatred? A medium is a human being, and they are -flesh and blood, like other human beings. They have the sense of feeling equal with others, and have the same fights as others, at least. Wherever you find a medium, and I refer to those who are are truly such, you will find a sensitive plant. Were they not thus con ditioned, they would not be mediums to the extent to which they are used. Being more sensitive, they feel more keenly the lash of the tongue than those who are differently con ditioned. There is the same difference between the mind force of a medium and a person not possessed of that power, that there is between the crystalized, flinty rock, and the tender leaf of the violet. Therefore to secure good mani festations, you must guard and respect your mediums. » I am not speaking of any one sect or class of individuals. Spiritualists, as well as those we designate as Orthodox, require admonitions upon this subject. As I have remarked, me diums are human beings t hey are affected by their surroundings and conditions similar to others, and let me ask is there any person who is not at times affected by coming in con tact with persons who are not congenial ? Every person, at times, feels at war with themselves, and the most of mankind. What kind of spiritual manifestations could be pro duced through an organism thus out of tune? Mediums who have to contend with ex ternal conditions for the necessaries of life, are expected by some, to be ever.in tune; to be played upon, not only by the spirits, but by those in physical form, who deign to grant them audience! “ Consistency, thou art a jewel,” when prac ticed, but what wrongs are perpetrated in thy name! Reasonable doubts are just. Would you judge of manifestations; first study the channel through which they come. If that be pure, and the elements surrounding the medium be.pure, all manifestations will be of that na ture. They cannot be otherwise. It is a natural law that like will attract to it its kind. Much of the disappointment experienced by persons who visit mediums, can be accounted for on this basis, and upon no other. Be honest yourselves; practice honesty towards mediums, if you would receive honest mani festations. If you sow the wind you may reap the whirlwind; for often while the medium is censured, it is the condition of elements surrounding,and not the medium who is in fault. I respectfully ask all who are brought in contact with mediums, to read carefully these few thoughts, and remember them, and ever practice those principles of honesty and in tegrity towards a medium that they would wish another to practice towards them. By so doing, you can readily answer the question —what is right ? W . H, R e y n o l d s , m
