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8 that mortals fail to do this, and dissatisfaction is the result. Mankind naturally prefer the good things in life, but all are not inclined to put forth an effort to secure what they covet. There are many Spiritualists who would like to be known as truly spiritually-minded, but they cannot rise to that standard of human excellence, whereby true spirituality can be se cured. There is much surface Spiritualism, as well as surface religion of other kinds. The love of earthly treasures engages attention, while the spiritual elements are seeking for recognition. The individual is conscious of this, but so strong is the love of the transient, that it secures the mastery, while the real treasures are lost to view. The lives of nations are dual in their nature. There is tie ideal aud the real. Your own na tional affairs are more or less affected by these conditions. Can we not see wherein reform atory measures could be instituted, and a more practical system adopted ? Every party has more or less of elements or conditions,—one theoretical, the other practical. It is the theoretical that creates differences. When the safety of the nation is threatened, there is a consolidation of forces. The ideal is lost sight of, that the real may be secured and perpetu ated. The late struggle affords an illustration The South had been educated to disregard the interest of their northren brethren. They considered themselves superior, if not in num bers, in prowess, and had no hesitancy in in augurating the struggle. The northern men con sidered their southern brethren inferior in num bers and power of endurauce. When the con flict arose, each party was for a time engaged in an ideal warfare. They were above the material plane for a time, but when compelled to deal with realities, they soon began to feel a certain degree of respect for each other. It is so in all phases of life. While the mind is inflated with the unreal, no permanent advancement can be made. It is only when the visionary ideas are replaced by the real, that the mind expands, and progress can be made. 1 have alluded to the pintuai elements and conditions, and I wish to consider those m atters a little. 1 may not be considered much of a theological^reasoner, but 1 hope to make my self understood. Spiritualism, to be accept able to the mass of mankind, must be made practical. At present, Spiritualists are too much inclined to float above the material uni verse, aud do not reach their fellow men. Tire possession of spiritual knowledge does not, or should not entitle a person to withdraw from the companionship of others. The possession of mediumistic power is a natural inheritance for the beutfit of all. Na ture creates no barriers to exclude the honest investigator. If she has imparted medium istic powers to an individual, it is for practical purposes, that fruit may be gathered. But it you allow the tree to grow so tall that the fruit is beyond the reach of those who would gather it, they will be compelled to await the process of time when the fruit may fall. But in that event, it often receives bruises that are detrimental to its preservation. Spiritualists should continue to reside in the material world, and make use of their spirit ual power to benefit their surroundings. One great barrier to spiritual progression, is the mpructicabiliiy of many Spiritualists. There is a class who, like wandering Jews, journey from place to place, with no visible means of support; they are no doubt posse.-sed of me diumistic powers, and perhaps are led by some spirit, as they assert; but what influence has such a character upon an intelligent com munity ? It is not a real, practical life. Spiritualism is a science, and is worthy the attention of the most scholarly in your land; but such minds naturally seek for realities. When such conditions are demonstrated, it naturally attracts the intelligent. The perse cutions so often referred to by Spiritualists, are more ideal than real. Mankind are willing to listen to a new doctrine if it is presented on a basis that can be comprehended. It is folly to attempt to teach the science of astronomy to a person who has not yet mastered the alpha bet. Spiritualism is ^n instructor, and in order to be made instructive, it must be made comprehensible. The spiritual philosophy can not be compassed in one article, or in one hour’s discourse. It is the philosophy of life; old, yet ever new; both theoretical, aud ever practicable when properly understood. The air that is breathed iuto the lungs is to give life to the body, and keep it in motion. It is to the body what steam is to the engine. You cannot generate steam by theory. You cannot keep the heart in motion by theory. It requires positive application of life’s forces. Those who represent Spiritualism should study to make all demonstrations clear and practical. There is too much floating through space, without chart or compass, by Spiritualists while they are dwellers on the mundane sphere. Do not be too desirous of leaving your old as sociations. Study to know more of the real in lile while in the material. It will be of infi nite value when you pass to the worid of re alities. It is difficult to float in space while encumbered with a material form. Bather study the law of conditions that you may at tract to you those who have preceded you to the world of spirit. Believed of their cum bersome bodies, they enjoy the pleasure of passing and repassiug. Your flight would be Out the flight of fancy, and not being practi cal would produce no iasung benefit. Let your daily lives be such that the world may be convinced you have a reality. As Spiritualism becomes undeistood, its divine re alities become the object in life to be sought lor. Its ministering servants are even now journeying earthward, bearing the olive branch of peace and good will to mankind. The unreal in life sinks out of sight before the sunlight of truth, and man unfolded to accept the truth, becomes the real savior of the world; for ’tis truth alone that can give peace. Trutl^ removes the shadows that flit across life’s pathway, and opens the gateway to a higher life in the world of realities. C h a r l e s S u m n e r . Aug. 28, 1877. The Olive Branch. ___ Subscribe for the O l i v e B r a n c h . SPIRITUALISM VS. TIIEOL OGY. If mankind are naturally vile, why should there be any solicitude for them, if the condi tions are beyond the possibility of mortals to change? The vileness which exists is owing to the system of education in force. If you can make a man believe he is of no particular use to himself or the world, he will soon adopt the ideal and reduce it to practice. If you can convince a man that he is a valuable member of society, he will' conduct himself in such a manner as to win the esteem and confidence of those with whom he is associated. If you can impress upon the mind force of the individual that he has a spiritual existence, separate and distinct from the material, you will lead the mind to inquire into the condi tions of that existence. If you teach the child that no provision has been made for him, only what he can obtain by earnest labor, he will not sit with folded arms, but will be at work. The difference between the spiritual philoso phy and theology is that one teaches that another has paid your debt, and the other says you must pay your own. Which theory will tend to develop the most complete manhood and womanhood ? An answer can be had in the every day transactions of life. The spiritual philosophy, I aver, is the true method of unfolding all that is true and noble in human life. It places every man upon his own responsibility, and leaves him to work out his own salvation. And there are many in spirit life who have come up through great tribulation, having been compelled to contest their position step by step with the dogmas of theology. They are the victors. They have listened to the voice of the inner man, bidding them be true, be honest, to themselves. The person who follows the teaching of theology, cannot be true to himself, because at variance with the laws of nature. Mankind are children of nature, and if they would be true to themselves, they must recognize and obey her laws. Theology ignores this, and by so doing ignores the teaching of the All-father, and therefore tends rather to curse than benefit mankind. The spiritual philosophy seeks to elevate mankind, and the only way to do this is to appeal to the spiritual nature of the being. The body cannot receive any impression. All ideas must be received through the spirit, and this should be free to sanction or disapprove whatever is presented. How little spiritual freedom is enjoyed by mankind. The majority of men are strangers to it. They are deprived of communion with the spirits of their de parted friends because theology denies the possibility. W hat will not theology deny? Did not the theology of that day, deny the mission of our Elder Brother, aud nail his form to the cross ? It has nailed to the cross every form of religious free thought that has sought avenues of expression, since time began. Do Spiritualists feel that any exception will be taken in your case ? Not the least. Theology has labored to crucify Spiritualism ever since it became a recognized fact, nor will it cease as long as so many willing instruments are found whose only ambition is to live in favor * Vol. iii.—No 1
