Spiritualism in The Churches.
The Banner of Light says that Spiritualism is permeating all classes of society, and largely prevails in all the churches. Of this we were aware, though the generality of Christians seem to be unaware of the fact. The Cincinnati Commercial Gazette gives an account of an interview with Judge Carter of that city, in which the Judge said:— “There are in this city, I believe, from eight to nine thousand, and perhaps more, Spiritualists. They are not all open believers. You will find them in all Christian denominations—among the Catholics, the Presbyterians, Methodists, &c. Many who do not wish to give up their outward honors in the church, or who do not wish to be annoyed by their family connections, are really Spiritualists. They attend our seances, but keep their profession as quiet as possible. I was at a wonderful musical seance last night, and there I noticed a few prominent German Catholics.” The following words come to us credited to Harriet Beecher Stowe. We believe that all the Beecher family are now Spiritualists:— “May we look among the band of ministering spirits for our own departed ones? Whom would God be more likely to send us? Have we in heaven a friend who knew us to the heart’s core—a friend to whom we have unfolded our soul in its secret recesses, to whom we have confessed our weaknesses, and deplored our griefs? If we are to have a ministering spirit; who better adapted? Have we not memories which correspond to such a belief? . . . “Many a one, we are confident, can remember such things; and whence come they? Why do the children of the pious mother, whose grave has grown green and smooth with years, seem often to walk through perils and dangers fearful and imminent as the crossing Mohammed’s fiery gulf on the edge of a drawn sword, yet walk unhurt? Ah! could we see that attendant form, that face where the angel conceals not the mother, our question would be answered.” And we might inquire further: What more natural than that a person with such a belief, should invoke the aid of these deeply interested friends in Heaven? How directly does Spiritualism lead away from Christ, to that dogma of Catholicism, the invocation of saints! A Unitarian minister, Mr. Cudworth, recently died very suddenly in Boston,—while praying in a public service. The following is from a report of the funeral:— “The platform which had been arranged, and the body of the church, contained representatives from the Governor’s staff, and many notable individuals in the social, theological, military and civic ranks. The funeral exercises comprised an organ voluntary, singing by a quartette (which had been trained under the direct supervision of Mr. Cudworth, who was a gifted musician as well as orator); introductory prayer by Rev. J. L. Scott (Presbyterian); reading of Scriptures by Rev. Mr. Potter (Universalist); addresses by Revs. L. B. Bates (Methodist), Dr. J. E. Twichell (Congregationalist), R. Perry Bush (Universalist), and Samuel H. Winkley (Unitarian); prayer by Mr. Winkley, and benediction by Rev. J. K. Richardson (Baptist). “The following excerpts from the tributes paid by the speakers to the deceased will serve to show the deep sense of public loss and the feeling of loving remembrance which pervaded the assembly. “Rev. Dr. Twichell said: There are those who live more in death than in life. In attics and cellars of this city to-day there are widows and orphans who have as deep a grief for this loss as any present. May God bless this Church of Our Father in the sudden bereavement. May God bless the poor of this city, who have lost one of their truest friends. “Rev. Mr. Bush said: He has gone in the midst of his labors, gone in that act which so became his consecrated soul, in prayer, beginning on earth and ending in heaven. We know that he is here, even feel it in our hearts. Oh! how grand to die in union service and on Thanksgiving Day. “Rev. Mr. Bates said the deceased really did not know death. He was translated. The change from the mortal to the immortal was instantaneous. In all our homes, Protestant and Catholic, there are tears to-day. “Rev. Mr. Winkley said: The tendrils of Mr. Cudworth’s affection went out and twined around the hearts of all he touched. To the very last the tendrils were going out on every side. His knowledge came more from his heart than from his head, and that was why he was so great a man. He is not dead. These are his remains, not himself, and he almost smiles upon us now as we look at him. Angels do not cease to be angels when they are taken from our sight.” Mr. Cudworth himself was a pronounced Spiritualist. But this did not separate him in the least from the sympathies of the clergymen of the various denominations, as he would have been had he been a member of some small denomination, though a sincere Bible believer and earnest Christian. We should like to know if “Rev. Mr. Bates” believes that Elijah was translated as Mr. Cudworth was? There were some incredulous, skeptical ones in that day who suggested that “the Spirit of the Lord hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley,” and they sent out fifty men who sought him three days, but they did not find him. 2 Kin. 2:12–17. It was not just so in the case of Mr. Cudworth. If he was translated it was of short duration, for he was found in Boston, and there they buried him! If the fifty had found Elijah on some mountain, or in some valley, or in some city, and buried him, would Paul have written that he was translated? And will Elijah ever experience the resurrection? No; they who are translated cannot know a resurrection. The truth is that Spiritualism has sadly demoralized the theology of the day, so that it does not at all correspond to “the faith once delivered to the saints.” Pleasing errors have become popular, and “truth is fallen in the streets,” and few are they who “ask for the old paths, where is the good way,” that they may “walk therein.” Jer. 6:16. But he who is the resurrection and the life is coming to call his sleeping saints from the dust of the earth. The great harvest day is near. The warning is going forth. Rev. 14:9–14. Happy are they who heed the solemn words.