p. 134 | SPIRITUALISM

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 15, 1859

SPIRITUALISM.

The following, from Dr. Hatch, the husband of Mrs. Cora Hatch, the noted trance-speaking medium, will give some idea of the moral influence of Spiritualism. The Dr. does not charge Mrs. Hatch with anything impure, but shows very clearly the general tendency of this great anti-christian, and anti-Bible movement.—The Dr. has had a most favorable and conspicuous standpoint of observation, and is prepared to speak from evidence founded on facts. He says:—

“The most damning iniquities are everywhere perpetrated

in Spiritual circles, a very small per centage of which ever comes to public attention. I care not whether it be Spiritual or mundane, the FACTS exist, and should demand the attention and just condemnation of an intelligent community. Look at the iniquities which have been committed within the past two weeks in this city, and that too by Spiritual mediums who claim to be controlled by angels. It is worse than useless to talk to the Spiritualist against this condition of things, for those who occupy the highest position among them, are aiding and abetting in all classes of iniquities which prevail amongst them. The abrogation of marriage, bigamy, accompanied by robbery, theft, rapes, are all chargeable to Spiritualism. I most solemnly affirm that I do not believe that there has, during the past five hundred years, arisen any class of people who were guilty of so great a variety of crimes and indecencies as the Spiritualists of America.

“For a long time I was swallowed up in the whirlpool of excitement, and comparatively paid but little attention to its evils, believing that much good might result from the openings of the avenues of Spiritual intercourse. But during the past eight months I have devoted my attention to a critical investigation of its moral, social and religious bearing, and I stand appalled before the revelations of its awful and damning realities, and would flee from its influence as I would from the miasma which would destroy both soul and body. Spiritualism and prostitution, with a rejection of Christianity, are twin sisters, which every where go hand in hand. With but little inquiry, I have been able to count up over 70 mediums, most of whom have wholly abandoned their conjugal relations, others living with their paramours called ‘affinities,’ others in promiscuous adultery, and still others exchanged partners. Old men and women, who have passed the meridian of life, are not unfrequently the victims of this hallucination. Many of the mediums lose all sense of moral obligations, and yield to whatever influence may for the time be brought to bear upon them. Their pledges, the integrity of their oaths are no more reliable than the shifting breezes of the whirlwind, for they are made to yield to the powers which for the time control them.”