Outside Testimony by WM. S. FOOTE

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 23, 1863

Outside Testimony.

By WM. S. FOOTE

I THINK it was President Mahan of Oberlin, who said that “admissions in favor of truth from the ranks of its enemies, constitute the highest kind of evidence.” The following article, taken from the Columbian Register, is evidence of that kind; and, after reading it, compare the same with what may be found on page 9, of Testimony to the Church, No. 9; and if our faith in the present truth is not a little strengthened, then it is high time for us to awake to righteousness and sin not. WM. S. FOOTE.

SPIRITUALISM AND HOBGOBLINS.—When the clergymen of Chicago waited upon the president of the United States, he informed them that the proclamation for the freedom of negroes, would be like the pope's bull against the comet. “But,” says the President, “if the Lord desires me to do this, why don't he inform me who am so deeply interested in, and responsible for knowing?” The Chicago priesthood did not understand him; they were simply Methodists. But Robert Dale Owen, who is a Spiritualist, had a communication with the spirits, and thereupon wrote a letter to Secretary Stanton, urging the proclamation upon the country and the President, as just, right, and of God. Judge Edmonds, Robert Dale Owen, and other spiritualists, gave the President the long-expected communication through mediums, and he acted accordingly.

Now put a pin right here. In no arbitrary arrest has this form of despotism been exercised toward a Puritan or Spiritualist. Dashiell and Olds, among the Methodists, McPheeters, among the Presbyterians, McMasters, among the Catholics, Episcopalians represented by judge Carmichael, all well, thoroughly, and fitly represented in prisons without crime; but no Puritan, no Spiritualist, has ever been arrested—none ever will. We have an administration controlled by Spiritualism. Gurley is a Spiritualist, Robert Dale Owen, Judge Edmonds, and Thad. Stevens, Burlingame, Schurtz, and Sumner are Spiritualists.

The last appointment announced is that of Gurley, of Cincinnati, governor of Arizona, a Spiritualist. Has it come to this? a great country governed by ghosts, spirits, hobgoblins, table-turnings, rappings, &c. Be not deceived; this is the animus of the administration.—Burlington (O.) Argus.

COMMENTS BY THE PROVIDENCE POST.

The above is true, undoubtedly, but it does not tell us half the whole truth. Judge Edmonds, the man of visions, is an adviser of the President, and is frequently in Washington. We think he is now residing there. A noted medium, of New York city, is frequently sent for, and has interviews with the President, the object of the latter being to obtain communications with the spirits. This, we have excellent authority for saying, is strictly true.

In reference to the proclamation this may be said. The spirit of Andrew Jackson was called upon, and urged vehemently that it should not be issued. The spirit of Thomas Jefferson was called, and was in favor

of issuing it. It is now suspected that the spirit which represented itself to be that of Jefferson was an impostor.

From what we have been told, we have no doubt that the President is a very firm believer in the ghosts; but, it is said, he is more conservative than most of the Spiritualists which surround him, and frequently remarks that the communications from the other world are often delusive.