Hard Questions for Spiritualists.
By Editor
THE following tough questions for Spiritualists, are from a believer in the phenomena, but who is disgusted with the libidinous tendencies of that sect. The article is from a little tract just sown broadcast, by Wm. B. Potter, M. D., of Philadelphia, who hopes thereby to warn the world, and reform his "erring brethren." The extract speaks for itself. If what Dr. Potter says is correct, Spiritualism truly must be a vile thing. The italic is his. G. "Why don't every one receive communications from friends or relatives in spirit life? We are told that our friends and relatives think more of us and are more anxious for our welfare than when with us in earth life. Why don't our friends control mediums and rap, tip or write out communications and order them sent to us? If our friends cannot control mediums, why don't they get those spirits that do control to communicate for them? Instead of all getting communications from friends in this way, why is it that not one person in ten thousand gets a communication unless he goes or sends to the medium for it? In thousands of instances a few words from the mother would save the daughter from the snares of the seducer, or the son from ruin; in such cases why don't the parent seek some medium and give the warning? Why do our friends when communicating, so rarely give names? Cannot a spirit control a medium's hand to write a name as readily as a personal description that may apply to a score of persons? Why do spirits so often object to giving tests and so frequently fail when they attempt it? Why have they failed to convince nine-tenths of those who have witnessed the manifestations? If Spiritualism is such a great blessing, and spirits are so anxious to convince mankind, why don't they give the foreign news in advance of the steamers, or give tests to our professors of science? Why have spirits when treating questions of science given so much that is fanciful, foolish and false? Why have so many of the mediums been persons of low characters? Why have Negroes, Indians, and inferior races had so much of spirit manifestations, while enlightened nations have had so little, until within the last sixteen years? Why was "seeking unto spirits that mutter and peep" forbidden under the Mosaic dispensation? Why are we told under the Christian dispensation to "try the spirits?" Why have so many of the mediums left husband or wife, or been guilty of gross immoralities? Why have all the spiritual papers that have exposed "Free-Lovers" failed to pay expenses? Why have notorious "Free-Lovers" and libertines been special and honored correspondents of spiritual papers? Why has spiritual literature been so full of "Free-Love," and "whatever is, is right" theories and teachings? Why did the Committee of the National Spiritual Convention at Chicago report a plan of National Organization, with a special provision that no charge should ever be entertained against any member, and that any Spiritualist without any regard to moral character might become a member? Why did the National Spiritual Convention at Philadelphia, which has just closed, accept notorious libertines as delegates? Why did the committee refuse to even read a proposition to disfellowship notorious, persistent, and habitual libertines? Why was a proposition by a speaker to welcome a delegate from perdition, or Satan himself, received with applause? Why do Spiritualists generally refuse to disfellowship "Free-Lovers?" Why has Spiritualism broken up hundreds of families and become noted for "Free-Love" and Affinity-Hunting? Why have the better class of communications always taught us not to trust spirit communications, but to rely on our own reason and conscience? Why has dealing with spirits in all ages and countries tended to immorality and licentiousness, unless counteracted by the purest virtue or the strongest religious principles? Why so much flattery, so many contradictions, so much about spheres and Psychology, and so much that is merely thought reading, in spirit communications?"