Category: Audio Books

56. What right have Spiritualists to say that Spiritualism is “The Religion of Sunshine and Happiness?” Because Spiritualism disperses the gloomy concepts found in the teachings of the past—teachings that were born in the darkness of the human mind and the savagery of the human heart—and everywhere presents to man the newer, truer and more cheerful views of human nature, life, death and the future. 57. What are the Teachings of Spiritualism regarding the socalled evils of life? Do Spiritualists deny that these evils exist? No. Sickness, pain, sorrow, loss,…

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54. Where can I get fuller information about Spiritualism? Most public libraries have in whole or in part the writings of Andrew Jackson Davis, the author of the Harmonial Philosoph and known as the “The Great Seer of Poughkeepsie” and often styled the “Father of Spiritualism.” The writings of Dr. J. M. Peebles, Dr. Moses Hull, Judge Edmonds, Stainton Moses, Hudson Tuttle, Sir Wm. Crookes, Sir Alfred Russel Wallace, Sir Oliver Lodge, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, are worthy of careful study. Write to the N. S. A. Headquarters, Mr. Geo.…

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52. Is Spiritualism growing? What prospects of its general acceptance by the masses? If by Spiritualism is meant the organized movement it must be frankly admitted that it waxes and wanes with the varying conditions and the different workers in each locality. Many societies and churches under settled pastors and with efficient mediumship, show increasing strength and solidity and others decrease in effectiveness. If by the growth of Spiritualism, however, is meant the progress of the Spiritualistic teaching and the general acceptance of its fundamental ideas, then it may be…

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49. How might the message work among Spiritualists be lifted to a higher plane? 1. By more study of the conditions necessary to the exercise of reliable mediumship and attention thereto. 2. By classes of instruction for all Spiritualists under a good teacher. 3. By requiring a Three Months’ Course of reading and Catechism instruction for all beginners and investigators before they are admitted to Seances. 4. By emphasizing the fact that Spirit Messages are chiefly and primarily for spiritual instruction and comfort and only incidentally for material interests. 5.…

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47. Are Mediums to blame for untruthful and unreliable messages? Not necessarily. If they have desired only to receive and give out the truth, and have helped to instruct the public in the true mission of the spirit message, and have sought to use their spiritual gift for spiritual purposes, they cannot be blamed for the impressions received when they have yielded themselves to spirit influence. 48. Are Mediums responsible for the abuses that characterize spirit messages? Some mediums are progressive, spiritual and seek to educate themselves and their patrons…

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43. Are there not instances where men have sought advice from the spirit world in worldly affairs and, following the same, have met with disaster? Quite a number of such cases have become known to the writer. 44. Why does the advice of the spirit world on worldly matters so often prove unreliable? There are doubtless many reasons for this. 1. The inhabitants of the spirit realm are out of direct touch, and not EN RAPPORT, with material conditions. 2. Some spirits are asked to give advice along lines of…

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40. What, then, is the true Mission of Spirit Messages ? First to convince men of the continuity of human life. Secondly, to spiritualize our thoughts, affections and lives by instruction and guidance. Thirdly, to bring us Consolaton in the sorrows and bereavements of life. Fourthly, to enable us to reach through Mediumship exalted and powerful spiritual helpers in the great crises of Life. Spirit messages are not designed to take the place of our own reason and moral sense in ordinary affairs or in business life. 41. What class…

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38. But Spirit Messages often contain trivialities and recite petty incidents in human life. Can such trifles engage the attention of Spirit Intelligences? Semingly trifling incidents in human life noted and reported by our spirit friends prove the nearness of our spirit friends and their watchcare over us. If such incidents deepen the conviction of the truth of spirit return in any human mind, they are no longer to be regarded as trifles. Sir Oliver Lodge, Dr. J. H. Hyslop and other Researchers hold and emphasize this view. 39. If…

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35. Are all unreliable messages from lying spirits? By no means. Many messages express the opinions, possibly the sincere beliefs of the spirit communications, and these are proved by future events to have been founded on misconception and error. Spiritualism has never claimed any infallibility for spirit messages. 36. Are there any other explanations of the failure of spirit messages and spirit prophecies to come true? Undoubtedly there are many other explanations of the failure of spirit messages. The whole method and practice of spirit communication is still in an…

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33. It has been charged that Spiritualism destroys homes; weakens the sanctions of the marriage tie and is one cause of the many divorces in American life. What are the facts? The answer is found in the fact that there are no happier homes in all the land than the homes of Spiritualists; that Spiritualists recognize the home as one of the great bulwarks of society; that Spiritualism teaches all its followers to recognize the rights of others and to treat every person with charity and kindness; that Spiritualism contributes…

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31. What attitude does Spiritualism take toward other Religions? A friendly and appreciative attitude, recognizing the rights of other religionists to think and act for themselves. Spiritualists rejoice in all good accomplished by the churches and various religious cults, freely acknowledging the fact that all of them are necessary in a sense to meet the varying needs of men in different stages of intellectual and spiritual unfoldment. While gladly recognizing the truth given out and the good done by others, Spiritualists claim equal right to point out the errors and…

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29. Why is a Medium necessary in Spirit Communication? A medium is generally (not always) necessary because most people are spiritually blind and cannot see spirit forms; deaf and cannot hear spirit voices, insensate and cannot perceive spirit presence. There are, however, many who, if they had instruction and could rightly interpret their own experiences, would be able to communicate with spirit friends through their own powers. We call such people mediumistic. Mediums are necessary to most people as telescopes are necessary to the astronomer. They bring that which is…

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27. In what way can our departed friends aid us to nobler and happier life? First, by demonstrating the after life and the fact that our conduct here brings to us a natural reward or punishment over there. Secondly, by the strength and inspiration which a knowledge of the continued love and watch-care of our departed friends imparts. Third, by impressions and messages in which we get words of kindly warning, wise counsels, and, sometimes, active cooperation in our life work. 28. May not spirit communication be a curse as…

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23. What answer does Spiritualism make to the objection: “Christianity and Spiritualism are opposed to each other.” Read Moses Hull’s “Encyclopedia of Biblical Literature;” Dr. Crowell’s “Primitive Christianity and Modern Spiritualism;” Dr. B. F. Austin’s “Christianity and Spiritualism;” and you will find all the opposition is between Spiritualism and the perverted Christianity of today—better named Churchianity—and that the true primitive Christian religion and Spiritualism are most closely related and in general harmony. How—it may be asked—could Christianity be opposed to Spiritualism when the Christian Religion was really born in a…

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12. Are true primitive Christianity and true Spiritualism opposed and opposing systems? Not at all. Both originated through Mediumship. Both teach the spiritual nature of man; both teach and illustrate the continuity of life after death; both teach salvation by knowledge of, and obedience to, the Truth; both teach the inter communion of the two worlds. The conflict, if any, is between Spiritualism and the spurious Christianity of today, which has usurped the place of the truly spiritual teachings of Jesus, and is teaching what Jesus never taught and is…

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9. What other answer is made to the charges brought against Mediumship? Mediumship is in Nature’s order. It seems to be a part of a great divine plan of the Infinite Intelligence for the instruction, inspiration and aid of the younger and less advanced souls in God’s great family, by those of riper experience and richer knowledge. It extends thru all the ages and thru all the realms of the mortal and spirit spheres and will one day link into communication all the realms of spirit and all the worlds…

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THE A. B. C. OF SPIRITUALISMOne Hundred of the Questions most commonly asked about Spiritualism, answered tersely and plainlyB. F. AUSTIN, A. M., D. D When and where did Modern Spiritualism Originate? In the village of Hydesville, New York State, on the 31st day of March, 1848. What distinction is to be drawn between Universal Spiritualism, Ancient Spiritualism and Modern Spiritualism? Spiritualists affirm, and truly, that many of the great leading principles of Spiritualism such as the existence of a supreme power, the value and efficacy of prayer, the belief…

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THE A. B. C. OF SPIRITUALISMOne Hundred of the Questions most commonly asked about Spiritualism, answered tersely and plainlyB. F. AUSTIN, A. M., D. D What is Spiritualism?Spiritualism is the Science which affirms the existence of Spirit as the Origin, Sustainer and Reality in all the forms of Nature and in all the expression of life. According to its teachings the Universe is spirit-built and constitutes a Divine Revelation of Spirit (God). Spirit manifests in all life, in all intelligence, in all power, in all wisdom and in all that…

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CHAPTER VIII. But redolent of joy and consolation as is the intercourse with beloved friends, at this time when orderly communion has succeeded doubtful experiment, it must not be supposed that any such harmonious results characterised the initiatory proceedings of the spiritual movement which now made its advent in Rochester. Within and without the dwellings of the medium, all was fear, consternation, doubt, and anxiety. Fanatical religionists of different sects had forced themselves into the family gatherings, and the wildest scenes of rant, cant, and absurdity often ensued. Opinions of…

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CHAPTER VII. The news of the mysterious rappings continued to spread abroad, and the house was filled with anxious seekers for the unknown and invisible visitor. Up to this time the noises had only been heard at night, but on Sunday morning, April 2nd, the sounds were first heard in the daytime, and by any who could get into the house. It has been estimated that at one time there were about five hundred people gathered around the house, so great was the excitement at the commencement of these strange…

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