HPB-SB-1-39: Difference between revisions

{{Style P-Align center|July 15 {{Style S-HPB SB. HPB note|1875}}}}

{{Style S-HPB SB. HPB note|4 Editorials by H. S. Olcott for the <u>Spi^{{{Style S-Double underline| l}}} Scientist</u>|center}}

In the secular press would imitate our fairness, by printing what we say about Spiritualistic matters, instead of falsifying our words, we would hold them in more respect than we do. We ask those who are with the Philadelphia fiasco to read the article which we copy from the Tribune, on page 221, and say if anymore malignant tissue of falsehoods ever disgraced an American newspaper. Scarcely one fact is truthfully stated. Mr. Owen’s alienation began before he went to see the Holmeses, as his present calamity distinctly proves bogus expose by the suborned agents of the Young Men’s Christian Association, did not upset his reason, but, on the contrary, he seemed unconscious of its even affecting his standing us an investigator ; he did not weep when he found he had been duped, as he supposed, by ''three'' knaves, if Doctor Child is meant by this editor as the third person in the trinity of swindlers, for he stayed in his house and implicity believed in his long after the fiasco ; and he repudiated the idea that his belief in immortality was pinned on the skirt of “Katie King” or any one spirit. The truth is(if, indeed, this whole story is not a base lie) that Mr.Owen’s mind was long ailing, and that the final catas-trophe was due to the gradual decay of his mental and physical powers, in consequence of his advanced age. However he may be regarded as a competent and trust-worthy investigator during recent years, he leaves behind him a reputation for integrity, high mindedness and scholarship which may well be pointed at as a model for American journalists to imitate.

{{Style S-HPB SB. HPB note|HSO|right}}

Several months ago, it was prophesied that American Spiritualism was approaching one of those crises, which, in public affairs equally, as in the physical body of man, indicate the final struggle upon which depends a favorable or unfavorable issue to the morbid condition. The person to whom this warning was given, was told that the future of the Cause, in this country, depended upon the fidelity, unity and courage of a chosen few. Exposures of cheating mediums, the defection and treachery of trusted leaders, changes in the forms of mediumship, a revulsion of popular feeling culminating in what was termed “n hurricane of opposition,” were all fore-shadowed. At that time, the prediction seemed unwarranted ; everything was quiet, proselytes were being reported every day, the secular press showed a general leaning towards our Cause, and for the first time since the Hydesville Annunciation there was a prospect of its claims being fairly discussed.

{{Style S-HPB SB. HPB note|HSO|right}}

Week after week, when the last form of our paper goes to press, and we sit down for a few minutes of rest, we cannot avoid thinking over the ''pros'' and ''cons'' veins of the problem, how it is all coming out. An editor’s life of the problem of toil and care at best. Graver responsibilities rest upon him than other men, for he is constantly shaping the opinions of his fellow men, and thus indirectly forming events, as consequences of those opinions which, may affect the welfare of generations yet unborn. But upon religious leaders devolve the greatest responsibilities of all, for the things of earth are of momentary and fleeting importance, while the things of the Lord are eternal and all-embracing.

{{Footnotes}}