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{{Style P-HPB SB. Title|The New York World on Spiritualism.}}

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Certain occurrences in Philadelphia of late have been triumphantly seized upon by the secular press with the greatest avidity, and with no evinced desire to hear the facts in the case, save as they bear upon that side of the argument which favors a theory contrary to the spiritual hypothesis. And taking these occurrences for a text, we find journals which have heretofore maintained a dignified, though reserved position concerning the reforms of the day, hastening to abandon their old-time reticence, and launching out, drawcansir-like, into columns of verbal abuse, far-fetched comparisons, and doubtful recommendations, which it would be well for their reputations as would-be astute observers of current events if they had never indulged in.

Certain occurrences in Philadelphia of late have been triumphantly seized upon by the secular press with the greatest avidity, and with no evinced desire to hear the facts in the case, save as they bear upon that side of the argument which favors a theory contrary to the spiritual hypothesis. And taking these occurrences for a text, we find journals which have heretofore maintained a dignified, though reserved position concerning the reforms of the day, hastening to abandon their old-time reticence, and launching out, drawcansir-like, into columns of verbal abuse, far-fetched comparisons, and doubtful recommendations, which it would be well for their reputations as would-be astute observers of current events if they had never indulged in.

But, in the light of the facts, The World’s summing up is peculiarly unfortunate. The day of sarcasm in regard to spiritual matters is past—the era of analysis has come, and those editors who in default of knowledge still prefer to use the hilt-worn weapon of ridicule, will not only be. easily overturned by the champions of the new dispensation, but even the friends of said journals will convict them of arrant ignorance by the prosecution of such line of operations, and will remand them to less important stations in the popular estimation. The leading minds of the churches—men like Dr. Bushnell—are insisting that all theology must be reconstructed, that a fresh inspiration is needed by man, that the heavens are very near to us, and that spiritual life must be re-awakened. Now it is Spiritualism that will most effectually break up the crust and let in the light of heaven again.

But, in the light of the facts, The World’s summing up is peculiarly unfortunate. The day of sarcasm in regard to spiritual matters is past—the era of analysis has come, and those editors who in default of knowledge still prefer to use the hilt-worn weapon of ridicule, will not only be. easily overturned by the champions of the new dispensation, but even the friends of said journals will convict them of arrant ignorance by the prosecution of such line of operations, and will remand them to less important stations in the popular estimation. The leading minds of the churches—men like Dr. Bushnell—are insisting that all theology must be reconstructed, that a fresh inspiration is needed by man, that the heavens are very near to us, and that spiritual life must be re-awakened. Now it is Spiritualism that will most effectually break up the crust and let in the light of heaven again.