revelations, etc., are opposed to the Christian Faith. If the Harmonialists denominate it the reflection of undeveloped minds, its system, graphic description, and depth of thought, when compared with their claims is against such conclusions. To account for it as the result of an excited imagination, involves all so-called modern developments in equal difficulty. To regard it as a communication from bigoted spirits, who still retain their prejudices, subjects others, also, to like criticism. However viewed, it is not easily disposed of by Harmonial Spiritualists, and is as much to the discredit of their doctrines as the visions they adduce can be to the disparagement of the Bible.

SPIRITUALISM.

PART I.

CHAPTER I.

MOST ANCIENT SPIRIT MANIFESTATIONS.

The idea of spiritual existence can have no bounds. It embraces the beginning of all things, the manifestation of all intelligence, the eternity of duration:-all thought, happiness or misery. Mind without it has no meaning, and eternity, would be one vast void of inconceivable nonentity.

Whether man possesses a combination of attributes, essences and functions, capable of everlasting duration, is the question which has been tried by human sense throughout all time. It is a problem never yet solved to the full satisfaction of the race. Millions have lived and died professing doubt in the reality of future existence. Millions more have lived in the faith of life to come, and with rejoicing in hope of a blissful immortality, have bid adieu to the world of external realities.

Many periods in the history of man have been enlivened, and especially stamped with phenomena acknowledged by multitudes as the indubita

ble manifestation of intelligences denominated spirits or angels; and in many instances, as the absolute Revelation of the Spirit of the Lord. Those who acknowledge a future state of existence differ as widely as the capacity of the hu man mind will possibly admit relative to the character of that existence; and also what influence this life may have upon the future state of the soul. This, however is divided into two grand theories. I. The belief that nature, without especial aid, unfolds the human spirit into angelic capacity, and a state of beatific rest. And, II. The theory of immortality based upon the doctrine of man's special creation with spiritual endowments, by the Lord;-of human depravity-the effect of Adam's transgression; and of Redemption from evil through the Mediatorship of Jesus, in whom the Divine Spirit was revealed. This, renders future happiness dependent upon the merciful provisions of the Gospel, and the sinner's repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus-that, upon the progressive laws of nature, unassisted by the Divine Spirit.

The history of these opposing principles is traceable to a period as ancient as the days of Adam. One acknowledges the existence and Truth of the Lord Creator, the other charges the God of the Bible with falsehood and decep

tion of the basest character. In Gen., 2: 16-17, we read: "And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."

In this passage, reference is had to a law to which Adam was amenable. It indicated his ability to violate the divine requirement; and in the plainest manner informed him that consequences of a malignant character would attend its violation. The opposing spirit is said (Gen., 3: 1–5) to have mocked and contradicted the Lord in the following language. "Yea, hath God said, ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said, We may eat of the trees of the garden: but of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it lest ye die. And the serpent (Nachash, or khanas, devil,) said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die; for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened; and ye shall be as Gods, knowing good and evil.'

In these passages, the opposing principles are clearly revealed. It is not, therefore, a new thing that the Spirit which enjoins obedience to

God's laws should be set at naught, the counsels of Heaven be disregarded, and the consequences of disobedience denied. It may be well to remark, that the sequel proved God true, and the opposing spirit a liar. This holds good in every age and test. Moreover, as in modern times the two principles are clearly manifest with men; one urging faithfulness to injunction, and the other contemning it; and as the consequence of trifling with that law brings evil results, therefore, the works of men as well as the primitive history demonstrate and confirm the truth of the Bible statement, and the falsity of the denial- the opposition. Such are the most ancient records concerning "Spirit Manifestations." Nor can their correctness be disproved; but rather, subsequent revealments serve to establish them as faithful accounts.

Here then we fix our data and commence the Record of Spiritualism. This account reveals a malicious opposition to the Supreme Spirit whoso Being is declared in the Scriptures; and contempt for his law. And we premise that the same spirit of opposition is traceable down through time, and that modern Harmonial Spir itualism is the legitimate descendant through an unbroken lineage: or is prompted by the same spirit that attempted to reason away the Law of the Almighty. If such is the truth, what will