Starting from this as a foundation, of course every
clergyman believes every bad thing said of everybody else. So,
when some man is charged with a crime, the clergyman taking into
consideration the fact that the man is totally depraved, takes it
for granted that he must be guilty. I am not saying this for the
purpose of exciting prejudice against the clergy. I am simply
showing what is the natural result of a certain creed, of a belief
in universal depravity, or a belief in the power and influence of
a personal Devil. If the clergy could have their own way they
would endeavor to reform the world by law. They would re-enact
the old statutes of the Puritans. Joy would be a crime. Love
would be an offence. Every man with a smile on his face would be
suspected, and a dimple in the cheek would be a demonstration of
depravity.

In the trial of a cause it is natural for a clergyman to start with
the proposition, "The defendant is guilty;" and then he says to
himself, "Let him prove himself innocent." The man who has not
been poisoned with the creed starts out with the proposition, "The
defendant is innocent; let the State prove that he is guilty."
Consequently, I say that if I were defending a man whom I knew to
be innocent, I would not have a clergyman on the jury if I could
help it.

--_New York Advertiser_, December 24, 1893.

SPIRITUALISM.

_Question_. Have you investigated Spiritualism, and what has been
your experience?

_Answer_. A few years ago I paid some attention to what is called
Spiritualism, and was present when quite mysterious things were
supposed to have happened. The most notable seance that I attended
was given by Slade, at which slate-writing was done. Two slates
were fastened together, with a pencil between them, and on opening
the slates certain writing was found. When the writing was done
it was impossible to tell. So, I have been present when it was
claimed that certain dead people had again clothed themselves in
flesh and were again talking in the old way. In one instance, I
think, George Washington claimed to be present. On the same evening
Shakespeare put in an appearance. It was hard to recognize
Shakespeare from what the spirit said, still I was assured by the
medium that there was no mistake as to the identity.

_Question_. Can you offer any explanation of the extraordinary
phenomena such as Henry J. Newton has had produced at his own house
under his own supervision?