and its practical workings upon its
devotees, its believers, and its mediums, we are compelled to
speak our honest conviction, which is, that the manifestations
coming through the acknowledged mediums, who are designated as
rapping, tipping, writing, and entranced mediums, have a baneful
influence upon believers, and create discord and confusion; that
the generality of these teachings inculcate false ideas, approve
of selfish individual acts, and endorse theories and principles,
which, when carried out, debase and make men little better than
the brute. These are among the fruits of Modern Spiritualism, and
we do not hesitate to say that we believe if these manifestations
are continued to be received, and to be as little understood as
they are, and have been since they made their appearance at
Rochester, and mortals are to be deceived by their false,
fascinating, and snakelike charming powers, which go with them,
the day will come when the world will require the appearance of
another Saviour to redeem the world from its departing from
Christ's warnings.... Seeing, as we have, the gradual progress it
makes with its believers, particularly its mediums, from lives of
morality to those of sensuality and immorality, gradually and
cautiously undermining the foundation of good principles, we look
back with amazement to the radical change which a few months will
bring about in individuals; for its tendency is to approve and
endorse each individual act and character, however good or bad
these acts may be....

"We desire to send forth our warning voice, and if our humble
position as the head of a public journal, our known advocacy of
Spiritualism, our experience, and the conspicuous part we have
played among its believers, the honesty and the fearlessness with
which we have defended the subject, will weigh anything in our
favor, we desire that our opinions may be received, and those who
are moving passively down the rushing rapids to destruction should
pause, ere it be too late, and save themselves from the blasting
influence which those manifestations are causing."

Every one who knows anything about Spiritualism has heard of Cora Hatch,
who traveled extensively, and manifested her powers as an extemporaneous
lecturer before astonished multitudes. One of her husbands, Dr. Hatch,
renounced Spir