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RELIGIOUS VALUE OF SPIRITUALISM¹

SPIRITUALISM is the first religion that takes facts for its foundation, rears its temples of thought on immutable principles of philosophy, recognises a Mother as well as a Father in God, and has demonstrably "brought life and immortality to light."² It is the first religion that has overcome death and the horrors of the grave, has sounded the gospel of freedom equally to man and woman, young and old, lord and serf. It is the first religion³ that has satisfactorily explained the phenomena of matter and mind—in and out of man. It is congenial to the true children of Nature, while it liberates mankind from slavery to creeds and gives the individual wholly to himself. It teaches that it is better for a man to think independently, even if he think wrongly, than conformably to the tyranny of social selfishnes and the dictum of ecclesiastical shams. "Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty" for the individual. While it is certain that individualism has its own follies and fanaticisms, while it leads to isolation in some, in others to pride and tyranny, while it may set up a temporary barrier to associative

¹ See Arabula, pp. 397 et seq.
² Herein also is said to reside its moral value, and because it furnishes a demonstration of immortal life it is affirmed that it establishes the most sublime of human aspirations. Until the objective verities of phenomenal spiritualism became known the hope of continued personal existence was enveloped in doubt.—The Great Harmonia, Vol. V, p. 249.
³ At the same time the present exponents rightly recognise that modern spiritualism is not of the nature of religion.

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efforts for the progress of the multitude, these errors will correct themselves and the positive benefits of individualism will emerge clearer, like the sun from behind the clouds.

Opposition to every new phase in religious development is natural, and examples of folly, prejudice, hatred, condemnation and crucifixion of pioneers need not be multiplied. From an outward standpoint such opposition seems a cross too heavy to be borne.

"But truth shall conquer at the last,
For round and round we run,
And ever the right comes uppermost,
And ever is justice done."

Viewed from the harmonial standpoint, Spiritualism is the last development of the sublime relations between mankind and the next higher sphere of existence.¹ It is the grandest religion ever bestowed upon mankind. Under such blessings every being should aim to become intelligent, self-poised, intuitive, reasonable, charitable, just, progressive in all directions. Growth is the central law of our being and the object of all exertion, as it will be the result of all experience. Through growth we shall overcome evil with good and straighten the crooked

¹ By the laws of cause and effect, by clairvoyance in the thinking faculties, by intuitive reasonings, it teaches that progress is "heaven's first law"; that the discords of nations will be overcome eventually by the perfect workings of God; that truth lives and will prevail everywhere; that love is the life of Nature, the presence of God in all parts of the universe, an inexhaustible fountain whereby everything lives and moves and has its being. ... It teaches also that the rule of faith and practice is that light which shines in the highest faculties of mind; that in proportion as man's affections and thoughts are harmonised, refined and exalted will the world be visited with holier conceptions of God; that individual conditions after death will be in accordance with the development of sentiments and intellect before leaving earth; and that human character will be harmonised ultimately by the spontaneous will or ever-operative laws of the Great Positive Mind.—Ibid,, pp. 253, 254.

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The Harmonial Philosophy

ways of error and injustice. Such labours and efforts will and do receive the benedictions of angel intelligences, even as good deeds attract admiration and co-operation from the generous and noble of every age and country.