DESCRIPTION
Published in 1853 | 404 pages | PDF reader required
TO THE READER
of the Tribune had expressed the opinion that he was the ablest man which the Spiritual phenomena had called into the field and it was manifest to all, that he had at least the candor to acknowledge the facts-, if he had not the ability to explain them, on his favorite hypothesis. All other opposing theories seemed childish or absurd, while the one suggested by my correspondent certainly demanded the most serious consideration. I had no wish to shun the proposed ordeal; but having to perform, in addition to numerous other duties, the entire editorial labor of a weekly paper and a monthly magazine, I was quite too much
occupied to accept the proposition of Dr. Richmond, which, for these reasons, was respectfully declined. But the private correspondence thus commenced was continued, and finally resulted in a mutual agreement respecting the terms and conditions for a public written discussion of the facts and philosophy of the Spiritual mysteries. It was deemed expedient to give the question two forms so that each party might in turn occupy both affirmative and the negative. Accordingly the following prepositions were proposed and accepted, as comprehending, in general terms, the subject to be discussed:
1. Can the mysterious phenomena, now occurring in various parts of United States and elsewhere, and known as the Spiritual Manifestations properly accounted for, without admitting the agency of Spirits in their production?
2. Do those who have departed this life still continue to hold intercourse with those who yet remain on the earth?