The Conditionalist Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 2

VIII. Fundamental Place Accorded Andrew Jackson Davis

There is a more fundamental and significant side to Modern Spiritualism that not only parallels but slightly precedes the phenomenal rappings of the Fox sisters in 1848 that must not be overlooked. It constitutes the inner essence of Spiritualism, and was projected by previously mentioned ANDREW JACKSON DAVIS (1826-1910), called the “Poughkeepsie Seer.” The chronological relationship between Davis’ “revelation” and the audible happenings at the home of the Fox sisters was explained by Robert J. Macdonald, fifth president of the National Spiritualist Association of Churches, in the recent What Is Spiritualism? He refers to the Davis phase as “the revelation first realized by Andrew Jackson Davis in the modern era, continued through the Fox family and countless mediums since their day.” ³⁸ ‘(See statuette on page 1054.) CFF2 1067.6

As a consequence, Davis has frequently been called the “John the Baptist,” or “forerunner of Modern Spiritualism.” ³⁹ And Davis antedated the Fox sisters’ rapping episode by some four years. CFF2 1068.1

1. ANTEDATES FOX SISTERS’ EPISODE OF 1848

To grasp the significance of this statement it is essential to have a brief biographical glimpse of Jackson, who was born in New York State in 1826. Back in January, 1844, mesmerist William Levington began to develop Davis’ extraordinary clairvoyant powers. This continued until 1849. But in March, 1844—four years before the Fox incident of 1848—Davis, in a “prolonged trance,” claimed to hold converse with “spirit beings”—specifically, the “spirits” of Galen (Greek physician, c. A.D. 200) and Swedenborg (Swedish scientist, d. 1772). CFF2 1068.2

Under the influence of these alleged mentors from the “spirit world,” Davis-with little formal education-conversed on abstruse subjects in the fields of medicine and psychology, even diagnosing and prescribing for the sick. It was Davis who first set forth the precise teachings and philosophy of Modern Spiritualism. And it was in 1845 while still a youth, during hours of induced magnetic sleep, that Davis dictated his major book to the Reverend William Fishbough. It was titled Principles of Nature, Nature’s Divine Revelations, and A Voice to Mankind, and totaled some five hundred printed pages. It is still recognized as definitive by Spiritualists. CFF2 1068.3

And according to John W. Ring, authority on A. J. Davis, on the morning following the rappings of March 31, 1848, Davis, though many miles away from the Hydesville Fox cottage, made mention of the exceptional happening that had occurred there. ⁴⁰ Likewise, before the Fox episode, in 1847 Davis founded one of the earliest Spiritualist journals, Univercoelum, which continued for two years. And in 1849 he started the popular Spirit Messenger, and later launched the Herald of Progress in 1860. ⁴¹ CFF2 1069.1

2. MEMORIALIZED JOINTLY WITH KATIE FOX

The prominent place accorded Davis in Modern Spiritualism is indicated by the fact already noted that during the 1948 centennial of Modern Spiritualism, Katie Fox and A. J. Davis were memorialized in the form of a pair of “statuettes of Andrew Jackson Davis who introduced intellectual Spiritualism and of Katie Fox who introduced phenomenal Spiritualism.” ⁴² That was the basic distinction. And Jackson was named first. These statuettes were widely distributed. (See page 1054.) And M. E. Cadwallader, writing of Davis’ early activities, said: “Many times it is claimed that the Advent of Modern Spiritualism should be dated from his [Davis’] vision of Galen, who gave him the Magic Staff.” ⁴³ CFF2 1069.2

3. BOOKS WRITTEN UNDER “SPIRIT CONTROL.”

In 1849 there was a “change in Mesmeric control,” as a Dr. S. S. Lyons took the place of Levington, with “control and subject” moving to New York City. There, “while in complete control of the manipulator,” Davis dictated his most noted book. Thereafter, from 1849 until 1885, a “steady stream of books issued from his pen”—about forty-six books in all, large and small, philosophical and scientific. ⁴⁴ These were all allegedly written under “impressions received from the Spirit World.” ⁴⁵ CFF2 1069.3

It is also essential to note that Otis affirms that Davis’ Principles of Nature are “necessary to have a correct understanding of Modern Spiritualism.” ⁴⁶ Otis stresses the accuracy of Davis’ “description of physical death and what takes place then as well as his statements regarding the formation of and life in the spirit world.” They are standard statements of Spiritualist belief. ⁴⁷ That is why Davis’ contribution is called the abiding “intellectual” phase, in contrast with the “phenomenal” aspect perceived through the senses, and which has changed with the years as well as being subject to much fraud and challenge. It should perhaps be added that in 1883 Davis received the degree of M.D. from the United States Medical College of New York City, afterward practicing medicine in Boston. ⁴⁹ (Inasmuch as question has been raised as to the standing of this medical college, authoritative information is placed in the appended footnote.) CFF2 1070.1

4. REJECTS GREAT VERITIES OF CHRISTIAN FAITH

But there was also an anti-Christian angle to Davis’ teachings that must not be overlooked, as seen in his Beyond the Valley (1885). In chapter forty-four (“Christianity and Modern Spiritualism”) Davis, answering a question as to “spiritual” or “eternal causes,” and whether they are the “decrees of a personal God,” answers bluntly, “No.” They are, he affirms, “the unchangeable vital currents of the very essence of the Infinite Spirit.” ⁵⁰ Denying “creation” as not being a “correct term,” Davis substitutes “formation.” ⁵¹ Then, dividing the faith of the early Christian Era into that of “distinguished Pagans,” “practical Stoics,” and “spiritualistic Christians,” ⁵³ Davis states that Christianity taught “certain indescribable and everlasting punishment.” By Christianity Davis did not mean “the doctrines of theology,—such as the ‘Fall of Man,’ ‘The Atonement,’ ‘Heaven for the Believer,’ and ‘Hell for the Disbeliever.’” These are all rejected. CFF2 1070.2

Davis dismisses the “Second Advent” by referring to “the second (also the millioneth [sic]) coming of every Truth that can elevate.” Then comes his basic contention that “Modern Spiritualism is a great revival of evidences of a future life and spirit intercourse.” It is designed to “convert skeptics to a belief in personal immortality.” ⁵⁴ That is its unchanging, basic purpose. As to the churches, and whether they will “adopt Spiritualism,” Davis says, “Nothing can be more certain.” In support he cites the “adoption by the clergy of the existing evidences of personal immortality” which they have been “preparing their congregations to receive.” ⁵⁵ Such were some of the basic contentions of Davis, pioneer in Modern Spiritualism. CFF2 1071.1

Certain definitions might be added. Davis asserts that “Spirit, covered by both body and soul, is the ultimate-man, spiritually individualized forever.” The “human spirit,” he adds, is “drawn from the infinite spiritual ocean.” ⁵⁶ “Death” is described as a “backward and downward movement by which the spirit is enabled to leap into the Summer-Land.” And “Life in the next world is substantially the same as is life in our present existence.” ⁵⁷ Such are typical Davis definitions, from his “summary of our [Spiritualist] teachings,” ⁵⁸ in 1885. Those are the abiding principles enunciated by Davis. CFF2 1071.2