The Conditionalist Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 2

V. Spiritualist Manual Presents Official Positions of Spiritualism

The official Spiritualist Manual, the highest authority in Spiritualist ranks, issued by the National Spiritualist Association of Churches of the United States of America (9th revision, 1955), records its basic “Declaration of Principles” (page 34), and its “Interpretation” of that “Declaration,” by Joseph P. Whitwell, president of the association from 1925 to 1943 (pages 35, 36). It likewise gives its official “Definitions” (page 37), and is therefore thoroughly representative. Here is recorded its belief in “The Evolution of Man” (page 41), and in perpetual inspiration (page 44)-that is, perpetuated through Spiritualism. Let us take a brief survey of the leading teachings Set forth in this most authoritative statement of the movement. CFF2 1106.5

1. MISSION OF SPIRITUALISM TO “REVOLUTIONIZE WORLD.”

The Manual contains fourteen Spiritualist services (“Invocation and Reading”), along with its annual “Anniversary Services,” for March 31, commemorating the Hydesville episode. The Manual then blandly asserts: “It is the mission of Spiritualism to revolutionize the world; to sweep away the accumulated rubbish of centuries of ignorance and superstition.” ⁵⁴ CFF2 1107.1

Then it adds the frequently recurring contention, “There is within each a spark of divinity.” ⁵⁵ CFF2 1107.2

2. BURIAL SERVICE: PRAYERS TO SPIRITS OF DEAD

In the “Burial Service” the stated “Invocation” begins:
“O Great Oversoul of All, me turn at this hour in our human weakness, to those beyond the weil, asking strength, understanding and guidance for those who today, through the transition of this beloved spirit from its tenement of clay, are suffering the pain of mortal Separation.” ⁵⁶ CFF2 1107.3

This appeal is actually a prayer to “those beyond the veil”—to the Spirits of the dead. CFF2 1107.4

3. QUOTES PAGAN PRECURSORS AS SUPPORTERS OF SPIRITISM

The Manual deals with the “Definition of Clairvoyance” (pages 114, 115) and “Spiritual Healing” (page 116). It then presents twenty-eight pages of “Selected Quotations” from ancient and modern alleged supporters of Spiritualist principles. These include Homer, the Zend-Avesta, the Buddhist scriptures, Pythagoras, Seneca, Cato, Socrates, Plato, Cicero, and Plutarch-with Jesus as one in the series (pages 119-122). It unabashedly presents Spiritualism as the composite of all religions, past and present. It discusses “Trance-Mediumship” (pages 151, 152) and “Prophecy” (pages 156, 157). CFF2 1107.5

4. ASSERTS BIBLE HONEYCOMBED WITH SPIRITISTIC PHENOMENA

In the section “Spirit Manifestations of the Bible” (pages 158-169) the allegation is flatly made that the Bible is largely the record of Spiritualistic phenomena. In support it lists physical manifestations (such as the iron gate opening for Peter, Acts 12:7-10); speaking with unknown tongues (as at Pentecost); clairvoyant appearances (as of Moses and Elias an the Mount, and of Christ after the resurrection); trances (as of Paul, 2 Corinthians 12:2, 4); direct spirit writing (as an the palace walls of Babylon, Daniel 5:5); levitation (as when Philip was caught away, Acts 8:39, 40), clairvoyance and clairaudience (as with the voice heard by Saul the persecutor, Acts 9:4, 7); healing (as by Jesus, Peter, and Paul); and dreams and visions (as with Daniel and John the revelator). ⁵⁷ All are astutely put forth as Spiritualistic phenomena operative in Bible times. CFF2 1108.1

5. FOX SISTERS’ “RAPS” LIKE TELEGRAPH TAPS

In the “Questions and Answers” section, as to the question “Why was spirit communications not established long ago?” the illuminating answer given is: CFF2 1108.2

“Because at no time in history have the people at large been ready to receive it, until now. Spirit communications have been constantly given during thousands of years, but only the priesthood of each nation were sufficiently educated to recognize and receive them.” ⁵⁸ CFF2 1108.3

And in justification of the crude early rappings in 1848 the appealing answer is:
“As the rappings of a telegraph instrument, when properly interpreted, carry messages of vital import from nation to nation and around the world, so rappings from the spirit world, when properly interpreted, carry messages of vital import and of highest philosophy from the inhabitants of the spirit world to man an the earth plane, by the use of natural forces.” ⁵⁹ CFF2 1108.4

6. “EVIL” SPIRITS EXPLAINED AS MERELY IGNORANT AND UNDEVELOPED

As concerns the “evil spirits” that constantly seek to obtrude into the good spirit messages and plague the mediums, the Manuals recorded answer is that so-called evil spirits are but “undeveloped” and “ignorant” “spirits of those [human beingsj who haue lived an the earth plane.” ⁶⁰ But it adds, naively, that “even the most degraded personality can in time attain to the greatest heights.” ⁶¹ Ultimate restoration is a constantly recurring note. CFF2 1109.1

7. EMPHATIC DENIAL OF “VICARIOUS ATONEMENT.”

Coming to specific doctrines, as to whether the Spirits come back from “a Heaven, a Purgatory or a Hell,” we find the explicit answer is, “We do not believe in such places.” ⁶² And as to whether Spiritualists “believe in ‘Vicarious Atonement,’” the negative response is equally emphatic. In fact, it is printed in capital letters, for emphasis: CFF2 1109.2

“NO. Each must work out his own salvation; each has an equal opportunity to do this when he shall have atoned for the wrongs and overcome the temptations and allurements to the Sense gratifications of earth life.” ⁶³ CFF2 1109.3

8. MEDIEVAL AND MODERN PRECURSORS OF SPIRITUALISM

The Manual also lists a number of asserted precursors of Spiritualism, including Joan of Arc, Emanuel Swedenborg, Edward Irving, with mention of the Shakers, from 1837 to 1844 ⁶⁴ —just before the Fox sisters’ episode of 1848. CFF2 1109.4

9. CLAIMS REGARDING CHRISTIAN SCIENCE AND NEW THOUGHT

In addition, Spiritualists call attention to the fact that Mary Baker Eddy, founder of Christian Science, was a practicing medium in Boston for a time. They look upon the Christian Science Movement as an off-shoot of Spiritualism. ⁶⁵ And the New Thought Movement is likewise regarded by them as an indirect result of Modern Spiritualism. ⁶⁶ At least there are streng affinities. CFF2 1109.5