ADDIIESS BY LOKD HALSBURV^ r.C, 



15 



111 a proportionate degree the most marvellous credulity 

 upon the subject of spiritual maniff^statioiis. Many who, 

 if they do not reject absolutely, treat with a polite iiidifl'er- 

 ence the teachings of eternal truth, will, nevertheless, sit 

 round a table and listen to the rappings or creakings with 

 a half belief if not more in the inspired character of mahogany. 



The Hebrew Prophet held up to scorn the ignorant 

 idolater who from the same tree could cut a piece of wood 

 and apply it to domestic use and of the rest make a God to 

 w^orship, but the Table-turner improves upon his Hebrew 

 original, he finds an oracle in the table from which he eats 

 his dinner ; it is true that the table has lately gone out of 

 fashion, but have we not Mahatma and paper messages sent 

 by no know^n moi'tal agency and manufactured by no known 

 paper-maker? 



8ince the famous protest of 1865, to which hundreds of 

 scientific and learned men, learned in every field of human 

 thought, put tlieir signatures, we have not heard so much of 

 all scientific men having given up the Bible, but a great 

 assmuption to that effect is made to run through all that 

 class of literature to which 1 have been referring. 



Now this Institute sanctions discussion and enquiry 

 not upon subjects strictly theological but on all sub- 

 jects in respect of wdiich knowledge can be obtained, and 

 shirking none which might seem to touch the regions of 

 religious belief. 



In relation to such a belief history, language, physical 

 metaphysical research — the records of the past, and the 

 reasons which make it probable that there is a future for 

 man beyond the passing shadow of human life. These 

 subjects have been treated with courage and have been 

 among those brought before your audiences ; but the main 

 usefulness of such discussions must be found in answering 

 objections not as affording affirmative proof, while rejecting 

 no region of enquiry which can throw light on any part of 

 creation. 



A story is told of Heraclitus, whose fame was so great 

 that certain persons came to see so great a man. 'i hey 

 came, and as it happened, found him warming himj^elf in a 

 kitchen. The meanness of the place occasioned them to 

 stop, upon which the Philosopher accosted them: "Enter 

 (said he) boldly for here, too, there are Gods." 



Harris, in his Hermes^ adds : " That as there is no part of 

 nature too mean for the Divine presence, so there is no kind 



