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About Torch of reason. (Silverton, Oregon) 1896-1903 | View Entire Issue (April 5, 1900)
THE TORCH OF REASON, SILVERTON, OREGON, APRIL 5, 1900. 6 Silverton Thought Exchange. proved. Without the entity as a --------- cause the vital phenomena remain- timothy w. davenport , esq ., and ed an unaccountable mystery. This indestructible entity being proved MRS. ADDA D. MARTIN ON SPIRIT LIFE AND SCIENCE. to exist, all the higher phases of life --------- and mind and of the soul are the The old topic of spirit continu- consequences of its action, ance seemed to bring the tears of The lecture dwelt eloquently the sky to monrn our earthly upon the general blessedness of the fate at the Thought Exchange Sun- immortality which this indestructi- day evening, March 25. But the ble entity assured to one and all, full and hearty choir and the well- in this world and in some world to prepared and beautiful address, come, where friends would meet to gracefully delivered, by Mrs. Adda part no more. Davenport Martin, made the large The lecturess made her spirit audience soon forget all tears above world so much of a reality by her or below. The address had been, pleasant manner and “atmosphere,” as she said, dictated by her venera- that the hardy “ materialists” were ble father, Timothy W. Davenport, not in a hurry to break in upon it. Esq., whose health did dot permit But President H osm er finally be his attendance, and was a result, gan the process of exorcism. It more or less, of the previous dis- was sometimes unpleasant, he said, cussion of similar subjects before to tell the truth, but there could be the Exchange by Mr. Swank and no true Thought Exchange unless others. It was exceedingly well this was done. Until somebody written and well delivered, so that could find some life outside of pro- not a word of it was lost. It sought toplasm and independent of mat- to show, among other things: ter, the fact must continue to be That the belief that there is an that scientists must be liable to be immortal element in man has been called “materialists.” As long as the firmest conviction of the better everything we did know was found and greater part of the human race to be matter or the properties of from time immemorial, and the matter, that is, the changes, or basis of the life, ambition and the motions, or processes of matter in hope of every people who had led mass, or in its atoms or elements, in the progress of the race. For there was no presumption that the this reason the presumption was in phenomena of life could be excep- favor of this conviction, and it tions. The presumption had thus could only be overthrown by the been entirely changed by science in positive facts of scientific investiga- favor of the natural origin of pro- tion, thoroughly cross-examined so toplasm and of all of its actions, as to be indisputable. If the facts properties and processes, vital as were found to be thus established well as others. This result had against this old belief, there would, been proved by every test that sci of course, be no alternative but to ence could bring to bear upon the give it up, and to make the best we subject; that he would leave Prof. could of life without it. But, the Wakeman to follow up. Nor was lecture argued, there was no reason there any propriety in saying that to believe that such a time would the old egotistic immortality was ever come. The claim of Material really desirable. Thinking people ists and some Psychologists that soon outgrow it when they try and modern science had explained the take in its stead the human or al consciousness and the ego of man truistic immortality that looks as the co-operative results of nerve towards a “heaven” on earth, in action arising from contact with stead of one now utterly inconceiv the world, availed naught, as long able in space or time. Yet a as life itself remained an acknowl hope of this inconceivable world, edged mystery, except as it may be millions of dollars are worse than explained by spirit action. And wasted every year in church build this was just what scientists gener ings and theological efforts, and the ally acknowledged it to be. This whole life of man is misdirected. the lecture sought to prove by Practically, this world is left to be quotations from Scientists who were a hell, because everybody is here claimed to be also Spiritualists. only in a selfish, individual state of Then as the bottom question the probation, trying to save his soul origin and nature of the life of cells for a world that is really incon and micro-organisms was taken up. ceivable. Is not that the crowning It was shown that the living mat folly of our otherwise enlightened ter was chemically the same as age? dead matter used by us as food, Prof. Buff was intent upon ap plus the vital phenomena which plying the lecture to the spiritual came only from, and as a part of, inconsistencies and impossibilities other living matter, by division or of the New Testament, and won as the germ and sperm cells of dered how absurd they would ap plants and animals. This vitality pear now in our present practical was an immaterial entity, and age. He was tired of theories and was the difference ^Airi n, ■Hr’jjjg wanted a live Spiritualist who could and d e ^ vttl principle of abso-.he do somethiug, and so prove some- UMf authority can never be carried I whohin?. Io lhe abaence of any other . destiuj^ would be I specimen, he promised a slate-writ- ao » ao sx c> diurn be heard on this platform?” he asked. And the answer was,' “Try it on.” Prof. Wakeman was then backed up against the footlights. He was impressed that in this lecture Youth, Beauty and Age, and the whole past of the race, had con spired to do their best for the “old heart” of man. He then went into the science of the matter, and his speech excited much interest and is given in another column. Most of the audience evidently wished time to master the issue be tween Entity and Process, and the clouds had not cleared up when they reached their homes, x. y . z . 50 YEARS’ E X P E R IE N C E T rade M arks D es ig n s C o p y r ig h t s A c . 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