THE TORCH OF REASON, SILVERTON, OREGON, APRIL 5, 1900.
6
Silverton Thought Exchange. proved. Without the entity as a
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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
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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 .
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