W. Mediums will not oppose what they know. They will oppose what
they do not understand, if it shall conflict with their views; and,
especially, such as are conscientious in their convictions of truth.
They will not write without much discipline, because long-standing
opinions will not easily yield to the voice of invisible facts. The
nature of mind is such, that educational wrongs must be corrected with
progress. They will yield, when the living light of this sphere shall
pour its splendors on benighted humanity. But no unnatural disturbance
of nature will shock the world. No wisdom can emanate from this circle
inconsistent with the laws by which we are governed. No rude outbreaks
of wisdom will convulse minds, developed in the mysteries of nature. No
minds acquainted with the wisdom of nature will oppose our philosophy.
The weak may oppose, but weakness can not withstand wisdom. They may
cavil with its teachings, but they can not overcome its influence.
The weak may oppose what conflicts with their established sentiments,
but progress will increase their strength. Some mediums will cavil
with what will be revealed; but such will be the uneasiness of their
condition, that they will find it more convenient to write what we
wish than to oppose it. Indeed, mediums will resist our control for a
season, but their resistance will be so unsatisfactory to themselves,
that they will yield; and, when they yield, they will become as others
who have made no effort to resist the force of our communications.
Another mind wished to know, if manifestations from this sphere would
not disturb the established forms of worship, and subvert the order of
societies and churches, to which William replied: “The disturbance of
forms and the overthrow of societies and churches, will not necessarily
take place, except so far as they may be incompatible with the general
good. It is not our object to destroy, but to establish. We do not
propose to lay waste, but to build up. The mission is not to undo what
is wise, but to correct what is unwise. All forms of worship which
are adapted to the condition of the worshiper, will remain so long as
the good of that mind may require; but no form will be suffered to
remain which abridges the right of conscience. It will be our mission
to relieve mind of servitude to creeds and forms, which are chains
to wrong it of independent thought. It will be our united wisdom to
restore the rights, which sectarian policy has not guarantied to her
votaries. If the forms of worship suffer improvement, the worshiper
will not be injured. If societies and churches undergo a revision, the
members will not be harmed. If nations shall acknowledge the rights
of nations, the people will not mourn. To aid minds, collectively and
individually, to be what nature has ordained for their good, is nothing
less than wisdom; and he who well intends, need have no fears of our
intrusion, to change conditions inconsistent with his good.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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