16. Spirit-phenomena, like magnetic phenomena, before their cause is known,
may well pass for prodigies ; and those who, imagining themselves to have a monopoly
of reason and common sense, refuse to admit the possibility of anything they do not
understand, have naturally made these reputed prodigies the object of their raillery.
And since religion asserts various facts of a similar character, those who thus scoff at
the one, not unfrequently disbelieve the other. But spiritism, giving a rational
explanation of
many of the facts formerly held by science to be impossible, comes to the aid of
religion, by proving the possibility or certain occurrences which are not the less
extraordinary for not being miraculous, and in regard to which we see that God is not
less great, nor less powerful, for not having violated His own laws. What discussions
have been excited by the levitations of St Cupertin! Yet the suspension in the air of
heavy bodies is a fact explained by spirit-laws; and Mr Home and other mediums
known to us have frequently repeated the phenomenon manifested by St Cupertin. This
phenomenon, therefore, is now included within the order of natural occurrences.
