The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 26
To "Orthodox" Christians
To "Orthodox" Christians.
In addressing you to-night I may be accused of having taken a liberty; but, believe me, that liberty is fraught with love—a love that I cherish for all mankind.
It is not every day that sees one of a liberal mind and fine character pass from your sight: a mind and character whose views may have appeared, from your standpoint, not only erroneous, but ungodly and unrighteous, as well as hostile to the principles which you profess.
The mind of that being whose mortal frame, a few hours ago, was placed beneath the sod, had become so expanded, so enlarged, that it could realise the glorious benefit of the life beyond, and its superiority page 56 over that from which he has so recently departed. His life was devoted to the amelioration of the condition of his fellows—to soothe the broken-hearted, and perform all the good that was in his power. In this, at least, you cannot but admit that he is worthy of imitation, and I earnestly invoke you to summon all your energies to the task and emulate his example, thereby placing on record your approval of one phase of the character of him whom you deemed inimical to your religious beliefs.
Strive, my friends, to live purely and peacefully upon earth, smoothing, by your acts, the rougher paths of your fellow voyagers upon the ocean of life. You are not required to work the laws of the mighty universe, but merely to act justly, and tread the path of progress.
"That a sinner has been called away; that he who was so evil cannot possibly any more come in contact with us. His soul, as well as that body which now is food for worms, will perish; and that mind, animated by a devil bound in flesh, which so stirred the passions against us, has boon cast by a wrathful God into perdition—meet reward for such iniquity!"
* This address was given on Saturday evening.
† See his pamphlet, published a few days before his death.
Small things are the germs of larger ones. Little things have grown to a size which taxes your physical sight to scan. Four earth, for instance, from a handfull of atoms has, in the course of countless ages, spread over thousands of miles of space. The expansion is a till continuing, and will continue, for nature is ever progressive and never idle. By the aggregation of atoms: by the incessant labors of animalcules; and by other means, the earth has been turned and enlarged in various ways and shapes: out of molehills have risen mountains; out of the mountains have risen trees. From this ever-revolving globe have proceeded the beings called men and women, whose earthly bodies return to the dust from whence they sprang; but whose spiritual forms contain a germ of life—a soul that can ne'er part with its glorious immortality.
* See his book, entitled "A Discussion on the Unity, Duality, and Trinity of the Godhead,' which clearly demonstrates the erroneous character of the popular belief.
There is not one hour of your day, indeed, I might venture to say, there is not a minute, that spirits are not ushered into either light or darkness; but those states are not the heaven and hell of "orthodoxy"; the results of whose teachings are a sad commentary upon the influence of ignorance and mythology. I have no desire to convert you to Spiritualism; but I wish to impress upon your minds the necessity of cultivating and encouraging the faculties which will fully develope the God-like qualities of Love and Justice. If the sentiments which animate your being, in regard to the faith you cherish and venerate, be pure and void of taint, fear not to be outspoken in your language when you find it necessary to advance the cause you consider holy. Let your character be clear and your thoughts pure. The path which your recent contemporary is now traversing you also must tread; and think you not that it would, like him, well become you to learn something of the nature of that path? I venture to think that it would, so that your advent into the spirit-world will be attended by more of joy than of sorrow. When you become denizens of that world your character will be clearly perceived, for you will be divested of the earthly coating which now conceals your thoughts, and all will be open as the noonday.
Remember with love him who has lately passed from your view. Think of him as a spirit who has cast the bonds of earth away; think of him as one who is now endowed with immortal sensibilities—of one inspired by new and more expansive conceptions than it is possible for man to possess. Then rest, oh! earth-form that bore so well the fearless soul. Return to, and mingle with, the dust from whence thou arose, for thou hast performed thy part. The feet that bore up thy stately form can do so no longer. The hands are cold and paralyzed that once did trace with pen the thoughts of a vigorous mind; thoughts that, transferred to other minds from the pages upon which they are impressed, may have arrested the attention of some for the hour; while upon others an indelible and grateful impression has been page 59 effected by their perusal. The quick and electric brain that was replete with vitality and desire to expose and extirpate the vicious and detestable doctrines that are so rampant, now lies cold and covered o'er with earth; but from that now putrescent brain has emanated an organ corresponding to the surroundings of the higher life: a life which, to the progressive and ascending spirit, is bathed in celestial splendour! The flowers which loving hands placed upon thy coffin are now fading and crushed, and will soon mingle with the dust of thy body. But here behold a form that no spell-bound coffin holds! He stands erect with tranquillity, grateful that at length he has reached the higher state, where he will unfold in love and wisdom throughout everlasting spheres.