Pesky problems for positive preachers

Front matter

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PESKY PROBLEMS for POSITIVE PREACHERS

Dedication

This little book of "Pesky Problems" is given to the world in the name of Truth, some of its sentences being dictated by my father in spirit, who in earth life was a "Positive Preacher." We join with loving affection in dedicating this book, as a well-earned tribute, to MY MOTHER, Mrs. Elizabeth M.

Beatty, my helper and co-worker in the cause of Truth.

James McGregor Beatty.

Introduction

The author has a desire to bring before his readers the facts herein, not alone for the purpose of producing evidence of the sad lack of real knowledge regarding the subject of continuity of life, nor by reason of the positive positions taken by most of the clergymen upon a subject (by their own admission), entirely unknown to them ; for genuine knowledge is unobtainable from them ; but, specially for the purpose of proving, if possible, to the reader, that there is NO death; and to show that life beyond so-called " death,' ' is absolutely a scientifically proven fact. This, however, can only be proven individually by research and study, just the same as the student would prove any other scientific subject. The writer well understands the natural scepticism of the persons who are entirely ignorant of this branch of Science.

But, if a man or woman be ignorant of everything pertaining to this greatest of all subjects, and has never truly investigated Spiritualism, it would seem to follow that such opinion should count for naught, but this is not generally the case. In a gathering of unscientific people, where the conversation turns to Astronomy, Chemistry, or the Radio Telephone, all who have not studied these subjects will reply, ''I'm interested, but I haven't gone into the subject very far;" or, "It's wonderful, but it's too deep for me." Just mention Spiritualism, however, or "Life after Death," or "Psychical Research," and all those who have not even studied the subject, or investigated it, profess to know absolutely what can be done, and what cannot be done ; or, if it is to be done at all it must be accomplished as

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they suggest — or they will not believe in it; for, "they have seen these things exposed in the movies.' '

This class of people exhibit ignorance of the subject, but the sad part of it is, that a large proportion of so-called religious persons are the most insistent that it is absolutely unprovable. Surely their opinion cannot be of real value, for they have no knowledge, according to their own admission.

If this book does nothing more than influence some reader to realize that there is NO INFALLIBILITY on any subject ; and discovery of this, leads him to inquiry and investigation — if I can so inspire YOU, I shall be greatly repaid for my efforts.

It must be admitted that all should be interested in this subject, regardless of one's rank, creed, color, or even the religion we find ourselves affiliated with; for after all, one's religious belief is generally the result of up-bringing. On the other hand, one 's religious knowledge is generally the effect of past experience, as the result of a desire for the truth. The searcher must show a willingness to forget all previous creeds, and dogmas, in order to be able to think honestly for himself.

Everyone who reads this printed page, like the entire human race, must one day lay down this mortal vehicle, this physical temple, and begin to function in another world ; it may, or it may not be, in a spiritual body, and on another plane.

The question follows — on what plane? This depends entirely upon ourselves — our thoughts, our actions, and our life ! We alone, can steer our own soul to the goal of life, here, and hereafter. We alone must give the smile or the helping hand. We alone can change our life in order to lift ourselves up to the highest plane; to the real Universal church anticipation, as forecast by the Christ himself. We alone must think our own thoughts, and live our own lives ! We alone must shape and mould our individual character, and bring it into harmony with the thoughts instilled into us by the

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Higher Powers. We alone MUST LIVE OUR OWN PHYSICAL LIFE! I, alone, can save myself from MYSELF !

The writer, years ago, belonged to a Psychical Research Society in which were represented many sects and religions, including the Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Theosophist, Catholic, Jewish, Orthodox, and Buddhist. This association, with others, opened my eyes to the fact that a person's religion has not one thing to do with Life's Futurity; all of these religions definitely teach us to believe in an after life, yet the Spiritualist Religion is the only one asked to prove scientifically, beyond dispute, its religious teachings.

No one ever suggests asking a Methodist to prove beyond question that his friends "passed on," are not still interested in the world they live in. A Baptist preacher has not one iota of proof that his dead friends are not functioning in another world.

The Catholic religion teaches that a true servant of the church must take the word of the priest, as beyond question, that the loved ones gone on, are in or out of Purgatory, and are now suffering, or happy. None however, leave Purgatory, until their friends have paid well for their release, by means of priestly prayers.

The Orthodox Church of today is not giving knowledge of the Life after Death as taught by Christ! is not even giving guidance to that end; therefore, those of us, who want to know, must necessarily seek elsewhere than in the orthodox Theology for information as to Futurity.

Let all who are truly desirous of learning the truth of religion, and the principles governing earth life, come out boldly and examine, so far as God has given him the mental ability, those facts in Nature from which he can deduce the will of God. These facts can be very easily verified by the honest inquirer today, despite the fact that this is discouraged by some of the so-called Christian Churches.

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The Biblical proof (if such it may be called), is literally accepted, by many as really happening and as detailed many hundreds of years ago ; others again, oppose it as unproven today, in the light of scientific investigation.

Millions believe that Jesus rose from the dead, and that Jesus, Peter, James and John saw Moses and Elias after they had been dead many hundreds of years ; yet, when told that this very thing can be seen today in Psychical Circles all over the world, they refuse to believe it. Even though such scientists as Sir Oliver Lodge, Flammarion, Sir ¥m. Crooks and Wallace have studied these phenomena IN THEIR OWN HOMES.

Bible students will constantly dwell on the thought that Peter spoke while in trance, but illogically refuse to admit that trance speaking is today proven (the world over) to millions of thoughtful, intelligent men and women.

When told that the writer has had proofs, absolute and undeniable, in the privacy of his own home, that there is no death, unbelieving friends sneer and laugh, claiming them to be only pure imagination, wondering — and even suggesting — that he cannot really believe "such stuff!"

Can anyone imagine a student of Astronomy, who really wanted to obtain knowledge of that science, refusing to look through a solar telescope? Can we believe it, if told that a student of Chemistry refuses to listen to the expert scientists who are prepared to teach him its mysteries, and who possess the knowledge to do so? or refusing to make personal experiments to verify the theories of Elementary Chemistry! I cannot imagine a student taking the standpoint that, because his professors know all about his particular science, the student himself is justified in refusing to study, personally, on the grounds that the professor's knowledge was evidence sufficient.

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Neither can I imagine anyone seeking to know abont "life after Death" refusing to avail himself of whatever opportunities offer for investigation and study, simply because certain preachers claim to know all about it, and assert that — as they are specially selected to expound and dogmatize on religious subjects — laymen are not qualified to learn about such things; or that it is impossible to find out about them without being invested with power by a bishop, or other clerical dignitary.

Few preachers know anything about the life beyond the grave ! Then why leave this great subject longer in their hands alone?

The watchword of the Christian Church of the future must be " SERVICE" instead of sect or creed. FACTS, must guide instead of fantasy; and we MUST BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE KNOWLEDGE instead of believing that if we have Faith we need not knowledge.

"Seek and ye shall find" was the command of the Great Teacher of Life, and Love, to all mankind. Let nothing, therefore, hamper your freedom of thought! Read, study and think, for if you are to advance, no one can do your thinking for you ; no one can work out scientific or other problems in your own consciousness! That is your individual responsibility, your present and and future development! In the face of facts that to me, are indisputable, I cannot accept the average preacher's dictum about the condition of the soul and spirit after they leave the body in the course of transition, from the earth life to the spiritual continuity. Many refuse to study or even investigate these matters.

The Medieval Church taught that kings rule by Divine Right, but this teaching by the church was wrong, as it was promulgated for the sole purpose of absolute control of the nations by Papal authority. The Church taught that Slavery was right because it was practiced in Biblical times. Now, we know that the teachings of the church and the interpretations placed upon the Bible xii Pesky Problems for Positive Preachers

were both wrong. Thus the Church taught us that all there is to know about a future life must come through the clergy of the church, as they interpreted the Bible.

If we are to believe fallacious theories we must admit the power of God has failed; and that a few Jews over nineteen hundred years ago received the last teachings ever to be given to mortal man about the soul. If we believe that we are incompetent to use our own brain power, and that God cannot train us to obey His will, without the intervention of church guidance, it follows that, if we try to find out any more about truth, "The Devil will get us!"

Let us get away from such foolishness! It is a good thing for us poor mortals that God created great minds, thinkers, teachers, and exponents of True religion, and that they refused to be hand-cuffed, bound and gagged, mentally, or we should still be believing those false teachings, mendacious and selfishly devised doctrines.

For over twenty years I was an active member of the Christian church, yet during that time it was never brought home to me that there was a veritable, existent spiritual world, leading one on to Immortal life. Nor was evidence produced that man had a soul, although I sought earnestly for such evidence. After investigating for many years in the various fields of higher thought, I found satisfactory, and I may honestly say, undoubted evidence in many startling ways, that man has a living soul.

I received supernormal proof that THERE IS NO DEATH! Therefore, I submit to you, that, if you as an individual desire to learn the Truth, and seek it with the intensity I did, you will receive power that will place you within the ethereal flood of Divine Truth itself; you will awaken to a sense of your own share in the Divinity of God. You will know and feel per-

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sonally the Truth — ' ' and the Truth shall make you free. ' ' May this freedom from prejudice guide you in the reading of these pages.

H^TH^f^

Give us Love and give us Laughter, And a hand-clasp firm and true.

Give us Help and lend us Courage, For the task 'tis ours to do.

Give us Facts instead of Fancy, Show us Truth instead of Creed, Give us Love and Light and Kindness ; SERVICE, is the world's great need.

J. M. B.

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