Spiritual Exposition of the Prophetic Scriptures, of the New Testament, received by J. M. Brown, E. H. Baxter, E. A. Benedict, Celista Sherman, Milo Webster, Sen., D. D. T. Benedict, MS. Carr, C. Conventry, Samuel Brown, Sen. and G.W. Hyatt
Auburn, N.Y. E.H. Baxter and E. A. Benedict 1850. First Edition. 120 pages. 5 1/4 x 7 3/4 inches. Publisher's cloth with "Exposition of the New Testament" on front panel in gilt and blank spine. Minor wear at the corners. Very Good. Cloth. [23059]
The authors, in a section "To The Public" explain that the contents of the book have been derived from alphabetical work with a spirit board with a clairvoyant present (but in normal state), the results of which were checked and found to be correct. They give various reasons why this is true including "That the spirits who have explained the followin g scriptures are those they profess to be, we have had the following evidence, viz: they have been questions in the pure Hebrew language and answered correctly, and further...[that their answers were consistent and harmonious]."
A new periodical of the time, "Spiritual Philosophy" by La Roy Sunderland reviews this 50 cent pamphlet "which has apparently been 'received, entirely, from spiritual communications'. The review points out many errors, inconsistencies, and they highlight extensive use of cant phrases such as "Redeemed body", "Prophetic Scripture" and the like.
They further note "It has us with the suspicion that it got up for the purpose of bringing Spiritual Knockings properly so into disrepute." Their summary is bleak: "It very much reminds us of the 'Book of Mormon.' But, as we suppose the country had about enough of this kind of stuff just before the '10th day of the 7th month, 1844', they will not hand over many '50 cents' for such a worthless production." (Spiritual Philosopher, Vol 1, No 1. July 1850, Page 10)
We make no judgement on the matter ourselves, but point out that the survival rate is fairly slim, with 4 copies in US institutions and a few beyond.
ITEM SOLD