The Missing Link In Modern Spiritualism Part 17

"Enough is known already to warrant the immense interest which this subject is now creating, and I think that there is in the future (not very distant) a glad day approaching. I am sometimes disposed to be depressed. I have very little from Spirits, such as I would most wish to get communications from, and you can hardly realize the sense of neglect--so to speak--which I feel. I hope, when you return, some of my kindred Spirits--that delicate, pure-souled sister of mine, in particular (a lock of whose hair I took from among my papers yesterday and found it as l.u.s.trous as when first taken from her perishing form), may have some message to deliver to one whose love for her is immortal.

Leah, I want to whisper in your ear. Turn from the table and the sceptics who sit by, and lend me your ears. Last night, when my internal senses were playing their pranks, I had a dream of you. You were at your home, and my solicitude for the kingdom had led my steps to the _capital_ of the New Jerusalem. My best bow had been made to the Spirits, the last words to you had been said, and I was about going out of the gate, when I remembered an important omission: and turning just as you were closing the front door, I cried, 'Leah! Leah!' and awoke with your name on my lips; p.r.o.nouncing it once _audibly_ after I awoke--just to see if you could come and answer me. But no response came, not even an echo of my voice from the walls of my room. Leah!

Leah! I call again, and will you come?

"Yours in the bonds of patience, "J. E. R."

LETTER FROM WELCOME WHITTAKER.

TROY, N. Y., February 24, 1851.

"MRS. FISH:

"I perceive, by the Buffalo papers, that you have had the unparalleled temerity to call public attention, in that place, to the manifestations of Spiritualism; and that, too, without so much as consulting for one moment the feelings, prejudices, or _scientific acc.u.mulation_ of certain of the wonderful Faculty there. Well, they pounced upon you as you might well suppose such (G.o.d forgive me!) _scientific gentlemen_ would, conscious as they doubtless are, that their position on the pyramid of all human knowledge is nothing short of the very cap-stone itself. Not only have they, in most _chivalrous manner_, arrayed themselves for your disrespect, but a masterly stroke, ingeniously given, shielded the public forever against such _gross trickery and imposition_ by an expose of the whole thing!

"O! never three luckier D(og)s together than the three M.D.'s of Buffalo, who in so short a time lifted the veil and exposed to open day the 'very mechanism' by which deluded thousands have been _led astray_, first by a course of negative reasoning, the parallel of which, I venture to say, cannot be found in all the annals of philosophic research. This of itself must be sufficient to render the names of Lee, Flint, and Coventry, at least _notorious_, if not ill.u.s.trious.

"But, as if one death would not be a sufficient quietus, they give the certain home-thrust (the mortal stab), in the _naked, positive proof_.

Now was there ever anything equal to that? When will such philanthropy, such critical discernment, such zeal, and such science be appreciated?

And last, though not least, that highly respectable lady, 'who, by a mental effort, can dislocate her knee-joints,' and then make the 'identical' sounds so foolishly ascribed to the Spirits, must not be lost sight of in the words of overwhelming grat.i.tude to these three M.D.'s above mentioned.

"Dear, kind-hearted soul! she must possess an unbounded share of the milk of human-kindness. No one can, for a moment, suppose that she was solicited to expose her knees to various _gentlemen_ of the medical profession, for they must be sufficiently acquainted with anatomy and physiology to know all the _mechanism_ at all competent to produce those sounds. It must, therefore, have been on her part perfectly voluntary--prompted purely by a most benevolent desire to expose a _humbug_. But Spiritualism will still progress, and its advocates shall gloriously ride over all adversity, for G.o.d is omnipotent.

"If contemptible meanness, united with unmitigated scoundrelism, can be found on this earth, it resides in the black heart of him who coins epithets designed to rob defenceless females of their spotless reputation, which is ever of more value to them than life itself.

"I felt, therefore, most indignant while reading the two articles in the _Commercial Advertiser_ of the 17th, and the _Courier_ of the 18th, both of which I believe to be palpably libellous; and for which, I have no doubt, any able lawyer would tell you a suit for slander would bear most beautifully.

"I thought to advise you to proceed against these libellers forthwith; but when indignation gave place to mingled contempt and pity, I came to the conclusion that if you could follow the example of Him whose persecutors were the objects of his latest pet.i.tion--'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do'--it might perhaps be best in the long run. But it is not always easy to determine the exact point where forbearance ceases to be a virtue.

"A friend from Syracuse told me the other day, that a sum of money (he did not say how much) had been subscribed for the purpose of having you visit that place. I will meet you if I can.

"Yours, "WELCOME WHITTAKER."

LETTER FROM JOHN E. ROBINSON.

"THE CITY OF THE NEW DISPENSATION, "March 12, 1851, Anno Spirituum, 3.

"DEAR LEAH:

"What a woman you are! Why don't you write to me? You know how anxious your friends are to hear from you, and you promised to write often and to send _papers_ frequently. Only _one_ paper have I received from you.

Everybody whom you care a fig for here in Rochester asks me about Buffalo and _you, and you_. But I am not _posted up_ and cannot tell them of your triumphs or escapes from the hands of the many-headed hydra whom you have slain so often. Not having a line from you a week ago, in answer to my last letter, I thought you intended to return last Sat.u.r.day, but no train of cars, which I have heard of, brought you as a part of its living freight, and _we_ (that is I) are 'a-wearied' because you answer not our call to 'come.' Now I _command_ you, in the name of all the G.o.ds of the heathen mythology, to come to us, either _spiritwise_ (on a sheet of paper of ample dimensions), or _bodily_ (as would most effectually comport with our comfort and desire), by an early departing train from our sister city, whose queenly dignity, in thus aspiring to rob us of our Spiritual flame--the guide of our uncertain steps--we are getting jealous of. I received a good letter from your witch sister, my darling little Katie, this morning. She writes with much cheerfulness. Says she has commenced another quarter at her school (in New York). She says also she is 'crazy' to see me!

You know just about what is intended to be understood when she thus addresses me (her friend and adviser); but Cathie is fast learning to be a woman, and my prayer is that she may escape the bitter trials through which you and your mother have been called to pa.s.s. She adds: 'We had a telegraphic despatch from Maggie, saying she would be here last week Sat.u.r.day; but she don't come, and we have given up looking for her.' She says: 'Give my love to Leah and Margaretta, and tell them I want to see them.'

"George Willets and myself went over to see Clara (your housekeeper) yesterday. She is getting along tolerably well, but appears unwilling to remain much longer alone. She is evidently afraid--thinks the Spirits annoy her at nights. More than half of that is (of course) imagination.

Why not come home, and go again, _if you must_, westward? But here I am asking you questions and you do not answer them. Busied as you are, and tired as you must be, most of the time, it is too much of a task for you to write to me; and I don't know but George is right in saying, 'Leah has found so many new loves that the winds blowing eastward come not freighted with a thought of _us_.' Since the above was written an old friend from the country has called in to see me, and one of his questions was, 'Well, do your views remain the same in regard to the rapping?' 'Yes,' I said, 'I have had no occasion or cause to change them.' 'Why, Doctor Flint's statement has explained the whole thing,'

he said, and added, 'He writes very plausibly and conclusively on the subject.' Now, this friend and relative of mine is a most excellent man, and I thoroughly appreciate him as a good member of society, an excellent husband and father, and an honest man; but the light which illumes the pathway of his intellect is not set on a very high hill!

Leah, I ought not to write to you, wouldn't if I could avoid it, and beg pardon of propriety for thus making a virtue of necessity.

"Mine to you--not forgetting Maggie and Calvin.

"Yours, "J. E. R."

CHAPTER XV.

EXTRACTS FROM D. M. DEWEY'S HISTORY.

LETTERS FROM REV. CHARLES HAMMOND AND JOHN E. ROBINSON.

Before I proceed to our next field of operations, which was Ohio, I may take the opportunity afforded by the interval to extract from a volume ent.i.tled, "D. M. Dewey's History of the Strange Sounds or Rappings Heard in Rochester and Western New York," two letters, by the Rev. C. C.

Hammond, and our good friend, John E. Robinson, which will be found well worthy of perusal.

LETTER FROM REV. CHARLES HAMMOND.

"ROCHESTER, February 22, 1850.

"MR. D. M. DEWEY:

"DEAR SIR--In compliance with your solicitation, I will proceed to lay before you a brief statement of what has fallen under my observation, in regard to the 'mysterious sounds' and 'demonstrations' purporting to be made by intelligent Spirits, who once inhabited an earthly tabernacle.

"In the early part of January last, in company with other persons, I gained an introduction to the family in this city in whose residence these sounds had been heard. They received us politely, and seemed rather more cheerful than what I had supposed would be natural for those who were hourly exchanging communications with the Spirits of the revered dead. A company of twenty or more persons had a.s.sembled--the 'three sisters' came into the room--the sounds were heard--and through the medium of the alphabet, they, and about half of the company, were directed to retire to another apartment. Our company in the absence of the 'three sisters,' whose presence is generally deemed essential to these Spiritual communications, were all seated closely around an ordinary dining-table, when one of the ladies, bowing her head, inquired, 'Will the Spirit answer questions now?' No response being made, I felt the disappointment of the lady, and was half inclined to smile at the ludicrous scene, when the searching glance of her suspicious eye falling upon me, bade me maintain my usual gravity and respect toward the company, and the occasion which had called us there.

After several ineffectual attempts to get responses the sounds were heard, and the company generally were privileged with answers to their respective interrogatories. I availed myself of the opportunity, but gained no other satisfaction than a prompt a.s.surance that all my 'test questions' should be answered when I should come there again. I went away sceptical, though unable to account for the 'sounds,' which caused the floor occasionally to vibrate under my feet.

"On my next visit I was much more successful. During the interval I had prepared my mind with certain questions, touching events unknown to the family, and of a remote date. The sounds told me my age precisely, though my appearance is such as to indicate a difference of eight or ten years. The names of six of my nearest deceased relations were given me.

I then inquired, 'Will the Spirit, who now makes these sounds, give me its name?' Five sounds directed me to the alphabet, which I repeated until the name of 'Charles' appeared, which answered to an infant child whom we consigned to the grave in March, 1843. To my inquiries, it gave me a true answer in regard to the time it had been in the Spirit-land, and also the period since my eldest sister's death, which was nearly eighteen years--the latter fact not being recollected then, I found it true by dates on my return home. Many other test questions were correctly answered; and yet, notwithstanding that the origin of these sounds seemed inexplicable, I was inclined to impute them to mesmerism or clairvoyance. However, as the Spirit promised to satisfy me by other demonstrations when I came again, I patiently awaited the opportunity.

"On the third visit, I was selected from a half-dozen gentlemen, and directed by these sounds to retire to another apartment, in company with the 'three sisters' and their mother.

"It was about eight o'clock in the evening. A lighted candle was placed on a large table, and we seated ourselves around it. I occupied one side of the table, the mother and youngest daughter the right, and two of the sisters the left, leaving the opposite side of the table vacant. On taking our positions the sounds were heard, and continued to multiply, and became more violent, until every part of the room trembled with their demonstrations. They were unlike any I had heard before. Suddenly, as we were all resting on the table, I felt the side next to me move upward; I pressed upon it heavily, but soon it pa.s.sed out of the reach of us all--full six feet from me, and at least four from the person nearest to it. I saw distinctly its position--not a thread could have connected it with any of the company without my notice, for I had come to detect imposition, if it could be found. In this position we were situated, when the question was asked, 'Will the Spirit move the table back where it was before?' And back it came, as though it were carried on the head of some one, who had not suited his position to a perfect equipoise, the balance being sometimes in favor of one side and then the other. But it regained its first position. In the mean time the 'demonstrations' became louder and louder. The family commenced and sang the 'Spirits' Song,' and several other pieces of sacred music, during which accurate time was marked on the table, causing it to vibrate; a transparent hand, resembling a shadow, presented itself before my face; I felt fingers taking hold of a lock of hair on the left side of my head, causing an inclination of several inches; then a cold, death-like hand was drawn designedly over my face; three gentle raps on my left knee; my right limb forcibly pulled, against strong resistance, under the table; a violent shaking, as though two hands were applied to my shoulders; myself and chair uplifted and moved back a few inches, and several slaps, as with a hand, on the side of my head, which were repeated on each one of the company, more rapidly than I could count.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Ground Floor of Troup St. house. But note that the rear room D is not on that level, but in that of the Second Story: there being under it a corresponding dining-room: while above A and C, and level with D, were bed rooms; and _h_ is the Stair connecting the two stories. A, Front Parlor. B, Hall. C, Bed-room. D, Sitting-Room (on floor above). E, Bed-room. F, Stoop. G, Store-room (lighted from the roof). a, Table moved in presence of Dr. Hammond. b, Table moved, see lines. c, Stove. d, Large parlor stove. ee, Lounges. f, Bureau. g, Piano. h, Stairs to sitting-room D.]

"During these manifestations, a piece of pasteboard, nearly a foot square, was swung with such velocity before us as to throw a strong current of air in our faces; a paper curtain attached to one of the windows was rolled up and unrolled twice; a lounge immediately behind me was shaken violently; two small drawers in a bureau played back and forth with inconceivable rapidity; a sound, resembling a man sawing boards and planing them, was heard under the table; a common spinning-wheel seemed to be in motion, making a very natural buzz of the spindle; a reel articulated each knot wound upon it; while the sound of a rocking cradle indicated maternal care for the infant's slumbers.

These were among many demonstrations which I witnessed that evening, amid which I felt a perfect self-possession, and in no instance the slightest embarra.s.sment, except a momentary chill when the cold hand was applied to my face, similar to a sensation I have realized when touching a dead body.

"That any of the company could have performed these things, under the circ.u.mstances in which we were situated, would require a greater stretch of credulity on my part, than it would to believe it was the work of Spirits. It could not, by any possibility, have been done by any of the party of individuals present, nor even attempted, without detection.

And I may add, that near the close of the demonstrations at this visit, there was a vibration of the floor, as though several tons in weight had been uplifted and suddenly fallen again upon it. This caused everything in the room to shake most violently for several minutes, when the force was withdrawn.

"I have also tested the intelligence of these Spirits in every way my ingenuity could invent. On one occasion, I wrote a word on a slip of paper privately, placed it in my wallet, went there, and the sounds, through the alphabet, spelled that word correctly as I had written it.

That word was 'Sybil.'

"On the 20th of February, inst., the two youngest sisters made my family a visit. Here the sounds were heard, questions involving subjects wholly unknown to them were answered, a large heavy dining-table was moved several times; and on expressing thanks at the table to the Giver of all good, some six or eight sounds responded to every sentence I uttered, by making loud and distinct sounds in various parts of the room.

"Yours truly, "C. HAMMOND."