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LIBRARY
OF THE
University of California.
Mrs. SARAH P. WALSWORTH.
Received October, 1894.
^Accessions No, S^S3 /J^ Class No.
EDIJO.
PSYCH.
UBRARY
A s
THREE-FOLD TEST
MODEM SPIRITUALISM.
BY
WILLIAM R. GORDON, D.D.
"Teebl: Thon alt welglied in the balances, and nrt found wanting."— Dan. 5 : 27. ||b'
NEW-YORK:
CHARLES SCRIBNER, 377 & 879 BROADWAY.
1856. h
13 FIO^Z
";^'.,
r ^s^^
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, by
WILLIAM E. GORDON,
in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for
the Southern District of New-York.
JOim A. GEAY'S '*^',
FIRE-PROOP PRINTING OFFICE
16 and 18 Jacob Street, N. Y,
■*
CONTENTS.
PAGB
Preface, . 5
Inteoduction, . . . . . • .7
CHAPTER I.
HiSTOEY OF Modern Spiritualism, . . .19
CHAPTER n.
The Fiest Test of Spieituaxism, ... 81
CHAPTER in.
Paeallel Maot'estations among the Heathen, ,156
CHAPTER rV^.
Demonologt, 174
CHAPTER V.
The Second Test of Spieitualism, . . .188
IV CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VI.
PAGE
The Good and Evil of Spikitualism contrasted, 258
CHAPTER VH.
The Third Test oe Spiritualism: the Bible, . 290
CHAPTER Vin.
The Doctrines op Spiritualism subyersiye of
Christianity, and Heathenish, . . .325
CHAPTER IX.
War upon Christianity proclaimed, . . 345
CHAPTER X.
Address to Recreant Christians, . . .375
CHAPTER XI.
A Word to the Churches, 398
is^
P E E F A E.
It may be thought by some, quite below the dignity of his char-
acter and calling, for a Minister of the Gospel to waste his time
by writing on the unworthy subject which this book professes to
discuss. The author has no other apology to make but a differ-
ence of opinion. He does not consider the subject beneath him, be-
cause it has already attained results unusually great, for the period
it has been before the world as a distinct individuality ; and for
this reason, he hopes his time has not been wasted.
Modern Spiritualism, whatever may be thought of its intrinsic
merits, derives importance from considerations extraneous to
these. It has enlisted in its service, men who have been honored
with posts of influence and trust ; men who have as much to lose
as others ; men of earnest purpose, who defend their position with
tact, and display a mind made up in courage, worthy of any
cause ; and men who write with force, and show an all-pervading
earnestness at the cost of reputation : and they have succeeded
in pushing their cause to the position of an influence that can not
be met by the argument of contempt. The matter of its worth
or worthlessness, does not alter the facts of its present power
and increasing growth ; and as it is the solemn duty of the Gos-
pel ministry, to influence the masses in favor of the cause they
hold to be of vital interest to the souls of men, indifference to any
thing interfering with their own success, is a sin of omission sur-
charged with guilt. None understand this better than they.
VI PEEFACE.
We can not hope that such as have been led astray by this
strange delusion, will be cured of their folly by their own dis-
coveries ; and if they should, such discoveries would cost quite
too much. It is better to prevent than to cure. We think, the
reasons that prompted the composition of this book, will be fully
understood when the courteous reader gets midway ; and with
this intimation, we beg excuse for stopping here, and have good
hope it will be granted; for long Prefaces are rightly judged to
be, in most cases, quite too lengthy ; and when we may, it is best
to secure the merit of being short.
i^ - #
m-
INTRODUCTION
His readers have a right to know, in the outset, whether the au-
thor has any thing to offer more than others who have preceded
him, on the side of the question he proposes to discuss in this
volume. It will be seen that he claims to have furnished in his
work a7nple materials to enable them to judge for themselves
both as to the intrinsic merits of the subject before them, and
his qualifications, so far as they relate to his plan of investiga-
tion ; and also his opportunities for getting at the truth.
Some eight months have now elapsed since the writer actively
began to explore for himself this subject of Modern Spiritual-
ism. Long before that time, his attention had been called to it
in his ordinary intercourse with wondering mortals, who having
heard and seen wonderful things, "doubted of them whereunto
this would grow." The effect was not to lead him to ridicule,
but rather to admire the courage of some of the leaders who have
been long known as reputable men, and whose position and in-
fluence honestly gained, entitle them to be heard. The assail-
ant's imputation of some unhappy proclivities of mind, discov-
ered in them by personal friends who were too delicate to mention
it before ; the sudden recollections of certain impressions of oddi-
ties that their embrace of Spiritualism brought up to the minds
of their former intimate friends, and all that genteel tenderness of
slander, had the tendency to awaken in him a disposition to credit
them for sincerity, and for a moral heroism, that did not quail at
VIU INTRODUCTION.
the finger of scorn, in owning and defending a cause which they
thought they had good reason to beheve the cause of truth. Hero-
ism is not always pecuUar to the votaries of a good cause.
Having heard of the additional demonstrative evidence of truth,
corroborative of life and immortality brought to light in the Gos-
pel, which they had received by an agency not seeming to square
with the fitness of things, but which nevertheless had, for eight
years past, baffled all efforts put forth to prove it a pure impos-
ture of those engaged in its propagation, he considered it his
duty to enter the list of sincere inquirers. Fully confirmed in
the truth of Biblical inspiration, the proofs of which have been
accumulating for ages, he did not conceive it an incredible thing,
nor one unworthy of Heaven, that the key-stone in the arch of
evidence should be furnished by angels, whose joy over penitent
sinners would leap at the permission thus to awaken the dormant
energies of men to the high theme of a glorious salvation.
In this he saw nothing to contradict the Bible, for who is not
familiar with the fact of spiritual intercourse between Heaven and
earth in by-gone ages of which the Bible is a faithful record ?
To this it has been the constant practice of Spiritualists to ap-
peal, and the language which had met him, justified the belief
that this movement, however hardly it might deal with sectarian-
ism, was not by any means antagonistic to Christianity. He fell
in with a Weekly, devoted to this cause, called the Cheistian
Spiritualist, bearing a motto from the lips of Jesus, and dated
December 22d, 1855, from which he dipt an extract from a ser-
mon by a Rev. gentleman who had become a convert, with re-
marks by the editor, who seemed to be right-minded respecting
the Bible as the standard of appeal in the matter of religion.
Here it is :
" "We can do no better in this connection than to present an extract
from a recent discourse upon tliis very subject, delivered in Brooklyn,
by the Rev. Samuel Beswick, in which he clearly demonstrates fi-om the
Bible the fact of spirit intercourse with man. He says :
" ' "We will now cite the few Biblical demonstrations of the ministra-
tions of spirits, and the immediate communications between the two
worlds ; and all our cases will be purely Biblical, In the Psalms 34 : *?,
we read : " The angel of the Lord encampeth about them and deliver-
oth them;" and in the same book of Psalms we read: "Por he shall
give his angel charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways." (90 : 2.)
INTEODUCTION. IX
"We can see how easily ttis could be accomplished, when we see that
the soul is already a spiritually-organized form and inhabitant of the
spirit-world, and can be as readily assisted and communicated with by
a guardian-angel as the body of one man with that of another. The
Apostle Paul, speaking of angelic spurits, says: "Are they not aZ? min-
istering spirits sent forth to minister to them who shall be heu*s of sal-
vation?" In this passage we are expressly taught that assisting man-
kind, or constant communication with mankind, is not only a standing
employment or office of angelic spirits, but that it is the only authorized
use or office. Of course this assistance would include every possible va-
riety of modes. Their duty is assistance in some mode to those who
are heirs of salvation. This is not spoken of as a special or isolated case,
but the universal duty of all ; not the duty of one or a few, but the
duty of all; it is the authorized duty of all, without exception, in some
mode or other, according to requirements. It is the established law of
the spirit-land; for Paul says, first : " Are they not all mmistering spir-
its ?" And this expression admits of no exception. Then, secondly,
he says, " sent forth to minister to those who are heu-s of salvation."
And this expression of their being " sent forth to minister," shows it to
be a duty imposed by the very law of Heaven on aU its inhabitants.
True, it is only Paul who says that this is the law of Heaven, and that
this is the duty of all Heaven's sons. But then Paul affirms he was
caught up into the third or highest heaven, and had an opportunity
of speaking from experience. His testimony is not, therefore, to be
lightly esteemed, nor invalidated by a doubt. His own history in the
Acts bears testimony of his having thus been constantly ministered to ;
and in the same Acts, when speaking of Peter's guardian-spirit, we
have the expression, "/if is his angel." But to take a rapid survey erf"
such guardianship, would strikingly illustrate this universal duty on all
Heaven's sons, as stated by Paul. In the vision of Jacob's ladder, an-
gels are represented as constantly ascending and descending from heav-
en to earth. Angels deUvered Lot from Sodom, Jacob from Esau, Dan-
iel from the lions, his three companions from the furnace, Peter from
Herod, and the nation of the Israelites successively from the Egyptians,
Canaanites, and Assyrians. Thus they conducted — ^that is, did the duty
of ministering to Paul ; they conducted Lot, Abraham, and the Israel-
ites, in a season of great difficulty and danger, to places and circum-
stances of safety and peace ; they conducted Gideon to the destruc-
tion of the Mideanitcs ; Joseph and Mary to Egypt ; Philip to the Eu-
nuch, and ComeUus to Peter, that they might impart a knowledge of
the G-ospel. Thus they comforted Jacob, at the approach of Esauj Dan-
iel, in his peculiar sorrows and dangers ; Zachariah, in the sufferings of
his nation ; Joseph and Mary, in theh perplexities ; Christ, in his ago-
ny ; the Apostles and their companions, after his resurrection ; Paul,
immediately before his shipwreck ; and the Church universally, by the
testimony and instruction given in the Book of Revelation by the Apos-
tle John.'
" "With these proofs of spirit intercourse, together with hundreds of
ethers that might be quoted from Scripture, we can weU say with the
author of the above extract, that it seems to us. from the Bible's tcach-
1*
X INTRODUCTION.
ing, that constant intercourse existed between tlie two worlds, in the
early history of our race. It appears to have been the most universal
of all convictions. The veil between them and the invisible world
must have been slight indeed. It was no matter of dread or bewilder-
ment to them, if, in the stillness of the sunset hour, stranger-feet drew
near their dwelling, and the phenomena of both worlds became blend-
ed into the vision ; forms, glorious with the majesty of holiness, entered
beneath their roof to commune with them, and teach them, in their de-
parting, that they had been with beings of another land. The very ab-
sence of fear or wonder implies the original universality of such inter-
course or opening of the spirit-sight. All the most ancient traditions are
founded on an intercourse with the spirit-land; and the separation
between the living and departed was held to have been marvellously
shght."
"But here the ' orthodox' skeptic may exclaim : 'True, I believe all
this ; but what God permitted of old, he does not allow now.' To this
we simply reply : God's laws are immutable. He never has, and we
add, with all due reverence, he never can, change them ; for, could he,
he would become a changeable and fickle being, and cease to be God.
Now, as in the times of the Apostle Paul, the departed ' all are minis-
tering spu*its;' and the modem proof of spirit ministrations is as strong
and positive as any to be found within the pages of the Bible."
" When the skeptic will present us with the first positive assertion
found in the Bible, that the ministration of angels or spu-its was to cease
with the exit in the body of the apostles of old ; when they will prove
that the comforter promised by Jesus was only to be sent to his disci-
ples, then in the flesh ; that the relation of what occurred on the day of
Pentecost, and that the great light seen and the voice heard by Saul of
Tarsus, are fables, then we wUl admit, not that we have any doubt of
modern spirit intercourse, but that we question the truth of Scripture ;
for, to prove this, we must ignore the Bible, and, as a consequence, the
creeds and dogmas of a Christianity of eighteen hundred years' growth,
must fall to the ground.
"We could occupy every column of our paper in adducing further
proof from the Bible of the truth of spirit intercourse, but we do not
deem it necessary. But is it not a strange sight to see self-styled * Or-
thodox Christians' most cordially unite, cheek by jowl, with those whom
they denounce as ' Infidels,' 'Atheists,' and ' unbeUevers, in denying
the truth of present spirit intercourse? Truly, the 'meek and holy
Jesus' is woimded afresh and crucified anew in the house of his (pro-
fessed) fi'iends.
" Having, at least to our o^vn satisfaction, established from Scripture
the fact of spirit intercourse, in times past, with man, we reserve imtil
next week the proof, equally as positive and explicit, that we are now
in communication with them — that
' Millions of unseen beings walk the air,
Both when we wake and when we sleep.' "
The author had also met \\ ith the statement of Gov. Tall-
INTRODUCTION. XI
madge, that the doctrines of the Bible were ratified to him by the
testimony of spirits.
Thus understanding the matter, and yielding to the importuni-
ties and proffered pledges of success, given in the strongest terms,
by men of science and accredited ability, who professed to have
arrived at a sensible assurance in regard to the greatest possible in-
terest to mankind, which all may have who seek, the writer deter-
mined to investigate under their guidance, fully resolved to fol-
low where truth might lead, though it might cost him a sacrifice.
He commenced a perfect skeptic ; but now his skepticism is all
gone. The investigation led to a conviction that the thousands
of manifestations in this country and in Europe — a mere speci-
men of which he has selected — are made by spirits. It is, so far
as he can see, impossible to maintain a denial. The attempt has
often been made, and as often failed. And let it be remembered
that no man is entitled to pronounce upon the matter, unless he
have in some way examined it to some extent. Dr. Coan of
England, has truly said: "It is only by extensive familiarity
with the existing literature of modern Spiritualism, that we can
arrive at any correct idea of its true nature and extent ; and it is
because the attention of observers in England has been so exclu-
sively occupied with some of the more popular but least import-
ant phenomena, that the information now prevalent is so inade-
quate for the formation of sound and comprehensive conclu-
sions."
The same inadequate information has here also prevented, in
thousands of instances, such conclusions as Dr. Coan mentions.
This fact forcibly struck the writer before he met with the pam-
phlet whence the above extract is made. He has seen at circles
wonderful manifestations of physiognomy in persons to whom a
little previous knowledge would have evidently been of some ser-
vice. Hence he has ranged through a large portion of the " ex-
isting literature," and given copious extracts upon which any
man may make up his mind as to the nature of the whole.
The theories of involuntary or unconscious muscular movement,
— ^Electric, Mesmeric, Odylic— all alike prove inadequate to ex-
plain the phenomena ; for none of them can originate the intelli-
(jence that is unmistakably produced, unless intellect be common
Xll INTEODUCTION.
to matter and mind — a supposition not likely to receive admis*
sion. We are therefore driven to the choice between material-
ism and spiritual agency.
While the writer declares for the latter, he as distinctly de-
clares his belief that the spirits communicating, by no adequate
proof, are shown to be the spirits of our departed friends ;
because it is admitted that they may be personated, and often
are personated by eml spirits ; neither is the proof adequate
that they are good angels, because the same imposition is often
detected, and the matter of their communications is manifestly
too mawkish to sustain their pretensions. The whole movement,
then, we accredit to a peculiar kind of angels, of whom our Sav-
iour speaks. Our reasons are as follows :
1. Many deceptions, confessedly, are practised; and our spirit-
ualists have not shown that they are able to prove those spirits,
accepted as good, to be other than deceivers.
2. This theory abundantly accounts for all \hQ facts in the
case, and the contrary can not be shown ; whereas all others sig-
nally fail.
3. The absence of dignified discourse, of respectable originality
of combination in the most common ideas, the contradictory and
often absurd nature of the things communicated, and their ten-
dency to confuse and confound the operations of the mind, are
precisely such results as might be expected from an evil agency.
4. The denial of the grand leading doctrine of atonement for
sin by the merits of Christ, upon which the Bible suspends hu-
man salvation, is the very thing that, of all others, we might ex-
pect from Satanic agency ; and this denial is persistently main-
tained by those accepted as good spirits^
5. We are told to " put on the whole armor of God, that we
may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil." We are
taught to be aware, lest we " fall into the condemnation of the
Devil," lest we " fall into the snare of the Devil." We are ex-
horted to " resist the Devil," who, " as a roaring lion, walketh
about, seeking whom he may devour." And with greater precision
we are told that for the purpose of deception, " Satan himself is
transformed into an angel of light," and that in accordance with this
his manifestation, antichrist shall deceive many in the latter day;-;.
INTEODUCTION. XIU
"We are admonished of the " depths of Satan." Now, when the
wiles, the snares, the depths of Satan, who is of much experience,
cunning, and power, are presented in Scripture as to be brought
out " with all deceivableness" in the latter days; and when we
consider what has been done and is now doing the world over
by spiritualism and its manifestations, it is perfectly clear that
nothing in this whole movement has been presented incompatible
with these wiles, and these depths of the adversary of mankind.
On the contrary, the sayings and doings of these spirits are
exactly such as are in keeping with the prophetical declarations
of Scripture. To accomplish their object, it would seem, they
feel the necessity of the present simultaneous effort to bring
the Bible into disrepute, to deny the essentials of salvation
as presented therein ; and if they can succeed here, it will be
worth all their pains and expenditure of crafty effort to counterfeit
the true and the good.
6. The discoveries of the writer soon led him into the fact, that
all the good spirits everywhere thus engaged, deny the existence of
the Devil and his angels, and seem anxious to convince men that
these are mere mythologic creatures, whose existence and agency,
as presented in the Bible, are purely fictitious. Now, it is quite
clear that this is just what a cunning devil would do ; for should
he stick out his split foot, he could not very well explain such a
"manifestation."
On the subject of Spiritualism, a very prominent and well-con-
ducted review, widely circulated among us, holds the following
language:
"We believe that all notice taken of these mediums, familiar spirits,
and necromancers, such as implies anxiety to explain their movements,
and to find the secret of them, and especially all attempts to give them
the dignity of originating in and bringing to light a new power of nature,
Odylic or otherwise, increase rather than abate the nuisance. These
things thrive on notoriety and attention. But let them be utterly ab-
jured on this plain ground, that if mere tricks of man, they are detesta-
ble, and if too much for man, they are from Satan, and so stiU more de-
testable ; they will not long survive this treatment, and the trade will
soon come to an end."
The writer of the above is evidently unacquainted with the
subject. Modern spiritualism, be it remembered, does not present
itself as a mere puzzle for the wise explorers of nature, but most
XIV lifTKODUCTIOK.
pertinaciously thrusts itself in our faces as a religious system, es-
sentially catholic and Christian, holding forth din. additional revela-
tion of unseen and hitherto undescribed worlds, having an im-
mense advantage over all present forms of belief, and avowedly
designed, by the declarations of leading spirits in and out of the
body, to overthrow the Bible as the rule of faith and practice.
It is an outspoken, antagonistic religion, claiming to be tlie Christ-
ian, hostile to all the forms and sects of the day, and announcing
itself as the destroyer of the outward Christian Church, and its
own substitution as the true embodiment of a purified, reformed
Christianity. The proof is given in the sequel. These extravagant
pretenses will doubtless be laughed at by that very respectable
and staid class of men who are represented by the writer just
quoted. We hope we shall not forfeit whatever claims we may
be supposed to have to similar virtues, by differing from them.
Be it remembered, that the argument of contempt in the case
of a far more contemptible cause, Mormonism, was thought
would work wonders ; that it could not long survive this treat-
ment, and that the trade would soon come to an end. What is the
result ? Mormonism is at this hour one of the blackest, heaviest
clouds resting upon owe political horizon. The reUgioits element at
first predominated in this system ; hence the success of its im-
postures. Had it been attacked and exposed in the outset, instead
of being left to the stings of contempt; had the world been
instructed as to its nature and operations by discussion, thousands
of foreigners who have been left an easy prey to its plausible ad-
vocates, emissaries, and missionaries, would have been made
aware of its true character, and would never have left their homes
in other countries, the victims of a delusion fi-om whose snares
and wilderness-fastnesses they can not now escape.
When Mohammedism arose, its absurdities were left for the
most part to the argument of contempt. Its shrewd leader was
many years in making a few converts, but we know what were
the ultimate measures and success of the movement.
The advantage of modern Spiritualism is in the crafty adapta-
tions of asserted spiritual intercourse, to accomplish greater
wonders. Accordingly it has in the short space of eight years
rolled up a few millions of adherents, while its affinities and
ODUCTION. XV
tendencies will secure the sympathies of a vast number ignorant
of its claims, and unprepared to withstand the argument of
physical manifestations that no mortal can account for on any
natural principles. Its inherent ability to deceive and con-
sequently to ruin the ill-informed but sincere, is far greater
than any delusion that ever attacked the weak side of human
nature. Therefore we think the well-meant advice in the "Re-
view" is given in ignorance of the capabilities of the thing spok-
en against, without regard to sound experience, with a seemingly
culpable indifference to the souls of men, and the movements of
the enemy, and in direct opposition to the injunctions of the
Gospel. We meet spiritualism therefore as a religious system and
a sworn foe to the Church of Christ.
The early champions of Christ battled heroically and success-
fully against ancient mediums, familiar spirits, and necroman-
cers; and shall we take the opposite course and allow the
strongest elements of old paganism to be entrenched under our
noses, behind the fair front of true Christianity ? Shall we sup-
pose they will be annihilated by the potency of our contempt ?
Who cares for contempt when he may thrive under its fancied
inflictions ? Is not that a very strange argument for a " soldier
of the cross" to take into his mouth, in the latter part of the
above quotation ? If it be sound now, it would have been good
against the Apostle Paul and his immortal coadjutors, respect-
ing their attacks upon the strongholds of sin.
Supineness upon the part of the lovers of the Church and of
Avell-ordered society, is all that is needed to give advantage to an
enemy. The writer thinks it impossible to magnify the evils
that may grow out of the subject that has here engaged his atten-
tion, and to which he solicits the attention of his readers. He
looks at it as a system not yet fully organized, but soon to be
developed, and worked with skill. Its tendencies and possible
results demand and must receive attention. While he condemns
it by evidence intrinsic and extrinsic to itself, he desires to say,
that he does not deny the sincerity of the most of those engaged in
its propagation ; but holds that Spiritualists are craftily deluded.
The evidence is in the sequel. The spirits they rely upon teach,
and they believe, that there are no such adversaries of mankind
XVI INTRODUCTION.
as those to whom the writer attributes this movement ; they try-
to show it is the work of a heavenly agency. He applies his
THREE-FOLD TEST, and has just that amount of assurance as
enables him to stand up and say, that he has made out his case.
He considers that SpirituaHsts are all sadly imposed upon, and
they consequently impose upon others by such assurances as
have been already mentioned, and which are never realized. He
thinks it his duty to furnish material enough, in the extracts
he has made from their original pages, to enable those who have
not enjoyed, or will not avail themselves of his opportunities,
calmly and intelligently to discuss this whole matter and present
it in its true light.
Of this our authors can not complain, because it is just
what they ask; besides, none have sufifered so much abuse
at their hands, as ministers of the Gospel, under the name of
" priests," contemptuously bestowed ; who in various quarters
are sneeringly challenged and maliciously mocked. These mani-
festations^ we take to be confirmatory of our position. It can not
therefore be a grievance, if plainness of speech be used. The
subject demands it, and an earnest opponent, who really wishes
to get at truth in a discusssion, will readily pardon what are
popularly called " hard hits," when fairly given.
As it is desirable that Christians should have at the smallest
expense, a reliable " Dictionary of Quotations" — a copious vol-
ume of " Elegant Extracts," upon which they may safely draw,
whenever they come in contact with Spiritualists, this object has
been kept in view, while at the same time the large amount of
heterogeneous matter, or "brain-dribble" from spirits, furnish
the basis for argument against themselves. The design of this
book is to give a picture of Spiritualism, limned by its own
artists. And it is not too much to expect that they who read it,
if not already infatuated, will turn away with ineffable disgust
from a system having nothing to relieve it from the merited
execrations of God, angels, and men ; a system whose involutions
have concealed manifold misery to unsuspecting thousands, and
if there be any truth in the Bible, must ultimately unfold to its
unhappy followers the bitterness of " progression" in banishment
from God.
INTEODUCTION. XVll
The writer asks none to accept his opinion, but he does ask
that his book be read, before that opinion be condemned. His
opinion is, that spirituaHsm is all evil without any good worthy
the name, and therefore it is the agency of the Demi; for noth-
ing can come by chance, nor can God be the author of such a
system.
There are many besides spiritualists, who will probably sneer
at this account of the matter. We shall find no fault, provided
they read the sequel ; yet we can not help thinking, that they who
are so utterly incredulous as to evil as well as good spiritual
agency connected with this movement, show too much of the
Sadducee, while their professed belief in Bible facts has a doubt-
ful aspect in the light of their colloquial commentaries. Mere
intellectual Christianity finds great difficulty in admitting an im-
mediate direct spiritual agency upon the human soul, whether it
be evil or good ; but we need not say this is not the Christianity
of the Bible.
Although the author was led into the investigation of this sub-
ject from the facts of many having been drawn off from the Church
by its fascinating influence, of several ministers of the Methodist
Church having embraced it, of the serious way in which men of
acknowledged ability treated it, of the bewildered state of mind
produced in many well-disposed persons in and out of church
communion, that he might be able, to some extent, to satisfy
those who addressed him on " what he thought of it," yet he had
no idea of being brought into the position he now occupies before
the reader ; but when once in for it, the fascination of pursuit
became powerful. And while he desires to say, it is not safe for
any one to pursue the matter as long and as hard as he has done,
and would persuade every one to keep aloof from it altogether,
he does not regret the loss of money and time, and the trials
of nerve to which he has been subjected, because he hopes
it may result in good to others ; and in his own case, so fortify
him in the belief of the truth, that he can say with a stronger
emphasis than ever : " We are not ignorant of Satan's devices."
(2 Cor. 2 : 11.)
New-York, July 31s#, 1856.
A THREE-FOLD TEST.
CHAPTER I.
" Eaise me a Spirit I
Awake ye dead ! Out with ttie secret, death I"— Festtjs.
HISTOET OF MODEEN SPIEITUALISM.
A Materialist's Opinions — Debut of the Spirits — Statements of Mrs Fox,
Mr. Duesler, and Mr. Fox — The first Medium — Spiritual Pulling and Haul-
ing — Spirit-hands — Diabolism — Alarming Wonders — Floating in the Air
— Wrestling with a Spirit — Spiritual Performances and Musical Wonders
— Intelligence displayed — A Funny Spirit — Diabolical Conduct — An
Earthquake — A rude Spirit — A Possession — Dr. Hare's Spirit-testing Ma-
chine—An Estimate of the Subject.
The subject of Modern Spiritualism wUl form a very
remarkable chapter in tbe Book of the Chronicles of the
nineteenth century. Its materials are now rapidly gath-
ering in volumes large and small, in pamphlets and weekly
papers, that will employ the skill and ingenuity of some
future writer to set forth the new and strange combina-
tions of fact and fiction, pecuhar to this movement, in
well-adjusted paragraphs upon the reality, romance, and
philosophy of modern history.
We are quite too early for an attempt of this kind,
were we disposed to make it ; for it is but a short time
since the installment of this cause as a superior claimant
20 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
for public attention and popular favor. Nothing can
therefore be expected here beyond a succinct account of
its origin and progress, for the sake of completeness to
our work, and for the satisfaction of those of our readers
who have been swayed more by contempt than by curiosity
in regard to it. That this may be done in the most ac-
ceptable manner, we deem it best to let our Spirituahsts
speak for themselves, that we may be free from a charge
which otherwise might be thought to lie against us on
the score of incompetency.
The quotations in this chapter, are mainly taken from
a work called " Modem Spiritualism : its Facts and Fa-
naticisms. ByE.W. Capron." Pp. 438. This work, among
the early publications of Spiritualists, compiled jGrom a
mass of facts upon which the system is built, reaching
down to October, 1854, and containing the deductions
and opinions of the author to some extent, is well put to-
gether ; and is much prized by them as the best account,
so far as it goes.
Although the so-called spiritual demonstrations are but
of yesterday, writers in defense of their extra-mundane
origin, now begin to draw upon antiquity for a more re-
putable character than mere modern " Knockings" can
furnish to the "new dispensation." Hence the recent
phenomena are considered as the renewed mutterings and
intonations of an old volcano, long since thought to be
burnt out ; but whose present activity reveals a great
mistake under the reign of which many generations have
unfortunately lived and died. Thus the aforesaid author
begins his introduction :
" In searching out the history of Spiritual Manifesta-
tions, or occurrences analogous to what is now known as
the modern manifestations, the discovery is at once made
that they date back to a period so remote that the his-
A MATERIALIST'S OPINION. 21
tory of no age or country is exempt from accomits of
them. Histories dating back further than any thing
known or recorded in the Bible, are proof of their being
known at a period beyond the compilation or writing of
that book ; while the book itself contains so many evi-
dences of precisely similar occurrences, that the attentive
reader can not resist the conviction that the occurrences
were the same in fact, whatever the people of that age
may have thought of them, or however exaggerated they
made their importance in the record. By comparing the
story of the Witch of Endor with any ordinary case of
spirit-seeing clairvoyance of the present time, its wonder,
mystery, and sacredness, beyond that sacredness that
truth should always command, at once disappear. The
spirit that passed before the face of Job, ' in thoughts of
the visions of night, when deep sleep falleth upon man,'
is no uncommon occurrence at the present day ; while the
handwriting on the walls of Belshazzar's palace has its
analogy in hundreds of instances of modern spiritual man-
ifestations."
After quoting a long narrative dra^vn up by Dr. Adam
Clark, and pubUshed in the " Memoirs of the Wesley
Family," containing many wonderful things terrifying to
mortals, he assures us that
"Precisely similar occurrences took place in Wines-
burg, Germany, and other places, from the year 1825 to
1828, the authentic accounts of which are given in a work
by Justinus Kerner, called ' The Seeress of Provorst.'
" The ' Seeress' was a clairvoyant, and both saw and
heard the spirits of various persons."
In accounting for these phenomena, it will be seen that
Mr. C. is a materialist^ believing that spirit is Matter, in
its most refined state, in which it has the attribute of in-
telligence ! Thus he writes, pp. 29-30 :
" There must certainly exist some natural cause^ by
which these sounds are made. By natural causes I do
not mean that the cause is positively known to man at
the present time, or that it is produced by machinery oi
22 A TnEEE-FOLD TEST.
collusion ol any kind. I know this is not the case. But,
as nothing can exist without a cause, and as the laws of
nature are the most perfect of any thing we can have any
conception of; and as nothing of which man or any other
production of these laws can conceive or recognize can
be superior or above these laws, (unless it be the source
from whence they originated,) I speak of the laws which
govern this communication between inferior and superior
intelligences as perfectly NATUEAii. I ask to be pointed to
nothing superior to this in the investigation of the subject.
" Neither would I make the separation that some do
between spirit and matter. I am convinced that no such
separation exists. It is at the same time to assert that it
is something and nothing. K it is not matter, it is noth-
ing. It is the height of absurdity to assert that there is
an absolute existence, and yet it is not matter — it is
nothing, yet to be talked of, to, and about. That there
exists matter too refined, subtile, and subHmated, for our
vision in a normal state to observe, is undoubted ; and I
have as httle doubt of there being intelligent beings who,
beyond our vision, still have an influence upon us, and are
entirely capable of communicating with us through sounds,
impressions, and various other means. It is no more proof
that they are not thus about us, because not seen, than
that electricity, or the numerous animalculi© which we are
constantly eating, drinking, and breathing, although un-
seen, do not exist for the same reason. It may not be
unprofitable to go into the examination of the connection
between spirits and other matter, in this connection, in
order that the reader's mind may be prepared for the de-
velopment of facts which may look still more strange
than those already related.
" In regard to the rapping sounds, and other phenom-
ena and their existence, there is no longer room for doubt.
The tens of thousands of individuals who have heard
them, and who have been in full possession of their senses,
and not easily to be deceived, are abundant testimony on
this point.
" The connection between spirit and other matter, or be-
tween the visible and invisible world of human beings, is
at present little imderstood. I am of the opinion that
DEBUT OF THE SPIRITS. 23
the connection is far more intimate than is generally be-
lieved. Of this fact there is the most positive and con-
vincing proof. Many may be so averse to receiving nevr
truths, which set aside all their preconceived opinions, as
to disregard the positive evidence of their senses. But
most men are not willing to admit that they are so easily
imposed upon, as many think, or pretend to think, they
are themselves.
" The highest form of organization of which we have
any conception, and which probably is the highest^ is that
which manifests intelligence. The forms of intelligence,
or their manifestations, are various, defined by some as
instinct and reason. It is useless to undertake the task
of tracing them, through their different gradations, up to
the highest developments of reason. There is in this, as
in tracing the various forms of vegetable and animal life,
a connection so intimate and perfect, that it is impossible
to tell where the lower ends and the higher begins, so
closely interwoven are the links of the great chain of
which each is a part."
The manifestations, said to be made by spirits, are
abundant and various ; and our selections from this au-
thor, will be mere samples of what are published in many
volumes. We go on with our quotations :
DEBUT OF THE SPIRITS.
"The house at which the manifestations first com-
menced, that have turned the eyes of the people of this
generation to a more minute and careful investigation of
spiritual phenomena than has characterized any preceding
age, stands among a cluster of houses known by the name
of Hydesville, in the town of Arcadia, county of Wayne,
and State of New- York. It is a small framed building,
one and a half stories high, and at the time of the occur-
rences which have made it a matter of interest and curi-
osity to so many thousands, bore unmistakable evidences
of age ; and had been the humble shelter of many a
family previous to that of Mr. Fox.
"The family of Mr. Fox were well known in the
24 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
neighborhood where they resided. Mr. and Mrs. Fox
were connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of
which they had for many years been exemplary members,
and had sustained a character unimpeachable for truth
and veracity. 'No one who knew them had the least sus-
picion of their honesty or truthfulness. At the time these
occurrences first took place in the family there were hving
with the parents three daughters, the youngest about
twelve years of age.
" The following statements, condensed, will give the
account of the first disturbances at the house of Sir. Fox,
in their own language.
"statement of MRS. MAEGARET FOX.
^" I am the wife of John D. Fox. We moved into this
house on the 11th of December, 1847, and have resided
here ever since. We first heard this noise about a fort-
night ago. It sounded like some one knocking in the east
bedroom, on the floor. Sometimes it sounded as if a
chair moved on the floor ; we could hardly tell where it
was. This was in the evening, just after we had gone to
bed. The whole family slept in the room together, and
all heard the noise. There were four of our lamily, and
sometimes five. The first night we heard the rapping we
all got up, lit a candle, and searched all over the house.
The noise continued while we were hunting, and was
heard near the same place all the time. It was not very
loud, yet it produced a jar of the bedsteads and chairs,
that could be felt by placing our hands on the chairs, or
while we were in bed. It was a feeling of tremulous mo-
tion, more than a sudden jar. It seemed if we could
hear it jar while we were standing on the floor. It con-
tinued this night until we went to sleep. I did not go to
sleep until nearly twelve o'clock. The noise continued
to be heard every night. On Friday night, March 31st,
it was heard as usual, and we then, for the first time,
called in the neighbors. Up to this time we had never
heard it in the daytime, or, at least, we did not notice it
at all during the day.
'"On Friday night we concluded to go to bed early.
MRS. fox's statement. 25
and not let it disturb us ; if it came we tliought we would
not mind it, but try to get a good night's rest. My hus-
band was here on all these occasions, heard the noise, and
helped search. It was very early when we went to bed
this night ; hardly dark. We went to bed early, because
we had been broken so much of our rest that I was almost
sick.
" ' My husband had gone to bed when we first heard
the noise this evening. I had just laid down when it
commenced, as usual. I knew it from all other noises I
had ever heard in the house. The girls, who slept in the
other bed in the room, heard the noise, and tried to make
a similar noise by snapping their fingers. The youngest
girl is about twelve years old. She is the one who made
her hand go. As fast as she made the noises with her
hands or fingers, the sounds followed up in the room. It
did not sound difierent at that time ; but it made the
same number of raps the girl did. When she stopped
the sounds would stop for a short time. The other girl,
who is in her fifteenth year, then spoke, in sport, and
said, "Now do just as I do. Count, one, two, three,
four," etc., at the same time striking one hand in the
other. The blows which she made were repeated, as
before. It appeared to answer her by repeating every
blow she made. She only did so once. She then began
to be startled, and I said to the noise, " Count ten," and
it made ten strokes or noises. Then I asked the ages of
my difierent children successively, and it gave the num-
ber of raps corresponding to the ages of each of my
children.
" ' I then asked if it was a human being miking the
noise, and, if so, to manifest it by the same noise. There
was no noise. I then asked if it was a spirit ? if it was,
to manifest it by two sounds. I heard two sounds as
soon as the words were spoken. I then asked if it was
an injured spirit, and, if so, to give me the sound ; and I
heard the rapping distinctly. I then asked if it was in-
jured in this house, and the sounds were immediately
made, distinctly ; if the jDcrson was living that injured it,
and got the same answer. I then ascertained, by the
same method, that its remains were buried under the
26 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
dwelling, and how old it was. When I asked how many
years old it was it raj^ped thirty-one times ; that it was a
male ; that it had lel't a family of five children ; that it
had two sons and three daughters, all living. I asked if
it left a wife, and it rapped ; if its wife was then living,
and there was no rapping ; if she was dead, and the rap-
ping was distinctly heard ; how long she had been dead,
and it rapped twice.
" 'About this time I asked, " Will the noise continue
if I call in some of the neighbors, that they may hear it
too ?" It answered as usual, by rapping. My husband
went and called Mrs. Redfield, our next-door neighbor.
She is a very candid woman. The girls were then sitting
up in bed, somewhat terrified, and cHnging to each other.
I was as calm, I think, as I am now. Mrs. Redfield came
immediately. This was about half-past seven o'clock.
She came in thinking to joke and laugh at the children ;
but when she came she saw that we were all amazed like,
and that there was something in it. I then asked a few
questions, and they were answered as before ; and she
was satisfied that there was something strange about it.
It told her age exactly. She would then call her husband,
and he came, and the same questions were asked over
again, and the answers were the same as before. It was
then asked how long it had been injured, and the sound
was repeated four times, at regular intervals, and then,
after a short pause, once more ; the same being repeated
every time the same question was asked.
" ' Then Mr. Redfield called in Mr. Duesler and wife,
and several others. A great many questions were asked
over, and the same answers given as before. Mr. Duesler
then called Mr. and Mrs. Hyde ; they came, and also Mr.
and Mrs. Jewell. Mr. Duesler asked many questions, and
got the answers. I then named over all the neighbors I
could think of, and asked if any of them had injured it,
and got no answer. Then Mr. Duesler asked it some
questions, the same as I had, and got the same answ^ers,
He asked if it was murdered, and it answered in the usual
way ; if the murderer could be brought to justice, and
there w^as no sound ; and then if he could be punished
by law, and there was no rapping. He then asked, " If
^
MES. FOX'S STATEMENT. 27
this murderer can not be punished by law, manifest it by
the noise ?" and the noise was repeated. In the same
way Mr. Duesler ascertained that it was murdered m the
bedroom about five years ago, and that the murder was
committed by Mr. , on one Tuesday night, at
twelve o'clock ; that it was murdered by having its throat
^ut with a butcher-knife ; that the body did not remain
in the room next day, but was taken down cellar, and
that it was not buried until the next night ; that it was
not taken down through an outside door, but through
the buttery, down the stairway ; that it was buried ten
feet below the surface of the ground. It was then asked
if money was the object of the murderer ; and the rapping
commenced. IIow much money was obtained ? Was it
one hundred dollars ? two hundred ? three hundred ?
four hundred ? No noise. Five hundred ? The usual
rapping was heard. We were all in the bedroom at the
time.
" ' Many called in that night who were out fishing in
the creek, and they all heard the same noise. The same
questions were frequently repeated as others came in, and
the same answers were obtained. Some of them staid
here all night. I and my family all left the house but
my husband. I went to Mrs. Redfield's and staid all
night ; my children staid at some of the other neighbors.
My husband and Mr. Redfield staid in the house all
night.
" ' On the next day the house was filled to overflowing
all day. This was on Saturday. There was no sound
heard during the day; but in the evening the sound
commenced again. Some said that there were three
hundred people present at this time. They appointed a
committee, and many questions were asked. I did not
know much what was done that night, only by hearsay,
as I went to Mr. Duesler's to stay all night.
" ' On Sunday morning, the second of April, the noise
commenced again, and was heard throughout the day by
all who came there. On Saturday night they commenced
digging the cellar, and dug until they came to water, and
then gave it up. The noise was not heard on Sunday
evening, nor during the night. Stephen B. Smith and
m
28 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
wife, and David S. Fox and wife, slept in the room this
night. I have heard nothing since that time lintil yester-
day. In the forenoon of yesterday there were several
questions answered in the usual way by rapping. I have
heard the noise several times to-day.
" ' I am not a believer in haunted houses or superna-
tural appearances. I am very sorry there has been so
much excitement about it. It has been a great deal of
trouble to us. It was our misfortune to live here at this
time ; but I am willing and anxious that the truth should
be known, and that a true statement should be made. I
can not account for these noises ; all that I know is, that
they have been heard repeatedly, as I have stated. I
have heard this rapping again this (Tuesday) morning,
April 4th. My children also heard it.
" ' I certify that the above statement has been read to.
me, and that the same is true ; and I am willing to make
oath to it if necessary. (Signed) Maegaret Fox.
"'April 11th, 1848.'
" Mr. John D. Fox gives a certificate corroborating
his wife's statement in every particular, and says : ' I do
not know in what way to account for these noises, as
being caused by natural means. We have searched in
every nook and corner in and about the house, at difierent
times, to ascertain, if possible, whether any thing or any
body was secreted there that could make the noise ; and
have never been able to find any thing that explained the
mystery. It has caused us a great deal of trouble and
anxiety. Hundreds have visited the house, so that it is
impossible to attend to our daily occupations ; and I
hope, whether it be natural or supernatural, the means
will be found out soon."
OF WILLIAM DUESLEE.
" ' I live in this place. I moved from Cayuga county
here last October. I five within a few rods of the house
in which these noises have been heard. The first I heard
any thing about them was one week ago last Friday even-
ing, (31st day of March.) Mrs. Redfield came over to my
house to get my wife to go over to Mr. Fox's. Mrs.
ME. DUESLER'S STATEMENT. 29
Redfield appeared to be very much agitated. My wife
wanted I should go with them, and I accordingly went.
"When she told us what she wanted us to go over there
for, I laughed at her, and ridiculed the idea that there
was any thing mysterious in it. I told her it was all non-
sense, and that it could easily be accounted for. This
>^as about nine o'clock in the evening. There were some
twelve or fourteen persons there when I got there. Some
were so frightened that they did not want to go into the
room. I went into the room and sat down on the bed.
Mr. Fox asked questions, and I heard the rapping, which
they had spoken of, distinctly. I felt the bedstead jar
when the sound was produced.
" ' Mrs. Fox then asked if it would answer my ques-
tions if I asked any, and if so, rap. It then rapped three
times. I then asked if it was an injured spirit, and it
rapped. I asked if it had come to hurt any one who was
present, and it did not rap. I then reversed this question,
and it rapped. I asked if I or my father had injured it,
(as we had formerly Hved in the house ;) there was no
noise. Upon asking the negative of these questions, the
rapping was heard. I then asked if Mr. (naming a
person who had formerly lived in the house) had injured
it, and if so to manifest it by rapping ; and it made three
knocks louder than common, and at the same time the
bedstead jarred more than it had done before. I then
inquired if it was murdered for money, and the knocking
was heard. I then requested it to rap when I mentioned
the sum of money for which it was murdered. I then
asked if it was one hundred, two, or three, or four, and
when I came to five hundred the rapping was heard. All
in the room said they heard it distmctly. I then asked
the question if it was five hundred dollars, and the rap-
ping was heard.
" ' After this, I went over and got Artemas W. Hyde
to come over. He came over. I then asked over nearly
the same questions as before, and got the same answers.
Mr. Redfield went after David Jewell and wife, and Mrs.
Hyde also came. After they came in, I asked the same
questions over again, and got the same answers.
" ' Then I asked the question how it was murdered. I
30 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
asked if it was murdered by being struck on the head,
and there was no rap. I then reversed the question, and
the rapping was heard. Then I asked if it was stabbed
in the side, and there was no answer ; upon asking the
negative of this, the rapping was heard. It usually
rapped three times in answer to my questions. I then
asked if it had its throat cut, and it rapped as usual.
Then, if it was with a butcher-knife, and the rapping was
heard. In the same way it was ascertained that it was
asleep at the time, but was awakened when the knife en-
tered the throat ; that it struggled and made some resist-
ance and noise. Then I asked if there was any one in
the house at the time but him, and it did not rap ; then,
if they two were alone, and the rapping was heard. I
then asked if Lucretia Pulver worked there at the time,
and it answered by rapping ; if she and Mrs. were
gone away that night, and the rapping was renewed.
" ' There was rapping heard only when we asked ques-
tions. I asked if any one in Hydesville knew of the
murder, except , and it rapped. Then I asked about
a number of persons, if they knew it, and there was no
rap until I came to Mrs. , and then the rapping was
heard ; then, if any one but and wife knew it, and I
got no rap ; then, if they were all that knew of the mur-
der, and I got the rap. I asked if the body was put in
the cellar, and it rapped. I then asked if it was buried
in the different parts of the cellar, and to all my questions
there was no rapping until I asked if it was near the cen-
tre, and the rapping was heard.
" ' Charles Redfield then went down cellar with a can-
dle. I told him to place himself in different parts of the
cellar ; and, as he did so, I asked the question, if the per-
son was over the place where it was' buried, and I got no
answer imtU he got over a certain place in the cellar,
when it rapped. He then stepped one side, and when I
asked the question, there was no noise. This was re-
peated several times ; and we found that, whenever we
stood over this one place, the rapping was heard, and
whenever he moved away from that place there was no
answer to my questions. Mr. Redfield said he could hear
the noise himself. I then asked which way it was carried
MR. DUESLER'S STATEMENT. SI
down cellar ; if round through the outside door, and there
was no rapping ; then, if it was down through the but-
tery, by the inside stairway, and the rapping was heard.
I then asked it to raj) my age — the' number of years of
my age. It rapped thirty times. This is my age, and I
do4iot think any one about here knew my age except
myself and family. I then told it to rap my wife's age,
and it rapped thirty times, which is her exact age ; seve-
ral of us counted it at the time. I then asked it to rap
A. W. Hyde's age, and it rapped thirty-two, which he
says is his age ; he was there at the time, and counted it
with the rest of us. Then Mrs. A. W. Hyde's age, and
it rapped thirty-one, which she said was her age ; she was
also there at the time. I then continued to ask it to rap
the age of different persons (naming them) in the room,
and it did so correctly, as they all said.
" ' I then asked the number of children in the different
families in the neighborhood, and it told them correctly
in the usual way by rapping. Also the number of deaths
that had taken place in the families, and it told correctly.
I then asked it to rap its own age, and it rapped thirty-
one times distinctly. I then asked it if it left a family,
and it rapped. I asked it to rap the number of children
left, and it rapped five times ; then the number of girls,
and it rapped three ; then the number of boys, and it
rapped twice. Before this, I had asked if it was a man,
and it answered by rapping it was ; if it was a peddler,
and it rapped.
" ' I then asked in regard to the time it was murdered,
and in the usual way, by asking the different days of the
week, and the different hours of the day ; that it was
murdered on a Tuesday night, about twelve o'clock. The
rapping was heard only when this particular time was
mentioned. When it was asked if it was murdered on a
Wednesday, or Thursday, or Friday night, etc., there
was no rapping. I asked if it carried any trunk, and it
rapped that it did. Then how many, and it rapped once.
In the same way we ascertained that it had goods in the
trunk, and that took them when he murdered
him ; and that he had a pack of goods besides.
" ' I asked if its wife was living, and it did not rap ; if
32 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
she was dead, and it rapped. I then asked it to rap the
number of years the wife had been dead, and it rapped
twice. In the same „way I ascertained that its children
were now living, — ^that they lived in this State ; and, after
asking if in such and such county (naming over the dif-
ferent counties,) at last, when I asked if they lived in Or-
leans county, the rapping was heard, and at no other
time. This was tried over several times, and the result
was always the same. I then tried to ascertain the first
letters of its name by calling over the different letters of
the alphabet. I commenced with A, and asked if that
was the initial of its first name ; there was no rapping.
When I came to C, the rapping was heard, and at no
other letter in the alphabet. I then asked, in the same
way, in regard to the initials of its surname ; and when I
asked if it was R, the rapping commenced. We then
tried all the other letters, but could get no answer by the
usual rapping. I then asked if we could find out the
whole name by reading over all the letters of the alpha-
bet, and there was no rapping. I then reversed the ques-
tion, and the rapping was heard. * * * * There were a
good many more questions asked on that night, by my-
self and others, which I do not now remember. They
were all answered readily in the same way. I staid in
the house until about twelve o'clock, and then came home.
Mr. Redfield and Mr. Fox staid in the house that
night.
"'Saturday night I went over again, about seven
o'clock. The house was full of people when I got there.
They said it had been rapping some time. I went into
the room. It was rapping in answer to questions Avhen I
went in. I went to asking questions, and asked over
some of the same ones that I did the night before, and it
answered me the same as it did then. I also asked dif-
ferent questions, and it answered them. Some of those
in the room wanted me to go out, and let some one else
ask the questions. I did so, and came home. There
were as many as three hundred people in and around the
house at thi^ time, I should think. Hiram Soverhill Esq.,
and Volney Brown, asked it questions while I was there,
and it rapped in answer to them.
1
MB. dueslek's statement. 33
" ' I went over again on Sunday, between one and two
o'clock, P. M. I went into the cellar with several others,
and4iad them all leave the house over our heads; and
then I asked if there had been a man buried in the cellar,
to manifest it by rapping, or any other noise or sign. The
moment I asked the question, there was a sound like the
falling of a stick, about a foot long, and half an inch
through, on the floor in the bedroom over our heads. It
did not seem to bound at all ; there was but one sound.
I then told Stephen Smith to go right up and examine
the room, and see if he could discover the cause of the
noise. He came back, and said he could discover noth-
ing — that there was no one in the room or in that part
of the house. I then asked two more questions, and it
rapped in the usual way. We all went up stairs and
made a thorough search, but could find nothing.
" ' I then got a knife and fork, and tried to see if I
could make the same noise by dropping them; but I
could not. This was all I heard on Sunday. There is
only one floor, or partition, or thickness, between the
bedroom and the cellar ; no place where any thing could
be secreted to make the noise. When this noise was
heard in the bedroom, I could hear a slight tremulous
motion or jar.
" ' There was some digging in the cellar on Saturday
night. They dug until they came to water, and then
gave it up. The question had been previously asked
whether it was right that they should dig on that night,
and there was no rapping. Then, whether it was wrong,
and the rapping was heard. Whether they should dig
on Sunday; no rapping. On Monday; rapping com-
menced again. However, some insisted on digging at
this time, and dug accordingly ; but without success.
"'On Monday night, I heard this noise again, and
asked the same questions I did before, and got the same
answers. This is the last time I have heard any rapping.
I can in no way account for this singular noise which I
and others have heard. It is a mystery to me which I am
wholly unable to solve. I am willing to testify under
oath that I did not make the noises or rapping which I
and others heard ; that I do not know of any person who
2*
34 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
did or could have made them ; that I have spent consi-
derable time, since then, in order to satisfy myself as to
the cause of it, but can not account for it on any other
ground than that it is supernatural. I lived in the same
house about seven years ago, and at that time never
heard any noises of the kind in and about the premises.
I have understood from Johnson and others, who have
lived there before moved there, that there
were no such sounds heard there while they occupied the
house. I never believed in haunted houses, or heard or
saw any thing but what I could account for before ; but
this I can not account for.
*' (Signed) ' Wm. Dueslee.'
"'April 19, 1848.'"
Some ten other witnesses are given to corroborate
the aforesaid facts, and " Mr. David S. Fox gives a state-
ment confirming the others heretofore recorded, and says,
furthermore, that ' There is no place about the house in
which any person could be secreted so as to produce
these sounds. There is only one floor between this bed-
room and the cellar. * * * I was here (at the house) on
Monday, the 3d of April, and we commenced digging
again in the cellar, and bailing out the water ; but we
found it impossible to make much headway. On Tuesday
evening they began digging again. I got a pump, and
we took up the floor, and put it into the hole, and began
to pump and bail out the water at the same time. We
could not lower the water much, and had to give it up.
The water is now in the hole, although it is lowering
gradually.'
"Such is the testimony — ^unimpeachable and conclu-
sive — of the first occurrences at Hydesville. The wit-
nesses estabhsh, beyond the possibility of a doubt, the
presence of some unseen and intelligent agency in pro-
ducing these sounds. But this was not the only kind of
evidence by which the invisible presence was to be
proved. As the family and their friends became more
familiar with the mysterious visitants, and could converse
without alarm, other manifestations began to be made,
exhibiting, in a more astonishing manner, the command
MR. FOX'S STATEMENT. 35
of the communicators over the elements, by which was
created at will any sound that might be desired. Thus,
the intelligence claiming to be the spirit of the murdered
man would produce a sound like the death-struggle, the
gurgling in the throat, etc., of a man whose throat was
cut ; then the sound of dragging a lifeless body across
the room, down the stairs, the feet striking on each step ;
then a sound as if shovelling dirt in the cellar, the nailing
of boards, and the filling up of the hastily-made grave —
all sounding as perfectly natural as if you had stood in
the grave-yard, and heard the clods descend upon the
last resting-place of the body of a friend. I have myself
heard the same, and it was hard, indeed, to convince one's
self that it was not a reality instead of a mere represen-
tation. Another sound was produced like that of pour-
ing a quantity of clotted blood from a pail on to the floor.
This sound would come suddenly, when the family, or
some portion of it, sat in a room, not thinking of the
manifestations ; and the first thought would be that some
one had poured down a whole pailful of something, that
would fall like so much blood, or, as the family expressed
it, ' lobbered milk.' "
THE FIRST MEDIUM.
" It was some time before the spirits exhibited any pre-
ference for any one of the family, or seemed to require
the presence of one more than the other, in order to pro-
duce the various sounds and movements. At length they
discovered that Catharine, the youngest girl, seemed to
be required in order to obtain the communications. She
was then in the twelfth year of her age. This was the
first discovery of mediumship in that family. Indeed, it
is the first case of acknowledged mediumship for sounds,
so far as I am able to discover, that the world has been
made acquainted with. There have been those who were
undoubted mediums, and were attended by similar demon-
strations ; but they have not been characterized by the
intelligence that has uniformly attended this family. The
exhibition of intelligence heretofore has been only in rare
cases, and for a short time, to disappear and remain a
m
it ' .*
M A THKEE-FOLD TEST.
wonder to the recipients of the strange visitations. But
here they have remained to explain themselves, and si-
lence for ever all doubts in regard to the power of unseen
intelligences to communicate with the inhabitants of this
visible world."
" There are many circumstances going to make up a
case of circumstantial proof that there was, at some time,
a murder committed in the house. To this effect, so far
as spiritual manifestations are concerned, is the testimony
of Miss and Mrs. Pulver. There is, aside from this, enough
to establish very reasonable suspicions in regard to the
transactions of a certain family who formerly occupied
the house.
" In addition to this, it is a fact not generally known,
that, in the summer of 1848, Henry Bush and Lyman Gran-
ger, of Rochester, and David S. Fox, and others, of Ar-
cadia, recommenced digging in the cellar of the house ;
and, after digging about five feet, came to a plank, through
wliich they bored with an auger, which, on boring through,
(the auger being loose in the handle,) fell through, out of
sight. On digging further they found several human
teeth, and a few bones, and some hair, which evidently
came from a human head, although no connected bones
or skull were found. They also found a quantity of char-
coal at the same depth. This shows, most incontestably,
that the ground, at some time, had been disturbed, and
these things deposited. This, taken with the evidence of
the family, on whom suspicion fell, having sundry articles,
in a very mysterious w^ay, about the time the murder was
said to have been committed, is enough, at least, to give
a shade of circumstantial evidence in favor of the truth of
the allegation of the spirit in regard to the murder."
Rochester, N. Y., is the next place, where, our histor-
ian informs us, the Spirits displayed their power.
spiritual pulling and hauling.
" Notwithstanding the facts were concealed from the
public, it is worthy to be noted that, during the early part
of the manifestations at Rojhcyter, many demonstrations
PULLING AND HAULING. 37
were made which looked like a disposition to create dis-
turbance, without any other apparent object than mischief.
Mr. Calvin R. Brown, before spoken of, was not, at first,
particularly friendly to the spirits, and they seemed to re-
ciprocate the feeling by constantly annoying him. The
spirits would come to his bed, lift it up, shake it, seize his
bed-clothes and carry them away, or whip him with them.
At times he would seize the clothes, as they were going
off, determined to dispute the right of possession with the
spirits. He would brace himself and pull with all his
might ; and, when exerting himself to the utmost, the
spirit would mischievously let go suddenly, and Mr.
Brown, of course, would be thrown over backwards.
Sometimes Mr. Brown would suddenly let go, under like
circumstances, and the clothes would fly to the other side
of the room. At times a sheet would come up to his bed,
as if held up by a person, and then drop down.
" One night the spirits came to his bed with a cane, and
commenced striking tremendous blows on the wall at the
head of his bed, just missing his head and face. He seiz-
ed the cane, and got possession of it. Soon they came
Avith a broom-handle, to which was attached the worn-out
stump of the broom. With this they commenced strik-
ing, as before, until he seized that also. With these two
sticks he made a kind of fender for his face, by placing
one end of them on his head-board and the other on his
breast. Then the spirit came with a strip of lath, and
commenced beating the sticks directly over his face. He
finally took the stick away and kept all of them where he
could keep his hand upon them. The next salutation was
an old iron candle-stick, thrown violently, and just graz-
ing his upper lip so as to break the skin. At intervals,
during all the time they were whipping him with the sticks,
they would spell out, " Kneel down and ask our forgive-
ness." He had nothing to ask such favors for, and told
them he would not do it if they strung him up between
the heavens and earth. They would then renew hostili-
ties. After cutting his lip all was silent, as though they
felt that they had gone too far, or made a mistake. They
never told him to ask forgiveness again. After a short
time they began to throw balls of carpet-rags, from a bas-
38 ^ A TUEEE-FOLD TEST.
ket in the room, some dozen or more of which hit him
every one on the forehead, in precisely the same spot.
Some sixty in all were thrown. Many were the kinds of
disturbance that Mr. Brown was subjected to before he
became fully convinced that they were caused by spirits."
" About this time very powerful physical manifestations
commenced in the family of Deacon Hale, of Greece, a
town adjoining the city of Rochester. In this case the
spirits evinced a remarkable degree of physical power,
such as moving heavy stoves and other articles of furni-
ture.
" The vibratory sounds were also produced in the family
of Rev. A. H. Jarvis, a Methodist clergyman, residing in
Rochester, soon after their commencement with the Fox
family. Substantially the same phenomena were observed
in the other cases. Many very beautiful communications
were given, containing in themselves overwhelming testi-
mony of spiritual power and foresight.
" The following letter from that gentlemen to the author
will give a strong case of telegraphing, at a very early
period of the modern manifestations :
" ' There are many facts which have come under m^
observation equally convincing of the intelUgence and uti-
lity of the communications from these unseen agents, who,
I now believe, are continually about us, and more perfect-
ly acquainted with all our ways, and even our thoughts,
than we are with each other. But the fact, in reference
to my friend Pickard, is what you desire. He was at my
house on Friday afternoon, April 6th, 1849. None of the
Fox family were present. While at the tea-table we had
free communications on different subjects. Pickard was
requested to ask questions. He desired to know who it
was that would answer questions. The answer was, ' I
am your mother, Mary Pickard.' Her name or the fact
of her death was not known to any of us. The next Mon-
day evening he (Pickard) was at Mr. G — 's and tarried
there over night. He there received a communication,
purporting to be from his mother, saying, ' Your child is
dead.' He came immediately to my place, and said he
SPIRIT-HANDS. ,||, 39
should take the stage for home, (Lockport, sixty miles dis-
tant.) He left in the stage at 8 or 9 A.M. At 12 M. I
returned to my house, my wife meeting me with a tele-
graph envelope. I broke the seal and read mentally, first,
as follows :
" 'Rochester, April 10, 1849.
" ' By telegraph from Lockport to Rev. A. H. Jarvis,
No. 4 West street. Tell Mr. Pickard — if you can find him
— his childL died this morning. Answer R. Mallory.'
" ' I then read it to my wife, and said " This is one of
the best and most convincing evidences of the intelligence
of those invisible agents ;" and then I added " God's tele-
graph has outdone Morse's altogether." Yours truly,
" ' A. H. Jarvis.
" 'To E. W. Capron, Auburn.' »
The next place mentioned, where these manifestations
took place, is Auburn, N. Y. We can not specify what
they were, beyond the assurance of Mr. 0. that they
" were various and astonishing," and " have scarcely been
excelled."
SPIRIT-HANDS.
" I (and all who have taken pains to get at the facts oi
all these demonstrations) have frequently had a hand laid
on my arms, shoulders, or head, when no person would or
could do it, having all their hands held by each other.
These demonstrations, Hke the others, generally leave a
feeling of electricity where they touch. The hand feels
much like one of a person who is in a magnetic sleep, be-
ing colder (generally) than the hand of persons in a nor-
mal state, and having a moisture like a cold perspiration
upon it. There is not, usually, any feeling like that of a
hard hand, or one made up with the usual amount of bones
in it. It is generally soft and smooth, although, at our
request, it will change both its temperature and texture.
It will in one instant feel as cool as ice and as warm as a
common hand of flesh.
"So perfectly natural is the touch, when an arm is taken
♦
40 ifc A THREE-FOLD TEST.
hold of by this invisible hand, or it touches in any other
way, that, although you hold every hand in the room,
you can hardly believe it to be other than some of them.
But the proof is positive and the witnesses are numerous.
Then, too, just request a change from natural warmth to
the coldness of ice, and you feel the change without the
hand being removed. It is past the art of man thus to
change the temperature of his body."
DIABOLISM.
" Among the varieties of manifestations, purporting to
be spiritual in this locahty, there were often indications
of pure diabolism ;* one of the most remarkable instances
of which was as follows : In the spring of 1849, an indi-
vidual by the name of Baham was hung at Auburn for the
murder of a peddler named Adler. He was clearly prov-
ed guilty of the crime, but persisted to the last in assert-
ing his innocence. During the last days of his earthly ex-
istence he manifested a very wicked spirit, cursing all who
were instrumental in demonstrating his guilt — of whom
was one of his brothers who was connected with him in
the criminal affair ; and finally upon the scaffold, his last
words were qualified by an oath. At the time of his exe-
cution, a seeing medium — a young lady — was rendered
clairvoyant, that she might witness the operation, and, if
possible, observe the separation of body and spirit, and
the manifestation of the latter. The medium claimed to
have witnessed the execution ; and described the occur-
rences from stage to stage, until the final scene when the
drop fell, which was so revolting and terrible in its ap-
pearance, that she fainted. From this time what purport-
ed to be the spirit of the executed man very often com-
municated through her. On these occasions the spirit ut-
tered passionate maledictions against those whom he con-
sidered his enemies — declaring repeatedly that he would
have revenge and that he would ere long take the life of
some of the Auburn people, all of whom he considered res-
ponsible in a degree for his unpleasant removal to the world
of spirits. Thus matters went on, the spirit continually
*Mr. C. does not believe in the existence of the Devil and his angels.
DIABOLISM. W^^
evincing the most fiendish and vindictive feelings, until in
April, 1850, when he gained an opportunity of wreaking, to
a considerable extent, his vengeance. The medium, above
spoken of, one afternoon used much freedom with this spi-
rit, and received many manifestations from him by the vio-
lent movements of her arms. At length the spirit acquired
so much control over her person that she was unable to guide
her own movements, or to repel him ; and he continued, for
a long time, to strike her arms back against her chair, un-
til both arms from the elbows upward were bruised black,
and ultimately almost into a pumice. This operation finally
was superseded by others of a more serious nature, in propor-
tion as the spirit gained increased control over her organ-
ism. After various persecutions and tortures inflicted by
the spirit upon the medium, he finally commenced strang-
ling her, or at least so operated upon her as to produce
the same effects that would be produced by a rope drawn
tightly around her neck — declaring, at the same time,
that he would strangle her to death. His declarations
were made through her mediumship and that of others
who were present ; and it was asserted by other spirits
through other mediums who were in attendance, that Ba-
ham was fully determined, if possible, to carry his threat
into execution and that it was not m their power, with
the attending conditions, to prevent him, because he had
previously secured so much possession of her person. The
strangulation increased until the subject was unable to
speak, or even to breathe without the utmost difficulty —
making severe exertions, such as throwing up her hands,
struggling, and uttering a pecuHarly distressing noise in
her efforts at inspiration. This state of the case continued
for about thirty-six hours ; during which time the house
was thronged by visitors and friends, and every attempt
possible was made to deliver her from her situation. Se-
veral strong and skillful magnetizers used their utmost
exertions to dispossess her of the influence, whatever it
might be, but did not at all succeed; physicians were
called, both of the skeptical and the believing in spiritual
matters, none of whom could aid her, or discover evidence
of any bodily disease. In the mean time the body w^as
suffering the severest agony, being entirely speechless,
42 ^ A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
and her limbs and whole body were violently moved con-
trary to her own will and strenuous exertions ; and fears
were continually entertained that her breathing would be
entirely prevented, and death ensue.
" But now we come to the mode of her deliverance,
which will introduce a manifestation of a decidedly oppo-
site spiritual nature. As has been remarked, all the means
which could be suggested by physicians, spiritual and
anti-spiritual, friends and spectators of equally diverse
opinions, the efforts of magnetizers and the various kmds
of medicines which were administered — all and each pro-
duced no perceptible effect. But the manner of her relief
was this : After she had been tortured for about a day
and a half, another medium was sent to the house by spi-
ritual direction. This medium, also a young lady, was a
clairvoyant, rapping and writing medium ; and upon her
arrival a spirit, purporting to be that of the Apostle Paul,
threw her into the clairvoyant state, and caused her to
take hold of the hands of the afflicted person ; when with-
in the space of five minutes she was entirely relieved of
the pernicious influence. And after keeping both mediums
in the clairvoyant condition for a few minutes longer —
during Avhich time they were exceedingly happy, that
which claimed to be the spirit of Paul brought them both
into their normal states, perfectly well. And thus ended
^v^hat was considered by many intelligent witnesses to be
a case of pure diabolism."
ALAEMING WONDEKS.
The next place our Author mentions, is Stratford,
Conn., where the most alarming wonders took place in the
house of Bev. MiaUm Phdps^ D. D. He goes on to say :
" While these strange occurrences were taking place at
Rochester and Auburn, and the press and people were
busy in trying to account for them on strictly mundane
principles, making all manner of insinuations against the
character and motives of those who even dared to inves-
tigate for themselves, some manifestations took place at
Stratford, Conn., which attracted attention to that quar-
ter, as well on account of the character and standing of
ALAEMING WONDERS. ^ 43
the gentleman at whose house they occurred, as the very
strange, boisterous, and violent character of the manifes-
tations. I have been allowed to examine all the records
kept of the occurrences by Dr. Phelps, and shall be able
therefore, to present the history with more minuteness
and accuracy than has ever before appeared.
" The first disturbances took place on the tenth day of
March, 1850, at the house of Rev. Eliakim Phelps, D.D.
The house had been occupied by him from the 22d of
February, 1848. It is a large and genteel country man-
sion, separated from the street by a fence forty-five feet
in front of the house ; which is thirty-two feet in front,
and, including the piazza, seventy feet deep, with a hall
thirteen feet wide, running through the whole depth of
the building. Adjoining, and opening from this hall are
two parlors and a dining-room. On the second floor are
five sleeping-rooms, and on the third floor two. The
kitchen is in the basement. The house was built about
the year 1829 or '30 by a Captain Dondall, who for seve-
ral years commanded a vessel in the China trade, and
who died in the bay of Canton within two or three years
after his family had taken up their residence in the house.
The property then passed into the hands of another sea-
captain, by the name of Purcell, who, with his family,
occupied it for several years. Capt. Purcell dying sud-
denly in New- York, the family removed, and the house
was occupied by an Episcopal clergyman for a school a
year or more, and afterwards by a Mr. , also as a
school for boys.
" None of the families who had thus far occupied the
house had ever been disturbed, or witnessed any thing
aside from ordinary events. At the death of Capt. Pur-
cell it became the property of the two daughters, of
whom Dr. Phelps purchased it during the month of No-
vember, 1 847. For two years previous to this it had been
unoccupied. Dr. Phelps and family commenced their
residence therein on the 22d of February, 1 848. Nothing
occurred to excite the attention of the family out of the
ordinary course of events until the tenth of March, 1850 ;
and, as before stated, nothing can be learned of any
strange or unusual events occurring there previous to
44 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
that time. It will be observed by the dates given that
Dr. Phelps had occupied the house more than two years,
had found it an agreeable and quiet place of residence —
having never himself or any member of the family been
disturbed or alarmed by unusual occurrences. On the
tenth of March, as above stated, it being the Sabbath,
Dr. Phelps and family, consisting of Mrs. Phelps, two
daughters and two sons, the eldest a daughter aged six-
teen, a son of twelve years, and a second daughter of six
years, children of Mrs. Phelps by a former marriage, and
another son of Dr. Phelps by the present marriage, not
then three years old, all attended church ; and an Irish
servant-girl, who had been employed in the family some
six months, and had shown herself to be honest and trust-
worthy, had gone on that day to Bridgeport, to attend
the Catholic Church. On leaving the house in the morn-
ing it appears that the Doctor had secured the chamber-
doors, and put the keys in his pocket ; those which could
be were locked inside and the keys left in them. The
only door by which the chambers could be entered was
locked, and the key taken by Dr. Phelps. He also locked
the front-door inside, left the key in the lock, and, pass-
ing out at the back-door, locked that and placed the key
in his pocket. On returning from church at noon the
front-door was found standing open ; the chamber-doors,
which were left fastened, were now open ; and in the
nursery the furniture was thrown about in disorder;
chairs on the bed, and thrown down upon the floor ; the
shovel, tongs and poker, with other things, were in unusual
positions and places, every thing showing unmistakable
signs of the work of some rude hand making mischief in
their absence. Upon discovering the disorder here Dr.
Phelps passed into other rooms on the same floor, but
could see no other evidence of intrusion. The first sup-
position was, very naturally, that some person or persons
had entered and robbed the house. Search was immedi-
ately made in the closets where silver plate, spoons, forks,
etc., were kept. All were found safe and undisturbed.
A gold watch, left in an exposed place, remained there
as left. The impression still remained that burglars had
been in ; and, on examination of the windows, one was
ALARMING WONDERS. 45
found that could be raised from the outside, and though
there was no evidence of entrance having been made
there, no doubt existed that this was the place of access.
Thinking they might return during the afternoon. Dr.
Phelps remained at home, the other members of the fa-
mily going again to church. Being left alone the Doctor
armed himself, and, selecting a secluded position, awaited
the return of the burglars. There was no disturbance
during the afternoon ; no sound of footfall ; all remained
quiet. On the return of the family, after the service,
usually closing at three o'clock, several other articles were
found out of place, but not in a way to make it certain
that they were not moved in the morning. Articles of
kitchen furniture were changed about. A tea-kettle,
which had been used at dinner-time, was found hidden
behind some boxes in the cellar. The bread, sugar-bowl,
eggs, and numerous other things kept in the kitchen,
were found where they did not belong, and where they
had evidently been placed in some way which the family
could not account for. Upon enteiing the middle cham-
ber, occupied as a sleeping-room, a sheet was found
spread over the bed outside the counterpane, and beneath
which was a night-gown and chemise laid out with the
arms folded across the breast, with stockings placed in a
position to represent, as it seemed, a corpse, disposed as
is usual before placing it in the coffin. On the wall were
written characters resembling those said by certain clair-
voyants to belong to a sj)iritual language, but which none
of the family were able to decipher. Whether they had
any significance, or how they came there, was alike an
unanswerable question by the family ; they had not ob-
served them before. Occurrences ceased for that day
and night, yet no one thinking of any mystery in the
matter, they imputed it to roguish boys, or others, who
had effected entrance with false keys, for mischief, rather
than for robbery, and that the culprits would soon be de-
tected. The next morning, March 11th, when the family
went up stairs, after breakfast, the middle chamber had
again been visited, exhibiting much the same scene of
disorder presented the previous day. A sheet was spread
out upon the floor, the wash-stand laid upon its back upon
46 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
the. sheet, a candle-stick set upon the stand, the wash-
bowl placed upon one side, and the pitcher on the other.
The night-gown and chemise, used on the previous occa-
sion to represent a dead body, were found one in the
bowl, the other in the pitcher. It appears that these
articles of clothing were not then in use ; they had been
placed in a trunk which stood in a closet adjoining that
room. They were replaced iq the trunk when removed
from the bed the day before. As they were conversing
in relation to the disposition of the things as above stated,
Mrs. Phelps looked under the bed, and discovered arti-
cles there, partially concealed by the bed, resembling
those in question. They were taken out and pronounced
to be the same. Dr. Phelps had not before examined
them, but then took them, noted the name and number
on each, as they were marked, folded, and placed them
again in the trunk, remarking that he would put them
where they would stay ; did not lock the trunk, not hav-
ing a key, but locked the closet and placed the key about
his own person ; then requesting the family to all leave
the room first, which they did, the Doctor, following,
locked the door of the room, and kept the key. Having
observed that Mrs. Phelps seemed a little troubled as to
the mystery, he thought to convince her that there was
no mystery in the matter, and, having secured the closet
and room, he descended to the rooms below, following
them all. After the lapse of some fiifteen minutes, some
person spoke to the Doctor, upon which he went up to
the chambers. At the head of the stairs, out in the hall,
he found the same articles which he had left as before
stated. He examined them, and was positive they were
the same. He went to the door ; found it locked ; entered
by applying the key from his pocket ; went to the closet ;
found it locked ; took the key from his pocket ; opened the
door ; looked in the trunk ; and the articles were gone ! Dr.
Phelps states that he was confident there was no decep-
tion in the case, and that he then, for the first, felt that
there was a mystery about the affair. He had neve.r be-
lieved in the appearing of ghosts, or departed spirits,
warnings, or any thing of that nature, and, at the age of
three-score, had never seen or heard any thing connected
^ ALARMING WONDEES. ^ 47
with that class of phenomena. The evidence upon which
such superstitions, as he termed them, rest, he had never
examined, and while he had no proof positive that they
were impossible, and never did occur, he had no evidence
to found a belief upon that they ever had. His idea of
spiritual manifestations seems to have been that most, if
not all, followed by a strict scrutiny, might be accounted
for on natural or known principles, or some physical
means, which would disrobe them of the mysterious alto-
gether. But it was not to rest here. On the same day
(March 11th) the moving and throwing of furniture com-
menced. An umbrella, standing at the end of the hall,
leaped, without visible assistance, a distance, of at least,
twenty-five feet. Dr. Phelps saw the movement, and
knows there was no perceptible agency by which the
motion was produced. A bucket, standing at the head
of the stairs, was thrown into the entry below. Smaller
articles, such as nails, forks, knives, spoons, bits of tin,
iron and keys, were thrown from difierent directions
about the house. He says : ' There were times when they
came from such directions that they might have been
thrown by some person in the house' — at least, that may
be admitted — but in very many cases the motion and
point of starting were such as to preclude all possibility
of deception on the part of persons in the rooms. Dur-
ing the afternoon Dr. and Mrs. Phelps had occasion to go
to Bridgeport ; a distance of some three miles. During
their absence the shovel and tongs, standing in the dining-
room, were thrown violently down the basement-stairs ;
a piece of mourning-crape fastened to the knocker of the
back-door, and the mirrors in the front chambers covered
mth sheets and table-cloths, as is the custom in some
parts of the country while a person lies dead in the house.
The crape on the door Dr. Phelps did not see, but the
covering on the mirrors he removed with his own hands.
The position of the mirrors in one room was such that
the coverings could not, without great difficulty, have
been placed there by any person about the house. Vari-
ous articles were said to have been thrown about the
room — the phenomena continuing in his absence about
|he same as when he was present in the fore part of the
48 A THREE-FOLD TEST. '
day. Soon after sundoTVTi all was again qniet, and so con-
tinued through the night.
The next morning (March 1 2th) soon after the family-
were up, the same phenomena began again ; knives, forks,
spoons, blocks of wood, nails, etc., etc., were thrown from
different directions, and with increased frequency, attend-
ed by still stranger circumstances, and those of a still
more mysterious character. Mrs. Phelps expressed some
alarm, and a wish that some of the neighbors might be
called in. Dr. Phelps called on a retired clergyman of
Stratford, a man of extensive information, much expe-
rience and sound judgment, who was universally admitted
to be capable of rendering correct judgment and good
advice in such a case. He requested him to call and
spend an hour at the house, to which he cheerfully con-
sented. Dr. P. told him that his family had been a little
excited by some occurrences in the house, but did not
state any of the details of the matter, but desired that
he would sit mth them for a short time and witness for
himself. He remained all day, but was, at first, firmly of
the opinion that the occurrences were produced, in some
way, through the agency of the girl, or some other per-
son about the house, and his main attention was directed
to the girl in the kitchen, or the children, in the expecta-
tion that he should detect them in doing it.
" The door leading from the parlors to the kitchen was,
by his request, locked, and all communication between it
and the other parts of the house cut off; still, the throw-
ing of articles went on as before. The children were
sent out of the room, and the doors locked ; but this
made no difference. He staid through most of the day
on Thursday, and returned soon after breakfast next
morning, and remained most of the time for nearly three
weeks. He became satisfied, before the close of the
second day, that neither the girl in the kitchen nor the
children had any agency in producing the strange move-
ments. During the day (March 12th) some of the neigh-
bors were in the house, and small blocks of wood were
seen to fall in different places in their presence ; but only
one person noticed them in a way to excite inquiry, and
that person was requested not to mention what she had seen.
ALAKMING WONDEKS. 49
On Wednesday, March 13th, the manifestations com-
menced early in the morning, in the middle chamber, the
room in which two children slept, and began while they
were both asleep. A book, standing in tlie library, ten
or twelve feet from the bed, leaped from the shelf into
the middle of the room. The blower, which was in the
grate, leaped out on the floor, a distance of at least six
feet, the noise of which first awakened the children. At
the breakfast-table several articles were thrown ; among
them a large potato, which had been sent from Pennsyl-
vania, and laid up in a closet in the east-chamber, fell on
the table directly by the side of Dr. P.'s plate, in a man-
ner that no person could have done it without instant de-
tection. The Doctor's curiosity was much excited, and
he watched, with all the scrutiny he was capable, every
person in the room. He took up the potato and let it
fall from difierent heights, in order to determine how
far it must have fallen to have made the concussion
that it did ; and it was adjudged by all that the dis-
tance could not have been more than twelve or fifteen
inches.
" Rev. Mr. came in soon after breakfast, and re-
mained during the day. Several Bibles were opened at
difierent passages, which seemed to be selected Avith a
great deal of care, and indicated either by placing small
pieces of paper on them or turning down a leaf. These
things first occurred in the middle chamber where the
library stood. While the family were at dinner similar
things were done in the parlor adjoining the dining-room.
Two Bibles and an Episcopal prayer-book were opened
at difierent passages, chairs turned forward on the fioor,
two solar lamps placed on the fioor, a hat and man's cap
put one on each ; nearly every thing in the room had
been moved, and in so short a time, that it seems wholly
inadmissible that any person about the house could have
done it ; besides, the whole household were in the dining-
room, all seated at the table, except the servant, and she
Avas employed waiting on the table.
In the afternoon the demonstrations were confined to
the middle parlor. Dr. and Mrs. Phelps, and Mr. ,
and a part of the time the eldest daughter, being present ;
8
k
50 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
in the absence of the daughter the doors were locked,
and the three first named only were present.
" The throwing of various things occupied the after-
noon. The articles thrown were picked up and placed
upon the mantle, and between the hours of one and four
o'clock, the number amounted to forty-six ; among which
were nails, bits of tin, iron, keys, and small blocks, all of
which were gathered from different parts of the house ;
most of them from closets on the second floor, and the
chambers. At one time, while Mr. M was standing
near the centre of the room, a padlock, which was known
to have been in the closet of the middle chamber, fell at
his feet. He took it in his hand, letting it fall from differ-
ent heights, to discover the probable distance it must
have fallen to produce the concussion. After various
trials it was judged to have fallen not more than two or
two and a half feet. As Dr. P. was sitting, perhaps ten
feet fi'om the piano-fOrte, he saw a small toy-mouse, which
was on the piano, arise as if tossed, and, describing a
parabola as it came, fall at his side, so near that he took
it from the floor mthout leaving his chair. This he
speaks of seeing as distinctly as he ever saw any thing,
the whole being perfectly in his view. He also saw, in
the same way, among other things, a nail, cotton-spool
and key, arise from behind the sofa, which stood diagon-
ally across the corner of the room. He arose, went to
the sofa, looking behind and under it, but could discover
nothing which might give impulse to the articles. While
examining the carpet about the sofa to find if any other
things were there, without success, as his eyes were di-
rected to one spot, there arose from that very point a
jiiece of cheese-rind, perhaps eight inches from the floor ;
when he saw it first, it arose four or five feet, passed over
the sofa, and fell on the floor. He is positive it was not
there when he was looking at the carpet, and knows there
were no visible means of its moving.
" Mr. M suggested, as he was about to leave on
Wednesday night, that if the strange phenomena should
return, he would like to have some other persons called
in. Early the next morning, Thursday the 14th, the
manifestations commenced about as they had on the pre-
&
ALAEMING WONDEES. 51
vious day. Soon after breakfast a sheet was found spread
upon the floor, several Bibles were opened at different
places, the candlesticks in a row, the highest in the mid-
dle, and covered with a sheet ; other articles changed
about the room, without any seeming design, more than
to attract attention. Mr. M proposed that notes be
dispatched to Rev. Mr. W , Congregational minister,
and Mr. Plant, a lawyer of high standing and respectabi-
lity, which was according done. It was at this time that
they first began to hear rappings and heavy poundings.
A loud sound, like some person striking the floor with
some heavy substance, was heard, generally in the middle
chamber. This was usually done when no one was in the
chamber, and on any one entering all was stiU. In one
instance a chair was seen to rise from the floor and beat
down again, five or six times, with a violence which caused
the house to tremble so as to be felt in all the adjoining
apartments. A large plated candlestick, standing on the
mantle, was moved by some unseen power to the floor,
and then rose up and down, beating the floor, until the
candlestick was broken. This was the first article that m
was damaged about the house. Several times, during
the day, loud noises, like some one pounding with an axe, ..^,
or some heavy substance, on the floor, were heard in
different parts of the house, and several times the loud
poundings terminated with a frightful scream ; it was not a
cry of distress, or any thing that could be easily imitated,
seeming like something between the cry of a cat and the
bleating of a calf, but louder than either. These sounds
occurred, in aU, probably twenty times whUe the mani-
festations were going on. Sometimes the screams seem-
ed to be in the third story, sometimes in the front-hall ^
chamber, several times out in the yard, and occasionally "^
in other places. There was, at no time, any audible ex-
pression of words. The sounds consisted of poundings,
knockings, and screamings. On this day the first images
were found, which will be spoken of more fully here-
after.
" In the evening of this day, just after some young
ladies had called, Dr. P.'s daughter returned to the par-
lor, it being between nine and ten o'clock. After seeing
#
52 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
the young ladies to tlie door, an iron stand, in whicli
stood the fire-shovel, tongs and poker, leaped from the
hearth, where it stood, into the middle of the floor, and
rose up and beat the floor with a force that made a jar
that could be felt, and the sound heard, in any part of
the house. This was seen only by the daughter, but Dr.
P. and wife heard the noise. The daughter ran through
the dining-room to get up stairs, and, as she passed, a
large table was standing, with the other furniture, ar-
ranged for breakfast the next morning. The table was
three feet nine inches wide, and five feet three inches
long, made of sohd mahogany ; and when she entered
the room it rose up and beat five or six times against the
floor with a force which made the house jar. The noise
was heard by many persons in the house. Mrs. P. was
alarmed, and screamed out : ' Oh ! take me from this place !'
This happened between nine and ten o'clock P.M. Pre-
vious to this time, all manifestations had ceased by sun-
down, or a httle after.
" Soon after daylight on Friday, March 15th, movements
similar to those on previous days commenced. Henry, a
lad then eleven and a half years of age, attended the
academy, and nothing had, thus far, ever occurred to
connect these strange phenomena with his presence. Dr.
P. had never heard or thought of particular persons being
' mediums.' But on this day the remarkable occurrences
seemed to be connected more or less with this boy. His
cap was torn on his head, so as to be entirely destroyed.
Another one which he put on was taken in the same way.
First a small hole opened in the crown; this gradually
extended, and in a short time it was torn into many pieces.
On another cap characters were made, apparently with
chalk. They resembled those sometimes made by persons
in the higher mesmeric state, describing them as charac-
ters of a spiritual language.
" Five or six of these characters were, at one time,
made on the boy's cap. Others, supposed to constitute
a sentence, were written on a red pocket-handkerchief;
others on his pantaloons and coat, and on the inside of
his sack-coat. Copies of these characters were taken
■\vith great care, and were preserved till September fol-
ALAEMING WONDEES. 63
lowing, when tliey were mysteriously destroyed. From
this time it became evident that some of the phenomena
had some kind of connection with this boy.
" An umbrella, w^hich he was carrying, was, in a mys-
terious manner, torn in several pieces. His pantaloons
were torn from the bottom upwards, as high as the knee,
and sometimes higher, and were literally torn to ribbons,
an inch or more wide. This occurred several times under
the immediate inspection of Rev. Mr. M., which seems to
fix the fact that, in those instances at least, no power visi-
ble did it. Thus it continued for several weeks, clothing
to the amount of twenty dollars being destroyed. At
one time, while he was riding in a carriage with Dr. P.,
his cap on his head was torn in a mysterious manner, and
his pants torn from the waistband to the bottom, in a
way that no human power could have done. Dr. P. heard
them torn, but could see nothing doing it, and knows the
boy could not have done it himself. It was on this day,
March 15th, that images, dressed in articles of clothing,
were again seen; only two or three appeared on that day.
The most extraordinary occurrences of this kind took
place on Saturday, the 16th. Soon after breakfast two
or three images appeared in the middle chamber ; soon
again another, followed by others still, numbering in all
eleven or twelve. They were formed of articles of cloth-
ing, found about the house, stuffed to resemble the human
figure. A lady's dress would be stuffed in some cases
with a muff; again with a pillow, and sometimes with
other dresses ; a bonnet and shoes were aptly placed to
complete the figure. These, on this occasion, all but one,
represented females in the attitude of devotion, some
having Bibles or prayer-books placed before them. One,
formed of Mrs. P.'s dress, so much resembled the real,
that the Httle boy, scarce three years old, coming into
the room with his sister, older, whispered: 'Be still, ma
is saying prayers.'
"A portable writing-desk, usually standing on the
secretary in the room, was taken and placed upon the
floor, a towel spread over it, and the image of a cliUd
kneeling beside it. A Yankee clock was taken from the
mantle in the nursery, and placed upon the floor in the
64 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
middle of the room, a distance of twenty feet, and so
carefully done that the clock was still going when dis-
covered in its new place, though it stopped some time
after. It does not appear that any of these images were
seen in the process of construction, or that the cloth-
ing, which was gathered from different localities, was
seen in the act of moving. When persons entered the
room every thing was stiJl, the clothing about the floor,
which, upon going again within a few minutes, were
found wrought into forms. The marked rapidity of their
construction, and the life-hke appearance of them, seems
to have been truly wonderful. During this day several
others than members of the family were present. In
several instances, when the rooms were closed and the
doors guarded, so that no person could enter, the images
were constructed. To one reading or hstening to the
relation of these facts, the mischief and cunning evinced
will seem amusing as well as most wonderful; but to
the family who bore the annoyance and witnessed the
terrifying demonstrations, it was a serious and trying
affair.
" The reader wiU keep in mind that this was on Satur-
day of the first week of these strange proceedings, and
many persons were still believing that they must be pro-
duced by some one in the house : every member of the
feimily therefore was subjected to the most rigid scrutiny,
which makes it morally certain that no member of the
household could have had any agency in the matter with-
out being at once detected. Besides the neatness and
dispatch with which they were formed, the natural appear-
ance of most of them must have required taste and skill
beyond the conception of ordinary persons in the flesh.
Mr. M. remained there throughout the day, Mr. W.,
Governor Plant, and Captain S., a part of the day. Dur-
ing the day and evening various things were thrown in
different parts of the house. A brick-bat, which lay on
the stairs leading to the third story, was thrown violently
down stairs, passing very near the head of the eldest
daughter as she was descending the stairs. A fire-shovel
was also thrown near her, which she first saw high above
her in a position to fall upon her head. She was several
m
ALARMING \rONDEES. 55
times constrained to cry out from fear, so much as to
cause apprehension on her account.
" [I omit, in this place, at the request of Dr. Phelps, a
minute account of occurrences in which the medium
seemed to be one who has now grown to be a young
woman, and would feel a repugnance at having her name
mentioned in connection with the subject. At one time
a ribbon was tied around her neck, while she was sleeping,
so tight as to cause a serious affection of the brain. Dr.
Phelps was sitting in the room when it was done. Several
other remarkable occurrences are omitted, on account of
her connection with them. In the main they do not differ
materially in their nature from the occurrences herein
related.]
"The hiding of hats, caps, clothing, etc., seems at this
time to have become of common occurrence. On several
occasions a hat was seen to go up stairs — not thrown, but
seemed to be carried rapidly by unseen hands. For several
days Dr. P. was forced to keep his hat under lock and key
to prevent its disappearance, if left out as usual. Coats,
hats, and canes of gentlemen, who were strangers in the
house, were spirited away; the only object seeming to be
the gratification of mischievous desires, with the exception
of a few instances. They were found sometimes in the
chimney, under the bed, and in the bottom of trunks.
The design seemed to be to detain the owners to witness
further demonstrations. Two gentlemen from an adjoin-
ing town called, one of whom had expressed an earnest
desire to witness the phenomena; but having passed
several hours, and seen nothing, they were about to leave,
when the person who expressed the wish found himself
minus a hat. A thorough searching followed, but no hat
could be found, consequently the gentleman decided to
remain until the next day. During the evening and
night, phenomena transpired sufficient to gratify his most
abundant desire. Similar cases, with like results, after-
wards occurred.
" On the nineteenth and twentieth, little occurred to
cause alarm. Some of the family heard loud and fright-
ful screams in an adjacent out-house, which must have
been torturing to the feehngs, much more so than the
56 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
silent images. Small articles were also thrown about the
house. Reports had now got abroad, and some excitement
was being produced, as is always the case in country-
towns, where each person knows their neighbor's private
business quite as well, and sometimes better, than those
most interested. And in a matter of this kind all efforts
to prevent publicity would prove unavailing. Curiosity
and staring wonder would overstep all bounds of pro-
priety and respect for the private rights and feelings of
the family, forgetting that it is no slight thing for the
harmony and quiet of a household to be invaded, each
member being subjected to suspicion, ill-natured scrutiny,
or careless reproach. On this subject I can speak from
experience, having myself passed the ordeal. To persons
of refined sensibihtyit is a trial indeed. In this case. Dr.
P. adopted the rule of giving aU who called an oppor-
tunity to investigate for themselves, and to this rule he
adhered, notwithstanding the annoyance such a constant
visitation must have occasioned. In one instance, while
a rabble was gathered outside, a stranger, who came un-
introduced by letter or otherwise, asked to spend the
night, and was refused for obvious reasons.
" On Friday and Saturday, March 23d and 24th, the
disturbances increased, and became still more annoying.
Loud poundings and screams were heard in different
places, and on Saturday evening, between sunset and
dark, Harry was passing through the dining-room, and
thought himself suddenly caught up by some unseen
power from the floor, and supposed that he was about to
be carried off through the ceiling. He was very much
frightened, and screamed so as to alarm the family, and
remain in a state of great nervous excitement for two or
three hours, and the effects did not wholly wear off for
more than a week. At times he was in such a state as
to require two men to hold him. For several days after
this, he spent a portion of his time with one of the neigh-
bors during the day ; but the disturbances continued the
same at the house, although he appeared to be more or
less the medium as long as the phenomena continued.
At one time he was thrown into a cistern of water ; at
another he was tied up and suspended from a tree, and
ALARMING WONDEKS. 5 '7
several times was thrown into a state of apparent sensi-
bility, in which he would remain from ten to fifteen
minutes, and for which no human cause could be assigned.
" Somewhere about the 20th or 22d of March, Dr. P.'s
attention was called to a pamphlet (Capron and Barron's)
giving a history of the " mysterious noises" at Rochester
and Auburn. Several persons who had read the same
proposed to question the agents of these disturbances in
the manner there recorded, and see if they could get
answers to questions. To this the Doctor objected, for
reasons known to himself, but which may readily be ima-
gined by those knowing his position in life, and his gen-
eral opinions of such phenomena.
" On the 26th of March Anna left Stratford, and on
the third of April Harry also left. I^o manifestations
took place while both were away. Harry was absent a
week, and Anna three weeks ; but the very day that
Harry returned, the manifestations commenced with
greater power than ever. Even before he arrived at the
house, a paper with some mysterious characters was
dropped near the front-door. These characters were in-
terpreted by a clairvoyant* to read as follows :
* Fear not when he returns ; all danger is o'er.
We come, we disturbed thj house ; but shall no more.
Believe us not evil or good till we prove
Our speech to humanity, our language of love.'
" This was supposed to indicate that no further disturb-
ance would be made ; but in the course of two or three
hours another paper was found in the boy's hat in these
words ;
' The good ones say that all is done,
But the wicked ones say it has just begun.'
"The 'wicked ones,' in this case, seemed to come
nearer the truth than the ' good ones,"* for, on the after-
noon of the eighth of April, the breaking of glass com-
menced for the first time by the breaking of a pane in a
mysterious manner. In the evening of the same day
* Andrew Jackson Davis.
3*
68 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
another was broken during family prayers, some of the
pieces falling inside and some outside. There were no
indications of any thing being thrown against it. From
this time forward for several weeks glass was broken
almost daily, until the whole number of panes broken
amounted to seventy-one in the house and out-buildmgs.
Most of them were broken by something being thrown
against them ; among the articles were a brush, a shoe, a
poker, a fire-shovel, a candlestick, a pair of snufiers, books,
and numerous other things ; occasionally a stone or piece
of brick, thrown from the outside.
" Dr. P. thinks it would have been possible, but not
probable, that, in some of these cases, they might have
been broken by human agency, but he was an eye-witness
in some twenty or thirty cases, and knows that they
could not have been so done. He saw a brush, which he
knew to have been on a certain shelf but a moment
before, and no person near the shelf, fly to the window,
break out a glass, and fall down between the shutter and
sash, where he knew, from the position, that no one could
have thrown it. He saw a tumbler, which was standing
on a bureau, rise from its place, fly to the window, and
dash out the only pane remaining whole in the window,
when no person was within twenty feet of it, and the only
persons in the room were himself and Harry, the latter
standing by the Doctor's side in the doorway of the room
— a position in which it was utterly impossible for him to
have done it without detection.
" The mysterious visitors, whoever they were, seemed
at times to be actuated by a spirit of sheer mischief in the
destruction of property, particularly glass and crockery.
Even the glass in the carriage-top was broken out. Pitch-
ers of water were, on two or three occasions, poured into
the beds, and the pitchers and other vessels thrown about
the room and broken. The damage to furniture during
the whole time was nearly two hundred dollars. Some-
times there was a cessation of ' hostihties' for two or three
days: but they would then return with additional \do-
lence ; in fact they increased gradually in violence from
the beginning to the middle of April. On the evening of
that day, and during the night, they were more violent
ALARMING WONDERS. 69
and destructive than ever before. On the night of the
thirteenth of April, loud pounding and beating, as with
some hard substance, were frequent in the room adjoin-
ing that in with Dr. P. slept ; so loud and continued were
they, that at one o'clock no person in the house had been
able to sleep. Soon after, a small drawer was taken from
a dressing-table, and beaten so violently against the bed-
stead as to break it into fragments, some of which were
thro^vn against the windows, breakmg two panes of glass.
The knockings were now transferred to Mrs. P.'s room.
She was pinched, pricked with pins, and otherwise annoy-
ed in a manner beyond explanation, ' on any known laws
of matter or mind.' Mr. W. 0. was staying in the house
that night. He went to the room by request, and propo-
sed to interrogate them, as they were then doing at Ro-
chester and other places in Western New- York. Being
left to act his pleasure, he queried, and was replied to as
follows: 'Who are you? If a spirit, knock.' Imme-
diately there were heard on the head of the bed distinct
loiocks. Question. — ' Are you a good or bad spirit ? If
good, knock.' To this there was no answering sound.
' If a bad spirit, knock.' At once the same sounds as be-
fore were heard. Question. — ' Will you spell your name
if the alphabet is called?' Answer. — Knock. It was
done ; and a name was spelled out, and a communication
made of a most extraordinary character, detailing the
particulars of a transaction in which a portion of the family
were said to have been defrauded out of a large property.
As this whole communication relates to a matter which
may yet come before the tribunals of our country for ad-
judication, I am expressly prohibited from making any
extracts from this part of the journal. I regret this more,
as the facts in this case form one of the most wonderful
and unaccountable cases on record.
" The family concluded that, after these important dis-
closures were made, the disturbances would cease ; but
they were doomed to be disappointed. The following
night no communications were made, but the throwing
of articles and breaking of windows, crockery, etc., were
renewed with greater violence than before. Four or five
panes of glass were broken in one room in the space of
60 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
half an hour. While the family were together in the east
chamber, a small sauce-dish, with an iron handle, rose from
the floor, under the wash-stand, and beat against the bed-
stead with such violence as to break the handle ofi", and
was then thrown back from whence it started. It beat
seven or eight times against the bedstead, producing a
noise that could easily be heard twenty rods. A round
of a chair was beaten against the bedstead, in the same
manner, when there was no person within seven or eight
feet of it. A lamp that was on the mantel leaped into the
middle of the floor, and was extinguished. Being left
thus suddenly in the dark, produced no little agitation,
and Mrs. Phelps proposed that they should take the child-
ren and go into the street, rather than stay in the house
that night. In a few minutes two gentlemen, who had
appointed to spend the night with them, arrived, and the
more violent of the manifestations ceased.
About this time. Dr. P.'s attention was called to the
fact that the demonstrations were much more violent in
the presence of some persons than of others. While some
were present they would cease entirely, and commence as
soon as they left with great vehemence.
On the I7th the communications were renewed, and
from that time they had frequent communications, mainly
respecting the property afiair. At one time they asked
how they should know that this was really from the spirit
it purported to be, and requested his signature ; when in
less than four minutes a smaU piece of paper having on it
an exact fac simile of his handwriting was seen sticking to
the wall — ^the writing apparently done with a pencil. Dr.
Phelps still preserves the original paper with the name
inked over. It was stuck to the wall by being made
damp."
We shall abridge the rest of this marvellous relation for
want of room. Inquiries have satisfied us that it is a true
relation of facts as they occurred ; be it owing to spirits
in "the form" or out.
" Among the spirits who communicated were two, who
professed to be in a state of happiness, and three in a
^m"^^
AI-.AEMING WONDEKS. 61
state of misery. One of the good spirits claimed to be a
sister of him'^who made the first communication; she
commmiicated frequently, and constantly manifested her-
self in the morning and evening devotions of the family,
and always gave two distinct knocks at the utterance of
' Amen.' Upon inquiry as to the meaning of these two
knocks, the answer was given that it was a response, after
the manner of the EjDiscopal service, signifying that she
joined in the devotions.
" Much that was communicated after the first few days
was of a trifling and childish character ; some, more like
what would be received from street-rowdies than any
thing else. To the question why they destroyed pro-
perty, they replied, ' For fun.' It was asked of the op-
posing spii'it what could be done to afibrd him relief; he
answered that ' The best thing they could do would be
to give him a piece of iDie.' Sometimes letters would
come, purj)orting to be from ministers of Philadelphia,
giving accounts of conversions in their congregations and
additions to their churches. These were addressed to
the Dr., and indicated a knowledge of things in Philadel-
phia to an astonishing degree. Some of the letters were
addressed to Mrs. Phelps, signed, or rather purporting to
to be signed, by departed spirits of persons who had lived
in Philadelphia, and all, or nearly all, who had lived in a
single square, and were the acquaintances of Mrs. Phelps,
during a residence in that city, in the time of her former
marriage. Sentimental notes were also addressed to the
daughter. These letters and billets were frequent,
amounting in all to nearly one hundred, and were all writ-
ten in one hand, though purporting to come from difier-
ent persons. The fact was at one time referred to, and an
explanation desired, to which the following was given :
' We do not write with the hand — do not touch the pen-
cil ; we write with the will.' At one time a paper ^ was
thrown down to Mrs. Phelps, while in the parlor with a
number of ladies, having written on it, with a pencil, as
follows :
" ' SiK : Sir Sambo's compliments, and begs the laddyes
to accept as a token of esteem.'
" A lady in the family of Dr. Phelps had, in a humor-
m
62 A THKEE-FOLD TEST.
ous way, requested the spirits to wiite her a letter that
she might send to a friend in Philadelphia. The spirit
complied with the request by sending down the fol-
lowing :
" ' Dear Mary : I have just time to write and tell you
I am well. Give my love to Miss K. and her uncle. Also
to Mrs. and Mr. D. Also to Sarah. Good by.
'' ' H. P. Devil.'
" The initials of the lady's name, who asked for the
letter, were H. P.
" Papers were also thrown down, signed ' Beelzebub,'
and ' Sam Slick.' Sometimes names of persons, whom
the family had known in Philadelphia, but who had been
dead several years, were signed to these papers.
" The following was in pencil, and seems to be w^ritten
in the same hand as the other. It was superscribed, " E.
Phelps" :
" ' If you promise not to write that I told you, I wiU
not throAV any thing all this week.'
" On the 28th of July, 1850, two singular letters were
thrown down, addressed to Dr. Phelps. They were both
in one hand-writing, but were signed by two different
orthodox clergymen of Philadelphia. Their interest in
religious movements, and their acquaintance with the
phraseology of 'revival' correspondence, are seen at a
glance. ' St. Peter's,' in the second letter, is a Puseyite
church.
"'Dear Brother: The Lord is deaUng bountifully
with his chosen people. Brother Barnes admitted to the
church forty-nine last Sunday, and Brother Parker thirty-
four to-day. Brother Converse has had the cholera, and
Brother Fau'child has grown so fleshy as scarcely to be
recognized. Our friend Mr. Tarr has buried his wife.
She died of consumption. E. Tarr is married. Brother
Mahu, being suddenly inspired last Sunday, spoke so elo-
quently and so loud, and used such majestic action, as to
be quite done up for a while. He broke a blood-vessel.
Old Tiers has gone crazy, and is shut up in a mad-house,
or rather a hospital. The H s have gone into the
country to spend some time. That's all the news.
" ' Your faithful brother in Christ,
"'K. A.'
ALARMING WONDERS. 63
"*Dear Brother: The milleimium truly is coming.
The day of the Lord is at hand. We are adding count-
less numbers to the altar of the Lord. Brother A
became inspired last Sunday, to such a degree, that his
soul took its flight to the regions above, and has not yet
returned. The Cathohc churches, St. Joseph's and St.
Mary's, were burned down ; St. Peter's, also — I beheve
that is a Catholic church. Brother Mahu was preaching
from the text, ' Resist the devil,' etc., when he was sud-
denly overturned by an iuvisible power, which frightened
him so that his hair turned white in five minutes.
" ' Brother Barnes, to render his church more attractive,
is going to have opera-singing and dancing, every Sun-
day P.M. Mrs. Alexander Tower, old Mr. Tiers, Brother
Fairchild, and Mrs. Somerville, are going to dance. I
think they will find it a very lucrative employment. Jane
and Martha still progress in Hebrew.
" ' Your affectionate brother,
"'M. R.'
" On one occasion, Dr. Phelps was writing at his desk,
and, turning his back for a few moments, without leaving
his chair, turned again to his paper, where he found wiit-
ten in large letters: 'Very nice paper and very nice ink
for the devil.' The ink was not yet dry, the desk was
not two feet from him as he sat, and he was entirely alone
in the room.
" On a subsequent occasion a chair was placed upon the
table by invisible power, and the two children, Harry and
Hannah, raised up and placed upon it ; they could neither
of them tell how it was done. The sensation was tha,t
of some person placing a hand under them and raising
them up. Many of these things occurred when the room
was darkened, as has been the case in numerous other
places, and for which explanations have been recorded,
as given by the spirits. On the evening of the 20tli of
October, the light being put out of the room, the bell
was placed under the table, with a request that it should
be rung, and placed in the Doctor's hand. He was sitting
by the table with both his hands lying on his lap open,
with the palms upward. The bell rang several times with
some violence, and then was placed in his left hand. This
64 A THREE-rOLD TEST.
was repeated four or five times in succession. Dr. P. sat
beyond the reach of any one, and the room was suffi-
ciently light for him to have detected any movement on
the part of persons present. He requested them to let
liim feel the hand that placed the bell in his. Very soon
a hand came in contact with his, took hold of his fingers,
shaking his hand, passed slowly over the back of his hand,
then over the palm again, took hold of his fingers, and he
felt what he is sure to have been a human hand. He de-
scribes it as being cold and moist, which accords with my
own experience repeatedly, and that of my friends. They
then took hold of his foot, shook it with much force,
loosened the string, took ofi" the shoe, and placed it upon
the table before him. At his request the shoe was re-
placed, the heel adjusted, and the strings drawn up, but
not tied."
The manifestations in the City of New-Yoek have
been very abundant. The fbllowing is a sample given by
Mr. C.
FLOATTN^G IN" THE AIR !
" At some of the sittings of this circle, Mr. Henry C.
Gordon, a medium, was taken up bodily, and conveyed
about the room, without any visible power to support
him. Sometimes his head and hands came in contact
with the ceiling of the room, and he would float about
the room in the air for several minutes. At the house of
Dr. Gray, in Lafayette Place, he was thus carried through
difierent apartments for a distance of more than sixty
feet. This is attested by many credible witnesses, among
whom are Dr. Gray and Mr. Partridge."
In BosTOi^, Providence, Trot, Buffalo, and almost
every city and large town in the JSTorthern States, more
or less of similar phenomena have occurred, and still
occur ; and these are attested by thousands of witnesses,
it is said ; and no investigator has been able to support a
denial of the astounding wonders. For instance, such
facts as the following by scores can be collected with
names, places, and dates appended.
A WRESTLING SPIEIT. 65
" WRESTLING WITH A SPIEIT.
" Several friends had come together to witness the strange
power that seemed to be at work at the house of Brother
J. A. While the rapping was going on, one of the com-
pany denounced the whole thing, said he did not believe
it was spirits ; or if it was, they could not rap and move
tables, etc. And he defied and dared the spirits, saying
he could throw down or whip any spirit. The Doctor then
inquired of the spmt that was rapping at the time if he
could wrestle ; he said he could. The spirit was then
asked if he was willing to wrestle and show fight with that
gentleman ; he said he was. The brave man then told
the spirit to follow him out into the yard, and started, all
the circle rising from the table, when it commenced mov-
ing towards the man, rose from the floor and hit him se-
veral hard blows before he reached the door, which has-
tened his steps ; and, as he passed out, the table, or rath-
er stand, was thrown at him, only missing him a little,
striking the door-facing about midway, denting and scar-
ring the facing, bursting off the top of the stand, break-
ing the legs, splitting the upright post, leaving indenta-
tions as though bullets and shot had been fired into it,
the medium not touching it, only following close after, and
out into the yard, where the spirit-fighter had arrived mi-
hurt.
" But now commenced a new struggle : he began strik-
ing, jumping as though he was contending with flesh and
blood, manifesting all the signs of determined bravery,
and to fight it out to the last. He was several times
thrown hard on the ground, then struggled and regained
his feet, and down he would come again. This mode of
testing the invisibles continued until the spirit's adversary
was sorely wounded, and worried out of breath and phy-
sical strength. He finally regained his foothold, and made
a hasty retreat into the house up a flight of stairs, taking
to himself a private room, closing the door after him,
' declaring that he never wanted to fight spirits any more,
and that if they would let him alone he would let them
alone.'
" Furdy, (Ohio,) June 19th, 1853.
" S. T>, Pace."
— Tdegrapli Papers, vol. 2, p. 72.
66 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
The following is taken from the '-^Ghristian spiritual-
ist;' of Dec. 29th, 1855.
"spiritual performers and musical wonders.
" Gov. N. p. Tallmadge not long since, in a communi-
cation to the National Intellige7icei% testified to the fol-
lowing facts. Comment is unnecessary, since similar ex-
hibitions of spirit-skill and power have been manifested
in various parts of the country, and testified to by men
and women of undoubted intelligence and veracity.
" If, however, things go on at this rate, Pres. Mahan
will need to wi'ite another book, to oppose the modern
mysteries of the '• Odylic forced for that power seems to
be ' playing such strange ' and knowing timcs^ that his
theology and philosophy "will sufier alike, if he does not
make the efibrt to save them.
"The Governor says : 'Inmy introduction to the "Heal-
ing of the Nations" I state the following case : In June,
1853, after my return from New- York, where I had mt-
nessed many manifestations, I called on a writing medium
in my neighborhood. A communication came through
her to me, directing me to form a circle in my own family,
and that a medium would be developed that would be all
I could desire. I asked who it would be ? It was ans-
wered a daughter. I asked which daughter, as I have
four daughters. It was answered Emily. I was then di-
rected, when a circle should be formed at my house, to
put Emily at the piano. I asked : ' Will you teach her to
play ?' It was answered : ' You will see.' EmUy is my
youngest daughter, and at that time about thirteen years
of age. It is here proper to remark that she never knew
X note in music, and never 'played a tune on the piano in
her life. The reason is this : The country was entirely
new when we moved here, and there was no opportunity
at that time for instruction in music. She was instructed
in other branches of education at home by myself, or some
other member of the family. I soon formed a circle in my
own family, as directed. Emily took paper and pencil.
Soon her hand was moved to draw straight lines across the
l^aper till she made what is termed a staff in music. She
then wrote notes upon it ; then made all the different signs
MUSICAL WONDERS. 67
in music, about all which she knew nothing. She then threw
down her pencil, and began to strike the table as if striking
the keys of the piano. This reminded me that I had been di-
rected to place her at the piano. I proposed it to her,
and though naturally diffident, she at once complied, and
took her seat with all the composure and confidence of an
experienced performer. She struck the keys boldly, and
played " Beethoven's Grand Waltz" in a style that would
do credit to one well advanced in music. She then play-
ed many famihar airs, such as " Sweet Home," " Bonnie
Doon," "Last Rose of Summer," "Hail to the Chief," "Old
Folks at Home," " Lilly Dale," etc. She then played an
air entirely new, and sang it with words improvised or
impressed for the occasion. New and beautiful airs con-
tinued to be sung and played by her, the poetry and sen-
timent being given as before. She was also soon deve-
loped as a writing medium, and I have received many
beautiful communications through her, and of the purest
religious sentiment.
" ' I now add the following as cognate to the above :
On one occasion I saw a young lady entranced, and in
that state, with her eyes closed, played on the piano from
one to two hours, without intermission, in the most su-
perb style. All the pieces played purported to be compos-
ed by spirits, and were never heard or played before.
Amongst others was a " dirge," which, to my ear, surpass-
ed any music of the kind I ever heard ; and the music and
style of playing it were equal to what we understand of the
most eminent performers and composers. She also play-
ed a " battle piece," never heard before. Nothing of the
kind could surpass it. There was the approaches, the at-
tack, the charge of cavalry, and parts representing the
peculiarities of the French, Enghsh, Irish, Scotch, etc.
The Scotch brigade came up under the music of the bag-
pipes ; and it would seem impossible to give such a per-
fect imitation of the bagpipes on the piano. Afterw^ards
came the burial of the dead, the slow and solemn music
to the grave, the perfect resemblance of the beating of
the muffled drum directly under the feet of the medium,
the volleys of musketry, the booming of cannon at inter-
vals in the distance, and the quick and Hvely air on the
68 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
return. The eyes of the medium were closed during the
whole performance. The style of playing and the finger-
ing of the instrument were entirely different^ and the ar-
tistic skill far surpassed her playing in her normal state.
In truth, except under this influence, she had not the phy-
sical ability to play such a length of time without inter-
mission. She purported to be influenced by some of the
*' old masters." The style of the music was changed from
time to time, as if some new performer had just appeared.
During the performance, the piano at intervals, and for
fifteen or twenty minutes in succession, would beat time
to the music by raising the two front feet from the floor,
and still striking the floor so gently as not to disturb the
music in the least. The piano was so large and ponde-
rous that a strong man could scarcely raise the front feet
from the floor.
" ' On another occasion, while four of us, the medium
being one, were sitting round the parlor-fire, the piano
on the opposite side of a large room was played with no
human being near it. The performance was of the most
splendid character. I have often heard Strakosch and
De Meyer, and say, without hesitation, that in style and
execution they never surpassed it. The piano was then
closed by the spirits. The same music was repeated,
with this difference only — that it was not so loud on ac-
count of the piano being closed. The piano was then
opened by the same power, and played by striking the
strings on the inside instead of the keys. Oh ! what a
wonderful thing is this " odyhc force," that supersedes
mind in making intelligence.' "
A friend of the writer was favored in the midst of his
own family, with a performance of this kind. A table
that had been set into a tortuous motion, by the medium-
ship of little children, danced in common, triple, or com-
pound time, to the music of a piano ; varying its motions
according to the changes in the time. Certainly in this
and the foregoing instances, the operations of mind and
matter were combined in a marvellous way.
THE INTELLIGENCE DISPLAYED. 69
We have confined ourselves to the mention of physical
manifestations, but these are not held to be the highest
evidence of the fact that spirits do communicate with
mortals. The intelligence that is conveyed through them,
must come from hitellect^ and as in every instance it comes
with avowed independence of the media, and often with
confounding power to the persons addressed, it is claimed
that the proof of the recently-developed spiritual inter-
course between the living and their departed friends,
is as complete as any rational man can ask. We give an
instance of this intelligence taken from the author afore-
said, pp. 284-287.
THE INTELLIGENCE DISPLAYED.
" One of the most remarkable cases is thus recorded
by Mr. Elisha Waters, of Troy. He made the statement
as follows in the Spiritual Tdegraph :
" ' Wateeford, N". Y., March 21th, 1853.
" ' Me. Beittan : Deae Sie : At a circle held in this
village on the 5th of this month, there were some " man-
ifestations''' which bear so directly on the dispute in re-
gard to the cause of the strange phenomena now so pre-
valent, that a brief account may not be uninteresting to
your readers.
" ' Several mediums, in various stages of development,
were present, and a great variety of manifestations were
made, mainly in the form of '"'• possession."*^ In the course
of the evening, Mr. John Prosser, a gentleman residing
in Waterford, and subject to this possession in its most
thorough form, was under the control of a spirit that an-
nounced that no one in the room ever knew or heard of
him, but that he was drawn to the circle by strong at-
traction. He said he was over a hundred years old when
he left the form ; was a soldier in the Revolutionary War,
and had frequently seen Washington, of whom he spoke
with great reverence. He told us, as the result of his
long experience, to do our oAvn thinking, and to read the
10 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
great Book of Nature for our guidance ; but that we
should not '-^fighV the Church or the clergy, for their
struggles would injure themselves more than others, and
only help forward their approaching and long fore-writ-
ten doom. He added, that the truth of spiritualism
would now shine out without any aid from iconoclastic
zeal. I should, perhaps, to do justice, say that he spoke
of the Church as having accomplished a work, and as
about to die a natural death after its great mission had
been fulfilled.
" ' I will give his closing remarks verbatim et literatim.
' lN"ow, this is every word true I'm telling ye. I'll tell
ye, so that if you've a mind to take a little pains, you
can find out that this is jest exactly as I tell it ye. I lived
at Point Pleasant, New- Jersey, and if you want to know,
you jest ask if old Uncle John Chamberlain didn't speak
the truth.'
" ' He stopped speaking, and the usual signs of a change
of possession followed, when some one remarked that it
was a pity he had not given more particulars, as it would
have been, under the circumstances, so thorough a test.
It soon became evident that Mr. Prosser's grandfather
(who is, in a sense, his " guardian") had possession. He
turned his face good-humoredly around the circle, and
remarked, that, as he saw many were anxious to hear
more from the *' old man," he would come back for a lit-
tle while. After a short interval of quiet, Mr. Prosser's
whole manner changed to that which he had while the
former speaker had possession, and these were his
words :
' My friends, I did not expect to speak with you again,
but I want to give you this as a test. I died on Friday,
the 15th day of January, 1847, and I was the father of
eleven children. Now, if you've a mind to take a little
pains, you will find this is all jest as I tell it ye. I don't
talk as you do, but if you hke to hear an old man, I will
come again. Good by : I must go.'
" ' It would be impossible to give an adequate notion
SURPRISING INTELLIGENCE. 1l
of the plain, unvarnished truthfuhiess which shone out
through every word and gesture of his discourse. Other
" manifestations," of a siimlar character, followed, and the
circle broke up.
" ' On the following evening, a circle was held at another
house, but few of the members of the former circle bemg
present, with some other persons. Mr. Prosser was the
only medium present. Old Uncle John Chamberlain
made his appearance again, and repeated the statistical
part of his communication, when it was found that the
scribe had written Pleasant Pointy instead of Point
Pleasant.
" 'After finding out that there was such a post-office
in New-Jersey as the latter, and that the 15th of January
did fall on Friday in the year 1847, we wrote to the post-
master, and were informed that the " old man" was strictly
correct in his account of himself We send you extracts
from the letters received, which will suffice to show the
remarkable fidelity of the spirit's statements to the facts
of his personal history.
' We, the undersigned, were present at the first circle
mentioned above, and think the account of it correct.
We also affirm that we had never, to the best of our re-
collection, known or heard aught of John Chamberlain,
or any of the facts connected with his hfe or death ; nor
did we know that there was such a place as Point Pleas
ant in New-Jersey.
John Prosser, E. Waters,
Sarah S. Prosser, N. F. White,
Juliet E. Perkins, Mrs. N. D. Ross,
A. A. Thurber, N. D. Ross,
Letty a. Boyce, J. H. Rainey,
Albert Kendrick, Mrs. J. H. Rainey.'
" ' LETTER TO THE POSTMASTER OF POINT PLEASANT.
' Troy, February 23d:, 1853. ^
' Dear Sir : Will you be kind enough to inform me if
there has died in your town, within a few years, an aged
man by the name of Chamberlam ? If so, please give
me the particulars of the time of his death, age, etc. ;
A THREE-FOLD TEST.
also, give me the name of one of the family with whom
I can correspond.*
' Very truly yours, E. Waters.'
" ' THE ANSWER.
'Point Pleasant, ^th day^ March^ 1853.
' E. Waters : Friend : I received thy letter, dated
28th ult., requesting some information of John Chamber-
lain. With pleasure I will give thee a correct account,
for I have known him well for fifty years, and lived a
neighbor to him. He deceased January 15th, 1847, aged
one hundred and four years. He had seven children
that lived to be married ; three of them have deceased
and left children. He has four daughters living at this
time ; three of them are neighbors to me ; the oldest
daughter is a widow, seventy-eight years old ; three have
husbands ; one of them lives twenty miles from me. As
they have very httle learning, they request thee to cor-
respond with me. With pleasure I will give thee every
information that lays in my power.
Very truly thine,
' Thomas Cook.
' P. S. — He was a Revolutionary soldier ; served in
the war, and drew a small pension. T. C' "
"A FUNNY SPIRIT.
"St. Louis, February, 1856.
"After the accident at the Gasconade bridge last
ISTovember, some of us were much interested in seeking
communications with the departed, some thirty in number,
and the most of whom were personally known to us.
Among others, one night, we were pleased with the an-
nouncement that the spirit of Thomas Grey desired to be
questioned. Grey was an old citizen, a very worthy man,
* ' Friend Brittan : After receiving the accompanying answer, I
wrote again, making inquiry respecting the number of children he had,
and received in reply that he had eleven ; that two died in mfancy,
and that the remaining nine lived to be of ago. Truly yours."
m
A FUNNY SPlllIT. 73
a self-educated mechanic, and fond of his joke and social
glass, although not intemperate at any time. The party
consisted of Hamilton Wade, Charles Levy, myselt; and
Miss Sarah J. Irish, the medium.
" To those who are not familiar with the manifestations
as given through her, I will state that she calls the alpha-
bet to the raps, with such rapidity^ that very few can
keep up with her in taking them down; and that it is
useless for the fastest of us to try to put them into words
until afterward, when, by spacing, it reads correctly.
"Quest. 1. Do you have clothing there? He replied :
'As to clothing, Charley, we have that for a desire; friends
clothe us till we understand the laws of particles suffi-
ciently to clothe ourselves.'
" 2. Do you have animals in the spirit-world ? ' I have
not seen any animal hut myself since I left St. Louis.'
" 3. Have you a shadow-land there, or something ans-
wering to Purgatory? 'I do not know what you are
talking about. We have lights and shades, sunshine
and shadows, in number enuff to satisfy any body. If
that is what you want to know, there you have it.'
" 4. Is there any difference between the body that you
possess and of those spirits that have died a natural death ?
' I see many like me, and many onlike me. Of the two I
like my own appearance best ; it is most airtheriaV
" 5. Were you not surprised, on your entrance into the
spirit-world, at its naturalness? 'No; I never was upset
or astonished at any thing. It is the strange kind of
heaven they have put me in, that I am most astonished
at.'
"6. How do you get along without your regular glass ?
' I am astonished at the wonderful manner I get along
without weting my whistle, and not geting dry in the least
on account of it.'
" At this point Mr. Wade addressed him, and desired to
know if he could not assemble there thirty persons to-
gether, and unite in a communication that should convince
the citizens of St. Louis of the reality of spiritual inter-
course, by containing such a volume of tests as should
confound skepticism ? He rapped out : ' All very fine to
talk about, Mr. What-is-your-name, and I should be very
m.
74 A TIIREE-FOLD TEST.
glad to accomidate you, but your fdler-citizens would
believe that it came from us about as much as from a
hen's-foot marrow-bone. Good night.'
"This last was a beautiful test to the close observer.
Grey did not while on earth, know Mr. Wade, while he
knew Levy and myself, and the medium hnew him letter
tha7i either of us — and it was mathematically absurd that
she should spell out ' Mr. What-is-your-name,' when she
knew him so well. It was satisfactory to us, at least, of
his identity. "A. Miltenbeeger."
— Telegraph March Is^, 1856.
DIABOLICAL CONDUCT.
"March 3, 1851. — Locke, the English philosopher, gave
the 4th chapter of James, Vth, 11th, and 17th verses : '7.
Submit yourselves, therefore, to God. Resist the devil
and he will flee from you. 11. Speak not evil one of
another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother,
and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and
judgeth the law : but if thou judge the law, thou art not
a doer of the law, but a judge. 17. Therefore, to him
that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is
sin.'
" After the reading of these verses was finished, he spell-
ed: 'I want you to practise these teachings.' In an-
swer to a question what the word devil meant in the 7th
verse, he spelled, ' Resist evil.'
" Evil, which the spirits have been warning us against
for several days past, seems fairly to have broken loose
in our very midst, though not exactly in our circle. At
a house in the neighborhood, where a medium resides,
(the medium spoken of heretofore in this work,) manifes-
tations have for some days been going on similar to those
enacted at the house of Rev. Mr. Phelps, in Stratford,
Connecticut, at a more early period of Spiritualism.
Chairs, stove, furniture, and other ponderous things, are
thrown about the house ; bed-clothes stripped from the
beds where people of the house are sleeping; books thrown
frequently from the table to the floor ; missiles thrown at
the heads of people ; the medium's clothes torn from her
AN EARTHQUAKE. 75
body while wearing them ; tables moved and lifted from
the floor, with people standing on them, etc., etc. — and all
done without contact with any person or visible agency.
Hundreds of people have been there to witness these
things, and will testify to the truth of it. The medium
is a young married woman, very ignorant, and reputation
not good. She says she is frequently pinched violently
on her arms when no person is near her, and shows the
marks left, as if made with the thumb and finger of a
hand. For nearly half the time, for three or four days,
she has been in the most frightful fits, produced by fear,
and it is thought that she can not long survive in this
condition." — {SpiritualJieasoner, pp. 58, 59.)
AN E^ABTHQUAKE.
"Maech 19. — ^Locke came and spelled: 'To cultivate ax
even temper is the first step towards heaven.' This was
no doubt intended for some of our circle. While all were
sitting in silence, some of the most wonderful spirit mani-
festations we had ever witnessed were made. The whole
house seemed to shake and rock to and fro, as if by an
earthquake. The windows rattled, and the medium's
head and upper part of his body appeared to be enveloped
in the flames of an electric fire. He was much agitated,
and trembled violently. In a few minutes all was again
still, and Locke came and told us the manifestation was
made by a spirit of high elevation and exceeding power.
He then then told us that Hght was spreading in Warsaw,
in Poland, more than in any other place where he was
now communicating in Europe. We asked if the spirit
of liberty and a desire for a restoration of their govern-
ment were prevailing there. He spelled: 'The spirit of
Christ is spreading there.' " — (Idem, PP« ^1? ^2.)
A Rude Spirit.
"Jan. 26. — -While conversing with the medium this
evening, in a room apart from where the rest of the com-
pany were assembled, a small stone struck with some
force against the stove-pipe and fell upon the floor, pro-
bably to attract our attention ; then the stove (which
76 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
would weigh at least one hundred and fifty pounds)
made a sudden movement, which jarred the room ; the
front part moved around several inches. As we were
some distance from the stove, neither of us touching it,
we were a Uttle startled, and asked if this was a spirit
manifestation.
"^. By rapping, ' Yes.'
^ " Asked if we remained passive, any other manifesta-
tion would be made.
"^. * Yes ;' and inunediately we heard a loud report
resembling the discharge of a pistol, which seemed to
proceed from under the stove. We then heard rapping
upon the floor, and we knew the sounds to be those
made by Locke. We asked him if he would tell what
spirit it was made the above-named manifestations. He
answered, *Yes;' and spelled, 'Paul.' We told him
we had been taught that the apostles, or spirits of elevat-
ed spheres, never made demonstrations of this kind. He
repeated the signal for the alphabet, and spelled ' Jones,'
making the name 'Paul Jones.' We had interrupted
him before he had finished spelling the name in fiill. Ho
said Jones was not a bad spmt. We found the pebble-
stone, which was thrown against the stove-pipe, lying upon
the carpet, and preserved it.
"It was a cold night, the doors and windows all closed.
How the stone could be got into the room, is a mystery.
Physical manifestations with us were of rare occurrence,
which is the reason of describing this so minutely. We
have, however, frequently heard tunes beat upon the
table, loud and correctly ; seen lights moving about the
room, etc., etc., but this is the first time we had witnessed
a manifestation of this kind." (Idem, pp. 109, 110.)
A Possession".
" June 6. — Mr. Gardner is again with us on a visit,
and a new order of manifestations is given through him.
His spiritual sight is opened under the influence of spirits,
and he sees the communication to be given in large golden
letters on a groundwork or curtain which appears to be
unrolled before him. A foreshadowing of this manifesta-
A POSSESSION. 77
tion was given him on the 23d of February, 1851. (See
page 50.) In being prepared for the peculiar state in
which these communications are given, he becomes in a
measure paralyzed ; his breathing at first is labored and
difficult; his eyes glassy and unnaturally bi-illiant. As
soon as the spirit has sufficient control, he commences re-
peating the words as they are presented to his vision, in
a slow, distinct, and impressive manner. If he struggles
against the influence when he feels it coming upon him,
and endeavors to remain silent, the spirits will notify
those present by the rappings (which he can not control)
of their desire to communicate in this way, and he is
much agitated and disturbed until he calmly submits and
resigns himself passively to this powerful yet harmless in-
fluence. The singular changes and appearance produced
upon the medium during this phenomenon at first were
rather startling to all of us, but we were soon quieted,
and our attention wholly absorbed by the words which
proceeded from his lips. The first communication re-
ceived through him by this method, is already inserted
in the introduction to this work, but we think it also en-
titled to another insertion here, under the date of its
occurrence, as follows :
" These manifestations are yet in their dawn, and all
the evil loves of men, and all the powers of hell are
arrayed against the truth, yet the omnipotent Lord Jesus
Christ is in them, and their progress, however slow, is
sure. Bigotry may cavil, skepticism may sneer, prejudice
may turn away her face in scorn, the serpent may be
permitted to rear aloft its hideous crest and bruise the
spirit of men for a time and times and a half times,
but the seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent's
head ; as sure as the Lord God liveth and reigneth, so
sure will these manifestations go on for ever. The sun
could as soon be staid by the puny hand of man, as
could these manifestations by any mortal power. They
may be opposed and ridiculed, for so it has ever been
with truth, but they can not be crushed. Their march is
onward for ever, conquering and to conquer, until the
kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of God and
his Christ, and he reign for ever and ever.
" John Locke."
78 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
In obtaining the above communication, the medium
was only permitted to see each word or sentence as fast
as it was written down ; so it was impossible any error
should occur. As soon as it was finished he returned to
the normal state, with a slight shock, similar to that pro-
duced by holding the wires of a mildly-charged electrical
machine." (Idem^ pp. 153-155.)
It has been said that all the intelligence manifested in
the operations of spirits, is owing to clairvoyayice^ or to
fraud upon the part of the media. With regard to the
first allegation, it is denied by the media themselves ; but
if this power really exists, it may account for a great por-
tion of it, while in many instances the matter communicat-
ed, needs no other reference than the mind of the medium
to satisfy us of its origin ; yet we have seen accounts appa-
rently well authenticated, where clairvoyance did not
afford a satisfactory solution.
With regard to the charge of frauds that appears to
be fuUy exploded by ingenious contrivances made by
Prof Hare of Philadelphia, to prevent the possibility of
deception by the media. One of these is an oblong table,
■with casters under the pair of legs upon the right, and
an axle with a small wheel at each end under the pan* upon
the left, one of them being grooved. A disk, having
the alphabet arranged upon it, as the figures upon the dial
of a clock, is vertically fixed to revolve upon a spindle
through its centre fastened to the frame of the table. A
band connects the aforesaid grooved wheel with a groov-
ed hub on the spindle behind the disk ; an index, like
that of a clock is fixed upon the end of the spindle ; so
that when the table moves to the right or left, this disk
revolves to bring the letters in succession under the index.
Upon the opposite side of the table, and behind the disk,
the medium takes her seat ; and her hands are placed,
THE SPIKITOSCOPE. 79
not upon the table, but upon a plate of zinc wMch rests
upon two balls perfectly round and within a few inches
of each other on the table. It will be seen that thus sit-
uated, no mortal could possibly move the smallest table,
much' less one of six feet by sixteen inches. Yet through
a medium thus situated, Professor Hare says he obtained
intelligent communications spelled out, when she could
neither see the letters nor move the table. If such be the
true fact, then this is apparently satisfactory, and it reduces
us to a choice between two opinions. Either Prof. Hare,
with thousands of others are insane, and are all parties to a
preconcerted fraud, notwithstanding they are scattered
all over our country and Europe ; or bodies are moved
with a physical force and by an intelligent agent which
can only be explained by admittmg the claim of spirit-
presence and power.
Our limits forbid other accounts, many of which are be-
fore us, stating how, when, and where spirits have given
" unmistakable" tests of their presence and identity, rap-
ping out, or spelling out, through the media, long and
short paragraphs of intelligence ; all of which are present-
ed as infallible proof of spirit-communion in which mor-
tals are made sensible of their immortality, and the
bereaved and sorrowful comforted by the presence and
soothing influence of departed friends, whose happiness is
augmented by ministering to their spiritual necessities.
We have quoted largely, that the nature of the facts
relied on, may be fully understood by that portion of our
readers who have felt no inclination to know what is the
nature, progress, or practical operation of the newest
" humbug of the day."
The great element of strength in this movement profess-
es to come from the spirit-world. It augments its num-
bers daily. Every effort hitherto made, to prove these
80 A THREE-FOLD TEST. '
manifestations to be from some other source than spirits,
has shared the fate of most all other attempts at proving
a negative. These efforts have every where been made,
and hitherto Tiave everywhere failed to trace the pheno-
mena to mundane causes. It is therefore a subject not
to be treated with levity, for whether it be as to its claims,
a system oftruth or falsehood, the interests are incalculable,
involving the everlasting welfare or the woe of millions.
Nothing can exceed the positiveness of assurance that
every adherent manifests, and the earnestness of spirit
that pervades the various works written by the propagan-
dists of this novel cause. There is entire truth in the fol-
lowing paragraph of Rev. C. Beecher, in his " Review of
Spiritual Manifestations," p. 58.
" Whoever, ignorant of the publications of the move-
ment, imagines that these claims are not forcibly wielded,
with ingenuity, candor, popular adaptation, and success,
is egregiously mistaken. The movement is rapidly ad-
vancing, and becoming one of the signs of the times."
THE FIRST TEST. 81
CHAPTER n.
"Prove all things: hold fast that which is good !"— Paul.
THE FIRST TEST OP SPIRITUALISM.
Census of Spiritualism— A Challenge— Assurances given— The Author's
Earnestness — The Mental Test improved— First Sitting, Poor Encourage-
ment—Second Sitting, no Satisfaction— Third Sitting, written Commu-
nication—Mendacity—Fourth Sitting, Spirits fail — Fifth Sitting, a Pos-
session-Sixth Sitting, Communication connected — A bad Failure —
Seventh Sitting, a worse Failure— Eighth Sitting, " Dark Circle" —
Ninth Sitting, no Satisfaction— Spiritual Library gathered— Tenth Sit-
ting, the worst Failure— A Conclusion— A good Test— Personating De-
mons—Eleventh Sitting, Showers of Kaps — Good Test — Communica-
tions—Twelfth Sitting—" Spiritoscope" -test— Thirteenth Sitting, an im-
portant Fact — Fourteenth Sitting, Eeputation of Spiritoscope damaged
— Fifteenth Sitting, Tests, etc.
We have now given a chapter of facts, which might
easily be enlarged to the size of this volume, to show
what is the ground-work of this wonderful modem move-
ment. Whether the reader reject or accept them, in
whole or in part, does not alter the fact of their influence
throughout this and other communities, and hence,
whether true or false, it is essential that they be under-
stood in the outset of all intelligent research.
To condemn without investigation matter submitted
to us by men of acknowledged sense and ability, is as
ridiculous as to hold a man guilty upon mere imputation,
until he prove himself innocent.
4*
82 A THKEE-FOLD TEST.
A host of "well-authenticated facts, like those in the
first chapter, that have fallen upon the sober senses of
thousands of witnesses, prejudiced in the outset of their
investigations, competent to sit on any jury in the land as
judges of facts, and whose testimony in the matter before
us, is just as good as if given under oath, compelled the
writer to investigate for himself, not because he could
doubt the superabundance of evidence already given, but
because he had a good opportunity, and his Profession,
as he conceived, demanded it. Who are these witnesses ?
Here is the answer given some two years ago.
" Though these modem * spirit-manifestations ' com-
menced but five years since, and, at first, only attracted
the attention of two httle girls by some sHght tappings
in their presence, there are now from twenty to thirty
modes of manifestation, some of them of the most as-
tounding character.
" It has been stated that there are a hundred thousand
mediums, and two and a half millions of believers,* in
this country alone, to say nothing of the many thousands
in Europe.
"The attention of the British Parliament has been
called to it ; the French Academy of Science has long
been considermg it ; and a memorial, signed by thirteen
thousand persons, has been presented to the Congress of
the United States, asking for a special committee to con-
sider the subject.
" There are in the United States some twenty newspa-
pers and periodicals principally devoted to it, and up-
wards of one hundred difierent pubHcations on the sub-
sect.
^ " It numbers among its advocates many men of the
highest standing and talent, in every profession and
* The number now is claimed to be some 4,000,000 1 as I have been
informed by an inteUigent Spiritualist, who is a regular physician and an
educated gentleman. But great allowance must be made to the love of
the maveUous.
A CHALLENGE. 83
sphere. Doctors, lawyers, clergymen, a Protestant
bishop, professors, and a reverend president of a college,
foreign ambassadors and ex-members of the national
senate.
" The rapid progress of belief in the reality of the phe-
nomena does not depend so much upon the testimony of
others, however reliable, as upon the personal observation
and experience which probably every believer has had.
Thousands of living witnesses testify, on the very day
of their occurrence, that they have seen, felt, and heard
the phenomena, and are compelled to believe in their
reality, spite of their obstinate prejudices against them.
" There is no question about the authenticity of the
testimony, the character and competency of those who
testify, or the time and place. The names of all the
parties, and all the circumstances of the events, are
given, and the witnesses are now before you, ready to be
questioned." — New Test, Miracles, pp. 10,11.
The names of men in high places, connecting them-
selves with this movement, may be mentioned ; but it is
proper at the same time to present the evidence of their
sincerity and supposed strong position. The following
is extracted from an "Address of the Society for the
Diffusion of Spiritual Knowledge, to the citizens of the
United States :" written some two or three years ago ;
and headed by the name of Gov. Tallmadge.
" We CHALLENGE you as men — as earnest men, as
men desiring the good of your fellows — to come forth
and meet us in the fight, expose our errors, draw the
shroud away, and enable the world to see us as we are.
We challenge you to come and do that thing.
" We believe that spirituality is a heaven-born truth.
We profess to know that angels from heaven — that the
spirits of good men progressing towards perfection have
come here upon the earth we stand on, and talked with
us face to face, and uttered words to us bearing the im-
press of their divine origin. We sincerely believe this.
We are respectable men ; we do not believe ourselves to
84 A THKEE-FOLD TEST.
be insane. We ask you to come and meet us, and discuss
the question with us ; to examine these facts which we
allege, and to prove, if you are able, either that these
facts never did occur, or that their origin is other than
that which it purports to be."
The names, claims, and positions of the gentlemen
signing this address, will save any man from ridicule who
accepts their challenge^ which we do ; and warrant any
man to make earnest, persevering inquiry upon this sub-
ject, without incurring the censure of the wise and good.
A further protection is found in the fearless examples
and avowed opinions of clergymen, who have watched
this movement with increasing interest ; such as the fol-
lowing:
" Rev. Dr. Thomas M. Clark, one of the ablest clergy-
men of Hartford, Ct., concludes a letter as follows : ' I am
aware that to ascribe so much importance to such a sub-
ject as this, will lead those who know nothing about it to
suspect the soundness of one's judgment, and it will be
said that our wisest course is to let it alone ; it is one of
the humbugs of the day, and will soon die itself' It
may be so, but the indications do not point that way at
present. Men of the highest scientific reputation acknow-
ledge themselves to be perplexed ; judges of our high-
est courts and of the widest experience, are personally
identified with these phenomena ; clergymen are question-
ed by their parishioners ; the most important principles of
our religion are called in question. MeanwhUe, is it right
for the clergy, who profess to be the teachers of the peo-
ple, to remain sUent, when they believe that souls com-
mitted to their charge are being lured to destruction ?' "
— Answers to Seventeen Objections^ p. 6.
In the same little work, we are informed that — " at a sit-
ting of several clergymen for the purpose of investigating
this subject, the following communication was received,"
(from spirits :)
THE author's motive. 85
" ' Brethren have you not seen the need of a tangible mani-
festation to convince the skeptical man of his immortahty ?
How many have refused to enter the portals of a church,
who would not refuse (prompted by curiosity) to investi-
gate these rappings ! Then rejoice that God in his great
mercy and loving-kindness has permitted ministering
angels to knock at the door of the skeptic's heart, to
awaken him to sensibility.' "
The fact that persons who have read about these won-
derful manifestations were made more liable to be
taken with them, from his inability to give a satisfactory
answer, determined the writer to seek from the best
sources, for all necessary information, both for his own
sake, and for the sake of others. He determined to go
to fountain-head, and taking the advice of spiritualistic
authors, to pursue an independent investigation, prepared
to follow wherever truth might lead.
Judge Edmonds says, respecting the communications
given by spirits : " Their character has been such as to
warrant me in saying I have been struck with their beau-
ty — their sublimity at times — and the imiformly elevated
tone of morals which they teach. They are eminently
practical in their character, and not a sentiment is to be
found that would be unacceptable to the most pure and
humble Christian. The lessons which they teach are
those of love and kindness, and are addressed to the
calm and deliberate reason of man, asking from him no
blind faith, but a careful inquiry and a dehberate judg-
ment." {Spiritualism, vol. i., p. 64.)
This is beyond question staking intellect, judgment, re-
putation, and all that a sane man values, upon the truth
of the matters spoken of; and that too by a man who, from
his position, one would think, was well aware of the fact,
he had a good deal to lose. More than this he says :
" We may say not merely that ' we believe,' but that
86 .A TIIKEE-FOLD TEST.
' we know,' and what is most interesting is, that the evidence
is within every man's reach. He has but to knock, and it will
be opened to him — he has but to ask, and he may receive.
No man lives but he may, if he pleases, evidence most sa-
tisfactory, that the friends whom he has laid in the grave,
do yet Hve and can commune with him." — " I know I can
not be mistaken. Whether I am or not, the means are
fortunately at hand to determine. I repeat, they are
within every man's reach." {Spiritualism, vol ii., p. 49.)
Nothing could be more satisfactory to one conscious of
a powerful desire to know the truth on this subject. The
public character and strong assurance of the Judge made us
quite certain of important discoveries and results ; and to test
the truth of these statements, to which we felt cJiaUenged,
and despising that spirit that does not dare to wander be-
yond the orbit of narrowness in which it had been accus-
tomed to move, the writer sought and found certain media
in the pay of the aforesaid Society for the Conversion of
Skeptics ; and also other approved media with whom he
might have protracted sittings.
The FIRST TEST, therefore, of Modern Spiritualism, will be
found in his own experience. He wishes it distinctly un-
derstood, that all the foregoing considerations and a
deeply-felt sense of responsibility arising from his position
in life, not only awakened high interest, but also great
caution, in the prosecution of his inquiries. Bound to in-
vestigate whatever concerned the danger or the prosper-
ity of the Church, he did not feel himself at liberty to de-
cline this subject, because he is satisfied that within the
last two years more has been gained to Spiritualism from
the Church, than has been gained to the Church from the
world. Whatever clergymen and other Christians may
thmk of it, he is quite sure they can not afford much
longer to remain indifferent to its success, nor to treat it
with contempt. The writer could not satisfy himself to
THE MiJNTAL TEST. 87
remain unable to answer the inquiries of others, who ad-
dressed him on the subject. He looked upon the cry of
"humbug" and "delusion" as very unfair and unwise.
The question — " What do yOu think of it ?" and his ac-
knowledged inability to answer in a satisfactory way
that question^ have laid the minds of church-members
more directly open to acquiescence in the asserted truth
of SpirituaUsm under the pressure of physical manifesta-
tions occurring before their eyes, of offered tests apparently
well sustained, and of arguments applied at the same time.
Minds thus overtaken and overcome may have been weak,
may not have been well settled in the general principles
of the Scriptures ; but that is only an additional argument
for personal investigation upon the part of the clergyman,
that he may be able to guide such persons in their in-
quiries — for inquiries they will make.
Only on a few occasions has the writer resorted to a
circle ; and was disatisfied. He preferred to be closeted
alone with the medium, to prevent all accidents arising
from disturbance of equanimity of mind, and from circum-
stantial inability to concentrate it upon questions proposed
to Spirits ; besides, he wanted all the time to himself.
With a few exceptions, he proposed his questionsMEWiAUSY^
as dii-ected ; and in almost every case received an answer
by raps on the table, or by the table rearing up on two
legs, and making the raps with the other two upon the
floor. This latter method is more satisfactory, because
the table is raised up against the hands and forearms of
the medium resting upon it.
The asking of questions mentally is regarded and recom-
mended as the best test^ because the medium can not have
a chance by any hocus-pocus to dictate the answers, un-
less he or she be a clairvoyant ; ia that case (if clairvoy-
ancy be true) the medium might see your mind concen-
88 A TUBEE-FOLD TEST.
trating upon your question, and thus render the precau-
tion useless. At all events it is the best test. Having
however observed, that most all questions naturally fall
into a form requiring an affirmative answer, the writer
thought it would be an improvement upon this test, to ask
mentally each question twice in opposite forms, so that
truthful answers would always be the first affirmative,
and the other negative. This method has been generally
pursued, having an obvious advantage ; and in the end
proved quite satisfactory.
The reader will have to rely, in this matter, on the writer's
veracity ; should that be questioned, it will then be time
enough to strengthen his word in the best way he can.
It is proper to say that all his questions were prepared be-
fore going to the Medium, in every case except one, and
also that he had to compensate the persons whose time
he absorbed, which is no matter of complaint, except on
the ground of exorbitant charges — a circumstance that
tends to damage the cause, since people, especially after
the reception of the communication, feel very much as
tliough they had not received a quid pro quo, by a hun-
dred per cent. This, however, did not interfere at all with
the conscience of the writer, because he started with a full
intent to pay for his schooling.
The object of the author, in the following examination,
was to ascertain whether the strong assurances of Judge
Edmonds and his co-laborers in the cause of spirituahsm,
might be verified in his own experience, according to the
confident language in which they are clothed. For this
purpose he meant if possible, to get at the truth on the
following points :
1 . Are the rappings and tippings produced by some ex-
traneous cause, with which the Media are simply associat-
ed as instruments ?
2. Is that cause to be accredited with any degree oiin-
FIRST SITTING. 89
telligence manifested through them, and which it is
seemingly irrational to ascribe to the minds of the Me-
dia?
3. Whether the doctrines of spiritualism will be verified
by the application of the mental test to this asserted in-
telligent agency, inthe way the author proposes to use it ?
It will be remembered the author is not writing merely
for learned men, but for those who are unlearned and un-
stable, and are liable to be taken by strange things, and
made to believe whatever those things may be said to
confirm, simply because they can not explain, and have
no general principles to fall back upon for reUef.
With regard to ihe first point, it may as well be said
here, that the answer must be given in the affirmative.
Repeated trials of the most satisfectory kind, enable us
to pronounce with entire confidence. We have heard of
and seen attempts made to imitate these things by
those who professed to " do the tricks^'* but they have all
failed.
Respecting the other points, we defer remarks until the
reader has gone over the ground with us.
FIRST smiNG.
Dec. 10th, 1855. I called at the office of the Spiritual
Telegraph to inquire for a well-developed and duly-ac-
creited Medium. I was fortunate in finding one there
— a Miss G. who, I was told by a gentleman present, was
a capital one. At once I made an appointment with her for
a sitting eleven days ahead. The result was a most disgust-
ing exhibition of evident imposture, kept up for an hour ;
and my resolution to pursue the subject weU nigh gave
way. But as I had commenced with the intention of be-
coming qualified to answer the question — "What is
spuituaUsm ?"— and as I had seen Judge Edmonds's cau-
90 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
tions against imposition, as well as his assurances of suc-
cess to all who would consent to investigate, I determin-
ed not to be hasty.
SECOND SITTING.
Dec. 19th. Attended a circle at which presided a rap-
ping medinm in the pay of the Society for the conversion
of Skeptics.
When my turn came, I asked mentally the following
questions :
" Is there a spirit present to communicate with me ?"
'' Yes."
" Are you the spirit of my Mother P'' " Yes." (My
mother is living,)
" WUl you spell your natne ?" Here the Medium direct-
ed me to write out several names, including that of my
mother, and then pointing to each, ask whether it were
the name of the spirit present. My mother's name is
Elizabeth. Besides that, I put down Betsie^ and while
several others were replied to in the negative, these names
in my questions were both claimed by the spirit.
My time was up, and I had to give way for another
skeptic. Of course this sitting was as unsatisfactory as
the former.
THIED sitting.
At 2 o'clock on the same day, I went to another me-
dium, said to be employed by the Society ; and having
chosen an hour for myself, I had as much time as I want-
ed. I was much pleased with Mr. C, who seemed a con-
scientious believer, and was disposed to help me all he could.
Having told him I was an inquirer, and had read
enough on the subject to excite my desire to thoroughly
sift the claims of spirituaHsm, he replied that "there was
THIRD SITTING. 91
not much use in reading : the surest way was personal
examination.''^
We proceeded to business. Mr. C. is a tij^ping medium,
lie has before him a small table, say two and a half feet
by ten inches surface, the legs of which run up to a very
narrow frame, so that there was nothing that could con-
ceal. The palms of his hands and his fore-arms rested
upon it, and the table reared up on two legs, raising his
arms with it, and with the other two, made the raps upon
the floor. Sometimes this was done so rapidly and heav-
ily as to jar the arms of the medium. This " manifesta-
tion" was certainly more satisfactory than the knocking,
because I saw it was physically impossible that the medium
could produce this action in the table, which was against
the natural weight of the arms lyuig passively upon it.
I sat on the other side and placed my hand upon the
table, to ascertain if possible how the motion was made.
There was nothing under the table ; there were no con-
trivances in the floor, for I had previously lifted it, looked
under it, and saw that it had a very narrow frame, and
was very Hght. I am sure that the motion could not be
produced by the medium in a normal state, unless he has
the power to conteract gravitation ; and I am equally sure
he has not that power.
By his direction, I took small slips of paper and wrote
on them the names of relationship, certain spirits sustain-
ed to me, such Father^ Aunt, Cousin. Folding each so as
to conceal the writing, I laid them upon the table, 23oint-
ing to each in turn, and asking: "Whether the spirit bearing
to me that relation, was present ?" Two tips said, " No,"
Three tips, " Yes." When the finger touched the right
one, the table tipped rapidly twice, making a loud noise
each time. The paper thus selected I took up, and the
others were thrown unopened in the fire. Having
92 A TIIEEE-FOLD TEST.
examined, I found the word "Father," but did not
reveal it.
By the medium's direction, I then wrote the names
of the aforesaid relatives, on other slips of paper, folding
them as before ; and while in the act of writing a cousin's
name, the medium was seized with a trembling, and said
the spirit was going to write, and with great spasmodic
action of the hand and arm, the following communication
was made.
" I am happy to meet you here, my son ; and find your
mind in a condition for me to approach you. Spirits do
communicate, and when conditions are favorable, can re-
ply to questions. I am here with your aunt and cousin
Jane. Your Father, Robert."
The only mistake here was in putting " Jane" at the
end of the line, instead of after the word " aunt ;" but
this is hardly worth mention. The medium did not know
me or mine : he had not seen or heard any of the names
I wrote, and therefore I was somewhat startled with the
promptness and correctness of the signature, for my
father's name was i2(?5er^ / I had told. the medium that
I came with a list of questions, and proceeded, with his
approval of my method, to ask them mentally as follows :
Q. Will the spirit answer these questions, I have writ-
ten ? A. Yes ; three tips.
Q. Is Spiritualism a deception ? A. Yes.
Q. Is Spiritualism true ? A. Yes.
Q. Is Edmonds deceived? A, No.
Q. Is not Edmonds deceived ? A. Yes.
Q. Is Hare deceived ? A. No.
Q. Is not Hare deceived ? A. Yes.
Q. Is Tallmadge deceived ? A. Yes.
Q. Is Tallmadge not deceived. A, No. (Faintly.)
THIRD SITTING. 93
Q. Is the plenary inspiration of the Bible trueP
A. Yes.
Q. Is the plenary inspiration of the Bible false P
A. Yes.
Q. Is spiritualism of coordinate authority with the
Bible ? A. Yes.
Q. Is spiritualism of an importance such as the Bible ?
A. Yes. {Emphatic.)
Q. Is the Devil a fabulous being? A. Yes.
Q. Is the Devil a real being ? A, Yes.
Q. Is Christ God and Man ? A, Yes.
§. Is there any such being as Christ ? A. (Indefinite.)
Q. Can any one be saved but by Christ? A, Yes.
Q. Is man a progressive being ? ^. Yes.
Q. Is man a stationary/ being ? ^. Yes.
Q. Is Polytheism true ? A, No.
§. "Was Moses a Mormon ? u4. Yes.
Q. Is not your communication an attempt at imposi-
tion? A. Yes.
Q. Is the medium before me an impostor ? A» Yes.
§. Have I a brother ? ^. Yes. (Untrue.)
Q, Have I a sister ? ^. Yes. (Untrue.)
Q. A wife? A. Yes.
Q. Have I a child ? u4. Yes. (Untrue.)
§. Are you a lying spirit ? A. Yes.
§. Are you a good spirit ? A. 'No.
Q. Can I rely on your truthfulness ? A. Yes.
g. Will you speU my name ? No answer.
Here I asked the question aloud, and the medium
directed me to write several names, and my own among
them, which I had not announced. I did so, secretly.
I had just begun to write the last initial of my name,
when the raps came, and the medium said, " You are
writing it now," which was a fact.
94 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
It will be seen that of thirty-one questions, ov^jfive
were answered in the negative, four of these being contra-
dictions to four others affirmatively put, besides seven
other contradictions, making, in all, twelve lies told by
this spirit, who had written me a communication as a test
of the truth of his identity! My father was a truthful
man when on earth, and bore as good a character as any
other mortal then extant. Now, if this were the spirit of
my father, it is evident he has progressed backwards^ and
become a gross liar, which can not be true according to
spirituahsm. If he were not my father, but a deceiving
spirit, then the best test named by Judge Edmonds has
failed.
FOURTH SITTING.
Dec. 20th. I visited the circle of the other medium.
Miss F., employed by the Society. There was no male
present but myself, in a company of some thirty-five.
Having obtained a seat at the table first, I began my
mental questions, but all failed. Several questions hke
the following were put :
Q. Will the spirit present communicate with me?
A, Yes.
Q. Are you the spirit of my mother ? A, Yes. (She
is ahve.)
Q. Is the whole Bible infallibly true f A. Yes.
q. Is the whole Bible infaUibly/aZse ? A. Yes.
My time was up, and I left. It is perfectly evident that
the whole of the above is a deception. Let it be remem.
bered that this medium is employed, at a salary, for the
conviction and conversion of skeptics, by means of this
circle ; that Judge Edmonds assures us that any indivi-
dual can, if he will, by these means, arrive at a reasonable
amount of evidence for the truth of spiritualism ; that he
is allowed to ask any questions, mentally or orally, with
FIFTH SITTING. 95
the assurance of enjoying a test that will convince a rea-
sonable man, provided it be done in sincerity. Now,
wiU any spiritualist say that I had any reason, thus far,
to accredit these statements ? After the fourth trial,
made in all sincerity, but of course in a state of absolute
skepticism, would I not have been justified in rejecting
the whole thing as an imposture ? Thus I reasoned, but
I had determined not to be hasty.
FIFTH SITTING.
Dec. 22d. I visited Mr. T. S. P., who has been a seer
and a healing-medium for the last eighteen months. He
said that in his native place, in Massachusetts, he had
been a member of an Orthodox Congregational Church
for some twelve years before he became a medium; that he
was surprised at what he saw when this event took place ;
and having given an account of his progression in the mat-
ter of spirit-seeing, he said he was utterly unable to explain
the facts in his own experience. He affirmed that he actu-
ally saw spirits in the human form, attendant upon the steps
of passengers in the street, in broad day-light, at will.
He described them as human shapes, apparently of com-
pressed Ught, denser than the surrounding hght, and
wearing a sort of gossamer-like flowing robe ; or as adum-
brated, and more attenuated than the surrounding
medium. He further said he knew them to be spirits,
because some of them had told him so, and he reahzed a
sort of whispered colloquial talk, as it were, in the inte-
rior of his brain, conveying to him new ideas and impres-
sions, such as he never before had. He also affirmed that
he then saw a spirit standing by my side, (it was about 4
o'clock P.M.,) and he described it as compressed light,
in a human form, as well defined as my own, but a little
shorter in stature, having its hand upon my head. He
A THREE-FOLD TEST,
asked me if I did not feel as though something was in my
hair. I did not. This spirit now moved his hand upon
my forehead, then stood off a Httle, looking at me, and
then taking hold of my arm !
This gentleman is entranced, and possessed by the
spirit of an Irishman, whom he called his "guardian
angel." This spirit is a very pure-minded, accommo-
dating, and useful companion. He was known, when in
" the form," by the name of Patrick, and was dismissed
some years ago from this earthly sphere, by a railroad
accident. In the spirit-world he is a Porter ; not like
your Irish porters of earth with hand-carts, but a carrier
of messages from spirits in the higher spheres to indivi-
duals in the flesh, made known through the medium.
His chief business is, through him, to ferret out, and de-
scribe, and prescribe for aU diseases " which flesh is heir
to."
When he enters his medium, the latter is unconscious,
and his vocal organs are used by the spirit as though they
were his own, twisting them to the capabilities of the
" rich Irish brogue," and with rapid utterance, using the
tones, cadences, inflections, and expressions peculiar to
a " far-down" Paddy, to the imitation of which, the me-
dium says he is incompetent, in his normal state.
Having told him I had come for investigation, and
would like to have a talk with Pat, he said he knew very
little about it, but was willing to give me all the infor-
mation he could, and that Pat would take possession of
him soon, and then would talk with me.
The temperament of this medium I take to be nervotcs-
sanguine, having an animated, prepossessing countenance,
plump and fair. We were conversing upon the matter,
when lo ! he was cut off short, by an apparently involun-
tary shudder and jerk, which quickly passed over his whole
frame. The eyes were closed, having the lids permanently
FIFTH SITTING. 97
and tightly fastened down, like those of a blind man, while
the brows would knit, and work the up-and-down motions
usual in an animated talk. The whole countenance
strangely assumed the Irishest expression imaginable;
and sure enough, drawing up his chair, Pat began :
Fat. " Well, me frui', I would hke to have a bit of a
conversation wid ye." I replied : " I am happy to see
you, Patrick. We poor mortals know but Uttle, while
you in the other world are far in advance of us ; and I
have come here to be enlightened on the subject of spir-
itualism, and should be grateful for any information I
might obtain."
Pat. " Troth, me frin', an' I'll see an' do fwhat I can ;
but dther's somethin' dth' matther wid ye down dthere^''
(pointing towards my loins.)
"Well, what is it?"
Pat. " I can't somehow jist make out fwhat it's, but I
see dthere^ jist forenint me fingher, somethin' not right."
(I had then a dull pain in the region of the kidneys.)
" I see two leetle childher about ye, an' I dthink they
are brodther an' sisther till ye."
" Oh ! no, Pat, I never had either."
Pat. "N'o? Well, I can't make out who dthey
belong tiU."
" Can you tell me any thing about my father, now in
the spirit-world ?"
Pat. " Ko, dade I don't know anny thing about him,
but I'll away an' fine him out, an' I'll see about dth'
childher too."
He then gave the medium a shake and a twitch, and
was off. The latter, rubbing his eyes, assumed his natu-
ral expression and voice, solemnly assuring me he knew
nothing of what had passed. I could not resist the im-
pression that he was playing a hoax, and yet all appear-
98 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
ances were against that supposition ; especially the pecu-
liarity of the eye's being like that of a dead man's, with
the lid glued to the ball, and not in the least partaking of
the motion of the animated brow. After talking awhile
about this strange phenomenon, the spirit came back,
and like a man jumping into a boat, caused a great
commotion, as in the first instance. Now the same
altered countenance, Irish as ever, was again before me ;
and with an exulting shake of the head, decidedly Irish
and awkward, thus he began :
J*at, " Bedad, I foun' him — yeer fadther !"
" Well, can you describe him ?"
JPai. " Yis ; he is a leetle tallher and sthouther nor you ;
I mane bigger-Uke about dth' shouldhers, an' a leetle
sthoop'd, but not very sthout about dth' body." (This
was true.) " He diedt a long time ago here in dth' citty,
away down dthat way," (pointing south. This was also
true.) " Whin yeer fadther was in dth' form, I dthink
he did somethin' or anodther about d'th ships." (This was,
for a considerable time, remotely true.) I foun' out about
dth' childher, too, for dthey had diedt in a neighborin'
house, of croup, afore him, an' he was burridt near
dthim ; an' dthis is dth' rason fwhy I saw dthim about
yees. In dth' spsret-worldt dthey have grow'd up now."
" Can you tell me in what sphere my father is, and
what was his name ?"
JF*at. " He is in dth' fift shphere. In dth' speret-worldt
dthey have not dth' same names, as in dthis. Yeer
fadther's name there is dth' Counshellor, becaas, his buish-
ness is to instruck dth' sperets dthat are below him."
" Is there really a Devil in the next world ?"
JPat. " No, nor is dthere anny hell, or lake burnin' wid
fire an' brimshtone, as is said upon airth."
" Well, what becomes of the wicked ?"
M
FIFTH SITTING. 99
Fat. " Och ! dthey go into the lowest ehphere, fwhere
dthey will progriss, afther a while."
" But do they not suffer for their sins ?"
Pat. " Yis, in some sich way as dthis — for inchthance ;
if one man murdhers anodther, whin he comes to quit
dth' form, he must look for dth' speret of dth' murdher'd
man, an' ask his pardon; for he will be onaisy in his con-
science. AH dth' hell dthere is, is in conscience. An'
dth' sowl is not held responshible for deeds committed
by dth' passionate animal speret."
" Is there such a being as Jesus Christ ?"
Pat. " Yis, he was the greatest madegium dthat ever
lived, but was nothin' more dthan a mere man."
" Does it make any difference then what a man's reli-
gion is ?"
Pat. " Hoot,' dth' divil a bit : if he lives a dacent moral
life, its all dthat's required from him. For inchthance, if a
mudther hash dtifferent kinds of nutch — some of dthem pa-
nutch, some waal-nutch, some chesh-nutch, an' so on ; ye
see dth' mudther distributes dthem alike among dth'
childher ; an' they crack dthim an' find a good kernel in
aich, an' dthrow all the shells away. So wid dth' dtifferent
religions. In aich, dthere ish a good kernel."
" When you were in the form, Patrick, what was your
religion ?"
Pat, " Och ! but I was of dth' worst of thim — ^I was a
Roman Cattholic, an' I assure ye, be me fwortd, I have
niver seen dth' Virgin Mary since I've been in dth' speret-
worldt. !N"o, indade, I have not."
While musing for a moment, Pat took advantage of
my silence; and giving the medium another shake, he
left for his own place : and so did I.
The reader can compare this with an instance of the
same sort already given. He is at liberty to think that
100 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
I was victimized. I can not here give the details that
would show otherwise, because it would take up too
much room. I do not think I can be easily duped,
though I make no pretensions to special shrewdness.
Hitherto I have been incHned to think that the Demo-
niacs of the New Testament, were not cases of actual pos-
sessions ; because, though the word demon as used among
the ancients meant any kind of spirit, and never the devil^
it was popularly understood to be the spirit of a dead
person. My difficulty was, as to the irrationality of the
belief, that under any circumstances, either a foreign
spirit or the spirit of my deceased neighbor, might come
and take possession of my body, use my senses, and de-
prive my soul, nolens volens, of its exclusive right con-
ferred by my Maker. But this medium's experience puts
a different face upon the matter. His explanation is, that
his own spirit is willing to accommodate, and retires with-
in itself, and becomes unconscious, yielding the use of its
bodily organs to the stranger for his purposes. And it
would appear, that on the principle of " honor among
thieves," Pat steals the faith of his patient, while the me-
dium pockets his money for medical advice : and this is his
pay for the spirit's accommodation !
If this may be so, then my foregoing argument against
real possessions, is badly maimed. At all events, I give
it up for the present. But, at the same time I do not
believe that Pat was the soul of an Irishman, notwith-
stan<ling the accuracy of the Irish brogue and provincial-
isms, running like mad, from a Yankee tongue. If the
medium spoke the truth, to the belief of which I am in-
clined by the facts of the interview between us, then this
is a case of real possession by a personating de?non, or,
as I take it in the N. T. sense, an evil angel.
It will be seen, that Pat taught me to beUeve the most
SIXTH SITTING. 101
manifest error on the subject of human accountability :
and plainly denied the doctrines of the Bible. Let that
be remembered.
SIXTH SITTING.
Jan. 5, 1856. Called upon Mrs. C, a medium who
has been before the pubhc for six years, and has gained
the reputation of being one of the very best test mediums.
I asked for the best test, and she also specified that of
asking questions mentally. I wished to confine myself
to subjects which, in the nature of the case, spirits ought
to know, and had prepared a Hst. This medium informed
me that they could certainly answer whatever questions
related to spiritual matters.
I then took my seat at the table, wrote down the names
of my friends who had " left the form," and as before re-
lated, the spirit declared himself to be that of my ma-
ternal grandfather. To him I put the following ques-
tions.
Q. Are you acquainted with the matter of Judge
Edmonds's pubUcations on Spirituahsm ? A. Yes. (Em-
phatic.)*
Q. Bo you know as much as Judge Edmonds does ?
A. Yes.
Q. Is he sincere ? A. (Indefinite.)
Q. Is he deluded ? A. Yes.
Q. Are his books worthless ? A. Ko.
Q, Can spirituahsm enable me to know the thoughts of
others ? A. Yes.
Q. Are not the thoughts of every one known to God
alone 9 A. Yes.
* "Were he one of the spirits that held jubilee over the publication of
tho Judge's letter, related in the sequel, no doubt he knows all about it.
102 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
Q. Are not the pretensions of Spiritualism false ? A,
No,
Q, Is it impossible for Spiritualism to demonstrate im-
mortality in any way ? A. No.
Q. Is it impossible to demonstrate it by any appeal to
the senses ? A. Yes.
Q. Is it impossible for the spirits of our departed
friends to communicate with us whom they have left
behind ? A, Yes.
Q. Is it impossible for them " to labor for our redemp-
tion from sin" ? A. Yes.
Q. Must all redemption come through Christ? A,
No.
Q. Are not the pretensions of Spiritualism as to curing
the sick, lame, and blind, false P A. (Indefinite. Don't
know.)
Q. Can Spiritualism make man realize what will be his
condition in another world ? A. Yes.
Q. Is it not impossible for man to do this, by all that
Spiritualism can do ? A. (Indefinite. Don't know.)
Q. Are angels an order of beings distinct from the
souls of men ? A. Yes.
Q. Does Spiritualism lead to hypocrisy ? A. Yes.
Q, Does it prevent hypocrisy ? A. Yes.
Q. Does it lead to crime ? A, Yes.
Q. Does it deter from crime ? A. No. l
Q. Does it recognize Pantheism ? A. No.
Q. Does it assert, without proving the immortality of
the soul ? A. No.
Q. Does it release man from responsibility to God ?
A. Yes.
Q. Are the most essential claims made by Judge Ed-
monds in behalf of Spiritualism false ? A. Yes.
Q. Can I become a medium ? A. No.
FALSEHOOD. - 103
Q. Ill what sphere are you now? A. In the sixth
sphere.
Q. How long since you " left the form ?" A. Ninety
years ago. (My mother has just completed her seventy -
ninth year !)
Q, Did you die in England ? A. No. In Scotland ?
A. No. In Ireland? A. No. In France? A. Yes.
(Untrue.)
This communication I wish to put in a connected form
as follows. " I (the spirit) am acquainted with the mat-
ter of Judge Edmonds's publications, and I know as much
as he does. As to his sincerity, I can not say ; but he is
deluded : yet his books are not worthless. Spiritualism
can enable you to know the thoughts of others, and yet
the thoughts of all men are known to God alone. The
pretensions of Spiritualism are not false. It is not impos-
sible for it to demonstrate immortality in any way ;
but it is impossible to demonstrate it to the senses. It is
also impossible for departed spirits to communicate with
mortals, neither can they labor for their redemption from
sin : but all redemption does not come from Christ. I
do not know as to the pretensions of SpirituaUsm to effect
cures. It can make a man reaHze what will be his condi-
tion in another world. Nay, I must retract, and say, I
don't know. Angels are of a different nature from
men.
" Spiritualism leads to hypocrisy, and prevents it too ; it
leads to crime, and also deters from crime. It does not
recognize Pantheism, nor does it assert without proving
the soul's immortality. It teaches man's release from re-
sponsibility to God. The most essential claims of Spirit-
ualism, as put forth by Judge Edmonds, are false. You
can not become a medium. I am now in the sixth
104 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
vsphere, it being ninety years since I left the form iif
France."
It will be remembered that the sixth sphere is a far ad-
vance in progressive happiness and holiness. Yet here is
a spirit from that high eminence, contradicting himself,
and uttering the grossest falsehoods ! My grandfather
was a very intelligent, consistent, and pious man, noted
for his integrity and usefulness in the region where he
dwelt. Now if this be his spirit, he has progressed bach-
wards, and the more he has advanced, the more immoral
has he become ! If he be not the spirit of my grand-
father, then either he is a bad spirit, in which case Spirit-
ualism has no itest worthy of reliance, and all its boasting
is turned to its shame ; or, it is no spirit at all ; in which
case the whole thing is an atrocious imposture. I was
greatly disappointed as to the affirmations and assurances
above quoted : yet, having gone deeply into it, I deter-
mined to " progress."
SEVENTH SITTING.
Jan. 7. Called upon Mr. Conklin, a medium before men-
tioned. He told me he beheved all these manifestations
were owing to hidden laws of nature, and that there was
nothing supernatural in them at all. I took my seat at
the table ; the spirit present announced itself by tij^ping
it thrice up against the hands of the medium, the wrists
also being on the table and not behind the edge. Having
written relationships and names, as before spoken of, the
spirit of my maternal grandmother declared herself, but
made a slight mistake in taking the name of Charles. She
said she was in the Jifth sphere, and must therefore have
gained a large share of knowledge. Moreover, when she
was " in the form," I was a great favorite of hers ; she
had much to do with my early impressions and instruc-
SEVENTH SITTING. 105
tion, and I believe she was mucli attached to me, as I
was to her, and therefore I was delighted that she pre-
sented herself at this time, for I knew she would not de-
ceive me. I proceeded with my written questions men-
tally.
Q. Can I communicate with spirits of the higher
spheres? A. Yes.
Q. Are you able to solve theological questions ? A.
Yes.
Q. Is the plenary inspiration of the Bible true ? A.
Yes.
Q. Is the plenary inspiration of the Bible false f A.
Yes.
Q. Is the doctrine of the Trinity /a?se.^ A. Yes.
Q. Is the doctrine of the Trinity true f A. No.
Q. Is the doctrine of the fall oimSin false? A. Yes.
Q. Is the doctrine of the fall of man true ? A. Yes.
Q. Is the Devil a real being ? A, I^o.
Q. Is the Devil a fabulous being ? A. Yes.
Q. Is there a hell ? A. Yes.
Q. Are its torments eternal ? A. Yes.
§. Is hell a fiction? A Yes.
Q, Is human depravity a fiction ? A, Yes.
Q. Is human depravity real ? A. No.
Q. Is Jesus Christ a fabulous being ? A, Yes.
Q. Is he a real being ? A, Yes.
Q. Is he God and man in one person ? A. Yes.
§. Is his two-fold nature a fiction ? A, Yes.
§. Is he the only Mediator between God and man ?
A. No.
Q. Are there other mediators equally efficacious ? ^.
Yes.
Q. Is the atonement a safe reliance for salvation ? A,
Yes.
5*
106 A THBEE-FOLD TEST.
Q. Is the atonement a false doctrine? A. Yes.
Q. Is the Holy Spirit a real personal existence ? A.
Yes. (Emphatic.)
Q. Is the Holy Spirit a mere influence ? A. Yes.
Q. Is the Holy Spirit a fiction ? ^. Yes. (Emphatic.)
Q. Is Pantheism as good as Spiritualism ? A. Yes.
g. Is modern Spiritualism an imposture ? A. No.
Q. Is modern Spiritualism true f A. Yes.
§. Are its alleged facts owing to occult laws of nature?
A. Yes.
Q. Are they owing to diabolical influence ? A. Yes.
Q. Are they from God? A, (Doubtful.)
Q. Is this medium, through whom you communicate,
deluded? A. Yes.
Q. Will you raise this table up to the ceiling, and
gently let it down again ? No answer.
Q. Can you answer philosophical as well as theological
questions correctly ? A. Yes.
Q. Is matter eternal ? A. Yes.
Q. Is Pantheism true ? -4. Yes.
§. Is modern Astronomy /a?5e.^ A. Yes.
§. Is ancient Astrology true 9 A. Yes.
Q. Is the earth a hollow sphere ? -4. Yes.
Q. Were heathen oracles and manifestations as true as
modem Spiritualism ? A. Yes.
Q. Is the doctrine of immortality true f A. Yes.
Q. Is the doctrine of immortahty/afee.^ A. Yes.
Q. Are you a stranger to Christ ? ^. Yes.
§. Have you seen Christ ? ^. Yes.
Q, Do you belong to the highest sphere ? A. Yes.
(Emphatic.)
g. Do you belong to the loicest sphere? A. Yes.
Q. Are you in heaven ? JL. Yes.
Q. Are you in hell ? ^. Yes.
SEVENTH SITTING. 107
Q. Are angels a distinct order of beings ? A. Yes.
Q. Are angels and the souls of men the same ? A.
No.
Q. Is there a difference between spirit and matter ?
A. Yes.
Q. Is there identity between spirit and matter ? A.
Yes.
Q. Is the spiritual body the essence of matter without
its properties ? A. Yes. (Hesitatingly.)
Q. Is the spiritual body a property of matter without
its essence ? ^. No.
§. Will you give me a test of your identity by alpha-
bet? A. No.
Here the medium wrote " thro^ the mentaV^
When I had finished, I placed my hands under those
of the medium, but the table would not tip. After re-
peated trials, when the medium requested the spirit
orally to tip the table, the thing could not be done. He
said, " he supposed it was owing to a break in the elec-
trical current or something of that kind." May be so.
Now what am I to think of Spiritualism, with its two
and a half milHons of adherents, including " doctors, law-
yers, clergymen, a Protestant bishop, professors, a reve-
rend president of a college, foreign ambassadors, and ex-
members of the national Senate ?" Have they been con-
verted by such physical manifestations ? Oh ! no. The
intelligence ! The intelligence ! cries the Judge. And
is the intelligence I have presented, such as can so carry
away the " progressed" of the nineteenth century, as to
have made the cause of Spiritualism, " in half a decade
spread among mankind with a celerity which the Christ-
ian religion had not equalled in a hundred years" ? {Spi-
ritualism^ vol. i., p. 53.) One of the things that struck
the Judge as remarkable was, " that his mental questio7is
108 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
were answered, when he Jcnew that no perso7i present
could know lohat they wereP He further says, on the
same page: " I was at the time a disbeliever ; I had all my
wits about me, and was on the sharp look-out for decep-
tion. And aU who will thoroughly investigate this mat-
ter, will, over and over again, be placed in the situation I
was, when they will be compelled to say ' I know,' in de-
fiance of all preconceived opinions, and of all the argu-
ments in the world from those who do not, and can not
know." (/S^^V^^^«aZ^5w^, vol. i., p. 13.) He further says:
" I beg it to be borne in mind, that I am not so much
seeking to convince others, as I am aiming to induce them
also to investigate for themselves.'^'*
This I have done, following the advice of experienced
spiritualists, holding protracted interviews with media,
employed by the Society to convince skeptics, and with
others acknowledged equally as well developed ; and not-
withstanding the assertion that " the Spiritual theory can
stand ALL TESTS, and is not only adequate to account for
ALL THE PHENOMENA, but gathers Strength from every
principle assumed in all the other theories : from Mes-
merism, Od., Back-Brain, and the Devil(!)," (iV. T. Mi-
racles and Mod. Miracles., p. 7,) it certainly appears, the
TEST I have used in no case hitherto has been to the cre-
dit of the spirits.
In the above communication from one who, when " in
the form," abhorred a he, I am told that my venerable,
truth-loving, and devotedly pious ancestor is in the fifth
sphere, (well progressed, though profligate Tom Paine, her
cotemporary, is far above her,) and that she can solve
theological questions. Those which I put, she was fami-
liar with, from her youth.
From this competent and reliable teacher, then, I learn,
that the plenary inspiration of the Bible is both true and
GROSS CONTKADICTIONS. 109
false ! The doctrine of the fall of man is both true and false !
That the Devil is both a real and a fabulous being ! That
there is a hell, and that its torments are eternal ; and
that there is no hell ! That there is no such thing as hu-
man depravity ! That Christ is both a fictitious and a real
being ! That his two-fold nature is both a truth and a
falsehood ! That the atonement is a false doctrine, and
yet a safe reliance for salvation ! That the Holy Spirit is
a real personal existence, a mere influence, and, emphatic-
ally, a fiction ! ! That Pantheism is true ! That the facts
of Spiritualism are owing to occult laws of nature, and to
diabolical influence, while it is doubtful whether they are
from God ! That modern Astronomy is false, that ancient
Astrology is true, and that the earth is a hollow sphere !
That the doctrine of immortality is both true and false !
That there is both difi'erence and identity between spirit
and matter ! That the communicating spirit belongs both
to the highest and lowest spheres !
Such is the result of my test. Here there is a score of
absurdities demonstrating the intelligence ! Has a good
spirit ever been known to stultify himself in this way ?
Could the most ignorant spirit that ever " left the form"
be so debased in intellect as to utter such things ? Cer-
tainly a good spirit could not do it, and surely a had
spirit, not a fool, would hardly volunteer the easiest
means of detection, when thus attempting to deceive.
Does it not, then, look as if these raps of " yes" and " no"
were the mere hap-hazard movements of the table, produc-
ed by an animal magnetic current, connecting, essentially
to the efiect, through the brain of the medium, being in an
abnormal state ? I do not assert this, but if it be so, the
whole theory vanishes in the smoke of the most mischiev-
ous flame fanaticism ever kindled. But I must still ply
my test, for I am after iiitelligence, clearly disconnected
with the minds of media.
110 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
EIGHTH SITTING.
On the afternoon of the day last mentioned, I attended
the Davenport " dark drcle," where the spirit of John
King^ who died "in the beginning," performed great
wonders. Spiritualists have denounced this as a " hum-
bug," and therefore I shall not dwell. I do not see con-
sistency in this, because other dark circles are applauded.
Surely the mere fact of John King's preference to do
things in the darh^ which, according to Spiritualist
authors, other spirits do in the twilight, can be no suffi-
cient reason. In that circle one of my thumbs was taken
hold of by the finger and thumb of another hand, when
in a position where I could not perceive how it was pos-
sible for a mortal hand to get at mine in the dark or in
the light with such precision, without my striking with
my stick, briskly moving before me, the person to whom
it belonged. I was, like the Judge, " on a sharp look-out
for deception," in the dark, to be sure, but having all my
senses aUve for discovery, sight excepted. As soon as I
felt the grab, at the very moment the other hand left,
having given me a smart jerk, I was very quick to make
a dash with my stick, but I only struck through air.
I was told this was a spirit hand.
In the middle of the room, and between two boys who
were media, there was a large table, with various
stringed-instruments upon it, a speaking-trumpet, a tam-
bourine, and a bell. When the Hghts were put out, then
commenced a thumbing upon the strings, and then a
shaking commotion among the instruments, and finally
they all left the table, and went round the room at a
furious rate, all the strings a-twanging, the tambourine
a-beating, the bell a-rmging, and the tables a-running like
mad. Suddenly the light was turned on, and all was
NINTH SITTING. Ill
still. The media were in their chairs, in the same posi-
tion, but the tables were found in one corner of the room,
some few yards from their first position, and the instru-
ments had fallen, some on the floor, others in the laps of
the persons present. I also felt a guitar strike my cane,
elevated and thrust forward to intercept any mortal that
might pass by me, as in its gyrations round the room, it
passed close and swiftly, causing a breeze upon my face,
and saluting my ears with harsh, hoarse discord. The
raps came, and the alphabet was called for, as in other
circles. Now there has been nothing done in that
circle half so wonderful as the airy flight of my name-
sake, in daylight, at Dr. Gray's, mentioned in the
previous chapter. If these things are branded by
Spiritualists as an imposture, because done in the dark,
what shall be said of far more wonderful things which
they accept as proof of the power of the spirits produc-
ing the whole movement, and done in twilight ? Thus
my mind labored.
NINTH SITTING.
Jan. 8. Visited the public circle of Mr. Conklin, for the
conversion of skeptics. On taking my place at the table,
by the help of the papers, as aforesaid, my maternal
grandmother announced herself. She said, at this time,
she was in the second sphere.
Q. Are you able to answer my questions ? A. Yes.
(Mentally asked.)
Q. Is ultimate annihilation to be the destiny of
spirits? 1^0 answer, but the medium was moved to
write. He could not, and had to give it up. Subse-
quently he tried again, and I was informed, the spirit
"could not control to write," and the pencil was
dropped.
112 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
Q. Is the doctrine of immortality a fiction? No
answer. I repeated the same aloud, A. Yes.
Q. Are all religions alike useless ? Here there was a
call for the alphabet, by the spirit tapping in rapid
motion. The following sentence was spelled out, through
the medium : " In the light of theological teaching,
immortality is a fiction !" "A pretty good answer," said
the medium ; but I could not see why my last question
was neglected, and an explanation ofiered to the answer
given to an oral one, evidently wrong, unless his mind
had something to do with it. Many questions previously
and mentally put, and receiving answers equally absurd,
were not explained. To me, this was a very suspicious
circumstance. But my time was up, and a dozen indi-
viduals had to be convinced. I asked the medium what
was the nature of his sensation when writing under the
influence of spirits. He said, " he felt a nervous tingling
in his arm, and sometimes through his whole body, as if
his elbow was against an electric battery." He thinks
"his arm is not released from the magnetic influence
during the whole time taken up by the circle."
I now procured an armful of the best books on the
subject, such as Spieitualism, by Judge Edmonds and
Dr. Dexter, in two octavo volumes of 1047 pages;
Moder:n- Spieitualism:, 12mo, 438 pages; Spieit Com-
MUNioi?", octavo, 273 pages; Celestial Telegraph,
12mo, 2 vols., 410 pages; Spiritualism Scientifically
Demonstrated, octavo, 462 pages ; Life in the Spheres,
16mo, 143 pages, and several other volumes. Of pam-
phlets, octavo, 553 pages ; 12mo, 434 pages ; newspapers,
&c. Thus I commenced a course of reading, and left not
a page unperused. In the mean time I embraced every
opportunity to talk with Spiritualists.
TENTU SITTING, 113
TENTH SITTING.
Apeil 20. Visited tlie medium, Mr. Conklin, and occu-
pied an hour in the prosecution of my design. When I
took my seat at the table, after a short time a spirit
announced itself. I took shps of paper and wrote Father
upon one, folding it up. Grandmother upon another, and
Friend upon another. The spirit present rapped, denot-
ing that he was a friend, and not a relative. I remem-
bered that I had this morning wished my friend G
to announce himself, and therefore I wrote his name^
privately, but before I had finished it the table made a
tumultuous noise, jostling itself out of place, to assure me
of the presence of my friend. Rev. G. I. G. The paper
on which I wrote his name I put in my pocket. My first
questions were speculative, previously prepared, and put
MENTAI.LT, aS folloWS I
Q. Do you belong to the higher spheres ? A. Yes,
the sixth.
Q. Are you able to enlighten me on theological and
spiritual facts and doctrines ? A. Yes.
Q. Are the Scriptures unworthy of reliance ? A. Yes.
Q, Were their reputed authors fictitious characters?
A. No.
Q. Were they real characters ? A. Yes.
Q. Is the doctrine of plenary inspiration of the Bible
true? A. IsTo.
Q, Is it 2. false doctrine? A. Yes.
Q. Are the Scriptures a guide superior to reason?
A. Yes.
Q. Are the Scriptures a guide inferior to reason?
A. Yes.
Q, Were the manifestations of heathen mythology of
114 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
the same origin as those of modern Spiritualism?
A. Yes.
Q. "Were they truly from the spirit world ? A. Yes.
Q. Are the manifestations of ancient heathen oracles
and of modern Spiritualism alike referable to Demonolo-
gj? A. Yes.
Q. Is Demonology a mass of fiction ? A, Yes.
Q. Is the river Styx a reahty ? A. Yes.
Q. Is the river Lethe a reality ? A. Yes.
Q. Is Charon a real personage ? A. Yes.
§. Was the religion of the ancient Egyptians superior
to that of the Hebrews ? A. Yes.
Q. Is God the soul of the universe ? A. (tumultuous)
Yes.
Q. Does He bear the same relation to it as the human
soul bears to the human body. A. (tumultuous) Yes.
Q. Has God a body like to that of man. A. Yes.
Q. Is He the esse^ice of matter ? A. (tumultuous)
Yes.
Q. Is the individuality of God a fiction ? A. (tumul-
tuous) Yes.
Q. Is the unity of God a fiction ? A. Yes.
Q. Is plurality in God a fiction ? A. Yes.
Q. Is the Trmity a fundamental error f A. Yes.
Q. Is the Trinity a fundamental ^rw^A .^ A. Yes.
§. Is Christ an unreal being ? ^. Yes.
Q. Is Christ a real being ? ^. Yes.
Q. Is Christ God and man united ? ^. Yes.
Q. Is Christ's nature truly taught in the Scriptures ?
A, ^o.
Q. Do you believe in the decrees of God ? A, Yes.
§. Are the decrees of God fictitious ? A. Yes.
§. Is the Bible account of creation y«?56.^ A. Yes.
§. Is the Bible accoimt of creation true ? A. Yes.
TENTH SITTING. 115
Q. Is the fall of angels 2i fiction f A. Yes.
q. Is the fall of angels 2. fact? A. Yes.
Q. Do angels and men partake of the same nature ?
A. Yes.
Q. Is there a natural difference between angels and
men in the next world ? A, No.
Q. Was man made a sinful being ? A, Yes.
Q. "Was he made a sinless being ? .^1. Yes.
§. Is the fall of man a fiction ? A. Yes.
§. Is man Si. perfect being ? ^. Yes.
Q. Is God the author of sin ? ^. Yes.
Q. Is He a malevolent being ? yl. Yes.
§. Is man independent of God ? A. Yes.
§. Is man irresponsible for his conduct ? A, Yes.
§. Is human guilt 2^ fiction ? A. Yes.
Q. Is it a reality ? ^. Yes.
§. Is Spiritualism unable to account for it ? A. Yes.
Q. Does the Bible sufficiently account for it ? A.
Don't know.
Q. Is conscience an original faculty of the mind?
A, Yes.
Q. May it be stretched and twisted into erroneous-
ness? A. Yes.
Q. Is conscience a thing of education ? A. Yes.
Q, Does every man make his own conscience? A,
Yes.
Q, Is religion a vain thing ? A, Yes.
§. Is virtue of the same moral quality as vice ?
A, Yes.
Q. Is vice of the same moral quality as virtue?
A, Yes.
Q. Is God indifferent to moral character ? A. Yes.
§. Is God regardless of sin ? A, Don't know.
S. Will God punish sin in hell ? A, Yes.
116 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
Q. Is there a hell ? A. Yes.
Q. Is hell a fiction ? ^. Yes.
Q. Will hell endure for ever ? ^. Yes.
§. Have the wicked the best chance for heaven ? A.
Yes.
Q. Is prayer useless ? A. Yes.
§. Is Pantheism true f A, Yes.
Q. Is Pantheism false? A. Yes.
g. Is Polytheism ifrwe f A, Yes.
§. Is Polytheism false f A. No.
Q. Is Atheism ^rwe .^ A. Yes.
§. Is Atheism false? A. Yes.
§. Is the doctrine of annihilation true ? A. Yes.
Q. Is the doctrine of immortality false ? A. Yes.
Q. Is there absolute identity between matter and spirit ?
A, Yes.
Q. Is there absolute distinction between matter and
spirit ? A. Yes.
§. Is the faith of Spiritualism the best ? A. Yes.
§. Is Universalism a delusion ? u4. Yes.
Q. Is Universalism the sum of all truth ? A. Yes.
§. Is the " Age of Keason" as good a guide as the
Bible? ^. Yes.
Q. Is the " Koran" as good as either ? A. Yes.
Q. " What must I do to be saved ?" — is that a vain
question ? A. Yes.
Q. Is it an important question ? A. Yes.
Q. Is it properly answered in the Bible ? A. No.
§. Are spirits unable to impart any new truth? A,
Yes.
Q. Are they unable to add any thing to the knowledge
or comfort of mankind ? A. Yes.
Q. Will Spiritualism lead all its adherents into error ?
A. Yes.
TENTH SITTING. 117
Q. Are its manifestations from an evil source? A.
Yes.
Q. Are its advocates deluded? A, (tumultuous)
Yes.
Q. Will it procure for its o^vn votaries expulsion from
God? A. (tumultuous) Yes.
Q. Do spirits deceive through the media? A. Yes.
Q. Is confidence in any and every communication,
therefore, great folly ? A. Yes.
Q. Are all communications fallacious ? A. Yes.
Q. Are any real ? A, Yes.
Q. Is the Devil a real being ? A. Yes.
Q. Is not modern Spiritualism a device of the Devil ?
A. Yes.
Q. Do you (7e/^2/ that Jesus Christ has come in the
flesh? ^. Yes.
Q. Do you admit that he has come in the flesh ? A.
Yes.
Q. WiU those who die impenitent for ever progress m
sin and consequent suffering ? A. Yes.
Now here is a mass of contradiction and falsehood
from a spirit of the sixth sphere, which at once shows an
absence of intelligence ; for it is ahke beneath the cun-
ning of a spirit designing to deceive, and irreconcilable
with the good intention of a pure spirit. It is also in-
compatible with the supposition of clairvoyance in the
mind of the medium, for that would anticipate and correct
discrepancies. If, then, neither a good nor a bad spirit,
nor clairvoyance, can consistently be accredited with this
medley, the conclusion seems almost inevitable, that
these raps are made hap-hazard by some inexplicable
agency, which, whatever it may be, is destitute of mtelli-
gence. But this is again contradicted by the ready re-
sponse to every question mentally put, just as soon as it
118
A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
is formed. This seems to favor the idea, that they come
from mischievous spirits. To secure one's self against im-
position, I learned from the Celestial Telegraph that it is
necessary to solemnly adjure the spirit communicating — a
precaution which I took, but in vara.
I now proceeded to test the spirit as to his identity^
and put the following questions of fact, mentally, as be-
fore.
Q. Is your real name G. I. G. ? A. Yes.
Q. Was your profession on earth that of a mechanic ?
A No.
Q. A lawyer? A. No. Here I secretly wrote his
name in full, at which there was a strong rapping.
Q. A minister ? A. Yes.
Q. How long since you died? A. Five years, but
corrected himself, saying he could not calculate time.
Q. How many children have you ? A. Six. This was
the number when he died.
Q. Did you die in New- York ? A. No.
Q. Did you die in S e ? A. Yes.
Q. At your own house ? A. No.
Q. At your brother's house ? A. Yes.
Q. Where is your family — at L. ? A. No.
Q. In New-York ? A. No.
Q. At. N ^n ? A. Yes. AU these were rightly an-
swered.
Q. Will you write me a communication by the hand
of the medium ? (Orally.) Immediately his hand seized
a pencil, and attempted to write. There was much appa-
rent spasmodic action, but he could not get on. Finally
he succeeded in putting down the following :
" Not now — ^I have not much writing power.
"G. I. G."
TENTH SITTING. 119
He signed the true initials, not one of which the medi-
um had seen or heard from me, and there was no one
else in the room ! There were other answers to questions
of fact I may not record, and all tndy answered. This
was confounding. My friend was one of the most truth-
ful, conscientious men I ever knew ; in the first set of
questions, there is the most glaring absurdity through-
out. In the second, uniform truth, over his own initials !
I proceeded, (mentally :)
Q. Did you preach the truth when on earth? A.
No.
Q. Am I a minister ? A. Yes.
Q. Do I preach the truth ? A. Yes.
Q. Is the substance of my preaching the same as yours
Avas ? A. Yes.
Q. Can't you write your fuU name by the hand of the
medium? A. No.
Q. Now I demand, in the name of God, are you truly
such as you represent ? A. Yes.
Q. I solemnly command you to answer me, in the name
of God, have you told me lies f are your communications
deceptive ? A. Yes ! !
I then put my hand under one of the medium's hands,
and felt a tremulous motion that seemed to run up his
arm. I requested the spirit to raise the table with my
hand under his, but he could not do it. The medium re-
quested the spirit to raise it, but in vain. I withdrew
my hand, and the spirit was again requested to raise it,
but he was off.
Now the whole of this spirit-interview can have no
other effect than to confound the mind. This is what an
evil demon would naturally aim to do. My friend would
never have thus practised upon me, when in the flesh.
If he can now do it, he must have progressed backwards ;
120 A TIIKEE-FOLD TEST.
but this is contrary to Spiritualism. If ho can not do it,
then a personating evil demon has endeavored to con-
found me ; and there is not a Spiritualist in the world,
that has any reliable evidence that he is not grossly de-
ceived; because not a man of them can boast of a better
test of identity than the last set of questions, above given,
in relation to personal concerns, together with the " signa-
ture."
What, then, is the conclusion ? This : N'o Spiritual-
ist can prove the identity of the spirits communicating.
No Spiritualist can prove that he is not grossly de-
ceived. JVo Spiritualist can successfully deny that per-
sonating demons are playing upon his credulity^ and are
leading him., hy false teachings and plausible deceptions.,
into ruinous error. And as they are fond of challenging,
I challenge one and all of them to show hy adequate evi-
dence that they are not deceived hy evil spirits personat-
ing good ones., beyond their powers of detection.
This is the very way imposition was carried on by the
old heathen manifestations. Thus Porphyry writes to
the Egyptian Priest Anebo : " There are some who sup-
pose that there is a certain obedient genus of demons
which is naturally fraudulent, omniform, and various, and
which assumes the appearance of gods and demons, and
the souls of the deceased; and that through these, every
thing which appears to he either good or evil is effected.''''
(Taylor's lamblichus?)
" By the contrary kind of demons all prestigious effects
are produced. They constantly cause apparitions and
spectral appearances, skillful, by deceptions which excite
amazement, to impose upon men. It is their very
nature to lie., because they wish to be considered gods,
and the presiding power among them to be taken for the
supreme god." (Porph. apud Uuseb.y^
*ApocatastasLs p. 113.
PERSONATING DEMONS. ^V 121
The same learned author quotes from lamblichus, De
Ahdltis JRerum Oausis, as follows, p. 114: "Evil spirits,
after a fantastic and fallacious method, simulate the
presence of the gods and good demons, and therefore
command the worshipper to be just, in order that they
thetnselves may seem to he good, like the godsP
The same representation is made in the " Mysteries" :
''''An evil demon requires that his worshipper should he just,
because he assumes the appearance of one belonging to the
divine genus ; but he is subservient to what is unjust, be-
cause he is depraved. That which is hostile to itself,
which is discordant, and never the same, is the peculiari-
ty, in the most eminent degree, of demoniacal dissension,
about which it is not at all wonderful that things of an
opposing nature should subsist."
ISTow, as the old heathenish wonders are accepted by
our Spiritualists, as emanations from the same source
with their own, we are entitled to press them for the evi-
dence that evil spirits can not and do not perform every
Avonder they record. If, according to an old author,
evil spirits, "gliding secretly into the bodies of men,
simulate diseases, terrify the mind, distort the limbs,"
why can not they do the same thing now, and then heal
by such prescriptions as are put up by spirit direction, and
sold at the office of the Spiritual Telegraph, in order to
gain the confidence of men ? I assert that the whole sys-
tem is nothing more nor less than heathenism revived,
and challenge any one that will try it to show the con-
trary.
But it may be said, if evil spirits communicate, why
not the good ? Do we not read, that the angels are
" ministering spirits, sent to minister to them that are the
heirs of salvation" ? Our answer is ready : They are not
sent to " communicate a new revelation." They are said
122 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
to be restricted in their services to certain persons.
Angels are not the souls of men. The whole representa-
tion of Scripture is opposed to this idea ; but it is not pre-
tended that other than the souls of men make our mod-
ern manifestations ; therefore this quotation is not in point.
Nor are these the spirits of our departed friends, because
the souls of our fiiends who love us would not deceive us,
as do the demons in question, who personate them ; be-
cause the jejune talk of these demons is far below the
progressed state of intellectual development our friends
attained before they left this world ; because all revealing
communications between heaven and earth, ceased with
the culminating revelation of Christ, which closes the New
Testament ; because demons, who in all ages have aped
the oracles of God, are likely to palm themselves off now
for " ministering spirits ;" and that they do so in this in-
stance, is evident by the use they make of appeals to the
Bible, only to destroy the authority of the Bible, and
place their own pretended revelations upon a par with it,
if not superior to it, for the purpose of dictating the faith
of mankind ; and because these demons deny the exist-
ence of the Devil and his angels, whose personal being
and agency in the affairs of this world Christ most dis-
tinctly taught ; and this is just what evil spirits might be
expected to do.
In all my communications, it will be seen, that if they
come from any intellect at all, personating demons have
lied^ and endeavored to confound me. Li all communica-
tions I have read, which are not a few, I see nothing that
may not consistently proceed from the same source. Ip
the use of the mental test, by putting each question ip
opposite forms, requiring opposite answers, on each occa-
sion I have received a tissue of falsehood.
Now I do not think that the various and bewildering
THE POWER OF THE DELUSION. ' 123
phenomena that have occurred and are occurring on both
sides of the Atlantic, and which have been the means of
converting not only many thousands but a few millions to
this cause, can be explained but by superhuman agency ;
for unquestionably there is an inteUigencB manifested in
thousands of cases, which shows that intellect of some
order is associated with it. Therefore I think my
hypothesis is not invahdated by these discrepancies, which
only go to show that, however cunning these demons are,
they are not able utterly to deceive those who attack
them by a test they can not withstand, so trying to their
nature, for " it is their nature to lie.''''
It will also be seen, that in my progress, I followed the
advice of eminent leaders, whose absolute assura:n-ces
of success in every case of sincere investigation, left no
doubt of their honesty. I still believe they are honest,
but I also beHeve they are thoroughly deceived. The
facts they present are true facts, but the source to
which I attribute them, they assume does not exist.
Herein consists the power of their delusion. They allow
there are evil spirits that do deceive, because they can
not help it; but then these are held to be only the
unprogressedy who will, in due time, become good spirits.
This is a part of their teaching, and, we add, an important
part of the deception, designed to gain credit to those
whom Spiritualists think they have proved to be good
spirits, commissioned to usher in a " new dispensation."
This, certainly, is not inconsistent with " the depths of
Satan," and we are exhorted " not to be ignorant of his
devices."
In confirmation of my position, I quote from the
" divine lambHchus de Mysteriis" : " Now, therefore, it
is acknowledged that the tribe of evil demons has a very
eaJ^6/^c?6c?jt?o^^er in generation, in human affairs, and in such
124 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
things as subsist about the earth. Hence, why is it won-
derful that a tribe of this kind should effect such works
as these, (physical power ?) for every man is not able to
distinguish a good from an evil demon, or hy what pecu-
liarities the one is separate from the other. Hence, those
who are not able to perceive the difference between the two,
absurdly reason concerning the cause of them, and refer
this cause to genera superior to nature and the demoniacal
orders
Truly, this eminent Coelosyrian philosopher. Spiritualist,
and heathen divine, who flourished in the beginning of the
fourth century, might be a serviceable instructor to our
modern Spirituahsts, who flourish amazingly in the nine-
teenth ; and they may not take it amiss if we commend
his works to their careful study. Alas, poor men ! one
of old, whom they would have to be a seeing medium, has
hit them exactly: "When they promise us liberty, they
themselves are the servants of corruption ; for of whom a
man is overcome, of the same is he brought into bond-
ags." 2 Pet. 2 : 19.
ELEVENTH SITTING.
Apeil 24. I went with my wife to have an interview
with Mrs. Brown, one of the Fox family. We were much
pleased with her open, frank manner. We beheve her to
be sincere. She is intelligent, and in our opinion without
guile. Many aspersions have been cast upon the ladies
of this family, who are the media with whom the
"Rochester knockings" commenced, which were very
ungenerous and very unjust. We are unknown to Mrs.
Brown.
My wife, who was a thorough skeptic as to the phe-
nomena, soon became confounded. The raps began slow-
ly and distinctly, when she was talking with Mrs. B.
ELEVENTH SITTING. 125
respecting another subject unexpectedly brought up.
This was about a branch of her family of the same unusual
name with my father-in-law. Mrs. B. was evidently so much
interested that she paid no attention to them ; for the
elbow of her left arm was upon the table, the hand sup-
porting her head, while the right hand was carelessly
playing with a pencil upon her lap. This was her position
when the raps arrested my wife's attention, and the con-
versation was turned. They came in abundance, upon
the floor. My wife suggested that it was quite possible
they might be made in the room below. Mrs. B. assent-
ed that such might be the case ; and to remove suspicion,
they both went to the piano, and behold they came,
clear and distinct, as if from within the instrument.
Mrs. B. said she preferred to attempt to convince the
most confirmed skeptic, provided such an one was rea-
sonable and sincere. She then opened the parlor door,
and stood upon one side of it, as we stood at the edge,
looking athwart both surfaces ; and placing the tip of one
finger upon it, the raps, loud and strong, were made upon
the door as I slowly swung it on its hinges. There
could be no mistake. She took hold of my wife's hand,
directing her to put the other on the door, and strong
raps came near my wife's hand, while I was looking on
the opposite surface. I held my ear upon the frame of
the door, and requested that raps might be made oppo-
site to it, whereupon the raps left the pannel, and
reported on the frame, exactly where I wished.
We then resumed our seats at the table, the medium
sitting with her arms folded and resting on the edge ;
the raps continued in a hasty succession. We were per-
fectly sure they were not made by her, or by any visible
agency. The medium said the spirits were impatient to
communicate, and without altering her position, she
asked this question :
126 A TIIKEE-FOLD TEST.
Q. Are you relatives or friends of the gentleman pre-
sent? A. No.
Q. Do you belong to the lady present ? A. Yes.
(Strong raps.)
When my wife took the pencil to write, a tumultuous
rapping commenced, which the medium said was indica-
tive of their joy. She put down seyeral Jlctitious names,
and among them the names of her father and mother,
who are both dead. She moved the pencil from one to
another, and to each of the moves came the raps for
" IN'o," except two, and these were to the names of her
father and mother. . "When she pointed to that of her
mother, there was tumultuous rapping, and a call by the
spirit for the alphabet.
The medium commenced at a, and went on ; and when-
ever a knock came on the table, she put down the letter
rapped at, and began again, and so on, until the following
sentence was spelled out :
"Do not hesitate, my dear child, to question your
spirit friends ; we all live in heaven, and watch over you."
This was not calmly to be borne by an excitable person
already under strong excitement. The associations
awakened, the unaccountable raps, and the sentiment
expressed, caused the tears to fall fast. The very
moment this took place, a shower of raps, all around her,
upon the floor followed. The medium said this was an
expression of joy and sympathy the spirits felt at commu-
nicating, and her own tears came to testify to her siucer-
ity of behef. There was poetry enough here surely, and
I am minute, in order to give the reader a vivid idea of
\k\Q fascination that surrounds those who fairly get into
this subject. The appeal is to the tender est sensibilities
of the heart.
Both the names of my wife's father were very uncom-
ELEVENTH SITHNG. 127
mon, yet both were accurately picked out, and all ques-
tions of fact she asked, such as where her mother died,
were correctly answered, and at a call of the alphabet it
was spelt out as above : " We are all here." And again :
" I am happy, dear child, to speak with you ; this is our
way of telegraphing." A rap for each letter was appa-
rently made in the centre of a large round table, while
the hand of the medium was engaged near the edge^ tak-
ing them down.
To the question, "Are you happy?" another shower
of raps came upon the floor around the chair my wife
occupied, and on the table.
Q. In what sphere are you ? A. Six raps.
Having tried questions of fact to our satisfaction, I
meant to try on questions of speculation.
I then called for a spirit to communicate with me. One
came, and from many names, picked out the name of my
father. The following questions I had previously pre-
pared, and they were put mentally.
Q. Will Spiritualism uproot all Church organizations ?
A. Yes.
Q. Will Fourierism and Free Love prevail over all
existing social arrangements ? A. Yes.
Q. Is the success of this movement upon your part, de-
pendent upon the overthrow of the Bible ? A, Yes.
(Strong raps.)
Q. Can you make me absolutely certain that you are
good and not evil spirits ? A. Yes.
Q. Wni you do it now ? A, No.
Q. Will you now give me some powerful physical man-
ifestation? A. Yes and No, denoting willingness but
inability.
Q. Are you unable to make any one certain that they
are good spii'its who now communicate ? A, Yes.
128 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
Q. Are you the familiar spirit of the medium, personat-
ing my father? In the name of your Creator, do not de-
ceive me. A, Yes.
When we arose to leave, having seen Mr. Capron's
book upon the table, from which in our first chapter there
is a quotation about spirits pulling the bed-clothes from
Mr. Brown, I inquired whether that story were true
respecting her husband. Before she had time to answer,
Mr. Brown came to speak for himself, whose peculiar rap-
ping, made on the table when no one was near it, she de-
tected. He said : Yes.
The reader will perceive, here is another instance of
confounding the mind. My wife now ceases to wonder
at the spread of this cause. Had she not been previously
prepared by a knowledge of the facts given in this volume,
she thinks it probable, she might have been greatly be-
wildered. Here is, beyond all question, intelligence spelled
out, intelligence indicated, past facts truly given ; but an
awful confounding of the mind in the answers to my
mental questions. Difficulties thicken, and the more
thorough the efibrt to get to the bottom of this amazing
subject, the more is the mind confounded. This appears
to be a settled fact, and one which teUs powerfully against
the whole matter.
TWELFTH SITTINa.
July 1 1 . Visited Mrs. G. This lady, of prepossessing
manners and fine address, is the medium through whom
Dr. Hare thinks he obtained important revelations. He
invented the machine, represented below, to test the fact
of spirit communication.
The dial face, as in figure 1, is presented to the investi-
gator, on which the index moves round by the action of
the rod R. as in figure 2, to speU out the intelligence. The
TWELFTH SITTING.
129
reverse of the dial of this machine, is blank to the me-
dium, who sits behind the table on which it is placed, and
whose hand rests on the broad surface of the lever, on
the left of the fulcrum L F, as seen in the cut. His de-
scription is as follows :
" The rod E slides in staples, so as to be made to extend farther or nearer from
the fulcrum. The legs on which the disk is supported, which are a part of the
casing, terminate below in a socket which fits upon a plug screwed into the base-
board ; upon this plug it may be fastened by the set screw (S). By sliding the rod
(R) inward, the disk may be turned half round upon the plug, so as to place the
lettered surface out of the sight of the medium, whose power to influence the com-
munications is thus nullified. This is one mode of attaining test conditions; in
other words, those conditions which make it impossible that the communications
received should be due to any mortal.
As I saw the machine, it was constructed much more
favorably for the medium. The fulcrum is at the end of
the lever next the medium, and not as represented in the
ut ; consequently her hand covers it, instead of being be-
6*
130 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
hind. In the latter case, involuntary pressure could have
no effect upon the index ; in the former, it could ; and as
there is no surety against this, the " uNiiisTAKABLE tests,''
advertised on her card, are liable to great mistakes ; and,
to make the matter worse, the disk was not placed in a
vertical position, but in that of an inclined plane^ over the
top of which she could look. Thus placed, it is easy to
see, that in the hand of an expert, things very surprising
to some minds, might transpire without the agency of any
spirit out of " the form." Now we do not say, that such
is the case, but easily might be ; hence we were greatly
disappointed in finding the machine so altered that, to us,
it could be no satisfactory test. If it operated in its ori-
ginal form, as Dr. H. declares, we can not see why it
should now be altered, for such alteration is at the expense
of the " unmistakable test." And therefore it appears
that Dr. H. has earned the ridicule of mankind, if by this
means alone he would persuade us, that the contents of his
book came from the spirit world in any other than the or-
dinary way in which pernicious principles are disseminated.
I concluded, however, to try it. The medium placed
her hand upon the lever of the machine, and after some
time, the index began to revolve, skipping from letter to
letter, but remaining long enough on each, until I could
write it ; and whenever I made a mistake, it would cor-
rect me by whirling around, and dwelling upon the right
one. This operation was promising, and after a little the
following was spelt out :
" My son, I am here !"
Q. Are you my father ? A. No.
Q. Will you give me your name ? A. (spelled) "Anna
Williams !"
Having said that such was not my mother's name, it
was then spelled : " I will speak for your mother." My
TWELFTH SITTING. 131
mother is living, and able to speak for herself; but I was
disposed to let the spirit go on.
Q. Have you a communication for me ? A. Yes, (spel-
led :) " My son, you are very sincere, but too skeptical
for the spirits to approach. I do not wish you to become
a convert to any thing without proper thought and in-
vestigation. Anna, your mother P
Now it appears to me, that the medium practised this
deception, or some personating spirit did it ; but the at-
tempt was too stupid for a good spirit to be guilty of, for the
veriest fool could detect it. In the former case, if the
medium would practise upon me, she would practise upon
Dr. Hare ; in the latter, personating spirits may have
duped him by his own contrivance.
But the medium says that the machine, as I saw it, is
as good for unmistakable tests as the one in the cut, for
such tests are promised on her card. Then the matter
stands thus : The medium being truthful, the aforesaid
attempted deception proves that the Doctor may have
been the more grossly imposed upon by evil spirits, in the
use of his own contrivance; or, the medium being untruth-
ful, it proves that he is victimized ; therefore whether she
be truthful or otherwise, his pretensions are follies of
which he ought not to have been guilty, and his book is
worthless for the purpose for which he intended it, and,
as we hope to show, worse than worthless in itself.
Should he say that the machine through which I re-
ceived the aforesaid communication, is not a test machine,
he would impeach his own medium, through whom he re-
ceived the contents of his book, for she promises by it
" unmistakable tests," using his name on her card. Should
he say, it is a test machine, then he impeaches himself,
and has planned the method of his own deception ; for by
it, "Anna Williams," clearly a personating spirit, at-
132 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
tempted to impose upon me ; and therefore his " honored
father," whose identity he did not test at all, I have a
right to say, was a personating demon, whose attempt
upon him admirably succeeded. So that whether this be
a test machine or not, Dr. Hare is ridiculously imposed
upon, and is entitled to " roars of laughter."
But perhaps it will be said the main object of the ma-
chine was to prove the fact of actual spirit agency, with-
out reference to its character ; but this only makes the
matter worse; for while it is bad enough to be the
laughing-stock of men, it is much worse to become " the
sport of devils." When he commenced operations with
his machine, he put the question, p. 40 : " Will the spirit
do us the favor to give the initials of his name ? The
letters R. H. were successively brought under the index."
With ludicrous pathos the Doctor exclaims, " My honored
father !" and without a single test as to his identity, he
goes away a confirmed Spirituahst !
It is but just to say, that the medium appeared to be very
innocent of any such trickery, and I went on to interro-
gate the spirit mentally from my list of speculative ques-
tions, previously answered through Mr. C, to which the
reader is referred. The answers received were not the
same, but were equally absurd and contradictory. This,
of course ; but I mention it just to show there is as much
reliance to be placed on one spirit as on another. This
one is clearly proved, if a spirit, to be a personating, de-
ceptive spirit ; but as I obtained much the same result as
in the interview through Mr. C, the character of the for-
mer one is thus shown to be equally bad. Some of the
answers-, however, were expounded through the machine,
and, assuming the honesty of the medium, this was very
remarkable for the manifestation of intelligence. Some
of these expositions are subjoined :
TWELFTH SITTING. 133
Q, Is God the essence of matter ? A. Yes, (spelled,)
he is the spirit and life of all matter.
Q. Is the Trinity a fundamental error ? A. Yes, (spell-
ed,) as understood by orthodox Christians.
Q. Is conscience a thing of education ? A. No. (Spell-
ed.) The savage has the same monition. It is an intui-
tive faculty. Intuition is superior to reason. It is a pure-
ly spiritual faculty.
Q. Will God punish sin in hell ? A. IvTo; (SpeUed.)
The punishment follows as a matter of violated law, not
as a punishment from God, and it is always connected
with such violation.
Q. Is prayer useless ? A. Yes. (Spelled.) Useless as
affecting God's purposes ; useful as producing harmony
in the creature.
Q. Is the Devil a real being? A. No. (Emphatic)
(SpeUed.) Only as he exists in the brain of man.
Q. You are a perfect infidel ? A. (Spelled :) No, what
am I infidel to ? Not so. I can only be infidel to what
I profess to believe.
Q. Do you deny that Jesus Christ has come in the
flesh?* A. Yes.
Q. Will you say that he has come in the flesh ? A.
No.
From the nature of some questions propounded, the
medium declared me an impressional medium.
At a subsequent interview, in company with a friend,
who had a mind to try the virtue of the " Spirit oscope,"
unsatisfactory results convinced him that the Doctor had
been befooled. He has endeavored, by means of a mechan-
ical contrivance, to bring the evidence of spirits to prove
* See 1 John 4 : 3.
134 A THEEE-rOLD TEST.
the absurdity of the Bible ; but has only succeeded in
establishing his own.
THIRTEENTH SITTING.
At another interview, I Avished the disk of the machine
to be placed in a vertical position, so as to prevent the
medium from seeing the letters. This was done, and my
reason asked. I told her perhaps she was a clairvoyant,
and my object was to guard against that as much as pos-
sible. She said that no precaution of that kind could
make any difference, where that power was exerted ; but
she declared that to her knowledge she was not a clair-
voyant.* I then told her, that I had a list of test ques-
tions to be all mentally put ; but to my disappointment
no spirit would try it.
The medium declares herself sure that I am an impres-
sional medium, and have no need of seeking the aid of
others. This will show that I have some creditable qual-
ifications and guidance in the investigation I am now
making ; and that in the estimation of Spirituafists, the
result of my investigations really has as much claim upon
their attention and acceptance, as that of any medium that
makes them pay well for impressions.
EOURTEENTH SITTING.
On the afternoon of the same day, I called upon a
psychometric, clairvoyant, impressional medium, whose
advertisement in the Daily Times^ among the "Religious
* Some time afterwards I happened to see the Spiritual Telegraph of
July 26, and the advertisement of this lady is there in these words.
"Healinj?, Clairvoyant, Psychometric, Writing and Test Medium." This
surprised me, but I suppose there is some mistake in the card— I am
sure there is none in my statement.
FOURTEENTH SITTING. 135
l!^otices," had attracted my attention. I copy it as a
sample of such weekly notices, to show that Spiritualism
obtrudes itself upon the public, not in the character of a
novel subject for philosophical investigation, not as the
development of a new class of phenomena for the scrutiny
of science, but as a religion, or as the true religion, hav-
ing superior claims upon the attention of mankind ; and
as the avowed enemy of "popular Christianity."
SPIRITUALISM.— Rev. Uriah Clark and Lady, and Dr. A.
Gr. Fellows, the eminent test medium of Albion, will address the spi-
ritual meeting at Lamartine HaU, comer 8th avenue and 29th street,
Sunday, 2|- P. M., Conference, 10^ A. M., and Circle for Spiritualists,
H P. M.
Having informed this eminent test medium, that I came
for tests^ by which to try the claims of Spiritualism, he
put himself into a recumbent attitude, with his hand upon
his brow, and in about five minutes, his mind (as the
theory is) became en rapport with the spirit world. He
described a spirit near me, in a blue bask and wine-
colored skirt, having a locket with two daguerreotypes in
it ; but she soon left. Then arose upon the distant hori-
zon of his spiritual vision, a tall, thin, lantern-jawed man,
with a big head. He came nearer and nearer, and I be-
gan to fear I was to have another fizzling interview, like
the first. He, too, disappeared. After a long pause the
medium drew up to me, and, taking my hand, requested
me to ask three mental questions only, concentrating my
mind strongly upon them. I did so.
Q. Is the spirit of my father present ? A, ITo, sir,
(shaking my hand violently.)
Q. Is the Bible a perfectly true revelation ? A. Yes,
sir, true, emphatically so. (Great shakes.)
Q. Is this medium a deluded man ? A. Yes, sir, no
doubt of it, that's clear, sir. (Another violent shake.)
136 A THKEE-FOLD TEST.
" Now sir," he continued, " you may ask two questions
more in the same way."
Q. Are you a personating demon? (meaning the
spirit impressing him.) A. Yes, sir, that's it exactly,
(slapping me smartly on the shoulder.)
Q. Are you one of the Devil's angels ? A. Yes, sir ;
yes, sir ; yes, sir. Here he became much excited. I in-
quired if I might ask another question. Permission was
given.
Q. Is Spirituahsm a delusion ? A, ISTo, sir. The an-
swer is no, in that form. Getting permission to vary it,
I proceeded.
Q. Is Spirituahsm a vile delusion ? A. Yes sir, true ;
in that form it is true. " One more question, if you please,"
said I.
Q. Shall I proceed to expose it ? A. Yes, sir, (tre-
mendous shaking,) certainly ; that's it. Yes, sir, by all
means.
Having altered my position in the room, the spirit then
proceeded to give a psychometrical reading of my charac-
ter, which was taken down by Dr. U. C, who had told
me he had been a Universalist minister, but was not en-
titled to the title of Dr., though it is so published on the
card of these gentlemen ; but this, perhaps, is too small
to mention, were it not that it awakens suspicion as to
the rest of the titles which dignify many media.
The unfolding of my mental constitution by the spirit,
thus proceeded :
" This gentleman is of the sanguine bilious tempera-
ment, much over-taxed and exhausted. Number is large
and active — ^he can calculate rapidly ; is very decisive in
character ; he has large, active executive powers ; spends
some sleepless nights. The poetic, ideal, and beautiful,
are i^rominent in his mind. He has an inventive genius,
FOUETEENTII SITTING. 137
and is a good practical schemer. He reasons from causal-
ity. He can write poetry. He has published to some
extent. He is indefatigable in what he undertakes. This
gentleman has musical appreciation keen. He is naturally
a speaker. He sees clearly, but is not always able to
express himself, because he finds language inadequate to
give his precise form of thought. He has deep mathe-
matical powers. He is not animal, but spiritual, sensitive
and affectionate. When he dreams, he dreams beauti-
fully and wildly. He is not suspicious, but open, yet cau-
tious ; not credulous, but must have facts, science, philo-
sophy, as a basis. This gentleman, as a speaker, prefers
religion — religious truth. Rational religion, intricate
moral truths, are subjects of predominant interest in
your mind. He would have been successful as a demon-
strator of anatomy, or in analysing any thing and every
thing. Your mediumship* is of the impressional nature.
Your spiritual nature is keenly susceptible to spiritual in-
fluences, and frequently your thoughts, feelings, and emo-
tions are so intuitive, that you may become almost con-
scious of the fact that spirit intelligences are present."
Have you any questions to ask ?"
Q. What is the precise connecting link between soul
and body ? A. (This was long, rambling, and of course
unsatisfactory ; but the drift of it was, that spirit is an
elimination of matter.)
Q. As the spinal marrow is a continuation of the mat-
ter of the brain, can you say that the intelligence is con-
fined to the brain ? A. Ko, it is not ; the whole of the
spinal column is also occupied by the mind.
As my time was up, I had to leave without proceeding
to certain other interesting consequential physiological
* Tho theory is, that all men are media, though few are developed.
138 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
questions. My name was asked ; but as I did not care to
be known just then, I gave my middle name only. I may
as well here say, that the above was none of your vulgar
phrenological fingering by a mortal ; but a certificate of
character by the spirits from the upper spheres ; though
I have a secret misgiving that there is some uncertainty
about this ; and as my fellow mortals have never discov-
ered such traits of character in me, to my hitherto great
mortification, I may be pardoned for making a disclosure
from the spirits in regard to myself, just to enlighten their
ignorance, and to show my fitness, in the way of natural
credentials to make the investigation I am now pursu-
ing ; and which, I have been told by another medium, I
am eminently qualified to make.
The next day, I called to receive answers to questions
that had arisen in my mind out of the last, about the
brain. Having informed the medium I wished to ask
them mentally^ he assented, saying that he would consult
his spirit friends. After a few moments, he bid me
go on.
Q. As the spinal marrow is a continuance of the mat-
ter of the brain, does the intellect of those predisposed
to the belief of the system of Spiritualism have a ten-
dency in that direction ? A. Yes, positively, it is so.
Q. Does the brain-dribble of Spiritualistic authors, like
that, for instance, in the great Harmonia by Davis, in their
abnormal state, ooze out at the terminating point of said
continuance ? A. Yes, that's it ; positively so.
This will be seen to be satisfactory. It has long been
a wonder, how an individual of no education or culture
whatever, in a state of rigidity, with a countenance Hke
that of death, save the muscular motion required by
speech, should so copiously pour out such wonderful stuff
as is found in " Nature's Divine Revelations," " The Great
FIFTEENTH SITTING. 139
Harmonia," 4 vols., "Philosophy of Spiritual Inter-
course," " The Harmonial Man," " The Penetralia," etc.,
but it is now explained. The spinal marrow in certain or-
ganizations is employed by the mind for excursions out of
the body in an abnormal state, and is a conductor, in this
remarkable case, of copious discharges of brain-dribble
from the cerebellum while in that state. Wonderful
physiological fact ! equal to any thing yet revealed by
spirits respecting the mutual operations of the soul and
the body. The reader will bear this in mind in perusing
the internal evidence of spirit literature, in the sequel.
He will also please to remember that, according to the
testimony of the two last mentioned media, the writer is
an impressional medium, and therefore, his spiritual pro-
clivities leading him to the bottom of subjects, his ques-
tions are pointed more by direct spiritual agency than
by his own genius. Although he can not bring himself
under the control of this asserted fact, by actual belief,
yet assuming the truth of Spiritualism, it must be so. The
authority for the above facts is here given, and the fra-
ternity in the service of this cause, can not fairly object
to it.
FIFTEENTH SITTING.
July 25. Visited Miss Katy Fox. This young lady
is too young to be an expert in deception, too simple to
be able to beguile all classes and conditions of men, and
manifestly too honest to make the attempt ; yet, through
her I have received strong physical manifestations and
the most satisfactory test of intelligence commingled.
On my way to her residence, I was strongly impressed,
as Spiritualists would say, with the wish that my friend
G should pay me another visit, as I wanted to try
more earnestly upon him vaj mental test.
140 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
At the time appointed we began. Another gentleman
besides myself approached a common table at the invi-
tation of the medium. This elderly gentleman was a
stranger and a convert. He told me he had received
remarkable physical manifestations, among which were
the raps on stone as weU as wood surface ; but, however
various and surprising, they were nothing in his estima-
tion compared with intelligence as a test. Loud and
strong raps came on the floor, in confirmation of his
remark ; and, apparently, heliind the chair on which the
medium was sitting. I inquired whether she had ever
been insulated by means of glass ? She replied in the
affirmative, and also said, that all manner of experiments
had been made with her without producing any alter-
ation in the raps, and without enabling any person to
discover their cause, or the means by which they were
made. She requested me to go to the door, which she
drew out upon the shde ; and, standing near it, without
touching, she requested me to put my hand upon it, and
then asked the spirit to rap upon the door : accordingly,
loud raps were made upon the panel. I then put my
ear hard upon the frame^ and my hand near my ear, and
requested the raps to be made opposite. This was done
strongly, and I felt a jar ; immediately they were made
at the back of the medium upon the door of a closet, and
then again upon the floor near me. There was no ma-
nipulation upon her part at aU.
We resumed our seats at the table, where the other
gentleman, a friend of the family from a distance, as I
understood, was now reading. I inquired whether the
spirit present was ready to communicate with me. Loud
affirmative raps were made, and, from the names I had
put down, that of G. I. G. was selected.
Q. Are you a relative ? A. No.
FIFTEENTH SITTING. 141
Q. A friend? A. Yes.
A rapping for the alphabet was made, and the follow-
ing spelt out :
" Mary is here with me."
Q. A relative of mine? A. l^o. Not knowing to
whom reference was made, I remarked that probably the
best test was to question him upon the minutia? of his
Hfe? The answer of the medium was anticipated by
sharp knocks upon the floor.
The following was written :
Q. What was your occupation — a plumber ? A. N'o.
Q. A merchant ? A. No.
Q. A minister ? A. Yes. This was doing very well ;
but I was interrupted by another call for the alphabet.
The following communication was then spelt out, and
mistakes of letters corrected by raps :
" My interest in you is great, and I wish you to care-
fully investigate this subject, with judgment suspended.
You know how skeptical I was regarding new and
strange doctrine. I have changed my belief. Heaven
to me is more beautiful, and I find that God is more just
than my brethren represented. There is one eternal
progression here, and you have it in your power to make
your spirit-home a paradise of beauty. Every pure
thought that passes through the portals of your soul, is a
new and beautiful shrub in the garden of your home."
This, certainly, is well said; and was startling. I asked
if the spirit would sign his name to it ? A. Yes. I then
wrote the names of Robert, George Gordon, Henry
Dayton, George Wood, and the name in fuU, of which
G. I. G. are the initials. Having folded each in a paper
ball, I threw them promiscuously on the table, and the
four false ones were successively negatived, and the re-
maining one chosen. Instead of that, I picked up one of
142 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
the others; when a tumultuous rapping assured me of
mistake. I then went over it agam, with the same re-
sult, and opening the paper designated, there, sure
enough, was the full name of G. I. G., intended for the
signature !
The medium then asked if the spirit would ring a
bell, if put under the table? A, Yes.
The bell was sent for, and I proceeded :
Q. Where did you die — New- York ? A, No.
Q. Newtown? A. No.
Q. Milwaukie? A, No.
Q, s e ? A. Yes.
Q. Is your family at New-York ? A, No.
Q. Somerville? A. No.
Q. Are they at L ? A, No.
Q, AtN e? A. Yes.
Q. What is my vocation — a merchant ? A. No.
Q. A lawyer ? A. No.
Q. A minister? A. Yes.
At this moment a large-sized dinner-bell was brought
in and placed under the table. A call for the alphabet
required me to change places with the other gentleman.
I could see no object in this, unless to make variety in
the intelligence. After the change was made, another
call required us to sit closer together. Rappings now re-
fused all requests made. The medium placed both her
feet on the feet of the other gentleman, and soon the
bell rang loudly, and was tumbled over / was rolled over,
as I should judge, and then rang again. I distinctly
heard the clapper click, as it was shoved along on the
carpet, much in the same way as a child would play with
a bell upon the floor. This was twice repeated. Then the
gentleman requested the spirit to unfasten the foot-straps
of his pantaloons. He assured me he felt something at
b
FIFTEENTH SITTING. 143
work at one of his feet, extended for tliat operation. At
this stage of the proceeding, unfortunately we were in-
terrupted, much to the annoyance of us all; but a se-
cond call compelled the medium to leave. The spirit
promised, however, to meet me in the same place at
a certain time appointed, to complete our interview, and
we parted. Here it is proper to say, not a single mis-
take was made, in the answers above given.
Three days after, I resumed. The spirit kept his pro-
mise, and gave me his initials as before, and I proceeded
with mental test questions of fact :
Q. Where did you statedly preach — Charleston ? A.
N"o.
Q. St 1? A. Yes.
Q. Albany? A. No.
Q. N e ? A. Yes.
Q. Rye ? A. No.
Q, J a? A. Yes.
Q. Cove? A. No.
Q. L i? A. Yes.
Q, Of what denomination — Baptist ? A. No.
Q. Episcopalian? A. No.
Q. Dutch Reformed? A. Yes.
Q. Were you married more than once ? A. Yes.
Q. What was your wife's first name — Sarah Jones?
A. No.
Q. Mary Peters? A. No.
Q. E.VanL ? A. Yes.
Q. Where did you marry her : N e ? A. No.
Q. Rye? A, No.
Q. New-Briinswick ? A. Yes.
Q. What is your second wife's name — ^Rachel Mont-
fort? A, No.
Q. C R ? A. Yes.
144 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
Q. Where did you marry her — New-Brunswick ? A,
No.
Q. Harrisburg? A. No.
Q. N e? A. Yes.
Q. Of what disease did you die — apoplexy ? A, No.
Q. Dysentery? A. Yes.
Here was a call for the alphabet, and this sentence
was spelt out :
" The lady I married of Cuicinnati is with me !"
Q. Have you had an interview with me before ? A..
Yes.
Q. Through Miss C ? A, No.
Q. Through Mr. C ? A. Yes.
Here are twenty-eight questions of fact, all correctly
answered; but, by the call for the alphabet, the spirit
entrapped himself in a great mistake, yet the intelligence
is manifest.
I proceeded now to cross-question him mentally^ as be-
fore, on the matter of his written coromunication, and
upon other things he ought to know about :
Q. Did you preach true doctrine ? A. Yes.
Q. Did you preach /a?56 doctrine? A. Yes.
Q. Have you changed your belief? A. No.
Q. Was you skeptical about strange doctrine ? A,
Yes.
Q, Was you credulous in this matter ? A. Yes.
Q. Do you believe now all you preached on earth ?
A. Yes.
Q, Is the Bible true 9 A. Yes.
q. Is the '^Aq false 9 A, Yes.
Q. Is the doctrine of the Trinity true 9 A, Yes.
^. Is that doctrme/a?se.^ A. Yes.
Q. Are all religions alike worthless ? A, Don't know.
Q. Is Christ a /aMo?<s being ? A. Yes.
FIFTEENTH SITTING. 145
Q. Is Christ a real being ? A. Yes.
Q. Was he a mere man ? ^. Yes.
Q. Is the doctrine of atonement a swre foundation?
A. Yes.
g. Is the atonement of Christ 2^ false foundation ? A.
Yes.
§. Does the blood of Christ alone wash away sin?
A. No.
Q. Is it valueless for that purpose ? A. Yes.
Q. Are you saved by Christ ? ^. Doubtful.
g. Are you saved without Christ ? A. Yes.
g. Is faith in Christ a vain thmg? A. Don't know.
§. Is faith in Christ the only way of salvation ? A,
Yes.
Q. Is there a hell ? ^. Yes.
Q, Is hell a fiction? A. Yes.
§. Is the devil a real beuig ? A. Yes.
g. Is he a fabulous being ? ^. Yes.
Q. Do personatiQg demons deceive men by means of
Spiritualism? A. Yes.
Q. Is Spiritualism true ? A. Yes,
Q, Is it false ? ^. Yes.
§. Is it the old system of Demonology revived ? A.
Yes. (Tumultuous rapping.)
Q. Is heathenism preferable to Christianity ? A. Yes.
(Strong raps.)
§. Now, I demand of you, in the name of Christ, are
you a demon personatuig my friend ? A. Yes. (Strong
raps.)
Q. Are all communications of Spiritualism from per-
sonating demons ? A, Yes. (Strong raps.)
Q. Is banishment from God your eternal portion?
A. Yes. (Raps slow, as if reluctantly given.)
Q. Why did you attempt to deceive me ? No answer.
7
146 A THKEE-FOLD TEST.
I insist upon an answer. Here there was a rapping for
che alphabet, when this sentence was spelled :
" You are mistaken."
Q. I demand again, in the name of Christ, are you a
lost spirit ? A. Yes.
Q. Are you an ignorant spirit ? A. No.
Q. Are you a personating spirit ? A. Yes.
Q. Are you a demon damned ? A. Yes.
Q. Will you ever be saved ? A. No.
Q. Is it the design, by the movement of modern Spi-
ritualism, to overthrow Christianity? A. Yes. I wanted
no more inteUigence, and left.
All this was carried on without a single test question vo-
calized. It will be seen, that no Spiritualist can produce
a stronger case of the identity of a spirit friend. On all
questions of fact, I received accurate answers ; but, by
cross-questions, the spirit upset his own communication,
given me only three days before. By a double set of
questions of speculation, he contradicted himself through-
out, and by questions of solemn adjuration, he confessed
his true character, and the object had in view by the
movement of modern Spiritualism. The spirit, before he
left, confessed that he coidd not deceive me; and by the
great variety of sound on the table and on the floor
curiously made when I adjured him, and surprising to
the medium herself, it was evident to my mind, he was
greatly embarrassed. She said there were other spirits
with him, but it was of no use ; they could not help him
out.
Thus ended my investigations. However others may
feel or judge about the matter, I am perfectly satis-
fied. I have taken the Judge's advice, and, by a most
thorough test, for Avhich I am indebted to him, I have
arrived at a perfect conviction, that however estimable
INTELLIGENCE FROM INTELLECT. 147
our Spiritualists may be as men and as citizens, they are
most fearfully deluded. I do not wish to disparage
them, or say aught against them; I have tried to be
just in my estimation of private character, and however
wounded in my own feelings by the hard speeches, and
unworthy personal attacks made indiscriminately on the
members of my own profession, I would not return rail-
ing for railing, but earnestly pray that they may be for-
given, for they know not what they do.
I have implicitly followed the directions of the Judge,
and I have minutely recorded my own experience, in
addition to other matters, that the reader may have the
data upon which he can do his own thinking. Now, were
there nothing but a host of facts like those mentioned
in the first chapter, apart from any intelligence, we should
indeed be unable to account for them. Their tendency
might lead us to associate them with evil agency in some
general way, yet few would attribute them to the opera-
tion of spirits directly. But then we are sure of one
thing, namely, intelligence must come from intellect, no
matter how small it may be. Here we have a foothold..
When we see a rainbow, we ascribe it to a natural cause ;
but should we see the word " ISToah" spelt out in it, we
should ascribe it to an intelligent cause. A " streak of
lightning" does not disturb us, but should it flash out a
distinct intelligible word, we should ascribe it to a spiiit-
ual cause. So we must argue with regard to these phe-
nomena. If we can detect intelligence in them, which
circumstances make it irrational to ascribe to the minds
of the media, we must feel ourselves compelled to assign
them to a spiritual cause of some sort ; and the tendency
of the whole unquestionably demonstrates the nature of
such spiritual agency. Scientific men have been investi-
gating this subject for the past six years or more, but
148 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
they have failed hitherto, satisfactorily to account for the
phenomena, and we are as far from a solution now as at
the beginning of their inquiries. Allowing that a large
portion of the recorded facts are mainly fictions, still
there is left a large amount so well authenticated
it would be folly to deny them ; and it would be blind-
ness indeed not to see, that the practical aim to be reach-
ed through these wonders, is the establishment of the
minds of believers in a system of doctrine universally
taught wherever they obtain. The wonders wrought,
go to prepare the mind for the reception of the doctrine
and confirmation of its truth. These seem to be imita-
tions of the miracles of the New Testament, and designed
for a similar purpose. So far, then, as imitation is observ-
able in the adaptation of means to ends, there is a gen-
eral design discovered, and consequently a degree of gen-
eral intelligence is apparent.
But we must argue upon our own facts. What do
they prove ?
1. That rappings and tippings are produced really and
truly by some cause, not in the media ; though their in-
strumental interposition seems to be necessary to the
manifestations. Dr. Taylor of Petersham, Mass., discov-
ered accidentally that he was a writing medium, and
while in the abnormal state, would write rapidly " with-
out any voluntary efibrt of his own." " While in this
state," he says, " I felt a sensation like that of a light gal-
vanic current passing through me. Sometimes it appear-
ed to be a steady thriU, and sometimes it was iatermit-
tent, resembling light shocks of electricity." His conclu-
sion is, that the strange phenomena of which he was the
subject, were not tricks of his own, neither did they come
from the spirit world, but were the result of what he calls
detached vitalized electricity. Thus he would explain the
AN INSUFFICIENT CAUSE. 149
whole. Few persons comprehend the meaning of this
phrase, but all can readily understand, that to be a suffi-
cient explanation, this agent ought to have been always
producing the same effects which have but recently been
manifested. K the vital electricity of the human body can
be detached from it, so as to produce sounds and other phe-
nomena, how happens it that they have not occurred
before, or that they now occur in such profusion ? This
explanation does not prove adequate.
2. There is a low degree of iutelligence exhibited by
means of these phenomena, which the circumstances of
its reception forbid us to connect with the minds of the
media ; and therefore it must come from some other in-
tellects ; and whether good or bad, that must be deter-
mined by the evident nature, tendency, and design of the
intelligence received.
The author of " Counsels for the Cottage and the Man-
sion," a well- written and useM book, says :
" As to the plea that ' spirits must make the sounds,'
to account for the intelligence communicated, it beiug
impossible for mere ''electricity to originate facts,' we
reply by affirming that there is no intelligence given be-
yond a certain Umit ; that is, the mind of some one or
ones in connection, either present or absent, for it makes
no difference. For available purposes, a person a thou-
sand or ten thousand miles distant may yield all the
amount of intelligence required in a given case. Dis-
tance is no obstacle whatever. Electricity counts neither
time nor space. For instance, the transmission of elec-
tricity through a conducting substance is instantaneous.
A wire, or other conductor, may have motion communi-
cated to its whole length at the same moment, whatever
that length may be ; and it is stated that electro-mag-
netic impulse maybe transmitted at the rate of one hundred
and eighty thousand miles in a second, thus outstripping
the sun in its march !
" A large number of intelligent individuals, who, for a
150 A THKEE-FOLD TEST.
year or two past, have instituted a series of experiments
upon this matter of ' intelligence,' have found that in no
case has information been imparted beyond what existed
in their own minds or that of some kiudred or friend."
I can not think of any thing more intensely absurd than
the theory, that correct answers may be given to my
mental questions by a person " a thousand or ten thou-
sand miles" distant, through detached vitalized electric-
ity, or any other natural agent, and announced to me on
a table, by rapping or tipping, or through the fingers of
a writing medium.
At my tenth sitting, it will be seen, that the law of
gravitation was overcome in raising the table, with the
hands and portions of the forearms of the medium upon
it ; that the name of my father was selected out of sev-
eral others, and a communication given, professedly writ-
ten by him, and signed with his true name, without
a vocal sound. This, I am to believe, all comes from
some living person, within a circuit of ten thousand miles,
more or less, through detached vitalized electricity!
BeUeve it, who can.
At the same sitting, the true initials of a departed
friend were given at the end of a communication assign-
ing a reason; and several mental questions of fact,
utterly beyond the power of the media to answer, had
they been vocalized, were correctly answered through
the tippings of his table, and all by vitalized electricity
emanatiug from some person somewhere on the face of
the earth!
At my eleventh sitting, the true names of three parents
were selected from several fictitious names, secretly
written ; and correct answers to questions of fact secretly
written, and as soon as written, were given by raps upon
the table and floor ; and all this comes from some per-
A STRONG TEST. 151
son's vital electricity, detached, and performing the opera-
tions of mind, it may be from the other side of the globe !
This beats all assumptions, for extravagance, ever yet
made. Such explanations can only -serve to confirm
Spiritualists in their delusion. Our theory of personating
demons explains every thing, without the incumbrance
of any such incomprehensible suppositions.
•At my twelfth sitting, if the operation of the Spiritoscope,
as above described, be satisfactory to the reader, then the
explanations to the answers given, exhibit remarkable in-
telligence ; although it is clear that " Anna Williams" is
a personating demon.
At my fourteenth sitting, which is the most remarkable
one, a very striking display of intellect, in connection
with physical manifestations, shows that no material power
is adequate to account for it. Could I be brought to be-
lieve that vitalized electricity, or any other known im-
ponderable natural agent, by any possibility, could write
out such a communication, and answer correctly so many
questions, I could not avoid the grossest forms of material-
ism, nor the blackness of darkness that would be to my
soul as the horrible pall of annihilation. But it will be
seen, that nothing has been communicated here, incom-
patible with the agency of personating demons. Their
confession is wrung from them.
3. The doctrines of Spirituahsm may be all received
by means of the mental test ordinarily applied. But in
the way it has been used by me, the contrary doctrines
are also taught, making a perfect medley of contradic-
tions, so glaring as to prove the fact of no intelligence
whatever^ in answers to questions of speculation, which
spirits ought to know. Now, the intelligence manifested
in the application of means to an end, and in answers to
questions of fact, taken in connection Tvdth the absence of
152 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
intelligence in answers to questions of speculation, is con-
founding to the mind ; and such a result can not come
from a good source.
It will be observed that the spirits are unanimous
in teaching the doctrines of heathenism and Spiritualism ;
and in our reading, we have found that this everywhere
prevails ; but we have seen no attempt made, through
reverse questions, to obtain their confirmation. If. a
spirit can intelligently answer " Yes" to the mental ques-
tion, " Is the DevU a fabulous being ?" surely he ought to
answer " No" to that question reversed. If the doc-
trines of Spiritualism had been thus confirmed by two
SETS of contrary questions^ then there would be some
ground for the confident assertions of our Spiritualistic
authors, but none for their vituperations, their unman-
nerly and unmanly abuse. This, however, is not the
case. The low intelligence, in answer to questions of
fact, has been so perfectly overwhelming to our credulous
friends, that they have swallowed, without winking, the
whole system of heathenism, without a single respectable
attempt to test their spirits, as we have done, on questions
of speculation ! They have therefore shown themselves
the most credulous men in the world, while they malev-
olently berate the believer in Christianity, for that very
prominent trait of character they have ignorantly labored
to make the most conspicuous in themselves, and have
not labored in vain ; for the result is made manifest in
all their horrid publications.
4. We have proved, what they have done before us,
(though they deny it,) that personating demons are the
prime agents in advancing the work of modern Spiritual-
ism. No man among them can present better tests of
personal identity of good spirits than we can do ; and
yet we have convicted them of gross lies, and have made
SEDUCING SPIEITS. 153
them confess themselves personating demons, i.e., evil
spirits, and that modern Spiritualism is the enterprise of
such spirits alone. Now we defy the whole batch of
Spiritualistic authors, whose brain-dribble has been flow-
ing to tarnish the character of Christ, misrepresent his
nature and his work, vilify his Church, his ministry, his
people, and his cause, to prove the contrary. They can not
do it. Nothing has yet occurred, within the whole com-
pass of the sayings and doings of spirits accepted as good,
incompatible with the cunning and artifice of those
mahgnant beings called by Christ the Devil and his angels.
But we appeal to authority which Spiritualists wiU not
dispute. We quote from a book of concentrated blas-
phemy, entitled, " The History of the Origin of all
Things, delivered by the Loed Jesus Christ, to L. M.
Arnold, of Poughkeepsie, Medium! I
" How, then, is it, when men have desiredr communica-
tions from higher spirits, such as the apostles and others,
and spirits have desired to personate them, but been un
able to withstand the tests apphed to manifest their truth
or falsity ? The pretended apostles, or spirits of other
distinguished men, were really the spirits of lower cir-
cles, who, finding a man, or a medium, actuated by
desires of notoriety, have acted in their own desire to be
great in name, and famous in deeds, and assumed such
names as they perceived their medium, or questioner, de-
sired to have declared to them !
" But how, then, can we know what spirit converses
with us, or communicates with us ? By being passive,
and receiving with faith what is given, and by asking
God to give you such knowledge, in his own way, and
time, and manner. This is every man's duty, and the
communications you may then obtain will be reliable, and
not only reliable, but if you act upon them, and follow
the course you are then directed to pursue, you wiU be
blessed by such an increase of knowledge that you will
154 A TIIKEE-FOLD TEST.
find you need not ask questions, or raise objections, or
entertain doubts."
This is the sum of the whole matter : " The personating
spirits of the lower circles," in conjunction with media,
as in the instance of the author, " actuated by desires of
notoriety," have endeavored to impose upon mankind !
Where is the proof any medium can give, that such is
not the fact in his or her particular case ? Just none at
all, by the evidence of the last answer in the quotation,
which is from Christ himself!
Spiritualists say that Paul was a' "seeing medium."
He tells us that the Devil is " the prince of the power of
the air." Dr. Hare says that the sphere of had spirits
commences some sixty miles above the surface of the
earth, and is as thick as all the other spheres put together :
a very significant fact. Christ says that this leader of
this adverse power, for the purpose of deception, can per-
sonate an angel of light. Of course we must suppose
that his imps can do the same thing, otherwise the decep-
tion would have no adequate means of succeeding. IN'ow,
in view of these conjoint facts, which they admit as com-
ing through true media, we think the burden of proof lies
heavily on our Spiritualists. Our assertion is, that Spirit-
ualism is the work of the " Devil and his angels." They
must prove that its manifestations are above the powers
of these beings. A denial of their existence is a begging
of the question, which is made the more absurd by their
admission of the existence of evil spirits. We contend
that the low intelligence, the fantastic movements, the
"hifalutin," and the infamous sentiments, brought out
to astonish the world, are precisely in keeping with the
character of Satan, and their occurrence at this time goes
to demonstrate the truth of the Scriptures.
We trust now there will be an end to the challenges
WARNING. 155
and charges respecting the pusillanimity, bigotry, and
priestcraft of Christian men, who have forborne until
their forbearance is scornfully held up as the evidence of
cowardice. Let Spiritualists meet the issue we have
raised, without shirking. Only we ask them not to abuse
us, for this is not quite the evidence of a good spirit.
In the mean time, we warn all persons to keep away
from the fascinating influence of modern necromancy.
"We have explored it, for the purpose of trying its preten-
sions, and of putting enough of it in the hands of aU who
AviU read, to satisfy them of its nature, operations, ten-
dency, and end. But if any are determined to test the
matter further, we venture to say they will always suc-
ceed in getting contradictions and lies by following our
plan. This certainly would not be the case, were the spirits
good. First, ask mental questions oifact. To these, true
answers may be given. Secondly, ask mental questions
oi speculation, on such subjects as spirits must Jcnow, but
always varying them, as has been done in the preceding
pages ; and the confounding of the mind wiU come, instead
of the comforting information of which such high assur-
ances are given. This wiU prove the spirits to belong to
him who, the apostle says, " now worketh in the children
of disobedience."
156 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
CHAPTER m.
" The thing that hath been, is that which shall be ; and that which is done, is
that which shall be done ; and there is no new thing under the sun."— Ecc. 1 : 9.
PARALLEL MANIFESTATIONS AMONG THE ANCLENl
HEATHEN.
Is modern Spiritualism ancient Heathenism? — A list of modern Media —
A list of ancient Media — Spirit-messengers — Modern and ancient
" Spirit oscope" — Female and male Media — Ancient Manifestations the
more wonderful — Heathenism revived — The Big Image — New Light,
old Darkness.
Otxb first chapter contains a bare sample of physical
manifestations, many, various, wondrous, and often con-
founding, which are said to prove the claims of modern
Spiritualism. Our second chapter is the result of an
earnest inquiry, pursued under the direction of the leaders
of this movement. The details led us to think of the am-
biguities and uncertainties that distressed the minds of the
ancients, whose common practice it was to consult certain
oracles, reputed for spiritual intercourse among the
heathen.
This opened a wide field of facts, whence parallelisms
might be drawn, to show that the old heathen arts of in-
terrogating the dead, to coax out of them the secrets of
" life in the spheres," very much resemble those of the
present movement, which are practised for the same pur-
pose. This irresistibly brings up the question : Is not
CLASSES OP MEDIA. 157
modem Spiritualisnh substantially heathenism revived?
If we can establish the affirmative, by a short process, it
will at once settle the value of this cause, and show it to
be, not only a rejection of the Gospel, but an actual return
to that old detestable imposture that cursed the world
for ages.
We know of no speedier way of determining this mat-
ter, than by a comparison of mediumship, by which the
operations of both systems were carried on.
We have the following hst of modern media furnished
to our hand by the author of an " Epitome of Spirit Inter-
course."
"1. Rapping Tnediums. — If conditions are favorable,
raps will sometimes be heard when certain persons ap-
proach tables, etc., appearing to be produced by some-
thing invisible striking it.
" 2. Tipping mediums. — In similar circumstances, arti-
cles of furniture are tipped or carried, raised in the air,
etc., sometimes without touching, in all cases without
muscular pressure.
"3. Writing mediums. — Their hands are controlled by
an invisible intelligence, and words which may or may
not correspond with the ideas of the medium, written
without his voHtion, frequently in different handwriting,
sometimes in languages he does not know.
" 4. SpeaJcing mediums have their vocal organs con-
trolled by spirits.
" 5. Another class can be operated on in various bodily
organs. Musical mediums belong to this class.
"6. Impressional mediums. — Some of these have the
words as well as the ideas presented to their minds by
spirits — others only the ideas — in the latter case, the
mundane and strictly spiritual phenomena intermix.
" 7. Drawing mediums differ from writing mediums
only in the purpose, not in the nature of the operation.
" 8. Seeing mediums. — ^These have " the gift of discern-
ing spirits."
" 9. Mediums for spiritual dreams, visions, etc."
158 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
Comparing this with ancient heathenism, we shall find
that a remarkable similarity exists.
1. Happing mediums. — "Sometimes, indeed, an in-
visible and incorporeal spirit surromids the recmnbents, so
as not to be perceived by the sight, but by a certain other
consentation and intelUgence. The entrance of this spirit,
also, is accompanied with a noise, and he diffuses himself
on aU sides without contact." {lamb.^ De Myst)
2. Tipping m^ediums, — " The inspiration is indicated by
the motions of the whole body, and of certain parts of it,
by the rest of the body, by harmonious orders and dances,
and by elegant sounds^ or the contraries of these ; either
the body, likewise, is seen to be elevated, or increased in
bulk, or to be borne along sublimely in the air^"* (Idem.)
An instance of this, it will be remembered, occurred at
Dr. Gray's.
3. Writhig mediums. — " That which is demoniacal is
of a ministrant nature, and receives whatever the gods
may announce, promptly employing manual operation, as
it were, in things which the gods intellectually perceive,
wish, and command." {Idem.)
This would seem to refer to writing, but there is a bet-
ter proof in the well-known Sibylline books, which long
retained their authority among the Romans. Their au-
thors were certain ladies of secluded habits, who gave
responses in writing to those who consulted them. "The
Sibyl of Cumse is said to have written in Greek verses
the collection of prophecies famous under the name of
Sibylline boohs.''"' {Am. Euc)
4. SpeaMng mediums. — "He (divinity) sometimes
makes some stupid man (like a Poughkeepsie seer) to speaJc
wisely, through which it becomes manifest to every one,
that this is not a certain human, but a divine work."
{Iamb., De 3Iyst.)
CLASSES OP MEDIA. 159
"At Corinth, a certain Chaldean stranger is just now
disturbing the whole city with his wonderful replies to
questions asked him, and is disclosing the secrets of the
Fates to the public for payment.^'' {Apuleius^ Met.^
lib. ii.)
Thus one of our own travelling media, who went West
in the beginning of this year, on a professional tour, told
the writer, that the whole bar of Cincinnati, where he
had been performing, had become converts to Spirito.
alism ; and we have no doubt he made a good specu-
lation, judging from the charges he made in New- York.
This kind of mediumship is not circumscribed by the
natural attainments of the speaker, but is remarkable for
utterances in aU kinds of languages. It is well known,
too, that some of our media speak, as the Greeks used to
say, " with an insane mouth," giving forth vocal sounds
with long-continued, laboring breath, which no person pre-
sent could comprehend. Such displays of the divine affla-
tus may be what they profess to be, foreign tongues^ for
nobody can disprove ; but in this particular, the ancient
media are not outdone.
Herodotus {Urania^ Vm. l^b) says: "The following,
to me very strange circumstance, is related by the Theban
to have happened : that Mys, of Europus, in going round
to all the oracles, came also to the precinct of the Ptoan
Apollo ; this temple is called Ptoan, but belongs to the
Thebans, and is situated above the lake Copais. When this
man, Mys, arrived at the temple, three citizens chosen by
the public, accompanied him for the purpose of writing
down what the oracle should pronounce ; and forthwith
the priestess gave an answer in a foreign tongue ; and
those Thebans who accompanied him stood amazed at
hearing a foreign language instead of Greek."
" When the people of Tralles were consulting the ma-
160 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
gical art, as to what would be the result of the Mithri-
datic war, a boy, while looking on the reflection of a
statue of Mercury in the water, uttered a prophecy of a
hundred and sixty lines, setting forth what was about to
come to pass." (Apideius^ Defense.)
Many instances of clairvoyance might be quoted, by
which money and other valuables lost, have been traced,
but without much success.
5. Musical mediums. — See No. 2 above. " The brazen
statue of Memnon had the wonderful property of uttering
a melodious sound every day at sun-rising ; at the setting
of the sun and in the night the sound was lugubrious.
Strabo confesses himself ignorant, whether the sound pro-
ceeded from the basis of the statue, or from the people
that surrounded it." {Lempriere.)
6. Impressional mediums. — "This divine possession
also emits words which are not understood by those that
utter them, for they pronounce them, as it is said, with
an insane mouth, and are wholly subservient, and entirely
yield themselves to the energy of the predominating
god." (Iamb.)
7. Seeing mediums. — "This (divination) illuminates
with divine light the ethereal and luciform vehicle with
which the soul is surrounded, from which divine visions
occupy our fantastic power, these visions being excited
by the will of the gods." {Idem)
8. Mediums for spiritual dreams. — " In the temple of
Esculapius, diseases are healed through divine dreams;
and through the order of nocturnal appearances, the me-
dical art is obtained from sacred dreams."*^ {Idem.)
9. Sealing mediums. — These we have in abundance,
but so had the ancients. " To Valerius Aper, a blind
soldier, the oracle gave response, ' that he should take
the blood of a white cock and honey, and rub them to-
A SPIRITUAL PEESCRIPTION. 161
gether, and therewith anoint his eyes three days.' And
he saw, and came, and returned thanks." (Gruteri The-
saurus.)*
We have also spiritual prescriptions, of the components
of which we are ignorant ; but we do not think it fair to
patent medicines given by good spirits for the maladies
of mankind. A more liberal and enlightened course was
pursued by Philippus Aueeolus Theophrastus Bom-
BASTus DE HoHENHEiM, who boastcd of an intercourse
with spirits, from whom he professed to have derived the
most valuable medicines. Here is one of them, quoted
by the author last referred to, and to whom we are much
indebted for the best entertainment we have ever had in
" apocatastatical" reading.
" An admirable oyntmentfor wounds.
" Take of Moss that groweth upon a scull, 3 ii
Of man's grease, 3 ii
Of Mummy, and man's blood, each, 3 ss
Linseed Oyl, | ii
Oyl of roses and Bole-Armoniack, each, 3 i
" Let them be all beat together in a morter so long, un-
til they come to a most pure and subtil oyntment ; then
keep it in a Box. And when any wound happens, dip a
stick of wood in the blood that it may be bloody ; which
being dyed, thrust it quite into the aforesaid oyntment, and
leave it therein ; afterwards binde up the wound with a
new Linen Rowler every morning washing it, * * *
and it shall be healed, be it never so great, without any
Plaister or Paine. After this manner you may Cure any
one that is wounded, though he be ten miles distant
from you, if you have but his blood. It helpeth also other
griefs, as the pain in the teeth and other hurts, if you have
a stick wet in the blood, and thrust into the oyntment and
there left. TTiese are the wonderful gifts of God^ given
for the use and health of man." {Paracelsis of Celestial
Medicines.)
*Apocat., p. 91.
162 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
N'ow-a-days, you have only to carry a lock of the patient's
own hair to a healing medium, and she will prescribe^ no
matter whether it be ten or twenty miles off. The cure is
another matter.
10. Premanifesting mediums. — By these, investiga-
tions of futurity were carried on, through the viscera of ani-
mals. Our modern theurgists have not, as yet, this kind
of mediumship developed among them.
11. Aquatic mediums. — "It is acknowledged, then, by
all men, that the oracle in Colophon gives its answers
through the medium of water. ''^ {Iambi.)
12. Enchanting mediums. — "Sometimes, also, by
musical sounds alone, unaccomj^anied with words, they
healed the passions of the soul, and certain diseases,
enchanting, as they say, in reahty." {lam.^ Life of
Pythag.)
13. Possessed m^ediums. — Such was the Pythoness of
Apollo, into whom he entered, taking control of her
organs, through which he uttered oracular responses in
hexameter verse. We have some few media of this
kind. The priest at Colophon, though ignorant and illit-
erate, uttered responses to the mental questions of those
who consulted the oracle. This is the universal practice
with our media. Many of the ancient, as weE as our
own, spohe different languages.
It will now be seen, that the ancient almost precisely
resembled the modern necromancy ; but they had a great-
er variety of media, and more powerful ones, too, who
far excelled in brilliancy and awfulness of effect. But,
considering the short time in which demons have been at
work, no man can deny that they have made respectable
progress among us, and bid fair to give horrible signifi-
cancy to that old apologetic remark : " Heathen enough
at home."
THE SPIKITOSCOPE. 163
This agreement between the ancient and modern man-
ifestations is remarkably minute. Probably Dr. Hare,
of Philadelphia, thinks the world has never before
heard of such a feat as his familiar spirit performed, on
the 3d of July, 1855, when it undertook, at one o'clock,
to convey from the Atlantic Hotel, Cape May Island, a
message to Mrs. G., in the former place, on business of
emergency, and return an answer at half-past three, the
same afternoon. But such things are not new. Spirit
dispatches were well understood in old times.
" Apion, the grammarian, said that he could evoke de-
parted spirits (umbras) for the purpose of sending them
to Homer, to inquire in what country and of what parent-
age he was born, but dared not to make known the
reply. {Plin. JVat. Ilist.^ Hb. xxx. 6.)
We regret to say that the contrivance of the " Spirito-
scope," the honor of which Dr. Hare takes all to himself,
does not seem exactly to have originated from his
genius. Some heathen gentlemen in Rome hit upon a
spirit machiae very analogous to his, and as spirits
inform us that they infuse thoughts into the mind, it is
probable that the real merit of the Doctor is narrowed
down to certain inconsiderable adaptations required by
the peculiarities of modern development. The story is
this:
" Certain poHtical gentlemen, in the time of the
Emperor Valens, being incautiously curious to know who
was to be the next emperor, made inquiry of the spirits.
Tne Roman police, however, who managed to be informed
of many things without the aid of the spirits, were of
opinion that they were asking improper questions,
whereupon the inquisitive gentlemen suddenly found
themselves arraigned for high treason. On their trial,
one of the operators described to the judges the machine
164 A THREE-FOLD TEST,
which had been brought into court, and their way of con-
sulting the spirits by it, as follows :
" ' This ill-omened Uttle tahle^ which you see before
you, most noble judges, we constructed of laurel-twigs,
with unlucky auspices, so as to resemble in form the
Delphic tripod ; and having consecrated it, with mystic,
chanted imprecations, and with much and long-contin-
ued dancing in a ring about it, at length we got it into
operation. The method of working it, whenever it was
consulted concerning hidden things, was on this wise : It
was placed in the midst of an apartment, which was made
pure by Arabian odors, a circular plate^ composed of dif-
ferent metals, being simply laid upon it, upon the extreme
margin of whose circumference were skillfully engraved
the sariptile forms of the twenty-four Utters of the alpha-
bet^ separated from each other by accurately-measured
spaces. Over this, robed in linen vestments, having on
his feet sandals of the same material, the torulus wound
about his head, and holding in his hand the boughs of a
tree of good omen — ^the spirit, from whom the prescient
response was expected having been propitiated by
appropriate chants — stood one skilled in ritual science,
holding suspended a small ring composed of finest Capar-
thian thread, and wrought with mystic rites, which, fall-
ing at regular intervals upon single letters, composed
heroic verses conformable to the questions asked, and
complete in mode and measure, like those which proceed
from tbe Pythia, or from the oracle at Branchidse.' "
{Ammdanus, Ixxix. 29.)*
By comparing the foregoing with the Doctor's machiae,
it wiU be seen that a " disk, having the alphabet arranged"
upon the extreme margin," and attached to a table, are
the main objects that strike the eye in both. And since
*Apocatastasi3, pp. "IS, 76.
MEDIA AND MANIFESTATIONS. 165
spirits claim the authorship of our thoughts, is not this
proof that the same spirit that suggested this happy
thought in the first instance reproduced it in the Doctor's
braiQ? Does not this coincidence circumstantially
demonstrate the connection and common origin of the
ancient and the modern systems, the former of which is
now commonly known by the name oi paganism f
The large majority of our media are females. This,
also, was true ia the olden days of Spiritualism. lambli-
chus says : " Those who are precedaneously inspired by
the mother of the gods are women ; but the males that
are thus iuspired are very few in number, and such as are
more efieminate."
The old manifestations were much more powerful than
they are now. " The gods, being benevolent and propi-
tious, impart their light to theurgists in unenvying abun-
dance, calling upwards their souls to themselves, procur-
ing them a union with themselves, and accustoming them,
while they are yet in the hody^ to be separated from
bodies, (this is glorious, Judge,) and to be led round to
their eternal and intelligible principle." (Idem)
" Divine beauty, indeed, shines with an immense splen-
dor, as it were, fixes the spectators in astonishment,
imparts a divine joy, presents itself to the view "vvith inef-
fable symmetry, and is exempt from all other species of
pulchritude." {Idem.)
" The presence of the gods also emits a light, accom-
panied with intelligible harmony, and exhibits that which
is not body as body to the eyes of the soul, through those
of the body." (Idem.)
"When heroes appear, certain parts of the earth are
moved, and sounds are heard around them, (probably
raps.) But when archons are present, an assemblage of
many luminous appearances runs round them, difficult to
166 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
be borne, whether these appearances are mimdane or
terrestrial." {Idem.)
" The dreams sent from God take place either when
sleep is leaving us, and we are beginning to awake, (and
then we hear a certain voice, which concisely tells us what
is to be done,) or voices are heard by us, between sleep-
ing and waking, or when we are perfectly awake." (Idem.)
" Their energies, (of the media,) likewise, are not at all
human ; for inaccessible places become accessible to those
that are divinely inspired. They are thrown into fire,
and oner 7'ivers, like the priest in Castabahs, without being
injured!'''' (Idem.)
" As Rufinus, a respectable man, once came to Proclus,
and heard him teach, he perceived a flame on his head
during his expositions. When Proclus had ended, Rufi-
nus, therefore, ran up to him, and adored him as a god ;
and by his prayers and conjurations, he could even bring
rain, appease earthquakes, etc. lamblichus, during his
prayers, was raised ten feet above the surface of the
earth. Maximus, the tutor of the Emperor Julian, raised
spirits /" (Nat. and Mor. In flu. of Heathenism^
These manifestations have not yet been equalled in our
day, but then we have not as many media. Fabricius
counts up nearly a hundred different modes of divination
among the heathen, and each had its pecuhar kind of
media ; hence, as our Spiritualists think, the age of mod-
ern development is yet in its infancy.
From the foregoing comparison, the manifestations and
the media would seem to make out our modern movement
a clear case of heathenism revived. And when we come to
consider the doctrines taught, hereinafter specified, it will
be difiicult to escape this conclusion, nothing being want-
ing to establish identity between the two systems, but
images and a ritual. The latter seems to be in a fair
THE BIG IDOL. 16*7
way of development, from the incantations of the circle ;
but the failure of the big image " down east," will Hkely
retard development for a while in the former particular.
Some account of this big image may not be uninterest-
ing, as it will not only make manifest the tendency of
modern Spiritualism, but demonstrate the fact, that there
is no amount of blasphemy or absurdity which may not
receive its patronage.
The Rev, John M. Spear, a quondam TJniversalist, now
the Boston seer, at the instigation of spirits, persuaded
the Spiritualists of Boston to join him in constructing a
large image in the shape of a man,, which cost some two
thousand dollars. This was to be the grand apparatus
for spiritual communication, erected on High Rock, Lynn,
Mass., and, mirabile dictu ! as the following quotation
shows, was to be animated by a soul hr ought forth by a
lady medium ! ! !
We quote from Mr. Capron's book, pp. 220-224 :
" Among some of the hasty conclusions to which many
of the over-zealous friends of Spirituahsm have arrived,
none seem to me to present a stronger case than that of
what was termed the ' new motive power.' The reader
will get some idea of its origin by the following account
which appeared in the Boston New Era,, June 29th,
1854. The story is certainly a very singular one, and
should not be varied from the way it was originally told.
It is as follows :
" ' 1. It was aimounced to Mrs. , by spiritual
intelligence, several months since, that she would become
a mother in some new sense ; that she would be " the
Mary of a new dispensation." The announcement was
given under circumstances the most impressive, and in
connection with a most beautiful and instructive vision,
in which was strikingly elucidated a most important
spiritual lesson, namely, the true significance of the cross,,
as an emblem of spiritual advancement. All who were
168 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
present on the occasion were deeply impressed with the
superior capacities and exalted moral attainments of the
intelligences commmiicating, as evidenced by the pro-
found and comprehensive character of their teachings.
Nevertheless, the prophecy or announcement spoken of,
though declared with marked emphasis, and directed to
be put on record, was not believed to have any peculiar
meaning. It was thought to refer possibly to the ma-
ternal feeling which she had felt toward individuals, who
had, through her instrumentality, been instructed in the
truths of the new philosophy. Least of all was there the
sUghtest hint that it had any relation whatever to the
niechanism then constructing at High Rock. No one
connected with that enterprise was present, and nothing
was known of this declaration by them until it was re-
called by the events which subsequently transpired.
" ' 2. Previously to this, Mrs. had for some time
experienced certain sensations and agonies similar to
those attendant upon gestation. Subsequently, these in-
dications gradually increased, until they at length became
very marked and inexphcable, and presented some very
singular characteristics. They were supposed, however,
to be at least partially indicative of disease ; but were not
imagined to have the remotest connection with either the
mechanism at High Rock, or with the prophecy which
has been alluded to. As the crisis approached, a variety
of singular events, from apparently independent causes,
(which can not be narrated here,) seemed to point to some
unusual result, though all failed to give any person cog-
nizant of them the sUghtest apprehension of the nature of
that result.
"'3. At length a request came, through the instru-
mentahty of J. M. Spear, that on a certain day she would
visit the tower at High Rock. No one in the flesh — ^her-
self least of all — ^had any conception of the object of this
visit. When there, however, (suitable preparations hav-
ing been carefully made by superior direction, though
their purpose was incomprehensible,) she began to expe-
rience the pecuhar and agonizing sensations of parturition,
differing somewhat from the ordinary experience, inas-
much as the throes were internal^ and of the spirit rather
THE BIG IDOL. 169
than of the physical nature, but nevertheless quite as
uncontrollable, and not less severe than those pertaining
to the latter. This extraordinary physical phenomenon
continued for about the space of two hours. Its purpose
and results were wholly incomprehensible to all but her-
self; but her own perceptions were clear and distinct that
in these agonizing throes the most interior and refined
elements of her spiritual being were imparted to, and
absorbed by, the appropriate portions of the mechanism
— ^its minerals having been made peculiarly receptive by
previous chemical processes. This seemed no more ab-
surd or unphilosophical than the well-known fact that a
gold ring, or any other article worn about the person,
becomes impregnated to a degree with spiritual emana-
tions, or that the elements of one's being can be and are
imparted to an autograph so fully that the character, ca-
pacities, etc., may be psychometrized therefrom.
" ' 4. The result of this phenomenon was, that indica-
tions of life or pulsation became apparent in the mechan-
ism ; first to her own keenly sensitive touch, and soon
after to the eyes of aU beholders. These pulsations con-
tinued to increase, under a process, which she was im-
pelled to continue for some weeks, precisely analogous to
that of nursing, (for which preparation had previously
been made in her own organization, while she was in
utter ignorance of any such design,) xmtil at times a very
marked and surprising motion resulted.
" ' 5. At every step in these singular transactions, Mrs.
has been attended by angelic intelligences, (whose
presence is perceived by her own interior senses,) who
have from time to time explained the rationale of their
proceedings and of her experiences, and unfolded, in
various departments of science, philosophy, and morals,
principles and truths of the highest practicaf moment to
us and to mankind. These teachings have been, to a
great extent, based upon, and elucidated by, the various
experiences connected with that mechanism ; and they
have been not only profound and comprehensive, intel-
lectually considered, but of the highest, purest, and most
elevating moral and spiritual character. That these in-
telligences have infused into her spirit a most beautiful.
170 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
hai-monizing, celestial influence, has been perceived by all
who have enjoyed communication with her, and none of
these, I feel assured, will hesitate to endorse the admis-
sion that " she gets a large influx of superior, saving,
harmonizing truths."
" ' In order to a proper estimate of the peculiar expe-
riences thus described, a large class of correlative physio-
logical and psychological facts, which can not be even
hinted at here, need to be considered by the candid
investigator ; but the foregoing statements are believed
to embrace what is sufficient for the present purpose,
namely, the correction of erroneous statements which
have gone abroad.
" ' With two or three remarks I conclude.
'"1. As these experiences were wholly unexpected, and
unimagined by the subject of them, until they actually
transpired, they could not have been " psychologically
produced." Her mind did not act, either in conjunction
with other minds or independent of them, to bring about
•these results. Theories must conform to facts.
" ' 2. These experiences were not moulded into the
peculiar form they took, by any previous religious or the-
ological impressions. Because, first, no impressions of
this peculiar character had ever existed ; and whatever
notions had once been entertained of the miraculous con-
ception of Jesus, had long ago given place to more philo-
sophical conclusions. Secondly, no idea of such results
had ever been formed in the mind, and hence there exist-
ed nothing which could mould these results.
" ' 3. As " corrupt trees do not bring forth good fruit,"
nor ^'the same fountain send forth bitter waters and
sweet," jt is difficult to believe that an " influx of superior,
saving, harmonizing truths" will flow from delusive or
deceptive sources.
" * 4. Neither Mrs. nor myself can profess to
have, as yet, any definite conception as to what this " new-
born child," the so-called " Electrical Motor," is to be.
However " enthusiastic" or "extravagant" may be the ex-
pectations of others, we do not know that we yet at all
comprehend the ultimate designs of the intelligences en-
gaged in it. Time "will probably solve that matter, and
THE BIG IDOL. l*/!
we willingly abide the decision. But the iacalculable
benefits wMch have already accrued to us in. the unfold-
ings of the interior principles of physical and human
science, and in leading to higher and purer moral and
spiritual attainments, have overwhelmingly compensated
for all that it has cost us, whether in means or reputa-
tion ; and this consideration forces upon our minds and
hearts a conviction of the probability, at least, that still
further benefit may be reahzed from the same source.
" ' Whatever may be the result, therefore, my position
is such that neither disappoiutments nor regrets may
ensue ; and the friends of Mrs. may be assured
that her convictions of duty rest upon a basis which
neither the opinions nor the ridicule of the uninformed
can afiect, while her spirit is serenely sustained against
the shafts of calumny and detraction.'
" Comment on the subject is hardly necessary. Quite
a number of persons, of great intelligence, candor, and
unimpeachable character, fully believed in this second
edition of the miraculous conception and birth, and the
most unbounded enthusiasm was manifested by many.
It was denomiaated ' The New Motive Power, Physical
Saviour, Heaven's Last Best Gift to Man, New Creation,
The Great Spiritual Revelation of the Age, The Philoso-
pher's Stone, the Art of all Arts, The Science of all Sci-
ences,' and various other extravagant epithets were ap-
plied to this wonderful new birth. Like many other
productions of persons whose zeal outstrips their know-
ledge, the new-born miracle was not quite practical
enough to suit this utilitarian age. Notwithstanding the
labor and pains of parturition at and before its birth, a
slight defect was discoverable. The new motor would
not move to any purpose ! This was the only drawback
on its great benefits to mankind.
" The machiae itself was constructed at High Rock,
Lynn, Mass. ; but several of the prominent accoucheurs
were residents of Boston, and the record is entitled to a
place in the Boston chapter."
We hesitated some time about the propriety of record-
ing this hon'ible relation of facts, but as we are writing for
1V2 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
those who yet have all their wits about them, and., for
those who may not have advanced so far in the delusion
as to be beyond recall, we here put it down as the trans-
parency which our Spiritualists themselves have placed
over the door of their system, indicative of its essential
heathenism, and damnable design.
The conclusion, then, to which we come, is this i
OUR NEW LIGHT IS OLD DARKISIESS.
From the early period when Jannes and Jambres op-
posed Moses down to the era of Christianity, and thence
to the present time, in the dark domain of heathenism,
necromancy in its various forms has everywhere prevail-
ed. Superstition and spiritual delusion have benighted
and besotted the souls of men. All this is the legitimate
growth of guilt and the running commentary upon human
depravity.
By the contrast we have drawn, it wiU be seen that
there is a family likeness between the pretensions and the
employments of ancient and modern media, sufficiently
exact to establish an identity between heathenism and
modem Spiritualism. This will be more evident in a sub-
sequent chapter, in which we shall show, that the doc-
trines taught in the publications of our Spiritualists, are
heathenish in their nature, antichristian in their form,
and soul-destroying in their tendency.
Therefore it follows that the Devil and his angels are
the primary agencies in the work of modern Spiritualism,
whose avowed purpose is the destruction of the Church
and of " popular theology." This, we think, must be ad-
mitted by every believer in the Bible, because it is just
such a work as the Devil would do — we can not think of
any thiag else he would so readUy aim to accomplish.
Every Christian must grant this, and this being granted.
THE PEIMARY AGENTS. 173
we do not see how it can be denied, that in these last
days, " seducing spirits" are now actually doing, by
means of modern Spiritualism, the very thing that proves
our position true. We think we can take all arguments
brought against it, and show logically that those who play
them off, do not beheve in any, spiritual agency whatever
brought to bear upon the minds of men, from above or
from beneath.
^
174 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
CHAPTER lY.
«' The devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."
—1 Pet. 5 : 8.
DEMONOLOGY.
First Inquiry— lamblichus — Apuleius— Second Inquiry — Josephus— Justin
Martyr— Origen—Lardner— A Canon of Criticism— New Testament Use
oi Demon — Pythian Apollo— A non sequitur- Christ's Use of the Word
Demon— Possession a literal Fact — An Objection— How the Fathers un-
derstood it— Another Objection— The Alternative.
There is no subject in the Scriptures beset with greater .
difficulties than that of demoniacal possession. There is
no mere question of fact, which has more severely taxed
the mind of the expositor, or has elicited more earnest
discussion. A long array of arguments is presented on
each side of the question — ^Were those unfortunate per-
sons called demoniacs in the New Testament, actually
possessed and inhabited by spirits called demons f Were
the souls of such thus demonized, actually subverted,
beaten down, oppressed, and fettered by evil spirits en-
tering into the human body, and using its organism for
their own wicked purposes ?
The writer has heretofore thought that the "balance of
argument was in favor of the negative ; his reason has
been already given. But he has been induced to change
his opinion by a more diligent scrutiay of the facts con-
nected with the demonism of the New Testament, by
WHAT A DEMON IS. 1*75
some of the phenomena of modern Spiritualism, and by-
others, observed and described by competent and truth-
ful witnesses, that have occurred in more modern times,
among heathen nations as well as Christian.
A brief discussion of Demonology may not be out of
place in this volume, since the great feature of modern
Spiritualism is an alleged intercourse with the spirits of
the dead.
I. "What is meant by a demon? We must answer
this by showing what the heathen understood by that
term, and what is the inference to be drawn from its
Kew Testament use.
lamblichus on the Mysteries, informs us, that " He who
directs his attention to the analogous sameness which
exists in superior natures, as, for instance, in the many
genera of the gods, and again in demons and heroes, and,
in the last place, in souls, will be able to define their
peculiarities."
He says, that the " good itself'* is the " illustrious pecu-
liarity of the gods ;" that " in souls, essential good is not
present ;" " but the other medium, which is suspended
from the gods, though it is far inferior to them, is that
of demons." " These middle genera give completion to
the common bond of the gods and souls, and cause the
connection of them to be indissoluble." " Demons exist
prior to souls and to the powers which are distributed
about bodies." He admits that there is " a certain genus
of demons, which is naturally fraudulent, omniform,
and various, and which assumes the appearance of gods,
and demons, (good ones,) and the souls of the deceased.''^
lamblichus therefore makes a distinction between
demons and the souls of the dead, which other great
men of heathen lore do not seem to recognize. He
teaches that evil demons assume the appearance of the
176 A THBEE-FOLD TEST.
souls of the deceased. This is really an embarrassing cir-
cumstance, and as there is no sufficient means within
their power of detecting these impostors, our Spiritualists,
after all, may be made the game of devils !
Apuleius, de Deo Socratis, says : " There are certain
divine powers of a middle nature, situate in this interval
of the air, between the highest ether and the earth below,
through whom our aspirations and our deserts are con-
veyed to the gods. These the Greeks call by name ' de-
mons,' and being placed as messengers between the in-
habitants of earth and those of heaven, they carry from
the one to the other, prayers and bounties, supplications
and assistance, being a kind of interpreters and message-
carriers for both. Through these same demons, as Plato
says in his Symposium^ all revelations, the various mira-
cles of magicians, and all kinds of presages, are carried
on."
" Demons are intermediate between us and the gods,
both in the place of their habitation, and in their nature.
... To embrace the nature of them in a definition,
demons are, as to genus, animated beings ; as to mind,
rational ; as to feeUngs, passive ; as to body, aerial ; as to
duration, eternal." {Idem)
" There is also another species of demons, namely the
human soul, after it has performed its duties in the
present life, and quitted the body: I find that this
is called in the ancient Latin language by the name of
Lemur. Now of these Lemures, the one who, under-
taking the guardianship of his posterity, dwells in a house
with propitious and tranquil influence, is called %]iq fami-
liar Lar. But those who, having no fixed habitation of
their own, are punished with vague wandering, as with a
kind of exile, on account of the evil deeds of their life,
are usually called Larvm^ thus becoming a vain terror to
^ WHAT A DEMON IS. Ill
the good, but a source of pimishment to the bad. But
where it is uncertain what is the allotted condition of any-
one of these, and whether it is Lar, or Larva, it is called
a god Manes ; the name of god being added for the sake
of honor. For those only are called gods, who, being of
the number of the Lemures, and having regulated the
course of their life justly and prudently, have afterwards
been celebrated by men as divinities, and are universally
worshipped with temples and religious rites ; such, for in-
stance, as Amphiaraus in Boeotia, Mopsus ia Africa,
Osiris in Egypt, and others in other nations, but Escula-
pius everywhere. All this distribution, however, has
been made of those demons who once existed in a human
body."
" But there is another species of demons, more exalt-
ed and august, not fewer in number, but far superior in
dignity, who, being for ever liberated from the bonds and
conjunction of the body, preside over certain powers.
. . . From this more elevated order of demons, Plato is
of opinion that a peculiar demon is allotted to every man,
to be a witness and a guardian of his conduct in life,
who, without being visible to any one, is always present,
and is an overseer not only of his actions but of his
thoughts." (Idem.)
Multiplied quotations are needless, for the above is
from the highest authority among heathen writers.
It will be seen that there were acknowledged to be
two kinds of demons. The last, mentioned by Apuleius,
were intermediate beings between the gods and men ;
the " middle genera" of lamblichus. The Jirst, or the
souls of the dead, were called Xemures, which were divid-
ed into two classes, namely, the Lares, or household gods,
who were supposed to be guardian spirits, and good
8*
178 A THREE-FOLD TEST. ,
demons ; and Larvoe^ or evil spirits, who were a source of
punishment to the bad.
Farmer quotes Crito, to prove that the Larvati were
demoniacs possessed by the larvce^ or evil spirits, of bad
men — the human ghosts of such as had Hved profligate
lives upon the earth.
n. Were the demoniacs actually possessed ? and if so,
were they possessed by the spirits of dead men ?
At the time of Christ, this was no doubt the prevailing
opinion. Josephus says: "Demons are no other than
the spirits of the wicked, that enter into men and kill
them, unless they can obtain some help against them."
Philo says that "the souls of dead men are called
demons."
Justin Martyr, who flourished about the middle of the
second century, speaks of those who were seized and
tormented by the souls of the dead, whom all call demoniacs
and madmen ?
Origen says, of the heathen oracles : " Though they
may be for the most part true, it does not necessarily follow
that any deity presides in them, but rather evil demons
and spirits inimical to the human race" — " demons the
whole tribe of whom are vicious." ( Contra Celsum^ lib.
viii.)
Thus Pagan, Jewish, and Christian authorities prove,
not only that the common opinion was that men were
possessed, but that it everywhere prevailed, assigning this
demoniacal tyranny to the souls of the wicked dead. " The
notion of demons," says Lardner, vol. viii., p. 368, "or
the souls of dead men having the power over living men,
was universally prevalent among the heathens, and was
believed by many Christians," such as Justin, Irenaeus,
Origen, and others.
Now it is a canon of criticism well understood, and
WHAT A DEMON IS. 179
evidently correct: Every word whose meaning is well
established in any age^ when used by any writer of that
age^ and not defined by him^ must be taken in its com-
monly received Ojcceptation by the age in which that
writer lived.
This rule obliges us to believe that Christ admitted as
a fact, that men were possessed by demons; but it ^oes
, not oblige us to believe that he considered these demons
the souls of the dead ; because the word demon was
used to embrace, besides these, those personifying spirits,
- " naturally fraudulent, omniform, and various," of which
lamblichus makes mention.
The word demon is never used by Christ in a good
sense, nor by his apostles, nor by any historical writer of
the New Testament, unless it be in the way of narrative,
as in Acts 17:18. Whatever weight may be assigned to
the argument, that Christ, from motives of prudence,
abstained from attacking in public, the common notion
about demons, it can not be pretended that this could
influence him in his private instructions to his disciples.
In Mat. 17, we are told that "Jesus rebuked the demon^"*
after his disciples had failed to expel him. " Then came
the disciples to Jesus, apart^ and said ; Why could we not
cast him out ? And he said imto them. Because of
your unbelief; howbeit this kind goeth not out but by
prayer and fasting."
Here it is very evident that Christ volunteers a piece
of instruction relating to actual possession by demons, to
his disciples in private, after he had answered their ques-
tion. Would he, whose object it was to teach them all
truth, by private instruction, confirm them in a popular
error, if actual possession was such ? They had fully im-
bibed the common belief respecting the power of demon-
izing spirits over the souls of certam men ; they had heard
180 A THKEE-FOLD TEST.
their Master address the demons in their own person-
ality ; and when accused by the Pharisees of expelling
demons by the aid of the Devil, their prince, they heard
him expose their sophistry, by showing that the Devil
could not be thought so foolish as to promote discord in
his own kingdom ; and hence the known reality of the
Devil would lead them to suppose Christ admitted also
the reality of his demons, and of their influence, which
was the subject of discussion. When we add to this the
matter of his private instruction, the argument for actual
possessions seems to be a very unmanageable one, pro-
vided it can not be shown to involve an essential ab-
surdity.
That it involves no absurdity, is evident from the case
mentioned in Acts : " It came to pass, that as we went
to prayer, a certain damsel, possessed with a spirit of
divination, met us. The same followed Paul and us, and
cried, saying, These men are servants of the Most High
God, which show unto us the way of salvation. Paul,
being grieved, turned and said unto the spirit, I com-
mand thee, in the name of Jesus Christ, to come out of
her, and he came out the same hour."
The original is, " a spirit of Pythian Apollo." That
there is no such a being as Apollo every one admits ; but
because this heathen divinity was reputed to utter oracles
by the frenzied priestess at Delphi, every " clairvoyant^'*
was said to be possessed by his spirit. This circumstance,
by itself, does not prove her to have been a demoniac, but
the facts that Paul commanded the spirit to come out,
and that the spirit obeyed, as in all cases of dispos-
session by Christ, clearly shows that she was really a
demoniac. Nothing is said of any disease, or of any
violent conduct attending her. She was a travelling
medium, the slave of certain men who made money by
A TRAVELLING MEDIUM. ISl
the imposture. There was a "prophesying demon'''' m
her, and Paul set her free from him. K this be not so,
how came he to use the same formula of exorcism that
was used in those cases where the word demon occurs ?
This is, beyond doubt, as clear a case of actual possession
as any other mentioned m the sacred narrative.
^ This fact is conceded, and also urged to prove that, as
she was simply insane, so aU other instances of casting out
demons were nothing more than curing diseases. Sup-
posing this to be the case, what shall we do with that
instance, where Jesus rebuked the evil spirit (disease) who
had uttered his name ; and where it is said "he (the disease)
came out of him and hurt him not"? This, surely, is a
very extraordinary remark. Is it a marvellous thing that
a man should not be hurt by being cured? Such a re-
mark, supposing nothing more intended than restora-
tion to health, is an unfortunate one for the doctrine of
inspiration, and therefore refutes itself.
But there is another case worth our notice, in the con-
sideration of this subject. Our Lord cast a demon out of
a person afflicted also with disease, and " the spirit cried
out and rent him sore, and came out of him, and he was
as one dead, insomuch that many said he was dead." If
the term spirit here means a literal demon with which
he was possessed, there is no difficulty. K not, it must
mean either a disease or his own soul. In either case, the
passage is bereft of sense. The disease cried out, or the
man came out of himself!
Farmer makes use of this argument : " The sacred
writers having given us no notice of their using the word
demon in a new or peculiar sense, did certainly employ it
in reference to possessions, in the same sense which others
did," and hence he argues, as Christ and his apostles
neither believed in the gods of the heathen, nor in the
182 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
transmigration of a soul or spirit from one body to an-
other, they could have meant only the removal of disor-
ders popularly attributed to demons. But this is a non
sequitur. The argument, when fairly stated, is this : Pa-
gans, Jews, and the early Christians used the term demons
to mean pagan gods or the souls of the dead. Christ and
the apostles did not use the term in any new sense, ther.e-
fore they used it to signify pagan gods or human souls !
The falsity of the logical inference shows that the premises
are wrong.
We have shown that the term demon meant also evil
spirits superior to mankind, and who never inhabited
human bodies, and as Christ did not believe in their gods
or their transmigrations of souls, he must have meant
these evil_spirits, for the word demon he never used in a
good sense. Among the heathen it was understood that
there were both good and bad demons, and were it
simply said in the New Testament that demoniacs were
possessed with demons, we could not then absolutely say
they were under bad influences, because the nature of the
spirits would have been undetermined, although their
being cast out would argue badly for their character.
But we are not left in any doubt here : they were called
evil spirits and unclean spirits, and their work proved
them such, therefore Christ and the apostles treated them
as such. When a person is said to be demonized in the
Scripture, the derangement of mind and body as the ef-
fect, proceeding from a demon as the proximate cause, is
intended ; and in every case the common use of the term
allowed our Saviour to understand an evil spirit^ an evil
angel^ without formally stating the meaning he attached
to it, or specifying the exact sense in which he under-
stood it.
We therefore believe that demoniacal possessions were
N. T. USE OF DEMON. 183
literal facts, originated by the Devil remotely, and by bis
angels or demons immediately, and although the argu-
ments against this position are very plausible, we do not
think they can be so presented or pressed as to over-
turn it.
An objection to this view has been raised, on the ground
that there never have been such possessions by demons
before or since the time of Christ, or anywhere but in
the land of Judea. We do not think that such is the
fact. On the contrary, it is clear that possessions existed
long before his time by the testimony of Josephus, for the
Jews had a class among them known as exorcists, whose
profession it was to cast out demons ; and that the pos-
sessions of our Saviour's time were not different from
those that previously existed, is proved by his argumen-
tum ad hominem, which reduced his enemies to silence,
when they accused him of deriving his power in this par-
ticular from the prince of the demons. And that these
phenomena existed beyond the limits of the sphere of his
labors, and also after he left it, is proved by the relation
in Acts, of certain vagabond Jews, who attempted to expel
demons, or evil spirits, in the name of Jesus, in the city of
JEphesus. Whether these Jewish exorcists were all impos-
tors, or whether their process of ejecting demons was sue*
cessful or not, we are not called upon to determine. What
we wish to establish is, that possessions were not pecuHar
to our Saviour's time nor to the land of Canaan. Demon*
ology was the great foundation on which the whole super-
structure of heathenism was erected, and it is, therefore,
a useless waste of time to produce quotations, to prove
, what no person competent to judge will pretend to
deny.
Farmer says : " To some persons it may appear strange
that possessions should be ascribed by many of the fathers,
>'' ••■^mr."-
184 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
after the time of Justin Martyr, to fallen angels. The
following considerations, perhaps, may in some measure
account for their conduct :
" Several philosophers taught that the heathen demons
were evil spirits of a rank superior to mankind, and that
these demons ^ersowa^e J the souls of the dead, gods and
genii, and procured themselves to be worshipped under
their names.
" The fathers ascribed to these celestial demons, what-
ever the heathen in general attributed to their deified
ghosts, and consequently accounted for possessions, with-
out referring them to human spirits."
From this it appears that some demons were, by the
highest authority among the heathen, considered of a
rank superior to mankind. That they were all considered
by the Jews to be wicked spirits is certain. Xow Christ
and his apostles were Jews. They appear to have em-
braced the common opinion that demons were wicked
spirits. Whatever ambiguity might be in the naked
term among the heathen, there was none in the opinion
of the Jews, Luke 7 : 21, "In the same hour he cured
many of their infirmities and plagues (embracing all man-
ner of natural disease), and of evil spirits.^"* 8 : 2, The
evangelist speaks of " certain women who had been healed
of evil spirits and infirmities," among whom is Mary Mag-
dalene, " out of whom went seven demons; " and " when
Christ called imto him his twelve disciples, he gave them
power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to
heal all manner of sickness^ and all manner of disease^"^
Mat. 10:1.
Here we are taught very explicitly, that the casting
out of demons was not the healing of any form of
mere disease at all, but a dislodgment of evil spirits from
persons over whom they had obtained a controlling power.
AN OBJECTION ANSWERED. 185
This instruction was given in private, and as Christ, who did
not believe in the gods and ghosts of paganism, would not
confirm his disciples in the belief of popular error, there is
seemingly no alternative left but to adopt this statement
as a literal fact : he conferred the power of casting out
the angels of the devil, whom the use of the term allowed
him to regard as the veritable demons of paganism.
Agreeably to this the fathers taught. " St. Chrysos-
tom admits that the demons in the possessed persons pre-
tended that they were the souls of such or such a monk,
but himself asserts that it was the Devil that personated
the ghosts of those who suffered a violent death, and
hereby caused men to think they became demons," etc.
{Farmer on Dem.^ p. 51.)
It is, however, not very creditable to this writer, that
he labors to disparage the fathers to gain his point by
saying, " It appears that they, themselves, doubted or
disbelieved the reahty of possessions, though they assert-
ed it in their popular discourses!" ( p. 56.)
The result, then, to which we come, is this : Although
departed spirits were commonly called demons, among
the heathen, there was another class of evil spirits,
who were superior to mankind, so called, and therefore
the common acceptation of the term does not oblige us to
suppose that Christ used it in the former sense ; and as he
always used it in a had sense, and can not be supposed to
have countenanced the idea of human souls returning to
possess the bodies of the living, he must have used it in
a sense fully expressed above, in Chrysostom.
Another objection against this view is, that there are no
possessions at the present day, as there have been none
since the primitive times of Christianity. To this wc
answer:
1. If we have shown logically that Christ did teach the
186 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
reality of possessions, it is not an incredible thing that
similar phenomena should take place again, and that
with such modifications and adaptations, in the fact of
obsessions, as would be thought best by the evil one to
subserve his own designs.
2. It is by no means certain that actual possessions or
obsessions have not taken place from age to age, ever
since the time of Christ. The generahty of men will
probably show great increduhty on this point. But who
so competent to decide as physicians ? Oldshausen says :
" It must not be forgotten that eminent medical men are
of a different opinion ; for example, Esquirol in Paris. Ker-
ner's views are well known on the subject. The missionary
Rheinus gives a remarkable account of a demoniac in the
East Indies in the year ISIV." (Vol. i., p. 275, note.)
Beyond a doubt these instances are rare, but they show
that what has more frequently occurred may as frequent-
ly occur again. Well-authenticated facts outweigh
plausible theories.
Not a few physicians of the present day declare, that
the phenomena of modem Spiritualism can be accounted
for on no other ground than that of spirit agency. Not
only the physical manifestations, but the intelligence
which comes through them, and must come from intellect,
prove this, as they think, and consequently they have
become Spiritualists. Of course they think that both good
and bad spirits are engaged in this business; but this
opinion is not based upon their medical and scientific
knowledge ; therefore we are not to consider their
opinion upon the character of the spirits as commanding
as that which decides upon their existence and opera-
tion in this movement.
Now we are perfectly aware that it is not only unwise,
but superstitious and hurtful, to assign any strange fact
WHAT IS PROVED. 187
to demoniacal influence, if we can present a plausible
natural cause likely to produce it ; but we also believe
that a pertinacious denial of such influence, as a fact
possible and likely to occur, argues a real disbelief
in any personal spiritual agency whatever, such as oc-
curs in every case of renovation of heart, though the
objector would not acknowledge it, either to himself or
others. If our argument, from what professed spirits do
and say, in the movements and influences of modern
Spiritualism, can be shown to be worthless for the sup-
port of our theory, then we stand ready to prove, by the
same method of showing, that the agency of the Spirit
of God in regeneration, and the ministrations of angels
to the heirs of salvation, should also be denied, upon the
same ground. No Christian will assume this position ;
and by the very arguments he uses to support his belief in
the mfluence of the Spirit of God upon his own heart, we
think consistency wiU demand his acceptance of our view,
after he has finished the sequel.
188 A THBEE-rOLD TEST.
CHAPTER V.
" What mountains of delusion men have reared I
How every age hath bustled on to build
Its Bhadowy mole— its monumental dream I" — Fbstus.
THE SECOND TEST OF SPIEITUAUSM.
"life in the spheres."
Internal Evidence of Spirit Literature — Failure of Proffered Test— Fatal
Admissions— Inconsistencies and Contradictions of Spirits— Swedenborg
and Bacon — Heaven not minutely described in the Bible— Reason for it
— Spiritualism offers to supply the Deficiency— The Spheres— Sweden-
borg's Account of his Exit — Condition of Spirits — Spirit Farmers — Priests
in the Bad Place — Invective against Priests — Joy in Heaven over the
Judge's Letter— Its Contents— The Judge caught up in the Spheres, and
sees a Saw-Mill— His View of the Cross— He is honored in the Spirit
, World— Treated to a Ride— He is in the Bad Place— The Judge a Re-
deemer — " John Anderson my Joe !" — A Knot of Priests — The Judge
taken to the Moon — Pythagoras' Account — A Christian in a bad Plight
— Pythagoras' Discourse — No Culprits — Sum of the whole Matter —
Supernal Eloquence of Spirit Channing — Estimate of all these Matters —
" Apocatastasis" quoted— Heaven distinguished from the Spheres-
Elysium — ^Mohammedan Gardens — Modern Spiritualism an Improve-
ment upon them.
In our estimation of the claims of Spiritualism, we are
not obliged to trust to appearances. Reason and conscience
are placed upon the bench, by the great Author of our
being, as the judges by whose decision all things pertain-
ing to the interests of our humanity are to be accepted or
rejected. He can not be the author of a revelation that
INTERNAL EVIDENCE. 189
they would instinctively reject. If any system contain
palpable absurdities, clearly irreconcilable contradictions,
or injunctions repugnant to the moral feelings of our na-
ture, it is unnecessary to examine any evidence of its
divine origiu, for no evidence can outweigh our own
innate perception of incongruities, absurdities, and false-
hood. Whatever deserves immediate rejection by the
verdict of reason and conscience, can not be received on
any amount of evidence that may be presented. K an
intelligence from another world should satisfy me, beyond
all my powers of dispute, of his spirit existence and
presence, and insist that two and two make five, I
must reject him as ahar; or if he give me a commu-
nication repugnant to my conscience, conflicting with
my reason, offensive to my moral feeling, and irreconcila-
ble with itself, I must reject him with disdain as a vile
impostor. But besides this, such must be the harmony
of the revelation with itself, and with the source whence
it professes to come, and with my reason and conscience,
that the supposition of its not coming from the alleged
source, would necessarily involve me in a greater incon-
sistency than the contrary could do ; that is, its rejection
would be more absurd than its reception, no matter what
might be the difficulties I should feel about the latter.
This is what is meant by internal evidence. By this test
we shall now try the claims of Spirituahsm.
It will be seen, by the contents of our second chapter,
that in the application of its own proffered test for the
" conversion of skeptics," notwithstanding the confident
boast that " the spiritual theory can stand all tests," in
every instance of rappings and tippings, there was not
only failure, but absurdity so glaringly inconsistent with
intelligence as to justify the belief, that to whatever other
cause they may be assigned, they are not attributable to
190 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
the Spirits of our departed friends ; for it is clear, that by
the same power a spirit has to give correct affirmative
answers to questions put in a given form,.it can as easily
and as certainly give correct negative answers to the
same questions reversed. And inasmuch as the test em-
ployed is to ascertain the reality of spirit communication,
and as we are told the spirits desire to be tested, that
they may in all cases have a fair opportunity to prove it,
this power would certainly be used, in conformity with
their desire, and with the intelligent variations of reply
as required by that desire, if such spirit power as is claimed
existed iu these manifestations. The failure which is sure
to follow the application of the proffered test, as made
above, is a demonstration of the falsity of the pretense
set up, which we do not see how our Spiritualists can get
over.
That each medium has a power or faculty by which these
phenomena are exhibited, we fully believe. That it " is
owing to physical organization," as Judge Edmonds says,
" more than it is to moral causes," we also believe ; yet
moral causes are not to be excluded ; for each medium
has, or may have, " familiar spirits," competent to do,
through his or her peculiar organization, aU the rappings
and tippings necessary to every personification ; but that
the real spirits of our departed friends are the causes of
them is proved to be a false pretense.
While the Judge denies that there is " a distinct race
of beings, known in the old theology as devils, and repre-
sented as a creation distinct from and independent of the
human family," he admits that there are spirits, " selfish,
intolerant, cruel, mahcious, and delighting in himian suf-
fering upon earth," " having, in common with others, the
power of reaching mankind through this newly-developed
instrumentality." He admits that " this influence displays
A FALSE PKETENSE. 191
itself in various forms, but scarcely ever without tending
to impair confidence in the manifestations." He admits
that " sometimes its fell purposes are most adroitly veiled
under the cover of good intentions," " calm, considerate,
and persevering." {Spiritualism^ vol. u., p. 42.) He
admits that " there are false communications which are
not intentionally so ; some arising from a mistake of the
spirit who is communing, and some from the error of the
medium, who has not yet so studied himself as to be able
to distinguish the innate action of his own m,ind from
the impress of spirit influence;^'' and that "the character
of the mediumship is frequently changing in the same in-
dividual, and that no two mediums are precisely alike.
From this latter cause there must, of necessity, arise an
effect producing some uncertainty." (Ibid.^ 43.) How
much uncertainty he does not say. We think we shall
prove it entire,
!N'otwithstanding all this, he professes to be able to
outwit these bad spirits. " We have," says he, *' the con-
solation of knowing that now we can be conscious of its
presence, and guard against its approaches." How?
Thus : " By applying to it, as we do when weighing
human testimony, the sagacity and searching 'power of
our own reason. {Ibid.^ 42, 43.) We very much fear the
Judge over-estimates his " sagacity." Can we be sure
that his reason is not subject to hallucination, and to the
deceptive influences he has mentioned, as much as that
of other men ? Does he put in for himself a claim of in-
fallibility? This very confidence, we think, only the
more exposes him to be deceived ; and we think we shall
show, out of his own mouth, that this is the case. A man
who writes that in a vision of the realities of another
world, he visited a comfortable farm in the spheres,
on which was a farm-house and a saw-mill, with all their
192 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
appropriate appurtenances, and that " the matron invit-
ed him to call on her again, and she would give him
a driyik ofhuttermilk (!) ", (Spiritualism, vol. ii., p. 144,) ;
is the last man on earth to talk about " the sagacity and
searching power of his own reason," and makes a most
unreasonable demand, when he requires our assent to his
vagaries. A deliberate pubUcation of such things is very-
satisfactory evidence of hallucination, of the imputation
of which, the Judge will find it difficult to get clear.
But perhaps we shall be told, that in our experiments
with the spirits, we did not concentrate the mind upon
the aforesaid questions, and hence the discrepancy. To
this, we reply, that being fully warned of the necessity
of doing so, we did concentrate, slowly repeating in the
mind word for word ; and our consciousness of success,
in a qUiet, unruffled state of collected thought, proves
that such an explanation is not for a moment ad-
missible.
The only other explanation we can think of, is this:
that deceiving spirits have misled us, purposely an-
swering by contradictions. But this would be a begging
of the question, so gross that it would seem a total sur-
render ; for the assurances given us, already named, and
our compliance with all necessary conditions for success,
have taken away all right to any such plea ; and when we
assert that these rappings and tippings are made in such a
hap-hazard way, as to evince no intelligence at all, it can
not be met by an assumption, after the proffered " test"
has failed, in any case.
But again ; we say, if spirits are the authors of the
aforesaid contradictions, they are lying spirits, whose
cunning and imposture can not be guarded against ; and
that whenever, or however, we detect such contradic-
tions, incongruities, and unseemly intellectual manifesta-
w
THE BIBLE TEST. 198
tions, we fix the character of the spirits as descriptive of
those whose coming is foretold in the !N"ew Testament :
" Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter
times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to
seducing spirits, and doctrines of demons." (1 Tim.
4:1.) We read, also, as descriptive of the latter times,
of " the working of Satan, with aU power, and signs, and
lying wonders," of " deceivableness of unrighteousness
in them that perish ; because they received not the truth,
that they might be saved, and for this cause God shall
send them strong delusion, that they should believe a
lie ; that they all might be damned who believed not the
truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." (2 Tliess.
2 : 9-12.) In connection with the announcement of
" perilous times in the last days," and descriptive of cer-
tain characters of those times, it is said : " Evil men and
seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and be-
ing deceived." This is followed by a commendation of
the Scriptures as our only guide.
INow, whatever may be said by our Spiritualists of the
Scriptures, it is evident by their own admissions, that
these prophetic announcements are remarkably fulfilled
by the mendacity of the spirits ; and that in this fulfill-
ment, after the lapse of centuries, through the agency
of this movement, we have an additional test in favor of
the claims of the Bible which they repudiate, a little
more powerful than any thing they can boast of. Other
people will see it if they will not.
Some of these admissions we have given, but there are
others we must not pass over.
" Our records," says the Judge, " show us beyond
peradventure, that at times, ignorant, unprogressed, infe-
rior, and sometimes positively mischievous spirits, do com-
mune with us, through the instrumentality of this inter-
course." (Spiritualism^ vol. i., p. 47.)
194 A THEEE-rOLD TEST.
" I know of no mode of spiritual intercourse that is ex-
empt from moral taint — no kind of mediumship where
the communication may not be affected by the mind of
the instrument." {Spiritualism^ vol. ii., p. 39.)
" No two spirits seem to agree as to what is the truth,
any more than two mortals !" (Modern Spiritualism, by
Capron, p. 378.)
" On the subject of the existence of a great First
Cause we have no new proofs or revelations. The proba-
bility is that spirits generally know but little, if any, more
about how, where, or in what form the Deity exists,
than we mortals. I see nothing in the new revelations
that would, of necessity, lead an atheist to change his
views. The most confirmed atheist may believe in im-
mortality and be a refined Spiritualist. More than this,
he can get his views sanctioned by the spirits as readily
as the most devout believer in any of the thousand forms
in which popular theology has clothed the Author of na-
ture. The anthropomorphism of the Jews and most pro-
fessing Christians, and the pantheism of the admirers of
nature as God, may all find spirits — good spirits, too — to
agree with them. I say good spirits, for I would not
sanction the folly of condemning spirits or men either for
a difference of opinion, especially where no positive tangi-
ble proof could be produced I ! ! " {Idem, pp. 379, 380.)
" Many ways need the strictest scrutiny, as it is diffi-
cult to detect which is the spiritual and which an emana-
tion from the mind of the medium. This is particularly
the case with writing and speaking. So much can be
done by the human mind without the aid of spirits, when
in certain peculiar conditions, that it is not safe to say
that spirits are writing or speaking, without the most
positive proofs. Such proofs have been abundant, and
the tests satisfactory to thousands. Still, much self-decep-
tion exists in regard to mediumship, and through this
many have been deceived, and many, seeing no proof of
spiritual power, have left the investigations in disgust,
unwilhng to spend their time where assertions were given
instead of proof, and where a nervous action was claim-
ed to be the work of spirits out of the flesh." {Idem^
pp. 381, 382.)
EUINOUS ADMISSIONS. 195
" Many Spiritualists, at the present day, being very
zealous to advance their cause, sometimes think they see
what they do not ; and, from a small beginning, often
get up a marvellous story, and this, too, in perfect sincer-
ity ! " (JV. T. Miracles, etc., by Fowler.)
Think of that. Judge ; what proof have we of better
authority for the " Visions " ?
" In regard to Paul, and such great personages com-
municating, I have to say that an observer of the mani-
festations soon comes to regard with suspicion, spirits
claiming to be such ; for that same vanity which often
prompts men to pretend to something above themselves,
likewise prompts spirits not unfolded in goodness and
wisdom, to assume great names ; and the more because
they are invisible, and can practise with considerable suc-
cess upon the creduUty of the unwary." (Reply to Dr.
Lind, by Bland.)
This, of course, refers to the personations of Bacon,
Swedenborg, Webster, Washington, Calhomi, Clay, and
others whose earthly fame is used by Hving spirits to
gain eclat to their sounding periods.
Confirmatory of this, comes forth Swedenborg himself,
with this complaint :
"It is not strange, that very many, either from an
over-anxiety to commune or from a careless disregard of
what they deem a trivial falsehood, assumed false names,
and among all those who have been falsely personated;
there has been no one more frequently so than Sweden-
borg." " There are some who, for mischievous purposes,
assume a false character, and teach false doctrine, to de-
ceive and milsead." {Spiritualism, vol. i., pp. 370, 371.)
The last quotation is from a speech of the Baron, utter-
ied through the Judge, as his mouth-piece ; and although
t is doubtless claimed as proof of his identity, we take it
to be an expert trick of some pseudo-Swedenborg, (unless
196 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
it be laid at the door of clairvoyance,) " most adroitly
veiled under the cover of good intentions." How can it
be disproved ?
It will be remembered that the staple of both octavos,
by the Judge and the Doctor, is professedly from Bacon
and Swedenborg. This shall furnish owe proof ^ that these
gentlemen, whose sincerity we do not doubt, are grossly
deceived that the internal evidence shows an unmistakable
personation ; and that our Spirituahsts have no means of
rebutting the charge, in the face of the aforesaid admis-
sions.
We are perfectly willing to abide the issue of the test^
when fairly applied, as laid down by Mr. Brittan, in this
form : " We insist that the real character of the spirits
is most clearly revealed in what they do and say, and
that the declaration of Christ, on this point, is the law
of nature : ' Wherefore, by their fruits shall ye know
them.' " (Meview of JBeecher, p. 73.) This is certainly
fair, for if their words and actions are not conformable to
the doctrine of progressio7i, of which we must judge by
their known earthly attainments, they are to be set down
as deceivers. As to their real character, from some
things that they do, let us hear the author of " Familiar
Spirits," Mr. " Veriphilos Credens," p. 49 : "I do be-
. lieve in evil spirits — in spirits as evil as mortals are — I
believe there may be those, who, like some human beings,
*>|^ delight in mischief and deception, and in aU kinds of
viUany ever practised on earth ; and I can much more
readily believe, that such spirits perform those deeds of
mischief, which he (Dr. Pond) speaks of— such as tearing
clothes and destroying furniture — ^than that magnetism
or electricity, even the detached vitahzed, can do them.
I^ow we insist that from all the manifestations yet
made, we have no assurance but that every one of them
RUINOUS ADMISSIONS. 197
may be from the same source of evil. If these spirits
" delight in all kinds of villany ever practised on earth,"
and if some kinds of villany on earth have been to
deceive under the apparently pure garb of honesty,
and like western hunters using the mechanical tleat to
entice the mother doe to a cleared spot where the fatal
ball may reach her heart, betray the confiding by false
pretenses, where is the assurance that every spirit
demonstration having the appearance of good, is not
thus made with the direst purpose of accomphshing
in the long run some hellish end ? There is no security
against this ; nay, it would seem to chime in exactly
with the character of those who delight in " all kinds of
vUlany." '^
" But," it is asked, " if evil spirits can thus come to
perplex and distress us, can any reason be assigned why
good ones may not come to comfort and console us ?"
{Ibid.) The author refers to our departed friends, and
our answer is ready. They can not comfort or console,
much less defend us ; for by the testimony of the Bible,
when the dust returns to dust, " the spirit returns to
God who gave it," and in all the biographies of the
Bible, there is not a single instance of a mortal being
revisited by a spirit relative, for this or any other purpose.
Besides, God has provided better means for our consola-
tion, and more efficient guards for our defense, if we ac-
cept them. Hence, good spirits, who " eest from their 'Ij^
labors," are to be troubled no more with the perplexi-
ties of earth, assured that he who "hears the ravens when
they cry" will take care of every dear one left behind.
(2 Sam. 12 : 23.)
As to the " real character of the spirits from what they
SAY," we shall mostly confine ourselves to the matter of
the work on " Spiritualism," by the Judge and the Doc-
198 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
tor, professedly the media of the spirits of Lord Bacon and
Baron Swedenborg. And we do this the more readily,
because of the contrast complacently drawn by the former
of these media in his introduction to vol. ii. :
" I could conceive of no reason why the humble and
the lowly of this day could not as well become such
instruments as the fishermen of Galilee, nor why the in-
structed of modern times could not receive and impart
of them as well as of him of Tarsus, of whom it was said,
even from high places, that much learning had made him
mad !" This is very cool, but however ambitious our
author may be of rivalling the fame of Paul, we feel quite
sure, that after the perusal of these volumes, no one will
think of quoting the famous exclamation of Governor
Felix as indicative of the cause of his mental alienation.
To prove the spirit Swedenborg to be some personating
demon, we have only to note his incongruities, and to
quote him against himself. Thus he speaketh :
1. " Say what men may, teach what men may teach,
still the sold of man is apart of God himself'* (Vol. i., p.
10.) This is a manifest absurdity, whose implications are
monstrous and blasphemous : for as man is a sinner, it
covers the divine nature with human guilt ! " The soul
that sinneth, it shall die ;" but the soul is a part of God
himself, therefore that part of God that sinneth must die!
The communications of this spirit begin with the solemn
announcement, "In the name of God, I am Swedenborg;"
and on the very next page but one, utters this preposter-
ous sentence :
2. " The very intention of man's creation (a small one
to be sure) was that man should understand both life and
death ; by the fall (if indeed this be true) he lost the
Imowledge of death!" (P. 104.)
" What you consider the faU of man, is only the great
INCONGRUITIES. 109
change in his mental and material nature, produced bj
the increase of numbers, the wants and necessities that
arose around him, the occupation of his thoughts with the
circumstances of his material condition, and the entire
direction of his mind from spiritual things to the subjects
of earth!" (P. 122.)
These extracts give us the following precious truth :
That part of God which is in man, lost the knowledge
of death, simply by the increase of the human species
with its multiplied necessities, thereby superinducing a
change in man's mental and material nature. And if the
doctrine of the fall be true, of which he is not certain,
this is the fall ; in which, when man feU, God also fell in
part ; because the soul is " a part of God himself" !
3. " The return of the soul to the source from which it
emanated does not suppose it necessary that the Godhead
should absorb it within itself. This would be incompati-
ble with his nature." (P. 109.)
Spirits go on progressing "until they have passed
beyond these spheres, and enter the glorious mansions of
what we call heaven, but they scarce lose their material
organization, sublimated, it is true, by every ascending
step, as they rise in the circle of their progress, till at last
materiality is swallowed up in spirituality, and they either
become incorporated in the whole of the First Cause, or
exist as I have said!" (P. 146.)
Passing other matters of absurdity, in one extract, ab-
sorption of souls in the God is said to be " incompatible
with the divine nature ;" but in the other, it is altogether
compatible, that they should be incorporated with God!
This glaring contradiction comes from a spirit professedly
from the highest sphere, who utters this untruth of him-
self: "I had lived jowre and unspotted, send, when I left
the world, I was ushered into what has been stated as the
sixth sphere." (P. 174.)
200 Jl theee-fold test.
4. " Beyond the vision of the most powerful telescope
there are world filled with spirits whose birth is for ever
and ever I'' (P. 107.)
Well-ordered words these, for a progressed phi-
losopher !
5. "When the mind attempts to separate the spirit
from matter, it has just no conception of spirit. There-
fore we can not invest the Creator with form ov personal-
ityP (P. 262.
" K the identification of spirit with matter were un-
folded to your minds, the whole mystery of the Great
First Cause would be understood !" (P. 263.)
Because spirit is identified with matter, therefore the
Creator has no personality, and could this identification
be unfolded, we could explain the nature of God I Can
the ravings of lunacy beat this ?
6. Swedenborg must be an enemy to modem geology, .%
for he says : " Take the soil from earth's centre^ and bring S_
it to the surface, and it will germinate vegetation in some
form as soon as it feels the light and heat." (P. 264.)
What have ye to say to that, ye maudlin race who are
dreaming about the mysteries of Plutonic rock and fancied
internal fires within the crust of the earth ? Know, hence- ♦
forth, that there is soil at the centre^ and bum your books
of fiction !
7. The Baron was well acquainted with Scripture, when
on earth ; but he must have in a measure lost his memory
in the spheres, contrary to the doctrine of progression ;
for he exhorts his media to mingle afiections and aspira-
tion together ; that together they may wander toxoard the
mark of their high calling^ (vol. i., p. 353;) and he makes
a worse mistake in saying: "We can understand the
teachings of Christ, where he says, ' Work out your own
salvation with fear and trembling' " ! (Vol. ii., p. 171.)
CONTRADICTIONS. 201
8. " You have been taught that God is a principle,''^
(p. 343 :) and this prmciple " God, when he stamped the
impress of his sentient particle (the soul) which came
from him, endowed it with the almighty attributes of his
nature'' I ! ! (Vol. ii., p. 355.)
Such are some of the crudities of the spirit Swedenborg,
and we submit it to the judgment of any clear-minded
man whether any good spirit could be the author of such
miserable trash.
I^ow let us hear from " my Lord Bacon." He offers as
proof of his identity the following test :
" In regard to my identity, I have to say that you can
judge whether or not it be Lord Bacon by the truth of
my teachings." " You can correctly ascertain the true
character of the spirit purporting to teach, by the subject-
matter of his teachmgs, as well as by the peculiar method
by which he communicates his ideas." (Vol. i., pp. 113,
186.)
In the application of this proffered test, it will be seen,
as his " familiar" Swedenborg has been shown out of his
own mouth to be a lying spirit, so the Judge will not be
able to save his Bacon from the same " manifestation."
My lord thus discourseth :
1. " All good and pure spirits do not reside near this
earth, if, indeed, anywhere near it. Some reside mil-
lions of miles distant, others on planets near the earth."
(Vol. i., p. 111.) This is contradicted by the communica-
tions through Dr. Hare, who says : " At the distance of
about sixty miles from the terrestrial surface, the spirit
world commences. It consists of six hands or zones (not
planets) designated as spheres, surrounding the earth, so
as to have one common centre with it, and with each
other. An idea of these rings may be formed from that
of the planet Saturn." " The heaven of Spiritualism is
202 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
more than one hundred thousand miles below the moonP^
(IIare''s Letter to Episcopal Clergy?^
These facts were agreed upon, and confirmed to him by
a " convocation of spirits." But another convocation of
spirits, with Bacon at their head, declared : " It takes an
eternity to reach the celestial spheres. I mean ages on
ages shall roll away, before progression can develop attri-
butes to entitle us to a residence in heaven." (Yol. ii.,
p. 92.)
According to Bacon and his compeers, good spirits do
not reside near the earth at all, but millions of miles off;
and even then, are not in heaven. According to the
other " convocation," heaven itself is more than one hun-
dred thousand miles below the moon.
Now the distance of the moon from us is some two
hundred and thirty seven thousand miles, and hence the
heaven of the Spirituahsts is but between one and two
hundred thousand miles from the earth. Gentlemen-Spirit-
ualists, which are we to believe? Spirit Bacon says:
" Christ now dwells where God is made manifest," (vol.
i., p. 384,) this being nuUions of miles distant ; but Hare's
convocation of spirits says : " Christ is in the seventh or
highest sphere," more than a hundred thousand miles be-
low the moon. Gentlemen-Spiritualists, which, and whom
shall we believe ?
2. As to angels^ spirit Bacon asks : " Could God create
two distinct classes of beings out of himself, and give to
one the precedence over the other ? If from his own na-
ture he has created man, how, from that same nature,
could he have fashioned another race of beings distinct
from man ? What are considered by you as angels^ arc
but the beatified spirits of men." (Vol. i., p. 200.)
This is contradicted by spirit Swedenborg, who, in
speaking of the creation of man, says : " His nature was
INCONGRUITIES. 203
pure, and that angels visited the earth hourly and daily,
and conversed with man, and that his spirit could asso-
ciate with them without fear." (Vol. i., p. 105.)
3. Spirit Bacon, referring to the Bible account of the
creation, says : " It is said that God created man from the
dust of the earth. Kow this is very well;'''' (vol. i., p. 210 ;)
but only forty pages before, he declared : " I can not say
that he (man) was derived from one source or one being,"
while Swedenborg fully denies the Bible account of man's
formation. He says : "That there was a first man
especially and particularly created to occupy the garden
of Eden, is opposed to all my belief." (Vol. i., p. 126.)
4. Spirit Bacon, speaking of the Koean, says : " He
(Mohammed) was impressed, and there are many truths in
his writings. If they were divested of their admixture
with materiality, or earth's materiality (!), they would
shadow forth many scenes of the spheres here." (Vol. i.,
p. 153.)
Speaking of the Bible, he says : " One great feature of
these revelations (of Spiritualism) is to disabuse the mind
of errors, which have been engrafted on their hearts as
the results of an overweening faith in the doctrines er-
roneously inculcated as of God, and as found in the
Bible:' (Vol. i., p. 224.)
5. Spirit Bacon teaches the preexistence of the hu-
man soul, and that of this fact the only rehable evidence
we have is the feeling of superstition ! He says : " Man
is a part of God himself!" {Ibid., p. 266.) " There is,
after all, an innate feeling in man's nature, of what is
called superstition, but what I consider the only evidence
we have that man's spirit recognizes the source from
whence it emanated, and recollected, perhaps, something
which impressed its consciousness before it was sent into
the world." (Vol. i., p. 201.) Can any absurdity outdo
this?
204 A THKEE-FOLD TEST.
6. Spirit Bacon says : " There is as much conflict of
opinion here (in the spirit world) on the true nature of
Christ, as with you !" (Vol. i., p. 213.)
1. Lord Bacon, when on earth, understood the Scrip-
tures and the teachings of Christ ; but pseudo-Bacon ex-
hibits a remarkable ignorance on this matter, and asserts
as true, what a simple perusal of the New Testament de-
monstrates to be false. Thus it is asserted, Christ
" taught that man was a part of God, that in his spirit ex-
isted the elements of eternal progression, and that all that
was required of him was to believe in God, to love one
another, and to develop the powers and faculties with
which that God had gifted hun." (Vol. i., p. 216.)
When Christ, at the age of twelve, disputed in the
temple, we are told : " He reasoned of life, death, and
eternity, and the ground-work of all his teaching was,
that the moral purity of man's life on earth was the
guarantee of his happiness after death" ! We are told,
"He taught all that spirits Swedenborg and Bacon teach!"
We are reminded that "He presents the spirit as a
part of God." It is said : " He does not associate himself
in any way with the adoration of the Father," and that
" He distinctly refuses to be regarded as any other than
a man and the son of man" ! "He taught the faith we
teach, and in ever^ particular Christ was a Spiritualisf\^/
" He brought man near to God, and bid him understand
his connection with the Father. His conditions were
Repent, and in this he sums'up all of spiritual doctrines."
(Ihid., pp. 379-381.) We are told that " there is one fea-
ture of his mission which has not been apprehended, or
even noticed, by all the divines of every sect who have
pretended to explain his teachings since his death, and
that is, he spoke when on earth to the very feelings and
thoughts which could and would improve by the know-
ledge which he taught" ! ! {Jlkl, 383.)
MENDACITY. 205
Here are, in regular succession, no less than eight dis-
tinct LIES, known to be such by any one who has read atten-
tively the ]^ew Testament. Therefore, since spirit
Bacon, after being in the spheres for nearly three cen-
turies, declares that " he never has seen Christ," {Ibid.^
p. 334,) doubtless it is hereby shown, that being so re-
gardless of truth, he never will see him; for by his own
demonstration, he is one of the " lying spirits gone forth
into the world."
The proof of this will be more amplified by the details
of the chapter on "Life in the Spheres."
There is a curious appendix to the first volume of
"Spiritualism," containing fac-similes of the hand-writ-
ings of Dr. Dexter, Swedenborg, Bacon, Hopper, and of
two other spirits unknown. There is a marked difierence
between them, but a medical friend has pointed out to us
the significant fact, that in all of them, even in the tremulous
writings of the old gentlemen spirits Hopper, and another,
the Vs are crossed with the same hold stroJce. This was
an oversight.
8. Spirit Bacon argues against the personality of God,
and yet says : " Though the very God is a principle^ yet
he is and must be a person^'' (Yol. ii., pp. 130, 131.)
But Swedenborg says : " We can not invest him with per-
sonality because of the identity of spirit with mat-
ter" !
9. Spirit Bacon thus discourses : " Matter being eter-
nal does not prove that it was from the beginning with
God. It exists eternally. God is a principle, and also an
identity. If God was from the beginning, and in him was
all knowledge, power, and wisdom, it must have been
through these attributes that every thing was created. To
suppose that matter existed ah initio^ would confer on an
unconscious substance the same properties that belong to
■"^^
206 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
God, especially if he did not create it ; or at least, existing
at the same time with him, it would have had a creator
antecedent to God, who possessed more power than he
did or does. One remark is true, that God pervades
every thing. But listen. Let the mind go back to that
period when the Spirit of the First Cause sprang forth, self-
created, and in all the glory of his might and majesty.
Imagine, that standing alone amid the everlasting space,
he looks around and sees nothing existent but an infinite
nothing, and then suppose him creating from his own
body the several properties which constitute matter, and
from another principle developing spirit!"
" It may not be amiss to inform you at this time, that
among many spirits of high estate there are many who
believe God himself the product of developed intelli-
gence" ! ! (Vol. ii., pp. 237, 238.)
" The soul, then, as you have learned, is a part of the
God himself, and it is not an arbitrary creation" ! "The
soul is a God of itself, for it possesses the power of gener-
ating thought" ! " As it is an emanation from the God,
it possesses much of its nature, and it is only its admix-
ture with matter that prevents its manifesting the attri-
butes which such an origin has conferred upon it" ! !
"The ultimate destiny of the soul is to assist God in the
administration of his laws" ! {Ibid.^ pp. 314, 315.)
Spirit Bacon, thus tried by its own test, is shown to be
a gross deceiver, and although we do not question the
sincerity of the authors of " Spiritualism," doling out such
miserable sentiments in two 8vo volumes, embracing 1047
pages of matter of the same absurdity, blasphemy, and
folly, we can not shield them from their own demonstra-
tion of enormous deception practised upon themselves and
upon others ; nor ought we to refrain from exposing the
fraud of this monstrous system of heathenism and demon-
HEAVEN NOT DESCRIBED. 20 7
craft, by which they seek to assail the principles of
Christianity and the Bible, and to subvert the faith of
men to their everlasting ruin.
The Bible gives us no description of the world to come.
Its outline drawings of the facts and realities of the
future, are enough to overwhelm the soul. We have, it
is true, a glowing assemblage of images in the Revelation
of John, but they are so differently combined from the
groupings of earth, with which we are famihar, that they
Avere evidently intended to convey but a general idea of
the magnificence and glory that surround the saints in
light. After all that has been said iu the Bible, to give im-
pressiveness to that idea, IhQ failure to describe^ suggested
in every seeming approximation, leaves the most power-
ful impression upon the heart.
When Paul was caught up to the third heaven, we are
told that he " heard unspeakable words," (and doubtless
saw indescribable things,) " which it is not lawful for man
to utter ;" not that there was an express prohibition of
utterance, but he was not able to make any delineation
adequate to the subject, or appreciable by the human
mind with its present experience and limited powers of
conception. N"othing can convey to us a more exalted
idea of the state of the blessed, than the scene of the
transfiguration of Christ, when Moses and Elias appeared
talking with him on the mount, connected with that en-
rapturing assurance, we Jcnow that when he shall appear^
we shall he like him; but of the place and its visual glories
as they actually fall upon the sight of the inhabitants of
heaven, we can have no description, for there is no ma-
terial in human thought or language, out of which it can
be made. The reason, therefore, is quite satisfactory.
Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered the
heart of man, the things which Qod hath prepared for
208 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
them that love him. Hence we at once perceive the
propriety of the omission, which the modern revelations
seem most ambitious to supply.
There is nothing more certain than that the human
mind has an innate sense of the dignity of this theme, and
it can never approach it without strangely commingled
feelings of desire, and reverence, and awe. To whom this
sense is intensified by the Scriptures, wrought up into the
thoughts of all who have properly and profitably pe-
rused them, the venture of our SpirituaHsts will appear
hazardous, and wiU furnish a most decisive test of the
entire falsity of their system. Did their communications
speak to the heart in a voice, and with such ideas that
bear home their own evidence of heavenly origin to the
spirituality of our being ; and with an ability to satisfy the
wants and aspirations of the soul, actually elicit the feel-
mg, " this is all my nature needs, and all it craves," they
might claim the respect of mankind : but as they only
speak to the carnality and the earthliness of our nature,
they bear their own evidence of imposture and deceit.
To settle this matter, we present the following extracts
descriptive of " Life in the Spheres," allowing our Spirit-
ualists to speak for themselves.
"The most elevated specimens of the spiritual litera-
ture," says Dr. Hare, " would no doubt be found in the
communications from Swedenborg and Lord Bacon, in
Judge Edmonds's and Dr. Dexter's first and second vol-
umes." "We, then, are on sure groimd.
the spheees.
" The idea of spheres is but imperfectly understood, and
the statements on that subject received and recognized as
true, are so but in part, as spirits know but little of space
beyond the sphere they occupy. Spirits, after leaving the
THE SPHERES. 209
body, are conducted to localities adapted to the capacities
and the condition of their minds, in reference to educa-
tion, society, and progress. Thus, a highly educated
mind — one familiar with all the knowledge of the schools,
of strong desires to understand the laws of nature, and of
an affinity with the purity and attributes of the Creator
— is conducted to a globe or planet adapted by its local-
ity and formation to develop the properties of his mind
to an approach nearer to the plane where the Spirit of
God is most manifest in all its power and glory.
" A man who has Hved on earth until old age, who has
cultivated his mind and desires, dies.
" Now, in proportion to his spiritual development does
his spirit seek that place in which he will meet with cor-
responding circumstances, which will assist him in accom-
plishing the more intense action of his mind, caused by
the loss of his grosser part, or body.
" When he arrives at the place of his residence, his body
assumes the characteristics of the inhabitants of that place,
whose organization is, of course, more ethereal and spiritual
than if born on this earth. As spirits do not all possess
the same degree of purity of nature, they, of course, must
seek a like congeniahty of organization, desires, and attri-
butes." {Spiritualism, vol. i., pp. 110-112.)
Spirit Swedenborg says :
" Now spirits possess a material nature, and this nature
or form in some is so gross, that it is almost subject to
laws as imperative as those on earth. I mean as material
laws. Their material nature is under influences which re-
quire obedience, and though there is none of the physical
suffering you have, yet there is as much material neces-
sity and absolute want in proportion to the grossness of
their natures as there possibly can be in your material
world.
" Under this statement you can plainly see what will
follow.
"Thus we have as much of life with us as with you under
the wants of our nature, and it would be simple in the ex-
treme to suppose for a moment that God made a material .
210 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
solid earth, and placed in it spirits who were so impal-
pable that they could not adapt either their bodies or
spirits to the necessities of climate, of soil, of food, etc. But
we are sent to places (by our affinities always) where we
can comply with all the circumstances, just as you do when
you select a place to reside, though our population is di-
vided more rationally, more justly, than are the divisions
of classes with you. We eat and drink of the fruits and
vegetables of the countries where we reside. This, how-
ever, we do always, as far as I can learn ; for as long as
matter exists, it can not maintain itself without support
from some external source. And then if we eat, there
must be some one to grow the food, for the climates do
not always produce spontaneously food for all. But this
is a matter of choice who shall labor, and we all, in our
neighborhoods, take turns in so doing, and thus all do
their duty to themselves and others. Most frequently
spirits associate together in neighborhoods or commu-
nities, composed of members varying from fifty to five
hundred, and while the absorbing topics of progression
and purity, of development and affection, occupy our
minds mostly, yet the usual duties of material life are just
as incumbent on us as with you, always modified by our
organization and the circumstances in which we are situ-
ated, and the place where our affinities direct us." (Ibid.,
p. 167.)
SWEDEXBOKG'S ACCOUNT OF HIS EXIT.
" I had lived to impart to the world the realities which
were unfolded to my mortal vision of the various condi-
tions and states of the world I now inhabit. I had lived
pure and unspotted, and when I left the world I was
ushered into what has been stated as the sixth sphere.
" But in the course of the great revolution which took
place in my opinions on many subjects, it became neces-
sary that I should -visit many of the departments of spirit
life, and thus, and by conversation with and accounts
given me by other spirits, I have become acquainted with
many of the facts which I now inculcate.
Let it be understood, then, first, that this is a world
occupied by spirits, or, rather, men, women, and children,
SWEDENBORG'S ACCOUNT. 211
mingling as their desires, tastes, inclinations or pleasures
impel tliem, accomplishing and carrying out the great ob-
jects of their formation, the development of the spirit it-
self to that exact state when and where it will manifest
the properties and attributes so corresponding to those
of the Great First Cause, that they can live and exist
eternally in direct communication and connection with all
that possibly can be known or realized as God ; and,
second, that the different spheres are localities assigned to
the progressed spirits, and they represent a state of eleva^
tion, and are reached only by a still more sublimated and
refined materiality and advance of knowledge and good-
ness of the souls than belonged to the bodies or spirits
occupying the sphere below.
" Now when I arrived at the sixth sphere, I found my-
self surrounded by spirits whom I had known on earth,
and was immediately made a member of a community,
composed, for the most part, of spirits of relatives or
friends with whom I was connected in life. The newness
of every thing impressed me with delight. The air was
pure, and the whole heavens were bright and clear beyond
all comparison. I saw no difference in the sky, except its
brightness and purity; and on looking abroad on the
earth, I could detect no difference in its appearance from
our earth, except in the heavenly beauty and harmony in
the arrangement of the landscape. The diversified cha-
racter of the scenery, the mountains, not ragged and steep
as on earth, but rounded with every regard to the har-
mony and beauty of all the other scenery ; the trees, the
rocks and mountains, the flowers and birds, the gushing
torrents and the murmuring rivulets, the oceans and
rivers, man, woman, and chUd, all passed before me, so
far excelling every thing I had conceived or imagined in
the beauty of form, in the glorious demonstrations of their
nature, in the palpable and evident exhibition that they
were beings who inhabited an earth near to the gates
of heaven, that my spirit, lifted beyond itself, sprung forth
in one spontaneous gush of love and praise, and I blessed
God who had vouchsafed to me the privilege I then en-
joyed.
" We occupy earth — tangible, positive earth — as much
212 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
as your earth ; but the advanced state of both spirit and
locality renders it unnecessary for us to labor much to ob-
tain food for the support of our bodies. Then, again, the
earth brings forth spontaneously most of the food required
for our bodies. And I would say, the advanced spirits
do not require as much food as those who are below them.
Their bodies, in every sphere to which they are elevated,
lose a portion of their grossness, and as they are more re-
fined, they become more Hke the spirit itself. We have
trees — real trees and flowers, and mountains and rivers,
and rocks, and every thing material." {Ihid.^ 174-176.)
THE CONDITION OP BAD AND PKOGEESSING SPIRITS.
" I do not imagine the moral condition of the spirits of
the lower spheres differs materially from the moral con-
dition of the unprogressive man in your world. They
may, it is true, have moments when their spirits yearn for
the brighter spheres beyond their dark plane, when, con-
scious of its birthright, the soul awakens to a sense of its
own degradation, and realizes its true situation ; but they
Hve and act as unprogressive man does, daily performing
their accustomed round of malicious action, and carrying
out the designs of their blunted perceptions ; and it is not
till some event, out of the ordinary occurrences of life,
arouses them completely, and opens their understandings
for the reception of truth, that they begin to progress.
There is so httle difference in the whole action of spirit
life from your life, except that one step forward has been
made, (I do not refer to the higher spheres, of course,) that
the correspondence is almost exact. Their remorse, when
made sensible of their wickedness, must be more keenly
felt than by man. Here they can have the tangible evi-
dence of truth, of the beauty of holiness. With you,
much, of course, must be appreciatory.
" But when the spirit is awakened to a full view of all
that is before him, with the bright spirits of friends and
relations near him, with all that can assure him and sup-
port him, then it is that the full consciousness of his de-
gradation crushes him Hke a weed ; his agony is indeed
overpowering. It is the terrible workings of repentance
»
CONDITION OP SPIRITS. 213
in spirit divested of the grossness of materiality. {Ibid.^
p. 230.)
" Nature, or God, never develops any thing at once or
immediately. Every thing has its beginning, its increase,
its progress, and may be, its decline. But to man, this
sudden upturning of all that applies to his nature and to
his habits is, in my opinion, equivalent to a new construc-
tion. But when the heart that has constantly contem-
plated the goodness of God, the emanations of his hands,
and the gushing tenderness of his love, when it for
years struggled to subvert all that is of error or wrong
in its very imaginings, then when convicted of that
wrong, it bows its soul in very misery before its own
weakness, it looks only to God for help and assistance.
Thus, I say, the progressive spirit suffers more of what
may be called hell, than even the degraded spirit, and
can only begin to suffer when it begins to rise.
Every spirit has some daily duty. They work for the
benefit of themselves and the good of all. They are
divided by their own wishes and tastes into all those
classes which emanate from the various necessities and
conveniences of community. But their labor is compara-
tively light, and their time is occupied a good deal in the
higher labors of thought, social intercourse, visiting, and
study. In addition, they develop beauty whenever and
wherever they can, and thus they bring themselves nearer
to truth by impressing on their souls the idea of its na-
ture. From the sparkling star which twinkles in the dis-
tance, to the full blaze of the noonday sun ; ay, from the
little pebble to the lofty mountain, whose jagged rocks
turn toward their Creator ; from the vilest creeping evi-
dence of life, through aR and every part of creation, to
the man who is at its head, God has made and fashioned
every thing as beautiful, and taught us to consider the
works of his hands as good.
Spirits visit much, and it seems as much a part of their
lives to visit their friends, as it is faithfully to perform
their other obligations. Thus they visit their friends in
the sphere to which they belong, or the sphere below
them. But their longest visits, and those considered
most a duty, are those which they make to their friends
214 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
on earth. That occupies no little portion of their time,
and while with you they are accomplishing some one of
the specific duties which are required of them in the
sphere to which they belong.
When visiting a sick friend, they stay as long as it may
be consistent with their feelings, or the state of the dis-
ease. And when a death occurs, they are ready to re-
ceive the spirit. When a friend is depressed in feeling,
or has some great trouble to overcome, or when he or
she has sufiered from the wrong of other friends, or when
about to do wrong, or when about to do good, then it is
that they flock around, and by then- impressions aid, or
try to direct, as may be proper.
But the time is passed almost, and I must leave. Good-
night." {Ibid., pp. 232, 233.)
*' Now in the second sphere, there are many places or
planets occupied by spirits, and it goes to one or the
other in obedience to this law, and there remains until it
is ushered into the sphere above. It finds the land or
earth which it inhabits organized like your own, requiring
labor to develop its resources, and that it is incumbent
on it to labor for its own good as well as others'. And
here let me say, that, in the spheres, labor is substantially
the first fealty demanded in any community of any
person who may claim to be a member. It is the great
characteristic of the spirit-land, and is recognized as of
God.
In the second sphere, the organization being less refin-
ed than in the spheres above, the new spirit olten finds it
necessary to shelter its body from the sun or storm ; not
because it gives it pain, or that it would induce sickness
or disease to expose its body to all the variations of tem-
perature, but that its pleasures are enhanced by its com-
pliance with all the laws of nature ; and to expose the
body to cold or wet, with its organization not entirely
freed from all admixture of earth, would diminish the
real pleasure it would receive from shelter or protection.
Consequently, it erects its habitations, and clothes its
body, and looks out for the means of sustaining its
strength, or, rather, of providing for its appetite. Learn,
also, that the laws of nature, in their application to the
CONDITION OF SPIRITS. ^ 215
material body of tlie spirit, are so properly appreciated
by the spirit, that while a idolation would not produce
disease or pain, yet the spirit who neglects or refuses
compliance is degraded, as a punishment for such infrac-
tion of what it knows to be right. And this is not in-
flicted by any tribunal, but takes place as a natural con-
sequent ; the spirit sinks lower and lower, till its density
bears it to the places below the earth." (Ibid.^ p. 197.)
BAD SPIRITS HAYE GOT TO FARM IT ON A SAND-PLAIN ! !
" I think I mentioned that it was said that their place
of residence was a large plain, and I here remark that the
plain is almost entirely alike in every part, suggesting
scarcely any feeling of beauty or love of it, and is reHev-
ed only by one mountain. It is here that the spirits toil
and wrangle. They labor, of course, more than the ad-
vanced spirits, as their organization, being more dense,
requires more to support it. They can not rise without
a great effort, and being always compelled to associate
with spirits whose internal is of the same erroneous and
dark character, it generates all kinds of contentions and
disputes, and, perhaps, deceit and falsehood. At any
rate, their aflinities for good are, as it were, suspended.
They do not possess the power to see the thought before
its utterance, but they act toward each other as man and
man on earth, that is, not entirely so, but nearly in the
same manner.
" Their habits of life correspond with the tone and cha-
racter of their minds. They have no pleasures, no asso-
ciates. They do not study. They do not sing, write, or
enjoy life in any way, except the delight they may have
in tormenting those around. They toil for sustenance^
and as their land is sandy ^ and no sun-light^ there must
be great labor to enable the earth to bring forth enough to
sustain them:' ! ! ! {Ibid., pp. 221, 222.)
PRIESTS, ALIAS MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL, IN THE BAD
PLACE
\ f
One of them thus complains : " For the wicked shall
be cast into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
^■-
216 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
This is a solemn thought, my hearers, and one on which
we should prayerfully and candidly exercise our minds.
Yea, verily. It is a solemn thought. The wicked shaU
be cast into heU, where the worm never dies, and the fire
is never quenched. Oh ! my friends, flee from the wrath
to come. Put away your sins, lest the Son of Man come
in the night-time; and, O ye sinners! beware lest ye
tempt an angry God !
" This was the doctrine I preached on earth, this the way
in which I filled the poor human heart with fear and
trembling, with shrinking from a kind and beneficent God,
whose only manifestation is smiling on his creatures, by
calling him angry ! by crying up hell-fire, the horrors of
those who disobey, and distorting every thing to suit my
own peculiar views. I thought I was doing right and
God a service by upholding these gloomy dogmas which
I gave forth with such a zeal, with such bitter denuncia-
tions against the erring mortals who should have been
encouraged and dealt kindly with, and not horrified and
frightened with the contemplation of death.
" I thus departed from earth, feeling happy that I had
done my duty and borne my cross, and might enter into the
joysofmy Father's house. I entered the spirit world, but was
not met by the rejoicing and bright angels I expected ;
by some friends, to be sure, but their countenances were
sad and gloomy ; there was evidently something on their
minds. Instead of rejoicing and songs of praise, it was
rather a gloomy and mournful greeting on my first entrance,
and a sadness came over my soul. I asked how is this ?
Why should heaven seem so gloomy a place ? I said,
' Friends, can you tell me the reason? There is no rejoic-
ing, no gladness in your looks. You have some inward
sorrow. Pray convey me to Him whose cause I have
served. Let me see the Saviour who died on the cross to
redeem sinners. Give me something to repay me for all
my labor. '
" One venerable-looking brother, whom I had known
on earth, approached me solemnly, and taking my hand,
said : ' Our life-teachings have been wrong. They have
caused more mourning and shrinking from the approach
m
CONDITION OF SPIRITS. 217
of death than happiness, driving hundreds away by their
asperity who would have been glad to gaze beyond the
veil of eternity.' I asked, ' Can it be possible that my
whole life has been spent wrongly, that I hved an inhar-
monious life, that instead of doing God service, I have
done evil towards my fellow-men ?'
"My soul was so troubled and cast down, that after
pausing a while, I said to that brother, * What shall I do
to be saved ?' He said, ' When you shall see your errors,
and be wilhng to go down and redeem the wrong you
have done in the hearts which are there, then, and not
tiU then, will you begin your path of ascension, and by
your labor blot out your own sins by assisting others to
blot out theirs.'
" And, my friends, as soon as I was made conscious of
my error, I began my work. I gave up my narrow con-
ceptions of the Deity. Grovelling worm that I was, how
little did I know of the majesty of God ! I began ear-
nestly and trustfully to cast away the chains that bound
my soul. I began my labors. And, oh, yes, it w^as a la-
bor, indeed, sufficient to wash away my many sins^ when
I shall have washed away the errors from those minds
whose ignorance was made darker by my errors, and who
might now have been farther advanced but for my teach-
ings.
" I am now ascending. I begin to see the beauties of
the spirit world, and the tears fill my eyes when I think
what I might have been.
" Friends ! thank your God that you are free, and that
you are on the road far ahead, far in advance of many of
the dwellers in the spirit land." (Ihid.^ 321-323.)
SPIEIT BACON'S INVECTIVE AGAINST PRIESTS.
'-'Friday, Oct. 2^th, 1853.
"This evening the Bishop of , and Doctor
-, of Kentucky, were in my library, with the Doc-
tor and myself The Bishop was investigating, and
avowed himself a behever in spiritual intercourse ; but he
betrayed an ignorance of the nature of spirit and the
10
•
218 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
life after death, that showed he had thought little on the
subject, and that was marvellous to me in a high dignitary
of the Church. After they had gone, Lord Bacon
wrote :
"'I was somewhat inclined to answer the Bishop cava-
lierly when he asked me to write the Apostles' Creed in
Latin. I have forgot both the apostles and the creed
long ago, and hope I shall not again be subjected to the
indignity of learning it. But, Judge, how httle the se-
crets of the priesthood are understood, and how little their
avocation is understood ! How powerful a hold have
they on the minds of the world, and how little good real-
ly have they accomphshed.
" 'They claim that they are the advanced guard of civ-
ilization, and that they have hung out the banner of truth
on the outer wall of human progress ! Alas ! for human
nature, which has suffered them to triumphantly dictate
to its ignorance what their reason feared to investigate !
Alas ! lor the world which would submit to the dictation
of men, who, proclaiming that they understand the laws
of God, are inculcating the errors of their creed or sect.
" ' Priests of God ? Holy men ? They are but the
drones of society — the very worms of life which prey on
the finest feelings of man's nature — the instincts of his
soul. They priests ? Yes, the priests of ignorance — the
very barriers of progressive inquiry ; for they trammel
thought, confine reason, and send the mis-born soul into
the spirit world without the least knowledge of his des-
tiny.
" ' Look abroad over the world, and ask yourselves who
is it that has accomplished all that has stimulated man to
search, investigate, and seek out from nature the secrets
which advance his mind and give to his soul the first
gleam of hope everlasting ? lias it been the priesthood ?
Has it been the ministers of God ? No ; for they have
tortured the chosen spirits of any age when they have
differed from them in form or tenet. They have barred
up all outlets of human enterprise and knowledge, un-
less it conformed to their dictum. They have sent their
hirelings into every household, a,nd have bound on the rack
INVECTIVE AGAINST PRIESTS. 219
the good and true, the aged and young, when they have
diiFered one iota from the severe laws they have laid down
for the rule of man. Not content with driving man to de-
spair in life, they have sent his spirit howling into the
spheres, with their anathemas following him like an ac-
cursed spirit when he reached there. They pretend to
minister to a mind diseased, but they have made the
death-bed a dice-box, by which the everlasting happiness
of some good man was cast on the hazard of their ap-
proval. Alas ! for the priesthood ! Alas ! when they pre-
tend to teach man the destiny of his soul !
" ' But look again, and ask yourselves, what have they
done ? They have taken one book, called the Bible, and
from this they have fashioned laws which limit all inquiry
beyond this source,'" etc. etc. (Ihid.^ 2*72, 273.)
"Do you, gentlemen, who have seen much of life, mingled
with all classes of society and all kinds of men, you who
have measured intellect with intellect, and have wandered
through many a mazy path to arrive at your present po-
sitions, do you really feel that all your early understand-
ing of religious teaching has in fact opened to your minds
one truism in regard to your present or future state ? Do
you reahze what the character and attributes of God may
be from the sermon of a Presbyterian or a Dutch Reform-
er ? Or do the teachings of either sect give you better
assurance of the nature of the spirit that is within you ?
Perhaps one or the other of you has, in early life, embraced
the doctrine of free salvation, and yet are you any better
satisfied that your chance of safety beyond the grave is
of more value than another man's, who may differ in belief
from you? Can you place your finger on one statement,
in all the teachings of priest or layman, which is truth-
fully explanatory of what the true object of life is ?"
(Vol. i., pp. 151, 152.)
JOY IN HEAVEN OVER THE JUDGE'S LETTER.
^'' Sunday^ Aug. Ith^ 1853.
" This evening, at the circle at Dr. Dexter's, (it being
the next day aifter my letter had appeared,*) it was
written :
* Allndinj? to my letter to the public of the date of lat Auojust, 1853,
220 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
" ' My children, let your minds imagine a sphere, or,
rather, a locality, exquisitely beautiful, diversitied with
every variety of scenery, with lofty mountains stretching
out far in the distance, and broad valleys teeming with
vegetation of most luxuriant growth, with noble rivers
flowing through these valleys, and deep forests skirting
the sides of these mountains ; imagine plains and undula-
ting surfaces laid out in fields and gardens, with flowers
of every hue and odor, and here and there beautiful resi-
dences scattered over the whole territory ; imagine, in
fact, a world most beautiful in its harmonious blending
of the practical with the artistic, and in the divine order
with which every arrangement has been made for the
pleasure and profit of those beings who were to inhabit
it. Then imagine this world filled with an almost untold
number of intelUgent spu-its, whose thoughts are con-
stantly directed to those subjects which will conduce
most to the development of mind, which will elicit most
of good from every thing around, and which will contri-
bute most to the advancement of one another resident in
that locality, and their same race on your earth. Ima-
gine, too, that these beings are interested in every thing
which tends to the advancement of truth, and to the re-
moval of every impediment which may obstruct the re-
ciprocal action of that truth in its upward progress from
earth toward heaven, and then imagine the deep, the fer-
vent, the enthusiastic, and the abiding interest with which
these beings have considered the wisdom or the practica-
bihty of the publication of Judge Edmonds's letter, and
the efiect which that letter has had on the public mind,
now that the press has given utterance to the sentiments
it contains. Words can convey no adequate conception
of the absorbing desire which animates every individual
to see for himself or herself what its influence may be,
not only on the minds of their friends, but also on the
feehngs of those persons who have opposed spirit revela-
tion from the beginning to the present time. There are
gatherings here and there. Under the shade of some
majestic tree you will picture a party of men and women
discussing, in terms of no common interest, this letter.
In some house, where there may be friends visiting, and
THE LETTER. 221
from other localities, (whose affinities correspond,) you
will see the delight, the anxiety, the confidence, the hope
and the faith which are expressed in the countenances of
both the friends and their visitors. In the depths of the
forest, and amid the silence of nature, you may imagine
spirits meeting spirits, and the first salutation is, "The
Judge's letter is out." In the conferences on subjects
belonging to the government of neighborhoods or com-
munities, the busiaess is deferred, and the talk is about
this letter. Spirits traversing the air, and meeting in
space with other spirits, stop and accost one another, and,
while floating on the transparent medium, they ask, "What
will be the influence of this first direct onset on the an-
cient superstition and errors of the world ?"
" 'We are satisfied ; and we trust that what of pain there
may be in this efibrt, the good it may do will compensate
for all anxiety and care, and afford a joy so pure and last-
ing that it shall satisfy the soul that it can really feel the
links of that chain which cements it with these spheres
and eternity.
" ' Oh ! when a duty has been done, and the spirit which
has shrunk and hesitated has at last boldly dared to do
and acknowledge truth, how its responses tell to the
vibrating feelings of the soul, " I am indeed for ever,
and I know that I am ascending ; I know that I am of
God." SWEDENBOKG.' "
— {Spiritualism^ vol. iL, pp. 83-85.)
This angelic jubilee over the " Judge's Letter," must
have been peculiarly grateful to his heart ! Only think of
spirits not only from this, but from other worlds^ aU put
into the highest state of excitement by the contents of
this letter of Judge Edmonds, addressed to this Yankee
Public, and containing an account of HIS conversion to
Spiritualism ! One or two specimens from this Letter,
will show the very worthy matter, and very reHable
statements over which the whole spirit world was filled
with joy. (The italics are our own.)
"It was in January, 1851, that my attention was first
222 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
called to the subject of ' spiritual intercourse.' I was at
the time withdrawn from general society ; I was laboring
under great depression of spirits. I was occupying all
my leisure in reading on the subject of death and man's
existence afterward. I had in the course of my life read
and heard from the pulpit so many contradictory and
conflicting doctrines on the subject., that I hardly knew
what to believe. I could not, if I would, beheve what I
did not understand, and was anxiously seeking to know
if, after death, we should again meet with those whom
we had loved here, and under what circumstances."
The implacable hatred that every now and then peers
out from his pages against the Church and thejone^^s,
as he sneeringly calls the ministers of the Gospel, has evi-
dently led him to sin against the truth : for it is notorious
that " on the subject of death and man's existence after-
wards," no man ever "heard from the pulpit so many
contradictory and conflicting doctrines," as the Judge
seems to intimate to be the staple of Gospel preaching
among " the sects." It is simply impossible, that such a
diversity of sentiment could exist upon a subject upon
which aU are agreed. Yet, this is one of the matter~of
fact-statements over which, the assembled delegates from
creation rejoice !
Again he says in this letter :
" In the mean time, it is due to myself and to others
to say, that our faith, as growing out of these researches,
is not ' at irreconcilable variance with revelation.' How
Uttle do they who make such charges, know of this mat-
ter ! Misled by the crudities which alone are seen in the
newspapers of the day, because the graver matters can
not find admission there, the idea is, I am aware, enter-
tained by some that this new philosophy is at variance
with the revelation through Christ, the Redeemer. This
is indeed a sad mistake, and one that believers would be
THE I^ETTER. 223
too happy to correct, if only the opportunity could be
aflbrded them."
This is simply absurd. "We have shown, and shall still
further show, that the Bible itself is represented as a book
oi falsehood by the spirits, and their agent authors ; that
there is not a distinctive doctrine of "the revelation
through Christ, the Redeemer," which is not bitterly as-
sailed, and, with the coolness of minds made up to maUce,
trampled under foot. What then shall be said of this
seemingly honest compliment paid to Christianity ? What
shall be thought of this hankering after the respectability
of the " revelation through Christ," to serve wherewithal
demon revelations^ as opposite in nature, doctrine, and
tendency, as darkness is opposite to light ? "What, on
the score of honesty, shall be thought of this profound
bow to Christianity in the " Appeal to the Public," con-
trasted with the many kicks given to the Bible, to Christ-
ianity, and its ministry, in the numerous books, and
pamphlets, and papers of spirit literature ? Ah ! it is
quite too plain, they would " steal the livery of heaven."
etc.
THE JUDGE CAUGHT UP IN THE SPHERES, AND CONTEMPLATES
A SAW-MILL.
" I saw the old man whom I had met in the path, when
he ascended the steps of this new country, and mingled
with the spirits there awaiting him. *****
" I was walking up that same path, accompanied by
them, (his wife and children,) and was just leaving the
place where I had been shown the stairway. On both
sides of me were beautiful residences, standing back from
the road.
" One I noticed in particular, because it was surrounded
by trees and shrubbery, as I had sometimes seen among
the natives of Central America. The trees grew close
together, and intermingled their dense foliage overhead,
224 A THEEE-rOLD TEST.
producing a very soft shade all around their trunks.
They were trimmed up as far as the arm could reach,
and the ground around their base was levelled very
smooth, entirely free from grass, and kept very clean, so
that it was a cool and delightful promenade. This grove
was at the side and behind the west end of the house,
and extended oif, I observed, some distance in that di-
rection. The whole place was very attractive to me, and
I had a wish to examine it more closely. My companions
immediately turned with me into the inclosure.
" I noticed that the ground in front of the house, and
between it and the path, were not, as at the other places
I had seen, ornamented with flowers, but they were used
as a vegetable garden, and it was in very perfect order,
and growing very luxuriantly. I saw growing there
Indian corn, potatoes, beets, and lettuce. There were
other varieties, but I did not particularly notice them.
But there seemed to be nothing there merely for orna-
ment. All was for use, but all was in order. As I ap-
proached the house, I saw at my left some out-houses near
the edge of the trees, as if for animals.
" I became at once impressed that that was the farm
establishment for that community, and he who lived there
had been a farmer on earth, and now superintended it
for the common welfare.
"I saw no one around the place. The house was an old-
fashioned farm-house, one and a half story high, with a
wide portico in front, with seats in it. My companions
stopped there, but I proceeded around the house into the
grove.
" There, back of the grove, I saw a large field of wheat
growing very thrifty, and nearly ripe. It seemed to be
stirred by a gentle breeze, and waved gracefully and
peacefully, as I have often seen it here in midsummer.
The grove of trees, and the clean, smooth walk under the
shade, continued all around the field, and it was the only
fence it had.
"I had noticed, as I passed, that the out-houses which
I saw were for the mules which were used on the farm,
but thus far I had seen no animals nor man. But now I
noticed, beyond the orchard, a dense forest of enormous
THE SAW-MILL. 225
trees, and in it there was a water-fall and a saw-mill, and
now I saw the man whose place I was on. He was at
work at the saw-mill with four or five assistants. He was
dressed in shirt and trowsers, and his sleeves were rolled
up. He and his companions seemed very cheerful and
happy at their work. It seemed as if they were toiling
for the pleasure of it, and were evidently enjoying it.
They were singing and laughing, telling stories and
cracking jokes upon each other.
"The saw-mill was at work with four saws a-going; but
I did not see around it any of the litter which I have
been accustomed to here : no loose piles of slab, no heaps
of saw-dust, no decaying logs, but every thing was neat
and orderly. The logs were piled up in heaps, and so
arranged as to look very handsome. They were ar-
ranged in piles. I counted the base. It consisted of
eight logs, then above that layer seven, and then six, and
so on up to a point.
"All their rubbish and dirt, I observed, were carried off
by a sewer dug under ground, and terminating at the
precipice which I have already mentioned. By means of
a waste-weir aU the rubbish was carried off that way, and
the water passed clear and pure down through the farm.
When I approached, they were sawing a large log with
the whole four saws. It was a singular kind of wood,
something Hke the bird's-eye maple, but the spots were
larger, and the wood susceptible of a higher polish.
"Each board, as it came from the saw, was finely po-
lished and smooth, and I examined to see how that was
done. The back of each saw was as thick as its front
edge, and so constructed that it smoothed off and po-
lished, as it went along, the roughness which the teeth
made.
" The mill itself was a beautiful structure. It was a
Doric temple, with two rows of columns, open entirely at
the sides, and a roof that projected over both at the
ends and at the sides. He had time enough to build,
and had taken care to ornament it. Just beyond this
mill I saw a pasture in which horses and cows were graz-
ing^ and through it ran a stream of water."
10*
226 A THKEE-FOLD TEST.
Here we can not refrain from asking the notice of the
Judge to a hint from the above, that ought not to be
lost. If so much joy was occasioned by the publication
of the letter aforesaid, among the progressed spirits of
the upper spheres, why might not the Judge suggest a
plan to help the "poor devils," doomed to farm a black
sand-plain^ with no sunrlight ? The plan I propose would
awaken in their bosoms, methinks, a pulsation of grati-
tude that would necessarily set them right onward in the
upward way of progkession. - The plan is certainly bene-
volent and feasible, and is simply this : to send down, at
proper intervals from this sphere, in which the Judge
saw horses and cows, seasonable showers of compost.
Surely it would ameHorate their labor, and save very
much spiritual sweat. Should this be proposed by the
Judge, I hope he will remember the author of the sug-
gestion, and name it as coming from one who, though a
"priest," is entitled to exemption ivoro. farming it, by this
discovery. But let the VISIOIN' progress :
" My return was instantaneous, as if I had been borne
through the air at my wish, while my passage out had
been a very leisure walk.
" On my return to the house I found my companions still
seated in the piazza. A female of mature age, who
seemed to be the mistress of the mansion, was standing
in the door-way, leaning against the door-post, talking to
my wife. A younger female, apparently her daughter,
was leaning out of the window of the front room con-
versing with my son and daughter. The younger female
had a red collar to her garments, while those of the other
female w^ere trimmed with pale green belt, and purple
cuffs and colors. Her hair was done up in a knot behind,
but how it was fastened up I could not be certain, but it
seemed as if by a silver arrow thrust through it. This
was her working-dress, and she seemed to be as in-
dustrious as her husband.
THE FAEM-HOUSE. 227
"I saw through the hall out back of the house a large
chum as large as a barrel, of white wood with brass
hoops, and very clean.
" Observing what attracted my attention, she invited me
to walk out back and examine for myself. I did so, and
she accompanied me.
" I found out there a very wide piazza on which the most
of her work was done. At one end of it I saw many tin
pans hanging up against the wall, and under them was a
table, fastened to the building by hinges, and capable of
being lifted up or let down at pleasure. On that she told
me she made her bread.
" I had not yet seen any glass windows. On this piazza
there were openings for windoAvs, but I saw no sashes or
glass. Standing against these openings was a long, nar-
row table with drawers in it.
" The floor seemed to be of stone, sloping from the
house outward, and terminatuig in a gutter which ended
in a sewer under ground, and thus all refuse water was
carried off.
" The water from the brook was carried into the piazza,
and fell from a penstock in a small stream into a basin,
elevated about four feet from the floor. It ran over the
sides of that basin into a larger one on the floor, whence
it escaped into the sewer.
" I observed that parts of the floor of the piazza were
so constructed, that by moving an upright stick standing
back against the side of the house, a lattice-work could
be opened and let the air pass up. This was done to give
ventilation, and I observed that the slats of the lattice-
work were so constructed as not to let the water through,
but to carry it off into the gutter.
" While in this piazza, I observed back of the house
several orange trees full of fruits and flowers, and monkeys
playing in their branches. Here, for the first time, I saw
a cat ; she was playing with the monkeys, and chasing
them up the trees. I saw also, at a little distance to the
right, a large, old-fashioned barn for storing grain, and
between it and the house was a large field of Indian corn.
The barn was standing near the stream of water, and had
contrivances by which aU its rubbish and dirt would be
228 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
carried off by it. And here I observed that the stream
of water tended north, and became at a short distance
again united with the others into a large creek.
" In passing from the back to the front of the house, I
observed the hall had upon it what had the appearance
of an old-fashioned rag carpet. The female, reading my
surprise at that, told me they had been farmers on earth,
and had taken a great deal of pleasure in their way of
living, and had purposely surrounded themselves with the
comforts to which they had been accustomed.
" The boards of the hall floor were so clean and polished
that they shone.
" I saw also in the hall an old-fashioned stairway leading
to upper rooms.
" Some one of the circle here inquired, If they thus worked for the whole
community as a matter of duty enjoined upon them, or did it voluntarily.
The female answered :
" ' We do it voluntarily. We take pleasure in it. When
we want help we say so to those around, and they come
of their own accord.' The daughter, laughing, added : 'I
don't have much work to do, so many come and offer to
work, and when they come, we have merry times, we tell
stories, laugh, and are full of fun.'
" I observed that their house was not large, and the
family only consisted of three persons — the man, his wife,
and daughter. They were originally from Germany.
They had been in the spirit world many years, and there
had been many new inventions to facilitate farm labor
since they left the earth, which they had learned and
adopted. Among other things, the woman showed me a
pair of heavy wooden shoes, the soles at least two inches
thick, and she told me, that she used to wear them, and
then she showed me the light leather shoes she now wore,
and laughingly compared them together.
" Some one of the circle asked me to inquire, how many years she had
been in the spirit world ?
"She answered she could not tell by years, only by
events ; but it was before the Crusades. She added, she
remained only a few years in the lower plane, when all
three were united and ascenilcd toe^ether.
BUTTERMILK. 229
" I inquired of the daughter if she had never been mar-
ried ? She answered she supposed I would call it mar-
riage. There was one to whom she was much attached,
and they loved each other's society, and they were a good
deal together. He was now at work at the saw-mill. And
she said, he would come in from the saw-mill, not at all
tired with his work, and would kick up his heels and go to
dancing. ' Yes,' added the mother, ' and you join him in
doing so.' She showed me a guitar and a flute, and said
they played and sang together.
" The young girl seemed full of frolic, and fun, and joy.
She could hardly keep stiU. As she and my daughter sat
close together, I could not help noticing the difference.
My daughter was still and quiet, and apparently very in-
tellectual. She was not without emotions, but she re-
pressed them, and I saw her once in a while lay her hand
on her heart, as if to hush all within.
" We turned to take our leave, for it was time for me
to go. The matron invited me to call on her again, and
she would, she said, give me a drink of buttermilk'''' ! ! !
{Spiritualism^ vol. ii., pp. 135-144.)
Oh ! Judge Edmonds ! Judge Edmonds ! Judge Ed-
monds ! ! Oh ! Judge Edmonds ! Oh ! ! !
THE JUDGE'S VIEW OF THE CKOSS.
" In this circular path, and between me and the foun-
tain, that assemblage stood. They were variously and
beautifully dressed, and in front of them, toward me, three
spirits were standing. The centre one was tall and ma-
jestic, clothed simply in loose, white garments, extending
to his feet, and holding under his left arm a book. His
appearance and manner, and the expression of his counte-
nance, approached nearer to my ideas of Jesus of Naza-
reth than any delineation of him I ever had seen, but I
ascertained at once that it was not him, but the presiding
spirit of that community.
" My companions and myself, as we approached him,
were filled with emotions of love, of reverence, and of awe,
230 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
that would not let us speak. The spmts which stood, one
on each side of him, wore mantles of dark blue velvet,
and on their heads chaplets, which were badges of office.
I can not describe the countenance of that presiding
spirit ; he seemed to be filled to overflowing with happi-
ness ; he was of large, capacious mind, and full of love to
all around him. There was a solemn stillness brooding-
over all the scene that seemed to hush even the pulse's
beat.
" There were conflicting feelings awakened in me : one
prompted me to fall down and worship him ; and the
other repressed that, and told me he was a man as I was,
and asked. Why can not you be Hke him ?
" When I arrived within a few paces of him, he took
the book from under his arm, and with outstretched hand
pointed me to the heavens off" at his left. And there,
amid the hush of that scene, amid its glorious beauty, its
soft and gentle light, and its balmy air, high up in the
heavens, and far distant, I saw the cross of our Redeemer
painted. Rough and unhewn itself, it was surrounded by
a halo of golden light, and on one of its arms a majestic
spirit, clad in dark-colored and rich garments, stood lean-
ing. High over it all flashed, in rays of sparkling silver
light, ' God is Love.' Directly over the summit of the
cross was a scroll which seemed to spread abroad a feCling
of solemn awe. On it was inscribed ' He saved mankind
BY LIVING, NOT BY DYING.' Bclow the trausvcrsc piece
was a small scroll, on which was written, ' Do thou lIke-
wise.'"!!! (Z6zU, pp. 152, 153.)
the judge honoeed in the spirit world.
" While noticing these things, a party approached from
the west on horseback. It consisted of twenty or thirty
persons of both sexes, and they were superbly mounted.
I noticed particularly a jet-black pacer ridden by a female.
He was a superb animal. They came from a distant
community to invite me to visit them.
" The presiding spirit called my attention to the shining
mountain, and I saw that its summit was approached by
PARTY ON HORSEBACK. 231
a broad, winding stairway, with heavy balustrades and
numerous landing-places, and terminated at the summit
under an arch, through which streamed that golden light,
casting it rays far down the mountain, lighting up the
stairway to my vision, and throwing its reflection of
golden and crimson light upon houses and land and water,
and beautifying the scene wonderfully. And he told me
that light was the product of the concentrated love of all
the inhabitants, which thus shed abroad, upon all that
surrounded it, its warm and grateful influence. I saw
birds of song and of gay plumage flymg into its rays, as
they shot forth in various directions, and the animals con-
fined to the lower plane sought the spot where it struck,
that they might bask in it. Elephants and lions and other
wild animals I thus saw, but they were savage no longer
under its mild influence. I even saw the crocodile crawl
from his watery bed, and as he reached the Hght his dingy
sombre hue changed to a Hvely green.
" In the distance I saw a body of water, which seemed
to be the end of a lake or large inland sea. On it were
vessels with sails, most of them small, as if chiefly for
pleasure, and one large steamboat, as large as one of our
sea steamers. From all this I inferred, that this was a
bay only of a large inland sea which was hidden from me
by th6 intermediate land.
" And I saw, too, rivers meandering through the coun-
try, on which vessels were plying and over which bridges
spanned, and lakes of various sizes in different parts of
the country.
" It was indeed a beautiful country to live in, amid its
soft and grateful air, and its glowing but mild light.
" I was, however, obliged to leave it, for my time was
up, and I returned to earth." {Ibid.^ pp. 155, 156.)
THE JUDGE TREATED TO A RIDE IN THE SPHERE.
" While I was looking at these things, a carriage and
four horses drove up ; they immediately attracted my
attention, for one of my youthful follies had been a great
penchant for driving tandem and four-in-hand ; and she,
232 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
whose girlhood had been accustomed to the quiet, sober
driving of her Quaker father, had soon learned to dash
'fast and furiously' through the country with me. It
was a beautiful turn-out. The carriage was light and
tasty, with a high seat for the driver, and one seat behind
for two persons. It was painted yellow, and on its panels
was my seal ! The harness was light and airy, and the
horses were superb animals, of the true Arabian breed,
with long, sleek bodies, clean Umbs, and a springing mo-
tion to every step. They were well groomed, high-spirit-
ed, and well broke, and of different colors, being matched
rather for quality than looks.
" The presiding spirit and my wife entered the carriage,
while I ascended the driver's seat and took the reins from
the coachman.
" We started for a ride. We descended a hiU and cross-
ed a bridge, driving westerly toward the shining moun-
tain. It was very exhilarating : the jingle of the harness,
the rattling of the wheels, the clear, ringing tread of the
horses, as we sped rapidly along, reminded me of many
a youthful frolic ; but here the pleasure was much en-
hanced by the beautiful country through which we were
passing, and the many and delightful residences that lined
both sides of the way, as also by the thoughts which the
scene and the associations suggested.
"As we passed rapidly along, I ever and anon turned to
speak to my companions of the beauties around me ; and
he who sat beside my wife seemed a little uneasy, as if I
was not attending as I should to my driving. My wife
reassured him, and told him she was used to it, and he
might rely upon it, that I was at home where I was, and
knew what I was about." {Ibid,^ pp. 163, 164.)
THE JUDGE IN THE BAD PLACE.
" I was m a dark and gloomy country, all a dead level,
whose soil was a fine black sand, parched and very dry.
There was no water, no trees or shrubbery, but all was
bleak and barren. In a distant part of the scene I saw
a conical-shaped mountain, towering darkly among the
clouds, and intervening were roads and dwellings.
THE BAD PLACE. 233
" It looked as if the air was full of that black sand, and
a smoke, as if from, bituminous coal, was over it all.
" In front of one of the houses I saw two men fighting.
Out of its ^vindow a man was looking and laughing at
the affray. It was a dirty-looking hovel, and all around
it was foul, neglected, and in contusion. How cruel that
fight was ! They were a large and a small man who
were engaged. The larger held the smaller one fast and
beat him in the face with his fist, long after he ceased to
resist. Some of the passers-by regarded the scene with
indifference, while some enjoyed it, and applauded and
encouraged the large one to keep on.
"Among those who passed, I was particularly struck
with two who were engaged in deep and private conver-
sation. One of them was a man whose forte was cun-
ning, and whose penchant was to circumvent. He was
never true, sincere or straightforward. He was disclos-
ing some plan he had devised to cheat some one, and, on
raising his fist at his companion, he said : ' Damn you, if
you betray me.' His companion seemed to be entirely
under his control. He was weak, and admired the cun-
ning of the other. He seemed to love to aid others in
committing crimes, but not to have mind enough to de-
vise any himself.
" On the opposite side of the way, I observed what
seemed to be a fuU-grown boy, had caught a dog, had
split open his tail and put a stick in it, merely to enjoy
the sport of seeing his suffering. He then turned the
dog loose, and stood enjoying the scene. The attention
of the owner of the dog was drawn to his cries, and, dis-
covering the cause, he beat the boy, who, being as
cowardly as he was cruel, fled, but was pursued, and
beaten and kicked far up the road." {Ibid., 181, 182.)
THE JUDGE A KEDEEMEE.
A spirit of the lowest sphere, liberated from this world
by a halter, had been consulting the Judge but two days
before the following colloquy took place. Having come
again, the Judge thus writes :
234 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
" I noticed that his right hand was clenched, and I re-
marked, ' Your fist doubled again ?'
" He instantly opened his hand, and, baring his arm,
raised it up before me, and said, ' Do you know that
sign ?'
" I told him, right well, and now I wanted also the
word.
" He then added, ' Do you Jcnow you have redeemed
meP
"Z told him how deeply I rejoiced to hear it, and re-
minded him that I had told him that such a result would
give me happiness that would last for ages.*
" He then said : ' I told you I'd bring another with me
— Jane, Jane !'
" Yes, I told him, I knew he had sent her, and I had
heard from others that he had, even down in his dark
abode, in defiance of all opposition, proclaimed the glad
news that a way was opened to them, and I had thus
seen that he could indeed be redeemed.
" He answered : ' I am redeemed from the curse of sin
by your aid. You have saved me.'
" Nay, I replied, it was the truth which had saved
him ; ' the truth against the world.'
" He then said : ' Do you know love's subduing power ?
I hope! now I hope! I can not tell you the joy it
brings. Do you know what rest is to the weary ? joy to
the heart-broken ? Then may you know the fuhness of
my joy. Do you know I am liberated from the bonds of
sin and despair, and see before me the eternal light of
pure blessedness ?»
- " Then, after a pause, he added : ' I told you I could
tell you something. Listen : do you know their weapons
are prepared, their plans laid for your destruction ? Be
on your guard ; they would be glad to drag you down
to their own condition ; but fear not, and look up whence
your strength comes. Man of God ! labor faithfully in
this sin-subduing work.' " {Ibid., p. 216.)
* "We had marked seven other cases where the Judge had helped to
redeem souls from future misery, but have no room for the edify Id g
recitals ; probably one example la enough.
MUSIC. 236
" JOHN AKDEESONj MY JOE !"
The Judge thus writes, on another occasion :
" And, sure enough, in a moment I was in the spirit
world again, and walking rapidly up the broad avenue to-
ward the fountain ; there I saw assembled a large crowd
of spirits, with very pleasant smiles of joy and welcome.
My wife was standing at the entrance of her garden, with
her two children and the old man, her attendant, by her
side. The presiding spirit waved his hand for me to pass
on to my wife, and I did so. I passed through her gar-
den, toward her mansion, she leaning on my arm, and
saying to me, ' Is not this like old times, now ?'
" I could not see what was delineated on the wall of
the room behind me ; but the eradication of so much of
that gloomy record awakened in me such feelings of
gratitude, that I said to my wife, ' Let us kneel together,
for that we have never yet done, and give thanks to
God !' She asked if she might not call in our children ?
I said, ' Certainly.' And as we four knelt around that
altar, I uttered this prayer :
" ' O thou great Jehovah ! beneficent Father of all
created things ! shed abroad upon our hearts the impress
of thy divine love, that we, aiming at thy purity, may re-
vel in its mellow Hght for ever.' "
" "We arose, and she, leaning on my arm, led me from
the room. As we were leaving it, I turned to look at
the other side of the room ; she playfully checked me,
saying, ' Remember Lot's wife.'
"We then entered a room on the opposite side of the
hall, which was the exact counterpart in all respects, in
every little article of furniture even, of my library in the
house where she died. It looked out, however, upon a
different scene.
" She called me to the front window, and there I beheld
a large collection of spirits, who, with musical instruments
and with their voices, sang a song she used to sing to me
236 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
SO often. It was, ' John Anderson, my Joe !' " Ibid.^ pp.
309-311.)
Oh ! Judge Edmonds ! Judge Edmonds ! Judge Ed-
monds ! ! Oh ! Judge Edmonds ! Oh ! ! !
THE JUDGE VIEWING A KNOT OF DARK SPIRITS WHO WERE
PRIESTS.
" I perceive that some of those spirits were influenced
by a general feeling of hatred, and a desire to put a stop
to that which they know will benefit mankind. Others
were influenced by an emotion of jealousy toward those
who believe this new doctrine, and who enjoy a privi-
lege which had been denied to them. They saw no end
to their condition. They thought that it was eternal, and
they recognized no reason why we should have what they
did not possess. Some of them I saw had the same per-
sonal feelings of enmity they had on earth, and some were
angry because we had not been so easily moved by them
as others had been.
" The spirit who was passing around giving instructions
came to a knot of five or six, who seemed from their
garb and manner to have been priests. They were very
much despised, even by that dark assemblage. They
seemed to feel mean, degraded, and trodden upon, for all
treated them with contempt. And it was no wonder, for
they had been hypocrites on earth ; mere sensuous men,
very material in their nature, and did not believe the
doctrines they taught, nor did they suppose that any one
else believed them, and they thought that as some form
of religion was necessary among men, theirs had been
devised. They found, now, how sad a mistake they had
made, but they knew no remedy. They were too much
cowed and dispirited to act, and seemed too stupid to
understand the instructions given them. They answered,
by saying listlessly, ' What can we do ?' The directing
spirit turned from them with undisguised contempt.
" I saw in the crowd a spirit whom I had seen before.
He was fantastic in his appearance and actions, yet filled
DARK SPIEITS. 287
with hate, and incessantly active. He was dressed to re-
present the Devil as he is often painted by man. He wore
a cap, which, close fitting to his head, was ornamented
with what seemed two horns. His feet were so dressed
that they seemed to be cloven, and he had appended to
him the appearance of wings and a tail. He was very
dark and sombre, and around his mouth he had painted
red streaks, so that when he opened it and thrust out his
huge tongue his appearance was most disgusting. He
seemed to be the harlequin of the group, yet never
paused in his intense and bitter hate.
" One of their plans was most horrible. It was to work
upon one of my children till she should be made insane,
and then throw her into a trance, so that fancying her
dead, I might have her buried, and afterwards discover
that I had buried her alive ! A plan so hellish, and over
which they gloated, made me shudder and grow sick.
" I saw that the spirit who floated around giving orders
returned again to the knot of priests, and told them they
must influence their brother priests on earth to carry out
their plans. They answered him, with a feeling of weak-
ness and despondency, that ' It was of no use : the clergy
on earth would not dare to do it, for fear they might lose
their situations.' That directing spirit turned from them
again, with utter scorn, exclaiming, ' Miserable devils !
incapable alike of good or evil.' I saw that all the
other spirits kept aloof from them, and that while all the
others were actively engaged and conversing with each
other, they stood silent, listless, useless, and despond-
ing.
" I saw that one of their plans was to affect our healths,
which they boasted they could do, by means of their
magnetism." {Ibid., pp. 242, 244.)
It is quite clear that these spirits of evil have not only
magnetized the hearts of our gentlemen authors, but
rendered them clairvoyant and eloquent in just such bal-
derdash and blasphemy as we should expect from such a
source.
238 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
THE JUDGE TAKEIS^ TO THE MOON".
"To illustrate this," (something or other, no matter
what,) "they bore me to the moon, and I was directly over
it, where I could see its surface distinctly, its high pro-
minences, its deep valleys, its great unevenness of surface ;
and they said to me, ' Do you not see that if the moon
had an atmosphere like that of your earth, with the ra-
pidity of its three-fold motion, that atmosphere must be
very much disturbed by this inequality of surface ? and so,
too, with water, which is but a denser element ? Can you
not perceive that if the surface of this globe were smooth
and level and free from these inequalities, the elements
would not be as much disturbed by the motion ?' They
alluded, they said, to all the elements which go to consti-
tute an inhabitable globe, for all were subject to the same
law.
" I observed with much minuteness the surface of the
moon. I saw no living thing there except a few plants.
Sometimes in the crevices of the crumbling rocks, where
some little soil had gathered, there were a few specimens of
vegetation ; but they were large, coarse, low, creeping
weeds.
"I saw many different colored rocks ; some looked like
hard slaty rocks — some streaks that seemed to be light-
colored granite — some shining and sparkling in veins as if
gold and silver — some very black and shining, hke anthra-
cite coal.
" These things I saw in a vast basin, as it were, like the
crater of a volcano, with huge craggy rocks bounding it
on all sides, and jutting far up. I saw no water. Some
of the rocks had fallen from the sides, and tumbled into
the valleys, where they were crumbling. But every thing
was dreary, desolate, silent, solitary. The spirit of liie
had not yet been developed." {Ibid.^ pp. 251, 252.)
As the spii'its told me that ancient astrology is true,
these gentlemen, believing in the superiority of modern
manifestations, can not be offended, if it be here suggest-
A VISIT TO THE MOOX. 239
ed, that probably the first time the Judge was spirited
away from this planet, he was taken to the moon ; and
we think it altogether quite probable, that his mind being
illumined by sweet Cynthia's bright beams, we are indebt-
ed to this fact, for the entertainment afforded the world
in the two octavos on " Spiritualism." As evidence, we
take his own language :
" We have to contend against our own fanaticism ; for
I assure you from my own experience and observation,
that the fascination of this intercourse is so great, that its
tendency is to lead men away from their proper judg-
ment, and instill a spirit of fanaticism most revolting to
the calm and natural mind." {Judge Edmondses Lecture
in the Broadway Tahernacle, Peh. 16, 1855.)
But there are other authors who describe " Life in the
Spheres," who shall also speak for themselves, and thus
afford various matter by which the " New Revelation"
shall be judged.
We quote now from " Scenes in the Spieit Woeld,"
given through the Medium H. Tuttle — a sort of novel,
in which the spirit of the old pagan philosopher PY-
THAGORAS is the Instructor. The future world is by
him thus described :
ptthagoeas' account.
" The soil which supports these trees, differs from earth
only in the degree of its refinement, and consequently, of
necessity, its productions are similar to those of earth ;
and as the exhalations from the earth differ as its devel-
opment varies, so this soil changes continually in its cha-
racter. Hence this world, in the variety ofits forms, has
imitated earth, copying in minutiae all its types from age
to age. Thus says a spirit from a world breathed into
existence long before ours, and his speech is reasonable,
and proceeds from direct observation. Soon after the
240 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
Sauvian Age, our sphere was inhabited by those reptile
forms whose remains are buried in the permian and ooUte
rocks. The uncouth mammaha of the tertiary, aUke were
all represented here. So has it been with all ages ; their
peculiar types and forms were all represented in this
world until the present period dawned, when the refine-
ment of atoms was so accelerated, that spirit with intelli-
gence alone could occupy this abode.
" Here is a shadow of that correspondence which exists,
and has ever existed, betwen the spirit world and earth.
Matter is prone to take the form in which it had previous-
ly existed. Hence this grove, these beautiful plants,
revelling in the light of their own spirituality. They have
all existed on earth, and though the atoms which compose
this orange tree never before united in this particular tree,
yet all have existed in various orange trees before.
Atoms thus modified have afiinities to miite in this pecu-
liar form of tree." (P. 23.)
A CHRISIIAN IN A BAD PLIGHT.
The spirit of a Christian is represented as arriving in
the spheres, and sadly disappointed because he could not
find heaven. He comes in contact with Pythagoras, and
the following dialogue ensues :
" ' What kind of a place do you expect to find heaven ?'
asked the Sage, with something of pity mantling his lofty
brow.
" ' What kind of a place ? I believe it is as the Bible de-
scribes. It says heaven is paved with bright gold, and
walled about with precious stones, so that no sinner can
get in through the narrow way which I have travelled,
except now and then a shght transgression, which the
Lord hath forgiven me.' * * *
" ' Many of earth's sons would far rather see the " ght-
tering pavement," than heaven itself, but none will ever
be gratified,' calmly replied the Sage.
" ' Is there no such place ?' and again the storm of pas-
sion arose within.
A OHEISTIAN IN A BAD PLIGHT. 241
" ' No local heaven — heaven is a condition, not a local-
ity.'
" ' Do you deny the Bible ?'
"'No.'
" ' That says heaven is located.'
" ' Not if rightly understood.'
" ' Yes it does, plainly. I have crucified my flesh, suffer-
ed every thing, carried my grievous cross — aU fornothing !
Nay, nay, I'll find the place yet.'
" ' Not yet.'
"'Never?'
" ' Never !' replied the Sage in chilling accents.
" ' Are my sufferings of no avail ?'
" ' None whatever, unless to depress you. The path of
happiness passes not through suffering. Suffering is the
consequence of infringed law — ^happiness, of obeyed law.
To be happy is to enjoy all the pure pleasures of earth.
You have always labored under a great mistake.'
" ' But my prayers ?'
" 'Prayer without action is nothing.'
" ' Did not Christ die for me ?'
" ' No.'
" ' Why was he sacrificed then ?'
" ' He died because the Jews were angry at his reform-
ation, and treated him just as all reformers have been
used since time began — burned, crucified, murdered by the
mob at the instigation of the priesthood.'
" ' Can he not forgive sins ?'
" ' No ; every man has his own accounts to answer for.
If he is debtor he is necessarily punished.'
" ' Atonement false ?'
" ' Yes, Christ suffers not for your sins. He is not a
scape-goat on whom you are to lay your burdens.' " (P. 43.)
The spirit then goes in his vain search after heaven. In
the mean time, Pythagoeas thus replies to questions from
his companions :
" ' Then you still hold that man knows nothing of the
future state while he remains man ?'
11
242 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
" ' He can not know with certainty — all is obscure and
doubtful. He may possess an interior desire for immor-
tality, but he can not reason upon this important subject
with his senses ; and he has no other data from which to
draw his conclusions.'
" ' Has he not the Bible ?'
" ' What data can that afford, when there is no external
evidence of its truth? And those who profess to be-
lieve it do not Hve an exemplary hfe as a proof of its in-
spiration. The truth is, that man believes not fully in
immortahty. If he did^ think you he would not depart
the earthly life with joy, when he was sure of being
ushered into the presence of his God ? Verily, if he re-
cognized fully in his conscience such a beautiful place as
his ideal heaven, he would rejoice at grim Death's ap-
proach. Men profess to beUeve the Bible fully, and are
terribly shocked if you question its veracity in the least.
It is the idea they beheve, not the substance^ educational
prejudice compelling them to take for granted that
which the internal light of their nature condenms.'
" ' Reason, they say, is carnal, and not of God,' said
Leon, ' and should not be exercised.'
" ' Yes, and those who preach this doctrine, exercise
their reason to shut the light from others' understand-
ing.'
" ' That is the light in which it always appeared to me.
I have heard preachers declaim by the hour on the falli-
bihty of poor human reason, and the infalHbility of the
Holy Scriptures, and the more they preached the more
they excited their own benighted reasoning powers to
prove reason false.'
* * * * * '"The whole fabric of the
church system is founded on educational prejudice. This
system, accumulated under priestly rule, has assumed the
character of a dead weight on man's advancement, drag-
ging him down to ignorance and bUnd subservience.
Why is it indisputably the case that the lawyer, physician
and clergyman are generally striving with their united
energies, and have ever striven to keep the mass in men-
tal darkness ? Simply because their whole success — ^their
wages, depended on the ignorance of the masses concern-
DISCOUESE OF PYTHAGOEAS. 243
ing the organic and physical laws. Under these, and no
other conditions, will they swallow their stale doctrines
without murmuring. But set them to thinking, and they
make sad havoc with the professions. If clergymen would
preach practical lessons of morahty, instead of such end-
less, verbose theorizings, they would become more useful
members of society. If the doctor would lay aside his anti-
quated theories and mystical technicalities, and discourse in
a language which common sense can understand, explaining
the laws of health and hfe in a simple style, his patients
would soon know enough not to be sick. If the lawyer
would strive with his brother, the clergyman, to elevate
the moral condition of his chents, instead of arousing aU
the base principles of their natures, his quibbUng false-
hoods and deceptions would not be needed. Mankind,
properly elevated by their moral teachers, would forgive
the trespasses of their brother, as they already have the
idea of doing, and not nourish those feelings of hate and
revenge, too often found among the highest order of
Christians.' » (Pp. 47-49.)
The Christian spirit whom we have mentioned as going
to satisfy himself as to whether he could find heaven,
years after his vain pursuit, agaiu meets Pythagoeas, and
thus salutes him :
" ' I appear before you far lower than when, years ago, I
entered this my immortal life. Had I hearkened to your
words and not scorned your sayings, rather than have
taken the words of a mythic book (!) as expounded by a
designing priesthood, how much more advanced would I
now be ! * * *
" ' I have searched long and diligently, but have found
no such heaven as the Bible describes. That book has
undone me — utterly, irretrievably ruined me for ever. I
would that I had been born in a heathen land, and had
never read its soul-destroying pages ! I have inquired of
every spirit I have met, if they knew the locality of heaven;
and aU the answer I received would be a commiserating
look, while they pointed around them, as much as to say
what you said long ago, " Everywhere !" I have seen
244 A THKEE-FOLD TEST.
multitudes of spirits similarly engaged as myself; yet
none ever discovered the object of their search ; and I
left them and went alone — beginning to doubt in my
mind the theory I formerly believed sacrilege to dispute,
and which I so fanatically supported. The few words you
spoke to me came up with redoubled force, and I was
ready to exclaim, " Ah ! that I had hearkened to that vener-
able man whom I first saw on my entrance into this world."
This day, by some unaccountable reasons, I arose to a
higher plane than usual, and without a moment's warning,
stood before you. Your forgiveness is worse than your
combined curses. I could bear the latter, but this softens
me to tears.' " (Pp. 74, T5.)
PYTHAGORAS CONTII^TJES HIS DISCOUESE.
" ' The savage regards God as a separate and detached
being — the civilized man, as the Author of creation, pene-
trating through every atom of matter.
" ' This is well expressed in the Allah of the Moham-
medan, " the Only." How beautiful is the idea contained
in this : " God is the Only !" When we speak of him there
is no Nature, for we mean every thing. All is a part of
the Omnipotent. God is the " Only," the " AU," the "I am."
He speaks to you through every sense, and impresses him-
self on your minds.
" ' Here, I perceive, the question arises in your minds,
"What and where is God?" This vast subject has en-
gaged the attention of theologians and philosophers
through all recorded time, and yet nothing but a vague,
unsatisfactory conception has been gained. Still the
question arises, " What, and where is God ?" Still the
human mind manifests its inward dissatisfaction in striv-
ing for something more — something beyond. In early
ages, the chiefs and rulers could give their ideas, and
their blind followers were satisfied. They recognized God
as a personal being, and their followers worshipped him as
such. This idea of God's personality has descended to
the present time, and the mass stiU worship a monstrous
human potentate, instead of the controlling principle of
universal nature.
DISCOURSE OF PYTHAGORAS. 245
" ' Say to the churchman that you believe the Deity to
be the mind of Nature, and he will exclaim in sacred hor-
ror, " You are a disbeliever in a God ; you can not worship
him unless he is personified." The Chinese bowing be-
fore their idols, the Hindoo prostrating himself before the
crushing wheels of the Juggernaut, the fire-worshippers
venerating the rising king of day, are no more idolatrous
than those who worship a personified Deity.'" (Vol. iii.,
p. 125.
"' But you say this ideaof Deity will lead to Pantheism.
What if it does ? Can there be no truth in Pantheism ?
I care not from whence truth is derived. I never trouble
myself as to the origin of an idea. If reason approve it,
I am satisfied. Pantheism may contain some correct
views. Even the lowest depths of Atheism rest upon
some truths. All error begins in myth^ and would be
immediately condemned if not for the few truths upon
which it rests. Men who dare not use a new truth, for
fear of being styled infidel, are in want of moral courage.
Such are willing to skim the surface, never daring to go
deeper than their predecessors and cotemporaries.'
" ' But how can you worship a principle, or a code of
laws ?'
" ' If the ancients called those attributes manifested by na-
ture by the term God, and we now recognize in what this
Deity consists, and if our devotion thus ceases, it is no
argument against our conception. This objection is simi-
lar to the plea for ignorance, because the learned do not
feel the same degree of awe and wonder as the savage
when gazing on the fearful tempest, or the roaring cata-
ract. If increase of knowledge destroys devotion, then
it should be destroyed. But does it do this ? The man
who regards Deity as the Omnipotent Intelligence, will
not fall down with blind zeal or bigoted devotion — with
fear and trembling — as in the presence of an angry tyrant.
Perhaps he will have no stated time to go through the
mummery of a formal prayer, only Up deep ; but his
veneration will speak in the still, small voice, and he will
adore the great cause of universal harmony which spreads
around him, in which he recognizes the action of those
great and comprehensive principles to which his fathers
246 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
gave the name " Jehovah." The ignorant devotion paid
hun is the result of superstituous fear, and has not the
semblance of true devotion.
" ' Devotion springs from the most exalted faculties of
the mind. If man strives to be devout, he immediately
loses his object ; when he strives not at all, he is most de-
votional in his feehngs. When the man who has violated
law prays, whence cometh his prayer? Not from the
moral organs, but from the selfish and the animal. After
men have become miserable by violating law, they pray
God to forgive them. After doing wrong through the
day, they pray for forgiveness at night. Hence God re-
ceives the homage of the animal propensities. True de-
votion to Deity, of the developed mind, is the obedience
of all the laws of his nature. There is no distinction be-
tween Nature and God. That mass of matter and mind
which has ever been separated, is an indivisible unity.
Let this lead to Naturalism or Pantheism ; these impres-
sions are clear and strong, and rest on the immutable
basis of creation. I consider the laws of Nature as the
will of Deity ; the wisdom and intelligence displayed
around me, as his mind ; and though in speaking of these
it is well to preserve a partial distinction, yet, in reality,
all is one inseparable miity. I recognize nothing supe-
rior or external to Nature ; nothing above, or controlling,
this unity; but within dwells perfection of principle, work-
ing for ever with indefatigable energy.
" ' We have but one guide in the study of Nature, and
that is reason. Revelation is scientifically shallow and
superficial, being but a daguerreotype of the rude He-
brew mind. Respect it for the truths it contains, but not
otherwise. Nature, then, is all that remains for our study
to bring to fight those laws which reveal the hidden ways
of the Omnipotent mmd ! ! '" (Pp. 128, 129.)
THEEE ARE NO CULPKITS.
" ' In the undeveloped state of things now existing, the
majority are born with bad organizations. They are
found in all classes of society. Reared from the embryo
in the worst conditions, surrounded by circumstances
DISCOUESE OF PYTHAGOEAS. 247
calculated to excite alone the animalities, can you be as-
tonished that men are as they are ? They are surrounded
by objects which excite their acquisitiveness ; by com-
panions who allure them on to crime. They are bred in
tilth, vice and corruption, with scarce food enough to sus-
tain the life within them, or fuel to keep them from freez-
ing ; while all around is wealth, luxury, and comfort.
Blame them not, brother ; you would soon learn to he,
and steal, and cheat, if you were similarly situated,
" ' The disposition to crime is a disease, hke lunacy and
other cerebral disorganizations ; and charity should teach
pity, and not revenge.' " (Pp. 132, 133.)
THE SUM OF THE WHOLE MAITEE.
" * Every man and woman should consider themselves
individual sovereigns, to think and to act as best pleases
themselves, if they do not infringe on the rights of others.
Tkere should he no conformity except to Nature. The
thoughts of yesterday, if they can not bear the light of to-
day, should be cast aside. If you take any part of the
old craft to build your new one, it wiU be bungling, and
incapable of withstanding the rough waves of the troubled
ocean of reform. The reformer should cease lopping oif
the branches, and strike at the roots of the monstrous tree
of error which shadows the world. By so doing you
leave humanity free to commune with the infinite God.
This is all that is required of you. To be great should be
the aim of every individual. N^ot great in crime, like
Coesar, Alexander, or Napoleon, who merit the scorn of
the world ; not great in intellect alone as Laplace and
Cuvier, or in morality as Confucius, Menu, and Howard —
though the latter species of greatness is superior to the
others. But be great in all of these, with a giant intel-
lect supported by a pure morality, and put into action by
well-controlled basal organs. Thus organized, the great
mind will not look down with contempt on those beneath,
nor with envy on those above. There will be nothing
arbitrary or conventional in such a mind, but serene and
5 pleasurable emotions, and the highest enjoyment of life,
[n this way Jesus Christ was the greatest of men. He
248 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
was an exalted moralist, a profound philosopher, and pos-
sessed the energy to put all in action. So superior was he
to common men, that in those superstitious times it was
natural for men to believe that the Deity had descended
into him, and that something marvellous had taken place
at his birth.'" {Scenes in the Spirit Worlds p. 143.)
Thus far Pythagoras. His heathenism needs no com-
ment.
SUPERNAL ELOQUEXCE OF SPIRIT DR. CHANGING.
" Let growth of soul, and expansion of thought, en-
circle immensity, bedewed with the high, and the holiest
recollections of the infinite impress of the Divine Mind
upon the heart of man. Blessed Intuitions — Holiest re-
collections ! intervene, and radiate the dreary waste, and
speak peace to the heart. ShaU not these high-born mes-
sengers awaken within man an evidence of immortal de-
sire, to breathe forth a sweet cadence of love to the man-
gled efiusions, that arise spontaneous o'er the diversified
aspects, that contemplate the future as a vast arena, en-
circling the horrid destrium, that has impeded the onward
march of his and my fellow, who, like myself, is born
amid the clash and din of arms, to promote the highest
ends, that await man's conceptions of power and freedom,
which is the birthright of Heaven, to endow the heart
Avith its true nature. Its restrictions are buried amid the
din and sulphuristic effusions, that rob the memory, and
sack the storehouse of immortality of its hohest ends.
Peace ! Immortal Peace, should be an angel messenger,
whispering o'er the dead wantonness of poUuted power.
" We herald the offspring of a diseased appetite, that
can only be restored amid the untutored semblances of
ill-guarded omens, that whisper amid the lamentable as-
pects, that await the endless vicissitudes of man. A change
in the heart but awaits the endless changes of eternity.
It speaks in the sunlight glory of its native birth. It
breathes the atmosphere of blessed anthems, instilling the
fermentations of thought, in ascension to its end. The
Divine Evidences of Spiritual Illumination, are observ-
SUPERNAL ELOQUENCE. 249
able upon the hill-tops of every land. Like blessed
virgins of peace, they waft to the sunny clime the bid-
dings of the soul. The frigid zone is melted, by the
Avarm appeals to a consciousness of its power. Every-
where, the mighty messenger of hope bids on to the ulti-
mate of heavenly care. Come, then, my brothers, and
amid the furiated mass, build a tendon of infinite power,
that shall ascend beyond the marked impress of a deified
end."
" Let God, in the heart, adorn the man with robes of
sapphire, whose enchantments shall inspire our every
thought, beyond the melodious strains of seraph as weR
as Son, born anew to the divine illuminations of the heart.
I want a united efibrt to give life and vigor to the Spirit
ual manifestations and movements in NashviUe, that your
brother man may aspire to higher and greater ends
than the seraphic enchantments that picture man lifelesSj
bereft of the prerequisites of deified power ; robed in
heaven, or doomed in an everlasting hell.
" Let the intuitive lessons of heaven-born minstrel?
chant the high and glorified anthems, that shall inspire y
thought beyond the selfish motives of man. Spiritual ii
luminations will give the hue of celestial visions to th«
future, to permit man to behold his life, his heaven-borr
inheritances, if true to the common instincts of humanity
and his God. Then be inspired with renewed exertioni
in the great cause of human freedom. Humanity's chai L
is but the glorified acceptance of Love, Wisdom and Hate :
hate for the insidious designs of those who give vent to
the most malignant desire to stupefy all brighter prospects
of the Future ; wisdom to disentangle those who dare
give thought to the intuitive impression made through
the infinite impression of the soul ; love for their own, that
their cherished ritual may be made the standard of every
man's conscience. Let the multifidious desires be awak-
ened, that man may come within the hallowed influence
of celestial fires, that the glorious era, now dawning
upon the world, may be hallowed by the holiest ties and
kindred affinities, both on earth and amid the exhaustless
11*
250 A THllEE-FOLD TEST.
expanse of waste." ! ! ! ! {Spirit Communion^ pp. 126,
129.)
We have now presented numerous " elegant extracts"
from spirit literature, whose internal evidence shall form
our SECOND TEST for the character and claims of modern
Spiritualism.
We might have quoted more largely, and from a greater
number of authors, for it is quite evident, that Spiritual-
ists ought to tell their own story ; and thus they would
manage our point for us in the best possible manner ; but
our limits would not allow it, and perhaps the reader
may complain that more than a " quantum sufficit" has
already been pushed upon his attention, until he has ar-
rived at an " ad nauseam" conviction. Well, we confess
this has been our aim. And we feel sure that he has al-
ready passed an intelligent verdict upon the spirit move-
ment of our distracted age.
AfuU and fair sample of subject-matter and style is ne-
cessary to enable one to pronounce upon the truth or
falsehood of the claims set up, and without it such an at-
tempt would be unreasonable and unfair.
We have read some of Dr. Channing's productions, and
we think that every competent man acquainted with them,
will pronounce the specimen a grievous hbel upon the dig-
nity of his matter and the beauty of his style. All that
we have read purporting to come from him is like this.
To be the author of such effusions. Dr. Channing must
have sadly retrogressed ; but this indisputable fact con-
flicts with the great doctrine of progression^ with which
every publication is filled, and of which every spirit talks,
in the interest of this novel cause. The conclusion is
therefore inevitable, that if spirit Channing be a lying
spirit, we have no evidence but that aU others may be
personatmg, deceiving demons ; whose imposture we have
INTERNAL EVIDENCE. 251
no adequate means to detect, and whose ability to elude
the sagacity of mortals in all the tests employed, is evi-
dently almost unbounded. If, on the other hand, the
spirit of Dr. Channing is really the author of the afore-
said and kindred productions, then it is perfectly clear,
that his life in the spirit world is one at least of intellect-
ual deterioration and retrogression; and as heaven, accord-
ing to Spiritualists, is more of a state than a place^ it fol-
lows that spirit Channing is going on from bad to worse,
since nothing can be found in all his writings so intel-
lectually impoverished, so bedizzened with "hifalutin,"
and so intrinsically, intensely, interminably, intolerably
absurd : but this falsifies their whole theory ; therefore,
whether this be a lying or a true spirit, the internal evi-
dence of his productions is dead against the system in
whose favor and for whose advancement they were
made.
In the elaboration of this supernal literature, every me
dium is a psychologized and clairvoyant ecstatic, whose
intellectual and physical organism is used by the spirits
for their own high purpose, of imparting a new revelation
to the world, as we are told, which shall ultimately sub-
vert the myths and falsities and imposition of " popular
theology." Such being the avowed design, surely, accord-
ing to the doctrine of " progression," we must look for
ennobling sentiments, mighty thoughts, commanding intel-
lectuality, profound moraUty, which, if it must partake of
the impurities of media, shall nevertheless appeal to the
reason, commend itself to the moral sense, and exactly
suit that innate perception of the fitness of things inalien-
able from the nature of the human soul which, we are told,
is a " part of God himself." This is axiomatic, and essen-
tial to a state of correlation between sanity of mind and
the realities of universal existence. Reason therefore is
in itself a competent power of necessary intuition, whose
252 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
judgment is an infallible test for all things coming within
its scope ; and must, by the very terms of its existence and
operation, decide according to the internal evidence of
every theory submitted to its judgment.
What, then, are the facts and doctrines of our modern
SpirituaUsm ? They are drawn out in a lucid manner, by
the author of that most unmanageable book, " The Apoca-
tastasis," and we cannot do better than quote it, p. 153 :
" A pantheistic theology, the identification of God with
matter, or a Soul of the World, or vital principle of the
Universe ; hence, man's responsibiUty is only to the laws
of nature ; the denial, consequently, of the fact of true
spiritual relations, of the existence of sin and guilt, with
an attempt to show that the universal consciousness of
humanity on this point is fallacious and false ; the reitera-
tion of the so often exploded falsehood, that man, having
no free will^ is but an involuntary and irresponsible link in
the endless chain of nature ; the reassertion, therefore, of
the principal lie of Eden, ' Ye shall not surely die ;' the
physical demonstration, for as many as can comprehend
interiorly the immutable laws of nature, of the immor-
tality of the soul ; because it is perfectly obvious from
the ' inherent and immutable laws of progression,' that
every particle of matter in the universe, ascending
through multifarious forms, from the angular to the
circular, jfrom the circular to the spiral, and soon to the
spiritual, ' will ultimately pass to the perfection of a spirit-
ual essence ;' allurement to virtue by the promise of de-
licious oriental paradises after death, of which, however,
the most vicious as well as the virtuous, may take their
choice in the spheres ; this linsey-woolsey tissue of ancient
and modern sophistry, absurdity, and impiety, sugared over
with sickly sentimentalism, and milk-and-water morality,
with the privilege of perpetual appeal, for its true interpreta-
tion, to the reestablished pagan oracles, and ancient ne-
cromancy revived."
This is a true schedule, a veritable list of small wares
hi the haberdashery of modem SpirituaHsm ; and when
INTERNAL EVIDENCE. 253
we consider the turgid style, the entangled web of words,
the profuseness of incongruities in all forms of speech at-
tributed to Bacon, Swedenborg, Pythagoras, Channing,
Washington, "Webster, Clay, Calhoun, and other minds
whose modes of thought and forms of diction are well
known, it is simply impossible to contemplate spirit hter-
ature without ineffable loathing and disgust ; we repeat
that to a sane mind, not ousted out of its normal state, it
is impossible not to regard the whole of it as a bottomless
pit of wickedness and imposture. The evident " brain-
dribble" of a medium poured out of his mouth or through
a quill, in all respects answering to the above description,
is gravely published to the world as the giving forth of a
new law and gospel, by which the life of man on earth,
and all his beUef and action respectmg his immortal inter-
ests, are to be guided ! !
We are instructed, in this " new religion," to distin-
guish between heaven and the spheres through which all
men shall ultimately reach it and become the " minister-
ing angels of God."
The spheres are circles concentric with our earth, and
below our moon, according to spirit Hare ; but heaven
" lies outside of all other spheres." Whatever may be the
facts in the case, he " has not learned that any spirit from
our planet has yet reached the supernal heaven." [Harems
Spiritualism)
The situation and the glories of the spheres^ spirit Hare
thus delineates :
" The spirit world lies between sixty and one hundred
and twenty miles from the terrestrial surface ; the whole
intermediate space, including that immediately over the
earth, the habitation of mortals, is divided into seven con-
centric regions, called spheres. The region next the earth,
the primary scene of man's existence, is known as the first
or rudimental sphere.
254 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
" The remaining six may be distinguished as the spiritual
si^heres.
" The six spiritual spheres are concentric zones or circles,
of exceedingly refined matter, encompassing the earth
hke belts or girdles. The distance of each from the
other is regulated by fixed laws.
" You will understand, then, they are not shapeless chi-
meras, or mere projections of the mind, but absolute en-
tities, as much so indeed as the planets of the solar sys-
tem, or the globe on which you now reside. They have
latitudes, longitudes, and atmospheres of pecuHar vital
air, whose soft and balmy undulating currents produce
a most pleasurable and invigorating efiect. Their sur-
faces are diversified with an immense variety of the most
picturesque landscapes ; with lofty mountain ranges, val-
leys, rivers, lakes, forests, and the internal correspondence
of all the higher phenomena of earth. The trees and
shrubbery, crowned with exquisitively beautiful foliage and
flowers of every color and variety, send forth their grate-
ful emanations." {Ihid.^ p. 87.)
The reader will observe the discrepancy between this de-
scription and that given by Bacon.
In the seventh sphere dwells "Jesus of Nazareth, (! !)
the great moral reformer, and 'John the beloved.' There
reside the apostles, prophets, and martyrs of olden time.
There five Confucius, Seneca, Plato, Socrates, with all the
philosophers of ancient Greece and Rome."
This representation of the place where Christ is, and
the companionship it is his privilege to enjoy as one of
the " reformers" of the world, is given by spirit Maria,
and confirmed by a convocation of spirits ! Says Prof.
Hare, in his " Spiritualism Scientifically Illustrated," pp.
108, 116:
" It ought also to be explained that after spirits reach
the seventh sphere, they are represented as being en-
titled to enter the supernal heaven, taking place among
the mmistering angels of the deity." (Ihid.^ p. 123.)
INTERNAL EVIDENCE. 255
Kow the Bible speaks of heaven, but it says nothing
about these spheres. Indeed all its teachings contradict
their existence. Christ is at the right hand of God, far
above angels, according to the Scriptures ; but according
to Spirituahsm, he has not yet reached the dignity of a
" ministermg angel ;" he has not even " progressed" be-
yond the sphere of the old heathen philosophers.
Christ declared that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were in
heaven; but spirits place them in the seventh sphere, while,
as to the location of these spheres, spirits themselves
are not agreed! Whom, then, shall we believe? There
is no discrepancy on the subject of the spiritualized mat-
ter composing them. This is distributed in all the variety
of the earthly condition. The visions impressed by Ba-
con, Swedenborg, Pythagoras and others are all cut out
of the same web. The earthly and the sensual predomi-
nate, while there is such a pomposity of language used
to express the most insignificant conceptions and incon-
gruous notions, that no person, if he retain his natural
mother-wit, will either disgrace it, or dishonor the vir-
tuous departed, by imputing to them the authorship of
such paltry trash. They present scenes, employments,
and intercourse utterly offensive to the well-balanced and
weU-instructed mind, and a calm appeal to reason, ought
ever to bring down its anathema upon the whole system as
earthly, sensual, and devilish : earthly, because the gross-
ness of earthly pleasures depict spiritual employments;
sensual, because the appeal is to the carnality of a sensuous
experience for their just estimation by us; and devil-
ish, because they artfully teach false doctrine, to the ruin
of souls, subserving the nefarious design of the Devil.
The description of the spirit home above given, answers
precisely to the Elysium of heathen mythology. " There
happiness was complete, the pleasures were innocent and
refined. Bowers for ever green, deHghtful meadows
256 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
with pleasant streams, were the most strikmg objects.
The air was wholesome, serene, and temperate ; the birds
continually warbled in the groves, and the inhabitants
were blessed with another sun and other stars." (Lempri-
ere^s Clas. Die.)
It is also strikingly in unison with the Mohammedan
heaven. Thus spake the Prophet of Mecca :
" As to those who beUeve and do good works, we will
not suffer the reward of him who shall work righteous-
ness to perish : for them are prepared gardens of eternal
abode, which shall be watered by rivers ; they shall be
adorned therein with bracelets of gold, and they shall be
clothed in green garments of fine sUk and brocades : re-
posing themselves therein on thrones.
" The description of paradise, which is promised unto
the pious : therein are rivers of incorruptible water ; and
rivers of milk, [buttermilk, " Judge," of course is plenty,]
the taste whereof changeth not ; and rivers of wine, plea-
sant unto those who drink ; and rivers of clarified honey ;
and therein shall they have plenty of all kinds of fruits.
" And there shall accompany them fair damsels having
large black eyes ; resembling pearls hidden in their shells ;
as a reward for that which they have wrought. (Koran^
chaps. 18, 47, 56.)
Now comparing the " Elysium" and the supernal gar-
dens, with the scenes and descriptions of " Life in the
Spheres," we can not fail to be struck with the substantial
sameness in this particular, common to the three systems.
Be sure, there are a few discrepancies, incoherencies, and
inconsistencies permeating each other in our modern
spirit revelations, not to be found in the other two ; but
on the whole, ia the light of Paganism and Mohammedan-
ism, there is sufiicient accuracy to justify the conclusion,
that modem Spiritualism is simply an improvement upon
INTERNAL EVIDENCE. 257
the former developments to suit our times, by the same
spirit author who has ever operated upon mortals,
through "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the
pride of life." In the evident unity of design common
to all three, there is evidence sufficiently conclusive, of
the common authorship of all three ; and this belongs de-
monstrably to the " Prince of the power of the air ;"
and confessedly^ too, because the spheres being below our
moon, and their inhabitants having governments like
those on earth, this Prince, Hke the Principle God,
should also be a Principle subordinating all things in the
spheres. The New Testament only takes the Hberty of
making this a personal being, and calling him "The Devil."
" Is heaven a place where pearly streams
Glide over silver sand,
Like childhood's rosy dazzling dreams
Of some far fairy land ?
Is heaven a clime where diamond dews
f^ Glitter on fadeless flowers,
And mirth and music ring aloud
From amaranthine bowers ?
"Ah ! no ; not such, not such is heaven I
Surpassing far all these : >
Such can not be the guerdon given
Man's wearied soul to please.
For saint and sinner here below
Such vain to be have proved ;
And the pure spirit will despise
"Whate'er the sense hath loved.
" There we shall dweU with Father, Son,
As is divinely said,
And with the Holy Spu-it one ;
In glory like arrayed :
And not to one created thing
Shall our embrace be given ;
But all our joy shall be in God,
For only God is heaven."
258 A THBEE-FOLD TEST.
CHAPTER VI.
•* What cwicord hath Christ with Belial ?"— 2 Cor. 6 : 15.
THE GOOD AND EVIL OF SPIRITUALISM CONTRASTED.
The Benefits of Spiritualism — A Catalogue— Clairvoyance tested— The
other Side — Case of Doughty — Others — Spiritualistic Bigamy — Demoniac
Murders and Suicides— Other Cases— The Wakemanites — Shocking
Affair — Edmonds's List of Benefits review^ed — Davis's List of Benefits —
Tallmadge's Letters— A Demon's Bible-Class !
The success of any new enterprise requires, that tlie
men engaged in it should be able to set forth its advan-
tages so as to interest and persuade ; for unless others
can be made to see and appreciate it, there is an end to
the fondliest cherished hope.
None are better aware of this than Spiritualists, as Ave
may judge from their vigorous use of the press. An
almost endless variety of fact, anecdote, and grave dis-
sertation, spread out in books, pamphlets, and jDapers,
have this end in view, namely, to persuade the reader
of the superiority of this cause, as the true religion ; to
prove it the best vehicle of divine benevolence ; and to
show the substantial good that accrues to every individual
who has independence enough to reject the trammels of
a false faith, and the false doctrines of popular theology ;
who will, upon the best evidence, consent to yield him-
self up to a heaven-sent agency, designed to purify and
A LIST OF BENEFITS. 259
elevate the soul; and who will accept the best conso-
lation that mourners can receive, a consolation that
flows from actual intercourse and loving communion with
the happy spirits of our departed friends, ever anxious
to impress the living with the great fact of their own im-
mortality, that thus we may realize ours. This is the
burden of their teachings, both by the itinerant exposi-
tor and the printed page.
It is our design to show that this pretension is the very
gist of the deception. This is no very hard task, for
when one sits down calmly to an examination of the re-
corded evidences of the good and the evil, and sifts out
all the facts, the assertion, the declamation, the rhetorical
flourishes, and rhapsodical effusion, to the bottom, he will
be struck with the amazingly small residuum of good
compared with the vast amount of evil^ physical, mental,
and moral, already realized in the infancy of this move-
ment.
Now we read the foUowing suggestive fact in Matt. 4:9:
''^All these things will I give thee^ if thou wilt fall down
and worship me." This was a mighty benefit offered, and
Satan is just as accommodating now as he was in the
days of Christ. We have no doubt that he will exert
himself to do a great deal more in the way of " benevo-
lence," when he finds his hook, so poorly baited, so quickly
swallowed not only by gudgeons, eels, flat-fish, and small
fry, but by some of the very leviathans of the deep.
A specimen of the vast good accomplished, is given in
the '•''Telegraph'' 8 answer to Rev. Mr. Mahan," pp. 22, 23 :
" 1. Diseased persons who were regarded as incurable
by ordinary professional modes, have been restored to
health. 2. Many individuals have been mysteriously ad-
monished of approaching danger ; several having been
taken up bodily, or otherwise suddenly moved out of the
way of impending destruction. 3. Others, beiag spkitu-
260 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
ally influenced, have avoided collisions on railroads, ex-
plosions, sliipwrecks, and various disasters by land and
sea. 4. Dishonest debtors have been compelled to leave
home, and to travel hundreds of miles in search of those
whom they had defrauded ; and they have been forced
to cancel the claims of their creditors. 5. Men who were
formerly addicted to profanity, gambling, intemperance,
tobacco-chewing, and other vicious or injurious practices,
have been arrested and reformed. 6. Bar-rooms have
been closed by the direction of spirits, and the proprie-
tors have been induced to abandon the traffic in intoxicat-
ing liquors. 7. Unprincipled men and lewd women have
been developed as mediums, or otherwise assured of the
presence of spirits, and by this means have been taken
from houses of prostitution and led forth into the walks
of virtuous society. 8. Persons while under spiritual in-
fluence have been mysteriously moved and guided into
strange places, where they have found others ready to
perish with hunger, cold, or from some other cause ; and
such persons have been saved from further suflering —
perhaps from death — ^by the timely discovery of their
situation," etc., etc.
In answer to this, we have to say, that the number of
cases at the best, allowing all this to be true, which allow-
ance must be cum grano^ is comparatively so small under
each specification that it amounts almost to nothing in
proof of the mighty claim set up. We contend that ex-
traordinary claims must be sustained by corresponding
proof, and that under circumstances which must be satis-
factory to reasonable minds. Let us look at them for a
moment.
1. It is very possible, that diseased persons may be
physicked to death, "by ordinary professional modes;"
and when one so reduced as to be given up by the phy-
sicians, has left off taking medicine, he may recover. Such
instances have been known everywhere; but no one
would think of attributing their restoration to spirits.
It is not, however, stated here, how many deaths have
A LIST OF BENEFITS. 2G1
occurred in consequence of " diseased persons" trusting
to the prescriptions of media. We believe tliat the
spirits have hilled many more than they have cured.
We met with the following announcement in the
Spiritual Telegraph of July 26th, 1856 :
"clairvoyant examinations and treatment.
" A. B. Smith, Rondout, N. Y., Clairvoyant and Spirit
Medium for healing the sick. Mr. S. can examine
patients at a distance by having their names and re-
sidences submitted to his inspection. Each letter in which
the writer requires such an examination must inclose one
dollar. Each prescription, if the medicine he furnished^
one dollar additional."
4| Having a desire to test Clairvoyance, we determined
to try it, and therefore wrote the following letter :
New- York, July 2^th^ 1856.
Mr. a. B. Smith :
Dear Sir: In looking over the Spiritual Telegraph
to-day I noticed your advertisement, by which I perceive
you can examine and prescribe for patients at a distance,
^ hy having their names and residence submitted to your
^ inspection. I learn most of our mediums are now out
of town. I^ot wishing to send to the residence of any
upon an uncertainty, I have determined to send to you for
an examination only. I wish to know whether I am per-
manently diseased ; if so, or not, what is the part affect-
ed, and what are my prospects, and is it worth while for
me to do any thing ? I inclose the fee, hoping to hear
from you, if possible, the latter part of this week.
Please don't fail. I have, what I have sometimes seen
described as, an " all-gone feeling."
Yours truly,
William R. Gordon.
(Residence given.)
262 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
To this I received in due time the foUowins: answer :
o
"RoxDOUT, Aiiff. 2, 1856.
" William R. Goedon :
" Dear Sir : yours July 29th is received and the money
also we hav examined your case and it is represented
to me that the diaphragm is aifected also the inner coat-
ing of the stomach also the liver and spleene is effected
The urinary organs and kidneys are effected there is
some scorfulous humor in the blood there is a weakness
in the nerves of the back. It is represented you can be
restored to comfortable health provining you can follow
the directions. Yours truly,
" A. B. Smith."
This will do for Clairvoyance, and Spirit-cures. Mr.
G. is in perfect health, and rarely otherwise ; he is able
to go through as much labor as most men, every day, and
that often protracted far into the night, without feeling
any inconvenience, except occasionally the " aU-gone
feehng." Now if clairvoyance will load a healthy man
with a multitude of disorders for one dollar, what will it
do for a sick one? Simply this. It will send him to
dig yams upon the Judge's black sand plane, or to pro-
gress in some other sphere ; unless a kind providence over-
rules his foUy : that's all.
But we do not deny that some cures may have been
effected apparently by very funny means. Thesamehave
been done in all ages. Satan can afford even to multiply
such specimens of benevolence, in consideration of the
prodigious evil he may thereby accomplish bythe instru
mentality of energetic men, badly taken in.
2. The mysterious admonitions may aU be true, but
that does not prove the value of Spiritualism, since they
have occurred in cases where their subjects have accredit-
ed them to the special providence of God, a doctrine
A LIST OF BENEFITS. 263
denied by Spiritualists ; and their opinion is justified by
the teachings of Scripture on that subject.
3. Because some men, by means of dreams, or otherwise,
have avoided calamity, that does not prove the truth of
Spiritualism, for such deliverances have often been effect-
ed in those who have not had the privilege of spiritual-
istic experience. It is not fair to deny the evidence of
the plenary inspiration of the . Bible, and then take the
proof of one of its doctrines, and appropriate it to the
support of a system opposed to the Bible.
4. Conscience has forced dishonest men to make resti-
tution, and while this known fact is before us, we can
not accept similar facts as evidence for Spiritualism.
5. With respect to the vices stated under this head,
the writer knows media that live by spirit manifestations,
and yet are addicted to some of them.
6. As to the evidence arising from the closing of bar-
rooms by the " direction of spirits," it is more than bal-
anced by the opening of bar-rooms under their guidance :
for bad spirits promote more misery by this means than
any other that can be named.
*' 7. Unprincipled men and lewd women have been deve-
loped as mediums." We have heard of this before, and
know of a case where a principled man was made unprin-
cipled by such development; for after making money
enough at his new business to pay his board, he spent it
instead, at " houses of prostitution," and finally ran away
and defrauded the man with whom he boarded, of some
fifty dollars. Cases like this, go to invaUdate the special
claim made in behalf of Spiritualism.
8. As to the mysterious guidance of persons into
strange places where they have saved others ready to
perish, we can not see how this can make weight for
Spiritualism, because we have often read of the same
264 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
things being done by dogs ; but perhaps dogs, in the
opinion of our philosophers, may be the subjects of
spiritual influence as well as men.
Four other specifications of the wonderful good accom-
plished by Spirituahsm are given, much weaker than the
foregoing. Instead of examining them, perhaps we may
as well give some specimens of the evil produced. If
this be great, then our argument is complete against
these shallow pretensions.
We quote from a work entitled " Spiritualism against
Christianity, by Rev. J. W. Daniels," which we take the
liberty of commending to the attention of both friends
and foes of this movement. It is the best for common
readers, that we have seen of all the answers, investigations,
etc., of the advocates of Christianity, a very few of whom
have had either time or inclination to bestow upon this
seemingly absurd theme :
"a family EUTNED by SPIErniALISM.
" Mr. George Doughty, a respectable farmer of Flush-
ing, Long Island, ' possessed of considerable property, hav-
ing his interest excited by the reports of the doings
of the mediums of this mischievous and absurd de-
lusion, resolved to seek out one of the professors of the
Spiritual doctrines, and make himself acquainted with the
mysteries which they pretend to disclose. With that in-
tention he proceeded to the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsyl-
vania, where he was introduced to a professed medium, a
lady named Mrs. French, whom, after a short acquaint-
ance, he invited to visit him and his family on Long
Island ; and from that time — some years ago — up to with-
in a recent date, she has been a constant visitor at the
farmer's house, where she was, at the wish of the unfor-
tunate man, treated as one of the family.
" ' A few weeks since, however, she arrived in the city
EVILS PRODL' Ciil>. 265
of New- York, and instead of proceeding direct to the
farmer's, as she was wont to do, took rooms at the Irving
House, where she was accompanied by a strange man, who,
she informed the farmer upon visiting her, was about writing
an interesting legend of the spirit-land, she furnishing
the materials and the matter. Such was the influence she
had acquired over the farmer, and the strange delusion
under which she labored, that she induced him to adopt
her as his daughter, and finally to make over to her near-
ly his entire property.
" ' The wife of the unfortunate victim endeavored to
restrain him in his mad career, but did not succeed. By
threats of violence, he compelled his gentle partner to
make an assignment of her interest, in his affairs to him ;
after which, he proceeded to convert his effects into cash —
which amounted to about 15,000 dollars in all — and this he
immediately paid over to the medium at the Irving House,
upon which the latter took French leave and departed,
going, it is reported, back to Pittsburgh. The next day
he seemed partly to realize the extent of his folly, and
called upon his friend the medium — but lo, and behold !
the charmmg creature was missing, as was also the fabu-
lous book-writer. He then asked to be shown to the
room she had occupied, and declared he would commit
suicide. His request was of course refused, and he was
driven from the house. He then proceeded to the resi-
dence of an acquaintance in New- York, and there repeat-
ed his determination to shuffle off this mortal coil. He
finally went home, and his friends, with very natural mis-
givings as to the propriety of permitting him to have un-
limited liberty, had him arrested and conveyed to the
New- York Lunatic Asylum, where he now remains a con-
firmed lunatic. * * * rpj^e yictim of the con-
spiracy is the father of two very interesting daughters,
and has many respectable relatives and connections in this
city, whose feelings with regard to the sad event may be
easily imagined. Such are the particulars of one of the
most infamous cases of heartless fraud and delusion which
has probably ever been recorded. The reputed medium
is reported to be an abandoned female of the worst cha-
racter,' — Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Feb. 25, 1852."
266 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
Mr. Doughty was personally known to the present
writer. His family lives within the neighborhood of
Flushing, and the above facts are well attested, though
related in a much milder way than the terrible circum-
stances would naturally suggest to most men who are
accustomed to chronicle passing events.
This medium, is now or lately has been, in this city, do-
ing a thriving business, if we may credit the accounts we
hear. Now, if our Spiritualists are such benevolent, good
men as they say their system makes them, why do they
coimtenance one who has been the author of so much mis-
ery to the estimable family of poor Doughty ?
" The following heart-rending cases were published in
the iVl Y. Medical Gazette :
" ' A case of insanity has occurred within a few days,
by reason of the revelation made by mysterious raps, that
the steamship Atlantic had been wrecked, with the loss of
all on board; although since this melancholy catastrophe,
the passengers, whose " spirits" were declared to have made
the rapping, have arrived at home — one of them to find
his wife a maniac, from a belief in these ghostly knock-
ings. Another female has just been sent to the asylum,
by reason of the mesmeric operations upon her nervous
system, avowedly for the purpose of rendering her clair-
voyant, but with the efiect of dooming her to lunacy.
And these recent instances are not merely isolated cases,
for in several of the asylums the victims of these kindred
impostures are hopelessly insane.'
SPIEirUALISTIC BIGAMY.
'"A singular case of bigamy recently occurred in this
city, which illustrates the new uses to which spirit
raps may be appropriated. A woman named Susan A.
Hubbard was arrested for the above oifense, and taken
before Justice Osborne, of the Lower Police Court, for a
EVILS PEODUCED. 267
hearing, on the 20th inst. It was alleged that she had
three or four husbands ; but it was necessary only
to prove the existence of two marriages. Rev. Mr. Sag-
gart, (Taggart,) a Baptist clergyman, one of the witnesses,
identified the prisoner as the person whom he had some
years since married to Hubbard. Hubbard himself was
present, and was identified by the witness — thus proving
that he was not dead, but had unfortunately " turned
up."
" 'The second husband (or rather one of the subsequent
husbands) was also present, and swore to his recent mar-
riage with the defendant. Mr. Smucker, the counsel for
the prosecution, wished to know the circumstances under
which the last marriage had been brought about. The
witness, Henry W. Smith, was a schoolmaster. He had
first met the prisoner at an assemblage of Spiritualists on
the corner of Broadway and Lispenard street. She was
a prominent member of 'the circle which met there from
time to time, to summon the world of spirits*to their pre-
sence and interrogate them. The prisoner gradually be-
came acquainted with the witness, (a robust, good-looking
young man,) and having conceived a passion for him, set
about the work of inducing him to marry her. He heard
that she had former husbands, and wished to know if they
were dead. At the next meeting she summoned the
whole of them from the land of shadows, and made them
all, one after the other, testify to the fact that they were
dead, (in the body,) and give other interesting items as
to their spiritual condition. The young man, being a firm
believer in Spiritualism, could not, of course, deny such
evidence ; and being attracted by the smartness, intelli-
gence, and good looks of the " medium," he married her.
Not long after, he discovered that her " spiritual manifes-
tations," were lying manifestations, and that there were
three or four other claimants to the possession of his wife,
one of whom was black!'' — Ifew- York paper.
DEMONIAC MUEDEKS AND SUICIDES.
"'Matthew Langdon, a printer in this city, 38 years
of age, followed up the circles and consulted the spirits.
268 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
out of anxiety to become a seeing medium^ till he was in-
stigated to cut his throat, which ultimately caused his
death.
" ' Dr. Elliot, surgeon at the Bellevue Hospital, to
which Mr. Langdon was sent after his throat was cut,
testified : " He told us he had been influenced by spiritual
manifestations to commit suicide." ' — New- York Times ^
Jan. 8, 1853.
" ' Two girls in Lawrence, Mass., a few years since, one
the daughter of Mr. Ramsdell, a medium, believed the lie
which the spirits then taught, that all were happier after
death, and determined to commit suicide. When pur-
chasing laudanum for this purpose, the druggist inquired
what they wished it for. They replied, ' To cure the ear
ache.' The laudanum was taken, and, if we recollect
right, proved fatal with one of them.
" ' Mr. Samuel Cole, residing in Washington County,
Ohio, who was made insane from the workings of the
spirit-rapping delusion, became possessed of the idea that
he must offer, like Abraham, a sacrifice to the Supreme
Ruler of the Universe. He accordingly proceeded to
carry his object into execution, by taking off one of his
feet, which he succeeded in doing some days since, in a
very scientific manner, and with an heroic determination
that would compare with the self-sacrificing deeds done
in the earlier ages. His family, fearing that some other
of his limbs might be demanded in a hke cause, had him
conveyed to the Lunatic Asylum at Columbus, where he
is now in the enjoyment of as much liberty as the nature
of his disease will warrant.' — Register^ Phila.^ Feb. 28,
1853.
"A correspondent of the Puritan Recorder^ in 1852,
supposed to have been Dr. Enoch Pond, of Bangor, Me.,
said : ' Only a few days ago the papers gave an account
of a man in Barre, Mass., who had been much given to
the rappings and other spiritual manifestations, who be-
came a raving maniac, threatened the life of his family,
and was committed to the Lunatic Asylum near Worces-
EVILS PEODUCED. 269
ter. He was led to attempt the life of his family in obe-
dience to a supposed revelation from the spirit world.'
" ' Almira Bezely, a medium in Providence, R. I., pre-
dicted that her infant brother would die at a specified
time, and then bought arsenic, with which she poisoned
him ! On her trial for murder, Samuel B. HoUiday testi-
fied ; " It was in evidence before the [coroner's] jury, that
the death of the child was predicted by the rappings. My
impression is that the child died at about the time pre-
dicted. I do not think she could have committed the
crime without this influence."' — Providence Journal^
October 22, 1851.
" ' This case illustrates the mode by which the spirits
sometimes verify their predictions !
" ' Mr. Brittan says : " Under the head of ' Spiritual
Diabolism,' an exchange paper has the following : ' The
spirits are inciting their victims to all sorts of nefarious
deeds. Here is an instance : F. A. Edwards, at Equi-
nank. Pa., a medium, thinks that one of the spirits commu-
nicating through him is the Devil, to whom, as directed,
he offered a sacrifice of burnt cats. Then the spirit told
him he must kill his daughter and an apprentice-boy at
work in his shop, and offer them up. He told his folks
that the spirit had directed him so to do, and he must do
so. Fearful lest he should do so, as he appeared perfect-
ly under the control of the so-called spirit, indeed, per-
fectly insane, his friends had him placed under restraint.
— Telegraph, May 12, 1855.
) »
" ' Judge Edmonds relates " that an evil spirit visited
one of his circles, took possession of Mrs. S., the medium,
manifested a very unhappy frame of mind, sometimes
setting the company at defiance and acted as though he
hated them. The medium was very much distressed by
the whole thing, frequently wept bitterly, and resisted as
far as she was able ; but he seemed to have obtained en-
tire possession of her, compelling her to do and to say
things which she would gladly have avoided." After oc-
cupying their attention for most of the evening, " he
left her, hut not until he had throion her upon the floor in
great distress.'''' ' {Spiritualism^ p. 464.)
270 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
"' Amherst' says, in Telegraphy N"o. 182, he 'has seen
'mediums rolling on the floor ^ uttering grunts like swine /
giving vent to the most hideous yells y and at times heat-
ing their bodies and tearing their hair like luyiatics. If
we are doomed to see a beautiful faith disfigured with
such manifestations as we sometimes now receive, let us
pray that there may he some one raised up amongst us
who shall he endowed with power to cast out the " un-
clean spirits.''^ '
" ' PhiUp Jarret's daughter, aged fifteen, of Behnont
County, Ohio, was singularly affected from October, 1851,
to March, 1852. She had paroxysms of extreme profan-
ity and obscenity, though uniformly decent when in
health. They held her, at times, to keep her from biting
her own limbs. During her illness the dwelUng-house
was much annoyed by raps from invisible powers. A re-
putable witch-doctor was called in the latter part of Feb.,
1852. He made passes, or operated by the laying on of
hands. She then recovered suddenly, (in a few minutes,
her father says,) and the noises ceased. She had been
attended in the fall and winter by allopathic doctors who
did not consider her insane, but devilish.
" ' Mr. Pinel — quoted by Dr. Rush in his lecture on Me-
dical Jurisprudence, p. 382 — mentions the case of a man
who had a murdering impulse " in no degree obedient to
his will," but whose memory, judgment, and imagination
were perfectly sound. The doctor reports several cases
similar, in which persons apparently sane have committed
hostilities on themselves, wives, or children, without knoio-
ing a cause for it. Whether these persons owe their af-
flictions to the cause stated in the 5th of Mark as affecting
the man who was ' always crying, and cutting himself with
stones,' until delivered of the unclean spirits by Christ,
may deserve consideration. His cutting himself was sui-
cidaV
" ' When one is diseased in the will, and hostile to him-
self, though in other respects rational, he may be possess-
ed by a spirit, who controls his actions, and makes him
commit such hostihties. The case of Jarret's daughter
seems to indicate demesmerization as a curative ; also that
w
EVILS PRODUCED. 211
in Mark 5 ; Christ, in Matthew 12 : 27, implies that others
cast out spirits as well as he : " If I by Beelzebub cast out
devils, by whom do your children cast them out?" Jo-
eephus, in the 8th book of Jewish Antiquities, chapter 2d,
speaks of it as a sanative practice, and that he had seen
♦ one Eleazer do it in the presence of the Emperor Vespasian ;
^ and that he placed a bowl of water before the patient, and
commanded the spirit to upset it as he passed out.
" ' As to the power of evil spirits to take possession of
one, there may be causes for it, both moral and physical.
Touching the case of Knightsville, our guardian spirits
may be repelled by extreme perverseness, leaving us to
be controlled by bad spirits, whose presence is said to be
known by a certain feeling of despondency and uneasi-
ness. The same causes that make our neighbors despise
us, may make the spirits despise us, and abandon us to
bad spirits, obduracy, hardness of heart, or utter disregard
of truth, if it conflicts with prejudice — persisting to hold
the same opinion, if convinced against the will. No
oflense against the Holy Ghost or the laws of nature is
forgiven. Who walks over a precipice in contempt of
the law of gravity, will suffer the penalty. Who retains
the same opinion still, if convinced against his will, must
disgust all good spirits. They can not cling to him with
pleasure, and if forsaken by them, the bad may possess
him, and make him war on himself as he warred on the
truth, bite his own limbs, thrust his hand into the fire, mur-
der his wife and children, taJce poison, or the halter.
" ' Thos. H. Geniit.
" 'St. Glairsmlle, Ohio, Dec. 17, 1854.' »
— Spiritual Telegraph, May 12, 1855.
It is well known that the horrid murders recently com-
mitted in Connecticut by the Wakemanites were in con-
sequence of intercourse with spirits.
" It was agreed among them that Mr. Matthews, the
victim, ' had a bad spirit,' that he came to Mrs. Wake-
man's house, ' with his hands tied to get rid of his bad
spirit,' that 'he was hurting her with his bad spirit,'
that ' he wanted the evil spirit out, and said, " You had
272 A THEEE-FOLD TEST. ^
better kill me," that Uncle Sammy said *' We had better
take a stick and knock this evil spirit out of him," ' that
' Mrs. Hersey said, " The witch-hazel stick was better than
any other," ' that Mr. Jackson ' believed that witch-hazel
would keep away evil spirits ; that they gave him a walk-
ing-stick of witch-hazel to keep away the evil spirit,' that
he ' told Mr. Sly that he had better strike Matthews only
one blow, and that might break the " power." ' Mr. Sly,
like all demoniacs, ' appeared extremely nervous. He
said " I cut this witch-hazel stick about two weeks ago ;
I believe there is great power in the hazel ; thought I
might di'ive out the evil spu-it, and break the enchant-
ment by tea made of the bark ; I struck Mr. Matthews
on the right temple with this stick ; he fell down and did
not say a word ; I struck him several times after he was
down ; I did this for fear he would cast his evil spirit on
my sister ; I held up his head and cut his throat several
times, and stabbed the fork into his breast several times.
The influence I was wider led me to do this ; I was in-
fluenced by a wrong spirit to go further than I had anti-
cipated^ or had any idea of^'' ' — Daily Tribune^ December
28, 1855."
We clipped the following from the New - York Times^
Dec. 21, 1855:
"shocking affair — ^THE FEUITS OF SPIRITUALISM.
From the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin.
" This morning, at an early hour, much excitement was
created in the Second Ward by the attempt of a man
named John Crowley to murder his mother, Mrs. Mary
Crowley. The family resides in Mechanic street, near
Parker. This morning John entered the chamber of his
mother, armed with a hatchet, and struck her upon the
head with the weapon while she was lying in bed. The
hatchet was fortunately dull, and the wound inflicted was
not serious. The mother clutched at the weapon, and the
son attempted to cut off her hand. Her cries finally
brought her husband to her assistance, and the son es-
caped, half-dressed from the house during the confusion.
• EVILS PBODUCED. 273
" Mrs. Crowley received two wounds in tlie head, and
one in the wrist, but neither are considered dangerous. A
report was current during the morning, that' the mother had
died from her injuries, but there is no truth in the story.
The son was subsequently found wandering about Inde-
pendence Square. He was arrested and placed in the lock-
up at the City Hall.
" It seems that the would-be matricide has been insane
through the influence of SpirituaUsm, for two years. Last
night he seemed more wild than usual, and took the hat-
chet to bed with him, without the knowledge of the rest
of the family. This morning he attacked his mother, as
has been already stated, for the purpose of ' knocking
some sense into her,' as he said. He will probably be
sent to the Almshouse, or to the Pennsylvania Hospital,
and arrangements to that efiect are being made."
The author of a late medical work, a physician of this
city, thus writes : " I regret to say that a prolific cause
of derangement, one pregnant with evil, is now tolerated
by the authorities in this city. I mean the sacrilegious
exhibitions of the ' Spirit-Rappers.' Mind after mind has
become insane upon this subject, and if the reports of our
Lunatic Asylums be true, many are completely dement-
ed." Facts, then, it would seem, in his opinion, warrant
a special law against this nuisance, as much as against
any productive source of pestilence or misery. To pro-
tect themselves from this, our Spiritualists hoist the flag
of Religion.
Such are a few of the terrible effects of Spiritualism.
We think they are its legitimate fruits, and when we are
brought, in the face of such facts, to the review of the
good performed, we think our contrast greatly tends to
strengthen the previous argument, assigning the whole
movement to the unmistakable agency of the Devil, who
was " a murderer from the beginning."
12*
274 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
We take another brief synopsis of the advantages of
Spirituahsm, to which we shall pay our respects, from a
"Reply to Bishop Hopkins on Spiritualism, by Judge
Edmonds," pp. 8, 9 :
" Briefly, then, to sum up the argument : Spiritualism
prevents hypocrisy; it deters from crime; it reclaims
the infidel ; it proves the immortahty of the soul ; it re-
cognizes one God, and man's responsibihty to him ; it
enforces the great law of the Creator, by inducements
hitherto unknown to man ; it heals the sick ; it gives
sight to the blind ; it cures the lame ; it comforts the
mourner ; it enjoins upon all the utmost purity of life ; it
teaches that charity which rather mourns over than re-
joices at the failings of our fellow-mortals ; and it reveals
to us our own nature, and what is the existence into
which we are to pass when this Hfe shall have ended."
Here, then, we have the whole in a nutshell. Let us
examine it briefly.
1. It prevents hypocrisy. How? We are told, by
" enabling us to know the thoughts and purposes, the
secret intentions and character of those living around
us!"
Now we hazard nothing in saying, this pretense is
impious and absurd. It is impious, because Spiritualism
presumes to appropriate a prerogative of the Almighty
which he gives to no angel, much less to a mortal.
" Jehovah searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the
imaginations of the thoughts." (1 Ch. 28 : 6.) " For thou,
even thou only^ knowest the hearts of all the children of
men." (1 Kings 8 ; 39.) We shall not apologize for
quoting the authority of the Bible against that of the
Judge : for we hold the former unimpeachable, and we
have proved the spirits with whom he communicates to
be deceivers. It is absurd, by the fact, that we have in
SECOND LIST OF BENEFITS. 275
our keeping the evidence of the grossest hypocrisy prac-
tised by some of the notables of Spiritualism in the prose-
cution of their business^ which is very disgraceful ; and
by the fact, that no Spiritualist in the exercise of this
pretended power has been known to forestall the evil
j3urposes of wicked men around them. Lavater will
help them much better than their spiritual gift of dis-
cernment in this particular.
2. It deters crime. Let facts already related disprove
this allegation. The truth is, Spiritualism itself, as shown
by its volumes, is a vast comprehensive system of sin
against God^ and crime against man. The evidence is
given.
3. It reclaims the infidels. But it has not reclaimed
Dr. Hare ; it has confirmed him. To say that it convinces
of immortality, is nothing to the purpose, because it is
acknowledged that the very source of proof upon which
Spiritualism rests for its demonstration, has existed from
the beginning of the world.
We are told, " it demonstrates the immortality of the
soul by an appeal to the senses. Hitherto the appeal has
been to abstract reasoning." Now the Judge has given,
in quotations from the Bible, a long list of angels who are
held to be the spirits of dead men, and whose appearances
from the beginning down to the end of revelation, are
appealed to. The numerous recorded appearances and
spiritual manifestations in all ages among the heathen
might have also been given. All these were " appeals to
the senses," hence it is not true that, " hitherto^'''' depen-
dence rests upon abstract reasoning. Revelation is to be
accredited with all the reliable proof that flowed from this
source, long before the Judge existed ; and it is there-
fore simply ridiculous for modern Spiritualists to set up a
claim to which, by their own showing, they are not enti-
276 A TIIIIEE-FOLD TEST.
tied, even were their " familiars" truthful spirits. Mr.
Capron assures us that the stolid atheist can get his views
endorsed by spirits, " and good ones too," as readily as
the most devout rehgionist. If this be so, he may be as-
sured oi annihilation as the ultimate destiny of the soul.
What, then, becomes of the " demonstration" ?
4. It proves the immortality of the soul. How can it
prove that which has ever been proved, or how can it
lay claims to demonstrate that which has been demon-
strated in every age, by better arguments of the same
sort they boast of?
Paul says : " Our Saviour Jesus Christ, hath brought
life and immortality to light through the GospelP (2 Tim.
1:10.) And this Gospel was preached or proclaimed by
the immortal Son of God unto Abraham ; and hence, by
an appeal to his senses and his reason, immortality was
demonstrated by the Author of it. Hence Christ is the
demonstrator, and not lyhig spirits. The world is no
wiser now on that subject than it was before the fathers
of our authors were born.
5. It recognizes one God^ and mail's respofisibility to
himP Most wonderful! Is this also claimed as an
original idea of the spirits, incorporated in the new reli-
gion? Does Spiritualism demand respect and merit
because it does not worship idols of wood and stone, or
because it is not a system of Polytheism ? We, however,
dispute this claim. The Judge, and other gentlemen who
are the pillars of the fabric, must prove recreant to the
simits if they believe in a personal God.
These " immortal advisers" sturdily denounce that, and
say that God is a principle ! N"ay, they go farther. They
say that every human soul is a part of God himself and
that its only impediment to the exertion of the Divine
attributes, is its present relations to matter ! This doc-
trine was taught by the Devil in the garden of Eden.
SECOND LIST OF BENEFITS. 277
"With him the spirits agree, therefore, and as he " was a
liar from the beginning," we must infer that they are of
his clan, and the system they teach is pantheism I
6. It enforces the great law of the Creator by induce-
ments hitherto unknown to man!
We deny this allegation in every syllable of its utter-
ance, and affirm there is not a shadow of proof for it in
all the writings of Spiritualists.
7. It heals the sick. Why not prove this by going
to our hospitals and restoring the unfortunate sufferers
to health and its comforts ?
Our Spiritualists are reduced to this dilemma : If they
are, as they claim, preeminently imbued with brotherly
love and high benevolence, and if they are possessed of
the power to heal the sick, then by the very terms of the
claim, they are bound at least to make a formal trial in
every hospital of our city, or stand convicted of impos-
ture.
8. It gives sight to the hlind^ and cures the lame.
We are told there are hundreds and thousands who
have witnessed these wonders, and the Judge puts this
sentence in italics : every man who pleases can behold
them for himself. Now, it has not only been our pleasure
but our anxious effort to test this claim ; but in vain.
We have relatives and friends blind and lame, and desire
above all things to have our Spiritualists try their power ;
but they are afraid to undertake. If every man who
pleases can behold these things, nothing could be more
beneficial to the cause, than an agreement between its
friends and skeptics upon a visit to our asylums. The
thing is needed for the immense good that will follow to
all parties concerned, without detriment to any, unless
the experiment might happen to fail. Will a response
come to this call, adopting a test of some value ? Come,
gentlemen, we are ready. Let there be no shuffling.
278 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
Here are our unfortunates who would be glad of relief;
here are multitudes who would be thankful for the de-
monstration, and would well appreciate the argument.
What say you ? Is not the proposition fair ?
9. It reveals — what is the existence into which we pass
when this life shall have ended. The Judge says : "I
have known this attempted by many divines, but I never
knew any two of them to agree in their description.
Whereas, in these revelations, there is no discrepancy on
this point." Indeed ! How comes it, then, that Dr. Hare's
" convocation of spirits" ratifying his spirit father's de-
scription, " that the spheres are concentric with the earth,"
and " more than one hundred thousand miles below the
moon," is contradicted by the Judge's spirits, who consign
the departed to different planets? Is there no discre-
pancy here ? How is it, that Monsieur Cahagnet's ecstatic
somnambulists make the wicked in the second sphere, all
comparatively happy, notwithstanding their degradation,
while the Judge himself describes the wretchedness of
their condition as he saw them, on the black sand-plain ?
No discrepancy here ? How is it about the " saw-mill"
and the " drink of buttermilk" ? O Infatuation ! what
hast thou done ? As to the descriptions given by clergy-
men, they are taken from the Bible, which does not de-
scribe but by symbols designed to convey the idea of in-
describable happiness. Hence they can not differ so long
as they insist upon this idea, any more than astronomers
differ in their descriptions of Saturn and Jupiter.
Perhaps we may be charged with the same dishonesty
set down to the account of Bishop Hopkins. Of him he
says, p. 9 :
" I do not learn that in reading extracts from my book
he departed from the practice of his calling, namely,
that of drawing particular passages from their context,
THIED LIST OF BENEFITS. 279
and thus giving them a very different meaning from the
true one — a practice which I do not hold very high
either in law or Gospel, and which I have often seen
excite the smiles of contempt among the inteUigent minds
in church."
We have given paragraph after paragraph, and are
really sorry that our space would allow of no more.
There is enough, however, of text and context, we hope, to
satisfy any reasonable man, that we have practised no
unfairness in our quotations, while at the same time we
pronounce the insinuation of the Judge against ministers
of the Gospel, an unmitigated slander^ of which, consider-
ing his profession, he ought not to have been guilty.
The last Hst of the " advantages" of Spiritualism we
take from Davis's " Penetralia," p. 209 :
"Does Spiritualism have this ('practical benefit')
effect on humanity ?
" Yes ; Spiritualism, in addition to its scientific bene-
fits, has brought to light many important religious truths,
among which are the following :
"1. It proves that man is an organized substantial
spirit.
" 2. It proves that his organized spirit is immortal.
"3. It proves that his immortality consists of an infinite
series of social, moral, and intellectual progressions.
" 4. It proves that all spirits advance from lower to
higher degrees of existence.
"5. It proves that this world is not a providentially
probationary 'vale of tears' — that it is not a fleeting
show, for man's illusion given — ^but that it is the beginning
of his eternal and more blessed career.
" 6. It proves that the popular doctrine of ' total de-
pravity' is false ; that mankind, as well as aU nature, is
progressive, ascending from every kind and shade of
imperfection.
" 7. It proves that the popular doctrine of 'hell punish-
ments' is false ; that instead, each individual is obliged,
280 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
by a law of his own being, to work out, either in this life
or the next, his own salvation from error and all manner
of sinfulness. No vicarious atonement, because punish-
ment or pain is the legitimate and inevitable result of
transgression.
" These are a few of the prominent ' practical benefits'
of Spiritualism. How unspeakably superior is all this to
modern theology! Modern theology can not prove the
immortality of the soul ; nor can it demonstrate any thing
to the satisfaction of intelHgent minds, except this — that
it originated in the East, in the darkest recesses of tradi-
tion and superstition, and that, in its present form, it
has proved itself quite incapable of blessing and harmo-
nizing mankind."
The ,^r5^ thing here said to be proved is an absurdity :
" Man is an organized substantial spirit" ! There never
was such a man upon the face of the earth. Man is
composed of an organized body and a rational soul^ both
equally real subsistences.
The second thing said to be proved is that " his organ-
ized spirit is immortal." There never was such a spirit
on the earth. Attributes are not organs^ and hence there
is no immortahty to a thing that never existed.
The third thing is more ridiculous. Immortality con-
sists of an infinite series of social, moral, and intellectual
progressions. Mortality^ then, must be a finite series of
the same sort !
The fourth loses nothing in the way of absurdity :
"All spirits advance from lower to higher degrees of
existence." We can understand that there are different
grades of excellence in existence, but the/ac^ of exist-
ence can admit of no degrees. Hence there is no proof
in the case.
The fifth proposition is contradicted, ^rs^, by the fact
that nobody ever has said the world was any such place
as described, nor given for any such purpose as hinted at ;
I
THIED LIST OF BENEFITS. 281
and second, by the spirits tliemselves, wlio affirm the pre-
existence of souls. Hence the world is not proved " the
beginning of his eternal and more blessed career."
The sixth proposition is contradicted by all the world
in general, and by this author in particular, whose various
productions are so many "manifestations" of "total de-
pravity" as to his reason and his reasoning.
The seventh proposition is contradicted by spirits, in all
its particulars, as well as affirmed. Hence nothing is
proved. Besides, it is a slap in the face of truth, brought
to our understandings and our hearts by the Bible, which
the author, it would seem, thinks it an important part of
his mission to vilify and cry down.
Such are the " prominent practical benefits" of Spiritu-
alism. They are fair to look upon, like the apples of
Sodom, but when they are examined they contain
nothing but dust and gas. These are offered us as spirit-
ual food, while the author last named does his best (and
that is poorly done) to degrade the Bible, pour out his
contempt upon its doctrines, burlesque " modem theolo-
gy," and in his ignorance and wickedness revile the min
istry of reconciliation. ^N'ow as many media put out
their " tins," like other professional gentlemen, we suggest
that his be garnished with this most pathetic stanza, and
surrounded by a border of amaranthine flowers and
spiritual fruit :
"Who killed Cock Eobin?
^ said the sparrow,
"With my bow and arrow ;
JkiUed Cock Eobin."
We have given but a sample of the evils already real-
ized in the march of Spiritualism. We have not given
any of the family broils occasioned, such as results from
spirits assuring a father that one of his children was not
282 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
his, and other such things. We have said little of the
thousands demented and otherwise ruined by this wretch-
ed business ; but we have shown enough to nullify the
pretensions made to great personal benefit.
Contrast the miserable " advantages," as above giv-
en, with the tribulation and anguish consequent upon
our rebutting facts, and we think it will be apparent to
every reader, divesting himself of prejudice, that the for-
mer by no means furnish adequate evidence in favor of
the claims of the system. So far from this, ihey are
quite compatible with our explanation referring the whole
to infernal agency. And when we take into the count
the admissions of Spirituahsts already noticed, it is per-
fectly demonstrable that a very large balance of probabil-
ities are on our side of the question, while of course they
have nothing of certainty to boast of, in a matter where
certainty is most needed.
We say the manifestations of this movement are all the
work of bad spirits — flying, deceiving spirits. We say
this is beyond any reasonable doubt, and our opponents
can not successfully deny it. We have proved it to be a
fact, and they can not disprove what we have thus
established. They may answer and argue, but after they
have done so to theu- hearts' content, they can never in-
validate the proof of our position.
But Governor Tallmadge says, in his letter to Hon. Mr.
Simmons : " Many persons, unable to resist the evidence
of the spiritual source of these communications, are finally
compelled to admit them, and, as a last resort, charge
them as emanating from evil spirits. I consider this as
giving up the controversy. There may be communica-
tions from evil spirits ; but that does not conflict with the
communications which bear internal evidence of coming
from the ' spirits of just men made perfect.' "
WHAT IS PROVED. 283
This is an extraordinary paragraph. What is the con-
troversy? That these manifestations come from om-
departed friends. They who deny this proposition,
surely, can not be said to yield the controversy by refer-
ring the phenomena to evil spirits ; because such exist,
and it is admitted such do communicate, and that they
are able to deceive, and do deceive. Now we simply
" try the spirits" by the tout ensemlile of the whole mat-
ter. We have given a theee-fold test, by which it
may be tried by others : our own experience, the internal
evidence of spirit literature, and the Bible. Mr. Tall-
madge says, (Appendix to vol. i. of Spiritualism^ pp. 440,
461:)
" I have always maintained, and still maintain, that these
' spirit manifestations' go to confirm the great and leading
doctri7ies of Christianity. If they differ in any respect
from the particular tenets of the denomination to which
this writer belongs, it is no greater difference than that
which he will hear from the pulpits of other denomina-
tions every Sunday of his life ! And still, all denomina-
tions maintain the great and leading doctrines of
Christianity, and all go to the Bible to establish the par-
ticular tenets which constitute the discrepancies between
each other.
" Those who have known me best and longest know
that I have always maintained the great truths of the
Bible, as the anchor of ow hope ; that skepticism has
7iever darkened my mental vision ; that I have contributed
as much as any one, according to my ability, in the circu-
lation of the Bible, and in the building and establishment
of churches to propagate the truth of its doctrines. I
have seen nothing in these ' spiritual manifestations' to
change my opinions, but much to confirm them. And
still, by a total perversion of what I have said, I am gra-
ciously charged as authority for ' rank blasphemy.' I bow
with deep humility to the over-righteousness of this in-
cognito of the Intelligencer., and confess with shame that,
284 , A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
with all my efforts to live up to the doctrines of the
Bible which he and I profess, I have come so far short of
the requirements of that sacred volume. From the appa-
rent sanctity which he has thrown around himself, I feel
that I am following him in his career of righteousness,
as lulus followed JEneus from the flames of Troy, haud
passihus cequis. But I am not as one Tvithout hope.
From my investigation of Spiritualism I am getting the
fundamental truths of the Bible reaffirmed."
This letter was written May, 1853. We have proved
that the spirits teach the most revolting doctrines to Prof.
Hare, who has long been in the sea of infidehty, swimming
at the bottom. We have proved that the spirits teach
the principal parts of the same system of infidelity to
Judge Edmonds and Dr. Dexter, though in a less revolt-
ing way, because they have previously, at least, respected
Christianity. We now prove that they affirm the funda-
mental truths of the Bible to a gentleman whose mental
vision was never darkened by skepticism, and to whom
the Bible has been the anchor of his hope ! What are
we to make of this ? Here we have verified the assertion
of Mr. Capron, previously quoted, that the most confirm-
ed atheist can get his views sanctioned by spirits^ as rea-
dily as the most devout believer in any of the thousand
forms ill which popular theology has clothed the Author of
nature !
Thus we see that the spirits conform themselves to the
likes and dislikes of men on the matter of religion ; and
thus, in this stratagem, confirm our previous remarks
upon their character, and demonstrate themselves to be
the agents of the devil, whose object it is to ruin the
souls of men.
If, however, the spirits do not succeed in their confirma-
tion of the Bible to the Governor better than in the fol-
lowing instance, they will give very unfortunate evidence
A DEMON'S BIBLE CLASS. 285
of their alliance with a certain Biblical expositor, who
came to Christ with his pious cant confirming the truth
of the Bible.
In a recent volume called the " Spiritual Reasoner," by
Dr. Lewis, we have at first sight a circle, bearing the ap-
pearance of a JBihle-class^ with whom the spirit of John
JLoclce statedly met, and at each session directed them to
read a portion of the Bible, and then he would explain
and apply. This we thought would be very interesting?
but when we read a little way on, O shade of John
Locke ! how we did execrate the villainous spirit that so
abused thy venerable name.
We here present specimens of spirit confirmation of the
Bible.
"Feb. 1, 1851. Locke spelled, 'Read John, 11th chap-
ter and 26th verse : " And whosoever liveth and beheveth
in me, shall never die. Believeth thou this ?" '
" Q. Is it the body only that dies ?
" A. Yes ; and spelled, ' And this will have its excep-
tions. Read Matthew, 16th chapter, 27th and 28th ver-
ses ;' and continued, ' there are some of this generation,
who will never die, even their bodies ; and there are those
who are called dead in trespasses and sins, who can not be
made alive, or, in other words, are not redeemed on the
earth.' " ! ! ! {Spiritual Reasoner^ p. 31.)
"Feb. 12. We were directed to read the 8th chapter
of John, 26th verse : ' I have many tilings to say and
judge of you, but he that sent me is true ; and I speak to
the world those things which I have heard of him.'
" Told us he wished to convey to us by this a sense of
his watchful care and guardianship over our conduct
and actions, both at present and in the future. Spelled
out, ' God judges of good deeds as well as bad.' Also he
wished to show to us, that his mission to us and the world
was from God, and to instruct us as he had heard or been
instructed. He then gave us the 2d chapter of Romans,
2d verse : ' But we are sure that the judgment of God is
286 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
according to truth against them which commit such
things ;' and closed by giving the 2d chapter of Hebrew
to read, desiring us to notice particularly the 13th to 18th
verses. After reading it, we asked what was meant by
the word devil therein spoken of. He spelled out ; ' A
term used to represent sin.'' " ! ! {Idein^ p. 42.)
"Feb. 15. Locke gave this evening the 3d chapter of
John, 6th and '7th verses : ' 6. That which is born of the
flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the spirit is spirit.
7. Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born
again.'
" Explanation, Being bom of the flesh means being
born of sin. Spelled, ' It is natural for man to sin.' Being
born of the spirit, he spelled, ' All your minds and afiec-
tions are changed when spu'itually born.'
" Q. Can the new birth take place before we leave the
body?
"-A. Yes.
" Q' Will it take place with all after they leave the
body ?
"•A. Yes.
" Q, Does the death of the body constitute a new
birth with all ?
'-''A. Yes. And spelled, 'But some fall into lower
spheres than others.'
" Q. Does man always know when he experiences the
new birth ?
" A. No." (Idem, p. 43.)
"March 12. Locke gave 1 Timothy, 4th chapter, 1st,
2d, 6th, 8th, 10th, 12th, 15th, and 16th verses: ' 1. Now
the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times
some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing
spirits, and doctrines of devils : 2. Speaking lies in hy-
pocrisy ; having their consciences seared with a hot iron.
6. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these
things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ,
nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine,
whereunto thou hast attained. 8. For bodily exercise
profiteth little : but godliness is profitable unto all things,
having promise of the life that now is, and of that which
is to come. 10. For therefore we both labor and sufier
A DEMON'S BIBLE CLASS. 287
reproach, because we trust in the hving God, who is the
Saviour of all men, specially of those that beheve.
11. These things command and teach. 12. Let no man
despise thy youth ; but be thou an example of the be-
lievers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in
faith, in purity. 15. Meditate upon these things; give
thyself wholly to them ; that thy profiting may appear to
all. 16. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine;
continue in them : for in doing this, thou shalt both save
thyself, and them that hear thee.'
"A SPECIAL EXHORTATION TO ALL PEESENT." {Idcm^
p. 63.)
Pity they did not take the hint !
"July 16. We asked Locke to instruct us concerning
the redemption, as we have never had any direct teach-
ing from him on this subject. He spelled : ' You are un-
able to comprehend teaching on that subject at present.'
We told him we had seen communications from other
spirits, teaching the redemption of both soul and body,
plain and direct. He spelled in reply, ' The spirits who
gave those communications saw it as they gave it. You
cannot see the true meaning, neither could the spirits who
gave them. They gave it as they received it. Does
Gardner understand all the communications given through
him ? Can a child, with all its purity, understand alge-
bra ?' " {Idem, p. 107.)
This is strange teaching for Locke !
"Aug. 22, 1852. The spirits taught us to-day, (while
speaking of the new or second birth referred to by the
Saviour in his conversation with Nicodemus, as recorded
in the 3d chapter of John,) that no person had ever ex-
perienced it except Enoch, Elijah, and Jesus Christ. We
asked if they would explain to us what it consisted in, in
a few words. They answered, ' Yes,' and spelled, ' Living
faith.' And in answer to questions, said that a person
having this living faith was spiritually born, and could not
experience death and corruption. (! ! !)
*
288 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
" We inquired concerning the hell spoken of in the
Bible, and Locke spelled, ' Christ passed through all the
hells, while partaking of our nature before his crucifixion
and redemption;' said he commenced passing through
them at twelve years of age. We replied, that accordmg
to the general behef of the world there was but one hell.
In answer he spelled, ' The hells are as vast as the heavens.
You have passed through some of them ; as soon as you
become wholly devoted to God you have passed the whole
of the hells.' We asked if it could be possible for man to
pass through all wliile in the body. He spelled in reply,
' Man can become so perfect that the last hell can be
passed by throwing off the natural body while on the
earth.'" (Idem., p. 169, 170.)
"March 13, 1852. Locke now introduced another
spirit, by giving us notice, that he was about to do so,
by spelling the name. ' Nott' was spelled ; said it was
Dr. Nott, formerly of Union College. The Dr. conversed
with us upon the deep responsibility of his station while
in the body ; and then Locke introduced Robert Burns,
the poet, in the same way." ! ! ! {Idem, p. 135.)
But the Doctor is not out of the body yet, nor out of
Union College !
Such are the Bibhcal lessons given by spirits. That
they are perversions of truth, we need hardly say. And
if the doctrine of salvation from the " damnation of hell"
by the atonement of Christ, can be abstracted from the
sa\dng faith of the Gospel, which anchors the soul on him
as " the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the
world," Satan and all his angels will gladly falsify the
Bible to any extent, and with " all deceivableness of un-
righteousness" will turn expositors of the word of God.
" Another gospel," will answer his purpose just as w^ell
as no Gospel at all. This is evident from the folly of the
inferential discourse of the author of the book last quoted.
Speaking of such expositions, and spirit directions to scrip-
tural passages, most absurdly appropriated to the cause of
Wf
X DEMO:n'S BIBLE CLASS. 289
Spiritualism, he says : " If they were given by evil, or the
devil, he did not falter or tire in proclaiming truth, from
first to last. If they do not carry the evidence of truth,
and an emanation from heaven, on the face of them, then
we confess we can not understand what is truthful, or
what is heavenly." The last sentence is very probable.
JSTo part of the system is more vulnerable than that on
which our Spiritualists seem most to rely. The miserable
puerilities and imbecility of its literature, attributed to
the intellects of Swedenborg, Bacon, Locke, FrankUn,
Webster, Calhoun, and others of that stamp, are covered
with unbounded absurdity. It can be answered in no
other way, but by satire, and in itself is entitled to
nothing higher than an outpouring of ridicule from an in-
dignant world. Our own communications speak for
themselves. All that we. have seen, are no better ; there-
fore we repeat, that our three-fold test, beyond the power
of a successful denial, proves modern Spiritualism to be
the offspring of evil spirits, beguiling and deceiving men
by infernal acts, for the purpose of leading souls to reme-
diless ruin. There is no way of escaping this conclusion,
either by sophistry or sound logic. We really do not
see how the leaders of this movement can help laughing
out in each other's faces, at these miserable pretensions.
If old lamblichus took it to be an evidence of the divinity
of his " Spiritualism," that it "made a stupid man speak
wisely," can we take it to be an evidence of the same
high origin, that our " Spiritualism" makes wise men
speak stupidly ? Alas ! for our preposterous age of " pro-
gression !"
13
290 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
CHAPTER VII.
"Prodttoe your causa, saith the Lord j
Bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob.
Let them bring them forth, and show us what shall happen ;
Let them show the former things, what they be,
That we may consider them, and know the latter end of them
Or declare us things for to come.
Show the things that are to come hereafter,
That we may know that ye are gods :
Tea, do good, or do evil,
That we may be dismayed, and behold it together.
Behold, ye are of nothing.
And your work of naught :
An abomination is he that chooseth you." — Isaiah 41 : 21-24.
THIRD TEST OF SPIRITUALISM.
THE BIBLK
The Bible the best Test — Fulfilled Prophecy — Nineveh— Babylon— Tyre —
Spiritualistic Prophecies — The Antediluvian Man — Mistaken Predictions
The Loss of the Steamer Pacific — Prediction respecting the Ericsson
— The Way of explaining Failures — Miracles — Spiritualist Miracles — An
Estimation of them — Lack of Mother-wit — Spirit Cures — Testimony of
Tertullian — Origin of Heathen Oracles — Imitations of God's Method
— Urim and Thummim — Ancient Spiritualism condemned — Reason for
it — Unfair Dealing with the Bible — Angels not departed Spirits— Ex-
planation of Rev. 22 : 8, 9 — The Bible against modern Spiritualism.
We are well aware of the fact that the Bible is the
butt of ridicule for the witlings of this enlightened age,
and that our Spiritualists proudly place before it the
authority of their " immortal advisers." "We have prov-
BIBLE PEEDICTIONS. 291
ed, what they do not deny, that by communicating spirits
they are liable to gross deception. It can not therefore
be supposed that we should respect their sentiments of
our standard of truth, in the face of their own sweeping
admissions. Their objections are old and stale, without
even the merit of new combinations ; and often ridicu-
lously feeble, because they are founded on ignorance and
not on hnowledge : and therefore can never invalidate that
which has been proved to be true.
Hence it would be quite needless for us to go into a
formal defense of the Scriptures, but we mean to produce
facts to show that the Bible is the best test by which the
pretensions of this so-called " new religion" can be
tried.
We take the subject of fulfilled prophecy to prove
that the long lapse of time between the predictions we
select, and their fulfillment, in both of which particular
answers to particular, absolutely thrusts upon us such a
high degree of evidence of divine origin, that the wonders
of modern Spiritualism do not deserve to be mentioned
with them in the same century.
It wiU not be disputed that the Old Testament, as we
have it, was in existence some 300 years before Christ,
for it was then translated into Greek, and was noticed
by several historians on account of the story of the trans-
lators' cells. It can not therefore be disputed, that the
prophecies we shall mention were at that time within the
Bible just as we find them recorded.
The prophet Nahum flourished about 400 years before
this translation was made, and uttered this prophecy
respecting the ancient and magnificent city of N'ineveh^
remarkable for the particulars brought to notice.
"The burden of Nineveh. With an overrunning
flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and
292 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
darkness shall pursue his enemies — affliction shall not rise
up the seeond time : for while folden together as thorns,
and while they are drunken as drunkards, they shall be
devoured as stubble fully dry." E'ah. 1 : 8, 10 ; 2 : 6.
One hundred years afterwards, Zephaniah lived and
prophecied against Nineveh thus :
" He will stretch out his hand against the north, and
destroy Assyria; and will make Nineveh a desolation,
and diy like a wilderness, and the flock shall lie dovfn in
the midst of her, all the beasts of the nation : both the
cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels
of it, their voice shall smg in the windows ; desolation
shall be in the thresholds : for he shall uncover the cedar
work. This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that
said in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me ; how
is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down
in ! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his
hand." (Chap. 2 : 13-15.)
When these prophecies were uttered, Nineveh had
been for a very long time a great city. Eight hundred
years before Christ, Jonah described it as " an exceeding
great city of three days' journey ;" that is, it took three
days to go around it. Agreeably to this, Diodoius
Siculus, a heathen historian, declares this city to have
been sixty miles in circumference ; surrounded by wa Is
one hundred feet high ; and so broad on the top tLat
three chariots might drive abreast on them ; having fif-
teen hundred towers, each two hundred feet high, placed
equidistant on these walls !
Nothing was more unlikely than the destruction of this
wondrous city at the date of either prophecy, yet how
minutely is it described ! among other particulars the
following deserve special notice :
1. An overrunning flood should be the means of its
cnptivity.
BIBLE PREDICTIONS. 298
2. At the time, its inhabitants should be drunk.
3. Its palace (which the conqueror was ever desirous
of si3aring) should be molten !
4. Desolation should be its portion for ever.
Diodorus Siculus, wholly ignorant of the prediction,
describes the destruction of Mneveh in all of these parti-
culars : and he is confirmed by Herodotus, Strabo, Tacitus,
Phny, and others. The destruction was so total, and the
desolation so complete, that the place where it was situat-
ed was unknown until modern times, in which antiquarians
have made their discoveries among the ruins of ages.
This prophecy was accomplished at least one hundred
and fifteen years after its utterance by Nahum.
2. In declaring the fate of another nation, which should
be accomplished in a manner the reverse of that we have
just noticed, the Bible vindicates its own claims.
Great Babylon^ which Herodotus says had one hun-
dred gates of solid brass, and waUs thirty-five feet high,
and thick enough for six chariots to go abreast on them,
this mighty city, the glory of the world, was foredoomed
by the mouth of prophecy. The particulars are very
remarkable.
1. The nations that should take the city were designat-
ed^ though hardly then in existence !
2. The name of the commander who was to head the
armies of invasion was given one hundred years before
he was borti I
3. The very time when it should be taken.
4. The manner of its capture — that it should be taken
by surprise during the hilarity of a feast — ^not, hke
Nineveh, by an overrunning flood, but by the drying up
of the river !
5. That it should be utterly destroyed.
Only think of this combination of circumstances, and
294 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
consider the improbability of the fulfillment of the pre-
dictions concerning that city. The nations which should
take it, are specified in Isa. 21 : 2; Jer. 51 : 11. The
name of the commander is given in Isa. 44 : 28 ; 45 : 1.
The time is specified in Jer. 25 : 11, 12. The method of
surprise, by the river being turned from its course, in
whose bed the besieging armies marched, is mentioned
in Isa. 44 : 27 ; Jer. 1 : 24-38 ; 51 : 30-36. The utter
destruction is detailed in Is. 13 : 19 ; 14 : 22, 23 ; Jer.
50 : 13-40.
Isaiah prophesied one hundred years before Jeremiah,
when Persia was just beginning to be. Jeremiah pro-
phesied about sixty years before Babylon was subdued,
and at a time when Nebuchadnezzar had greatly enlarged
and strengthened it. Its walls were among the wonders
of" the world, and in and around it men gathered the
mightiest works ever achieved by man. While in the
strength of its power, in the glory of its mighty dominion,
and in the heart of a country the very last on earth to
be thought of as a desolation, rivalling in luxuriance and
beauty the best description of any of the " spheres"
given by our Spiritualists, one hundred and sixty years
before an enemy had peeped, prophecy pronounced the
fearful doom of Babylon.
The historical confirmation of the aforesaid predictions
is accurately given by the heathen historians Herodotus
and Xenophon, who were ignorant of them, the former of
whom lived two hundred and fifty, the latter three hun-
dred and fifty years after Isaiah.
3. The Bible further demonstrates its own divine origin
by predicting the fate of another mighty city, whose glory
should be reduced to a nonentity not, as in the former
cases, but by merely sinhing into insignificance^ when
BIBLE PREDICTIONS. 295
position and circumstances apparently made such an event
the most unlikely that could happen.
Wlien Ezekiel wrote, the ancient city of Tyee was re-
ioicing in the greatest commercial prosperity. The voice
of prophecy, for her sin, pronounced her doom, in Isa.
23 : 9 ; Ezekiel 27:32; 28 : 1-20.
The particulars of the prophecies, remarkably answer
to the particulars of the fulfillment. The most singular
events in history are found in the manner in which the
siege of Tyre was managed by Alexander the Great.
The city was on an island half a mile from the shore,
surrounded by a wall one hundred and fifty feet high.
Out of the ruins of old Tyre, demolished two hundred
and forty years before, Alexander constructed a mound
from the continent to the island, but he failed. The
storm destroyed it, and its ruins remained buried in the
water. This favored his renewed efforts : the rubbish
was all gathered, and the soil scraped up, and heaped
upon the former material. Now read Ezek. 26 : 4, 12, 21.
When Tyre was taken, it was Jired. Fifteen thousand
took to their ships, multitudes were slain, and thirty thou-
sand sold into slavery. Now read these facts predicted
years and years before their occurrence, in the Scriptures.
One hundred and twenty-five years before the destruc-
tion of old Tyre, Isaiah pronounced the doom which in-
cluded the new city ; and its very occupancy by fishermen,
where they spread their nets, as in modern times seen by
travellers, is graphically portrayed by Ezekiel !
We might go on with the relations of prophecy and
and its fulfillment, respecting Egypt and other nations,
all going to prove that such lapses of centuries between
the predicted and the fulfilled, demonstrate as with the
voice of God, that the Bible came from him as its inspir-
ing Author.
296 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
Now our rapping spiritualistic media are prurient to be
accredited as missionaries from God, and in evidence
of the fact, utter predictions in an abnormal state, and
boldly place them by the side of the Biblical prophecies,
solemnly declaring themselves innocent of any co-mental
agency in originating them. They ask us to accept them
as proof of the divine mission of their "immortal ad-
visers."
We can not consent to degrade the word of God by
any unworthy comparison, hence, before we can comply,
we must see whether these jiredictions, in the matter and
manner of their fulfillment, in any degree justify the high
claims set up. We can not, indeed, ask for a fulfillment
that leaps over many years, and by its historical verifica-
tions proves that their mission is from God ; but we have a
right to look for an accurate fulfillment at the time or
times specified by the spirits, and the particulars in a
prediction must correspond with/ac^5 in its fulfillment, so
palpably above human agency to produce, that the cir-
cumstances shall compel belief. If this condition, obvi-
ously necessary, is not complied with by the spirits, then,
surely, it must be evident that every attempt at prophecy
is an attempt at imposition, and by the failure of the
profiered test they prove themselves impostors in the ser-
vice of the de\dl.
To settle this matter we shall look at some of the
spirit predictions. The first we shall mention is one said
to have come from the spirit of Napoleon, through the
medium, Mr. J. F. Coles, the account of which was
transmitted to the Times by Mr. Hott, and published in
1854. The reader will please to notice the positiveness
of Mr. H. in his prefatory remarks respecting the identi-
fication.
MODERN PROPHECIES. 29 Y
"Prophecy of napoleon, as given through mr. c, at
THE rooms op the ASSOCIATION, NO. 144 SOUTH-SIXTH
STREET, WILLI AMSBURGH, ON THE EVENING OF NOV. 29,
1854.
"In submitting the following to the public, I am most
anxious to draw the attention of literary and scientific
minds more fully to a class of facts in the phenomena of
Spiritualism, which must sooner or later have an import-
ant place among the ethics of mind, if nothing further.
I am prepared fully to prove tliat no collusion, no attempt
at hoaxing the public in the remotest manner, is possible
in this case. Be the prophecy true or false, it came as
fully indorsed as I can conceive possible in identification,
as from the spirit of Napoleon :
" ' A map of Europe lies before me. Premature con-
vulsions have somewhat tended to frustrate the designs
of wise and acute minds. You are now moulding the
destinies of Europe to their proper proportions. All
appears dark excepting the very centre, where light,
faint though it be, and not yet well defined, is discerned
by the watchmen on the walls. The world at large may
not see cause for hope from the faint gleam, yet sage
minds rejoice, because it comes where it should come,
from the centre, not from the outskirts. Ere three
months have passed, dating from this hour, an assassina-
tion of a crowned head will astonish and bewilder the
magnates of Europe^ and overturn an empire in another
quarter. In another quarter^ a traitor to his Jcing^ hut a
loyal m^an to his God and to his fellows^ shall turn his
strength against his master^ and raise the banner of the
people. This shall be some time after the first events of
which I have spoken. IsTo more to-night.'
"AzoR HOTT,
" No. 144 South-Sixth street, Williamsburgh."
THE WAT MR. HOYT GETS OUT OF IT.
^''Another Bit of Humbug — Note from Mr. Azor Hoyt,
" * Under the euphonious heading, 'A Bit of Humbug,'
13*
298 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
we found an especial friend of ours placed in an unenvia-
ble position before the public, in your Saturday's issue.
" ' The cry of humbug has become so highly fashiona-
ble, of late, that it is difficult to find any thing in the
shape of truth or error which has not been under its
aristocratic patronage. The prophecy to which you call
attention has been considered so accurately correspondent
to the death of the Emperor Nicholas of Russia, that Mr.
Coles has claimed an ovation as a true prophet.
" * There is, however, a prophecy in your columns re-
ferring to Louis Napoleon's demise, which we have since
been informed, by a spirit purporting to be Napoleon I.,
is not to be relied on, as he denies the authenticity.
" ' With the verity of these communications we have
little to do. They were published antecedent to the
events to which they referred. If they were inter-
esting to the public, well and good ; if not, we've done
our best for their edification, as it regards our * mys-
teries,' and we can't help their want of appreciation.
"'A. HOYT.'
" This is Mr. Hoyt's response to our exposures of the
utter falsity of the predictions which he was the means of
obtaining from the other world, through the alleged me-
dium of a spirit. We quoted the prediction as sent to us
by Mr. Hoyt, made Nov. 29, 1854, in which the spirit of
Napoleon was represented as having said, through a Mr.
Coles, that within three months from that time
" ' An assassination of a crowned head will astonish
and bewilder the magnates of Europe, and overturn an
empire in another quarter. In another quarter, a traitor
to his king, but a loyal man to his God and to his fellows,
shall turn his strength against his master, and raise the
banner of the people.'
" And Mr. Hoyt thinks that this prediction was fulfilled
by the peaceful death of the Emperor Nicholas, more
than a year after the time fixed, and without any overturn
of an empire, or any other commotion whatever.
" Mr. Hoyt confesses that these alleged spiritual reve-
lations are intended for no other purpose than to amuse
the pubhc. With their truth, he says, very coolly, ' We
have little to do.' If all the apostles of this new
MODERN PROPHECIES. 299
absurdity would be equally frank, fewer people would be
deluded by their pretensions. The object of our alluding
to the matter at all has been fully attained, in the
acknowledgment it has elicited from Mr. Hoyt, that the
whole thing is a swindle, designed simply to entertain the
pubHc." {JV. Y. Times, May 7, 1856.)
Every portion of this is now proved to be untrue ; yet
the writer declared himself able to prove that there could
have been no imposition, and that in his judgment there
could have been on greater evidence of personal identity
given. Take another instance.
A spirit in 1852 revealed himself through M. L. Ar-
nold, of Poughkeepsie, as " God's High and Holy
Spirit, Jesus Christ, formerly op Nazareth" ! This
false Christ has communicated several volumes. In one
of them, termed " The History of the Origin of All
Things," we have this precious piece of information :
" The man of the antediluvian world was a very differ-
ent being from the present man. He was larger, strong-
er, and more sensual. He was also six-fingered and six-
toed, and bull-necked. He had a tail, and it was the
apparition of beings of the antediluvian birth that caused
the popular notion of the appearance of evil spirits with
tails. He also had homs, short and straight, proceeding
from his forehead." (p. 97.)
" Were it necessary I would confirm the truth of this
revelation by miracles, such as raising the dead or healing
the sick. jBut the time has not yet come for these.
When the time comes it shall be done, and through this
medium, first I^"* (p. 75.)
This absurdity, blasphemously attributed to Christ,
is to be proved a true revelation when the time
comes ! This prophecy of future miracles will be borne
in mind.
We only give Satan his due, however, when we
300 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
acknowledge his ingenious contrivance to get rid of the
devilish tail and the horns with which his personage has
been associated for ages. This scrap of evidence is good
for proof of the source whence the spirit, last referred to,
came.
The following is an ugly " manifestation" as to the way
in which our modern prophecies are fulfilled :
" Messes. Editoes : Please do me the favor to pub-
lish this : On my arrival in this city, a week since, from
France and England, I was surprised to learn that a re-
port was current that I had departed this life some time
ago ; also that my spirit had rapped out messages, and
otherwise manifested itself, some seven or eight mediums
in this city, and as many elsewhere, having held inter-
course with my departed soul. According to one ora-
cle I had fought a duel and got winged; by another
account I had committed /e^o de se, although it seems that
Z'm a 'fellow^ yet, d?ye see. One said I died in Germany;
another in France ; and still another, between Dover and
Dieppe, France or England. But sir, to quote from
Webster, non verbatim, ' I ain't dead yet.'
"Paschal Raotjolph."
(Spiritual Tel,^o. 178.)
The spirit announcement that Dr. Kane and his party,
of the Arctic expedition, were all dead, was quite prema-
ture, for they returned to prove that there are lying
spirits abroad in these days of telegraphic wonders. This
was unfortunate, and something must be done to mend
the matter. Accordingly^ a long time after the Pacific
was due at our port, we were informed that before she
left her wharf in New- York, as the event has proved, for
the last time, it was predicted by spirits, on the evening
of December 23, 1855, with "peculiar emphasis," "The
Steamship Pacific will be weecked, and all on
BOARD will perish."
MODERN PROPHECIES. 301
This prediction was sent to the editor of the Spiritual
Telegraphy but, as a matter of prudence, was not then
published. It would not do to risk it, as in the case of
Dr. Kane. Now, since time has shown what is the fate
of the vessel, we have a long statement from Mr. Britton,
in the Telegraph of the 5th of April, 1856, styled,
" Prophecies by the Spirits," containing various particu-
lars of the sad disaster, 'as reported by spirits Faulkner
and others who were on board. We are further in-
formed that " since the utterance of the original prophecy
respecting the loss of the Pacific, the writer has had at
least a dozen interviews with the spirits, through Mrs.
Porter, who was the prophetess on this occasion. The
editor remarks :
" Similar representations of the loss of the Pacific have
recently been given through other channels, but we know
of no other instance of a definite prophecy on this subject
having been made at so early a date as the 23d of Decem-
ber. Spirits from the doomed ship have purported to be
present on numerous occasions, and in presence of many
witnesses have given curious, interesting, and satisfactory
proofs of their identity."
But how are we to get the particulars verified?
Spirits are said to have given them through those who
wish to subserve their own cause. Both parties are
interested, those " in the form" as well as those dislodged.
Now, since there are lying spirits both in and out of the
form, how can we ascertain the truth of the particulars as
here given, avowedly from Mrs. P., entranced by the
spirit of the purser of the ill-fated steamer ? Here is his
inspired communication :
" When six days out, the Pacific struck an iceberg, at
11 o'clock on the evening of Jan. 29, and very soon went
302 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
down, stern foremost. As the vessel sank, three persons
escaped from the wreck and found a temporary restmg-
place on the ice, but they were subsequently frozen to
death. It was further alleged that there were forty-eight
passsengers on board — forty males and eight females ;
that, at the time of the catastrophe, the ship was in lati-
tude 46*' north ; that the Captain was at fault in taking
the course he did, his object being to make a quicker trip
than the Persia, which was then on her first voyage. In
the course of the evening — the medium being entranced —
the heart-rending scene was graphically represented ; the
general consternation, the wild tumult, and the frantic
prayers to God for deliverance, excited iutense and solemn
emotions in all who were present."
The case stands thus. K the steamer be never heard
from, such a prophecy, if truly made, can prove nothing
beyond a lucky hit ; because the particulars above given
can not be verified, and might, with safety to the original
oracle, be multipied two-fold.
If the steamer come back, our Spiritualists would only
have to say that some mischievous spirit had lied, as in
the case of Dr. Kane and his party, which only proves
that there are lying spirits, but can not militate against
the facts of communication with the good spirits of our
departed friends ; so that whether the Pacific return or
not, the eyes of our Spiritualists are blinded by the old
expedient of the heathen oracles.
If she do not return, the particulars may be multiplied
to any extent ; there is no body alive to contradict.
Should she now return (of which there is left no proba-
bility) we should be reminded by the Judge that there is
a " class of communications which are intended as de-
ceivirfg and to mislead !" {Spiritualism^ vol. i., p. 456.)
We suppose the following to be of this class.
The great feat at prophecy, in the above-named case,
it seems induced the medium to try her skill again ; we
MODERN PEOPHECIES. 303
beg pardon, induced the spirits to make another
attempt.
The Neio-Yorli Times of April 18, 1856, items another
prophecy :
" Mrs. Porter, a spiritual medium, has prophesied that
the steamer Ericsson, which left this port nearly four
months ago, will be burned to the water's edge before
the 26th of the present month. Drive a nail there."
The nail was thus drawn by the following paragraph in
the same paper of May 1 :
"the spirits at fault.
" Some ten days since it was announced that a spiritual
medium had proclaimed that the steamship Ericsson would
be destroyed by fire on the 26th of the present month.
But the Ericsson arrived yesterday in good condition, in
fourteen days from Liverpool."
By the quotation at the head of this chapter it will be
seen that God appeals to Prophecy as the great evidence
demonstrative of his word ; and Peter shows that for
this purpose, it is superior to the evidence derived
from Miracles. 2 Pet. 1 : 17-19. After referring to
the transfiguration of Christ which he had seen, and to
the miraculous voice which he had heard, when he was
with him in the mount, he immediately adds : " We have
a more sure word of prophecy." That which makes
prophecy the more reliable evidence, is the fact, that
Satan can not imitate it, as he can do in the case of mi-
racles. The original of the words " power," " signs," and
" wonders," applied to the real miracles of Christ and his
Apostles in John 4 : 48, Acts 2:19, etc., are .also applied
to their imitations^ in Mat. 24 : 24, and 2 Thess. 2 : 9.
The latter are not miracles in the true sense of that word.
304 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
but mere wonders^ and unaccountable occurrences. The
former are so stupendous as to admit of no fair debate ;
the latter is of an order so low as to admit of debate, and
yet so seductive as to possess great power of deception,
because real extraordinary operations in nature, which
fall within the competency of demoniac power. Hence
our Spiritualists may be able by the agency in question
to confound the minds of the people and seduce them to
the belief of their mischievous doctrines ; but they can not
manage prophecy in this way. This is clear from the at-
tempts already made. And the distinction here proved
from the Bible, answering to the facts we give, abundant-
ly estabhsh our point, that the Bible is the real true stand-
ard by which we are to test the claims of modern Spirit-
ualism. It was therefore a great mistake when they
ventured upon the ground exclusively occupied by the
Bible to prove a divine origin.
The experience of the world has led men to accept such
miserably bald impostures, as the plainest proof of an in-
tention to deceive. Surely, the Jive instances just given,
ought to satisfy such as have been taken with the fascina-
tion of Spiritualism, that they have been deluded. Such
evidently plain impostures are designed to sustain systems
of essential falsehood. Reliance is placed upon the for-
getfulness and indifference of men, who are too busy to
look after the fulfillment of these predictions ; and thus
they escape exposure. Now, when such things occur,
why do not the press of the Spiritualists expose them ?
If honest, can they let such things go without a syllable ?
Such glaring inconsistencies make it necessary, that
some sort of an apology be forthcoming, to prevent raw
recruits from taking alarm and deserting their ranks.
Hence they are told that :
A RIDICULOUS CONTBAST. SOS
" There is another kind of foretelling still, that, name-
ly, which involves their own (spirits) action. For instance,
they say on such a day a thing will happen. By this they
mean that on that day they will do that thing. Now,
with them as with us, a thousand things may happen to
prevent their accomplishing their purpose; they may
change their minds about it ; circumstances may occur to
render it inexpedient or unnecessary, etc. Shall we,
therefore, withhold all credit from them ?" {/Spiritual-
isniy vol. I., p. 455.)
It is lamentable to think, there are men who can be
easily taken by such detestable sophistry as this, from
whose common sense in other matters we might expect
better things.
Further the Miracles of the ISTew Testament as well as
the fulfilled predictions of the Old, entitle the Bible to be
considered the best test to which modern Spiritualism
can be brought for trial.
There is a pamphlet of a hundred pages, very popular
among the brotherhood, entitled " ISTew Testament ' Mi-
racles' and Modern Miracles," the object of which is to
bring discredit upon the former, and by means of the com-
parisons drawn, to exalt our modern communications to
the dignity, credibility, and importance, of the word of
God.
1 . On the score of evidence. In the beginning of this
performance, there is gravely given a list of a hundred wit-
nesses in favor of modern miracles, pitted against the hy-
pothetical authority of the Evangelists and Peter and Paul,
respecting whom we have no certain information ! To
this we have a very plain reply. Our New Testament
has stood the scrutiny of eighteen centuries, and its inter-
nal evidence is a munition of rock, upon which all its pre-
vious enemies have never been able to make an impres-
sion, notwithstanding more talent, wit, and power were
306 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
at their command than a million of such witnesses can
boast of, as are presented for the support of our modern
miracles ; for we have convicted some of the best of
them, out of their own mouth, of the most preposterous
nonsense.
2. As to the miracles of the New Testament, which in-
finitely transcend in dignity all our modern wonders, the
author of this pamphlet, like his compeers, affects to de-
ride them. But it is quite too late to resort to the ex-
ploded arguments of adversaries, long since employed to
no purpose. These " modem miracles" are performed by
spii'its, some of whom confessedly are lying spirits ; and
their performances by the name of " lying wonders," are
expressly spoken of in the New Testament as a method
of deception in the latter days, resorted to for the con-
firmation of error. The false doctrine of the " new re-
ligion" for the estabhshment of which they are wrought,
demonstrates the character both of the miracles and of
their authors. Moreover they are such as are confessedly
performed by demons, are of the same character as those
which prevailed throughout the mythologies of the
heathen world, and are such as evil demons can do, and
would be most likely to do for the execution of their evil
purposes.
There is a parallel run in this book between the Mi-
racles of the New Testament and those of the Spiritualists
which exhibit at least a prodigious lack of mother-wit.
Here is an example.
Acts. 16 : 26. " And suddenly there was a great earth-
quake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken ;
and immediately all the doors were opened, and every
one's bands were loosed."
The Parallel.
On pages 38, 39 we find the following given to offset the
occm'rences at Philippi :
DEMON-MIEACLES. 307
" The circle met at 8 o'clock in the evening, at B. S.
Benson's house, five ladies and four gentlemen being pre-
sent. The circle was formed, the lights were removed,
and, after singing, Miss L., Miss H., Mrs. A. P. P., me-
diums present, were perceived to be in the interior state,
by their description of things, then tr-anspiring in the
room. It was said : ' There is Franklin ; there are three
others with him; they have boxesunder their arms; they
place them under the table ; they are going to make
raps ; they say something is wrong ; they have gone over
in the corner of the room, and are talking together and
pointing to the table ; they now bring two more boxes ;
they say they are going to break the table.' The raps,
or rather pounding, commenced, and were as if made by
a muffled maul, of many pounds' weight, suspended under
the table, at first striking so lightly as not to raise the
table, but increasing by degrees, until the table was raised
from the floor some ten or twelve inches, all four legs of
the table being off" the floor at once. The table was heard
to drop, as if it had fallen some distance, with a tremen-
dous crash. There were no material means used to pro-
duce the raps, nor did there exist a possibility of deception,
there being no one in the room but those joined in the
circle, hand in hand, around the table, not one of whom
touched the table at the time. The table was at one
time thrown on the lap of a lady present, and thrown off
by the same unseen power. All present at times saw
lights in different directions around the room, as well as
over the table. After some tremendous poundings, which
made some of those present fear they would be struck
with pieces of the table, it was then spoken by one of the
mediums, ' Nothing more to night.'
" Yours, truly, B. S. Benson,
W. W. Laning."
The New Testament miracle, it will be observed, was
an earthquake by which the servants of God were freed
from a prison, into which they had been thrown for liber-
ating a travelling medium from the possession of a "spirit
of divination," for whose worthless " communications" her
308 A THKEE-FOLD TEST.
masters made exorbitant charges ; just as is done at the
present day among our modern Spiritualists. By means of
it, the jailer and his family were brought to seek the know
ledge of the way of salvation, and were converted from
heathenish notions to the religion of the Lord Jesus
Christ ; which is exactly the reverse of the effect of our
modern wonders ; namely, to seduce men from the doctrine
of salvation by faith in Christ, to heathenish notions ; as
we have proved their doctrines to be.
The Parallel was no earthquake ; but certain mysterious
poundings, until the table was raised from the floor some
ten or twelve inches, no one touching it, all four of its
legs being off the floor at once ; which wonderful pheno-
mena was clearly seen in the dark. The object of this
was — what Avas it ? An exhibition of such power, as a
devil not cast out, possesses ! This is a fair sample of the
*' modern miracles." The contrast is simply ridiculous.
God never did any thing for the communication or con-
firmation of truth to mortals, but the devil tried to imi-
tate it.
" Ah ! indeed !" our Spiritualists will exclaim ; " to
whom, then, will you attribute the cures of the New Tes-
tament ? Consider the foUowimr :
" ' At a circle held at Adrian, the first Saturday in July,
the spirits wrote : " Seek the lame, the halt, and the in-
firm, and they shall be healed." I then remarked to J.
M. Reynolds : " It can not be done ; if that is read, away
go the spirits and the cause together, for some one will
be presented and not cured." Nevertheless the call was
read by my colleague, when Mr. Lyons presented him-
self, stating that his leg had been drawn up by rheuma-
tism four years., and was under acute pain at the time.
Without the exercise of my own volition, I was thrown
into the spiritual state, and placed before him. I was also
made to speak by the power of the spirit. * * * *
DEMON-MIBACLES. 309
I put my hand on him and he was made whole. He
dropped his cane and went away rejoicing., fleet as a boy
of sixteen.*^ " (Heview of Beecher, -p. QQ.)
This is a case, dear spiritualistic friends, where the
demon simply undid his own work; for if it be true, as
in the case of the " woman which had a spirit of infirm-
ity eighteen years, and was bound together, and could in
no wise lift up herself," what our Saviour declared to be
the fact, that Satan had done this, (Luke 13 : 11-16,) it
is no hard matter for him to draw up a man's leg for four
years by a rheumatic affection, in order that a demon,
through a medium, should cure it by animal magnetic
agency, for a devilish purpose.
We are significantly told that the man upon whom this
miracle was performed was '' seventy-four years old."
We suppose there is a designed hint here that this per-
formance was somewhat like the cure of the man at the
beautiful gate of the temple, who was but forty years old.
There was, however, this small difference: the Jewish
subject had heevx lame from his birth, and was restored in
the name and by the power of Christ, and not by the
agency of demons.
Moreover, it is no new thing for demons to perform
small cures, and prescribe for the sick. In this way of
old they used to get great credit for themselves, and they
now play the same game with our confiding Spiritualists !
It will be seen, from the following quotation, that such
things were common in the early ages of the Church.
The extract is from TertuUian, by an author on Spiritual-
ism, to prove the fact of " spirit intercourse." It will as
well, and a little better, serve our purpose to prove the
identity between the agency that Tertullian denounces
and defies, and the Spiritualism of the present day.
" * We are informed that Mr. Lyons was seventy -four years old."
310 A THEEB-FOLD TEST.
Thus Mr. Alfred Cridge informs us, in relation to the
heathen gods who were demons :
" Between these spirits and their mediums on the one
hand, and the Christian prophets on the other, there
was generally an open hostility ; but wherever a trial of
powers occurred, the heathen spirit was forced to give
way, showing the existence still in the Church of that
power conferred by Jesus upon his disciples, to ' cast out
devils.' Hence we find Tertullian, in his * Apology for
the Christian Religion,' boldly challenging all heathendom
to a trial of the powers of their patron spirits and divini-
ties, who were accustomed to possess and speak through
the bodies of certain men. * Hitherto,' says he, ' we have
used words ; we will now come to a demonstration of the
very thing, that your Gentile gods are no one of them
greater than another. For a decision of the point, let
any one that is judged to be possessed by a devil be
brought into open court before your tribunals ; when that
spirit shall be commanded by a Christian to speak, he
shall as truly confess himself a devil there as elsewhere he
falsely claims to be a god. Or let one equally be produced
who is among you Gentiles judged to be inspired of God^
who waits at your altars, and is esteemed a sacred person
by you ; nay, though he be acted by one of your most
venerated deities, be it Diana, the heavenly virgin, or
JEsculapius^ that prescribes your medicines^ and who pre-
tends to relieve the dying^ yet these or any others, when
they are summoned, if they dare to lie unto the Christian
sunnmoning, and if they do not confess thewselves openly
to he devils^ then let that reproachful Christian's blood be
si^ilt by you on the spot.' " {Epit. Spir. Int.^ pp. 34, 35.)
We thank our author for this quotation, from Tertullian.
It is powerfully plump against his own cause, and knocks
the brains out of the best argument Spiritualists have to
offer upon the question, " Cui Bono ?" It moreover
proves our previous reasoning correct, that Satan can
afford to heal the body, provided he may thus seduce the
soul.
IDENTITY OF THE OLD AND THE NEW. 311
In our judgment we have said enough to prove, to
reasonable men, that on the simple score of superiority in
the matters of prophecy and miracle, the Bible is entitled
to be considered the best test of the high pretensions we
are now considering. And when we add to this, its
inspiration^ its antiquity^ and its triumphs^ we have pro-
duced reasons enough to warrant the divine direction :
" To the law and the testimony, if they speak not accord-
ing to these, it is because there is no truth in them."
In our estimation of the Bible as the best test in this
matter, we shall be upheld by an inquiry as to the true
origin of heathen oracles, and other expedients for inter-
rogating the dead. As these are claimed to be the same
in land and intention with the developments of spirit pow-
er in our day, the decisions of the Bible upon the ancient
must include the modern phenomena. Dr. Dexter says :
" We find that a connection with spiritual sources of
power and intelligence was claimed by the Gymnosophists
of India, the Magi of Persia, the wise men of Egypt, the
prophets and diviners of Greece and Rome, the Druidical
priests and bards of ancient Gaul and Britain, the Scalds
of Scandinavia, etc. "We find such a connection evinced
in the true prophetic dreams and visions of Mandane, of
Cyrus the Great, of Cambyses, of Darius, and others of
the ancient Median and Persian kings and nobles. We
find it proved by the utterances of the oracles of Butos,
of Jupiter Ammon, of Colophon, of Dodona, of Trophoni-
ous, and by the sublime prophetic and didactic utterances
of the Delphic Pythia, which, as the dictates of the god
Apollo, were for ages implicitly followed by kings, armies,
and nations. Spiritualism, indeed, forms a fundamental
feature of all ancient historical and poetic Hterature, and
the spiritual element of this could not be taken away
without essentially marring the structure and consistency
of the whole." {Spiritvalism^ vol. i., p. 58.)
Mr. Nevin says :
312 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
" The laws of spiritual intercourse, as evolved in these
modern phenomena, explain scientifically and positively
all the mythology, symbolism, idealism, transcendental-
ism, mysticism, and spiritualism of the ages. The spirit-
ual history of this planet is yet to be written, and the key
to its most perfect illustration will be found in the spirit-
ual phenomena of the present day." {Spir. Devel., p. 3.)
We thus are instructed to beUeve that all the wonders
of heathendom are to be explained by the Spiritualism of
the present time, and whatever the Bible says with re-
spect to the former, we repeat must be applied to the
latter, which is but the milk of the old cocoa-nut.
Now if we show, that ancient heathenish wonders were
mischievous imitations of the agencies ordained of God
among the Israelites, for the discovery of his will to his
own people, for their direction in consulting him as Theo-
crat of the nation, and as God of the Church, and for the
process by which the various parts of divine revelation
should be gathered for the use of man in all subsequent
ages, of course their condemnation is implied ; dnd the
declarations made respecting them can be no other than
denunciatory; because such imitations must have been
made by devilish agency, for the perversion of truth and
for the deception of men.
We are told that " God, who at sundry times and in
divers Tnanners^ spake in time past unto the fathers by
the prophets, hath, in these last days, spoken to us by his
Son." (Heb. 1:1.)
There was progression in the delivery of divine revela-
tion. There was at first, naked spirit intercourse, and then
various media that formed the " divers manners" alluded
to, and which were confined to the earlier ages. But in
the beginning of the last days, the highest revelation was
given by God's own Son ; and it was not fitting, that in
this matter the work should be left incomplete, and that
THE CHARACTER OF THE OLD SPIRITUALISM. 313
progression backwards should be made in the dignity of
the media employed for further communication. Hence
the last and the sublimest book of the Bible was " spoken
unto us" from " his Son ;" and because of the dignity of
the Medium, and of the fullness and completeness of the
I^ew Testament, it is said : " If any man shall add unto
these things^ God shall add unto him the plagues that are
written in this book ; and if any man shall take away
from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall
take away his part out of the book of life." Now the
EEVELATioJT OF Jesus Christ covcrs all time, from the
date of the beguming of the Gospel dispensation, and
therefore to the things spoken of, nothing is to be add-
ed ; but these things are precisely what our Spiritualists
seek to improve by their addenda and their subtrahenda ;
therefore the curse of Jehovah, pronounced as we have
quoted, must fall upon them, if the Bible be true ; because
their revelations being the old imitations revived, are
manifest cheats, imposed first upon themselves by devilish
agency, and then upon the world.
What, then, are the originals of these ancient imita-
tions ? Wh« is the enemy that sowed tares among the
wheat in early times, to corrupt the harvest of truth that
should be gathered in subsequent ages ?
We present our great fact in the outset, that the exist-
ence of a heathen oracle can not he shown to antedate the
death of Joseph in Egypt. The oldest among the
Greeks was that of Dodona, but the most celebrated was
the Delphic oracle, which made its first manifestations by
a " speaking medium," and sometimes in hexameter verse^
somewhere about B.C. 1260. Let this be kept in mind.
We read in 2 Sam. 16 : 23, that " the counsel of Ahith-
ophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man
had inquired at the oracle of God." The original
H
314 JL THREE-FOLD TEST.
here means, first, a word ; second, a message divinely
sent, (Numbers 23 : 5 ;) third, the means by which
that word or communication was made known ; and
fourth, the 'place where it was uttered. The earliest of
these means was " the Urim and Thummim," signifying,
according to some, Hghts and perfections, and according
to others, doctrine and judgment. By these, inquiries
were made, and oracular responses given in an audible
voice. What was the substance or shape of these small
media, or what was the time when or the person by
whom first employed, we know nothing beyond the sim-
ple fact of their very early use. In Exodus 28 : 30 it
is said : "Thou shalt put into the breast-plate of judg-
ment THE TJeim and the Thummim." See, also, Levit.
8 : 8. The Hebrew article makes it clear that these
things were so familiar that they needed no description.
" To inquire of the Lord" was the phrase used to desig-
nate divine consultation by Urim and Thummim. Com-
pare 1 Sam. 23 : 10 with Numb. 27 : 21. Moses, who
uses this phrase in historical description throughout
the Pentateuch, uses it in the same way in Gen. 25 : 22,
She went to inquire of the Lord ; and we have the orac-
ular response in the following verse. It is, therefore, a very
high probability that these articles were known to the
patriarchs in the land of Canaan. When Joseph was sub-
sequently elevated to the viceroyalty of Egypt, and to the
presidency of their college of priests, " to teach their sen-
ators wisdom," we must infer that he taught them the
way of worshipping the true God, and the method of ob-
taining oracular responses from him. Hence we conclude
that the Egyptian image of Sapphire, called Truths sus-
pended from the neck of their high-priest by a golden
chain, whenever he attempted to pronounce his decisions,
( or he was also chief judge in civil affairs,) was an imita-
tion of the Urim and Thummim of the patriarchs.
THE CHAEACTEB OF THE OLD SPIRITUALISM. 315
At a later period of Hebrew history, these articles in
his breast-plate were necessary to put the high-priest into
a condition to receive responses, which were given in an
AUDIBLE VOICE from between the Cherubim. Besides
these, the Hebrews had other means of obtaining oracu-
lar responses, but the chief oracle was the Ephod of the
high-priest. This continued to be consulted down to the
end of the Jewish poHty. Its fame was well known. In
imitation of these means of gaining responses from hea-
ven, the heathen of all nations set up various oracles, and
invented additional facilities for learning, from the spirits
of the departed, whatever might be thought of importance
for them to know. Intercourse between the Hebrews and
other nations had a corrupting tendency. Prone to rebel-
lion, they were easily led to adopt the follies and yield to
the delusions which were the base imitations of their own
sublime mysteries. Therefore they were prohibited all
intercourse with magicians, soothsayers, diviners, wiz-
ards, charmers, astrologers, necromancers, and sorcerers,
upon whose practices had been pronounced the curse of
Jehovah.
" Thou shalt not suffer a loitch to live." (Exod. 22 : 18.)
" The soul that turneth after such as have familiar spi-
rits, and after wizards, to go a-whoring after them, I will
even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off
from among his people." (Lev. 20 : 6.)
" A man, also, or woman, that hath a familiar spirit,
or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death." (Lev.
20 : 27.)
" There shall not be found among you any one that mak-
eth his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that
useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter,
or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits,
or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things
316 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
are an abomiis^ation unto the Lord ; and because of these
abominations, the Lord thy God doth drive them out
from before thee." (Deut. 18 : 10-12.)
"Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft." (1 Sam. 15 : 23.)
What are we to understand by these terms ?
A Witch is a woman who practises any art of asking
counsel of the spirits of the dead.
A Wizard is a medium for maintaining intercourse
with departed spirits.
A Necromancer is a revealer of secrets, or instructions
from the spirits of the dead.
An Enchanter is one who conjures up the spirits of the
dead by cantilations and mysterious formulas,
A ConsuUer with familiar spirits, is one who goes for
advice to any one, who is supposed to have the power to
call up spirits at will.
The main idea presented in these and kindred appella-
tives, is that of intercourse with demons and departed
spirits for the purpose of learning from them the secrets
of the other world, or seeking direction from them in any
thing of interest in this.
It does not therefore admit of debate, whether the
practices of our modern media are pointed out by the use
of these terms. This is conceded. There is now, as
heretofore, a variety of media ; but the peculiarities which
make the differences between them are mere accidents,
extraneous to the common purpose of calling up the spir-
its of departed friends for converse with the living.
The Bible therefore is plainly arrayed against the whole
of this business ; and every one that confides in it, is called an
abomination to the Lord. Let this point be kept in view.
All media, and all that confide with them, in the business
of consulting the dead, are an abomination to the
LoBD, and were denounced by him, as worthy of the
severest penalties for this wickedness.
ANCIENT MEDIA. 317
The Canaamtes were expelled the land for their abomi-
nations, that had been accumulating for ages by means of
this mischievous intercourse. A large number of texts
might be cited to show what great severity was used
with those who dared to give currency to the impostures
of Satan, by imitating the means of God for the commu-
nication of his will. All these persons pretended to have
intercourse with the dead^ to receive by their manipula-
tions, responses from the dead, and to convey to the in-
quirer, communications from his friends in the spirit
world. " Thus, when Aurelius inquired of Apollo in re-
gard to the soul of Plotinus, the god gave response in a
poem of nearly a hundred hexameters in his praise, setting
forth that he was with Plato and Pythagoras and holy
demons." (Apocatastasis, p. 139.)
Connected with their oracles, magical statues, tripods,
and sacred springs and groves, there were manj physical
manifestations; but not without the use of fascination, en-
chantment, incantation, divmation, magic, etc., upon the
part of the media, many of whom appear to have been
females. " There is not a women here (at Colophon) as
at Delphi, but a priest is elected from certain families,
and mostly from Miletus, who is informed only of the
name and number of those who come to consult the Oracle,
He then retires into the cavern, and drinking of the secret
fountain, though ignorant generally of letters and poetry,
he delivers responses, in verse, to whatever mental ques-
tions any one has in his mind.^'' {Idem, 69.) Here is
THE VERY TEST now rccommendcd to be used with spir-
its through our media.
These all come under the maledictions of God, as devil-
ish arts in imitation of the well-known media, originally
instituted by him, for the gradual unfolding of his Revela-
tion as we have it in the Bible.
These texts are great annoyances to our Spiritualists,
318 A THBEE-FOLD TEST.
and their attempts to get rid of them are lame and ludi-
crous enough. After showing that ancient spirit commu-
nion among the heathen led to idolatry, the conclusion is
drawn by Mr. Fishbough, on " Familiar Spirits," that on
this account alone such intercourse was prohibited. We
think we can show, that the same tendency now exists.
People do not forget the " big image" constructed at High
Rock, Lynn, Mass. ; and we might cite many aspirations
to the spirits^ in the books of our friends, which looks very
much Hke the idolatrous worship of the heathen ; but let
that pass.
We assert that the main cause of the heavy denuncia-
tions of the Scriptures against all who by any means pre-
tended to hold intercourse with the invisible world, was
this : they were devilish imitations of the means God
originally instituted for the expression of his will, and
they have not lost their character in the hands of modem
necromancers.
Hence the irrelevancy of such defense as the following
sets up :
" We can now perceive clearly why habitual dealings
with ' famihar spirits' were divinely prohibited in the
Mosaic law. It was simply because those spirits, when
consulted in those days, were uniformly consulted as petty
divinities. Had the Jews been permitted they would,
undoubtedly, have remained heathens.
"But were the Jews prohibited unqualifiedly from
holding communications with spirits ? I answer emphatic-
ally, no ; and will proceed to prove that that class of be-
ings called angels., with whom their patriarchs and pro-
phets frequently held interviews, were not only spirits, (as
they are acknowledged to have been,) but even human
spirits. But we have room for only a brief summary of
the existing proofs of this point. Thus the three angels
who visited Abraham, while dwelling upon the plains of
Mamre, were expressly called 'men.' (Gen. 18 : 2.)
A LAME DEFENSE. 310
The supermundane intelligences, who visited Lot pre-
vious to the destruction of Sodom, were called both
' angels' and 'men.' (Gen. 19 : 1, 12.) The prophet Ze-
chariah speaks of a celestial apparition which appeared
' among the myrtle trees,' and which he expressly calls
both a ' man' and an ' angel,' (Zech. 1 : 8-1 1 ; 2 : 1-3 ;)
and the prophet Daniel applies the same cognomen inter-
changeably to the celestial visitants who appeared to him
on several occasions. The last chapter of 2 Maccabees
contains an account of an appearance of the spirit of Je-
remiah the prophet to Onias the high-priest, in a form
and office belonging only to angels; and much in the
same form appeared Moses and Elias to Jesus at the time
of his transfiguration. But what is, if possible, still more
conclusive upon the point, is the following : after St. John
had seen the wonderful visions, and heard the sayings,
which are recorded in the Apocalypse, he says that he fell
down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed
him these things. Then said the angel : ' See thou do it
not ; for I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy beetheen
THE PEOPHETS, and of them which keep the sayings of
this book : worship God.' (Rev. 22 : 8, 9.) If, as is here
distinctly asserted, this angel was the spirit of one of the
old prophets, then there is nothing to exclude the pre-
sumption, favored by the nature of things as well as by
numerous other passages, that all angels are in like man-
ner but the ascended and purified spirits of men, which,
as the term ' angel' implies, are sent as messengers to this
world." {Flshbough on Familiar Spirits.)
Appealing both to sacred and profane history, one of
our most notable mediums and authors thus writes :
"According to the Biblical history of the Garden of
Eden, and the coincident heathen traditions of a golden
age, this intercourse was enjoyed by the first human be-
ings that dwelt upon the earth. Thence it is traceable
through the history of Cain and Abel, of Enoch, of Noah,
of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, of Joseph, of Moses, of
{*<amuel, of Saul, of David, and thence through the long
hae of the Jewish prophets, seers, priests, and other in-
320 A TIIEEE-FOLD TEST.
teriorly minded persons of the same nation. Nay, its
light had not died out among the Jews before, and in the
days of Jesus, as the vision of Zacharias, the dreams of
Joseph, the angel-annunciation to the shepherds con-
cerning the birth of the infant Messiah, etc, fully testify."
{Spiritualism^ vol. ii., pp. 57, 68.)
It is a singular fact that writers in defense of this
movement, though denying the plenary inspiration of the
Bible, and often denying its facts and doctrines, yet feel
the necessity of pressing into their service, for proofs
every portion of its text that may answer a turn. Unbe-
lievers in the Bible may properly use it, in the "argu-
mentum ad hominem," against their opponents ; but then
they can not quote it in proof of any position of their own.
Thus one writer, for instance, in order to prove a point,
says : " An angel took his position at the entrance of the
terrestrial Paradise with ' a flaming sword which turned
every way to guard the tree of life.' (Gen. 3 : 24 ;") and
in proving another point, holds this language: "In it
(self-communion) we hear ' the voice of the Lord God,' as
did the fabled Adam in the cool of the day." {Divine
lUiimination^ pp. 10, 67.) If the author believed that
Adam was a fable, surely he had no right to quote from
the scene in the Garden of Eden in proof of the existence
or ministry of angels.
Thus too, in the aforesaid quotation the " Biblical his-
tory of the Garden of Eden" is put in the same class with
" coincident heathen tradition of a golden age." We
have met with similar instances in perusing the novel
literature of Spiritualism, and feel bound to take exception
to this simultaneous use and abuse of the same authority
as utterly inconsistent, no matter what may be the felt
necessity of extraneous support.
Dr. Hare says : " The Bible of the Spiritualists is the
book of Nature ; the only one which by inward or out-
AN ASSUMPTION. 321
ward evidence can be ascribed to divine authority."
{Letter to Episcopal Clergy^ "There are some parts of
the Bible," says the spirit ' Bacon,' " which evidence
the profound knowledge which the spirits that dictated
it had of human nature." {Spiritualism^ vol. ii., p. 229.)
Its authority therefore as a divine directory is denied.
But if its facts are to be made use of to furnish respect-
ability to the facts of modern spirit manifestation, it must
be allowed the prerogative of stating the true source of
those facts, and its statements on that point must be ad-
mitted as decisive.
Spiritualists aver, that all these facts, ancient biblical,
and modern spiritual, spring from one and the same
source, namely the spirits of dead men. They say,
that angels are none other than the souls of men far ad-
vanced in the spheres ; and thus all communications made
to mortals from the other world, are through the agency
of departed spirits.
But the Bible must decide this matter. It attributes
its phenomena directly to God, as in the case of the seers ;
" Thus saith Jehovah :" or to Angels, who appeared fre-
quently to the patriarch in assumed bodies, and by whose
agency special interpositions were made. In no case are
we led to suppose them of the same nature with human
beings.
ThQ first ma^i was driven out of paradise, and an angel
was placed at its entrance. Did Moses design to desig-
nate by the latter, one of a different order from that of
man, or did he mean to introduce to us a m.an who had
become exalted in the spiritual world before the creation
of the first man ? David says, in Psalm 8 : " What is
man^ that thou art mindful of him, or the son of man,
that thou dost visit him ? for thou hast made him a lit-
tle lower than the angels." The Sadducees are said by
14*
322 A TUEEE-FOLD TEST.
Luke not to believe in " angel ok spirit." Does this mark
no distinction ? Paul, in speaking of Christ, says,
(Heb. 1 :) " For verily he took not on him the nature of
ANGELS," (or, he taketh not hold of angels,) " but he took
on him the seed of Abraham^'''' (or, of the seed of Abra-
ham he taketh hold.) Here the distinction is so clearly
made that we can not suppose angels and men to be of
the same nature without running ourselves into the
absurdity of deciding what was the ancient belief on this
subject against the recorded assertions of the behevers
themselves.
To meet this, a quondam Universalist minister, as
above, says : " But what is, if possible, still more conclu-
sive upon the point is the following : After St. John had
seen the wonderful visions, and heard the sayings which
are recorded in the Apocalypse, he says that he fell down
to worship before the feet of the angel who showed him
these things. Then said the angel : ' See thou do it not ;
for I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy bketheen, the
PROPHETS, and of them which keep the sayings of this
book ; worship God.' (Rev. 22 : 8, 9.) If, as is here dis-
tinctly asserted, this angel was the spirit of one of the old
prophets, then there is nothing to exclude the presump-
tion, favored by the nature of things, as well as by
numerous other passages, that all angels are in Hke man-
ner but the ascended and purified spirits of men, which,
as the term * angel ' implies, are sent as messengers to this
world."
Perhaps it is a pity to spill any man's broth, but in
this instance we can not help it. The writer ought to
have known that the true rendering of this passage is as
follows : " See thou do it not, for I am avvdovXog gov,
a fellow-servant with thee, and with the prophets, thy
brethren, and with those who keep the words of this
booky It is not, therefore, " distinctly asserted that this
A SHEER FALLACY. 323
angel was the spirit of one of the old prophets ;" but the
distinct assertion is, that he was not, and that he was a
fellow-worshipper of God. Hence the greatest proofs
which has been copied and recopied, m favor of the iden-
tity of the angelic and human natures, is a sheer fallacy.
It is clear, then, that by the Bible account of the mat-
ter, intercourse between this world and the next was not
carried on by the instrumentality of departed spirits.
According to its own consistent representations, its facts
pertaining to this intercourse have no common origin
Avith the facts of modern Spiritualism, and can not be
used in an argument favoring the latter, because these
last facts are owing, as is said, to the spirits of dead men.
The former prove, what every Christian believes, that
there is now, as there always has been, intimate commun-
ion between heaven and earth carried on by angels, who
are "ministering spirits, sent to minister to them that
shall be the heirs of salvation." This intercourse is of a
high religious character, maintained by angels, not
through physical manifestations, but by unseen agency,
exerted for the providential benefit of the heirs of salva-
tion; and this is in conformity with the teachings of
the entire Scriptures.
According to the unanimous testimony of writers on
Spiritualism, the visitors with whom they hold intercourse
are to be subjected to the severest possible ordeal, be-
cause many of them are gross liars and deceivers^ per-
sonating good spirits^ and deceiving in a variety of
loays^ so that great caution is required in every case.
One thing is, therefore, clearly proved by the modern
manifestations, that we are endangered through them,, by
the AGENCY OP EVIL SPIRITS. Therefore the facts of
Bible spiritual agency can not be claimed as gi^^g coun-
tenance to our modern movement, or aifording the least
324 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
shred to it of a " garment of praise ;" nor can the Bible
itself be made to turn state's evidence against its friends.
In the following chapter, we will demonstrate that the
doctrines of the spirits, as put forth through various me-
dia, are subversive of the Bible, conflicting with and hos-
tile to the whole Christian system, and therefore should
be rejected as a Satanic device to delude and destroy.
It will be perfectly apparent, that no two things can be
more directly opposed and antagonistic to each other,
than Christianity and Spiritualism. If one is received, the
other must be rejected; if one is of God, the other
must be of the Devil ; and hence the mighty consequences
flowing from the decision of every man upon this matter
to his own soul, surround our investigation with no ordi-
nary interest and importance. It is of the utmost conse-
quence that the whole matter be spread out before those
who are debating with themselves a surrender to the
spiritual guidance of this system. !N"o one can know it
until they have at least become acquainted with the facts
and doctrines deduced from its unquestionable authori-
ties ; and having, with great pains, placed these before
our Spiritualist readers, we say to them what the pro-
phet said to the deluded Israelites : " If the Lord be God,
foUow him ; but if Baal, then follow him."
The word of God, therefore, entirely condemns, in all
its forms, the practice of necromancy^ as daily followed
by our Spiritualists. We have proved its superiority as
a test, and as Dagon fell before the ark, and was broken
to Dieces, so must demoniacal Spiritualism fall by the
test of the Holy Bible.
DOCl'KINES DENIED. 325
CHAPTER Vm.
"Do men gather grapes of thoras, or figs of thistles?" — ^JiIatt. 7 : 16.
THE DOCTRINES OF SPIKITUALISM SUBVEESIVE OF CHRIST-
IANITY, AND HEATHENISH.
Third Test of Spiritualism continued — Doctrines of Demons — Doctrines
denied — Doctrines taught — A Hash of Heathen Mythologies — Another
Gospel — Charon and the Styx — The Spirits condemned by what they
Bay and do — A Supposed Plea anticipated.
We shall further test the spirits by the doctrines they
inculcate. The popular belief among the heathen, from
the beginning, has been that demons are the spirits of dead
men ; all Spiritualists say that the doctrines they believe
and teach are the instructions of dead men ; therefore
they prove that their new religion is an embodiment of
the " doctrines of demons ;" and hence they are heathen,
both by their faith and their rejection of the doctrines of
the Gospel.
The New Testament always uses the word demon in a
had sense, conveying the idea of diabolical influence.
Paul says : " Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in
the latter times 8ome shall depart from the faith^ giving
heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons^''
(devils,) (1 Tim. 4:1.) This prediction, uttered nearly
eighteen himdred years ago, is now clearly fulfilled. The
326 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
boast is made, that a great number have left the Christian
Church, having embraced modern Spiritualism. We have
no reason to question the fact, and so long as tares may
be rooted up without disturbing the wheats there can be
nothing to lament, though much to regret. That many
of the spirits and their agents are seducers is admitted ;
but beyond this, we have proved those spirits accepted as
the most reliable, to be of this character. The numerous
defections of nominal Christians, having thus been se-
duced into a behef of the doctrines of demons, furnish an
argument from Scriptural prophecy in behalf of Christ-
ianity, stronger than any that our modern antagonists
can boast of. This is the second instance of circumstan-
tial proof we have noticed in our favor, and against
them.
The " doctrines of demons" mean those proceeding
from demons, and not the old system of demonology
which is doctrines concerning demons, and of course are
opposed to the doctrines of Christianity. That such make
up the whole system of belief avowedly inculcated by the
demons of modern Spiritualism, we shall prove by the
specific negations and affirmations of their amanuenses.
These demons, through their media, deny :
1. The plenary inspiration of the sacred Scriptures.
" The Bible of the Spiritualists is the book of Nature,
the only one which, by inward or outward evidence, can
be ascribed to divine authority." {Hare's Letter.)
" I affirm that the Protestant idea of an infallible JBible
writer is the firm foundation of Popish despotism. (A. J,
Davis.)
" You beheve the whole Bible to be the word of God.
I do not. (J. S. Adams)
" I have thus discussed your argument in support of
the certain truth of the Bible, and have shown that it can
DOCTRINES DENIED. 327
not be esteemed such a truth as to be made the test of
truth." (P. M JBla7id.)
" The Bible is not^ in all respects, a perfect revelation.
On the contrary, it is fraught with numerous imper-
fections." " The assumption that the canonical Scriptures
all emanated ' from the spirit of God,' in any other way
than that universal sense wherein all things are said to
proceed from him, is grossly absurd and entirely indefens-
ible. {8. B. Brittan.)
" Somewhere you said-to-be-inspired writers say :
' When I would do good evil is present with me.' "
(Spirit Bacon^ in Spiritualism^ vol. i., p. 191.)
" There are some parts of the Bible which evidence
the profound knowledge which the spirits who dictated
it had of human nature. One passage, in particular, is
not only expressive, but it comes to the very doors of our
hearts, and knocks for entrance. I refer to the passage
where it is said, * Come, now, and let us reason together !' "
{Idem^ vol. ii., p. 229.) But if spirit Bacon had completed
his quotation, as the sentence is in the Bible, he would
have added, " saith Jehovah," and then we should have
had the profound thought without obscurity, and the
grand assurance beyond doubt, that God Almighty has
a vast knowledge of human nature ! !
Surely, my Lord Bacon must have sadly retrogressed^
to have been guilty of such a quotation, contrary to the
fundamental doctrine of "progression" and "develop-
ment" ; or the authors of " Spiritualism," in two octavo
volumes, have been grossly deceived. Which horn gores
the worst ?
2. They deny that the Scriptures are a sufficient rule
of faith and practice.
" The fact," it is said, " the fact that thousands with the
Bible in their hands have been utterly faithless, and have
328 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
lived and died without hope, proves that the Bible is not
equally well suited to the demands of every phase of
mind, hence that it is not perfectly adapted to the neces-
sities of every man" ! {S. B. Brittan.)
Spiritualism must therefore supply the deficiency, be-
cause " some men, like Thomas, require oracular demon-
stration" !
Dr. Hare says, with ill-concealed malignity, and bald
untruth : " Christ has no better reward for his apostles
than visionary temporal judgeships, which neither did nor
can come into existence."
He further says that the precepts of the Gospel " are as
utterly impracticable as unwise in the abstract," (p. 211
Spiritualism Demonstrated.)
Who can read the following without exclaiming upon
the gross ignorance and hatred that simmers to the sur-
face of such bubbling scum ?
" Nothing can be further from my idea of a happy state
than the benefaction promised to them.
" The query and reply are subjoined, in order to enable
the reader to judge of both :
" ''Behold^ we have left all and followed thee ; what shall
we have therefor P (Misquoted.)
" The Saviour answered the above inquiry, when made
by Peter, as follows : ' When the Son of Man shall sit
in the throne of his glory^ ye shall also sit upon twelve
thrones^ judging the twelve tribes of IrsaeV
" Here is a direct answer, by Christ, to an inquiry re-
specting the nature of the reward which his disciples were
to have for their merits as his faithful devotees. They are
to be made severally worldly dignitaries ; each is to sit
on a throne, judging a tribe of Irsael. That is, they are
to have worldly preeminence, accompanied, of course,
by all the vexations attendant on such stations, as well as
the uncertainty and limitation arising from liabiUty to
death and disease. How weak and worldly-minded must
his disciples have been, could such a prospect be alluring
DOCTRINES DENIED. 329
to them ! I ask for any sectarian to say, in candor, whe-
ther a governorship over one of the wealthiest States, the
presidency, or any sovereignty in Christendom, would be
deemed a heaven, in comparison with that eternity of
ineffable happiness enjoyed by the immortal spirits of
the higher spheres?
" There is an immense superiority in the conceptions of
futurity, given by my immortal advisers, in comparison with
those attributed, as above, to Christ" ! {Hare's Letter.)
Of the truth of this, let us judge from the fact, that they
do not soar above the beatific " visions" of the Judge,
the glories of a " saw-mill," and the nectar of " butter-
milk" !
3. They not only deny the Trinity^ hut the Peesonali-
TY of God.
Thus spirit Bacon : " God is a principle and also an
identity" ! " I have never found one spirit who can ex-
plain what the principle, God is." {Spiritualism^ vol. ii.,
p. 238.) Spirit Pythagoras asserts the same pantheistic
notion.
4. They deny not only the " fall of angels," but their
existence as a distinct order, different from the nature of
man.
We are told that the word angel is usually applied, in
Scripture, to a being delivered from the fleshly form — a
spirit once a man on earth — one that has become such by
having passed through the great experience called death.
{Div. Illumi7iation, p. 8.)
" Angels are the spirits of departed human beings."
{Spirit Intercourse, p. 18.)
5. They deny the existence and fall of our Jirst parents
in Eden.
Spirit Swedenborg says : " That there was a first man
especially and particularly created to occupy the garden
^
330 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
of Eden, is opposed to all mybelief of what the character
of God is." {Spiritualism^ Yo\. i., p. 126.)
" This first man and this first woman are but a fiction
— an allegory." {Cel. Tel, vol. i., p. 78.)
6. They deny the doctrine of total depravity. This is
thus acknowledged :
"It is readily granted that Spiritualism rejects the
common notion respecting a ' fall of angels' ' total deprav-
ity,' and the ' atonement.' " (JReview of Beecher hy Brit-
tan, p. 46.)
7. They deny the miraculous birth of Christ, and ridi-
cule it, and blaspheme.
Dr. Hare says : " The intercourse of the angel
Gabriel rests upon the evidence of Mary alone, who was
interested immensely to make her child a god, instead of
being her o^vn illegitimate ofispring"! ! (P. 217; also,
N'eio Test. Miracles and Mod. Miracles Comp., pp. 31,
32 ; Spiritualism, vol. i., pp. 209-212.)
8. They deny the divinity of Christ. (Numerous
authorities.)
9. They deny the sacrifice and atonement of Christ.
(Numerous authorities.)
Dr. Hare says : " Nothing can be more inconsistent
with the religion inculcated by my spirit friends, than the
idea of atonement for sin by faith in any religion, true or
false." " Since my sister's translation to the spheres, she
has risen from the fifth to the sixth sphere. It has been
alleged by her that her ascent was retarded by her belief
in the atonement ^^ ! ! (Pp. 214, 229.)
10. They deny the official relation of Christ, as the
ONLY Saviouk. (Numerous authorities.)
11. They deny the righteousness of Christ, available
for human redemption. (Numerous authorities.)
12. They deny the literal resurrection of ChrisVs body
from the tomb.
DOCTRINES TAUGHT. 831
13. They deny the second 'personal coming of Christ.
14. They deny the doctrine of original sin. {Spirit-
icalism, vol. i., p. 215.)
15. They deny the doctritie of the general resurrection.
(Numerous authorities.)
16. They deny the existence of Hell, the Devil, and
his angels. (All agree in this.)
Such are the items of their negative belief, but they
do not exceed the enormities of \h.^vs: positive teachings,
as we shall see.
1. They teach, that Reason is our supreme judge and
guide in religious matters.
To the judgment of reason the final appeal is to be
made, upon the real character and the entire doc-
trines of the spirits. No matter what they teach, if we
find that our reason does not assent, we are to reject it.
Hence it follows that the revelations of the progressed
mind are to be tried by the test of the unprogressed
mind ! and the Bible of course, is subjected to the same
ordeal.
2. They teach that the Bible is full of errors^ of which
it is the mission of Spiritualism to purify the human
mind! {Spiritualism^ vol. i., p. 224.)
3. They teach that it is of no higher authority than
the modern revelations of demons or the souls of the
dead.
4. They teach that God is an all-pervading principle^
and not a person.
This is an element in various forms of Hindooism.
5. They teach Pantheism. Thus — Spirit Swedenborg
teaches, " The sun that you behold is the God of heaven
and earth ;" " Spirits know no other, and God has never
been seen in any other form." ( Celestial Telegraphy vol.
i., p. 109.)
332 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
If this be so, then Heathen are right in worshipping
the sun !
" The idea of God's personality, has descended to the
present time, and the mass still worship a monstrous hu-
man potentate instead of the controlling principle of
^N'ature." " The Chinese bowing before thek idols, the
Hindoo prostrating himself before the crushing wheels of
Juggernaut, the fire-worshipper venerating the rising
king of day, are no more idolatrous than those who wor-
ship a personified deity. But you say — this idea of
Deity will lead to Pantheism. What if it does ? Can
there be no truth in Pantheism ? I care not from whence
truth is derived. I never trouble myself as to the origin
of an idea. If reason approves it, I am satisfied. Pan-
theism may contain some correct views. Even the lowest
depths of Atheism rest upon some truths."
" But how can you worship a principle, or a code of
laws ?"
" If the ancients called those attributes manifested in
Nature, by the term God, and we now recognize in what
this Deity consists, and if our devotion thus cease, it is
no argument against our conception." ^Pythagoras also
speaks of " the action of those great and comprehensive
principles to which fathers gave the name ' Jehovah.' "
" There is no distinction between Nature and God."
" There should be no conformity except to Nature." (Life
ill the Spheres^ pp. 132-143.)
If the reader will turn back, where we give this quota-
tion more fully, he will see this is Pantheism out and out,
in its worst and most brutahzing form. This quotation
is from an " address to a circle," by the Spirit of Pytha-
GOBAS, beginning thus : " Twenty-five centuries have
rolled away since I passed from the rudimental sphere."
This brave old Philosopher has therefore progressed very
#.
DOCTEINES TAUGHT. 333
far in the spheres, and of course must be able to tell
what God is. The work containing this famous " address"
is published by Partridge & Brittan. The latter in his
review of Mr. Beecher, denies that this doctrine is taught
by Spiritualism ; but here is a work published with his own
name on the title-page, containing it in all its deformity.
" Let the mind go back to that period when the Spirit
of the First Cause sprang forth, self-created. Imagine,
that standing alone amid the everlasting space, he looks
around and sees nothing existent but an infinite nothing,
and then suppose him creating from his own body the
several properties that constitute matter^ and from another
PRINCIPLE developing Spirit " / / (Spiritualism, vol. ii.,
p. 238.)
Here is the beginning, middle, and end of Pantheism,
taught by Spirit Bacon, and it exactly answers to the same
doctrine in Mindooism. " From the union of Brahm,
which contained the types of all things, with Maya, the
principle of individualization, resulted the whole creation.
But the universe existed at first in two original produc-
tions, which were, so to say, the two great germs of it ;
these were Mahabhonta, which is the condensation of all
souls, all the subtile elements, and Pradjapati, which is
the condensation of all the gross elements." {^j^it Hist.
Phil., vol. i., p. 21, published by the Harpers.) Thus we
have proved Pantheism common to Modern Spiritualism
and Hindooism.
The Eleatic Pantheists, in the Greek school of phi-
losophy taught precisely the same doctrine of spiritual
and material emanations from the principle God, which
we find in the recent publications of modern Spiritualism.
[Spiritualism, vol. ii., p. 314.)
6. They teach the eternity of matter, {Spiritualism,
vol. ii., 237 — Life in the Spheres, pp. 105-107 — Celestial
334 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
Telegraphy vol. i., p. 127 — Hare's Vol., p. 213.) This is a
part of old JEpicurianism.
7. They teach Materialism.
" What, then, do the believers in, or the Jcnowers in,
the 'mysterious' noises mean by the word spirit P Of
course, I can not speak for all ; but I venture to assert
that I speak the sentiments of a vast majority/ when I
say that they are entirely and wholly materialists in their
ideas, and rationalistic in their opinions.'*'' — {Modem
Spiritualism by Capron, p. 410.)
%. They teach that the soul is apart of God himself!
"How have they (clergymen) represented the God
who is unapproachable by human thought ? How have
they described man, who is a part of that God himself^''!
{Spiritualism, vol. i., p. 226.)
" JJie soul is a God of itself'''' 1 1 {Ibid., vol. i., p. 10,
177, and other authorities.)
This is going a. little beyond Paganism. We do not
remember to have seen such a sentiment so flatly laid
down by the old Pagan authors. They worshipped their
departed ancestors, but we do not see why our Spiritual-
ists should not fall down and worship one another, as
profoundly as their " principle God ;" for as they hold
the soul to be a part of God ITSELF(!) and " as it is an
emanation from the God, it possesses much of its nature,
and it is only its admixture with matter that prevents its
manifesting the attributes which such an origin has con-
ferred on it," {Idem, and Celestial Telegraph, vol i., p.
-128,) the soul differs from God not in Mnd, but de-
gree !
This is the Eclectic Spiritualism of the Arabian Philoso-
phy. {Epit. Hist. Phil., vol i., p. 265-266.)
DOCTRINES TAUGHT. 835
9. Thoy teach that sin is only a misfortune resulting
from circumstances. Thus we are uiformed : " It must be
conceded that the prodigious diversity between virtue and
vice, is the consequence of contingencies, which are no
more under the control of the individual affected, than
the color of his hair, or the number of cubits in his
stature " ! ! {Hare's Letter?)
Pythagoras says to a self-accusing spirit : " Blame no
one for their follies, but blame the circumstaiices in
which you were placed. They were bad ; popular opinion,
before which you bent, was bad. All tended to make
you what you were." {Life in the Spheres^ p. 82.)
" The vagabond that roams your streets, the circum-
stances in which he was reared, and over which he had
no control, made him ignorant, vicious, and criminal."
{Idem^ p. 137; also. Spiritualism^ vol. i., p. 122 ; Hare'' s
Vol., pp. 148, 241.)
10. They teach that human merits purchase heaven,
(Numerous authorities.)
11. They teach that the doctrine of immortality is
more effectually taught hy Spiritualism than by the Bible.
{Spiritualism, vol. ii., p. 60, and other authors.)
The following falsehood is itahcised by Prof. Hare :
" The Old Testament does not impart a hnowledge of
immortality, without which religio7i were worthless. The
notions derived from the Gospel are vague, disgusting,
inaccurate, and difficult to believe''^ I ! ! {Harems Vol., p.
209.)
12. They teach that Christ is a mere man, not only,
but degrade him to the contemptible level of their own
Media !
13. They teach that the prevention of sin was not
within the ordinary control of God !
Prof. Hare says : " Evil exists not through design, but
336 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
in consequence of circumstances which He (God) can not
control or cure, unless through the operation of general
principles." (P. 141.)
" Instead of assuming, with orthodoxy, that our hea^
venly Father is quite omnipotent, spirits hold that his
powers are only such as this magnificent and almost
infinite universe involves ; consequently there is no ne-
cessity on their part to admit that every thing must be
exactly as God wishes it to be !" (P. 403.)
14. They teach the preexistence of souls.
" Before appearing on earth man lived in a spiritual
world similar to the one in which he lives on quitting the
earth. Each awaits his turn in this world, to appear on
earth, an appearance necessary ; a life of trial, none can
escape it." {Gel Tel, vol. i., pp. 111-113.)
15. They teach and practise Necromancy and Witch-
craft.
"ISTow, all the magic, the mysteries, the witchcraft,
the necromancy of the ancient world, from the time of
the Delphic Oracle, are explained by these modern in-
vestigations ; and all popular delusions, however exagger-
ated, are now shown to have truth for their basis." (Tall-
raadge^s Letter to Simmons)
We are informed that " the woman of Endor, so much
vituperated by theological blackguards (!) was evidently
truthful, kind-hearted, and forgiving."
She belonged to the " higher class of mediums in Saul's
time." {Spirit. Int., p. 15.)
"The practice of Necromancy is admitted and justi-
fied." {Div. Ilium., p. 39.)
16. They teach that future rewards are Mohammedan
paradises, and future punishment is simply restraint and
shame. {Edmonds's Visions. Hare, 11^, 122, 1^1. C^^
Tel, vol. i., p. 65.)
DOCTEINES TAUGHT. 337
11. l^liQj tQ^Qh. the doctrine of Purgatory.
" There are different places where suffering exists, not
as it is presented to ns ; they are places of trial, wherein
you are purified, without suffering, except that of being
deprived of the sight of God. As I have told you, God
is so good, he has so great love for us that he punishes us
'merely by a reprimand ; but this punishment is very sen-
sitive, seeing that it is inflicted before all in heaven, then
it would be an impossibihty for us to do evil, since the
bad thoughts which engender it are of the domain of the
earth, which is the real hell, and rest buried there with
our mortal remains." {Cel. Tel.^ vol. i., p. 10.)
" ' There is no such hell as is depicted on earth ; there
are places of purification, which are termed places of
punishment, because one is there deprived of the sight of
God and his divine light ; hut those loho are there are
happy.'' — 'And all great criminals^ where are they ?' ' In
similar places, assembled in society; but, as God is so
good, he provides for all, prevents evil, and reestablishes
good in the hearts of all.'" {Cel. Tel.^ vol i., p. 56.)
Here is proffered the largest bounty for crime ! Ho !
all ye pests of society, ye who delight in scenes of rioting,
and drunkenness, and all manner of vice and villainy, ye
who oppress and revel in human suffering, ye who make
the largest, longest, and boldest experiments in wicked-
ness, ye whose life is pestilence, whose career is a curse
upon society, ye haberdashers in the service of sin, ye
votaries of iniquity " dyed in the wool," ye dealers in
blood and human grief, rejoice, for great is your reward
in purgatory and heaven !
18. They teach Universal salvation. (Numerous au-
thorities.)
19. They teach that all religioris are equally acceptable
to God.
" '• Are all religions agreeable to God ?' ' Yes, when
they are founded on these two principles.' — 'But the
15
338 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
I^ractices of these religions, are they approved by liim ?'
' Yes, when they aim at the object I have just defined.' —
'• Still, human reason is less repugnant to accepting the
ofterings or sacrifices made to God in certain mild re-
ligions than in others which seem ridiculous or savage.'
' There are no ridiculous or savage practices in the eyes
of God; the disciples of such religions believe they make
themselves agreeable to him by offering him such a thing,
or praying to him in such a manner. It is the love, with
which they are penetrated for God that animates them,
and God accepts with the same impartiality whatsoever is
offered him with a view of being agreeable to him !' —
' There existed, and there still exist, nations that offer up
human victims to God in their sacrifices ; is that agreeable
to God?' *Yes, for these men offer up to him their
dearest possessions in the persons of their children,
brethren, and friends ; they give him a proof of a superior
love which God can not reject, especially when these men
are convinced of the value of their offering, and make it
not with indifterence.' " ! ! ! ( Cel. Tel, vol. ii., pp. 64, 65.)
20. They teach and inculcate the uprooung and de-
struction OF Christianity!!
" ' The revelations through the mediums vary some-
what, yet all are of a radical character. T/iei/ teach the
overthrow of existing church organizations^ and say that
vital changes must be made in the social and commercial
world. The belief in the spiritual agency of these teach-
ings being quite general, and becoming more so every
day, the effect will be, as we previously stated, to form a
great radical party, which will develop itself ere-long, and
astonish the world by its strength.' " {Mod. Spiritual-
ism^ p. 308.)
In proof of this, we present a war-like communication
from the spirit of Rev. W. Wisheart ; found in Epit.
Sjyir. Int., pp. 107, 108.
" The guerilla warfare is well in its place, but a regular
army is needed to give complete efiiciency. It is almost
DOCTRINES TAUGHT. 339
time to stop putting new cloth on old garments ; there
will be enough half-breeds left behind to keep the old so-
cial organization in a constant ferment, and enough mem-
bers of spiritualist communities detached from time to
time to carry on offensive operations ; but every thorough
Spiritualist should have a home among his kindred. In-
dividual sovereignty is well ; unity is better ; purity is
indispensable ; but love, guided by wisdom, will fuse them
in one homogeneous mass. We shall shake the old social
organization to its centre ; we will shiver it in fragments ;
we defy opposition ; we court inquiry ; we scorn intimi-
dation ; we know our mission, and we can not fail. We
are not omnipotent, and can not control conditions ; but
we know what we can do, and the future is not hidden
to us. Arrest the hurricane, defy the earthquake, drive
back the rail-car at full speed, by standing in its way, but
think not to stop our work" ! !
These are brave words, but we fancy they sound more
like the gasconading of a devil, than the utterance of a
good spirit. Our Spiritualists are quite too sure of their
game. There is a story of one GoHah, in that old book
they make the butt of their ridicule, from which they
might derive a profitable lesson.
21. They teach that Spiretualism is to inaugurate
THE MiLLENNIUar.
Thus Dr. Dexter writes, and he is evidently earnest,
sincere, and withal one of their best writers :
" Since the ' salt' of the Church has, in respect to these
matters, (he has been speaking of,) ' lost its savor, and is
henceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trod-
den under foot of men,' it has pleased Divine Providence
to develop this conserving element of which we have
spoken, in the form of what is now termed Spiritualism."
" Is there, then, no hope for this state of progress and
happiness for man, either under the dispensations of the
old revelations or the promises and prospects of this new
disclosure ? For eighteen hundred years the world has
340 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
waited for the coming of that day when man should live
in harmony with his brother and in fellowship with God.
Prophets and priests have foretold its advent, and pre-
dicted the millennium by the positive promises which
have been made by spirits of the other world. And may
it not be that the shades of that long night are now shim-
mering into new-bom day, the dawn of which colors the
shadows of ages with its own bright tints of hope and
promise ! Even now the prayer ascends from millions of
happy hearts, disenthralled and redeemed from death to
life by the power of those truths which Spiritualism has
revealed — that the time may soon come when peace shall
reign on earth, and good-will to man be manifest in the
earnest endeavor of all to assist each other to increase
their own exellence, and the purity and happiness of the
whole race."
Thus we have shown the creed of Modern Spiritualists
both in its negative and positive form. And although
they have the assurance to arrogate to it the name of
Christianity^ for the sake of popularizing the system, it
will be seen there is not the faintest semblance between
it and the " faith once delivered to the saints." So very
far from this, no well-read man can fail to see, that it is a
miserable hash of heathen^ mythologies, in which even
the teachings of Christ are degraded below those of
demons !
Such being the doctrines of this spirit-theology, we are
left to guess what its operation will be in morals. Nay,
we are wrong. Its great apostle. Dr. Hare, who presents
his credentials from the spirits, and who was thus ad-
dressed by his spirit-sister : " My brother, I would say a
word to you touching your duty in regard to the present
dispensation. You occupy a prominent and important
place in the dissemination of this most glorious GospeP^ !
does not leave us to guess. He has given us a broad
hint, p. 241 :
SPIIIITUALISM ACCUESED. 341
" 1263. Were his (man's) organization and education
dependent on himself, it might be reasonable to say to a
human being : Love your neighbor as yourself; love your
enemies ; but how can that Deity who determines man's
race and his parentage, and of course whether he be a
savage or a civilized man, whether a Thug or a real
Christian, if such a thing can be — how can that Deity re-
quire a being to do that which is irreconcilable with his
passions, opinions, and habits, derived from nature and
education, as well as the examples set by those around
him ?" ! ! !
The spirit-literature of this movement labors to deny or
to pervert the doctrines of Christianity, and to establish
another gospel holding out immunity to crime. There
is not a devil on earth or in hell, that would not hail and
heartily approve of this system. It removes aU restraints
from the wicked, it gives encouragement to the licentious
and the vile to prosecute their nefarious ways, and is well
fitted to harden the heart of every profligate against every
just, and virtuous, and noble sentiment of the gospel of
Christ. Our evidence of the horrid fact we have spread
out before the reader, and there is much more of the
same sort left. This is the gospel of the " New Dispensa-
tion," which already has proved to thousands the bitter-
ness of gall, and the ruin of their temporal peace. Well
did Paul perceive the issue of such delusion when he said :
" Though we or an angel from heaven preach any other
gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto
you, let him be accuesed."
The few truths entering the system which may be pre-
sented as first principles, no one can deny ; but in their
unnatural connection's, being shorn of their power, they
just serve to gild the bitter piU which poisons the moral
system, and carries the unerring dart of death to every
reasonable hope and every rational prospect of heaven.
342 A THKEE-FOLD TEST.
Some of the worst features of the heathen mythologies
it adopts, and attempts to pahn oiF as heaven-sent verities
to soothe the human heart, fretted by the repulsive doc-
trines of " popular theology," and to help man onward
in '-'- Progression''^ ! Thus, in solemn, figure-forbidding
prose, spirit Pythagoras says : " Death is a great leveller.
WJien Charon loafts the weary soul over the Styx^ he
strips it of all wealth, titles, honors, and ornaments" ! !
{Life in the Spheres^ p. 137.)
Who shall say that the venerable philosopher, now
" twenty-five centuries" old, in the spheres, has less claim
upon our confidence than any one of the great spirits that
have dictated the new system ? Yet, according to him, Cha-
ron and the Styx are great realities, to engage the sober
consideration of our Spiritualists. It will not do to ac-
cuse him of being a " lying spirit," to get rid of these ex-
humed fossil remains of a barbarous age ; for, according
to the internal evidence pervading spirit-talk, all the rest
would be in the same condemnation. The credentials of
Pythagoras are equal to any from the same source ever
presented in modern times. This, then, we claim as an
additional evidence of the heathenism of the system :
" Charon wafts the weary soul over the Styx" ! ! Take
care, gentlemen, of that old fellow ; be sure, every man
of you, to have his " obolus" ready !
But Mr. Brittan says : "We insist that the real charac-
ter of the spirits is most clearly revealed in what they do
and say.'''' Agreed. We insist, that out of their own
mouth, (if they have any) they stand condemned ; and
pitiable, indeed, is the condition of those that have been
misled ; for all who believe in demonology are on the high
road to demonolatry and demonocracy, and ultimately
shall become demonomists in a worse state and place than
the black sand plane, the vision of which, vouchsafed to
A PLEA ANTICIPATED. 343
the Judge, must be terrible, especially to Long Island
farmers.
" The first and worst of all frauds is to cheat
One's self. All sin is easy after that."
That the foregoing synopsis of the doctrines of Spirit-
ualism will be denied, scarcely admits of a doubt ; for
they are so repulsive to common-sense, so disorganizing
to our social happiness and peace in their practical ten-
dencies, and so abominable in their evident effects upon
the soul, in time and eternity, tha^ we shall see there will
be felt a necessity to repudiate, under the convenient plea
that for individual opinions, as put forth in the books we
have quoted, Spiritualism is not to be held accountable.
We shall be told, that the doctrines of the " New Dispen-
sation" are simply " the immortality of the soul," " love
to God and man," "holy communion with departed
friends," and " eternal progression."
But this plea will be of no avail; because these doc-
trines are set forth as taught hy good and well-progressed
spirits, commissioned by God to teach them, and these
spirits have all been tested and their characters proved as
worthy of our reliance. They are none of your miserable
gibbering ghosts, whose ignorance and depravity have con-
signed them to the purgatory of the black sand plane, where
they must sweat for consequences of unpropitious circum-
tances, over w^hich they had no control, ^'either do they
come from villains of spiritual power, whose " lips were
lined with the immortal lie, and dyed with all the look of
truth ;" for such can be detected : but they come from
noble spirits, whose wisdom, kindness, intelligence,
strength, beauty, and supernal worth, have all been tried.
They have shown their credentials and have been accept-
ed, and their teachings, communicated through remarka-
bly gifted media, all of good character, honest and true
344 A THKEE-I^OLD TEST.
even to a fault, have been widely published in books,
large and small, at great expense. It would, therefore,
be preposterous to deny that any of these teachings, so
well attested, do not belong to Spiritualism. They come
not from human brains, nor from unprogressed spirits, but
from the holy inhabitants of the upper spheres. So say
our Spiritualists ; and the industry with which they are
circulated is an insurmountable bar to any such plea as we
have supposed will be made.
N.B. — Since writing the above, the author has discov-
ered a fraud, the mention of which he is unwilling to
omit. It is this : On the second page of the appendix of
Judge Edmonds' first vol. on Spiritualism, there is a/ac-
simile of the " handwriting of Swedenborg," given pro-
fessedly by himself controlling the passive hand of Dr.
Dexter. The writer has recently examined the real fac-
simile at the rooms of the Swedenborgian Society in the
Bible House, and hereby certifies that they are totally
diverse from each other. This goes to strengthen our
previously- written argument on the personating of de-
mons. And as the Judge and the Doctor have been in
this instance manifestly imposed upon, we hold that the
imposition has been practised throughout, and that they
are victimized.
THE CONFLICTS OF CHEISTIANITY. 345
CHAPTER IX.
" Trite venom churns the froth out of the lips ;
It works and works, like any waterwheel." — Fbstus.
WAR UPON CHRISTIANITY.
Christianity has survived its former Enemies — Character and Plan of the
New Adversary — Anti-Christ shown to be an Incarnation of the Devil —
Modern Spiritualism most likely to develop Him — Spirit Swedenborg
• confirms this view — War proclaimed— Proofs from Spiritualist-Authors
— Attack upon Christ — His Precepts maligned — Old Testament assailed
— Attack upon the Sabbath — Morals of Christians assailed — The Assail-
ant a Duellist — Further Proof— Spiritualists honest, but deceived.
The Cause of Christ has lived throughout the storms
of eighteen hundred years. The map of the world mean-
Avhile, has often been changed. !N'ations, dynasties, and
institutions of various forms have arisen, flourished for a
time, and " as though an earthquake smacked its mumb-
ling lips o'er some thick-peopled city," they all have disap-
peared.
Where now is there one of these unbroken, to com-
pare dates with Christianity ? Yet she has never known
the absence of a foe. Her enemies have ever been ad-
vancing by legions ; and by legions they have perished
at her feet. Often have they changed all modes of at-
tack, and as often have been foiled. Her dearest interests
have indeed been scarred by open enemies who have
15*
346 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
gained advantage in unfair battle, but none have ever in-
jured her so much as those who wore her costume, gained
her confidence, and under the mask of friendship, be-
trayed her cause. Still she lives a tower of strength.
Through hidden channels she receives from her great
Head, whom all good spirits honor and adore, uncon-
querable courage. Himself has nerved her for the conquest
of a victory in every struggle. She bears " the sword
of the spirit," and is well covered by her "shield of
faith," and " helmet of salvation."
Open infidelity now no longer rejoices in the intellect-
ual power of giants. They are all dead, though their
cause yet lives ; and is furious in its weakness. The war-
worn weapons of Porphory and Celsus, of Gibbon,
Hume, Voltaire, and Paine, and others sharing their
inglorious fame, are wielded now by feebler hands un-
guided by a competency of wit and skill ; and further-
more, by frequent smiting on the bosses of her buckler,
their edges have been badly battered. Hence they are
unfit for service, unless relaid, and ground by " spirit-
hands," and used under the direction of " spirit-brains,"
because the human have been worn out in the service.
" The Prince of the power of the air" seemed to have
exhausted all his wisdom, in devising the destruction of
Christianity ; but his inventive genius has lately hit upon
another plan, which adds to his renown as an experienced
tactician. This plan unites the aforesaid power, with
human agency, in a scheme of demonocracy ; in which, as
commander-in-chief whose existence must he denied^
himself, shall direct cohorts of spirits clad in the garb of
angels of light and with concealed weapons, to over-
spread the world, unite with fleshly enemies, use the
nomenclature of Christianity, and by their wondrous arts,
bewilder the " simple faithful", and make them beheve
A PERSONAL ANTI-CURIST. 34^
they have a new revelation which, by the command of
God and by the laws of " development," must supplant
the old forms of faith, correct the gross mistakes of man-
kind, and deliver them from their thraldom to the priest-
craft of Christianity. When thus by wonders^ not mira-
cles, they have entranced the senses, and by words, thus
enforced, have gained the attention of the awe-struck,
then they will unsheathe their weapons and cut every Uga-
ment that binds the human heart to the cause of salva-
tion by the atonement of Christ !
This is the plan. Confessedly it is well devised, and in
its execution, promises to phosphoresce a while, and amaze
the world by extra-mundane sights, and sounds, and
spirit-pyrotechnics ; but however long or short may be
the battle, this novel plan, like all its predecessors, is fore-
doomed to failure ; and Christianity yet shall laugh over
a grand " stampede" of devils.
The author of " Christian Theism" thus remarks :
" Some Christians have been of opinion that the agency
of spirits was permitted in former times, and especially
at the epoch of Redemption, to an extent which has
since been prohibited by the Divine Will. It has even
been conjectured that similar manifestations, and perhaps
a reign of atheism or anti-christ, instigated and led by
evil spirits^ will precede the second advent of the Mes-
siah."
This is more than probable ; indeed we think it will be
the literal fact. There is predicted in 2 Thess. 2d chap.,
a great apostasy to take place in the "latter times,"
when " some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to
seducing spirits and doctrines of demons.'''* This apos-
tasy is to be succeeded by an incarnation of the devil, which
will be THE Anti-Cheist preeminently, and is to be the
great culmination of embodied wickedness out of the vari-
348 A THKEE-FOLD TEST.
ous forms of anti-Christianity that had its incipiency in
apostolic times. One of these, is the concentrated mass
o;f iniquity called Popery, whose varied and protracted
evils and abominations have been so great, as to lead to
a very extensive belief that Popery is the "falling away,"
and the Pope, (who does not die,) " that man of sin, the
son of perdition." Many arguments favor this view, but
that which appears to forbid us to suppose the system of
Popery to exhaust the idea of Paul, is the fact that the
" falling away" takes place firsts and before the " revela-
tion of the man of sin ;" whereas the Papacy is insepara-
ble from the Roman Communion, both alike having
been for centuries revealed in all the hideousness of moral
deformity.
We think the arguments preponderate for a personal
Anti-Christ. This does not invalidate the application of
this term to Romanism, as descriptive of a terrific power
whose inherent tendency is to produce all the evil whose
working is to head out, with similar agencies, into the
incarnation we have spoken of, since Anti-Christ is to be
considered both as a spiritual tendency diffused in many
individualities, and the eventual terminus of that ten-
dency in a single personality. " Demoniac powers," says
Olshausen, " which we see at work in the history of the
world, call forth Anti-Christian formations now in this
shape, now in that^ and that too in such a way that
an augmentation of evil is visibly to be observed."
Popery is a great promoter of InfideUty, and we think
the Infidel Anti-Christ in its widely diffusing power
wni be the final result of all human corruption in the for-
mation of a Man of Sin.
This would seem to be the true issue of evil in its pre-
sent development ; for it is to be noted that the term
apostasy does not refer so much to a corruption as to a
total abandonment of religion.
A PERSONAL ANTI CHRIST. 349
Further, the scriptural argument seems to lie altogether
in this direction. The preposition anti^ in composition ^
denotes not only opposition but similarity / as in anti-
type. Thus Anti- Christ not only means the opposer^ as
in 2 Thess. 2:4; and the liar, as in 1 John 2 : 22 ; but it
marks a striking similarity between Christ and Anti-Christ
for the purpose of deception. Certainly no " false Christ"
could succeed but by imitation. As there was an apo-
calypse of Christ, so there will be an apocalypse of Anti-
Christ ; as there was a fullness of time for the appearance
of the one, so it remains for the other to " be revealed
in his time ;" as the one was in his person, the " mystery
of godliness,'''* so the other, in his person, will be the
" mystery of iniquity.'''' The one mystery, was " God
manifest in the flesh ;" the other will be " the Devil
manifest in the flesh."
This is the old interpretation, in which the Fathers all
agreed. " Let us not," said Jerome, " suppose him, ac-
cordmg to the opinion of some, either to be a devil or a
demon, but one of the human race, in whom all Satan
shall dwell bodily." His personality, beyond a doubt is
described by the use of the article in six difierent titles.
Faber thinks the last great apostasy is to be of a Socino-
infidel character, and will be productive of a personal
head, or leader, the man of sin, the son of perdition, terms
not likely to be employed in designating either a principle
of evil, or a united host actuated by it. Olshausen is of
opinion that " the proof of the individuality of Anti-Christ
can plainly be wrested from 2 Thes. 2 : 3-10, only by
forcing its meaning."
Now it is very clear, that the doctrines of Anti-Christ
can not be worse than those we have extracted from the
books of Modern Spiritualism. They deny the incarna-
nation, the deity, the atonement of Christ. " Who is a
350 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
liar, but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ ? He is
Anti- Christ that denieth the Father and the Son." (1 John
2 : 22.) These doctrines are the teachings of spirits, and
distinctly determine their character. They are more or
less taught in every place where these spirits operate, and
we are told the movement is rapidly spreading through-
out the world. If this be true, and if the aforesaid inter-
pretation be correct, we think there is no agency in the
world so likely to produce this Man of Sin, as the one we
are considering. This apostasy^ be it remembered, is not
a corruption of Christianity, but a total denial of it ; a
combination of evil principles that have singly prevailed
in different periods of time ; a new process of infusing
unwonted energy into all the worn-out forms of infidelity ;
and an efficient apparatus for the most extensive delusion
of mankind.
The descriptive terms of Scripture, used to show the
modus operandi by which Anti-Christ shall be developed,
and shall conduct his work, are remarkably applicable to
the whole of this business. Demons are preparing the
way for great revolutions, which we are told, must take
place in the social as well as rehgious world ; and who
but they should be an appropriate agency ? How could
they succeed better, than by playing upon the credulity
and affections of men, in the assumed character of de-
parted friends ? How more completely deceive, than by
the achievement of physical wonders, and pretensions to
great benevolence ? They must first of all gain credit.
Kow let us look for a moment into this chapter.
1 . Whose COMING is after the working of Sataoi^ that
is, whose presence will be produced by the energy of Sa-
tan. This will be by his crafty operations as an angel of
lights so cunningly devised, and skillfully managed as to
deceive if possible the very elect. Now our Spii'itualists
A PERSONAL ANTI-CHRIST. 361
are so energetic in their belief, that they will not talk so
as to imply any possible mistake or any doubt with regard
to the heavenly origin and design of their " immortal ad-
visers." " We know," is their language. Their decep-
tion relates not so much or so ruinously to the fact of
spirit-agency, as to its nature. We have given the evi-
dence of the intention of this movement announced from
the spirit-world by pseudo-Wisheart and others. The
vast numbers already deluded, really believe that " Satan"
and "hell-fire" are nonentities, and all the distinctive
doctrines of Christianity the result of priest-craft, long
successful by the aid of an old mythologic book whose
antiquity has favored its high claim and triumphs with
the unthinking masses, but whose pretensions can not
stand the test of science and sound reason. Their num.
ber is augmenting daily, and their leaders are boisterous
in rejoicing over their unparalleled success on both con-
tinents, between which the Atlantic bears on its bosom
the productions of their presses, and the news of " pro-
gression." The adaptations in the system to consolidate
the various clans of adversaries are simple and effective.
Names of gentleman, who are not easily duped, as we are
told, peril their high reputation upon the truth of the
newly-opened intercourse between mortals and their
dearest friends who have passed into the other world.
This fact, that many attempts during the past eight years,
to detect imposture, and to explain the phenomena by
science have all failed, is presented to thousands of inqui-
rers, 2i9, prima facie evidence of the superior claims of the
new religion^ — a religion that exactly suits all deemed irre-
ligious by the " popular theology," — a religion that comes
home to the affections, not by abstract propositions and dry
dogmas, but by the outpourings of love from kindred and
friends rejoicing in the beatitudes of their spirit-home, — a
352 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
religion that positively so lights up with smiles the grim
visage of death, that it loses all its repulsiveness, — a religion
that knows nothing of "the blood of the Lamb," nor of
" the terrors of the Lord," but proves immortal happiness,
the infalUble inheritance of every individual of the race ;
and a religion to which the term salvation does not be-
long, since pkogression covers every case. It plays with
the imagination, it adapts itself to the carnal views, and
the modes of thought common to worldly-minded men, it
places the prize of an advanced starting-point of progression
in the spheres, within the competency of every man to pur-
chase. The thousands that daily congregate at " circles,"
are so fascinated, as to employ their colloquial powers for
its advancement in every rank of society ; especially is
this true of females, whose number, won from the Church
of Christ, is a matter of boast.
We have shown what are the doctrines of this system,
as well as the avowed design of uprooting the Church, and
producing great civil and ecclesiastical changes in the
world. We have shown that it arrogates to itself the
name of Christian, persuading us that the popular theo-
logy is at variance with true Christianity as it was meant
to be, and claiming Christ as a Spiritualist of their own
order, and the highest, greatest medium / of whom they
delight to make the most reverential mention ! All this
is energetically believed upon what they take to be the
unmistakable authority of pure and holy spii'its, whom
God has commissioned to reform the world. They do
not absolutely condemn the Church as she has existed,
but only the evils that have been developed out of her in
by-gone ages, and the theology of i]iQ present age. She
has accomplished her mission, and has done a good work;
but tempora mutantur. She never was designed to last
for ever, but hke all other organizations must yield to the
WHAT IS PKOVED, " 353
demands of human progress. Peace be to her ashes!
while we inaugurate the Millennium by union of heaven
and earth through the intervention of Modern Spirit-
ualism ! This is adapted to universal humanity !
N'ow we defy any mental effort to elaborate a scheme,
more exactly adapted to develop Anti-Christ ; and in its
men and measures to exhibit an energy^ exactly in keep-
ing with the character of the Deceiver of the nations.
He never uses poor tools, while his experience enables
liim to complicate his devices and deceptions, as to escape
the detection of all who are willing to join in the experi-
ment of modern Spiritualism.
2. With all power and signs and lying iconders. The
Power is in the adaptations of craft. The Signs, are the
tests, and revelation or exposition of personal secrets, cal-
culated to excite the imagination, entrance the senses, and
pervert the judgment. Here is poetry for the stupidest
intellect, and a charm for the dullest heart. The Lying
Wonders are such, only in their claims as the credentials
of high Heaven, presented by good spirits, who teach the
doctrines we have enumerated, and would persuade the
world that they are sent from God.
Spirit Swedenborg has thus given an exposition of 2
Thess. 2d chap., to the Bible-class above referred to,
speaking the truth so as to pervert it :
" The man of sin, there spoken of, is now being revealed
through these manifestations^ as well as the glory of the
Lord, who shall finally consume the evil and false with
the spirit of his mouth, and destroy them with the
brightness of his coming, as the manifestations progress.
For the mystery of iniquity doth already work ; only he
who now letteth, will let until he be taken out of the way.
The7'e may be^ therefore, great power, and signs, and ly-
ing wonders manifested by the spirits of evil ; but the
wisdom, and power, and glory, and truth given by the spir-
354 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
its commissioned from the Lord, will eventually triumph.
The spiritual coming of the Lord is now taking place, and
will continue to grow brighter and brighter as it progresses,
till the light shall destroy all powers of darkness now be-
ing revealed both in and out of the body." {Spiritual
Measoner^ pp. 178, 179.)
Here then we have high authority for the opinion we
have formed, mainly on philological grounds. "We are
distinctly told by the Baron himself from the spirit-world
expounding the meaning of Paul, that the man of sin "is
now being revealed, through these manifestations." There-
fore we may look for " great power and signs, and ly-
ing wonders manifested by the spirits of evil." These
we have already seen ; but "the wisdom^ and^ot^^er, and
glory ^ and truths given by the spirits" of an opposite na-
ture, we have not yet seen ; and in connection with this
movement, never shall see ; for as the same fountain can
not send forth sweet water and bitter, we can not sup-
pose that both "the man of sin," and the "glory
of the Lord" will be revealed by the same instru-
mentality. We are certain of the presence of these lying
wonders, we can not be made certain that any thing spir-
its have yet done or said, is incompatible with the evil
agency by which we are assured " the man of sin is now
being revealed." What then are we to infer ? Plainly
this, whatever else Spiritualism may pretend to, by the
authority of Swedenborg, it is now developing Anti-Christ!
3. With all deceivableness of unrighteousness. This
phrase covers every unrighteous fraud like that practised
upon poor Doughty by a medium now in high repute for
her powers, and every artifice to ruin the best interests
of man.
If facts can j)rove any thing, we think they prove that
this descriptive text delineates to the life, the character
THE ENEMY'S WARNING. 855
of modem Spiritualism. It is marshalling the forces to
be eventually under the commander-in-chief, the personal
Anti-Christ, " whom the Lord, Christ, shall consume with
the breath of his mouth, and shall destroy with the bright-
ness of his coming."
We have no doubt that many will regard our reasoning
i\dth indifference and skepticism, because they have not
seen or heard so much of this movement as they think
mil justify it ; but they will have the goodness to credit
us with an experience gathered from an extensive re-
search, and from an intercourse with the friends of this
cause, to which they are professedly strangers.
This pseudo-gospel " comes not with observation." It
makes no great popular commotion from any Jupiter
Tonans, but its progress is silently onward, by its "circles,"
which sit from morning to noon, from noon to night, and
from night to morning, every day, for the conversion of
skeptics. It seeks, in the most loving manner, to console
those who have lost Mends, (and who hath not lost a
friend ?) by bringing them back to assure survivors of
their happiness, of their sad beguilement, when " in the
form," by means of priests and popular theology, and of
their guardianship and affectionate anxiety to win their
dear friends from popular errors, and induce them to trust
in the asserted truths of the " New Dispensation." Its
appeal is directly to the heart. Therefore, be not de-
ceived.
We shall now proceed to show, by Dr. Hare's book,
entitled, " Spiritualism Scientifically Demonstrated," and
from other sources, that an exterminating war upon
Christianity is proclaimed.
We deem it our solemn duty to expose the enemy and
their aims to the friends of Christianity, by extended
quotations. Perhaps we may be regarded as helping on
356 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
their cause by this course, but we can not think so. Sure-
ly, men are not more endangered by the exposure of
peril before they run into it. We desire that no part of
the system or design be unexplained.
Past experience has shown that so long as the Bible
continues to command the respect of men as the word of
God^ Christianity is impregnable. Therefore, in the out-
set, a degradation of the Bible is the first necessary point
to be gained. The old weapons of warfare are to be used
with the advantage of a new power at the head of the
onset, and a new system of tactics. Of this we are dis-
tinctly informed, and are sagely warned that the old de-
fenses will avail us nothing in the contest. Thus we are
told by one of the great oracles of Spiritualism. {Free
Thoughts^ pp. 16, 17.)
" Hugh Miller, author of ' Footprints of the Creator,'
who has written as good a plea in behalf of his theologic
faith as any Churchman could, is fully conscious of the
ignorance of the clergy. He says : ' The clergy, as a
class, suffer themselves to linger far in the rear of an
intelligent and accomplished laity ^ a full age behind the
requirements of the time. Let them not shut their eyes
to the danger which is obviously coming ! The battle of
the evidences (of Christianity) will have as certainly to be
fought on the fields of physical science as it was contested
in the last age on that of the metaphysics. And on this
new arena the combatants will have to employ new wea-
pons^ which it will be the privilege of the challenger to
choose. The old, opposed to these, would prove of but
little avail.' Hence the arguments of Nelson, or Leslie,
or Paley, or Watson, can have no weight in the stupend-
ous battle about to be fought between despotism and
liberty."
" Greek, Hebrew, and Latin terms, however classic and
high-sounding — a mere battle of texts — can have no pos-
sible weight in settling questions which involve the origin
and veracity of a record which is already in the English
language, and recommended by the American Bible
AN ATTACK UPON CHRIST. 35*7
Society, in its present translation^ as being tlie infallible
word of God. The clergy should feel grateful to us for
taking the trouble to show them the battle-field of this
century.'*
N"o doubt the clergy are as grateful for this as for " the
trouble to show them" the wonders of "Life in the
Spheres ;" but we think both are acts of supererogation.
On this " battle-field" they will not be found wanting, and
are not without good hope of making it as dreary to the
adversaries of their Lord as the " black sand plane," when
they come to farm it for a living.
The Old Testament has always been the arsenal whence
infidelity has drawn its weapons ; but Christ indorsed it
as the Scriptures of truth ; therefore, an attack is made
on him, to degrade his person, to deny his claims, and to
bring his authority and plan of salvation into contempt !
To effect this, his divinity is derided and denied, and his
humanity declared to be the ofispring of sin and shame !
[Hare's Volume^ p. 217.)
He is declared to have been igjiorant of the future
state !
" 764. There is no small degree of contradiction in
Scripture respecting the locality of heaven. In addressing
the tliief, paradise is identified with heaven by Christ.
' St. Paul is alleged to have been taken up into paradise^"*
says Harbaugh ; yet, according to the map accompanying
the work of Josephus, Paradise is represented as being
upon the river Tigris, near the Persian Gulf. The idea
given of the abode of Adam and Eve, in Genesis, conveys
the impression that it was a terrestrial locality."
" 766. Elijah was carried up to heaven in the sight of
Elisha. The commandment makes heaven above, the
earth beneath. Christ was seen ascending by his disci-
ples, and according to the Apostles' Creed, after descend-
ing into hell he arose on the third day and ascended into
heaven. Yet Josephus consigns both heaven and hell to
358 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
a subterranean region, Ike the Elysian Fields and Erebns
of the heathen, but places them on each side of a lake of
everlasting fire. This representation is sanctioned in the
allusion by Christ to Dives, Lazarus and Abraham ; the
former, broihng to eternity, requests that Lazarus should
get a Uttle water, to cool the tip of his tongue. This,
Abraham declares to be impossible. Hence it appears
the parties were so near as to converse with each other,
and for those who were blest to witness the sufierings of
the damned. Thus, according to Christ, as well as
Josephus, heaven and hell are in immediate proximity,
and both must be in the infernal regions."
" 1273. It has been shown, moreover, that, although
Christ occasionally referred to hell, yet he gave incon-
sistent views of it. (738, 764.) At one time, it is fire,
into which any one is to be doomed for alleging his
brother a fool, whether this allegation be true or not ; at
another it is utter darkness^ with weeping and gnashing of
teeth ; and of course there could be no fire. Then the
disgusting description given by Josephus is sanctioned,
agreeably to which, like the Elysium and Erebus of the
heathen, both hell and heaven are subterranean localities,
but separated by a lake of unquenchable fire, across
which Abraham and Dives converse. At another time,
heaven is above. He ascends to heaven in sight of his
apostles, yet the penitent thief is to be with him in para-
dise, which, agreeably to Genesis and Josephus, is upon
the earth, on the river Tigris, near the Persian Gulf.
But wherever the Elysium and Erebus of the Gospel may
be, all souls, according to it, are to remain in their graves
till the ' last day,' and then, like Samuel, being called up
from their tombs, are to be sorted into two squadrons,
of which one is to go to an undescrihed heaven, the other
to the ' hell-fire prepared for the devil and his angels,
from the beginning of the world.' The injustice which
would follow from a judgment of this kind, by which
two souls, difiering from each other only by a shade,
would meet a fate so difierent, that one would have to go
to heaven, the other to hell, to remain eternally, is so
manifest, that, like the ultraism of the same record, it loses
its effect altogether upon people in general.
AN ATTACK UPON CHIIIST. 359
" 1274. It must be clear that the great mass of profess-
ed Christians are very little restrained by their fears of
such an eternity of punishment. Had Christ any specific
knowledge of the kingdom of heaven^ to which he occa-
sionally alluded^ wherefore did he not convey that know-
ledge to his disciples ? But they seem to have learned no
more from Jesus than Moses did from Jehovah, and hence
their querulous inquiry as to what would be their reward.
But the promise of judgeships, (743-745,) of worldly
preeminence, was a satire upon them. It argues that he
considered them as worldly-minded. Had he known the
world to be looked upon by the apostles as beneath con-
sideration in comparison with immortal life, he would
hardly have insulted them by the oifer. But their tone
has a great deal too much of the Swiss in it. Had they
been so very dull, or Christ so reserved, that the idea
was not conveyed to them that, in acting the part of pious,
virtuous men, they would have the reward promised to the
righteous in the other world ?
" Thank God, no Spirituahst who reads with attention
the communications given in this work, will ever inquire
as to the extent of selfish reward which he is to enjoy !
He would be impressed, by his general knowledge, with
the idea that the less any being is actuated by selfish as-
piration, the greater his capacity for happiness and his
pretensions to the means of felicity,"
This specimen of total badness, is as remarkable for its
stupidity^ as for its ignorant arroga^ice. Dr. Hare seems
to have pilfered Tom Paine, and having stolen his thun-
der, hopes to make it reverberate as his own. It is rather
difficult to say, of which the author is most worthy, pity
or contempt.
The precepts of Christ are declared to be impracticable,
and the whole system of his rehgion unphilosophical, un-
mse, and a failure !
" 1089. Revelation assumes God to be omnipotent,
omniscient, prescient, and all good, yet represents him as
360 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
under the necessity of subjecting his creatures to proba-
tion, to find out what, by the premises, he must foresee.
It represents him while wishing his creatures to know him
and his attributes, as not teaching them that which he
wishes them to learn, yet punishing them and their pos-
terity for ignorance arising from his own omission."
" 1099. As respects the po'ecepts of Christ, those on
which he laid most stress are not only neglected, but
grossly violated, by the opposite course being sanctioned
by the overruling sentiment of society. Nothing would
subject a man to more contempt in Christendom than a
tame submission to blows, or being so poor as to wear
patched or ragged clothes. There are few, if any, in
Christendom, who would not rather have any deficiency
in attire attributed to accident or taste, than to poverty.
" 1100. I have shown that the idea which the Pharisees
entertained of heaven, as portrayed by Josephus, repre-
senting the wicked like the rich man within sight of the
good, would be a hell to a good-hearted angel. This re-
presentation is sanctioned by Christ in his story of the
rich man and Lazarus. The only reward promised to his
apostles was worldly preeminence in the form of judge-
ships. Hence it were hardly reasonable for those who
are subordinate m merit to the disciples to expect any
better remuneration. Hell is as absurdly as horridly
typified by eternal exposure to interminable fire.
"1101. Thus neither among the Jews, nor among
Christians, has the Bible furnished any adequate account
of a future state, nor has it been productive of higher
morality; since the only morality which does exist, is
coupled not only with the neglect^ hut with the violation
of those precepts which the Gospel inculcates.'''' (! ! !)
"1111. Now to me it seems that the nominal profession
of a faith m facts which are absurd and contradictory,
and professed reverence for precepts which are as utterly
impracticable as unwise in the abstract, induces this mon-
strous incompatibility of the actual morality of Christen-
dom with the professions of Christians and doctrines of
Christianity."
"1129. The expectation of washing away sin through
the merit of a bigoted belief in Christ, cooperating
with tho vague, contradictory, and irrational idea of
heaven and hell recorded in Scripture, seems to be the
reason why Christians act so inconsistently with the pre-
cepts of Him whom they professedly adore.
" 1130. Nothing can be more inconsistent with the re-
ligio7i inculcated hy my spirit-friends^ than the idea of
atonement for sin by faith in any religion, true or false.
"1131. Had there ever been any available light let in
from the spirit-world, this error had been denounced, and
having been thus stamped as erroneous from on high,
could not have acquired or retained its mischievous hold
of so many millions of -human beings, by substituting blind
faith for genuine vu'tue.
" 1132. Another reason why, throughout Christendom,
the vices most deprecated by Christ are those preemi-
nently prevalent, is, that his precepts were absolutely im-
practicable, unless explained away in the style of Lord
Peter in the 'Tale of a Tub? »
"1198. The actual morality of Christendom being the
inverse of that excessive and impracticable restraint
which Christ enjoined as the object of his mission, must
prove that his doctrine could not have originated with a
being by ichom its failure 7nust have been foreseen. ''^
"1117. Again, the precept to return good for evil,
would, if acted up to, encourage evil."
"1113. It strikes me, from the considerations presented
under the head of Mundane "Wealth, that the precepts of
Christ were fundamentally erroneous, so far as they dis-
credit and discourage efforts for the honest acquisition of
wealth. (! !)
"1114. Grod has given the fowls of the air feathers as
a natural clothing, and thus any effort to procure clothing
on their part is rendered unnecessary ; he has not given
them hands nor intellectual ingenuity to spin and iceave.
On the other side, with little exception, man is naturally
devoid of clothing, and requires clothes to protect him
from the scorching solar rays or freezing blasts of winter,
but has been furnished with the hands and the ingenuity
to spin and weave. Under these circumstances, was it
reasonable to allege that man should be governed by the
example of the feathered creation ? Was it reasonable to
16
362 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
infer that there should be no spinning or weaving by
men, because there neither was nor could be any perform-
ed by fowls ? (!!)
"1115. Again, the lily, like all other vegetables, not
only comes into existence naked, but remains so, since it
neither can nor will clothe itself, and would perish if by
any artificial clothing it were shut out from the influence
of the solar rays, and from the absorption of carbonic
acid, which furnishes the vegetable creation with the
carbon requisite for the fibres essential to stability. Hence
the allegation that Solomon in all his glory was not clothed
like the lily, is irreconcilable with the nature and actual
state of this beautiful flower, which is destitute of clothing
by nature, and which would perish if it were clothed.
The skin of vegetable leaves, to a certain extent, performs
for them what mouths do for animals. How unreasonable,
then, to argue from one to the other, that man should
imitate the vegetable ; or to compare a plant, naturally
and of necessity naked, with a king gorgeously cloth-
ed? (!!)
"1116. The degrading a rich man, whether honest or
not, to the level of a felon or murderer, as respects ac-
cessibility to heaven, and of course favor in the sight of
God, is so erroneous, that there never was a precept which
was less respected in practice, by the votaries of its
Author." (!!!)
" 1328. Meanwhile, the communications which I have
submitted involve the idea of progression, and convey in-
finitely more knowledge of futurity than the Old and
New Testaments taken together." (! ! !)
" 1094. Praise be to God that he has sent us a new
way to religious light, not associated with this detestable
immorality !
Thus Christ and his teachings are disposed of, before
the " noble scion of a noble man" can get a fair sweep
at Moses ; and now for harmless fury.
" 1091. In the Bible, God is represented as susceptible
oi jealousy^ of wrath^ of authorizing the butchery of three
thousand Israelites for worshipping a golden calf; sane-
•;q|pnjjar59«r
MISREPRESENTATION. 363
tioning the massacre of the whole nation of the Midian-
ites, with the reservation of the virgins for violation by
the bloody murderers of their kindred."
Here is one of the wickedest untruths that malevolence
could invent ; it is an utter falsification of the record. (See
Numb. 31 ; 18.) These virgins, the Israelites were per-
mitted to keep as female slaves, while the existing laws
against fornication and whoredom were in full force.
(Deut. 21 : 10-14.)
" 1120. But I am conscientiously of opinion that the
respect paid to Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Samuel, David,
etc., by which one five hundred-millionth of the blood of
Abraham is made an honor to Jesus Christ, is among the
reasons of the low state of morality among those who con-
sider the Bible as the Word of God, and are thus led to
view, with indulgence, prostitution, murder, massacre,
rape, cheating, and fraud. " {! ! !)
" 1098. The Old Testament does not impart a know-
ledge of immortality, without which religion were worth-
less. The notions derived from the Gospel are vague,
disgusting, inaccurate, and difficult to believe. — The Pen-
tateuch did not give the Jews an idea of immortality, nor
were those Jews distinguished for morality, who from
other sources than the Pentateuch embraced a belief in
immortality."
This is contradicted by many writers on Spiritualism,
who quote largely from Moses, to show the frequency of
spirit apparitions and communications in his day ; and
the argument obviously is, that such were the abundance
of them, that immortality was then as forcibly demon-
strated fo the senses as it could be ; and the labored attempt
at proving it, would have been as foolish as an attempt to
prove the existence of God. In arguing with the Sad-
ducees, to prove the doctrine of immortality, Christ drew
his evidence from the Pentateuch. (Mat. 22 : 32.)
364 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
" 1140. But wherefore should such miplicit confidence
be placed in language alleged to have been held by Moses
or any other ancient author ? or should they be credited,
even when they allege God to have used such words as
these, " Let me wax hot in my wrath that I may consume
them'''' f The motive for this imputation against God, was
that Moses might take credit for moderation in slaugh-
tering only three thousand of God's chosen people in one
day, for worshipping a golden calf, made by his own
brother, afterward made high-priest. Thus the ringleader
being the brother of Moses, was loaded with honors,
while those whom he led astray were to be massacred in
cold blood. Yet it is on such witnesses as this blood-
thirsty^ blasphemous bigot^ that orthodoxy relies for
assuming the Pentateuch to be the word of God, censur-
ing, if not persecuting, all who do not concur with it."
According to the teaching of these Spirits^ the Sabbath-
day is to be desecrated and annulled.
" Fortunately the doctrines, since taught by the spirits^
entirely corroborate the suggestions of this essay ; so that
Spiritualism, natural religion, and literature, may here-
after go hand in hand on Sunday.
" 1236. This now gloomy day may, through the happy
united instrumentality suggested, become a day of real
intellectual improvement, as well as of every species of
variety of innocent recreation. Yet every species of self-
ish sensual pleasure will be avoided and condemned by
every conscientious believer in spiritual manifestations.
" 1237. It is suggested that persons opposed to Sabba-
tarianism, inconsistent with the early and long-continued
practice of Christianity, and with the freedom of conscience
guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States,
should unite to render Sunday (erroneously called the
Sabbath) a day of moral, literary, and scientific instruc-
tion, for those who, dissatisfied with the sectarianism of the
existing places of worship, pass the day without edifying
occupation."
MISREPKESEi^TATIOjSr. 865
No doubt we shall soon have a vigorous effort made to
abrogate all laws touching this Christian Institution.
The falsehood and ignorance displayed in the follow-
ing, will show that the head and the heart of this apostle
of Spirituahsm are equally in a pitiable condition.
"1277. Christ fully justified this opinion, when he
alleged himself to have come as a sword, not as a viiessen-
ger of peace, and to set father and son, mother and
daughter, etc., at variance with each other, making the
people of a man's own household his foes. It may be
said that he identified himself with piety and rectitude ;
so that it was for the virtue of which he, as the Son or
missionary of God, was the representative, that he plead;
hut this pious devotion has much more of self in it than
people imagine. They identify God or Christ with the
welfare of their souls and bodies. It is through the hope
of benefit to these that they take such a deep interest in
God.
" 1278. But is it not strange that the Christian religion
should be treated as a harbinger of peace and harmony
when, with its entrance into the world, came the intoler-
ance, before confined to Judea, and when by its founder
it is represented as a sword, to sever the dearest ties by
introducing the poisoning idea that belief could be a
virtue or a sin ? It seems to have been the cause of a
peculiar animosity which has always accompanied its pro-
gress, if not its endurance, and which set the example to
Mohammed of attaching the same fanatical idea to an-
other basis, comporting with his individual aggrandize-
ment, at the expense of much human misery.
"1279. The language of Christ held to his apostles,
showing that he considered them as thirsting for temporal
honors, and his aspiration for the throne of his glory,
situated, of course, in the same mundane region, may
warrant the surmise that his views did not differ from
those of Mohammed as to the ultimate object, however
much he may have found it necessary, under the Roman
despotism, to fight with the tongue instead of the
sword.
366 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
"1280. But how can this sentiment be justified in which
he makes devotion to himself irreconcilable with the holy
ties between the child and his parents, or the parents and
their children? The God of SpirituaHsm would view
parental and filial love as the truest piety. He asks only
that love. He has not constituted us to have that sort of
love for him. Had he wished it, he would have made us
so, as to be thus actuated.
"1281. 'He that believeth in me shall have eternal
life.' ' Thy faith hath made thee whole.' These allega-
tions produced a change in the world at large. That
bigotry and animosity which led the Jews to consider
that all who did not agree with them in creed, were ob-
jects of spoliation, massacre, rape, enslavement, were now
extended to other parts of the world."
"1387. But among the calumnies to which I have al-
luded, are those which represent the human heart as in-
nately wicked, and only to be corrected by religious re-
generation. All the souls created since Adam ate the
apple, must be born anew, thus drawing a marked dis-
tinction between those who have gone through this second
birth, and such as myself, who have not undergone this
recuperative process. But what man of common-sense
draws a line between those who are thought to have been
born over again, and those who have not ? The great
majority of those who call themselves Christians, do not
put any more trust in one who has gone through this
second birth, than in one who is not deemed to have been
thus regenerated."
"1285. But the spiritual manifestations, and the intel-
lectual, the heart-felt intercommunion with my relatives,
friends, and the immortal, great, and good "Washington,
now enable me to assert that there is not^ nor can he upon
any record of th£, past, any evidence so complete as that
presented to my senses, concurrently with a multitude of
observers. I now, therefore, feel myself warranted to
speak out what my reason justifies and my conscience dic^
tates ; and have not hesitated to express the opinions
which are spread out upon the pages immediately pre-
ceding that which contains this exposition." (! ! I)
MISKEPEESENTATION. 367
Dr. Hare has written sixty-six octavo pages on " the
influence of Scripture on the morals of Christians," full
of gross blasphemy, impiety, base insinuations, and abuse ;
and all this, according to the last quotation, he feels
" warranted to speak out," by the promptings of "his im-
mortal advisers," including the " great and good Wash-
ington," who, be it remembered, was a Bible Christ-
ian.
It is a pity that this " member of various learned so-
cieties," forgot to record another saying of Christ:
"Those things which proceed out of the mouth come
forth from the heart, and they defile the man." But per-
haps the omission was designed, as an unfavorable in-
ference against himself might have been suggested.
The question now may fairly be asked : Who is this
paragon of virtue, that the spirits have chosen and auth-
orized to utter such calumnies against God and man?
Dear reader, according to his own account, a Duellist,
who either did, or would have imbrued his hands in hu-
man blood ! Here is the evidence.
" 884. Again, I wish the circumstance I am about to
mention to be explained by psychology : I was sitting in
my solitary third-story room at Cape Island, invoking
my sister, as usual, when to my surprise I saw Cadwal-
lader spelt out on my disk. 'My old friend. Gen-
eral Cadwallader ?' said I. 'Yes.' A communica-
tion ensued of much interest. But before conclud-
ing, I requested him, as a test, to give me the name
of a person whom I met in an affair of honor more than
fifty years ago^ when he {General Gadwallader) was my
second. The name was forthwith given, by the pointing
out on the disk the letters requisite to spell it." (P. 171.)
This is our lecturer on the " Influences of the Scriptures
on the morals of Christians" ! ! The quotations we have
368 A THBEE-IOLD TEST.
made, prove him to have "progressed" some. Now,
if the spirit of a man may be ascertained by that which
comes through his mouth from his heart, and if
" malice aforethought" in law, is esteemed the core of a
capital crime, then it will be seen that our apostle has
somewhat " progressed" since the " affair of honor." The
spirits, we opine, have unwittingly let out their own
character by their choice of Mediumship in this instance.
In his chapter on the "Moral Influence of Spiritualism,"
after disgorging upon Christianity, he obtains relief in
this culminating paragraph :
" 737. Spiritualism has the merit preeminently not
only of furnishing a knowledge of immortality beyond the
grave, but a precise knowledge of the spirit-world in
lieu of the silence of the Pentateuch, and the vagueness
and inconsistency of the Gospel."
Our author is a livmg commentary upon this part of
his work. He has tried hard to brain Christianity, but
has only mauled the head of poor Lindley Murray. The
bitterness of his talk is an unfortunate (may-be, fortunate)
exposition of the character of his "familiar spirits." "We
think all considerate men will accept this as a test, far
more certain for discovery, than his " spiritoscope" for the
proof of the goodness of his "immortal advisers."
Mr. Capron says in a quotation, p. 308 : " The revela-
tions through the mediums vary somewhat, yet all are
of a radical character. They teach the overthrow of
existing church organizations, and say that vital changes
must he made in the social and commercial worlds
Oracle Davis says, (Free Thoughts, p. 15 :) " We mean
to drive the plough-share deep into the soil of popular
theology and into the origin of those texts which priests
hurl at the movements of every true reformer."
THE DESIGX OF SPIKITUALISM. 869
The harmony, unity, sympathy, and participation of
the same spirit, upon which, in all " communications,"
there is so much hortatory matter, are the supposed
qualities necessary to give completeness of effect to a
vigorous warfare. Their doctrines, practices, aims, and
end we have laid bare. They mean to combine their own,
v»4th the agency of spirits, to subvert Christianity. They
mean to destroy, if possible, the Church. They mean to
subvert the influence of the Bible. They mean to inaugur-
ate the vile sentiments of Tom Paine, his compeers and
pilferers, as the only true principles compatible with the
" rights of man." They mean to effect radical changes
in the social and com'mercial icorld.
Fourierism and free-love will accomplish in the social
system what the " doctrines of demons" will do in the
religious^ and thus revolution is to upheave the very
foundation of the existing order of things !
A correspondent of the New-England Spiritualist,
writing from Albion, Mich, May 5, 1855, says ;
" Our cause has prospered finely in this place for the
last year. We now have regular preaching through Mrs.
Sprague, of BeUevue, twice on Sundays and once on
Thursday evening of each week. Our numbers have in-
creased within the last year from about a dozen to from
three to five hundred believers, and the ranks are swell-
ing daily. We now have most of the different phases of
the phenomena. Mediums are increasing in numbers and
improving in development all around us. We have had
a strong opposition from the churches (as a matter of
course) and their hold has been strong on the public mind
till within a short time past. It has recently very much
diminished. The Methodist State Theological Seminary
is located in this place, with its dozen ministers and more
in making. But their ranks are weakening. Several of
their strongest supporters have bolted and come over to
the SpirituaUst ranks, and many more wavering and in-
16*
370 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
quiring the way. I would state as a proof of progress,
that the Baptist and Episcopal churches are closed for
want of a support ; and a few weeks since the Presbyterian
minister had a sudden call to leave, on two weeks' notice,
and remove to Connecticut, and the society are left to
the mercy of the elements, with their house also closed —
probably no more to be opened as an orthodox church.
The Methodists have been straining every nerve to sus-
tain themselves, but their minister was heard to tell one
of his members that if the Spiritualists' meetings were
kept up in the Hall, by that woman^ three months longer,
they would have to close up their church for want of
hearers ! This last winter they had a protracted meeting
for about a week, every night. When the evening came
for Mrs. Sprague to speak in the Hall, it was crowded to
overflowing, and many went away for want of room to
stand. Some of them went over to the protracted meet-
ing at the Methodist house, and on their arrival there
found only fourtee7i besides the minister, who was trying
to rally them to battle against the common enemy. * *
Light is springing up, and the dark forms of formal wor-
ship are fast passing away. Many minds that have hired
their thinking done for them, are now trying to reason
for the first time for themselves; hence their progres-
sion.
" Yours for the promulgation of the Harmonial Philo-
sophy. Elmer Woodeuff."
A correspondent to the Telegraphy when writing an
account of a pic-nic near Boston in 1854, says: "The
second speaker was J. S. Loveland, who at present pre-
sides over the Charlestown Society as a speaker. Mr. L.
was formerly a Methodist Episcopal clergyman of good
standing, but having had his eyes open to the glorious
truths of modern Spiritualism, he at once buckled on his
armor and came out boldly into the great hattle-jield of
progress to fight the hosts of old theology:''
Mr. Davis, in his " Review of Bushnell," holds the fol-
lowing language :
i
THE DESIGN OF SPIRITUALISat. 371
" The thunders of a stupendous reformation are soon
to issue from the now open mouth of the Protestant
Church. The supernatural faith." that is, a behef in the
authenticity of the Scriptures, " will be shaken, as a reed
in the tempest. New channels will be formed for the in-
flowing of new truths, and then a long-promised era will
.steal upon the religious and political world. You may-
be assured of the truth of this approaching crisis. The
world must recognize it, because it will be accompanied
with war ; for politics are inseparably connected all over
the world, with religious systems. Religion will develop
reason ; but politics will impel the masses to unsheathe the
sword^ and to stain the bosom of nature with blood/
Friends of progress, be not discouraged, for the Final
Crisis must come ; then the strange interregnum. Pro-
testantism as now constructed will first decay ; because it
is to be divided into two — the smallest party will
go back into Catholicism ; the other will go forward
into rationaUsm. And then, after a succession of
eventful years, a pohtical revolution will hurl the Catho-
lic superstructure to the earth, and the pristme bow of
promise will span the heavens. The children of earth will
then be comparatively free and happy ! for the millennial
epoch will have arrived ; and there will be something
like a realization of peace on earth and good-will toward
men."
Let it be remembered, these sentiments are expressed
by the promptings of the Spirits, and this threatened war-
fare which is to desolate the land until Protestantism and
Christianity in every outward form is extirpated, is de-
clared to be certain by /Spirits, who exhort their votaries
not to be discouraged, for this "Final Crisis must
come."
Thus the elements of war are gathering, and the host
of Spiritualists are preparing by the drillmg of devils, to
be the active soldiery in plunging their country into the
horrors of a bloody conflict.
372 A THKEE-FOLD TEST.
What are we to think of this ? How should we regard
men who can commit themselves to a system encourag-
ing treason, persecution, and anarchy ?
Thus we are given to understand that war is proclaimed
upon every institution, religious and civil, with which we
are accustomed to associate our ideas of all that is valuable
to humanity. This avowed design we hold to be, to the
intuition of every reasonable man, as diabolical in its con-
ception as it would be in its execution. It bears upon the
face of it the impress of all evil. The monstrous issues
involved are so transparently damnable, that modern
Spiritualism could not have met with such extensive favor
without the agency of the Devil, who " goeth about as a
roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." Men are
depraved enough, without restraining grace, to accomplish
vast evil in every walk of life ; but bad as they may bo
in and of themselves, we do not think that the idea of
associating themselves with spirits for such extensive
operations could have originated in a human brain. It
came from hell ; it could come from no other place. We
defy any man to think of any possible evil that may not
grow out of this movement, provided it be successful. An
extensive course of reading, large samples of which we
have given to justify our opinion, has convinced us that
the inevitable necessary results of the prevalence of this
system, if realized, would be perdition to our race in this
world, as well as in that which is to come. The origin-
ality of the plan, moreover, is so entirely beyond what
human intellect would naturally contrive, that it bears
with it the evidence of its extra-mundane source. We
believe the primary movers to be the Devil aisd his
ANGELS.
Far be it from us to denounce those engaged in this
horrible cause as "sinners aliove others." They are not.
STllENGTH OF THE DELUSION. 373
We find associated with it, men and women whose repu-
tation, influence, and social worth, have long entitled them
to respect as good citizens. But they have been grossly
deceived ; and their selection for this work is in keeping
with the known craft of the Devil. He never chooses incom.
petent agents, and in order to avail himself of their services,
he must contrive to deceive them. And what plan so effect-
ual as that in which his spirit agents should *' steal the
livery of heaven," and, with the language of sweet affection,
personating departed friends, give such astonishing small
tests as should beguile them ? We do not believe that
ladies and gentlemen, now deeply in this business, would
suffer their names to be emblazoned to the world, as its
advocates, did they believe a tithe of our representations.
Hence we have been careful to give copious proof from
what the spirits actually say and do, in justification of our
language, which otherwise would have seemed unwar-
rantably strong. And here let it be observed, that we
have not taken the language of "low, unprogressed
spirits," but have confined ourselves to the " revelations"
of such as have been accepted as belonging to the higher
spheres. These persons have seen and been conversant
with the wonders they relate. They are not deceivers in
this respect. So wide-spread, in our own country and in
Europe, have been these manifestations, that the idea of
collusion is simply absurd. They are earnest and ener-
getic in their assertions and belief. They are honest in
their relation of such facts and language as they rightfully
attribute to evil spirits. They do not mean to deceive
their fellow-men. They admit that there are deceivers
among them, whose impostures they denounce as readily
as the best can do. But all this only helps on the mis-
chief; for who does not see that the occasional manifesta-
tion of diabolism is necessary to the success of the gen-
eral imposture ?
374 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
Persuaded that they are able to detect evil spirits, they
are confirmed in the belief of, and surrender themselves
to the guidance of " guardian angels," who say any quan-
tity of pretty and taking things, and moreover accom-
plish some small matters of momentary good, and some
things that will impress mortals with the idea of their
benevolent nature, so as to fasten their victims more
securely in infernal snares. All this is perfectly compati-
ble with devilish agency, and very necessary to its suc-
cess. There is nothing which Satan wishes more to im-
press upon the human mind than the belief of his own
nonentity. He is well pleased with the utmost ridicule
that can be heaped upon the idea of a personal Devil. It
is necessary to his complete success.
This war proclaimed upon Christianity, we presume,
will be carried on. In the case of Mormonism, we have
seen what has grown out of pure absurdity. Therefore
we have no assurance against a worse evil, in the good sense
of men, when they suffer themselves to be rifled of it by a
system like this. We are only anxious to uncover the
enemy, and unmask his batteries. The forewarned will,
we trust, be forearmed.
CHAPTER X.
AN ADDRESS TO EECEEANT CHRISTIANS.
Gentlemen Spiritualists : Having deliberately abjur-
ed Christianity and fellowship with its adherents, you
would not probably esteem it a compliment were we to
salute you by the usual term of fraternal address, com-
mon among your former associates. To avoid offense,
we therefore address you by the distinctive name you
have adopted in your choice of a new religion whose
nature and claims we have been at some pains to investi-
gate.
Your former connection with Christianity, and our
own experience and honest convictions recorded in the
previous pages, we think will justify us in the use of a
few parting words of truth and soberness, designed for
you, in the hope that you will consent to review the
ground you have trodden in your exodus to the promised
land of Spiritualism. The writer belongs to a class, with
whose motives, design, and general character, your
authors are accustomed to deal very rudely. He men-
tions this, not as a reason for retaliation, but as a consider-
ation which, in your esteem, he thinks, ought to excuse
the liberty he takes to speak plainly, on a subject of im-
measurable importance to all men; and as they claim
376 A THKEE-FOLD TEST.
the right to animadvert upon our principles and practices,
it surely will not be considered out of place here to ex-
pose the sophistry and folly of the belief which they think
justifies their course.
It is a matter of boast ^vith your leaders, that a large
number of professing Christians, both of the ministry and
laity, have abandoned the Church and are now rejoicing
in their deliverance from the bondage of creeds and con-
fessions, and the reigning power of popular theology.
We have no reason to doubt the fact, because it is in ac-
cordance with the predictions of the New Testament.
Jf you will take the trouble to reopen that book you have
cast down from the high position it once professedly oc-
cupied in your esteem, you will find it recorded, that an
extensive falHng away fi-om the Church of professed ad-
herents, should take place, by means of seducing spirits:
see 2 Thess. 2 : 3-12 ; 1 Tun. 4 : 1 ; 2 Pet. 3 : 3 ; 1 John
2:19; Jude 18, 19.
This is a very remarkable fact, verified in your
own history ; and the recent movement in which you
have taken a conspicuous part is one of those fulfillments
of prophecy which, in our judgment, go far to vindi-
cate the high claim of that book to the faith of all reason-
able men.
In our reading, we have met with the names of many
Uhiversalist^ and of some Unitarian ministers who have
become Spiritualists, and now go about seeking whom
they may persuade. But as these did not belong to the
Church of Christ, any more than they do now, they had
nothing of any moment to part with in making the
change ; and can not in fairness be claimed as converts
from our communion. We have also met with the fact
that several Methodist^ and other clergymen of the Armi-
nian type of the Christian faith have fallen away ; but
wo iiave not seen an instance of a sound Oalvi?iistic divine
AN ADDRESS TO KECKEANT CHRISTIANS. 377
riven from his mooring upon the Rock, and driven into
this Stygian whirpool which has been recently formed
in the troubled waters of human opinion. Our limited
observation among the deluded laity leads us to think that
few, if any of them, had entertained Calvinistic views of
divine truth, previous to their slumping in the slush of an
effete heathenism where our modern adventurers are now
found plunging, led on, as they 'think, by spirits sent
from God to guide them into the right path. We men-
tion this by the way simply to show the practical value
of Calvinism in affording well-tried general principles for
the protection of both heart and life from those fatal
errors to which we have already referred : but let that
pass.
We admit the fact that " you are many," who have
relinquished your former faith, and have adopted in its
stead, a necromantic system which is, as we have shown,
essential heathenism. We would not venture this asser-
tion, had we not first succeeded in producing a large
amount of evidence corroborative of our position — evi-
dence with which the most of you, perhaps all, are unac-
quainted, and the previous knowledge of which would
probably have caused you to pause before assuming the
attitude you now glory in before the world.
We fain would hope that the whole matter will now
loom up before you in a new aspect, and that reflection
may lead you to consider the danger into which you
have been led ; though we must confess that hope to be
very small, because the fascination which has charmed
you into the coils of the serpent is strong in itself, and
fortified by that pride of opinion to which generous re-
traction is more repugnant than reputed perseverance in
error ; and because " there is a sin unto death." Had
you been seduced into some false step, which could be
378 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
shown disastrous to your happiness and your earthly
hopes, you would ultimatedly have been grateful for any
effort made to induce you to correct it. In the present
instance, we think, interests far dearer than earthly ones
can possibly be, are in imminent peril ; and an honest ef-
fort to reveal to you the danger we speak of, should be
generously treated, and shield the one that makes it from
every imputation of unworthy motive, and from the ab-
surd charge of a bigot's zeal.
You have, no doubt, been led to embrace the doctrines
of Spiritualism, because you have been sorely puzzled by
certain "manifestations" wonderful and, if you please,
superhuman, and supposed to be altogether new. Be-
cause you could not otherwise account for them, you
have supposed that the roundabout assertions of Spiritual-
ists must be accepted as true, attributing them all to the
agency of your departed friends and other human spirits,
who by this newly-discovered method of telegraphing
from their spirit-home, seek to console us respecting their
own condition, and to improve ours, by emancipating us
from the shackles of the Christian faith, and by animating
us with the prospect of supernal gardens, far superior to
that of " the fabled Adam ;" and of glorious bowers of
ease where you, and all others, may sing, and dance, and
play, and ride, and roam ; where your delightful labor
may be very sensibly expended in driving a saw-mill^ if
you please, in the spheres, just like that described by the
Judge ; and where you may enjoy refreshing draughts of
ambrosial huttermilk from just such an ample spiritual
churn as he saw in that spiritually comfortable home of
which he discourseth, where every thing fitting, is well
arranged and most befitting spiritual house-keeping ; and
where all things are just as they are here, only more so !
You have preferred the poetry of this intensely imagina-
AN ADDRESS TO EECBEANT CHRISTIANS. 379
tive state of things in the future world, based upon the
primary ideas of a gross and sensuous experience in this,
to the sober prose of Gospel fact, of which we believe we
can form no just conception, for reasons already given.
All this, and much more of the same sort, you receive as
the communications of good spirits, whom we have con-
victed of the grossest absurdity, and whose didactic
teachings are much worse than their descriptive "pen
and ink sketches" by the hands of your writing media.
The new facts of your chosen " rehgion," we have
shown to be the old fictions of a worn-out superstition of
a barbarous age revamped, and dressed up to suit the
times ; and the doctrines taught, we have shown to be
the concentrated ehxir of delusion drawn from various
mythologies of heathen folly. "We have honestly follow-
ed the direction of your leaders under the most solemn
pledge that we should gain a perfect assurance of the
most consolatory facts and truths that ever fell upon
human ears, if we would only consent to investigate.
"We have been complained of as unfair and unwise for
not adopting the course which has led great and distin-
guished men of all classes to the enjoyment of a happi-
ness which gilds tliis life with the glories of a new revela-
tion, confirmatory of the old, and withal corrective of
many modem errors. "We have been challenged in terms
of the most vigorous phraseology, and our tardmess to
accept, has been attributed to the unworthy motives of
cowardice and bigotry. "We have satisfied the demand
made. The results of our investigation are now before
you, and we hope none can complain of our lack of
thoroughness. "We have consulted and " tried the spirits,"
and found them to be liars. "We have allowed your
leaders to tell their own story, to speak in copious extract
from their o^vn books; and our readers now know what
SSO A. THKEE-FOLD TEST.
Spiritualism is, in all its capabilities to befool the intellect
and to destroy the soul. I>[ow let us reason upon the
matter.
You take it for granted, that the spiritualistic theory
of the agency of your departed friends must be true, be-
cause it seems to be the only way of accounting for the
wonderful facts by which you have been confounded in
all your attempts to reach an adequate cause, this side of
the spirit-world. This is jonrjirst error.
Although we accept the facts, and also the theory of
spirit-agency, we do not grant that the true cause of these
manifestations is the agency of your departed friends^
or of any human spirits ; and we have sho^\Ti that you
can not prove it ; nay, that you have no firm ground at
all upon which you can support your supposition. For it
is evident, from the admissions already quoted, that the
manifestations through ancient media of heathen notoriety,
are accepted as of coordinate authority with those of
your modem movement ; and of course, ancient authors,
who have recorded more wonderful things than any that
you can boast of, and have pursued the subject to a greater
extent, and for a much longer time, and with greater ad-
vantages than your authors can pretend to, must also be
accepted as faithful scribes, and profound philosophers,
and authoritative sources, whence we may derive facts and
statements and doctrines, as true and as useful as any or
all of the contents of all the books of all the authors on
Modern Spiritualism. Take, for instance. Porphyry ; a
man of irreproachable life according to the moral standard
of his day. He says, that " there are some who suppose,
that there is a certain obedient genus of demons, which
is naturally fraudulent, omniform, and various, and which
assumes the appearance of the gods and demons, and the
souls of the deceased; and that through these, every thing
AN ADDRESS TO RECEEANl^ CHRISTIANS. 381
lohich appears to he either good or evil is affected^ Now
consider the answer to this, by the " divine lamblichus,"
whose heathen piety and acknowledged learning secured
for him the respect of the age in which he lived. He
admits the fact, but contends that the difference between
good and bad spirits, is discoverable by the difference of
the light by which they were surrounded ! He admits the
existence and operation of" evil demons, who assume the
appearance of gods and good demons, an abundant evil-
producing tribe." " An evil demon requires that his wor-
shipper should he just, because he assumes the appearance
of one belonging to the divine genus ; but he is subserv-
ient to what is unjust, because he is depraved^ Add. to
this the admissions of your modern writers, and then say,
where is the evidence that personating evil spirits are not
the authors of a well-contrived, and successful system of
imposture in which you are inveigled ? Nothing less than
7noral certainty here, will do ; but by their own showing.
Spiritualists can not prove that they are not deceived.
In such a position, what consequents may ensue of an evil
nature to you, in the future v/orld, none can know. In-
deed, it may be a fearful fact, that you shall hear the
very words that Christ says shall be addressed to the
wicked — "Depart, ye cursed, into everlasting fire prepared
for the Devil and his angels." Your terrible uncertainty
must, in all reason, prevent the derisive smile, for at the
worst, you will admit Christ to have been incapable of
deception. Here we shall be reminded that you deny the
existence of the devil and his angels, and of hell, upon the
authority of spirits ; but do you not see that your denial
amounts to nothing ? And why ? Because you admit
the existence and agency of evil spirits ; because such
s^ivii^ p)ersonate the souls of the departed; because "it is
their nature to lie ;" and therefore they contradict the
382 A THEEE-FOLD TEST;
^*
words of Christ. You assume what you can not prove,
and that too, in a matter of the most momentous concern.
This is your second error.
Now how do you know that these very evil spirits do
not assume the names of your friends, and practise upon
your credulity ? How can you determine that they are
not the very beings whose existence they deny, and whose
good talk is craftily designed to obtain your confidence ?
How do you know that the manifestations ascribed to
your friends, are not within the competency of their
power, and actually produced by them for the very pur-
pose of peopling their own dark domain with your de-
luded spirits? Here you have no certainty at all, where
you most need it. For if the facts of eternity be as the
Bible describes them, (and you can not show the contra-
ry,) as you confessedly reject the method of salvation by
Christ, you can not but see that your epitaph is already
written, " He that believeth not, shall be danmed."
However unwelcome, and i^erhaps ofiensive, you can not
evade this ; and certainly honesty with your own souls
demands that you should not evade, but meet it face to
face. If Christ was justified in exclaiming upon the sin-
ners of his day, " How can ye escape the damnation of
hell ?" what would he have said to those who embrace
such a horrible system as Modern Spiritualism is proved
to be in the foregoing pages ? Now do not think to
elude the subject by retorting : " Where is your certainty
of salvation ?" "We stand on difierent grounds. If the
Bible be false, and the Devil a myth, and hell a fable, we
shall not be the worse off for our belief in the atonement
of Christ, according to authority; but shall progress in
the spheres as well, as fast, and as far as you ; but if
Spiritualism be a delusion, and Christ be true, then your
unending portion is " weeping and wailing, and gnashing
AN ADDEESS TO EECEEANT CnEISTIANS. 383
of teeth," in a torment whose " smoke ascendeth for ever
and ever." This descriptive phraseology sufficiently por-
trays a horrible fact to be realized in your future history.
Kow do not mistake ; we do not denounce, nor anathe-
matize ; we only make the naked statements of revealed
facts hypothetically laid down, just to shoAV the absolute
necessity of an absolute certainty on your part, of the
truthfulness of the spirits, to whose guidance you have
committed your souls. The words of the Saviour are not
our words, the character of desj)isers and rejecters of the
Gospel we have not drawn, the award of rejection from
God we have not made. We simply submit what must
be fearful fact, upon the supposition that Christ was no
impostor, but spoke the truth. You once professed to
believe this, you now cast it away as the delusions of
" popular theology." We show you your safety in the
faith of Christ, even admitting that to be a delusion ; and
we show you your awful danger in the system of Spirit-
ualism, admitting that to be a delusion ; and the proba-
bilities of the latter are as a million to one. You mil
doubtless be instructed to put down all our impertinent
words to the detestable canting of a ^Driest, who one day
must pour out spiritual sweat for this, on the Judge's black
sand plane ; but common sense will secretly tell you, for
all that — " Better inquire about this matter of certainty.''^
Who could stand the derision of devils, for being such a
fool as to swallow an undiluted lie ?
Now we fancy, that no additional evidence could aug-
ment the certainty of the conclusion to which we have
come in this matter. We have let Spirituahsts state their
own facts and doctrines, visions, wonders, and works in
their own language ; and we have shown that if the De-
vil and all his legions should resolve their infernal con-
plavQ into a committee of the whole, to combine all their
384 A THREE-FOLD TES'1\ •'-*^/
powers of thought and pandemonic skill to contrive the
subtlest scheme by which to beguile mankind, they could
do nothing more, and would do nothing less than imitate
the mode which God adopted to reveal his will to men.
Necroraancy^ from first to last, has been their trusty de-
lusion ; and in trusting to that, you are led captive by Sa-
tan at his will. We, having been challenged, may cer-
tainly now challenge you to show the contrary ; reminding
you, with your permission, that it will not do to take for
granted the thing to be proved. You admit that there
are evil spirits. "We assert, upon the best of authority,
that they 2:>ersonate the good ; and we have convicted
those accepted as good, of contradictions and absurdities
of which they could not be guilty, were they truly the
spirits they claim to be. Dr. Hare, as we have shown,
sends us to Judge Edmonds's work on Spiritualism, for
the loftiest communications to be found ; yet he says:
" Whatever want of ability may be sho'v^ai, by Dr.
Bell, to exist in the communications alleged to come from
Paine, Swedenborg, and Bacon, or from spirits personat-
ing those distinguished men, it can not do away the valu-
able information which I have obtained from my spirit-
father and others, sanctioned by a convocation of spirits.
It has been shown that in a few pages of that communica-
tion, there is vastly more knowledge of our happy pros-
pects in the future world, than all that can be found in
the Scriptures." {Spiritualism Dem., p 169.)
This certainly is very cool. You may search his book
and you will not find a single test applied to ascertain
whether his father and this convocation of good spirits
were personated or not. He seems so delighted with the
great commission of his apostleship, given by Washington
and other great men, that his strong emotions make him
AN ADDRESS TO IIECIIEANT CHJIISTIAXS. 385
melt away entirely, and he seems never to have thought
that one who is so mighty in confounding Christians, and
showing off the fallacies of the Scriptures, stood in any
danger of being himself made the game of personating
spirits.
The follomng is a most ludicrous specimen of pathos
and egotism :
" In this, my first interview," (with Washington,) " I
premised that I wished to let him know that I had al-
ways been one of his most devoted political advocates,
having always styled myself a Washington Federalist,
and that I had as early as 1812 embodied my sentiments
in some verses. He said he was aware that such verses
were written by me, but would Avish me to repeat them.
I obeyed his request."
Then comes the veriest prose done in rhyme, the last
three verses of which we give. It is followed by spirit-
ual emotional tenderness, too great for laughter to mth-
stand :
" Best and wisest of men ! when counselled by thee,
Could thy people their treasure withold ?
"When ruled hy another, then could they agree
To lavish their millions untold ?
" By Genet insulted, by slander aggrieved,
If thy wrongs unrevenged could remain,
For denouncing the men whom false he believed,
By a mob could thy Lingan be slain ?
" Can the voice of the country for whom he had bled,
E'er sanction a murder so base,
Or the tear-drops of millions piously shed,
The deep stain from our annals efface?"
" As soon as the last words of the preceding verses
were recited, I was thrilled by the following effusion :
^' Mi/frie?id; How my heart swells with grateful emo-
386 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
tion, at hearing that beautiful effusion from your lips !
Yes, my friend, I strove while on earth, to carry out the
impressions which were made on my mind by superior in-
telligences, and if I failed, my countrymen will bear tes-
timony.
" Your noble father is a friend of mine, and I feel a
love for you commensurate with his worth. He is fore-
most in the ranks of spiritual intelligences, and ready to
act when duty calls.
" My friend, I sympathize with you in your arduous
undertaking; but let me assure you that your reward
will be greater than the suffering you have endured.
Yes, most nobly you have fought against error ; and you
^vill yet place the banner of freedom high upon the battle-
ment of truth. Farewell, noble scion of a noble man!
"Geo. Washington."
Having read this " effusion," the author, being an ^m-
pressional medium^ it was given to him, as Media would
say, to intone this utterance, staccato^ as musicians would
say.
" Ugh ! Is it possible, that you, ' Robert Hare, M.D.,
Emeritus Professor of Chemistry, Graduate of Yale Col-
lege and Harvard University, Associate of the Smithson-
ian Institute, and member of various learned Societies ' —
is it possible that you could so completely absorb and de-
liquesce, without having first applied some sort of a re-
spectable test to prove the identity of Washington ! "
That such an utterance was natural from an impressional
medium, is quite evident.
No body can believe that Washington would be caught
in such a farce ; if this were his spirit he has sadly retro-
gressed. But we should Hke to know, if Bacon and Swe-
denborg may have been personated, why not the spirit
of the Doctor's father ? As to the " valuable informa-
tion," it has no more claim to our acceptance, than that
received from the Lord and the Baron. And as to its
AN ADDEESS TO EECEEANT CHEISTIANS. 3 8*7
being "sanctioned by a convocation of spirits," we have
no evidence that they were not evil spirits practising on
the Doctor's credidity ; for not a single test was employed,
so far as appears from his book, by which their identity
might be established. "We therefore must judge of this,
by what the spirits say to the Doctor, and this internal
evidence is dead against them. There is not a single
thing uttered, that does not look very much like what per-
sonating demons would say, on our theory. They say
nothing and do nothing incompatible with it. On the
other hand they teach many things utterly inconsistent
with reason, perfectly heathenish in their nature, and evi-
dently pernicious in their tendency. And when we add
to this, the assurances of ancients and moderns, as to the
deceptions practised by spirits ; the inadequacy of aU tests,
but that of the Bible, to detect them, what shall we say
of such, who are accepted and relied upon, without the
ordeal of one respectable test ?
We feel ourselves therefore perfectly sure of our
ground, when we say, that after you hav.e thrown the
Bible away, you have no means whatever adequate to
elude deception : and as you accept the contents of the
volumes whence our quotations are made, we must say
that you are grossly deceived, by all the evidence that
can expose the deception of spirits, mentioned by lam-
blichus and others, to the glare of the day. Therefore
the burden of proof is fairly on you, and you must "face
the music," or brave the shame.
The Bible, which your fraternity repudiate, as the only
rule of faith and practice, and which some of your writers
blaspheme, reveals the existence and agency of " the De-
vil and his angels." These are the evil spirits, who are
equal to every word and work hitherto proceeding from
the agencies of your movement wherever and however ex-
388 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
erted ; and as the spirits are to be judged of by what they
do and say, we appeal to the doctrines they teach, to the
terrible effects already produced, to the lack of benefit
conferred, and to the evident tendency of the whole ma-
chinery as delineated in these pages, to prove that the
Devil and his angels, whose existence and operations
Christ and his apostles distinctly teach, and you as dis-
tinctly deny, are the authors and operators of all the
prodigies, wonders, and marvellous occurrences ; and of
all the communications, intelhgence, poetic, prosaic, and
magniloquent effusions, embracing sense and nonsense,
common and uncommon, from the day when the murdered
peddler made the rumpus about his carcass in the cellar
of Mr. Fox, down to the last fantastic trick of demons
gamboling through the brains and twanging the nerves
of your learned and unlearned media. This is our belief,
and further we thmk that the completest part of the
diabolical contrivance, is your asserted persuasion of the
nonentity of its real authors ! If such be really your per-
suasion, it is ^ remarkable verification of the scriptural
announcement, that as a judicial act, " God shall send
them" who are the willing dupes of "lying w^onders,"
" strong delusion, that they should believe a Ue." Now
the wonders of Modern Spiritualism are not lying, because
they are not true facts ; but this is their character be-
cause they are real facts wrought to effect and confirm
your belief in lies. Thus the magicians of Egypt, by
their wonders, persuaded Pharaoh, and God judicially
hardened his heart, that for his abominable crimes against
Israel, he might be left to bring upon himself swift de-
struction, and such was the result.
The design of these performances shows, that they are
produced by no other but the contrivance and agency of
the Devil, and that is to make man heathenish in doctrine
AN ADDKESS TO RECREANT CHRISTIANS. 389
and in life. It may be worth while to look at this point
for a moment. One of your leaders says : " We insist that
the real character of the spirits is most clearly revealed by
what they do and say^ We accept this as a sure test.
Now we wUl begin with the latter : what do they say ?
We refer you to the various specimens of spirit-literature
we have collected ; and we hesitate not to affirm, that
the common sense of mankind intuitively will pronounce
the whole of them the veriest brain-dribble that ever
oozed. Some of them no man can read, without incessant
interruption by his own involuntary exclamations. Can
it be, that Bacon, Locke, Webster, Channing, and others
of their mental power and cultivation, could give vent to
such detestable balderdash as we have quoted ? If so,
who does not see, that their minds must have been be-
deviled, before they could consent to utter this most
drivelling rigmarole as evidence of their progression?
IN^o, no ; it can not be. We grant the intelligence, but
it is of such a type^ as to demonstrate the source of it, to
every one that reads retaining his wits. It comes from
personating demons, the underlings of Satan.
This is made most evident by the doctrines taught.
1. Of God, we have this descriptive phraseology ;
"Do you mean to teach that God is distinct from
Nature ?
" No ; Mother-Nature is not essentially different from
Father-God. Nature is a negative part of the Positive
Principle — even as man's body is the negative part of his
Mind. There is not one thing which is body, and another
which is spirit ; neither is there one thing which is Na-
ture, and another which is God. No ; there is but one
Harmonium, illimitable ; in its positive aspects, ' Father-
God' — in its negative departments, 'Mother-Nature.'
Between Father-God and Mother-Nature, as I have
affirmed, manivind come into existence. Hence man is
390 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
legitimately and truly a child of both Nature and God.
Nature is the Wife of the Divine Principle, and the Di-
vine Principle is the Husband of Nature." {Davis^s
Penetralia^ pp. 254, 255.)
You will remember that in previous quotations, Swe-
denborg teaches the indentification of spirit with matter;
also how he insists, that God is a principle; and that the
soul is apart of God himself
It is impossible not to see, that Pantheism, is one of the
great distinctive features of your adopted religion ; but
Pantheism was the great doctrine of the Hindoo philosophy,
of Pythagorianism^ of Epicurianism^ of Stoicism^ of
Gnosticism^ and of Manicheism ; therefore. Modern
Spiritualism belongs to that family of systems denoted by
the more general name of Heathenism.
This is made more evident by the unity of sentiment
existing among our spiritualistic authors, the amanuenses
of the spirits, on the subject of creation. The Hindoo
Philosophy, and many others, taught the theory of develop-
m,enty by which souls were evolved from one part of God,
a,nd matter from another. We have quoted our au-
thority for this idea as characteristic of Spiritualism.
In relation to the future world, the spheres of Spiritual-
ism bear a close resemblance to the Mohammedan para-
dises ; while the future life is much the same as that of
Platonism. According to your system it is quite appar-
ent that God can bear no moral relation to man ! there-
fore no legal system can come from him called the moral
law. But " where there is no law, there is no transgres-
sion ;" hence sin has no moral quality This, yes, this,
Gentlemen Spiritualists, is your system — and, if in your
estimation Paul tells the truth, you are Atheists, that is,
" without God, and without hope in the world." You
AN ADDRESS TO EECREANT CHKISHANS. 391
will pardon us for speaking as plainly, as your authors
have done of others.
2. Since your adopted Theology gives such a view of
God, as was incorporated in the most abject forms of heath-
enism, it logically follows that your Anthropology should
be equally erroneous, and repulsive to the consciousness
of our nature. Accordingly we find in the writings of
your authors, such sentiments respecting man as ought
to follow such sentiments respecting God. Here is a
specimen :
" How many persons are there in the Godhead ?
" There are in the Godhead and God-body (that is to
say, in the imperishable Mansions of Father-God and
Mother-N'ature) all the persons that were ever developed
on any star in the firmament or on the earth beneath ; all
men, all spirits, all angels, all archangels and seraphs,
which people the immeasurable spheres of life and anima-
tion ; for we five and move and have our being in the
Divine Existence, ' whose body Nature is, and God the
soul.' " {The Penetralia^ p. 27.)
" The doctrine of the free-will or agency of the soul,
is positively contradicted by every thing in nature and
man." {Great Harmonia^ vol ii., p. 23o!)
It would be useless to quote more, though much of the
same sort might be presented from various authors. We
are told that man has no free-will, that he is the creature
of a fatal necessity ; nay, he is but the refinement of mat-
ter in his very soul.
It will be seen, from previous quotations, that he is not
answerable to God at all. Why should he be ? Having
no moral freedom, he is not a sinner, for sin as commonly
understood, does not and can not exist, being only mis-
fortune, or the inconvenience of unpropitious circumstances,
392 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
and whatever crime he may be guilty of, it is not to be
laid to the activity of his free-will or the wickedness of
his moral nature, for he has neither ; but it is to be ac-
credited to his bad position, and to a combmation of cir-
cumstances over which he has no control. He therefore
is not a responsible being, for there is no moral law with
its penalty to be executed by God, since God is only a
principle ! And as there is no law, so there is no gospel
of salvation ; since there is nothing to be saved from, and
consequently no Saviour.
N'ow, just think. Gentlemen Spiritualists, see how ad-
mirably this operates, according to Pat's account of the
matter, as given to the writer. One man murders
another. Provided he escapes the halter, he shall do well
enough in both worlds. Pat said, such an one would be
uneasy in his conscience ; but then this need not be, for
conscience we are told, is a thing of education ; and if it be
educated in one way, so may it be in another. Accord-
ing to this expositor from the spheres, the soul can not
be held responsible for any thing done by the passionate
animal spirit ! Besure, it must make an atonement^ not
to the moral law, for there is none ; not to God, for he is
a principle ; but to nature^ for becoming inharmonious !
Thus leaving the world, a bad man goes into a state of
happiness^ which is limited only by his contracted capacity
to enjoy : but no matter how great or numerous his ini-
quities, he is in a omich better state than when on earth.
Here is the evidence, as quoted by Dr. Hare, and coming
from the spirit-world :
" No man is in a morally worse state, all things consi-
dered, by reason of passing into the spirit-world. The
worst even are, if any way affected, in a better state there
than in the flesh. They whose spirit sphere was purer,
find tliemselves proportionally blessed. Many remain very
AX ADDRESS TO KECIIEANT CHRISTIANS. 993
long in the lower spheres, where, though enabled to enjoy
existence in the degee possible at such a distance from
the divine focus of blesedness, they are ' spirits in prison,'
and wretched in comparison with those in the paradisaical
spheres. Their existence is a blessing to them even while
thus low^ and there is no such place or state as a hell of
unmitigated, hopeless misery. Meantime, God, angels,
and all the higher spirits, are for ever seeking the eleva-
tion of the inferior spirits, by all just, wise, and appro-
priate means. And no one, however low and sluggish
of progress, will finally fail to be attracted upward^ obe-
diently to the divine laws, from one degree to another,
and from one sphere to another, till he reach t4ie heavenly
mansion." {Spiritualism Dem.^ pp. 322, 323.)
But we are not sure that this is not an exaggeration
of future misery, which by the way is a misnomer, because
it is not felt to be such, and ought not to be, for it is
imreasonable that diversity of condition should follow
diversity of so called moral character, when there can be
none, and when natural inability frees one from responsi-
bihty. Thus v,re are told by our divinely-enUghtened
Doctor on all such subjects :
" It must be conceded, then, that the prodigious diver-
sity between virtue and vice is the consequence of con-
tingencies, which are no more under the control of the
individual afiected than the color of his hair or the num-
ber of cubits in his stature." (Ibid.^ p. 138.)
Therefore man is irresponsible for his sins, because he
can not avoid committing them. On this we have some-
thing to the point in an author already quoted. (The
answer is from spirits.)
" Suppose that bad actions can not not be avoided, as
we perceive every day, is he who commits the evil pun-
ished for it ?' ' Yes ; for at his death he appears before
394 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
God, who has ever counselled him to do good, who do-
sires naught but good ; he then reprimands him by re-
minding him of all the bad acts of his life, pointing out
to him, with mildness, the road he ought to have taken ;
recommends him to improve his conduct, and places him
in a society suitable to his tastes.' " ( Celest. Tel., vol.
i., p. 10.)
The only punishment then for the wicked, is a " repri-
mand" by the great principle, God, and an assignment to
a place and society suitable to their taste. And as that
taste improves, they rise in outward degrees of happiness
as they rise in inward purity and refinement. In the
words of old Pythagoras :
"The condition in which men are born has great
effect on their condition here. You do not expect the
ignorant boor, the vagabond who roams your streets, to
be as elevated as yourselves. Why ? Because the cir-
cumstances in which he was reared, and over which he
had no control, made him ignorant, vicious, and criminal.
But perhaps in the infinity of future ages, you will behold
the power of that vagabond's mind transcend the united
strength of Newton and Humboldt." (Life in the
Spheres, p. 127.)
Such is the glorious prospect of " vagabonds" in the
heaven of Spiritualism ; which is not outdone by the re-
presentations of the Koran respecting the sensuality of the
Mohammedan paradise ; for we are informed that :
" Another feature is, that whether the connubial tie en-
dures or not is optional. Hence those who have not found
their matrimonial connection a source of happiness in this
world, are at liberty to seek a new hymeneal union in the
spirit-world. Where there have been a pluraUty of hus-
bands or wives, those unite who find themselves happy in
doing so. But, as if to indemnify mortals for the crosses
AN ADDRESS TO EECREANT CHRISTIANS. 395
in marriage or in love, or for the dreariness of mundane
celibacy, all are destined in the spheres to find a counter-
part with whom they may be happy, there being pecu-
liarly ardent, pleasurable emotions attached to the connu-
bial union in the spheres, which mortals can not under-
stand." {Hare's Letter.)
Now we appeal to the rationality of mankind to decide
upon the question, whether this be not a profiering of
bounty to the criminal, and the extension of encourage-
ment and comfort to the vilest of the vile, in the prosecu-
tion of all kinds of wickedness ? We ask, whether there
could be a more powerful influence to enervate the ma-
jesty of human law, and to break down its restraints upon
the wicked ! Could there be a more effectual contrivance
to advance the cause of evil ? Only let a bad man be as-
sured of happiness in the lowest sphere, where he shall
be assigned a place according to his taste, and whence he
shall progress until he shall ultimately gain the highest
grade of glory, and where is there a motive to induce
him to change his course ? He is not responsible for the
circumstances which make him bad. The diversity be-
tween virtue and vice, being the consequence of contin-
gency, he can have no moral character ; and therefore ho
has nothing to fear, but all to hope for ! Now by the
testimony of Scripture, this is the very scheme the Devil
and his angels would be most likely to concoct, to beguUe
and ruin the souls of men.
As to what the spirits do, we refer you to a previous
chapter where some of their work is given in historical
detail; and we need not enlarge. But then, you will say,
do not the spirits teach morality? Certainly they do,
but at the same tune teach other things which make it
quite indifferent whether their lessons on morality be
heeded or not. Hence this is a ruse^ more effectually to
396 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
mislead you ; and for the truth of this, we refer you to
lamblichus. But if it were not, the doctrines of God,
man, and futurity, are enough to nullify any possible good
influence they might otherwise have ; for w^hat immorality
to a being that has no moral agency, to whom a great
principle^ God, can hold no moral relation, and over whom
there is no m,oral law, respecting whom there is no moral
guilt, and therefore no moral penalty either in this world
or the next !
Pardon us. Gentlemen Spiritualists : The whole thing
is a vast cheat, so impudently transparent, that no man
or woman ought to be misled by it ; and we greatly mar-
vel that you can consent to surrender your souls to a
faith, that ought to make the devil blush. But he has not
made it for himself, nor for any spirit out of " the form."
They do not believe one word of it. Its whole design
is to make you believe " the doctrmes of demo7is^'' to alien-
ate your hearts from Christ and his cause, to produce
within you a contempt for the Gospel, to lead you to
spurn the atonement of the Son of God as the only hope for
salvation, and so to sensualize your minds with unworthy
ideas of the employments and enjoyments of heaven, as
to harden your hearts in reliance upon a false hope. K
he succeed in this, all the cures, all the wonders, all the
solemn nothings^ all the tender and tough sentiments,
all the gorgeous imagery, all the friendship, love, and
interest that personated dear departed friends can feign —
all these benefits of which Spiritualism boasts, he can afford
to multiply a thousand-fold, and will say to you as he did
to Christ : '-''All these thi7igs loill I give thee^ if thou wilt
fall down and worship me." Satan can not be supposed
to have come in his native repulsiveness to practise upon
Christ when he made such an offer, for that would have
destroyed the temptation ; li;.^ therefore came in the form
AN ADDKESS TO KECREANT CHRISTIANS. 397
of an angel of light, and the additional test he gave, was
a very pious regard for, and a ready quotation of Scrip-
ture ; it was not, however, until he ventured to teach
Christ a false worship, that he was instantly repulsed.
N'o matter then what tests may be now offered, the in-
culcation of doctrine obviously at war with first principles,
and an insult to the universal conscience and heart of
mankind, is an unmistakable test of the evil origin of your
adopted cause. If therefore you do not abandon this
ruinous system of necromancy and sorcery^ it foUows,
either that Chi'ist was the worst man that ever livedo or
that you shall he banished from God for ever. Both of
these alternatives are contrary to SpirituaHsm, but one
of them must be true. The Scriptures thus teach : The
hlood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin. He that
helieveth not God, hath made him a liar / because he he-
lieveth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this
is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and
this life is in his Son. He that helieveth on the Son hath
everlasting life y and he that helieveth not the Son, shall
7iot see life ; hut the wrath of God ahideth on him. The
dilemma is perfect. If you choose, in the face of the
various proofs against Spiritualism given in the previous
pages, to adhere to it, be it so ; we have done what we
deemed an imperative duty, and you must abide the issue
of your own choice. May God give you to see your
error, and to repent of your sin, that through Christ you
may be saved from wrath to come.
I|#98 A THKEE-FOLD TEST.
CHAPTER XI.
A WORD TO THE CHURCHES.
Dear Brethren: When our beloved brother Paul
labored among the Gentiles, he had constantly to meet
and combat the same speculative opinions, the same false
doctrines, and the same necromantic practices that have,
to our astonishment, arisen and deluded millions within
the last few years. Pointedly, he uses these remarkable
words : " Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may
be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we
wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against princi-
palities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness
of tliis world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
(Eph. 6 : 11, 12.)
The antithesis of this passage leaves no doubt as to the
Apostle's meaning. " Flesh and blood," signify men,
mortal enemies. The other appellatives are technical
terms applied to spirits, immortal enemies. These spii'it-
ual powers are distributed into their constituent parts,
arch-demons of commanding influence, and the rulers of
darkness ; but Paul here means that particular kind of
darkness by which the Ephesians were surrounded.
" Your struggle is not with men, but with arch-demons,
with the monarchs of this surrounding darkness, with
A WORD TO THE CHUKCHES. 399
wicked spirits of the invisible world." In other words,
" Your fight is not with men merely, but with the devil
and his angels." But what were the peculiarities of that
darkness? When we consider that Ephesus was a
Grecian city, we are not troubled for an answer. Demon-
ology and Necromancy were its constituent parts.
l!^ow we are expressly told, in different parts of Scrip-
ture, that the self-same enemies that Paul alludes to, are
to make a special onset upon the Church and the world,
in the " last days." The two thousand years under the
Patriarchal^ and the two thousand under the Mosaic^ will
probably be followed with but two thousand under the
Christian dispensation. In general terms we are told
by our Saviour, that " there shall arise false Christs, and
false prophets, and they shall show great signs and won-
ders, (as tests ;) insomuch that, if it were possible, they
shall deceive the very elect." This implies not only that
they shall deceive many, but actually delude many who
sustain an outward, visible relation to his Church. But
this fact is more specifically referred to, in 2 Thes. 2:8-12;
1 Tim. 4 : 1 ; 2 Tim. 3 : 1-8 ; 1 John 2 : 18, 19; Jude
18 ; Rev. 16 : 14. These passages, collectively taken,
make out a very strong statement of what is to happen
in the " last days," a phrase applicable to our times.
Our argument is short. Paul assigned the facts of
demonology, the doctrines of demons and necromancy to
the immediate efficient agency of Satan ; but these same
facts are developed in modern Spiritualism ; therefore
they come from the same source now, according to the
prophetic Scriptures, which while opposed by this move-
ment, are proved to be the true revelation of God, by
the fact of the movement itself. We are well aware that
Popery has been considered the fulfillment of these pre-
dictions ; but what is Popery but baptized paganism?
400 A TnPvEE-FOIJ) XEST.
Through it, the fulfillment has been going on for centuries;
but Popery does not exhaust them. A bolder fulfillment
is in the revival of heathenism without the pomp of Popery.
The warp is the same, the woof only is changed in
Spiritualism. Now we are at a loss to know what might
be added, either in the way of necromantic performances
or of doctrinal teachings, to convince any considerate
mind of the truth of our position. The evidence seems
to be satisfactory and complete.
But perhaps it will be said, we ought not hastily to
venture upon this conclusion, for Science may yet discover
that all these wonders can be explained by laws of nature
not yet understood. We confess we have little hope of
this, after such attempts as we have noticed. Nothing,
as yet, has been explained. But should any future at-
tempt apparently succeed, we do not think that it will
alter the case, except in quieting investigation, and lulling
into indifierence ; for we must believe that spirits can
operate in the world, in no other way than by conformity
to established laws of nature. It is only in its religious
aspect, that Spiritualism now has any claims to serious
consideration. Its arrogant pretensions deserve nothing
but indignant ridicule. Hostile to all true religion, and
impertinent in its preposterous assumptions, it can only
awaken the most unmitigated contempt in the breast
of every Christian man. But for all that, it is our imper-
ative duty to understand its nature and its movements.
Whatever may be thought of its physical manifestations,
there can be no question as to its moral phenomena. We
have proved it a revival of heathenism, and by the testi-
mony of Paul, it is to be accredited to the devil and his
angels. Its demonology and its necromancy furnish all
the data we need for the estimate of its true origin, na-
ture, and tendency. Its adherents, by the exposition of
A WORD TO THE CUUECHES. 401
their spirits, must consider God as a mere principle, and
man as a mere animal, and all moral relations and laws,
as mere figments. With this speculative belief, obtained
through necromancy, it has walked through Christendom,
and in the incredibly short space of eight years, has subju-
gated millions to its sway. To consider this phenomenon
any other than the work of the devil, is as good as denying
the agency, nay, the existence of the devil altogether ; for
if he has not done this, we should be glad to know what
kind of agency he exerts, and what is the peculiarity of
the evidence by which his existence is established.
Other interests, however, besides those of religion, are
threatened by this movement ; and you may yet be called
upon not only to defend your religion, but your civil in-
stitutions; for if Spiritualists must be obedient to the
behests of their " immortal advisers" in one particular,
so must they in all. Their sincerity and zeal are securi-
ties for this. N'ow the spirits teach, that the Church is
to be assailed and uprooted, not only, but that important
political changes are to be made: and for this purpose
Spiritualists are yet to form a great party who are to go to
the polls, to carry out the scheme of unchristianizing our
political institutions, and of emancipating the land from
the law of the Sabbath. And who will say that the same
fanaticism that has led them in one direction, will not lead
them in another?
Their prospects here, are to be estimated by the affini-
ties Spiritualism may have for other popular errors. It
will have been seen, that all who deny the proper divinity
of our Lord Jesus Christ, desire that all men be freed
from allegiance to " popular theology," and thus far, they
coincide with Spiritualism. In a sermon preached by the
Kev. W. G. Heyer, pastor of the Unitarian Church,
Rochester, on June 29th, 1856, "On Spiritualism," hav-
ing announced his embrace of it, the preacher said :
402 A THEEE-FOLD TEST.
" As might naturally be expected, the most determined
opposition to Spiritualism comes from the pulpit — the
common enemy of all new truths. Minds petrified into
system may be broken, but not bent. Prejudice is the
safeguard of ignorance, and bigotry is always ready to
extinguish with the iron hand of force, the first faint
light that threatens to reveal its own ugly features. And
yet, what is it that Spiritualism offers to do ? Merely to
give us religion and humanity in place of oxthodoxy —
merely to interpret Christianity by its facts, and to re-
commend its divine precepts by the most forcible, convinc-
ing, and beautiful truths.
" In regard to the doctrines delivered from week to
week in this place — in regard to a free, liberal, and rea-
sonable religion — I see nothing but the most perfect con-
sistency between Spiritualism and Unitarianism. Long
as I have beUeved in it, I have never found it necessary to
abandon Unitarianism for it ; or, in order to give a fuller
and freer expression to the vicAvs of what I understand
to be Christianity, to depart from the general sense and
scope of Scripture. I do not know that I shall ever find
it necessary to do so. Because the manner in which
Spiritualism is introduced, is not, however, necessary and
proper in itself, equal to the demands of our fastidious and
nice sense of fitness, shall we be so foolish as to reject it ?
I know the influence fashion and example have upon some
minds, and that there are many people in the world who
so httle value inward integrity and moral purity, as to be
willing to sacrifice them to appearances — to what is
thought to be a respectable position in society. But I
thank God that Unitarians have not this worst and most
debasing of all vices to answer for. They are already
unpopular ; and in preferring their independence to their
popularity, they are sure at least of the respect of the
truly good and true. Though they were in error, this is
the last thing in the world a wise and gracious Deity
would condemn them for. * * *
" And now I would remark, in conclusion, that in thus
bringing this subject before you this day, I have but
sought to discharge a duty which I have thought I owed
to truth and to conscience. I shall, probably, have no
A AVORD TO THE CHURCHES. 403
occasion to speak of it by name again. But I shall,
nevertheless, remain ever faithful to its principles ; ever
ready to profess and defend them upon fit occasion.
"It requires no prophetic endowment to claim for
Spiritualism an universal acceptance. That which is
founded on fact, is capable of demonstrative proof, and
offers all that the heart craves and the fancy delights in,
must make its way in the world. So its influence on
society can not readily be foretold. Its principle of ac-
tion is love. This constitutes the whole of its creed. It
promises nothing to faith or works, but every thing to fit-
ness, purity, goodness, unrightness, justice, and mercy.
It makes no arbitrary distinctions among men, but leaves
them to choose from their own natural tendencies, their
own place in the eternal world. Their own moral quali-
ties will be their judges. God sacrifices no soul to his own
glory. That were an absurdity. He asks obedience to
no law but the law of nature, of which we ourselves are
to be the voluntary executors." {Spirit Tel, vol. v., no. 13.)
This extract fully justifies a remark heretofore made,
that Unitarians have nothing to part with, in embracing
this cause.
In Rupp's " History of Religious Denominations," we
find the following from good authority. " Very gener-
ally, Universalists have come to entertain, what are com-
monly called Unitarian views of God, of Christ, of the
Holy Spirit, and of Atonement : at least there appears to
be a very general similarity between us and the English
Unitarians, not only on those subjects, but also on the
nature and duration of punishment, on the subject of the
devil," etc., (p. 730.) Universalists therefore ought to go in
with them. Swedenhorgians also ought to coalesce mth
our Spiritualists, because their great apostle has himself
figured largely in this movement, and his writings are
honored by Spiritualists. The Rev. Mr. Hayden, a min-
ister of the " New Church," in Portland, has written a
work on Spiritualism, which we have read with interest.
404 A THBEE-FOLD TEST. ~ •
He takes substantially our view of the subject as to its
demonology and necromancy, but thinks it will advance
the interests of his sect. He says, (p. 70 :)
" We are willing to maintain, not only that these de-
momstrations (of Spiritualism) have been permitted for
good, but that they have already been productive of good.
Multitudes of well-disposed and enlightened spirits have
no doubt thus communicated. They have disclosed to
their own friends and to the public mind of the world
important facts of which it was not before aware."
If this be so, then we do not see why Mr. H. should labor
upon the question — " Why are the revelations made through
Sioedenhorg entitled to more implicit beliefs or worthy
of greater credit^ than are the communications received
through the Spiritual mediums of the day .^" In our judg-
ment, his argument for the Why, entirely fails. He has
an idea that Spiritualists will eventually separate, and the
better part will gradually be led into his " New Jeru-
salem" ; but we think the chances are largely in favor of
a movement in the opposite direction. Mr. H. says of
Spiritualism : " By its own universal confession, it eschews
all divine claims, and voluntarily places itself in the
ranks of miscellaneous communications from the spiritual
world." We think this author is mistaken here ; and
any well-read Spiritualist may join issue with him, and
successfully show that the " divine claims" of the one are
worth as much as those of the other, using Mr. Hayden's
work as a text-book.
The various forms of infidelity, and the multitudes of
nothing arianism may be counted upon in the event of a
crusade against the Church and "popular theology."
Such, just now, is the position of things ; and we must
prepare for the coming struggle-
But for this very position of things, the Church herself
~ I Mill ■ '-
A WOED TO THE CHURCHES. 405
is not a little responsible, in our opinion. She has been
unfaithful to her Lord, by being unfaithful to the poor,
and to the masses thus deceived, who will beyond a doubt
fearfully retaliate at the ballot-box, whenever they have a
chance. A deep line of broad distinction has been drawn
in the Churchy whose tendency has been to separate popu-
lar Christianity from the common people, and confine it to
the ranks of the "well-to-do" of the world, and of the rich.
Hence in our cities and large towns, where the masses con-
gregate, and whence flow the most commanding influence
that permeates the country, the religion of Jesus Christ is
made so costly that the poor can not afibrd to pay ; much
less can they afford to brave such contrasts as are made,
in violation of James 2 : 1-5. This is not only contrary
to the letter and spirit of Christianity, but actually sub-
versive of the Gospel plan. " To the poor the Gospel is
preached," was one of the signs of the Messiah given to
John. To keep it still as a sign of the benevolent plan
of Jesus, is alike our poHcy and our duty ; because, as a
general thing, the poor are almost entirely dependent upon
the pulpit for general religious principles. They have
not the means to buy books of a religious character, nor
the time to read them; hence their dependence upon
oral instruction. They form the mass : hence we shall
probably see the day when we shall discover, too late, that
our most expensive and most unfortunate operation has
been the perversion of the means of grace, by multiplying
the difficulties that lie between the indigent poor, and the
enjoyment and comfort of the Gospel, which ought to be
free as the mountain-air.
But the evil does not stop here. The simplicity of the
Gospel will not answer itching ears, and the doctrines of
the Gospel do not suit carnal tastes ; hence if we may
judge from our Saturday newspaper lists of "Religious
^Kf^
406 A THREE-FOLD TEST.
N^otices," the Gospel must often give way to disquisitions
on slavery or knavery of some kind or other; or to
" Pulpit pictures," like that of " Belshazzar's feast," and
kindred topics, done in "liifulatin," and set off with
effective artistic music, enough to make one melt away in
the transcendental emotions of the religion of the senses.
Think of one who takes this for true religion, whose ima-
gination and intellect have been gratified, but whose
conscience has not been aimed at, whose heart has not
been ill at ease, under the close application of doctrinal
truth, and whose starving soul is sensible of some want,
but unable to define it — ^imagine such an one suddenly
bereft of a friend, and induced to attend a spiritualistic
circle. A Av^ell-managed appeal coming from a demon
personating that friend goes directly to the hearty where
the diOctrmes of the Gospel ought to have been sent long
before. Mature is overcome, and having received no
general principles as the great land-marks of religious
thought and sentiment, from the pulpit, the man has
nothing to protect him from the fatal snare. He becomes
a Spiritualist, and finding he has sometliing for his heart
to feed upon, he rejects what he had been taught to re-
gard as evangelical rehgion ? *' We speak that we do
know, and testify that we have seen."
Hence, though argued illogically, we lament to say,
that there is too much truth in the following, and similar
paragraphs, written by Spirituahsts as the result of their
observation, before they became such. Dr. Dexter says :
" Facts known and seen of all men render it daily more
obvious that the functions of the Christian ministry are
falling into a mere mechanical round of ceremonies, per-
formed mainly from the impulse of time-honored custom,
and that all the existing forms of rehgious worship are
fast degenerating into meaningless mummery from which
all spiritual life and power have departed. The really
A WORD TO THE CHUECHES. 407
religious, the really spiritually-minded (of which we are
happy to say there are still a few in the Church) see and
acknowledge this, and are constantly sending forth their
lamentations from pulpit and press and in the conference-
room, at this great decline of spirituality among those
who should be the world's spiritual exemplars and teach-
ers. This moribund condition of spirituality in the Church
is becoming more and more conspicuous, and the hope of
its being remedied from resources within itself is con-
stantly diminishing." [Spiritualism^ vol. ii., p. 61.)
Now we allow there are isolated cases, where facts
lead to lamentable conclusions ; but to argue from these
a general character for the Church and her ministry, is to
do a stock-jobbing business in falsehood. But nothing
better could be expected from the enemy. "We only re-
gret there are any cases of departure from the simplicity
of the Gospel, and any room for attacking the Church
for a wanton prodigality of expenditure upon costly
Christian equipage, which she must soon feel an un-
manageable encumbrance, like David in Saul's armor;
and which is at the expense of her efficiency and spiritual
life in the cause of her Master.
But, disce ah hoste; it is not the first time her enemies
have taught the Church a wholesome lesson. We must
return to first principles ; we must be guided by the in-
nate sense of the fitness of things, and not by an unholy
ambition, subordinating the spirituality of the Gospel to
the Q,onnieY2LGtm^ religion of the senses. If the Church
had expended her energies, as she might have done, to
build herself up with living stones, and decorate herself
with the ornaments of the Christian character, such an
ugly fungus as Spiritualism could never have grown here.
What the issue will be, is only known to Him who con-
trols all things.
As to the means of meeting this enemy, we need to
4
408 ' A THREE-FOLD TEST. |>
^ look to the Head of the Church for wisdom and strength,
# in adopting Paul's advice given in Eph. 6 : 13-17. Christ-
ianity has more than once put down demonology and ne-
cromancy, and she is able to do it again. The Gospel of
Jesus Christ skillfully directed, is all that is needed. Our
business is to spread the Gospel through the masses.
Send the DOCTEmES of Jesus, by the living voice and the
press, to all classes of men. Exhibit to them the doctrine^
the whole doctrine^ and the entire heathenism of this spawn
of moral evil, ejected by apocalyptic frogs. Portray the
popular sophisms of its various defenses, and while the
religion of Christ can not be degraded by the remotest
\ comparison, its great truths recognized alike by the Bible,
the rationality and moral conscience of mankind, in their
lucid statement and earnest application, will be brought
to bear with success against it.
The writer makes no attempt at dictation. Such is
not his meaning. He simply gives a sample of the facts,
laid hold of by Spiritualists for the purpose of vitu-
peration. For one he is thankful that they have struck
in this direction. Now let Christian men meet this mat-
ter as it ought to be met. The ladies and gentlemen
who have committed themselves to Sj^iritualism, are sin-
cere, and in earnest ; and therefore are entitled to the
serious consideration of Christian men. Let the Church
do her whole duty ; then, " when the enemy shall come
. in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a stand-
ard against him."
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