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Experimental investigation of the spirit manifestations, [electronic ...

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OF THE EXISTENCE OF SPIRITS. 289rccoiiiniciulatioii. The truth <strong>of</strong> this iidagc is conspicuously realized in <strong>the</strong>instance <strong>of</strong> this sensible and agreeable <strong>spirit</strong>ualist.There is an air <strong>of</strong> goodfeeling and sincerity in Mr. llchn's tones and expression, which wouldcause him to be viewed as a reliable witness beforeany honest and intelligentjury.1459. The fact <strong>of</strong> mechanical movements being induced luitlwiit muscularcontact, direct or indirect, is one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> phenomena which scarcelyany one will believe without intuitive pro<strong>of</strong>. It will be seen that on <strong>the</strong>third <strong>of</strong> February, 1854, after I had been engaged in <strong>the</strong> <strong>investigation</strong> <strong>of</strong><strong>spirit</strong>ual <strong>manifestations</strong> for more than two months, I was still so incredulousas to employ this language to Mr. Holcomb : You believe fully ''thattables move without contact, because you have seen <strong>the</strong>m thus moved ; Iam skeptical, because I have not seen <strong>the</strong>m move without human contact,although I have been at several circles."14G0. But one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> forms <strong>of</strong> this phenomenon, which has excited <strong>the</strong>most wonder and incredulity, isthat <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> carrying <strong>of</strong> Mr. Henry Gordon,a medium, through <strong>the</strong> air without <strong>the</strong> contact <strong>of</strong> any mundane body. Mr.Rehn having been among <strong>the</strong> witnesses <strong>of</strong> this fact, I requested him to giveme a statement <strong>of</strong> it, as well as <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rs <strong>of</strong> a similar kind. Subjoined isa letter, written in consequence <strong>of</strong> my requestPr<strong>of</strong>essor Robert Hare :Philadelphia, August 1, 1855.1461. Dear Sir: In obedience to your invitation, I will proceed tomake a brief statement <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> more prominent facts supporting <strong>the</strong> hypo<strong>the</strong>sis,that <strong>the</strong> <strong>spirit</strong>s <strong>of</strong> those who once dwelt with us do still hold intercoursewith mortals.1462. During <strong>the</strong> early part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> year 1850, some friends <strong>of</strong> mine, inwhom I had full confidence, stated to me <strong>the</strong> result <strong>of</strong> several intercommunionshad with <strong>the</strong>se mysterious agents, by which I was led to a determinationto test <strong>the</strong> matter for myself; and, accordingly, on <strong>the</strong> fifth day <strong>of</strong> July,in company with a friend, I visited New York, that being <strong>the</strong> only accessiblepoint known to us at which to gain <strong>the</strong> object <strong>of</strong> our visit. The Foxfamily, consisting <strong>of</strong> Mrs. Fox, Mrs. Fish, (afterward Mrs. Brown,) Catharineand Margaret Fox were <strong>the</strong>n at Barnum's Hotel, giving to <strong>the</strong> publicopportunities to test <strong>the</strong> reality or imposture <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> so-called <strong>spirit</strong>ualphenomena.We called at <strong>the</strong> rooms <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> family, and obtained a sittingduring <strong>the</strong> afternoon <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> same day. A dozen or more persons werepresent at <strong>the</strong> sitting, <strong>the</strong> result <strong>of</strong> which was <strong>the</strong> conviction that <strong>the</strong>sounds were not a deception on <strong>the</strong> part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> mediums, but <strong>the</strong> result <strong>of</strong>some occult force and intelligence, independent <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> ladies <strong>the</strong>mselves.1463. "Without entering into any detail <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> incidents <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> visitabove referred to, or speculations upon <strong>the</strong> general subject under consideration,I propose to cite incidents in my own experience, which go toestablish <strong>the</strong> truth <strong>of</strong> <strong>spirit</strong>ual intercourse.19

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