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

OF THE EXISTENCE OF SriRITS. 347what ho siiys." Sometimes language the most profane, and oecasionally,but rarely, obscene, would be written out in this way. Inquiry was madeas to how these contradictory communications were to be accounted for,and the answer was that an opposing spirit was attempting to defeat theobject of the first; that this spirit was now one of his tormentors; thatboth were in a state of misery, and his suffering would be mitigated if theobject of the first could be accomplished, although he would never go to astate of happiness.1G09, ''Among the spirits who communicated were two who professedto be in a state of happiness, and three in a state of misery. One of thegood spirits claimed to be a sister of him who made the first communication;she communicated frequently, and constantly manifested herself inthe morning and evening devotions of the family, and always gave twodistinct knocks at the utterance of 'Amen.' Upon inquiry as to themeaning of these two knocks, the answer was given that it was a response,after the manner of the Episcopal service, signifying that she joined inthe devotions.1700. " ]Much that was communicated after the first few days was of ati'ifling and childish character ; some, more like what would be receivedfrom street rowdies than any thing else. To the question why they destroyedproperty, they replied, For ' fun.' It was asked of the opposingspirit what could be done to aff"ord him relief; he answered that The'best thing they could do would be to give him a piece of pie.' Sometimesletters would come, purporting to be from ministers of Philadelphia,giving accounts of conversions in their congregations and additions totheir churches. These were addressed to the doctor, and indicated aknowledge of things in Philadelphia to an astonishing degree. Some ofthe letters were addressed to Mrs. Phelps, signed, or rather purporting tobe 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 acquaintancesof Mrs. Phelps, during a residence in that city, in the time ofher former marriage. Sentimental notes were also addressed to thedaughter. These letters and billets were frequent, amounting in all tonearly one hundred, and were all written in one hand, though purportingto come from diff"erent persons. The fact was at one time referred to,and an explanation desired, to which the following was given :'AVe donot write with the hand—do not touch the pencil; we write with thewill.' At one time a paper was thrown down to Mrs. Phelps, while inthe parlour with a number of ladies, having written on it, with a pencil,as follows :1701. '' 'Sir : Sir Sambo's compliments, and begs the laddyes to acceptas a token of esteem.'1702. ''A lady in the family of Pr. Phelps had, in a humorous way,requested the spirits to write her a letter that she might send to a friend