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

354 ADDITIONAL CORROBORATIVE EVIDENCETheu tlicy would commence again with redoubled force. People from allparts of the country were visiting the house, to whom every facility wasafforded to search into the cause.Newspaper discussions were going on,casting the most unjust and painful reflections, subjecting the family tosuffering little short of martyrdom, while numberless other persons had asgood an opportunity of explaining the matter as the persecuted family.this affliction I can sympathize somewhat with Dr. Phelps and family. Inthe first days of these phenomena in Western New York, all persons whowere involved with or interested in them were looked upon and treated atonce as void of all common feeling or sensibility, both privately and publicly; their names passed about, coupled with opprobrious epithets ; theirhouses were entered without ceremony, and even in the face of directrequest to the contrary; their right to quiet and repose invaded, theirhouses often being crowded with visitors, prompted by idle curiosity anda malicious desire to torture, beyond the midnight hour ; still insisting toremain, and adding insult to injury by declaring in your ears that it wasan arrant cheat— a grand humbug—being carried on ; and all for—what ?And at the same time those whose ill-fortune it then seemed to be to havean identity with it were weeping and praying for the scourge to be removedfrom them ; for scourge it seemed, indeed, under such circumstances.1729. " Dr. and Mrs. Phelps concluded, in August, as the demonstrationswere then less frequent, on taking a short journey of three weeks.The disturbances were still more annoying in their absence than beforeand it was decided as best to close the house for the winter, and remainaway.Accordingly, on the 11th of September, Harry left for Pennsylvania,and it was arranged that the other members of the family should followwithin three weeks.It seems that, although the manifestations were connectedmore intimately with Harry, his presence was not all-important, asthey did not cease altogether when he left;Inbut communications were stillmade, though with less force and violence. The knockings were not asloud, and the communications less free or frequent. At one time a notewas thrown into the room, while Dr. P. was writing at the desk, which'contained the following : How soon do the family expect to go to Pennsylvania? I wish to make some arrangements before they go. Pleaseanswer in writing.' The doctor replied as desired, as follows :first^About theof October,' and placed the paper in a position where he had beforeput writings of the kind, and heard nothing further.1730. " Two or three days after this, a communication was given byuse of the alphabet, saying that Root, a gentleman who had been inhouse, had destroyed the doctor's book. He inquired ' What book ?' andwas answered ' The big book.' Yet he did not know what book was designated,and repeated the question, and received the answer, * The bigbook in the secretary.' Still it was not understood. Again was spelled,*Look and see !' Dr. Phelps had in the secretary two blank books ; in thethe