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

56 CORROBORATIVE EVIDENCE OFobtained by a great number of observers. Many who never sought anyspiritual communication, and have not been induced to enroll themselvesas spiritualists, will nevertheless not only affirm the existence of the soundsand movements, but also admit their inscrutability.256. But we have now, in a matter-of-fact, business-like publication,by E. W. Capron, a record of the original manifestations at Ilydesvilleand llochester, in New York ; where, as it is well known, they producedintense interest, excitement, and controversy; which gave rise to successivetown-meetings, and the appointment of committees by these meetingsfor the purpose of ascertaining whether any other cause could be discoveredfor the manifestations, except the spiritual beings who assumedthem to be their doings. Some of the persons appointed to make theinvestigation, were prepossessed with the belief that the phenomena weredue to some juggling contrivance. One alleged that he would throwhimself over the Genesee Falls, or prove the knockings due to humbuggery.Another alleged that the media, aware of his prepossession, wouldnot for one hundred dollars have him on the committee ;yet both thesepersons being put on the committee, the latter came out in favour of theinscrutability of the noise; while the former neither accounted for it,^^nor thrcic himself over the falls,' ^as Mr. Capron pointedly alleges.257. Subsequently, in the city of New York, the mystery was subjectedto the ordeal of a public investigation by a number of distinguished citizens,whose reports confirmed those of the Rochester committees. FennimoreCooper was among those appointed on the New York committee, andwas the means himself of obtaining an unequivocal test. His sister'sdeath, which had resulted from being thrown from a horse, was correctlystated by her spirit in every particular, in reply to mental inquiries by himmade.258. Again at Stratford, Connecticut, at a house of a minister of thegospel, manifestations were made fully as striking as those which hadoccurred at Ilydesville and Rochester, so as to establish in the mind ofthis estimable clergyman, and in those of many others acquainted withthe facts, a belief in spiritual agency. (1667)Corroborative evidence hy the Rev. Allen Putnam, of Roxhury, Mass.259. As affording support to the testimony which I have given, I deemit expedient to cite that of the Rev. Allen Putnam, formerly a Unitarian•clergyman and preacher in Augusta, Maine, having been in the legisla-Tture of that State, and for some time editor of the New England Farmer.Mr. Putnam had the advantage of a theological and collegiate education;at Harvard. I heard an able and erudite lecture from this worthy spirit-•ualist,at Boston last October.260. Mr. Putnam entered upon the investigation of the manifestationsin July, 1852, nearly eighteen months before my investigation com-