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

TIIK EXISTENCE OF SPIRITS. 67The signs employed, however, differed.At llochestcr ona rap was takenfor }iOj two for douhtfnl^ three, for jyes. At Cidcvillc one raj) was receivedfor f/ra, and two for no. At the former place, the alphabet was directlyreferred to; at the latter, reference was made by figures indicating theplace of the selected letter in the alphabetic card.303. Of this character is the admission of the Roman Church of thespiritual origin of the manifestations; ascribed, however, to dlaholicagency. To this allusion has been already made; but I subjoin someletters and expositions, translated from a French work lately published onMesmerism, Clairvoyance, and Spiritual Manifestations.304. The following letters, taken from the work in question, will requireno farther introduction.305. If the Eoman clergy thus advance the inference that the manifestationsand intellectual communications come from spiritual agency, itwill be easy for Spiritualism to show that it is vastly more devoid of diabolicmalevolence and inhumanity than the institutions sanctioned by thatpriesthood.Letter from T. R. P.Ventura.306. My '^ Dear Sir: When you came two years ago to consult me asto the merit and propriety of your labours, I hesitated so much the less toencourage their publication, that having myself entertained the same ideasfor a long time, I had been several times on the point of proclaiming themfrom the sacred chair. I do not fear then to affirm ^ that the publicationof this important and serious work would be of incontestableusefulness,and tend strongly to enlighten opinion on a mass of curious facts, and thusprepare for the solution of high and important questions; for, I add, it isnecessary that allthe phases of the subject should be first presented by thelaity, in order that the church may thus be enabled to form their judgmentwith full knowledge of the case.'307. ^' I do not say enough, my dear sir, in pronouncing your workuseful ; I might have called it indispensable, had I foreseen the approachinginvasion of that scourge which you so happily designate as a sjJtritualepidemic : a scourge whose sudden and universal propagation, in my opinion,notwithstanding its appearance of puerility, will constitute one of theGREATEST EVENTS OF OUR AGE. But how has it been both received andentertained ?308. " Commencing with your savans, it is impossible not to be alarmedby the obstinate incredulity which does not allow them to see what at thepresent time can be confirmed by anybody.Oculos hahent et non vident.^309. '^ Those individulals alarm me still more, who havino; given theirattention, and of course seen, shake their heads as a sign of indifference"-•Though gifted with vision, they are, nevertheless, blind.