The Missing Link in Modern Spiritualism

ER (Con

rism-Letter from George Willets-Letter from John E. Robinson-C

arrative interr

ck P.M., and returned with Mr. and Mrs.

us to remain there a few days. Many people called at our house on Troup Street, and, when they were informed of our absence,

ther and Kathie returned. (The latter had been to Mr. Cap

ed all the anxiety and torture of mind which we had undergone. She

and so nobly supported, and so honorably acquitted. Mother was rejoiced at our success and began to feel more resigned. Many persons continued to call, and all were anxious to learn from us and the Spirits something more than they were able to get thro

he people came from every direction. We knew not what to do. Judge Hascall came to spend an evening with us, bringing with him a large party of his friends, viz., Judge Summerfield, Hon

d he finally consented to do so; they clearly understood that he was not to take any part in the investigation. They arrived at about eight o'clock P.M. Judge Hascal

ed out, "My dear son, repeat the Lord's prayer." Each member looked a

inued to call upon him to repeat the Lord's prayer. He looked from one to another, but said nothing. His friends urged him to comply with the Spirit's request; but he was disgusted, and thought it was a

on, he reluctantly commenced in a very low, indistinct manner to mumble something that sounded like "Our father, which art in heaven." By this

he table, chairs, floor, and wall. Mr. McNaughton looked astonished. The table danced with evident joy, and we were obliged to move back. There it stood, upon one foot, fairly dancing. Mr. McNaughton exclaimed boldly, in his Scotch dialect, "Exthraordinary! Exthraordinary! I begin to

se their own words, said, "We cannot go away without giving you some remuneration for the time you have kindly spent with us."

We had not needed such aid, as my brother furnished us with provisions from the farm, and, with what I still had left of that received for teaching, I had enough for present purposes; and I ful

riends," commonly called Hicksites), I once witnessed a scene in which a just and righteous indignation caused him to cast off his coat, in readiness to deal in very mundane fashion with an unworthy and misbehaving member of one of the "investigating committees." "I've never fought a man in

OM GEORGE

end o

end, E.

yet. Ridicule will probably be heaped upon me; but when I consider that it is the ignorant only who use that weapon, perhaps I can afford to stand up and say, "Let the storm come." All wh

hat none of them knew me. After the three persons were put in the clairvoyant state, one of them said, "We have got to go to Michigan." They all agreed that they had got to go there, and on my account. They did seem all to go there, and began to describe places and things which I had seen, and at length came to a piece of land which they said was the place they came to look at. They then described the land so accurately, which I had stopped in Rochester to buy, that I began to wonder who had told them. They all, with one accord, then said, "But he must not go there. His father says that he had better not go." As they said this, there came a loud sound close to my chair, and I sat some distance from any other person. They spoke much of my father, and what his mind was, and at each time that same sound was heard. Up to this time I had not spoken a word, but found the big drops of perspiration starting from my face. I gathered courage, and thought I would dispel that illusion directly. I said, "As you assume to know my father, and what his mind is concerning me, perhaps you can tell his name." They all seemed to look steadily for some time, then commenced and spoke slowl

r then was, "Come to Rochester." I replied that I knew of no business that I could do in Rochester. The sounds said, "I will tell thee when thee comes." I asked if I might know now. The answer was, "No, no business is needed until thee comes, and then I will tell thee." The sounds then said, that after a time it would be best for me to buy some land. I asked where. The sounds then spelled out the name of a man whom no one present knew, and said that he owned fifty acres of land on suc

tion, it would do the world some good to find it out. The first of December, 1848, I moved from Waterloo to Rochester. A few days after getting here, the little girl spoken of came round to our house, and said that the "spirit" had directed her to come; for what purpose she did not know; we inquired what it was, and this was the communication: "I told thee if thee would come to Rochester, I would tell thee where thee could find employment: in four days from this time I will tell thee. In the meantime the anti-slavery folks are going to hold their fair; would it not be well for thee to help them?" No one was present at this time except my wife, the little girl, and myself. The four days went by, and again, without solicitation, and without thinking the time was up, the girl came again. The communication was, "Apply to William Wiley, Superintendent of the Auburn and Rochester Railroad, to-morrow at two o'clock, at his office, for a situation, and thee will have one before this week is out." This was Thursday. I was a stranger to Mr. Wiley, and I called on Mr. Post, and told him the direction, and asked him if the

ting that I should pass through that place on Monday following, in the capacity above stated, before I knew from Mr. Wiley what place he wanted me to fill; and he can probably testify to that fact. One month after I had been running on the cars, I learned that the person whose place I took had done things worthy of a dismissal, previous to my being directed to make application, which did not come to Mr. Wiley's notice till the day on which I received the appointment. These things have only been known to a few friends; you and the world now have them. I have many

George Wi

letter, addressed to the Rochester Daily Advertiser, by our friend Mr. John E. Robinson

thout ever having examined it; and graded the vehemence of their opposition by the strength of their fealty to the teachings of their leaders. One of these acknowledged leaders was Chester Dewey, D.D., of the Rochester Collegiate Institute, who, without seeking to investigate the subject, claimed to rec

PPING M

the world on this subject, and protect this community in particular from humbug, as they are pleased to term it, have made up their various articles of exceedingly cheap material. Ridicule, the fool's argument, has formed the chief staple of their lucubrations. Denunciation, unsparingly poured out, has been heaped upon the heads of those most imm

laws natural and divine. His picture, so he tells us, hangs from the walls of the Athen?um, and looks down complacently upon its visitors as a teacher of the exact and occult sciences. The community in which he lives has nourished him during a long lapse of years, has accredited to him the prerogatives he has claimed, and has looked up to him, as one clothed with authority, to enlighten it upon all abstruse subjects. And yet, with the knowledge (which he must possess) that if anything be spoken of it must be spoken of understandingly,-that a man in his position utterly disregards the safety

incipient stage, is denominated 'humbug.' Everything and everybody a whit in advance of the age or its intelligence is looked at askance by the

rning is a da

n physics or man's intellectual nature, and immediately these 'learned Thebans,' scorning the patient toil an

in the midst of minds which have learned that much that was received as unadulterated truth by the past, upon which the dust of buried centuries had gathered and seemed to hallow, has been proved erroneous by the light of advancing knowledge and the searching analysis of science. And who shall say where that knowledge is to stop? Is there to be no new unfolding of man's intellectual powers? Is he ever to remain in the comparative ignorance he now is in respecting the relations which h

ity for investigation, to test the reality of the said phenomena. He could have had, and may have, associated with him in such investigation, men whom he or others may select, as his equals in every respect, to aid him; and before he has the temerity to repeat his uttered cry of humbug, and brand again, with most unchristian readiness, as deceivers, individuals whom he does not know, I call upon him to a

ity of any one, than to know that while he preaches for so much the square yard the doctrine of an after

lead where it may.' In this I join him, and such motive must

ctfull

E. Rob

, February

n about matters of worldly interest. They will probably get answers, but from mocking and deceptive Spirits, who step in when the good and true ones decline to intervene. It is not the mission of good Spirits to mingle in affairs of mere non-spiritual interest. Beware of what is called "business mediumship," and of directions respecting fortune-making or fortune-telling. Never forget that there are tricksters and liars out of the flesh as well as in it; which is little to be wond