Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1851-07-11
THE ssI6NOCKINGS.-

| The following article from the pen Of l.. A
| H1NE, will give some of his views with refer
ence to the matter touched upon.
For our part we never had the least idea tina
the noises were produced by "Sprits" from an
other sphere, and every days experience pre-
vents US from indulging the delusion.
DON'T Believe it All.
The writer of this is a believer in and has ad
vocated the idea of Spiritual Communication
of an Ineligible intercourse with the spirits OF
| the departed.
AS to the "Knockings," he was disposed tc
believe this mode of Spiritual telegraphing pos
sible and probable; but he is frank in confessna
that he has had no evidence of the fact, except
an apparent Intelligence beyond the ability of the
Mediums. He has seen no tests--and, as fal
as his experience goes, all tests attempted have
either failed or not proved at all satisfactory
! He was absent while the celebrated Rochester
| Mediums were here, but finds the balance of ex.
| periments against them lie is not impressed
| iavoraby with these Mediums, from what he has
seen and heard Of them. Many of their expert.
ments here were decidedly against them, while
! some, if the reporters were not deceived, were
very favorable.
The writer of this behods in those Mediums
all the fres common TO fashionable life, where
as, were they imbued with true Spirituasm
heir manners and habits would be simple, and
their hearts would be filled with the spirit of hu-
man brotherhood They make merchandise of
their "knockings" to an extent that throws sus-
picion upon their candor and fidelity. There is
little doubt but much of the "knockings" is de-
ceitful--how much can't say.
Besides, so many good hearted individuals 90
almost wild on this subject, and can think of
nothing else, that am fast becoming tired of the
matter. No progress seems to be made in point
of intelligence; but, ON the contrary, The genu-
mess of the Knocks isbecoming more and more
confused, to say the least.
In Auburn, n. Y, they carry the matter to
an objectionable notwithstanding down the
very laws Of human development. In New York
city there is clergyman who believes he talks
with Spirits, some of whom are wicked in the
extreme. He has found, in the Spirit land, he'll
as hot any orthodox he'll; and that too in spite
of former universalism.
These things are mentioned in order that some
may be more on their guard-may look calmly,
and hold fast only that which is good. 1t is the
easiest thing in the world for some minds 10 car
ry the matter to an extreme, and sink all COM
mon sense. Upon the creduty of such, worth
less people play their own tunes, fill their own
pockets, and CRAFTY their extravaganza.
All reform, spiritual or material, must proceed
from the true-nearted devotion of those who I'M
dersand the means Of human improvement, and
are anxious to do, dare and endure anything for
the humble and oppressed. When, therefore
any one claiming to be Medium for Spiritual
communications, who is not thus actuatcd, ap-
proaches, | shall net hesitate to say-"get thee
behind me! !"
1t is truc, that the establishment of the great
fact of immortality is of great importance to hu-
man progress; yet it will not be Sound through
those who have not the first conception of cx-
cellence, or the iaintest aspiration for the good
and the true
While at the East, I heard from the large Sha-
ker settlement at New Lebanon, Mass There
are abont 600 individuals in the body and all
things around them present a most beautiful ap-
pearance. They beIiere they hold communica-
ton with Spirits-not by knocks. but by Spiri-r-
al and even physical perception. When one dies,
they say it is not unlrcqnentIy the case that the
Spirit of the departed stands among them--is
seen by the majority--and assists at his own fu-
neral ceremonies. They beliere this; and
shall not undertake to say they are wholly decei-
we'd. ii.