New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-03-22
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
The Philosophy of spiritual Manifestations

SHILLING. Edited by Rev OboROE h'SH' l<mO1 Pr
zee J. s. Redfed.
This new volume by Andrew Jackson Davis IS
more on level with popular symPathieS 'nAn
most of bis former productions. II wui Do re1'
with interest by many who have h'ne'so Ue'n
yepelled by the vague, abstract ana ianci'u' 0"S'
aeter Of bis bold theorlzfoSs on specu'S'''o SUI
jeets. The application Of bis isVorl'e PIln0iP'es
4, the explanation Of phenomena which nave re-
gently been brought so prominently be'ore the
n.h,;c c.Drot fail 70 attcact attention. For our
avn mart however, we find nothing in this work
wh;ch throws any new light on the claims Of Mr.
Davis to a peculiar initiation into spiritual mys'
ts6es Whether the revelations which he pro-
mulgstes have any authentic grounds Ia reality,
or merely proceed from the abnormal excitement
OF highly sensitive nature, are points on which
no substantial evidence has been presented. We
ear only regard hI strange visions in too light OF
surious productions Of the human mind; sud in
that view they will always present an interest
ing subject Of philosophical inquiry.
But our purpose, at present is to give general
statement Of the contents of this volume, without
being tempted to indulge in premature criti'
eism An impartial and profound estimate Of
their character would be no easy task; and, Ike
10 many queations which occupy the border ground
between faith and science, may be adjourned for
some time TO come without damage.
According to Mr.. Davis the great want Of the
sge il denomination Of the truth of Immortality.
The material things of the present existence are
more sought than the eternal realities which per-
tain to q superior life. The faith Of men ia the
Immortality Of the soul has experienced q secret
decay. They need sensuous evidence OF the
continued existence Of the departed spirit. This
evidence ia found in the development of she intel
lectusl powers and spiritual perceptions, by which
eognizsnce haE been taken Of the world of spirits,
and its infinite possessions in some degree have
been brought TO light.
In all ages Of the world there have been obscure
and fragmentary manifestations Of invisible and
spiritual power but in no one era previous to this
century has there been g clear and incontestible
demonstration Of spiritual presence and influence.
Indeed, men have repulsed every attempt at spir-
itual Manifestation. They have feared TO exer-
else their reason on mysterious and suprs.mun-
dane occurrences, sscribing them to agents Of the
devil rather than to the angels of Heaven.
Bat now, in the opinion of the author, the world
is better prepared for the manifestations Of spirit
usl existence and power. Never before has there
been so much true freedom on the earth-so much
actual goodness and universal love--so much gen.
uine affinity with the spiritual world. Accord
ixsly, there are many indications OF the influence
OF spiritual beings, possessing intelligence and
raanifesting extraordinary power material
ssbstances. Among the recent developments of
this character, Mr.. Davis has been led to devote
his principal attention TO the occurrences at STRAIT
Srd, Connecticut, in the family OF Rev. Dr. Phelps,
concerning which he gives the following state.
nent:
FRsT-AS TO the facts. Every consistent step
was taken, by the proprietor Of the house. TO sat
My many Of his particular neighbors ana a few
81 the influential citizens Of the village, that ut
least, a great number OF the sounds and external
appearances were not produced by human hands
or instrumentalities. Among many other aad
equally strange things which occurred there, the
sS;tnssssJ t.So1sn iaSsriS6ly subsequent TO the
arrsngement) the grouping Of various hgures,
made from articles Of clothing taken mysteriously
from the wArdrobeB and trunks; they have also
seen books thrown about; nails, keys, and other
portable things belonging to the house, falling IN
their midst; they have had black Grape tied on
the door latch, and the looking glasses covered
with sheets, as is customary, In some families,
when a corpse ia in the house; but the most H.
teresting, and, l think, important phenomena,
have been the writing of various unknown aud
apparently insignificant characters which have
been impressed upon the walls Of the chambers,
and upon the piazza and elsewhere. Now, there
were Ia this house two individuals who seemed
TO be particularly and insePArably connected with
slmost everything which bad been, and was
being developed--I sllude 20 young girl and
her brother. A higher class OF manifestations
asualy attended the former; but the latser-t6e
boy--seened 70 some persons to 10 maliclously
and unnecessarily to-nented by evil spirits. Be-
cause bis clothing was sometimes suddenly torn
bis cap, shoeE, SC. were mysSerlously concealed
at times and on one occasion he was suspended
by o rope to tree he wOlld be startled by loud
raps suddenly sounding under his footsteps as he
assembled or descended the stairs; aud be was
msde sick and delirioCs by fright and agitation.
SKcOHD-As 10 the origin Of these factS The
evidence 10 an uneDhghtened mind THAI many OF
these sounds and appeasances were not prodooed
by human hands, W by any mundane agencies,
must necessarily cOnsist in what was discovered
10 be fact that It Was and still IS impossible 70
trace their primary causes TO any earthly source.
OF course. no one will pretend to aHrm ire eaa'
tosSt6iiity o. there being any human agency in
tho performance OF some OF thete mysterious
feats; nav, on the contrary, it is consistent with
reason TO believe that almost everything devel'
Oped 10 that house could have been caused, under
favorable circumstances, by the concerted plans
and Inventions OF some members OF the family
But when the existing circumstances cid not
favor such contrivanoes, plans, and arrangements,
and when the family were assembled 81 together
10 oDe room--it being sscertsnod that the do
raestics were honest, and for the most part igH0
rant OF what had occurred and vas occurring
then, should a book be thrown from an opposite
side Of the room, or fall, vibrating, conclusive
sound be made in the upper rooms, or window
pane be broken from the inside, or should the legs
OF the boys pantaloons be suddenly torn in strips,
and he be- tied by those strips TO the chair In
which he was sitting, without his knowledge, and
while. as il is alleged, has hands were grasped by
his mothev-l say, under such stubborn circum-
stances (which render human agency impossiblel,
should the above mentioned phenomena occur, as