New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-09-08
The Spirits at Hopedale.

The Spirits at Hopedale.
The writer of the following letter i,
LADY of high character, who lives in Columblana
County, Ohio 1t was written during visit at
the Hopedale Community, and has been sent to
US with request for It's insertion IN The Irio-
nn,. We give place to It without youchng for
ANYTHING save the character of the writer
Ed Trb.
HoPEpALE, Tuesday, June l., 1851
DEAR FRIEND On our way from Boston, Mr. (.
D. Draper, of Hopedale, told us there was young
lady in Their community who had some months be-
fore become a medium, and was now considered
very good one. by al who had had interviews with
her that She was l. years OF age never had her
attention particularly called to the subject unti she
herself was medium and that she was heathy'
welLorganisod girl OF an innocent and oldmeiess
life He thought Il very probable We would have
good time with her In the course OF the even
ing, at Mr. Dr.perS, some of II. 1. VS. young
frends-among Whom was the aforesaid medium
called IN to him. when the suggestion was
made that, merely by drawing nearer to table mat
stood in the center OF the room, We would be nicely
arranged for sitting, and NJ once theIe was
cordial NOV ement In compliance
There was general anxiety Ia have the " manlies-
tatons' directed particularly 70 h {. w, and failing
IN that 10 myself Mr. ID. inquired, are there any
spirits here 70 or something to that effect sounds
were Immediately heard upon the tabis-iegs similar
TO the tapping Of finger nails, different In character
from any thing had heard and increasing In DIS
tincinesS, as COW ersatlon progressed
Qufstion-bv one of the company. Nhat sputN
present with u.s." Ans.--I- and II, two men
Who had recently died at Iiopedale, and from whom
all the principal mantle stations had been obtained IN
that place. O." Have you any suggestion to
make relative TO our position IN the circle or
what e had better doi" ans" should like youto
slngl" O." Who shall do II F" ms" Inc gen
tltman who sits next to Mary" @" What shall he
sing" tins In the days when we went gypsy
ing" Mr. ID. asked, " DO youknow this gentleman ~
ms Mo- Nj ID. " II Is Nh Wright of AntI-Sla-
very and Northeastern notorlety who went to Ora
fcnburgh TO the Water cure, &c. | should like YOU
to talk with him about the Bible and some other
matters II YOU feel Ike it..
About this time Adm Ballou called IN, on his way
from meeting, TO take friend rom Mr.. Dis TO his
house and seeing sitting III progress, sal quietly
down by the door The spirit went on 10 call for the
alphabet Gor the purpose as all supposed OF open
ing communication with Mr. Wright, or at least
replying 10 Mr.. Draper and communicated 81
should Ike 10 converse with Mr - Wright
some ore inquired No" was the reply but Mr. d,
thinking there was u mistake about IT, inquired. Do
YOU mean the gentleman who sits next to Mary -
Well said he, 'yOu'li spell the name and com
menced rel eating the ALPHABET when, as thought,
he was interrupted at A. b. or C., could not be
positive which but he went on, thinking The letter
the spirit wanted w Of course but he was
peremptorIly recalled and naked fast on b. then A..
when at last they got the idea that Ballou was IN
tended Accordingly Mr. BallOu moved up TO the
table and the next communication was, " Have you
a subject for next Sunday :, NO. sad Adn, nave
10 preach from the 81 chap Of 1T Corinthians, 18th
ard 18Th verses We took the Bible As they d
reced, and read aloud, the proposed text. Now
We have received not the spirit Of the word, butthe
spirit which Is If God that We might know the
things that are freely given TO US OF God. Which
things also We speak not N the words which mans
wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth
comparing spiritual things with spiritual That
Is good text" SAID Adm frankly and cordially 81
accept and thank you for II
Some DAYS atteTwaTd. MI. ID. proposed accom-
mo N "A to Miss Adams. for the
of procuring responses for myself knowing that 10
be my chief business al Hopedae. small circle
met With US. and, as usual We dld not fail to hear
raps. shortly after taking our seats inquired II
was present but received no answer then Mr.. d.
asked the same question, and received for answer
that he not that the same spirits who had PIE
yousy responded in the circle al Mr. Diapers were
there and none others. The company made no
attempt 10 open an interview with these earnest
kind and mos, peItinaclous spirits, but continued 10
inquire for J. Presently the alphabet was called Tor
and this message was communicated " Mr. H
tells NE MI BaIiou ls 10 preach next SUNDAY
and he Mr.. H is to be there to respond"
Ballou Is TO preach from ~ AHs-Yes I'd chap
ter of Isl Corinthians, 18th and 18th verses O.
Shall you be there also, TO respond to what you
approve in The sermon 30 Yes, shall be there,
ard wish you 10 place table near Mr.. Ballcu for
NE 20 move Q.-"Wlll not people laugh at us
II We do No answer. but the alphabet Wa lled
for, and hope Nh II Will be gralted'' spelled
out. 4 have omitted 10 state, that the one who
made the request for table 10 De taken up to the
church was Ia the habit Of msnlfesting himself by
moving tables instead Of rappingl Q.-"shall We
leave the question Of taxing II 10 Mrs. BIS cecI-
SION Aus" No" "N1ll not the desk answer"
NO | cannot move the desk and wish TO MAKE
my responses tina, al may hear and see" Then the
spirit spelled out, through the alphabet We shah
have good time"
Quest" Do you know at What time n the day
Nr viii preach from this text 20 Ans" Yes. IN
re afternoon" Quest Did he tell you sou
" No. knew from the preparations he was making,
that was his design" Mr.. was not present and
no one here knew VIVA, ms intention was IN regard
70 i.
Next Sunday afternoon, heard the sermon agreed
upon. Mr.. B speaking when went In aud the
responsive rap. were heard distinctly oy large
seUely OF both believers and unbellevers in their
alleged spiritual origin.
The sermon wac beautiful and effective one, and
tie heart OF the speaker seemed unusually moved,
warned and strengthened tears frequently came
10 hs eyes, and IN the midst OF almost Ofeathless
silence on the part Of ms visible audience poured
cut bright living stream OF inspiration that feel
assured flowed INTO many heart as the waters OF
strength End healing and brought that unseen 1nf'
before many spiritual gaze, 4 clearer, more Sc
rere anc raucna! aspect than II ever Before had
been.
A large desk stood there where the books, states.
sc, used N school during the week, were slowed
for TIE sabbath. and seyera! times was lifted and
moved BY al invisible power The good spTii, whose
reasonable request to have light table 70 move had
not been attended 70, lifted the heavy desk II pure
ceSpeTai.en of eaTIeS;Iess and love.
When he came 10 the sPplicdhLor, the response.
were loud and incesssnt, and when he pronounced
the bereclctlon they seemed 10 keep time, marking
II Was rare and Impressive scene shall not soon
forget H.
Adm BalloG's most striking pecuiartles Of cha
racier are hrmness. csndor. and caution, 80 striking
that The most careless observer Will remark them
and those Who have known hun long IN the habit
G hearing witness 10