New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-09-08
Spirit Rappings.'

Spirit Rappings.
In spite of the alleged exposure OF fraud
in the production OF wha, are popularity known
as Spirit Rappings,' the 'ath IN their continued
occurrence does not seem TO decline but ap-
pears to be spreading and deepening We shall
continue therefore. 10 deal with It the faith, not
the phenomena as remarkable psychological
fact. which demands explanation and is fruitful
Of important suggestions We have before u.
pamrhlet recently issued in Philadelphia, giving
an account of recent Spiritual Manifestations IN
that city, which while II adds nothing TO the
evidence already before the public as to the re-
aIity of the asserted limitations from the unseen
world. is vet inbued with a candid and truthful
spirit which must win regard from the inqulring
The writer NAV be grossly deceived but he ls
not q villful deceiyer And we hear every week
Of persons of unquestionable veraclty who be-
heve they have been favored with conmunlca-
tions. more or less audible, from the Spirlt
World
circle or Society of believers in and IN
oulrers into the verify of these Manifestations
has been formed in our city, for the purpose OF
collecting and ultimately publishing the devel-
opments and testimonies which may be attain
able with reference to these utterances. TINS
Society has issued Circular calling for EVIL
dence on the subject, which we have been re-
quested to publish, but declined, not merely on
account of It's length and the steady pressure on
our columns, but because It seemed to US, by
the minuteness and character of It's inquiries, TO
be calculated to mold and fashion the testimony
IS oil ~ 70 in =
spontaneous, unconstrained shape. II will suf-
fee to say that all persons who may be able and
willing TO furnish authenticated testimony, e.
Their for or against the verify of the supposed
Snirltual Communications are invited 10 send
the same 10 : p Andrews, No 40 Ann-st.
We have received the following reply to
casual criticism IN our columns OF the 23d
Mr.. GREELEY In announcing the lecture Of Mr.
Flshboueh. IN The Tribune OF Saturday, on the
alleged modern revelations from the spirit world
through CaIrvoyants, Rapplngs, &c, you say
We trust he Will be enabled to explain why II Is tnA'
These Revelations are quite dscorsnt ne the vauou. n
teuretaons If the ancient comm ncations from "a h:n
/ Now II appears 10 me that the thing is perfectly
/ PLAIN when II Is known that men are not essentially
Changed bv the process OF death dehyerance from
/ the earthly tenement OF the natural body. Wheh we
know that man is spiritual beng, and max sphi Is
real substance, faT more substantial .hdI my mere
earthly matter. which Is easily dissolved and dlsA-
paied, there be no difficulty IN accounting Tor
The dlscordapce IN question. The VIII and me | n
cerstandIng which are the two constituent elements
of the spirit OF man. IN precisely the same con-
diilon on emerging from the natural BODY mo Tue
spirit world, that they were while IN we Ofdlhuy
healthy action OF this lie. Hence IL u IAlu ma II
meO rive dlscordant interpretations OF the prophet
cal or gospel communications while IN the material
body they viii be likely to give me same HierpIe
tatlons after leaving that body. Nay more mere Is
no reason to look for any difference between tne
quality OF their communications made iInmedlatey
before and Immediately after ther TRANSIT Hoih WIS
/ outward world.
/ know that there are thousands Of deyoui people
who are instantly ready TO ssma'lze ms plan state
ment as hereucal and unscrpiural fe' am uua-
Die 10 perceive how they sustain denial oil IN
view Of the constantly accumulatng facts OF our
. daily experience. Neritable commun-cauohs arc
now beng gwen and received TO and from the optH
World. To denv this IL simply 10 assert ones lgho-
/ rance Some Of these communications. purportins
/ 10 come from persons Recently deceased arc re-
cognlsed by the deceaSeds most intimate anu IA
mllaI friends as their own peculiar mooe OF expires
sion IN every particular so as to leave no douV 'na'
the Identical deceased persons were feaIiy presehl,
/ commming lntellglbly with their frends IN thls
/ world. These things are now OF such IequtH' O.
curence that any one " no chooses may have oppor-
tunlile. Of witnessing the fact II ! am mol much
mistaken. YOU have yourself, Mr.. Editor been wiz
/ ness on more than one occasion.
! We'll what of IT ?" asks the .keptlc. Nothing
more than this that better FAR 10 tc man az
cordng 10 the true standard Of manhood tAan remain
content with mere SEEMING. Yours. truly
JoHs WHITE, Editor Ns,c Industrial World
Thus far Mr. White Now let u. indicate
wherein his reply seems entirely insufficient
Men In this world are confessedly ignorant
snd at variance with regard to the Future State.
/ Even these best informed see through glass
| daIky' Men who have entered that state do not
necessarily know all thlngs-ln fact, they may
! have very much to lean Hence their reports
10 Us NAV be somewhat dl.cordant So far very
well But we insis, tina, they could not give con
hicting testimonies with regard to their ov-
senfie! condition Here, for instance, are spirits
declaring that there Is 10 such thing as punish
ment or pain beyond the grave, while others give
directly contrary testimony. Some OF those
who aver that there Is no punishment after death
would he pretty sure 20 know the fact Ii there &c
any. Has Mr.. White disposed OF this dscTep-
sncy Not 10 our satisfaction Suppose doz-
tn persons should declare II 4 country Of perpet-
ual most while the ether SIX Pronounced II re-
gIon of intense heat, where the water was al
ways kept at temperature above the boiling
polnt-wculd Il not be sale 70 wait while before
putting implicit trust IN either Would II no,
be at leasta matter OF doub, that they had ever
been IN the Neon ct all We care nothing 8.
10 Ar. Whites views beng stigmatized as ne.
Feiical, We only 60 nj see that lie has made out
his case
M. White refers to cur personal experience
IN the matter OF Spirit Yisltai.ons. We certain.
y have heard sounds fo5 which We could oer
eent 10 earthly cause, and have known re-