The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1852-03-26
SPIRITUAL RAPPINGS.

Every one has heard of certain spiritual
manifestations in various parts of the Union
by rappings and other mysterious sounds
There appears in the general acceptances of
these occult signs us evidences Of the eyis-
tencc of spirits to be no limit to popular
delusion. 1t meets us constantly in one form
or other The progress ofntelligcnce seems
to form no check or impcdimcnt to supersti-
ton even in the educated classes Of society.
Our readers would be surprised to know the
number Of intelligent persons in the United
States who have avowed their belief in the
spiritual rappings. A lecture in Boston on
this new humbug explains in the following
plausible manner the phenomena of this
delusion:
The action of mind upon matter furnished
many striking and beautiful analogics with
the manifest ltions which were ascribcd to
spiritual agencies. BY experiments with the
galvanometcr, especially by Detrochct and
Mantcucc it had been shown that the electric
current was affected by the force OF volition.
But the influence of mind was till more obvi-
Gus in the case OF organic bodies. As the
earth cyhllcd its atmosphere, every human
being WIS surrounded with Il certain sphere,
within which Il peculiar influence was exertcd
on all who came in contact with it. A man
of Il firm, strong, positive character acted by
his mere presence alone, on those of an
inferior temperament A secret virtue cma-
mated from him, moulding the will of others,
and attracting all within the sphere Of his
sympathics. This is the explanation of the
excitement of public meetings. An original,
vigorous, nobly gifted mind carried captive
the impressible multitude. A positive will
has effect even over the external elements.
1t can ward oil the attacks of cold, pain and
disease. No one who strcnuously ressts the
weather is in danger of being frozen to death.
The lecturer said he was himself living
instance Of the power of the will to overcome
disease. From IN habitual invalid he had
become man of strong health, and this WAS
effected by the simple power Of voltion.
With such instances of the sovereignty OF
mind over matter, it is not surprising that
disembodicd spirits should be able to act
within our material sphere. They, we must
believe, have the same affections, the same
interests. the same ties which they cherished
on earth The departed mother could not
forget the darling Of her bosom because she
was separated from it by death. Why, then.
should not an Intercourse be maintained
between this world and another! Still, we
should not regard it us violation Of natural
laws >lf thVtable were to rise, without the
apSN! !sAn VI any visible force, it would
indced~5c contrary to the law of grayitation;
but THO effect would be explained by the
action 81 spmc higher law. The whole
anaolgy of t,e Universe shows that the
grosscr forms of matter are controlled by
those of greater refinement and subtlcty. On
this ground, srid the lecturer, we believe the
spiritual manifestations may be accounted for.
At all events, they present noble and curl
Gus subject of Investigation. There are now
over 6o, 1000 persons in the United States who
believe in their reality. Among this number
ire men of intellect, of education, of high
standing in society, Senators in Congress,
and Judges in our Courts. II they are Il
dcIusion, the persons around our own fire
sides are liable to fall into it. 1t is too late to
dismiss them with a sneer. They court
inquiry and examination. Let it be given
without stint.