Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-08-04


hymns, and talk with him about the affairs of
their short marriage life. On my left sat our
deluded sister; and next but one, a young girl
from Connecticut, about fourteen years old,
and with one of the worst countenances ever
saw on one of her age. 1t was not exactly
vicious, but so exceedingly sinister in its at
tempts to appear at ease-such constrained
air of immobility, such fixed appearance of
being an unconscious subject of an unknown
influence, so determined to know nothing as
to how or why she was necessary to the imam
ifestations,' that | at once fixed my looks Sc
verely upon her, until she averted her eyes,
and refused to encounter the test again. THIS
i0aS the medium.
Next but one to the medium were two YAM
KEGS, fresh from Connecticut also; but they
professed to have been unacquainted with the
girl. Amateurs and reporters, they were the
amanuenses Of the spirits, going round from
city to city, and keeping a record of manifes-
tations, and active in assisting and conducting
the circular conferences; sitting on the edges
Of their chairs, leaning towards the table, their
feet thrust under it to the full length of their
lower limbs, and digging their bOot-heels into
the carpet. The instant the first raps were
heard, they became earnest and excited and
pulling out book and pencil, were literally,
'chiels amang us takin' notes. They proved
TO be important parties in the course of the
nights experiments. In all about thirty were
present.
And there we sat, 'all in row. silent asa
Quaker-meeting, the lamp burning in our cen
tre, and stealing glances round at each other,
and waiting the coming of the spirits. /
could not restrain the twitching of my risi-
bles as watched the Pickering shades of ex-
preston crossing and mingling in my mind,
reflected from the countenances of those before
me. To change the train of thought, star
tied them all by suddenly calling out, well,
why don't you hurry up them spirits!' The
sister demonstrated. | replied, why don't
you inquire if any of them are about; they
may be waitingl Don't you know that, ac-
cordlng to the old rule, ghost can't speak
frstp 20, they will let you know as soon as
they are here 'How!' They'll rap all
around. Be still and listen.' Another long
silence ensued, which suddenly broke again
i had no notion of letting a false awe per-
wade and prepare the uncommitted ones. To
prevent this, cried out, in sharp, quick
voice, Are there any spirits here,' Tip, tip,
krick, came soft, rapid tapping, just at the
edge of that girls dress-ali was attention.
There, now,' | cried, i thought could wake
them up In moment or so the man with
the book solemnly inquired if the spirits were
ready to hold communion. Tip, tip, tip, came
the raps. Shall we open in the usual way!'
Tip, tip, tip, again. Three tips, it seems,
mean yes two tips, no; five is the call for
the alphabet, &c. 'Who shall open!' Tip,
tip, tip, tip, tip-the alphabet, b, c, d, e, f,
g, h, I'D, &C., solemnly repeating his a, b, c's,
in tone of doubling inquiry. Like an ur-
chin eyeng the ferule, did that man with the
book proceed until he arrived at m, when tip
came the rap, and he stopped short. A, b, c,
again, until was reached, when he brought
up as though he had been suddenly seized
with the hiccnps. Mr.. mister!' tip, tip, tip,
yes. A, b, c, he resumed, until the first
letter of my own name was reached, when tip,
and he stuck pin there. %, Mr.. -, you
mean Tip, tip, tip quick came the raps, as
though the spirit was glad to escape the rest
Of his a, b, c's. what chapter shall we readl'
The fourth chapter Of Matthew was spelled
out. felt uneasy; there was something like
irreverence, thought but as all were SOL
emn, ] read after which few verses were
sung, during which the spirit kept very good
time by rappng tip at every syllable in
very edifying manner. We knelt to pray, and
after humbly deprecating the Divine displeas-
ure, if we were not doing right, asked Of
were deluded TO which the rapper gave de-
cded amen BY three distinct and firm taps
After few moments silence, we fixed the
mode of proceeding. The bookman wished to
60 round the circle. l objected il was late
many Of those present had enjoyed the privi-
lege; we had come TO test the matter They
had been through the mill so often, and we,
the greenhorns, wanted chance, and ought 10
have it, first. / had no notion TO let the inili-
ated ones pre-occupy the minds, and give the
medium a cue, by asking questions which
would put her or others on their guard, and
give information. Ii was permitted me TO be-
gin. asked, If any spirit would speak with
met Tip, tip, tip, in quick succession, as
though impatient. who are youl' The a b
was said until first t. and then again was
pronounced. %, father, is i'll Tip, tip, tip
yes. well, old gentleman, how long have
you been deadl' co. said the bookman,
they do not admit that they are dead 'Ex-
cuse me, sir, if / request you not to interfere /;
| can manage, should think, short chat with
my father, without prompting The spirit
very compIacently kept silent during this in
terruption. The question was repeated. Tip,
Zip, tip, tip-tip-tip, fainter and fainter
died the sounds away, as though the toes had
tired, or the electricity was exhausted. Only |
eleven, big and little, were counted. why,
old fellow, you don't keep lally down there !
Eleven why, its nearer forty than eleven, ac-
cOrding TO earthly dates Come, that's too
bad failure! Well try again. | sunnose