The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-08-06
LErrER OF JUDGE EpMoNps ON sp1RITuA1

LETTER OF JUDGE EDMONDs ON SPIRITUAL
Observation-Disclosures DIsCL0sUREs.-A
the high source from which it emanates, has
seldom been promulgated to the world than
that which we publish to-day from Judge Ed
monds The natural inquiries suggested on
reading this astounding chapter OF miracles, are,
has this learned Judge been humbugged in all
these things? Is he perfectly compos mentis !?
Or, have such supernatural transactions taken
place, bona yfde, as set down? And, if SO,
what is to be the end of all this Is the world
to be filled again with ghosts and witches, and
are the dead, like Banquo's ghost, in the midst
of our evening festivities. to walk in and push
us from our stools.o
Read the charge of the learned and respected
Judge to the jury of public opinion. 1t is the
statement of a cool, dispassionate experienced
and educated mind, marked by the method,
reasoning and objects of an enlightened search
er after the truth Such is the intrinsic evil
dence of this extraordinary letter. But can it
be that such man has been humbugged and
victimized with his eyes open, and his judg-
ment predisposed to ridicule and condemnation?
We cannot say, not having been present at
any Of the spiritual exhibitions which are
so graphically summed up by this remarkable
convert to the mysteries Of Andrew Jackson
Davis and the Fish and Fox girls But whe-
Their these demonstrations were from the in
visible powers Of the other world above or be-
low, or by slight of hand, like the COMPUTATIONS
OF the wizards Of our theatres, the Judge is con-
WINGED that they are spiritual manifestations,
and no mistake.
He says that the explanation of the Roches-
ter knockings by the Rev. Chauncey c. Burr
will not do, for that these marvellous things
cannot be produced by the cracking of the
joints of the knees. fingers and toes. Nor has
Professor Farraday settled the table moving
question. 1t might. perhaps. avail to prove
that the table is moved involuntarily by the
circle Of hands placed upon it, when the circle
of hands rest upon the table but that solution
does not answer in the case of a table dancing
about the ROOM solus, or of a sideboard pirou-
citing over the floor without damage to the
crockery. And when a centre table. with a
lamp upon it, rises up in spite Of all efforts
to hold it down, and stands leaning over
at an angle of forty-ive degrees, upon one leg,
the lamp retaining it's place all the time, we must
infer that it is moved W the spirit of the devil.
or Tom Walker. or other sepulchral agency.
Professor Farraday. therefore, has not touched
the real mysteries in question by his scientific
experiments.
Furthermope-and we enter within the
threshold Of these awful revelations with quite
o chilly sensation--though we are still within
the first week Of August furthermore. Judge
Edmonds declares, with all the responsibilities
of a man, a Christian, Judge, and fellow
citizen, before him. that through these much
reviled spiritual mediums his Utmost thoughts,
plans and specuations have been revealed;
and that personal mediums, ignorant OF any
other language than their own. have discoursed
unto him the most eloquent truths of spiritual
philosophy in French, Spanish and Greek.
And much that he has not disclosed in this
letter will be given in his book of revelations,
to be published in September.
Scarcely less astounding than the mysteries
referred to are the statements of Judge Ed
monds concerning the converts to the school Of
spiritual manifestations. He numbers them in
the United States by hundreds Of thousands
and estimates the true believers in this
city at not less than twenty-l or
thirty thousand We are amazed Are
we dreaming, or are we awake? What is
this world coming to II there are hundreds
OF thousands Of believers in these awful spiritual
transactions among the household and kitchen
furniture. what an immense power they hold in
their handsl They may, heuceorward control
all our political elections, State and national,
and upset every party platform they do not like.