New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-10-18

around my neck hy one OF Us strings ""H vas S
frequently with fddle-bow. Ny person was repeat
edy touched, and chair pulled cut from under me-
felt on one my what seemed to be the gup oil
an iron hand felt distinctly the thumb AMI fingers
the palm of the hand and the ball of the thumb and 10
held me fast BY power which | struggled to escape
from il vain. With my other hand felt all around
the spot where the pressure and satisfied myself
that il was no earthly hand that thus holding me
fast nor, indeed could il be. No earthly hand could
thus hold ne, for | was poweress in that grip IS
fly would be in the graspof my hand And it continued
with me until had tried every could devisetO
get rid of it, and rot until thoroughly felt how power
less was did il leave me-"
Still be struggled against conviction. He omitted
nothing which bis ingenuity could devise to detect de-
eopton whether in himself or others. There was no
eav too captious for him to resort o-no scrutiny too
rigid or impertnent 10 nstute-no inquiry too intru-
sve to make. Under these circumstances he could no
longer doubt the testimony of his Watching
the exhibitions Of intelligence thus displayed, for
months and years he could find solution for it than
that it was Of super-terrestrsl origin.
In regard to the practical effect of belief IN Spirit
ualism, Judge Edrnonds discourses at length. From
his remarks On this point we take the following passage
We taught the grand doctrine OF PKOSRks>ON,
whereby learn that the soul Of man is an eanson
from the germ Of the great First Cause. 50 its des-
tiny i toward the source whence II sprang
That neither here in future existence Is gov
erred BY miracle but only by universal laws which were
from the beginning and have end ami in which there
is turning shadow OF change that IN obedience TO
those laws man does not on diving, become Instantly
changed into state Of perfection the hand or OF de
graduation the other nor he condemned to long aud
where the evils of his material life being thrown aside he
is capable Of entering upon and advancing IN the
oect Of his creation and that that object Is Pro-
gression onward, NJ ward toward perfection forever.
And lastly we are taught what is the state OF existence
into which il usheTed after the life earth. IA
under the Mosaic dpenstion mankind were taught the
existence Of God rather than the thousand gods with
mortal attributes then worshped and as under the CHRIS
an dispensaon they taught the immortality OF the
soul and it, existence forever, now under this new dis
pensatlon Is beng revealed to them Tor the hrst une
what that state OF existence t. and how in this life they
may well and wisely prepare 90 enter upon that AMI make
il either undescubatly sorrowl neypressbly happy.
Such the great truths which have CLEANED from my
investigation OF this most mOment0us subject, and con
fess that enter upon the task o laying them before my
fellow with no ordinary fear and trembling, lest
may be unequal TO the great task on which have ven
urd and may in my weakness msload rather than wisely
guide.
have however this abiding consolation that am not
speaking of which revealed to me alone am
dwelling things which come through channels which
accessible 70 me only but in matter which open to
al alike which all may investigate and learn a. have AMI
whore the means Of correcting any error into which may
have fallen within the reach OF any one who IL choose
10 examine for himself with the same earnest and fearless
desire for the truth which has actuaed me Nay more
in which am persuaded that time rolls and mans
nature becomes developed increased facilities
for investigation will be afforded and such examination,
will lie made will test the truth flsohOod OF what
teach nthese thoughts have indeed solace, az they
that cannot permanently njarc where my only
desire has been 10 do good.
But for NV own part will freely confess that there hss
been wrought in my mind The thorough conviction that
these revelations important to man, are inieed OF Tod
and that they spring only from desire in an IN
.eau IN oren Tn
life 10 aid in removing from the eyes OF the wtuy
blind the scales of prejudice and superstition to give
ahope which Is not dependent on the denuncaons
the priest that there is better life beyond the grave
fe in which the spirit unold it. wing- and soar 10 Re
gions where the Spirit OF God is indeed manifest to re
that fear which bows the stoutest heart AMI renders
the rmost mind ready boeverin the taacies which are
taught God revelation and to bring all religion to one
simple point that God i indeed sufficient in himself 10 the
perfection OF that hch is of himself
We have thus given what we deem a fair and impair
al account of the contents of this volume, regarded
from the point of view maintained by its authors On
the whole we consider it plausible defense Of
the theory of spiritual communications than any which
las been previously laid before the public. Many Of
its statements are in the highest degree marvellous, but
with the testimony adduced in their support can hardly
be rejected by the intelligent reader STILL this work
we must confess Ike every one on the subject which
We have examined, fails to convince Us OF the validity
of its pretensions. Admitting the ability and good faith
of the authOrs-which we do not for q moment ques-
on-admittng that the external facts occurred in the
manner here descrbed--there is yet much wanting to
the argument that they to be referred to the agency
Of supra mundane spirits So long as the mysteries OF
animal magnetism remain undeiined-sO long as the
occult powers of the human organization on which the
experience Of every day throws light are not re-
duced within scientific limits-hOw eau we know that
the facts in question may not be accounted fer by the
innate though as yet undeVeloped forces Of the human
soul
The character of the communications, moreover
here ascribed TO Bacon and SwedenbOrg, in our oPin
ion forbds the suppoton of the origin that is claimed
for them Consisting for the most part, of collection
of ethical precePts and theological principles, that
have been familiar for years TO the cOmeOuters Of
every description they exhibit nothing TO remind US Of
the wisdom and profoundness Of those mighty minds
On tie contrary, they bear the same stamp OF myst
csm, yagueness, dream-ke tremulosity, which dstin
guish most Of the illusions Of the pretended spiritual
mediums If I'VE could suppose for moment that Bs-
con and swedenborg had any agency in ndting these
productions, We should only regret that the future
state SO far from being sphere Of progress was re-
gon of senlity and dotage. The may be said Of
the communications attributed 70 Webster. Clay and
Calhoun which if authentic, knock in the head s., our
notions Of probability, derived from internal evidence
We then stand in regard to this question as before
Our verdict can only be A" Not Proven Nor do We
expect anything Immediately satisfactory than Is
here nresented Greater integrity greater lntell-