Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1854-04-22
SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATIONS.
8 lNsrnuerlvE pEnArE ~ rlIE SENATE

SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATIONS
INTERESTING q INSTRUCTIVE DEBATE IN THE SENATE
lnlhe Senate, on Monday, Mr.. SHIELDS present.
ed a memorial from N. p. Talmadge ana 49, 900
citizens OF the United States, asking the appoint
nent OF scientific committee 10 investignte GER
tam physical and mental pier ofquestiona-
able origin anil myterions import, that have of late
occurred IN this country and Europe.
Mr.. S. had the petition rolled up, and playfuliy
observed that, from its immense size, the Senate
might suppose it remonstrance against the pas
sage of the Nebraska Bill. Itwas, however, one
OF very different import; and he observed that
partial analysis OF the phenomena attest:
First. Anoccult force, whic is exhibited in
sliding, raising, arresting, holding, suspending,
and otherwise disturbing ponderaDe bodies. appa-
rently in direct opposition to the acknowledged
laws of matter, and transcending the accredited
power of human mind.
Secondly. Lights OF various forms and colors
and OF different degrees OF intensity, appear in
dark rooms, where chemical action OR phoSphoreS-
cent illumination cannot be developed, and
where there are no means of generating electEici-
ty or of producing combustion.
Thirdly. variety of sounds, frequent in oc-
currence and diversified in character and of singu-
lar Significance and import, consisting of myseri
Gus rappng indicating the presence OF invisible i'll
telligence. Sounds are often heard like those
Produced by The prosecution of mechanical opera
uous, like the hoarse murmurs of the winds and
waves, mingled with the harsh creaking noise OF
sea. Conclusions also occur resembling distant
thunder, producing oscllatcry movements of sur
rounding objects, and tremulous motion Of the
premises upon which these phenomena OCCUR
harmonious sounds as of human voices, and other
sounds resembling those of fife, drum, trumpet,
&C., have been produced without any visible a
gency.
Fourthly, All the functions of the human body
and mind are influenced, in What appear 10 be GER
tain abnormal states of the system, by causes not
yet adequately understood or accounted for. The
Occult farce or invisible power, frequently inter-
rupts the normal operation of the faculties, sus-
pending sensation and voluntary motion, and re-
ducing the temperature Of the body 10 a deathlike
GOODNESS and rigidity; and diseases heretofore con-
sdcted incura6le have been entirely eraJicattd by
this mysterious agency.
The petitioners proceed 10 state that two opin-
ions prevail with respectto The original phenomena.
One ascriLes them 10 the power and intelligence of
departed spirits, operating upon the elements
which pervade'gall material forms; the other re-
jects this conclusion, and contends that all these
results may be accounted Tor i'll rational and
satisfactory manner.
The memorialists, while thus disagreeine MS 10
the causes, concur in opinion as TO the occurrence
OF the alleged phenomena, and, in yew OF their
origin, nature, aud bearing upon the interests of
mankind, demand for them patient, rigid, scien-
tltic investigations. and request the appointment
OF a scientific commission Tor that purpose.
have now given a faithful synopsis of this
petition, which, however unprecedented in itself,
has been prepared with singular ability, present.
ing the subIectwith great delicacy and moderation
make II rule 10 present any petition to the
Senate whichls respectful in its terms, upon any
subject which the petitioners may desire to bring
to the attention of this body. But, having dis
charged this duty, i may be permittelrto saytha
the prevalence OF this deluson at this age OF the
world, amongst any considerable portion of citi-
gems, must origian;e in my opinion, IN defective
system of education, or in partial arrangement
OF the mental faculties, produced by a diseased
condition OF the physical organization, cannot
fbRF 1.also hat 80
dicated in the petition. Different ages of the world
have had their peculiar decisions. Alchemy occu-s
pied the attention of eminent men for several cen.
turies. But there was something sublime in al
chemy. The philosophers stone, or the transmu.
aton Of base metals into gold, the elrir piie. or
water OF life, which would preserve youth and
beauty, and prevent old age, decay, and death,
were blessings which poor humanity ardently de-
sired, and which alchemy sought to discover by
perseverance, and piety. -,
Roger Bacon, one of the greatest alchemiss
and greatest man Of the thirteenth century, W hist
searching for the philosophers stGne, discovered
the telescope, burning glasses, and ;gunpowder-
The prosecution of that deluson led, therefore 10
a number of useful discoveries. In the sixteenth
century iourished Cornelius Agrippa, alchemist.
asroioger, and magician, one of tile greatest pro-
lessons OF hermetic PHI losophy that eyerlyetI He
had all The spirits of the air aud demons the
earth under his command. Paulus Joyius saws
'that the devil, in the shape Of alarge black dog,
attended Agtippa wherever he ,went.'' Thomas
Erasmus, and other learned men, Agrppa called
up from the grave several of.the great philosophers
OF antiquity: among Others, FULLY, whom he
caused to redeliyer his celebrated Grafton fnr
Roscius." 10 please the Emperor, Charles tbe
Filth, he summoned King David and King Solomon
from the tomb, and tile Emperor convcrsed with
them long on the science of government This
was glorious exhibition Of spiritual power, COM
pared with tue Insignificant manifestations Of the
present day.
will pass over the celebrated Paracelsus for
the purpose of making allusion to an Englishman.
with whose yeracious history every one ought to
make himself acquainted. In the 18th century
Doctor Dee made such progress inthe ",ralmudic
Mysteries" that be acquired ample power to hold
learn from shem all the secrets of the UNIVERSE
On one occasion the angel Uriel gave him black
crystal of convex form, which he had only 10
gaze upon intently, and by strong effort of the
VIII lie could summon any spirit he wished to re-
veal to him the secret of luturity. Dee IN hs
yeracions DlaIy.ssays that one day, while he W as
sitting with Albertus Laski, a Polish nobIemanss
sthere seemed oicome out of the oratory spirit.
ual creature like pretty girl OF seven or nine
years of age, alfred on her head. with her bar,
rolled up before and hanging dow lebind; witlfai
gowno OF silk of changeab,e red and green; and
with a tram. She seemed to play up and down.
and as she seemed to go between; them, the books
displaced themselves; and made room for Lers,-a
ThisiI call spiritual manifestation of the most
interesting and facnating kind. Even the very
books felt the fascinating inf nence of this
ual creature" for ssthey .splaced themseIyesant
made way for her. Edward Kelly. an Irishmans
who was presentand who,witne sseds this beauti.s
inl2 appartion, syerifies the Doctors statement
therefore, II would be unreasonable TO Doubt \ 81
Story SO well attested. DR.. Dee was the disiin-
gntshses lasonte Kings and Queens iprooithat