Wabash express. [volume] (Terre-Haute, Vigo Co[unty], Ind.) 1841-186?, 1856-09-03


Fer IA E<press-
Nov concerning spiritual gifss. brethren.
~osid not havsyoa ignofant--l cs'r'sfAssast |
Fis.
MR. Hupsos: A few days ago. IN Gin
cinna,i. met. at tie house Of Mr.. Isaac
A. Hedges. a Mr.. Van Week. Of N. York.
Who. a, the request Of Mr.. H.. favored US
with certain 'physieal manifestations by
spirits" which were truly interesting. In
a darkened room. in which were seated,
the medium. on one side OF table; on
another side. a. the lef. hand Of Mr.. ",
was Mr.. X; myself In front ofthe medi.
um. and Mr.. and Mrs. Hedges on the 9TH
er side, musical instruments were made to
leave the table without the aid Of mortal
hands and pass around the room while
the strings were played upon.
The Instruments were guitar and two
banios. all Of which were sometimes flying
about and played upon at the same mo-
ment.
To satisfy us that no fraud was practi-
oed, the medium asked Us IL We would tie
him. which we declined doing because
we could conceive Of no reason why he
might desire TO deceive us. and. moreov-
er, we had confidence in Mr.. Hedges as
surance that tying the medium would not
prevent the manifestations. Mr.. Ii. told
us, that. the evening previous, his broth
err. who was an unbelieyer, being present,
and being supplied with any quantity OF
rope and twlne for The purpose. proceed
cd TO secure Mr.. V. to chair, first by IT,
inc his wrists down to me pests Of the
chair at the sides and then his feet 10 front
The rope was tied with knot upon knot,
and, besides, upon the knot welted lwine
was wound and tied. Mr.. Hedges broth
er occupied thirty minutes in making the
fasteniDgs and was satisfied that no one
could undo them in the time taken to
make them. Some persons present fear
ed lhat the mediums wrists would be IN
jured SO tightly were they tied and bound
round and round by the rope In such q
condition, Mr.. Van Week was placed in .
room alone and the doors shut. when the
instruments were moved in the same
manner as when his hands and feet wer.
free; and, moreover, in eleven minutes
(the time was particularly noticed) til,
ropes were tern of and broken in pieces
and thrown against the door next to those
who were listening in surprise at wha
was going on between the medium ans
bis spirit friends.
Mr. Editor; in matters Of this kind yos
have heard that frauds have been practi
ced, and that they have been detected anc
exposed, but in the instance l have giver
you ! cannot be persuaded that we were
deceived. The young man had no inter
est in practicing fraud upon us. III,
was to leave Cincinnati for home the mex
morning and be could have declined 4
exhibit 10 Us the manifestations withou
giving odsnss, but yet be said, IA mould
With pleasure, give Us IN opportunity o
witnessing the operations OF the spirits. ]
the room could be prepared 50 ~ to "a
nit Of them. it Was ia the afternoon. abou
4 O'Clock Of clear day. He had no ex
pectssion Of receiving pay for what b
was to do 10 please persons who we're en-
tire strangers to him; and would he. dea
sir. have suggested the tying il he desires
to impose upon usl
1 Some persons, especially sectarians
having heard that frauds have been dc
tected in those protesting to give spiritua
manifestations, contend on that accoanl
in everything Of the kind there is "hum
bug" Their wish is father Of the thought
Would il not be as fair. sir, to say. tha
because one. two or more preachers hav
been hypocrites and criminals. and hav
been tried and found guilty. therefore. a
clergymeu are scoundrelsl
/ Mr.. Van Week promised TO visit Teri,
Hauie. the coming fall or winter provide
means could be furnished to pay his e,
penses. Should he come hther. all ma
, have an opportunity Of Witnessing the mar
ifesta,ions, and detecting any fraud III.
may be attempted. And would it not
well that in such an opportunity as well a
in all others of the kind. every one shoul
endcavor to learn that ST. Paul spoke TN
: ly when he said, "but the manifestatio
! Of the spirit is given to every man to pr,
5 ht withsll.' .. L. ID.
. Our friend. Judge VIM. s. Hclnan. 81 A.
+ rora. who has always been a democrat, fro
' his boyhood. aud who was the old line cand
e date Tor Congress IN the Gth District. two yea