American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-02-14
"spiritual Manifestations"

We, too, as well as the rest of mankind.'
have had our season Of " spiritual nantes
ta,ions,' in table-,ippng, rapping, writing.
etc. All, doubtless, remember the excite
ment two or three years ago in our goodly
borough, and what miracles were passed
from mouth to lip as having been wrought
through esprit" agency. Among the ex-
traordinary manifestations quoted 10 con-
firm the doctrine Of 'spiri,ualism' WAS the
production Of music" by "spirits" in Il
"circle - al Cumberland, MI. This was at
the time, regarded as a poser and i, has
not until recently leaked out, how the 'mu-
SIC was produced. The story is rich one,
aud we subjon 1t as published in the Cum.
berland Telegraph of January 90.
"The Jokers and the Spirit Rappers.-
will be recoliected that two or lh,ee years
since some excitement was created in this
CITY by the sprit-rappIng mania All sorts
OF marvellous things were said TO have been
done by The spirits, and amongst them was
the wonderful production oi music in IT'S
most eloquent form, coming Il, the hi iding
OF the medium rolling in rich pillows around
the room: fascinating the hearers wi h It's
exquisite melody aud then isappsaring as
Unexpectedly as 1t came. IL WAS the town
talk Tor a fortnight or more, anIl many were
The surmlSes III regard to it. Believers IN
spiritual revelations, and the advocates OF
that monster humbug maintained that It
was a genuine spiritual manifesto ton. II
could he nothing else. Not musical in
sroment, said they, was in the room. One
! could not bo concealed in the room, because
| there was no place Of cUncealment The
| nnbeIlevers said it was humbug--a men.
! tai Northumberland that rredence could
/ not be- given to the story by any sane per
| son. The dispute waved warm as tie tenn
/ peIs OF The two parties waxcd wIoth. But
! the mystery was never tisiact0rilya eX-
| plained. We are glad 10 have it i'm our
! power TO lay the matter ''opem to the core -
! The truth lies in u nut she'll. The spirit
mania got 10 be nuisance of the worst wa
ter. Spiritual manifestations formed the
| sole topic OF conversation. II was a bDre
and 10 get rid OF il several young men, fond
| OF pra C,ica joke, concluded to play OF a
rick on The believers, get them to proclaim
! The leaf, aud Then blow on them. Their
| plan was carried out. They resortrd TO the
usual meeting room OF the spiriluaists, and
managed to make The table rap out tina, on
a nlgnt named lie spirit Of certain lady
would manifest her presence by playing
| upon musical instrument. On the eve.
| nmg designated there was re- union OF the
spritualstS. la grave silence, without the
] moving Of muscle OF a single COunienance
| the comspirators seated themselves around
| the table. Tho table said that the spirit
was present, and after few preliminary
| questions, the spirit was inlerrogat ted by
the chiet performer as 10 what instrument
1 MIA h.. al l..
lug over the various odern instruments,
and rapping ont negative, for the spirit,
10 each OIe modern instrument, did moi
suit the split, because. it did rot suit the
convenIence OF these practical jokers. The
jewish Harp was at length selected by the
! spirit II was asked if IT was ready. An
affirmative answer was given. A now be.
came as silent as the chambers Of the dead
| save The quckened pulsations OF the heart.
| The conspira,ors sat moionless as statues.
Amid the awful Stiffness food Of melody
such, il was said, as never was produced by
mortal hands, came rolling upon the ear
| For moment all seemed iransfiyed with
establishment and then, as if by common
impulse, every auditor bounded to his feet
| rs quickly as if he had just discerned tina,
ne was setting upon nest Of SCORPIONS
Chairs flew one way, the table another, and
a scene OF the utmost confusion preya lied.
Quiet being restored, the believers i'm spirit
uaIism were jubiaut with Joy, ard went
| forth to herald TO The world this new proof
OF the spiritual science. What credepce
was given to the tale we have related. The
funloving conspirators confided their Sc.
cset to but few. ltreached our ears One
Of them had previously fastened common
musical box TO his boot leg, with two strings
| fastened TO the sides, one 10 start and The
Their 10 stop the music. These strings were
passed mp inside the leg Of his pants into
his pockets, and by pulling them he could
start or stop the music. And thus it was
| that they produced this celestial music %