The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-12-13
LLDGE EDMONDS, LECTURE.


Judge Edmonds delivered two lectures on Spiritual
ism, at the Law Buildings, corner Of st. Paul and
Lexington streets, yesterday. of which, want of
space prevents from publishing in today's issue,
more than one-that delivered in the morning. He
said that he had little taste and less time orlecturng
and it was only owing to the reports which
were in circulation, to the effect that he had re-
nouuced ESpritualism," that he was there. He |
desired to silence such rumors by public denial |
He stated that the lecture he about to deliver
was the same which he had delivered in New York |
city n fortnight since, and which had been the
subject of newspaper comment. He referred par
tcularly to article which appeared in one of the
daily papers of this city, and spoke of the high tone
which pervaded the article and the fairness and
justice with which it spoke of the lecture. He
then took up his subject, remarking that it was one
which was intensely interesting to millions of per-
sons 1t confined to no locality or people
Its adherents were to be found in all countries. Its
influence was felt everywhere-in the church, on
the bench in the jury-box. and in all conditions OF
life. He then referred to its origin which he dated
back about ten years, and asked what it was that
had given rise to this unusual spread of theory,
which was styled deception and falsehood. 1t
was a very easy matter to denounce theory or
doctrine, to call it a deception and fraud, but 1t
another thing to prove it such. All intu-
ences had been brought to bear against it, but
tEefe nau DGcn Sl9ndl ldluTe 10 prove II Il NeCCp
ton. He would first speak of the physical evi-
dences of its truth The most prominent of these
were "rappings and other sounds; the ''moving"
of tables, chairs, and other articles. The fact that
tables and chairs have moved. without the use of
anv physical force, he said was undeniable Not
only did they move, but they also conversed intel
| igentlv. They could speak in any language; and
not only answer correctly questions when asked,
but answered mental questions, without the subject
! of such mental question being made known Pieces
of inanimate matter have been known to prophecy
and foretell events far distant in the future They
have also he said, told talsehoods to the detrment
! of those holding communion with them which
conclusive proof that the influences which were
| operating through the means of these inanimate
things had wills, which could not be controlled by
| human power. The same features which charac-
terze the spiritual workings in one locality, pre-
vail in all localities. No mortal agency, he be-
! Geved, could work these wonders and mar
| vels. No satisfactory explanation had been or
can be given for these amazing phenomena,
except that they the result of spiritual agen-
cies. If the theory of Spirituaism was false, 1t
would long since have been exposed. Its adherents
| embrace all classes and conditions of people, the
poor well the rich, and the temptation to eI-
pose it, if possible, is great. Yet among all its dis
ciples, there has never been a Peter to deny or
Judas to betray it. Other physical evidences were
the playing of musical instruments, and the moving
of persons from one part of the room to another,
without touching the floor. Pianos have been
played without the touch of human hands, and
horns have been blown by invisible lips. There Is
He then referred to the religious influence OF
Spiritualism, contending that its tendency was to
purify the heart and elevate the soul 1t furnished
the most conclusive evidence of God and immortali-
tv. The evidence of immortality which nature
offers not convincing, but that Of Spritualism
is beyond all doubt and cavil. You can hold
converse with those who have lived and died, and
know by actual communication, of their existence
in a spiritual state. Such belief is calculated to
refine natures and give force and tullness to all
the nobler qualities of our being; 1t inculcated
l. 4 81
of true religion. Yet some of the clergy are
pleased to style it the work of the devil If this Is
the work of the devil, he asked, where should we
look for the work of God, or how shall He be known
The lecturer then remarked, that throwing aside
all these convincing physical evidences, he could
still prove the truth of Spiritualism by Spiritual
facts. He said there some 'medtants" who
could see spirits, and converse with them: they car
also see things far distant, and know what Is trans
piring miles away-even in the planets; see hand
writing on the wall, and hold communion witt
the dead, as though they were living on The
EARTH The lecturer here related an incident o
his own experiences he said that he saw hi
t daughter when she a visit to Boston, ant
4 he in his library in New York. lie saw
e her on two occasons-once when she was in a room
in house in the former city, surrounded by Vlsl
tors, some of whom he recognized, and again wheI
she had left Boston, to visit friend in New Hamp
shire; although he was not aware that she had thel
# left Boston; he saw her-recOgnized the c6mpan'
she with, and the house and farm of the trien
e whom she visiting. He next referred to ''wri
e ting mediums" stating that the pen CONTROLLED
|, by an invisible power, and the thoughts and word
J. were other than human. He referred to what h
, | called the hearing of the heart, stating that tn
e sweetest communion could be held with the deat
o by this He also spoke of ''healing med
uHes, and stated instances where persons had bee
e cured of diseases, by this class OF communicate
Df They not only able to cure bodily aliction
a but also to relieve the mind, of terrible maladie
l. He illustrated the meaning Of this last remark
is the following anecdote. gentleman who ha
l. long been known as a most exemplary man. and
kind indulgent father and husband, became posse
o. sed of au evil spirit, which made him cruel to h
IN family and wicked in other respects. lie came
r. Judge Edmonds and stated his case. After sho
IN communication with the sprit-world, it was fou1
that the spirit of a very bad man, who had died
r California, was affecting him. 1t was speedily +
r. moved, but upon leaving the patient it enter
. Judge EDMoNDs, and harassed him for twenty-fo
on hours in a similar manner, when he, too, got rid
It, it. The lecturer stated that "healing medium.
could cure insanity, and cited instances to susta
the statement.
at He then closed by asking how, in the face
a. all these facts, Spirtuasm could be called dece
Il, ton.
,iy The beginnings for New York Methodist His
lie rical Society have been in progress for some t
lr years. But at length the Society has been regu
Ter ly organized, and is now ready for active effo
toward gathering up and preserving the eal
re- memorials and "reminiscences early Methodism
to this country. The Rev. DR.. Bangs is Preslde
a and the Rev. David Terry, Secretary me Ann. M .
,at Minutes of the Methodist Episcopal Churcn l9r
mt year 1885,. makes volume OF three hun'''e" "
fifty pages.