New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-08-07
sPIRITUALIsM vs.. ORTHODOXY.
Both Sides OF the Question-Trnps, Wires
springs md Hammers-Gen. jackson
md Yankee Doodlc-Mrs. T.. II. French
md thr Rev. Dr. Madison.

On the west side of the town, on that avenue
so noted for the number OF scars and the urbaniy OF
their conductors is situated certain building known
as Metropolitan Hall. and famous a. tho head
quarters Of Sprituasm in this city. 1t Is one OF the
most interesting and amusing OF the places Of Sunday
resort within the confines Of city and Is filed every
Sunday afternoon by those who believing In the doc
trne seek for instruction. and those who. disbeevnR
seek Cor amusement During the past four weeks the
believers aud disbeNevers have been holding forth on
the merits Of the question: Has Spirtualism any
foundation In truth or IL haucnation without any
authority Of Jesns Christ' The question has excited
much interest The clergy have been invited but as
general class, refused on account OF the day. The
debate rs continued yesterday afternoon. and was In
the highest degree entertaining.
The meeting was called to order by tho Chairman,
who read the rules BY which the debate was governed
He said that the meeting Lad been held up TO rdcue
on preceding Sunday by one OF the NewYork papers
on account OF q passage at arms which had occurred
after the regular adjournment Of the meeting and ex
pressed the hope that this would not be repeated In the
fntnre lie said the meeting had been continued now
for four weeks and he thought 1t nearly time TO be
brought to close lie had hoped that hs clergy would
have taken part but they had refused. not believing
they could argue tho question with propriety on the
Sabbath. He announced as me hTst speaker Prof.
MADISON 10 whom was allotted 80 minutes 10 expose
the whole jugglery Of Modern Spirtualism." This
was said sarcastically.l
SPEECH OF PROF. MADISON.
lie said the question was, Is there any truth In
Spritualisni" lie had had great experience in Spirit
uasm from its first inception down to the present time
lie would state only that which he had himself seen.
only that which his senses had proven. Since he
had attended these meetings he had heard nothing TO
show the first thing In regard to the truth o. spiritual
ism II they were really honest In their belief and
Spriuaism itself founded in TRUTH the best thing they
could do to help their cause along would be to come
forward and give practical den0Esrdti0n This they
never had done. Why Because they dare not. lie
challenged any Spiritualst who was present TO come
forward and give n practical demonstration. II they
would he would engage TO find the spirit and show II
10 the audience between his thumb and forefnger II
it was raDping, he would fluid the rapper; II II was
writing, no would expose the writer; II playing
on the piano. be would point out the player.
The people twero much .more eager to DC humbugged
than 10 md out the truth The speaker then described
the rise Of Spiruallsm IN Rochester and gave minute
account Of It's exposure in Troy lie said that for four
years the Spritnasts made the old Iabernice in that
city the headquarters of their manifestations that they
had five places whe raps could be heard on the walls
great bell called the ''mikman's bell hung over tho
spea kcrs platform. which square box some five
feet IN hight; that there was piano In the room which
played certain airs without anyone near u. After this
had been going for some four years, the building
secretly bought from the owner by gentleman of
Troy who wished TO erect block OF buildings the site
The Sprituass held their usual meeting and early ext
morning workmen were engaged In tearing 1t down:
They cOmcnced ut the roof but had scarcely reached
the cornics when they camo across humber Of wires
tracing them they found they led 10 little wooden ham.
Iners, some five in number. placed where tho rapping
sounds had proceeded from, thence underneath the
speakers platform. The piInoit found had been
most ngeniously tempered with. To each key
was connected wire; this passed down through the
legs, made hollow TO suit tho scheme, into another
room, and there attached 10 key board where. by a
mos. ingenious contriyance. person enabled to
play upon the piano with the and
though seated at the instrument Those engaged In
tearing down tho building knowing him to be greatly
interested In rual matters sent word that he should
como and view them. which he did, and handled them,
visited by hundreds and he called upon any one
present acquainted with Troy to deny the first thing he
had said. lie gave another instance A friend OF MS
the Hon. Jacob NJ. Howard M. c.. from Detroit. was
visiting in this city. A few weeks previous his sister
Mrs. Mary Cutler. had died. The papers gave an
euogy upon her life and character under the name OF
Mary i. Hordrd. This Bondst. medium. Who SHOWS
names written In blood upon lis arm, learning he was
stopping at certain hotel in this city sent decoy 70
become acquainted with him. This decoy formed his
acquaintance. and in company with the speaker he
visited the Bondst medium. The usual programme
was gone through. Tho spirits wrote the name
Mary i. UoxaTd On ~ am ID WVV~