Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-08-27
The Spirits-An Interesting Letter
AbOut the DisembOdfed- How u
"Medium" Performed with Plan

chette.
RICHMOND. VA, August 22. 1859.
To the Editors Of the Enquirer;
have been in this city some days, and
the revival excitement has carried me
along from place to place, until reached
a circle of Spiritualism. who have the
habit of meeting every Sunday evening
to receive religious communications from
the spirit world. Having heard much OF
these phenomenal manifestations, and
desiring settlement of my mind in re-
lation to them, l sat down in the circle,
after an introduction to the principal me-
dium and other lights of the order, and it
was not long before the medium COM
menced jerking, and, indeed, her writh-
ings, spasms and contortions to me be-
came alarming.
Mr.. M. remarked: ave shall have
something very interesting, and, | think,
very instructive here tonight. Let our
souls be turned to cordial welcome OF
our spirit friends, and turned to heavenly
considerations" The medium seized q
Panchette, and the instrument com
meuced qsiveripg, and wrote ont the
name Of Joseph John Gurney. When in
the body this man was noted preacher
among the Friends, and for moral worth
and religions excellence he had no supe-
riors. The following thoughts of the
good man were written ont.
"MY DEAR AND BELOVED rRIEgps !:
| have been groaning under the most
mighty conesrp that has ever oppressed
nv soul in either earth or spirit life, and
su thankful that this evening Ends me
and you with favorable surroundings and
conditions to give relieving utteraHces OF
my thoughts am concerned to see
friends associated with UNCONVENTIONAL
rauters, who, by their habits and asso-
Citations, have ever occupied an antago-
nism to our holy religion. They are con-
yipcinC the world that the still small
voice that controlled and sweetened our
communion ip ether days was not the
voice of our Heavenly Father that He
is God who delights in noise, singing
and shouting exercises.
"This mode of worship has tendency
to change the Quaker from his meek and
quiet deportment toward God and bis
fellow beings into that ranting impru-
dence and bold unthoughtfainsss that is
never seen in the true followers Of the
meek and lowly Jesus.
II pray these few thoughts may be
seriously considered By Friends every
where; that they may inquire for the
old paths, aud walk therein. Good
night"
Mr.. NJ. being seeing medium, re-
marked that Joseph had convoy of in
telleetual Friends with him, and might
expect other and perhaps more interest
lag communication. The medium
jerked, the Planchette quiyered, end ths
name of George Fox was announced, end
we had the following written out;
"When the people called Friends first
had denominations existence, our
faith was approved and took hold of the
promises of God, And they became ht
once a power in thu earth. That faith
hat works BY love d puriies the heart
was ours and, guided by the holy spirit,
our foTris of worship were simple, and
our testimonies against fashionable dress,
war. slavery and intemperanee. gas sp-
proved, and by the Father Of lights
Look now at the compass. Whittier bss
our craft dfiited, tc the right or left-to