The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1873-09-05
LETTER FROM LAFAYETTE.

Ny Dear Mrs. Dani1cdy:-The latest
sensations in this vicinity have
been those Of variety, to say the least.
First, we had the Adventists among us,
who held forth night after night
upon "Soul Sleeping" and the literal
resurrection Of the righteous, and final
destruction of the wicked. They seemed
to back their doctrines by Scripture,
and succeeded in making some converts
to the very uncomfortable theory that
death is a sleep from which there is no
immediate awakening. Following these
speakers, which, by the way, believe in
Paul's injunction to women to keep
silence in the Churches, and, to be con-
sistent, employ a woman to do the sing
ing and attract the crowd, came B. +.
Underwood, of Boston, who diseoursed
upon Materialism and Rationalism upon
several occasions. Like the Adventists
he "took" immensely, drawing large
and attentive audiences. After we had
been dosed upon Materialism pretty thor
oughly, we were followed by Mrs. Belle
Chamberlain, the Spiritualist and seer.
The interest in this speaker far excelled
that Of either Of the others. 1 have
been for many years inclining toward
Materialism, and though brought up in
the Church, have lately had distressing
doubts as to the Immortality Of the soul.
To mention these honest doubts to the
minister only brought upon my head
the charge of infidelity, so have kept
my own counsel hitherto. But went
to hear this new speaker with hope OF
gaining light, and justice to the truth
requires me to say that was not disap-
! pointed. When in her normal condl-
tion, Mrs. G. claims that she can both
see and hear spirits, being clairvoyant
and clairaudient. In this way she
gives many striking tests Of a power
and intelligence which she calls spirit,
and which must be spirit II it is any
thing but jugglery. But the most
striking fact connected with her work il
her trance speaking. II she is moi
entranced she is an arch deceiver, whose
ability to play upon the credulity of 6
critical public is past my comprehen
sion. If she is entranced, as she AYERS
and is simply the instrument in th'
hands Of highly intillectcal inhabi
tant of the spheres, she is as medium
between the seen and the unseen, :
most remarkable success. / certainly
never heard her equal for eloquence, o
met anyone in public who was as read,
as herself in giving retort courteous, o
in silencing opponents by ready-mad
logic.
Professor Fowler, says that women
being naturally more spiritual thai
men, are much more susceptible o
spirit influences than men. After
heard Mrs. Chamberlain, 1 was half in
clined to agree with him. Between
Soul Sleeping, Materialism and Spiritu
alism, the people here had such rusl
Of conflicting theories to deal with tina
our church was deserted, and brothe
OpduidAilA NOtCS CCnOCu w WSAA-hA s.
empty benches.
1t strikes me that the time has com
when the Churches must accept tn
fact Of spirit communion as taught II
the Bible, or the people will gradual.
drift away from than. 1 like your the
} ory upon the subject. The Bible Is ful
oft, and ifSabbath-keepers and Church
members hold themselves aloof from II
they must not wonder IL outsiders de
velop from it, as sometimes they do,
theory and practice that are demoraliz
ing. I believe, as you say, that we ca
and do attract just such spiritual iniu
ences as we desire.
But did not intend to write such
letter as this. It has slipped from m
, fingers unawares.
A young gentleman connected wit
: the press OF this village recently ovel
4 stayed little when on an evening visl