The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-12-01

A Seanee mt Hornbr00k'sH all--Hum-
buggery--wise and Pious Rehec'
.tiOns. Hr.
Editors OF the Register.
On Sunday evening there was small
gathering at Hornbrook's Hall to see the
wonderful things said to be performed
through Charles II. Reed, q celebrated (O
medium, by the spirits. Mr.. Reed, after
getting on the stage, remarked that ne
always read poem or n piece OF a poem
before commencing his performance
proper. He then read the last part OF a
poem entitled "The Voice Of Pebble
What the voice of a pebble had to DO
with the voice of a spirit or spiritual
performance was not just exactly PLAIN,
though to a looker-on it seemed like a
dodge to kill time and make people be-
lieve they were getting the worth OF
their money by the length Of the per-
Torrance.
Well, after this "Voice Of a Pebble"
was heard, the gentleman placed two
chairs upon Tho stage, in front, and about
one foot apart. He then sat down in one
of them and invited any two gentlemen
in the audience to tie him securely in 1t.
After talking and whispcringa few mo
ments, two Of the audience went upon
the stage to tie him, but instead of these
two gentlemen being allowed to do all
the tying, a third party, IN the shape OF
Mr.. Reeds agent, stepped up and began
manipulating the cords, TO what extent L
am unable to say, though to say the least
it looked suspicious. L..
After he was thus securely tied, to all
appearances, he requested the lights to be
turned out This agent attending to this part
of the perfSrmance,) No sooner was the
light out, than shutting and hard breath
ing was heard, the medium in the mean
time keeping up sort of running con-
yersation of this sort: "This gentleman
is doing-this now-hold OH there
careful! careful! guess all is done
that will be done-strike the light" The
light being struck the audience sec him
sitting there tied to the original chair
securely, with the other chair upon his
lap, and one Of the cords with which he
was tied passing between its rungs and
the seat. Another performance is to
take e tumbler of water, and place it on
the crown of his head while he is tightly
bound hand and foot, the water being
placed some distance off. Still another
is to take a ring from his little finger
and sticl; it in his ear, and still another
is to pull his coat off while thus tied, not
Il knot being disturbed.
Can any one be foolish enough to be-
lievc such an entertainment was gotten
I'D by spirits? Have individuals, who
have gone out Of the body, who are sup
posed to dwell in that blessed state, where
every one wishes well to mankind, moth
ing better to offer our hungry souls than
this second-rate slight OF hand perform
ancc? For / do call it second rate, since
have seen better tricks performed in
the broad glare Of the gas light.
five can get nothing better from our
spiritual brethren, then ! for one, say,
let us have our ranting preachers from
TTcpsidam" in preference with his nasal
twang and hypocritical face, for he, at
least. will amllsc us in the studying Of
his character.
But! can't the spiritualists give us
something better than these tricks?
When Jesus was upon the earth he went
about doing good, comforting the weary
and poor IN spirit. He gave us words of
encouragement in such manner of au-
thoritv us to make lis feel that his lessons
were lessons Of blcsscdncss and peace.
After having attended several lectures
and performances Of spiri'ualists; come
home more fully impressed than
ever with the belief, that if we will let
spiritumlism in It's present form take care
of itself. and live more in the precepts
and practice Of Jesus Christ, we will
have more peace of mind and more spir-
itual insight.
Therefore granting that these tricks
are performed by spirits, what good are
they? What great moral or religious
lesson is to be learned from taking ring
from the little finger and putting it in
your ear? Bosh! I'll none oft.