The Grange advance., 1874-07-01
~ : g 81.
MODERN SfIRITUALISM.
A Defence Of It's Philosophy by Al.
fred r. Wallace, T. E. s.
MISS NICHOLS PLowBR rEsr.

The most remarkable feature of this
lady's mediumship is the production of
flowers and fruits in closed rooms. The
first time this occurred was at my own
house, at very early stage of her develop
ment. All present were my own friends
Miss Nichol had come early to tea, it being
mid-winter, and she had been with US in .
very warm gas-lighted room four hours be-
fore the flowers appeared. The essential
fact is, that upon bare table in small
room closed and dark (the adjoining room
and passage being we'll lighted), quantity
of flowers appeared which were not there
when we put out the gas few minutes be-
fore. They consisted Of anemones, tulips.
chrysanthemums, Chinese primroses, and
several ferns. All were absolutely fresh,
as if just gathered from conservatory
They were covered with fine, cold dew.
Not petal was crumpled or broken, not
the most delicate point or pinnule of the
ferns was out Of place. dried and pre-
served the whole, and have attached to
them, the attestation of all present that
they had no share, as far as they knew, in
bringing the flowers into the room. be-
lieved at the time, and still believe. that it
was absolutely impossible for Miss N. to
have concealed them so long, to have kept
them so perfect, and, above all. to produce
them covered throughout with most
beautiful coating of dew, just like that
which collects on the outside of tumbler
when filed with very cold water on a hot
day.
Similar phenomena have occurred hum
dreds Of times since, in many houses and
under various conditions. Sometimes the
flowers have been in vast quantities,
heaped upon the table. Often tlow ers or
fruits asked for are brought. A friend Of
feet high fell upon the table, having a
large mass of earth about its roots. One Of
the most striking tests was at Florence.
with MIR. T. Adolphus Trollope, Mrs. Troll
lope, Miss Blagden, and Col. Harvey. The
room was searched by the gentlemen; Mrs.
Guppy was undressed and redressed by
Mrs. Trollope, every article Of her clothing
being examined. Mr.. and Mrs. Guppy
were both firmly held while at the table.
In about ten minutes all the party ex.
claimed that they smelt flowers, and, on
lighting candle, both Mrs. Guppy's and
Mrs. Trollope's arms were found covered
with jonquils, which filed the room with
their odor. Mr.. Guppy and Mr.. Trollope
both relate this in substantially the same
terms. Dialectical Society's Report OIL
Spiritualism, PIP 277 and 372.)
Why don't these spiritualistic mediums,
who are more wonderful than the Egyptian
soothsayers, and can create material SUBJ
stances by movement Of the will, bring
on bread and meat-something serviceable?
Why do they lose so much time and
strength manufacturing "sun-fowers six
feet long with fresh dirt on the roots"
when they could just as readily conjure
up wheat and corn in unlimited quantities?
Give US such medium and we would cor.
nec the Milwaukee or Chicago market any
day. But if they can't produce wheat,
why don't they go to Paris or Naples, and
control the flower market?
Strange that these obstinate spirits who
have been loafng around for twenty five
years or more, will not consent to grant to
poor toiling humanity anything servicea-
ble. We don't complain on the part of the
healthy and lusty. but why can't they
make contributions to the sick and dis
tressed? Owens and Wallace, with many
others, have made them useful in moving
furniture, in soothing them with seraph;c
music, proceeding from locked up pianos
and other instruments, and loading their
tables with choice flowers Of exquisite
perfume but there is no mama from
heaven coming down nowadays to feed
the destitute. Perhaps when We get the
right party in power things will change.
It is doubtful if Grant and his political
satellites invoke the right kind of spirits.
"There are the spirits Of Bourbon, the
spirits of campfire, the spirits OF turpen-
tine, and the spirits OF just men made per-
fect." So far the GRANTEES have confined
their devotions to the first named spirit,
and are slow to invoke the blessings of the
last.
It is questionable whether these spirits,
of which Wallace writes, are in the right
place to hear much about Christian be-
nevolence. They know how to manage
fire, and can toss it about with perfect i'm
punity, as is proved by the following par
agraph taken from the Defence:
. "Lord Lindsay and Miss Douglas have
had hot Goals placed in their hands, and
they describe them as feeling rather cold
than hot; though at the same time they
burn any one else, and even scorch the
face of the holder if approached too close
". The same witnesses also testify that
Mr.. Home has also placed red-hot GOALS
inside his waisteoat without scorching his
clothes, and has put his face into the mid
die of the fire, his hair falling into the
flames, yet not being the least sineed. The
same power of resisting fire can be tenn