The New York herald., 1875-12-27
sPIRITUALIsM ON TRIAL.

LECTURE BY PRENTICE MULFoHD ON ''TEE IN
VISIBLE IN OUR MIDST.
Mr. Prentice Mulford ectured last night at Trenor's
new hall, No. l,266 Broadway, THE Invisible in
Our Midst, or spirtuahsm Trial" The lecture was
al intensely interesting one, Of the experiences
related by the lecturer being very thrilling The most
enjoyable feature however, was the cool and
unbiased manner n which sprltualism was
discussed. Perhaps the word "spiritualsmn in the
title ofthe lecture bad more to do with keeping many
away than the incement weather II rarely one is
Afforded an opportunity OF hearing this vexed question
discussed in such excellent humor speakers the
subject beng general rule radical, for against
It's warmest advocates rarely develop anything new and
after : few Introductory remarks IN the same
rut those who have gone before Contrary minded
speakers too apt 10 characterize oil things con-
uected with manifestations as bosh and tomfoocrv
In opening the subject Mr. MuforG said that he ap-
peareG rather peculiar capacity, as IN treating Of
the subject he would be constrained as the theme de-
veoped. IL the alternate capacities Of counsel for
and counsel against Sprtualism. After giving some
very cogent physical facts developed by chemistry,
support Of the statement that there moro OF the
invisible than the visible IN our midst he went on n
the development Of the idea by showing that visibility
a great extent nothing less than the
suit OF combination In celebrating his topic Mr. Null
ford stated that he believed IN the possibility OF surer-
natural manifestations and said that the oldest Chris
tian faith-the Roman Catholc-admitted Of the same
possibility
In speaking of the medium power as IL is called he
cited many instances Of possession by persons
advocates Of the doctrine. The wife OF particular
friend OF his died IN the interior Of California md on
the day or her death young lady living III the same
family with Mr. hulioTa, n San Francisco came and
told him lady present who wanted TO speak to
him. he could see no one bgt his informant who,
Though he had heard Of the deceased lazy
described her 50 minuicy, detailing a peculiar
manner n which deceased dalled with apron that
he convinced the woman must be present She
nhc spiri very anxious 70 establish a eommunca-
ton with her husband and children and sought him as
q possible means Of such communication
in speaking Of the very sensible question propounded
by certain cynlcs why dont ibese splfils and me-
diurns become practical tell how TO become rich
and happyfn Mr.. hulford told amusing episode
which occurred 20 him A lady Of HIS acquaintance
who said TO clalrvoyHnt powers told him
that under certain SPOT N The yard q the house
there buried $500 900 worth OF gold dust, Lett
there hy minor VINO Was afraid 20 put II INTO the
banks After buryng his he returned 30 tho
mines and died Considering this very pract.
cal spiritualism, Mr.. Muliord went 70 another
clarvoyant and consulted her She Told the
same story the other lady, and Mr Milford went
home to dig for a fortune The only reason he gives
for his doing the digging instead OF the many others
who IN possession OF the same information as he
10 that he the best developed IDIOT 10 the party
or course the gold east found Notwithstand.
inr this failure realize on the Information impaired
BY the cairyoyant Mr.. Maford believes they told him
what had been communicated 70 them. He believes
that people when dlvestcd OF their bodies
retain many, n not all, or their earthly
pecularties Now his theory regarding the
Information ne received through the medium Is that
the wrath who impaired u had been and stu
practical Joker. Mr. Muford depored the cant that
conclusion, said there great field for investga
ten il these manifestations He did not advocate
vestigauon, he said; u is dangerous There is a
supernatural power, he said "but il has fallen into
and spir.uasm has degeneratcd into vulgar contest
between lest medtumA"