Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-12-08

In spite Of the bad repute into which
spirits have fallen, a courageous German
philosopher has Just come to their aid.
Herr Hellenbsch. a citizen of Vienna, who
has for years enjoyed the local reputation
of holding yaguer views as TO the uncondi-
toned and the unknOwable than any other
philosopher has yentured 10 hold, has
written a book in which be sets forth the
evidence which has convinced him OF the
truth Of Spiritualism, and made him con-
scIOus that be has an immortal soul.
OF course, there was a medium con-
cerned in the conversion of Herr Hellenbach
Fortunately for him. the medium was not a
tiresome state-writer. or an elderly priest
of the sacred teapot, but young and per
sonally handsome American woman. This
medium, " hose name was LOttle Flower,
went from London TO Vienna expressly to
convert the Niennese philosopher, and the
evidence which she produced was so remark
able that it deserves to be set before our
readers.
Having invited two or three philosophical
friends to be present and to see fair play,
Herr Helenbach tied the medium in chair
in the middle OF room, and placed over
her head what be calls a garment, but
what was evidently a meal-bag, which
reached nearly to her feet. The devoted
Investigator then sat down at her feet, with
his back turned In such way" that the
back of his head rested on her knees.
Ii is needless to say that Mrs. uellenbach
was not present, and 1t is TO be presumed
that the Investigator felt that he could
trust to the discretion OF those OF his friends
we're present. Still. there Is no doubt that
Herr HELEN bach has acted rashly in publish
ing 50 minute description of his method OF
investigation. lie may rest assured that
sooner or later il will come to the knowledge
of his wife. who will thereupon convince
him that, though his soul may be immortal.
his hair Is certainly mortal, besides beng
inserted much too loosely to bear any severe
and prolonged strain.
Having placed himself in the pleasant,
but iDdscreet. position above described,
Herr Hellenbach Immediately. and to his
great surprise. began to experience novel
sensations. Among them was, as he asserts,
''sensation a. if somebody was running
his finger nails from the nspe OF my neck
up to the part in my hair. This lmmedl-
atty convinced him that there Is another
world, inhabited. 10 some extent, by the
spirits of Just BARRIERS; and 1t may De pre-
sumed that, TO those who ind the testimony
of 81. Paul unworthy of attention. this over
whelming evidence will be entirely con-
1.-TWO strong, and, once, OF four delicate
fingers" which touched Herr HellenDach' S
temples. After this be could no longer
doubt that be had an immortal soul. and
so delighted was he with the clearness and
force of the evidence that he spoke out
loudly, and in vain desired repetition. ."
He does not say whether the touch OF the
two strong or the four delicate fingers was
most agreeable to him, but 1t Is probable
that be would have been contented with
either. The spirits, however. not only
declined to crafty him. but openly resented
his attempt to dictate to them. The
third feeling" says Herr Helenbacb, with
mins led sadness and joy, was quite
common and unpleasant one on the top OF
nv head" He docs not tell us whether 1t re-
minded him more of a poker OF broom
handle, but there is no doubt that for a
moment the terrible idea flashed upon him
that Mrs. Helenbach had softly entered the
room, and was expressing in "a common
and unpleasant" way her opinion of her
phenomena. Nevertheless, his fears were
upfounded. The invisible poker or broom
handle was welded solely by spiritual bands.
and with the double object OF warning him
that he had been wanting in courtesy in
sitting up and hailing for more "delicate
flo gers" and that there is "a Great First
Cause. Naturally. he was strangely con-
yipced of both of these great truths. An
elderly and inactive philosopher can be con
vinced of almost anything by banging over
the head in dark room where there are no
policemen within call. Herr Hellenbsch
promptly yielded to the unanswerable AZ
eument OF the spirits. and be went forth
from that sesnce confirmed Spiritualisr.
buoyed up BY the hope Of meeting accom-
plished BARRIERS in the future world though.
perhaps, q little ssddened al. the thought
that, even alter this life, the poker and the
broom-stick do not wholly cease from
troubling.-N Y. Times.