The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-10-13
Spirituaiisn.

Modern sliritualsm is one Of the most mex
plcablo Of modern subjects of thouat. Both
the scientific and vulgar world ask, Truth, Truth,
what is ity where is it. From March, le4s,
when Kate Fox, then years old, had her first
communications with the spirits" so called
until this day, the subject has bothered science
and religion. Scientific men have investigated it,
some admitting their getting sold Others
thinking they were not. Tyndail declares it all
'bosh," and Alfred II. Wallace f, r. s., thatt is
of vital Importance to human progress" We
do not iDt,'d to settle this question, nor indeed
to frown moon it, recalling the lines of the poet
"EmLl"on- those whom Europe holds,
TIC Chr.-t.a catalogue unioldS
About hundred different sects,
And due Indulgence it should teach
To every follower of each;
If for Il moment he reflects,
The chances are against his own
Just us one hundred are to one ~
but do We feel constrained to give our readers Il
description, to the best of our ability, of vivid
manifestation of the spirit power which occur
red few days ago in this city.
1t was not a public affair, nor indeed did we
learn the mediums name, bat all the points
of the scancc and the surrounding circumstances,
were such as to make the test perfect one, and
one that would have made the cnamorcd soul
of Mr.. Alfred Wallace eNut, rs bringing with it,
as it certainly would have done, such conviction
that men cease to think-thcy believe.
1t happened in this wise: One morning this
week just us Eos was pushing her rosy fingers
above the eastern horizon, and the bailii was
performing his morning additions in the back
yard Of the Bastlc's enclosure, sudden, violent,
and mysterious sound rang out sharp on the still
air of the early morn. Its cause or from whence
it came he could not tell. Suddenly, after a mo-
ment's quiet, great box standing on the side
walk began TO move without any visible cause
strange noises coming from its interior. The box
continued its mysterious movements, and our
bailih was ''Gllcd with wonder and amaze" Fora
time all was quiet like calm after storm; but
it proved to he the calm before the storm for the
noises were soon repeated with greater cmpha-
sis, and with crash out through the side Of The
box protrudcd boot heel, perfect rs life itself
There was no installing it. There was no leger.
domain about that; for the box was so tightly
nailed up that no exterior influence could be
brought to bear upon the interior, nor indeed
While our spectator spcculated on these remark
able matcrializatons, a crash and a bang were
heard on the other side of the box, and running
round, he discovered two feet protruding, but be-
fore he could examine them the entire side OF
the box flew from its fastenings into the air. the
box rolled off the curb into the gutter and ma
tcrialized spirit appeared, who proceeded to
unite with his tied hands and teeth some cords
about his feet, and then to chew off the cords
about his wrists Rising, he gave the box
kick: he 'swOrcd a swear at the box and
the whole human race and marched on
for the nearest saloon to get his morning eye
opener and settler. Our spectators amaze
mcnt was unbounded. Was it one of those In
visible visions to which we awake in our slcep?'
or was it the result Of Il nervous system? or was
it indeed real, live ghost? He could not tell;
but our reporter, having spent some time inves-
tigating the subject finds, the ghost had been
acting rs a medium for the consumption OF "splr'
Iitsn the night before Tic "bOys" had tied him
him hand and foot during his slumbcrs and nail
cd him up in the box; and we are authorized b,
King William to state that If they are ever dis
covered the whole Prussian army is ready to
! "stcp on en- Sclah.