New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-05-02
TALKS WITH SPIRITS.

STRANGE COMMUNICATIONS HELD WITH lhE DEAD
THROUGH THE MEDIUMsniP OF HIS DAUGHTER
AND soN-FEMCIuEs OF THE CELESTIAL RHEI-
ORIG THE CHANGE THAT SOME OF THE
WORLDS wELL-KNowN CHARACTERS HAVE
SUFFERED.
A book will be issued tomorrow in which Henry
Riddle. Superintendent of Public Schools, gives
record Of communications made to him by the
spirits of the dead from Moses to James Fisk j.
The conversations il is declared, were conducted
by the aid of the authors son and daughter, and
nc vOuches for their correctness. lie declares
that he has written the book from sense
of duty and that the proceeds OF ITS sale VIII Dc
devoted 70 the cause of SpirtualiSm The communi-
cations are Of great variety, some of the most
peculiar coming from Shakespeare, Byron, William
Cullen Bryant and Washington. 1t is understood
that Dir. Riddle Will resign his present position
SINGULAR FEATURES OF THE WORK.
Within a few days it has been whispered
IN the Board of Education, and among few persons at
the City Hail. that Henry Kiddle for many years SUI
perntendeut of the Public schools OF this city, would
shortly appear the author or editor of book on
Spirualism IL also said that the matter had been
kept close between himself and his publisher
until recently, and finally the authority Of one who
has couyersed with MI Riddle the subject, that he
Intended with the appearance OF ms book. TO resign bis
Office Of superintendent OF Pnblic Schools and devote
the remainder of his life to spirtualstc teachings In
Quiry the Office Of the Authors Publishing Company,
No 81 Bondst elected the information that Supern-
tendent Riddle had written such book, and that it
would be issued tomorrow. messenger was sent TO
the printers for advance Sheets from which the follow
ing facts and extracts arc taken;
The book Is a duOdecmo OF $50 pages and bears on the
title page spiritual Communications Presenting
Revelation Of the Future Life Illustrating and Con-
6rmng the Fundamental Doctrines OF the Christian
Faith. Edited by Henry Riddle. A. H." The dedication
is ITO my Beloved Daughter gifted by Heaven TO bring
TO the lost Of earth message of hope beyond the tomb
and TO unvei to the OF faith those mansions Of bliss
which have been prepared for all who perfectly love
and truly their Heavenly Father In the preface
Mr.. Kidde says:
This book contains the record OF Of the most
traOrdinary experiences vouchsated TO man Mar
veous as t viii appear, whole has been the work
of abou nine months during which time the editor has
been placed in direct communication with so large "a
range Of gradauon-that he can present tins record
of which IA Is only the humble editor with eiea' C0n
dence Revelation OF the future destiny OF mankind,
of ianscendent importance 10 them, both here and here
after. TIC editor ike the medium, has been to some
extent passive Instrument IN his matter Not sl
gle communication has been inserted winch was not
ter or SON Most them written N his presence,
and ne therefore knOlrs they NOT the ospTnc Of im
This is soemuly attestod is fact undenabe and ire
futable. The editor may. by the publication OF this
book forfeit the good opinion of some OF those whose
bv some h. CHARGED win folly i'm cnefing upon path
yet generally shuuuej ry the respectable or fashion,
able and mus impering ms earthly interests. He
not moved 10y these considerations, feeling confident
that Truth mighty. and will prevail " and that the
unpopular doctrine Of to-day is often hailed with
paudits on the morrow.
FORCED INTO AUTHORSHIP BY DUTY.
In the introduction b. says: The editor does not
profess to be sprtIaliss perhaps he does not under
stand what the designation means. Remarkable facts
have come 10 his knowledge ie did not seek thcm ana,
although naturally increduoas and skoptical he has
not been able TO DOUBT the reality of what he has seen
and xprrcuced lie has shruk from this publication,
which would very gladly have avoided; but voice
the of dutyhas sounded for months in his
commiu ing him to make these things known to his
fc.low-nen No em0lumcnt to the editor viii be
permitted from its sale but whatever income may
crue from il Will De employed in the for which the
book written, and particularly TO defray the expense
OF am additional number Of copies Of the work cheap
form, 10 be distributed gratUously among the poor
Outcasts of humanity" In his narrative Of facts he
relates how IN May, year ago, his eldest daughter,
Mrs /. f. Wcismann, " suddenly became mtcrme-
diary the writing of communications from departed
sprts." Sle visited person protesting 10 be a clair
vOy0nt tdum. who said: g see that you viii he
inspiratoil teacher OF high order" She felt at once
peculiar sensation in her right ARM ana her hand,
in wa ch pencil had been placed, began 10 be moved
by an external force During the next few days she
wrocout messages from deceased relatives Judge Ed
mondS and the two william Bedens father and son, the
latter having been for many years associated with Mr.
Riddle as teacher in the pablo schools OF the city.
THIS Communication, purportug to come from William
Belden IN character similar to the greater part OF
them:
MY DEAR FRIENDS: Believe me, you doing Gods
most gracious WORK of love 70 all mankind 600 ness
Will lead you 20 all happiness. Goodness VIII Je Gods
reward a his children OF mercy aud loving lnd ess.
JOY 'ou bOth. Your hearts are with HIN VINO gave
them iih; YOU dong the work u Gods ulEu love,
FOR yoi -ouis happiness in Heaven.
Vic! a ana knocking spirits, he says, sometimes com
muuic tci writing paus ible and deceptive messages,
bur leir true character discovered and it
was so soon a.cerained that feTycut prayer 10 the
Aim MY necessary preliminary TO all intercourse
with ac spirits, so TO protect ourselves"
WORDS FROM SHAKESPEARE.
Tt third chapter gives specimen communications
iron various spirits, and the fourth chapter Commune
ca. as from the ulustrious OF Earth" Shakespeare
has good deal to say, and in this passage slightly
mi quotes himself:
was q diligent man on earth but how much might
h. done # NV powers of talent had been directed by
the light OF souls immortality. Remember
tina. sad GO 10. 10 Is better 10 endure the Ills
love soWe OF those gOdlike passages gwen
Through inspiration: but, alas! they too few TO
compensate for the false ones invented.
In q running conversation he thai" Hamlet" in
his OPTION Is too sentimental, and ought TO have bad
purer motive Macbeth " was better lis moral
teachings uud subsequently, through DIT Riddles son,
thirteen years old Shakespeare said he considered
Pcrirca the purost Of his PLAYS. Being asked 10
write brief poem descriptive of his heavenly joy,
Shakespeare complied rs follows;
My Joy in heaven
Is from the
OF the truths ~ Gods creating:
First comes TIE queen
OF iOve then she
Who bleSsCs the pure In hc9rt,-yCur
Everlasting friend,
BeneYOonce.