The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-29

altar, prove too much Tor one already in an ex-
hausted state. whose will power is weakened
and whose whole being, by hours of constant
and attentive listening and watching, has come
under the control of the spirit of the meeting.
What Is the ssTrance Slater.
D. Hurlbut, in Kokomo Gazette Tribune
The present subject for excitement appears to
be Mrs Woodworths efforts in behalf of sinners.
now holding forth in this city. All agree, I
think, that Mrs W. is in trance condition while
addressing her audience but there appears to be
disparity of opinion in regard to the power that
controls her.
But few have examined more deeply for the
source Of this trance phenomena than the writer;
he early sought an acquaintance with the Power
that inspired the prophets, illuminated the
apostles, and proved the sustaining prop to the
martyrs. Tradition and preconceived opinions
amount to but little, unless we have facts to
support them. ! propose to give series OF
cases obtained during long and eventual expe-
rience in search of truth. hope, therefore, you
will read with candor, and in wisdom judge OF
what I write. So extended are the varieties of
the trance condition. that limits can allow
us to relate but few. Websters definition of
trance is state in which the soul seems to have
passed out of the body.
Let us go to the record. What do we find
therel "And after six days Jesus Jaketh Peter,
James and John. his brother, and bringing them
up into high mountain and was TRANSPORTED
(entranced, y Mathew xvi, %. Paul was fire.
quently entranced and did not know whether he
was in the body or out ''And it came to pass
that when / was come again to Jerusalem, even
while prayed in the Temple, was in trance
Acts XIII IL. Peter said he was in the city Of
Joppa praying; and in trance saw VISION"
ksA d. L. L
SELF he said now know of certainty the Lord
hath sent his angels and delivered me out of the
hands of Heroj,n Acts xii, III. Now there is
diversity of gifts, but the same spirit Cor xii.
T. For to one is given by the spirit a word OF
wisdom, to another word of knowledge, by the
same spirit" Cor xii, s. The words spirit,
angel and the gods are used indiscriminately in
the New Testament. And hope to show to the
satisfaction of my readers that angels or spirits
control Mrs. Woodwork and the different controls
use different instruments, and teach different
doctrines as they progress in spirit life will
illustrate by giving statement of facts which
have come under my personal observation dur
ing my investigation of this subject Il had at
one time young lady in my family iy who was re-
Of eighteen she commenced speaking while in
an unconscious trace. She was also blessed with
the gift of clairvoyance (cear seeing), and while
in this superior state her spiritual vision was
opened. She could then see and describe her
different controls and often give their names.
One evening she was entranced and commenced
speaking in loud and distinct voice. with an
Irish brogue, for nearly an hour. Her subject
was of philosophical and moral character
asked her control if he would give me his name;
ne said, Certainly, Robert Emmett" and he
would speak to morrow evening He said good
night" then released his medium
was naturally skeptic in regard to any
world but this, but began to think there was
more in heaven and earth than had dreamed
of in my philosophy then and there resolved
to investigate this, then, to me, mysterious
phenomena, and ascertain, if possible, from
whence came this intelligence so far superior to
my own or the young ladys To further this
object, invited a few Of my neghbors, in
Guiding a Presbyterian clergyman and
physician of the Ingersoll stripe, to be present.
Next evening Emmett was on hand. He en-
tranced his medium about o'clock, gave a dis
course of about forty five minutes on the sub
ject, ''The Irish Rebellion" We kept up these
meetings number of weeks One Saturday
evening at my house a number were present
anxious to hear what Mr.. Emmett had to say.
commenced speaking. We soon saw she was not
controlled by Emmett. The brogue was absent;
the gestures were different. Before this
control commenced his discourse, the
clergyman asked him, WHO are you.
he said: 'In earth life my name was John
Murray" What country were You fromi'
England" What was your occupationP "A
. clergyman What doctrine did you preachs'
iUniversalism." What distinguished persons
came over with you to American "Volney and
Priestly." Have you relatives by your name
at this time living in America Yes, in Penn
sylvania." The clergyman was acquaint M with
the history of John Murray the Universalist
preacher. He put these questions for test.
This clergyman subsequently stated that the
statement he gave of himself was historically
correct He then gave us short lecture; he
spoke principally of tie spiritual dispensation.
Our clergyman expressed some doubt as to the
correctness of his views Murray replied: II
shall preach my views in the church tomorrow"
pointing to the M. Il. church near by my house
He then released his medium. We agreed not
to inform her what he said on the subject Of
preaching in the church. Next morning my
family all went to church After little sefiec-
ton upon the strange proceedings, concluded
had better go over to the church mysol, as
thought possible there might be trouble, vent,
and was seated in slip next to but back Of my
family At the close of the sermon willie the
choir was singing, | discovered that the sensitive
was going into her trance condition. She arose
and took off her bonnet This drew the atten-
ton to her of every one in the house. She stood
waiting her opportunity. AS soon as the
singers took their seats she offered
one of the most fervent invoca
tions that I ever heard commencing, "Wc
desire to address Thee all. Father" Her prayer
was brief She then commenced her discourse
in these words: Are they not all mnistering
spiritsp She spoke one-balf hour, and in the
concluding part Of her discourse / discovered a
number of her audience in tears She then
closed by adding; Now. friendly hearers, fare
well; may Charity and her twin sister Holy
Peace, be with YOU" Who doubts but that
this lady was inspired by Murrayl Surely mono
that heard her. And who doubts that Mrs.
Woodwork is inspired from the same sources
Her control however, is OF a low order of intel
'ligence, not yet developed out Of his earth con-
dition.
Suicide of Rejected Lover.