Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-03-26

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ifestations are pre-
pairing for . spiritual
reunion on the evening of March 81. There
will be rappings by ghostly hands, gruesome
SOUNDS and noises and mysterious communities
tions which the faithful will think are from be-
yond the bourne
This interesting if uncanny event will be
the celebration Of the forty-f fourth anniversary
OF the advent Of modern spiritualism. 1t was
on the night OF March 81. 1S4S. that the first
alleged Geographic system between the
spiritual world and the United States was
established. 1t was on this night that the cels-
DRAFTED Fox sisters first heard those mysterious
rapplngs on the walls whose echoes were to
iesouhd over the country and arouse the be-
lieyers In spiritualism to thankfuiness that
physical connection had at last been established
between the unknown world and this common
work-a-day sphere.
what matter if one of the active participants
IN the events OF that natal day--one of the Fox
SISTERS herseif-has since asserted that the
demonstration was fraud, fake; not spiritual
put entirely physical? The true believers say
her confession was a lie, made for money and
brating.
THE FOX RAPP1Nos.
Many people will remember the Fox rap
pings; for those who do not let the story be
told.
1t seems that in 1s4s, in the little town Of
Hydesville, N. Y, On the outskirts of town,
there stood lonely old house. It stood apart
from its neighbors. as though holding aloof in
us OLD age from the upstartish new houses
around it. Its weather-beaten sides and time
worn roof gave 1t that air Of venerable dignity
which some old houses have
1t was just such looking house AZ one would
think might be troubled with spirits.
When the Fox family moved into it, however,
they did not bother themselves with the
thought OF spirits. To them it was simply q
dlngy, musty old house, with lots Of crevices
Oh gusty nights.
After awhile, however, they began to hear
strange noises in the house. There would be
knocks and raps on the walls, creaking Of floors
and rafting of windows
One night they heard sounds of scuf1e in a
suppressed cry and then something heavy being
dragged down the steps into the cellar
This was too much. When tho rapping COM
menced one of the family iuterrogated the
ghostiy visitor, asking questions and indicating
certain knocks to represent the alphabet for
answers. At first his ghostship simply told
the ages OF people PRESENT. number of
neighb0rs having been sent for at this point
told how many children they had and similar
things.
Finally he branched out into a history of his
earthly experience and his untimey end. He
had been peddler, and one stormy night
sought shelter at this old house before it was
occupied by the Foxes. His host had fallen
upon him in the night, cruelty murdered him
and then buried the body in quicklime in the
cellar.
No one occupied the Fox mansion on the
might. Of this recital The family went to Q
neighbours.
The next day the neighbors came over and
dug up the cellar. They found in trench in
the cellar some hair and fragments of bones,
which the surgeon said were human.
After this there was a seance every night at
the Fox mansion. People came from far and
near to hear the rappings. There was no doubt
about the sounds. They were plainly audible
and some queer answers were given.
The news spread over the country rapidly
and spiritualism gained many converts. Every
body was talking OF the wonderful rappings.
From every section came reports OF successful
sesnces being held and rappings produced.
1t was several years ago that one Of the Fox
sisters publicly confessed to fraud in the pro-
duction Of these demonstrations.
Spiritualism has continued to grow in this
country, however, until now the believe 8 in il
number 45,O3O members, according to a recent
census bulletin. Their organizations numbering
3S4, own property to the value of over half q
million dollars. Massachusetts is the strong
hold OF spiritualism, over 1900 Of the inhab-
itants OF the little bay state holding the belief
New York comes next, with G. 35l, and Pennsyl-
yania third, with 1869
The growth Of spiritualism in Washington
has not been very rapid There are probably
to this belief and attend the meetings. The
ranks OF the spiritualists in Washington are
recruited from the transient population coming
to this city from other states, Office holders
who come and 60.
The local spiritualists hold public meetings
nearly every Sunday night and sometimes one
evening during the week. The exercises upon
such occasions consist OF q lecture, recital Of
individual experiences and Q test by some
medium.
SOME CLAIMS OF sPIRITUALIsM.
The orthodox spiritualist claims that his
creed is as old as mankind; that every spiritual
phenomenon which has startled the world Of
today was familiar to the Chaldeans, Pheni-
clans and Egyptians thousands of years ago.
The ancients believed that spirits attended
them in battle and guided their warfare. When
the phalanxes Of Greeks rushed upon the Per-
sian multitude at Marathon they felt them
selves upheld by unseen spiritual hands.
1t is claimed that priesthood itself owes it
origin to spiritualism; when OF old q man be-
came good medium OF communication be-
tween this and the spiritual world he was set
aside a. a teacher and finally became priest.
The spiritualists Of today are fond of enroll
ing a glittering galaxy Of names among the
believers in their faith. They say that Homer
was one Of their number; that he drew inspire
ton from the spirits with whom he communsd.
That Hesiod. Pindar, Eschylus and Sophocles
were believers; that Plato derived his philoso-
ply, Virgil his genius, Cicero his oratory, and
Seneca, Pliny and Plutarch their several talents
from the spirits who were continually with
them.
The magi Of Asayria, who from the tower of
Belns nightly searched the heavens for
astronomical wonders, were spiritualists Of the
highest order. Tertuliian says that seances
were held 800 years ago and table rappings
were common.
The believers claim that spirits wrestled with
Jacob and that in . trance he Jaw them de-
scending to earth; spirits appeared to Abrs-
ham as he sat in the door Of his tent in the cool
Of the evening at the edge Of the great plain
and conversed with him; spirits carried the
commands Of God to Moses, guided Moses into
the presence Of the Egyptian king and wrought
all those wonders related In the Pentsteuch;
spirits prompted Gideon to his mission OF
deliverance, and spirits in Q single night de-
strOysd the mighty host Of Sennacherib. (.
They say that Savanarols, Loyola, Bunyau,
Fenelon and Wesley were attended by spirits.
Joan Of Arc was controlled by spirits and heard
voices from the other world.
NPosruRE IN TIE NAME OF sPnrruAIlsN.
It happened, however, that in every age tie