The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1894-08-31
A SCIENTIFIC STUDY.
An Investigation Into the Science Of Spirit
Return-The Mysteries Of a Seancc
Room Revealed.

From the City Item of July Both
The phenomena of spiritualism is q
study that is receiving a vast amount Of
attention by all classes Of people in New
Orleans, as well as in all parts Of the
world. The investigation has been taken
up byevery denomination of the churches
Catholics and Professionals sitting side by
side in seance room, closet Observing
all that transpires.
In-this city there are not less than ten
Thousand investigators into the mysteries
of spirit return, including judges of the
highest courts, lawyers, merchants, doe.
tors, ministers, and even priests, many Of
them being firm believers, while a num-
1 Der are on the verge of conviction.
| Some months ago an Item representa-
| tive joined in with the investigators, and
his experiences have been such that lie
feels forced to admit that the phenomena
exists but whether it is spirit power OF
not he has not formed any positive con-
| illusions. Believing the recital of some
1 OF the strange and awe-inspiring scenes
witnessed by him would be interesting
reading, he now gives them to the many
readers of the Item.
There are namber of phases of medi-
umship, among them being independent
slate writing, naturalization, trance, in
| spirational and physical. To Illustrate
the first, lady medium, living in the
sixth district Of this city, will be used as
the one through whom this phase,a as well
as the others, are given. The Investigator
calls, and asks the medium for a spirit
message. A small table is produced,
which Is anNars1 with n 1.laaI- afgsfl, no
ing aslit on either side. A slate is handed
the investigator, who examines it closely,
satisfying himself that there is no writing
on it. 1t is then by him placed, through
the slit. under the table, ne holding one
end and the medium the other, no pencil
being used. The other hand is placed on
the table, touching the mediums hand.
In a short while writing can be heard on
the slate, the two sitters being engaged
m talking at the time. Suddenly the
slate is pnshed toward the investigator,
who takes it out, and, npOn examination,
he discovers writing upon it, often a mes
sage from some departed one. To all
appearances there is nc chance for trick
cry on the part of the medium. Some
mediums obtain writing in broad daylight
within view Of the investigator
The trance medium is one whose spirit
is supposed to leave the body, the same
being taken possession of by particular
spirit, called the guide Of the medium.
While in trance the investigator asks
questions IN relation to matters known
only TO himself, and, to his establishment,
correct replies are received
The inspirational Medium is one whose
organism is taken possession Of by spirit
who gives lectures, etc, on the platforms
Of the various societies of SpiTitnalists
Throughout the world In fact. il me
dinm is the preacher of the gaapel Of
Splritualisni. The philosophy 0f the
spiritnalists Is, it's said, being expoDnd-
cd by the spirits Of many wellsznown
persons who have passed away to the
shores of the Unknown Land.
The belief Of spirItuaIists is that 8 per
son never dies the spirit simply leaves
the body and goes on into eternity, where
progression Is neyer-ending. The golden
rnle il made their example, all believing
that If they do uHto0thefs as they would
he done by, all will be we'll with them
when this life is ended.
Ioillustfate physical medinmship, what
takes place at II seance of the sixth dis
trict lady medium WILDE given A mum
Der of investigators are seated IN a room,
IN a semieirele a dark green cloth is
stretched across the corner of the room,
behind which is placed a small table, on
which is placed a tambonrine, EITHER,
g bell, some writing paper, states, etc.
The medium sits in front Of the curtain
(eabinet); and when put under test con
dItioas, she is tied in q bag. WhenFeady
to open the seanee, the lights are mt ont,
leaving the room in total darkness The
Lords prayer is repeated, after which
singing takes place. While singing tights
(the color of the mo0n) appear floating
around the room IN different shapes sneh
AS an anchor, cross, an Odd Fellows, link.
the face of a man, the Masonic emblem
the cunpass. These lights appear on
materlallzed hands, and as many as four
have been seen at time. after awhile |
the tamborine, bell aud either ara carried
efnHlla the circle, at the SINE tiInea liglaf,
or lights can DO seen, There Is & lin
siisp, tsTplg ggsiieii . saies es.li
oe beard speaking to saaie enc IN the err
Gle announcing the presence Of a departed
relatlYe. Sometimes messages are re-
celyed on the paper or slate
From the manner hi which the eireie Is
conducted there can be discovered no
trlckery. An examination If everything
- allowed, ane almost every person WHO
mas illteaned these circles admit tha9 the
Hhencmeiia Is truly wonderful, alisi but
few are lotronyinced IF there being some
aDfliseoyered pewer which periollis these
manifestations.
~ subject Is scientific study, ana
should Dc taken up bg seieptisss. wif'i 4
View q determining, Il possible the
eanAes q this vendetta rnyst0Fy- fqs
smell tits.