_Account of Mr. Robert Owen’s Conversion._
389. “While in doubt upon this subject, I heard of the media in this
country, and was casually introduced to Mrs. Hayden, an American
medium, without having any intention to ask a question respecting the
spirits; my object being to purchase a book which Mrs. Hayden had for
sale, written by a valued and most truthful friend of mine in America,
Adin Ballou, who has written a plain, practical, common-sense history
of this new revelation to the human race.
390. “While conversing with Mrs. Hayden, and while we were both
standing before the fire, and talking of our mutual friends, suddenly
raps were heard on a table at some distance from us, no one being near
to it. I was surprised, and as the raps continued and appeared to
indicate a strong desire to attract attention, I asked what was the
meaning of the sounds? Mrs. Hayden said they were spirits anxious to
communicate with some one, and she would inquire who they were. They
replied to her, by the alphabet. that they were friends of mine who
were desirous to communicate with me. Mrs. Hayden then gave me the
alphabet and pencil, and I found, according to _their own_ statements,
that the spirits were those of my mother and father. I tested their
truth by various questions, and their answers, all correct, surprised
me exceedingly. I have since had twelve séances, some of long
continuance, and during which, with one exception, I have had prompt
and true answers so far as the past and present, and very rational
replies as to the future; but these last have to be tested by time. The
exception was my own afterward-discovered error.”
391. From the following quotation, it seems that Mr. Owen has not had
any reason to diminish his faith in spiritualism. The manifestations,
of which his account is subjoined, are eminently wonderful; yet they
are not more so than those which are recorded as having been realized
under the influence of the same medium, in this country, or at Koons’s
Establishment in Ohio:—
_Letter of Robert Owen to the Yorkshire Spiritual Telegraph._
SEVEN OAKS, April 23, 1855.
392. “_Dear Sir_:—Just now, on my return from London, where, last
night, I had been giving a lecture to Mr. Ronge’s party of foreigners
and others on Education, I had the pleasure to receive your 2d Number
of ‘The Yorkshire Spiritual Telegraph.’ I have hastily glanced over it,
and I feel much interest in your proceedings, and wish you all success
in the good cause. I say good cause, for it is sure to lead to great
ultimate good, and especially will it destroy the many evils arising
from sectarianism, and other causes of hatred and ruin between man and
nations. I must tell you of what occurred to me last night, after my
return from the lecture, about nine o’clock.
393. “A Mr. Hume, a young Scotchman, who went to America to pursue his
studies as a medical student, four or five years ago, became a medium,
(he is now about twenty years of age,) and soon became a very superior
one. He had engaged to accompany the Haydens and Miss Jay. He took
his passage and came, but the others, for some cause, postponed their
voyage, but may now be daily expected. They arrived on the 22d. I had
heard on my arrival in London, from friends on whom I could depend,
of the extraordinary results by his mediumship. I made arrangements
to visit those friends and Mr. Hume when I finished my lecture, which
I did, and found my two friends and Mr. Hume waiting my arrival. On
being seated around a regular full-sized card table, there were raps
immediately, and because I do not hear very well, the raps increased
until they became very loud, but I heard the first raps distinctly.
Many spirits were present; some, relatives of my friends, and others,
my own relations. My wife and daughters, my son and brother, and also
my father and mother, with all of whom I have had frequent delightful
intercourse through various mediums. My two friends present are
husband and wife; and the first new occurrence to me was, seeing the
lady’s silk apron untied by invisible means—a somewhat complicated
operation—and taken from her and given to Mr. Hume, opposite to her.
It was then conveyed backward and forward, from one to another, and it
soon came to me. I held it with much force, but it was drawn from me
with greater force, for I was afraid damage would be done to it. Next a
flower was taken from the table, conveyed away by invisible means, and
brought to me. The flower I kept for being so presented to me. Next I
had my handkerchief out; it was taken from my hands, and in an instant
thrown from the opposite side of the table, not as it was taken, but
made into a large hat, which I also have as a curiosity. Then the
spirits came and touched each of us. I was occasionally touched on one
knee, then on the other, and afterward on both at once; and then one
of them shook hands with me, and I most distinctly felt the fingers
of them separately. An accordeon was then placed under the table, and
soon the spirit of the daughter of the family played most beautifully
several tunes and pieces of music. I asked for one of my favourite
Scotch tunes, and it was immediately played. The instrument was then
raised by invisible power, and given first to one, then to another; it
was thus brought to me. The table was then lifted from the floor; at
first, about a foot, and immediately afterward, about three feet.
394. “After this the medium was put into a trance, during which he saw
beautiful visions of spirits, and one of them spake through him while
in that state sentiments that went to the heart of each of us, giving
us advice, invaluable in its import, and in language beautifully and
eloquently expressed, and calculated to make the deepest impression on
our memories. While reason remains I shall never forget it; and it was
given with many encouraging words, to pursue my course in the measures
in which I am engaged; to endeavour to introduce the millennium, but
also stating the obstacles I should meet, and the great difficulties
which were to be overcome.
395. “Much more occurred, very interesting; but the post time expires,
and I wish you to have this communication by this mail.
“Yours sincerely, ROBERT OWEN.”
396. I subjoin the following narrative of Mr. Rufus Elmer, of
Springfield, Massachusetts, concerning manifestations through Mr. Hume,
as corroborating those described by Mr. Owen. Thus, on both sides of
the Atlantic, we have evidence of analogous striking results by the
same medium:—
_Mr. Hume at Springfield._
397. “Rufus Elmer, Esq., of Springfield, informs us that Mr. Hume
spent the nights of March 17th and 18th at his house. On the evening
of the 17th, thirteen persons were present, when a series of most
extraordinary demonstrations took place. First, two large tables
standing together, around which the company were sitting, were lifted
from the floor, while all hands were resting upon their tops. Then an
accordeon, held under the table in one of Mr. Hume’s hands, (the other
being on the table,) with the keys downward, was played in strong
tones, three parts being maintained, and any tune performed that was
called for—even foreign music. The instrument was also played upon
while held in the same manner by each person present,—all hands except
the one holding the accordeon being upon the tables in sight. (These
manifestations were all made in a room well lighted by gas.) A bell,
weighing over a pound, was passed about under the tables, put in the
hands of each person, taken away again, passed rapidly from one end
of the tables to the other, a distance of eight feet, knocking loudly
on the under side as it went; and, finally, the tables having been
separated a few inches, and a cloth spread over the aperture, the bell
was held up under the cloth, while the company were allowed to feel the
hand which held it. Next, the bell was slid out on to one of the tables
from beneath the covering, and the hand which grasped it was exposed to
the view of all the company—the hands of each being at the same time
in full view. To gratify one who sat at so great a distance as not to
have a clear view, it was communicated that if all others would for
a moment avert their eyes, so as not to concentrate their magnetism
so powerfully upon the object, it could be more plainly manifested
to this one alone. Acting upon this hint, each person was allowed to
look singly at the hand—to the full satisfaction of all. One of those
present, mentally requested, unknown to all others, that the hand of
her spirit-child might be exhibited to her; and, behold! a child’s
hand was presented, while no child in the body was in the room. One
of the company was a coloured domestic in the family of Mr. E-—-, and
she mentally requested that her mother, who had before purported to
communicate to her, if present, would show her hand; when, lo! a black
hand appeared! These are but specimens of what occurred during the
evening.”