EXTRACTS FROM D. M. DEWEY'S HISTORY.
LETTERS FROM REV. CHARLES HAMMOND AND JOHN E. ROBINSON.
Before I proceed to our next field of operations, which was Ohio, I may
take the opportunity afforded by the interval to extract from a volume
entitled, "D. M. Dewey's History of the Strange Sounds or Rappings Heard
in Rochester and Western New York," two letters, by the Rev. C. C.
Hammond, and our good friend, John E. Robinson, which will be found well
worthy of perusal.
LETTER FROM REV. CHARLES HAMMOND.
"ROCHESTER, February 22, 1850.
"MR. D. M. DEWEY:
"DEAR SIR--In compliance with your solicitation, I will proceed to lay
before you a brief statement of what has fallen under my observation, in
regard to the 'mysterious sounds' and 'demonstrations' purporting to be
made by intelligent Spirits, who once inhabited an earthly tabernacle.
"In the early part of January last, in company with other persons, I
gained an introduction to the family in this city in whose residence
these sounds had been heard. They received us politely, and seemed
rather more cheerful than what I had supposed would be natural for
those who were hourly exchanging communications with the Spirits of the
revered dead. A company of twenty or more persons had assembled--the
'three sisters' came into the room--the sounds were heard--and through
the medium of the alphabet, they, and about half of the company, were
directed to retire to another apartment. Our company in the absence of
the 'three sisters,' whose presence is generally deemed essential to
these Spiritual communications, were all seated closely around an
ordinary dining-table, when one of the ladies, bowing her head,
inquired, 'Will the Spirit answer questions now?' No response being
made, I felt the disappointment of the lady, and was half inclined
to smile at the ludicrous scene, when the searching glance of her
suspicious eye falling upon me, bade me maintain my usual gravity and
respect toward the company, and the occasion which had called us there.
After several ineffectual attempts to get responses the sounds were
heard, and the company generally were privileged with answers to their
respective interrogatories. I availed myself of the opportunity, but
gained no other satisfaction than a prompt assurance that all my 'test
questions' should be answered when I should come there again. I went
away sceptical, though unable to account for the 'sounds,' which caused
the floor occasionally to vibrate under my feet.
"On my next visit I was much more successful. During the interval I had
prepared my mind with certain questions, touching events unknown to the
family, and of a remote date. The sounds told me my age precisely,
though my appearance is such as to indicate a difference of eight or ten
years. The names of six of my nearest deceased relations were given me.
I then inquired, 'Will the Spirit, who now makes these sounds, give me
its name?' Five sounds directed me to the alphabet, which I repeated
until the name of 'Charles' appeared, which answered to an infant child
whom we consigned to the grave in March, 1843. To my inquiries, it gave
me a true answer in regard to the time it had been in the Spirit-land,
and also the period since my eldest sister's death, which was nearly
eighteen years--the latter fact not being recollected then, I found
it true by dates on my return home. Many other test questions were
correctly answered; and yet, notwithstanding that the origin of these
sounds seemed inexplicable, I was inclined to impute them to mesmerism
or clairvoyance. However, as the Spirit promised to satisfy me by other
demonstrations when I came again, I patiently awaited the opportunity.
"On the third visit, I was selected from a half-dozen gentlemen, and
directed by these sounds to retire to another apartment, in company with
the 'three sisters' and their mother.
"It was about eight o'clock in the evening. A lighted candle was placed
on a large table, and we seated ourselves around it. I occupied one side
of the table, the mother and youngest daughter the right, and two of the
sisters the left, leaving the opposite side of the table vacant. On
taking our positions the sounds were heard, and continued to multiply,
and became more violent, until every part of the room trembled with
their demonstrations. They were unlike any I had heard before. Suddenly,
as we were all resting on the table, I felt the side next to me move
upward; I pressed upon it heavily, but soon it passed out of the reach
of us all--full six feet from me, and at least four from the person
nearest to it. I saw distinctly its position--not a thread could have
connected it with any of the company without my notice, for I had come
to detect imposition, if it could be found. In this position we were
situated, when the question was asked, 'Will the Spirit move the table
back where it was before?' And back it came, as though it were carried
on the head of some one, who had not suited his position to a perfect
equipoise, the balance being sometimes in favor of one side and then
the other. But it regained its first position. In the mean time the
'demonstrations' became louder and louder. The family commenced and sang
the 'Spirits' Song,' and several other pieces of sacred music, during
which accurate time was marked on the table, causing it to vibrate; a
transparent hand, resembling a shadow, presented itself before my face;
I felt fingers taking hold of a lock of hair on the left side of my
head, causing an inclination of several inches; then a cold, death-like
hand was drawn designedly over my face; three gentle raps on my left
knee; my right limb forcibly pulled, against strong resistance, under
the table; a violent shaking, as though two hands were applied to my
shoulders; myself and chair uplifted and moved back a few inches, and
several slaps, as with a hand, on the side of my head, which were
repeated on each one of the company, more rapidly than I could count.
[Illustration: Ground Floor of Troup St. house. But note that the rear
room D is not on that level, but in that of the Second Story: there
being under it a corresponding dining-room: while above A and C, and
level with D, were bed rooms; and _h_ is the Stair connecting the two
stories. A, Front Parlor. B, Hall. C, Bed-room. D, Sitting-Room (on
floor above). E, Bed-room. F, Stoop. G, Store-room (lighted from the
roof). a, Table moved in presence of Dr. Hammond. b, Table moved, see
lines. c, Stove. d, Large parlor stove. ee, Lounges. f, Bureau. g,
Piano. h, Stairs to sitting-room D.]
"During these manifestations, a piece of pasteboard, nearly a foot
square, was swung with such velocity before us as to throw a strong
current of air in our faces; a paper curtain attached to one of the
windows was rolled up and unrolled twice; a lounge immediately behind
me was shaken violently; two small drawers in a bureau played back
and forth with inconceivable rapidity; a sound, resembling a man
sawing boards and planing them, was heard under the table; a common
spinning-wheel seemed to be in motion, making a very natural buzz of the
spindle; a reel articulated each knot wound upon it; while the sound of
a rocking cradle indicated maternal care for the infant's slumbers.
These were among many demonstrations which I witnessed that evening,
amid which I felt a perfect self-possession, and in no instance the
slightest embarrassment, except a momentary chill when the cold hand was
applied to my face, similar to a sensation I have realized when touching
a dead body.
"That any of the company could have performed these things, under the
circumstances in which we were situated, would require a greater stretch
of credulity on my part, than it would to believe it was the work of
Spirits. It could not, by any possibility, have been done by any of the
party of individuals present, nor even attempted, without detection.
And I may add, that near the close of the demonstrations at this visit,
there was a vibration of the floor, as though several tons in weight had
been uplifted and suddenly fallen again upon it. This caused everything
in the room to shake most violently for several minutes, when the force
was withdrawn.
"I have also tested the intelligence of these Spirits in every way my
ingenuity could invent. On one occasion, I wrote a word on a slip of
paper privately, placed it in my wallet, went there, and the sounds,
through the alphabet, spelled that word correctly as I had written it.
That word was 'Sybil.'
"On the 20th of February, inst., the two youngest sisters made my family
a visit. Here the sounds were heard, questions involving subjects wholly
unknown to them were answered, a large heavy dining-table was moved
several times; and on expressing thanks at the table to the Giver of all
good, some six or eight sounds responded to every sentence I uttered, by
making loud and distinct sounds in various parts of the room.
"Yours truly,
"C. HAMMOND."
LETTER OF JOHN E. ROBINSON.
"D. M. DEWEY:
"SIR--As you have requested of me some recital of my acquaintance with
the phenomena known as the 'mysterious knockings' or 'rappings,' as the
popular term is, the following is cheerfully placed at your disposal.
"My attention was first called to the subject, I think, by Mr. Isaac
Post, in the month of October, 1848, at which time Mrs. Fish, with a
younger sister, was living on Prospect Street. I had previously heard
accounts of something of the kind which was said to have occurred at
Hydesville, Wayne County, of this State, the former place of residence
of Mr. John D. Fox and Mrs. Margaret Fox, now of Arcadia; but had
considered it, as most others did, the mere offspring of excited
imagination, or a trick made up perhaps for the purpose of harmless
deception. You may well suppose that I sought an introduction to the
singular mystery with no very credulous ear. I could not doubt the
honesty of my friend Post, and from the reports which he gave of his
experience thus far, I thought the contrivance must certainly be an
ingenious one and well worth one's while to unravel.
"I went in company with my friend John Kedzie. What transpired on the
occasion of my first visit, I do not distinctly recollect. My curiosity,
however, was only increased, and as an invitation was extended for
further observation, I soon became more conversant with the mystery and
those whom it seemed more particularly to attend. I soon discovered that
I must utterly doubt the truthfulness of my senses--which, by the way,
are not deficient beyond those of others--or admit that there were
sounds produced in my presence, in some manner utterly unaccountable.
They were considered to be produced by spiritual beings, but the bare
fact that I heard noises and could not account for them, was no evidence
to me that such was their origin. Some action of a (to me) hidden law of
nature upon inert matter might do this; or it might, in some way, be
the effect of animal magnetism. I wanted to know if there was any
intelligence connected with, and controlling, these manifestations. That
point reached, I desired to ascertain whether or not the signs of such
intelligence could be imparted to me in such a manner, that I should
know it was out of the power of these individuals of flesh and blood to
give them.
"I had been informed that these manifestations, although partaking of
the same general features, did not claim to be the production of any one
particular Spirit or intelligence; but that numberless Spirits, those
most naturally drawn by affinity to present themselves in the presence
of visitors, had and exercised this power.
"In accordance with the hint thus given, I asked the noisy but unseen
conversationist if I could have the privilege of talking with my
sister--then in the Spirit-world. An affirmative answer being given,
pretty soon a gentle rapping was heard, and on my asking if this was the
signification of her presence, the reply was, yes. I then asked a number
of questions, referring to the time when we were together in years long
since past. The questions thus asked were answered promptly and
intelligibly.
"Afterward the same gentle rapping was heard in the form of a call for
the alphabet (five quick successive raps). The letters were called, and
a sentence spelled out (unsuggested by any query), addressed to me and
commencing, 'Brother, do you remember,' etc. I have not the memoranda
made at the time and cannot recall the precise language of the
communication; but the impression then made upon my mind was that it was
exceedingly like my sister. They were _her thoughts_, clothed in the
self-same drapery which she was accustomed to throw around them. She
mentioned the disease of which her body died (consumption), and alluded
to the protracted cough accompanying it. I asked if she was happy, and
received an affirmative reply. She told me, in reply to my queries, that
human Spirits after they leave this stage of existence enter upon a
sphere in advance of the one they pass from; that they are the subjects
of an universal law, that of progress, and occupy such sphere as the
state of their purity and advancement, at the time of death (so-called),
prepares them for, and as various in its arrangements as are the classes
of Spirits; that the 'many mansions in the Father's house,' are but the
varied spheres, suited to the wants and conditions of their occupants.
"Since the occasions above alluded to, and many times during the past
year, I have had opportunities of this kind. Very frequently when I
have been at the house of Mrs. Fish, the time and attention of these
manifestations have been engrossed by other visitors, and often, on
such occasions, I have been exceedingly interested. In a multitude of
instances I have seen individuals there, entire strangers to the family,
whose questions have been answered by these invisible agencies with the
utmost accuracy. I remember at one time while there, a gentleman and his
wife called and begged an opportunity for a few moments. They were
non-residents of the city, and desired to leave town on the morrow. The
request was granted. We all took seats around the table, and permission
was given the gentleman to ask questions. To the question 'How many
children have I had?' the reply was, _one_. 'Is it living?' The question
being reversed, the signal intimated to the father (what was the case)
that the child was in the Spirit-world. He asked the child's age at the
time of its death, and the length of time that had elapsed since its
death, which queries were, as he said, correctly answered. He then asked
if the Spirit of that child would be allowed to converse with him; an
affirmative was given, and soon a roll of light sounds announced the
presence of the little one. A signal for the alphabet was given, and the
childlike Spirit spelled out a communication to its earthly parent, the
effect of which, upon the father, told but too plainly the reality of
the semblance. The mother then asked a few questions, such as 'Are you
very happy?' 'Are you often with me?' 'Must I cease to grieve that I
have lost you, and remember that you are permitted, although unseen, to
be with me still?'
"That mother left the room in tears; but they were not the outburst of
sorrow. Gladness was in her heart (as she said) for the first time since
she laid her darling child--her first-born--down to sleep on the bosom
of its mother earth.
"I might give you a variety of instances to which I have been a witness,
wherein a remarkable perception has been evinced by these agencies; but
a statement of such things goes but a little way toward convincing a
sceptic, or satisfying the mind of any one who has not the opportunity
of observing for himself. The human mind admits with extreme reluctance
the truth of things which it has been trained to believe without the
range of possibility.
"I have thus given to you, as briefly as possible, what you have
asked me for. My convictions are the result of patient and honest
investigation, extending through a period of sixteen months. They are
fixed--so far as the prime fact is concerned, that a communication
exists between the inhabitants of 'this breathing world,' and a distinct
order of intelligences invisible to the outward eye. If at any time
I embrace an error, I would thank him who should point it out and
demonstrate the truth. But mere argument, however ingenious, can never
move my convictions on this subject. I have submitted everything to
the scrutiny of such powers as God has given to the highest nature I
possess, and know no better guide to lead me; and any evidence which
shall change my opinions must reach me through the same channels of the
mind by which these convictions entered it.
"Perhaps it would not be out of place, in this connection, to state
(what many are aware of) that the family to whom I have alluded as the
ones in whose presence these manifestations occur--although by no means
the only ones--have, in consequence of the circumstances, been subject
of much misrepresentation, and, in some instances, of serious wrong.
This might have been expected at the hands of those who are ever ready
to cast opprobrium on individual character if it chance to be allied in
any way to what _to them_ is unaccountable, or cannot be made to serve
their peculiar views and purposes. During my acquaintance with them I
have never discovered the least ground for the justice of such charges.
I have known them intimately nearly a year and a half, and some of my
friends have been acquainted with them for many years. No one has ever
suggested to me the belief that any of the family had been guilty of any
departure from moral rectitude. I have uniformly been treated by them
with courtesy and kindness; and they have, on all proper occasions,
extended to me such facilities as were requisite to enable me to
prosecute my inquiries. They make no ultra pretensions to what the world
calls piety, neither do they claim exemption from the venial faults
which exist more or less in all their fellow-beings. Neither do they set
up the false claim (which some exceedingly soft heads have imputed to
them) that they, as individuals, are inspired, or have a mission from
the Deity to this world. They are _merely_ the _passive media_ through
whom these communications are made to us, from the world of Spirits.
"Recognizing then, as I do--what to me is undeniable--that for some wise
purpose, intelligences in another sphere of existence are permitted to
communicate with us in this way, numberless questions have suggested
themselves to my mind.
"As nothing important ever takes place in the wide realm of the
Universe, _unconnected with a purpose_, what is the aim of this?
"I answer--as I did involuntarily, in the first stage of my
experience--to teach mankind that what they have been harboring as a
shadow, but never known, is in truth a reality; that the interior man,
the sentient being
'That stirs within and animates the clay,'
is immortal and never dies. This consideration, were there no others, is
quite sufficient. But it is not to be supposed that we have yet been
made acquainted with all the bearings which it is to have upon us and
our welfare. If these Spiritual beings are indeed what they purport to
be--human Spirits--our own kith and kin, who once walked with us on
earth, and still sympathize with us; then, indeed, we may be immensely
benefited by what they may unfold to us. That they _are such_, I have no
positive knowledge or evidence, and none sufficiently strong to warrant
the assertion. It is somewhat difficult to identify them, with our
present crude and limited knowledge. The best we can do, is to judge for
ourselves from the correspondences of things. If I converse with a
Spirit, and its language--as addressed to me--corresponds closely with
the mind of that individual, as I knew it in this life--and particularly
if it alluded to occurrences known only _to myself and it_--I have an
analogical evidence of its identity. On the other hand, if such Spirit
gives me a communication, the sentiment and structure of which are
totally at variance with my perception of the individual thus
personated, I have the same kind of evidence (but no other) that the
said Spirit has sought to deceive me.
"Thus you will perceive my impression to be that Spirits of various
grades of intelligence and moral dignity in the scale of being, are
allowed the same power; and those persons who seek intercourse with _the
good_, need all the panoply of truth and sincerity to guard them from
contact with the opposite.
"This admission, however, is by no means condemnatory of the whole
matter. A Wisdom, exceeding man's, allows good and evil men to live in
this world; but it does not follow that, because I may occasionally
chance to meet with one of the latter, I am to deny myself communication
with the former. We must do the best we can in our condition; act, as
well as we may, the part for which we are adapted by the attributes with
which Deity hath endowed us. And if, in order to commune occasionally
with a bright being of the upper sphere, I am, at times, subjected to
annoyance by one of a lower order (a devil, if you please), I can well
afford it, and come off best in the _finale_. These unseen devils, after
all the disrespect that has been shown them, if I have met them in
council, have evinced the possession of nothing _much_ worse than
ignorance.
"And here let me say, I am of the serious opinion that _all_ the devils
of the universe are not _yet_ congregated in the Spirit-world. Many,
alas! too many of them, are clothed with human forms, and move in our
midst, visible to the common eye. They are spirits of darkness, with a
moral depravity which would do no discredit to any locality ever dreamed
of in a vision of hell itself. Their presence is confined to no one
particular class. They enter your Senate chamber even, sometimes, and
distract the councils of honest men.
"So will it be, in that strange economy which our dark vision seeks in
vain to fathom, until man attains that higher stature, that more perfect
being to which we must all hope he is ultimately destined.
"Respectfully yours,
"J. E. ROBINSON.
"ROCHESTER, March 6, 1850."