An Exposition of Views Respecting the Principal Facts, Causes and Peculiarities Involved in Spirit Manifestations; Together with Interesting Phenomenal Statements and Communications (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1853. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... SPIRIT MANIFESTATIONS. CHAPTER I. GENERAL STATEMENT OF PHENOMENAL FACTS, &c Theory of Mntter, Spirit, Human Spirits, the Spirit World, Spiricity as a communicable and interchangeable Element between Spirits, Mediumship, &c.--The Cardinal Truths of New Testament Christianity not contradicted, but corroborated by modern Spirit Manifestations. This subject opens with a host of phenomenal facts, which take place without any perceivable or conscious mortal agency, either physical or mental. These facts are the inductive rudiments of the subject. They are to be considered and accounted for. Among the more prominent of these are the following: --1. Making peculiar noises, indicative of more or less intelligence; such as knockings, rappings, jarrings, creakings, tickings, imitation of many sounds known in the different vicissitudes of human life, musical intonations, and, in rare instances, articulate speech. Some of these various sounds are very loud, distinct and forcible; others, low, less distinct, and more gentle, but all audible realities. 2. The moving of material substances, with like indications of intelligence; such as tables, sofas, light-stands, chairs, and various other articles; shaking, tipping, sliding, raising them clear of the floor, placing them in new positions, (sometimes in spite of athletic and heavy men doing their utmost to hold them down;) taking up the passive body of a person, and carrying it from one position to another across the room, through mid-air; opening and shutting doors; thrumming musical instruments; undoing wellclasped pocket-books, taking out their contents; ind then, by request, replacing them as before; writing with pens, pencils, and other substances, both liquid and solid, sometimes on paper, sometimes on common sla...