The Spiritualist newspaper > No.312, August 16th 1878

82
THE SPIEITUALIST.
Aug. 16, 1878.
“ PSYCHOGRAPHY.” .
Psychography. By M. A. (Oxon.) W. H. Habrison. 1878.—
Upon the title page this work is described as “a treatise on one of the
objective forms of psychic, a spiritual phenomena,” and, as the preface
informs us, is designed to present “a record of facts”bearing on the
form of manifestation, known usually as direct writing. It contains the
personal experiences of the author, substantiated and extended by those
of well-known writers, obtained in all cases under test conditions.
Baron Guldenstubbe, Professor Crookes, Serjeant Cox, Hon. R. Dale
Owen, Rev. J. Page Hopps, Mr. A. R. Wallace, Professor Barrett,
Dr. Wyld, Dr. C. Carter Blake, Rev. T. Colley, Canon Mouls, and
Madame Blavatsky, are among the authorities whose attestations are
here placed before the public, in the briefest and most satisfactory
manner. From the most unquestionable .evidence we have here the
proof of a force and an intelligence, exercised without physical inter¬
vention, and of such a character as to defy detection, as well as appa¬
rently to override all established law. We have the sworn testimony of
the Court Conjurer and Prestidigitator to the Emperor of Germany,
Samuel Bellachini, that after testing the mediumship of Mr. Slade in a
series of sittings in full daylight, as well as in the evening, he considers
obtaining of such phenomena by prestidigitation to be “ absolutely im¬
possible;” after which it is to be hoped that the unveracious and
shameless Maskelyne may be somewhat silenced. At one sitting in
St. Petersburg, writing in six different languages was obtained
on a single slate. Writing has been obtained in Greek, and
even in Chinese, as well as in many modern languages, of
which the mediums have been ignorant; but for further and complete
information upon this subject we must refer our readers to the book
itself. It is almost needless to say, that the selection of evidences has
been guided by that scrupulous accuracy for which “ M.A. (Oxon) ”
deservedly possesses the entire confidence of all readers. The criticism
is as usual searching and suggestive, the method logical and scientific,
the treatment scholarly—either to Spiritualists or inquirers the volume
is one of the highest value, and if the exceptionally fitted author could
continue to publish a series of them, each one dealing with a particular
branch of the phenomena, the science of Spiritualism supported by such
text books would inevitably advance to the position of importance due
to its marvellous revelations, but hitherto denied by the ignorance and
prejudice of the masses. No rational mind could escape the conviction
which a perusal of this 150 pp. compels ; and especially to those out¬
lying tracts of civilisation, where physical phenomena are rarely within
reach of the investigator, such treatises as these are invaluable. The
printer’s and binder’s portion of the undertaking has been very hand¬
somely performed, and we trust that the little handbook will have as it
merits an immense circulation.—Harbinger of Light (Melbourne).
AN EXTRAORDINARY STORY ABOUT A SPIRIT BRIDE.
[From the u Cincinnati Commercial.”)
Terre Haute, Ind., Dec. 18th.-—We, the undersigned, manager of
Anna Stewart’s seances, are in daily receipt of letters calling our attention
to a report under the caption of “ Marrying a Ghost,” found in your
issue of a recent date, asking our version of the unique wedding. In
reply, we take from the said report the following extract, fully endorsing
the statements made therein by your correspondent:—
“At seven o’clock Mrs. Stewart entered the cabinet, the lights were
turned down, and quiet prevailed, broken only by the sweet and
trembling vibration of the doctor’s musical box, a condition necessary
to assist the controlling spirit to more fully materialise. Some twenty
minutes were in this manner whiled away, when the door of the cabinet
opened, disclosing an angelic figure, arrayed in a complete bridal
costume of snow-white texture, indescribably beautiful. The veil, which
appeared like a fleecy vapour, encircled her brow, and being caught
at the temples, fell in graceful folds and seemingly almost enveloping
her entire form. Thus, like treading on the clouds, the form walked
softly into the rostrum. The Judge, who had received spiritual intelli¬
gence as to what was about to occur, at once recognised the materiali¬
sation as that of his departed wife, and exhibiting considerable feeling,
mingled with much dignity of manner, approached her with affectionate
greeting,- and placing within her gloved hand a bouquet of rare
flowers, imprinted upon her lips a fervent kiss. ‘ Are you ready ? ’
inquired the doctor. ‘ We are,’ responded the Judge. Justice
Denehie, of this city, then stepped upon. the rostrum, and
joining the hands of the couple, in a few well chosen words, in the
name of the overruling power, united the mortal to the immortal;
vows of eternal constancy and fidelity were exchanged, pledges of love
were made anew. At the conclusion of this ceremony, the spirit bride
received the congratulations of the company present, then slowly
receded. As she crossed the threshold of the cabinet a dazzling light
flooded its precincts, revealing to the audience a spirit face of marvellous
beauty.”
The above, as reported, was witnessed on Sunday evening, the 19th
of November last, by twenty persons, composed equally of each sex.
The preliminary arrangements were consummated in a private seance on
the morning of the same day. During the fifteen minutes taken up by
the interview the apparition was seated by his side, asking and replying
to questions indicative of a superior intellect. The conversation on her
part was conducted in a loud and distinct whisper. She manifested'the
greatest pleasure in accepting the privilege granted to reassure him of
her continued regard and affection. In reply to the question referring
to the proposed marriage, “ What will the ignorant aud prejudiced say ?
Will they not regard me crazy?” “It matters not as to what they
may say; let us please ourselves,” was the decisive and emphatic reply.
His wishes as regards the wedding-dress were consulted with manifest
interest and scrupulous care. She appeared on the momentous occasion
attired in the habiliments agreed upon, with the pleasing exception that
in splendour they surpassed anticipations.
Mr. Linas B. Denehie, the official whose services by pre-engage¬
ment were secured, promptly mounted the rostrum at the proper
time, and passed on to meet them, as they arm-in-arm advanced to
the front. Unexpectedly a warning to halt was received. Alas 1
the apparition was faltering. In swaying the head and shoulders
fell backward; the face, partially dematerialising, assuming a pallid
and ghastly appearance. Awe-stricken, his honour, the ’squire, awaited
results with anxious solicitude. In the meantime, sympathetic minds
imploringly and silently offered prayers in her behalf. A few moments
of breathless silence, and the crisis passed. Behold ! she rallied,
coming up with a power that inspired all with a grateful confidence
in her ability to pass successfully the trying ordeal. At the con¬
clusion of the ceremony the judge conducted her to the cabinet,
following which the illumination referred to was introduced. After
the brilliant light faded away, the apparition reappeared, shaking
hands with the judge, then the ’squire, and afterwards with all in
the room, returning to the cabinet, closed the door, and was seen no
more. Thus terminated the most startling and interesting event ever
recorded in the annals of spirit phenomena.
In conclusion, we desire to say that the location of the judge in
Vermont was incorrectly reported, and the initial “ A.” is fictitious.
Doubtless the omission was for prudential reasons. The inaccuracy in
the location and the initial letter does not change the important fact, and
a correction is unimportant. It may be proper, however, to assure the
public that his honour occupied the executive chair in a judicial capacity
of judge in his circuit court district for fourteen consecutive years. The
execution of his official acts was noted for accuracy and promptness; he
filled his position with honour and acknowledged ability.
Allen Pence, I
James Hook, > Committee.
Samuel CoftNAR,J
To the interested be it known that I, Linus B. Denehie, certify that
the statements in the above referring to my connection therewith are
strictly correct. L. B. Denehie.
aromsponxieuce.
{Great freedom is given to correspondents, who sometimes express opinions diametrically opposed,
to those of this journal and its readers. Unsolicited communications cannot be returned;
copies should be kept by the writers. Preference is given to letters which are not anonymous.)
canon farrar’s teachinos.
Sir,—Mr. Gerald Massey has plainly shown us in his Shakespeare's
Sonnets and his Private Friends, as well as in his valuable little book
Concerning Spiritualism, that Marlowe was the poet to whom
Shakespeare alluded as—
By spirits taught to write above a mortal pitch;
and to whom came
Compeers by night, giving him aid.
This appears to me very valuable testimony, because the Spiritualism
taught by Marlowe is so very like the Spiritualism taught in the present
day, that it shows the unchangeable nature of true Spiritualism, so
unlike the variety of teaching in the Churches. And yet, indeed, such
men as Canon Farrar are beginning to teach Spiritualism, though they
are unwilling or unable to acknowledge its source. However this may
be, Canon Farrar is at any rate teaching Spiritualism ; and while, more¬
over, knowing perhaps nothing about the identity of Marlowe with that
of the poet alluded to by Shakespeare, he yet quotes Marlowe in con¬
firmation of his own views of Eternal Hope, and, I may add, of true
Spiritualism, when he points out that writer as telling us in his Devil
and Dr. Faustus that—
Hell hath no limits, nor is circumscribed
In one self place'; but where we are is hell,
And where hell is there must we ever be,
And, to be short, when all this world dissolves,
And every creature shall be purified,
All places shall be hell which are not heaven.
Audax.
THE DERBY PSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIETY.
Sir,—The annual picnic in connection with this society will be held
on Saturday noon, August 24th, 1878, at Haddon Hall, Rowsley. A
special excursion train will leave Derby for Rowsley at two o’clock.
Upon arriving at Rowsley the party will proceed direct to Haddon
Hall, an old mansion belonging to the Duke of Rutland, which is famous
for its historical associations and excellent preservation, although some
six hundred years have elapsed since it was founded. Those friends
desirous of viewing the various rooms and grounds will take the first
opportunity of doing so, after which the party will partake of refresh¬
ments in one of the rooms of the mansion. A short meeting will then
be held in one of the rooms procured for the purpose. It is hoped that
friends in the Lancashire district, Nottingham, Belper, Holloway,
Leicester, and neighbouring towns will kindly accept this intimation ;
each and all will be welcome.
J. J. Morse, President.
T. W. Ward, Hon. Sec.
Derby, August 10th, 1878,
Newspaper abuse of Spiritualism seems to be nearly at an end in
this country. We sent out to different journals many copies of the
last number of The Spiritualist, and, contrary to all precedents, but
those of recent date, not a single specimen of newspaper blackguardism
has come back in return. Truth, in its yesterday’s number, publishes
the details of the “ interlinked rings ” test.