OHIO STATEWIDE FILES - The Ohio Hunter [Chapter 26] ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES(tm) NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgenwebarchives.org ************************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Sara Grimes McBeth saramcb@socket.net June 22, 2005 ************************************************************************** 230 THE OHIO HUNTER CHAPTER XXVI. EMBRACE THE DOCTRINE OF SPIRITUALISM---FIND MYSELF TO BE A MEDIUM--POSSESSED OF THE SPIRIT OF SAMSON---POWERFUL MANIFESTATIONS -- BECOME A WRITING MEDIUM --BECOME DIS- GUSTED WITH THE SPIRITS. IN the year 1855 I became acquainted with the doctrine and practices of Spiritualism; and from my inability to comprehend the mysterious manifestations, was led to believe it the wonderful power of God. I soon found myself to be one of the most powerful mediums in our country, and practiced the art both publicly and privately for about three years, During this time I attended church with the Disciples, and had frequent controversies with different ministers, on the subject of Spiritualism. They often advised me to forsake the practice telling me the believed it to be the works of darkness. But they did not effectually point .me to the Scriptures, and therefore I was willing to believe. I was brought into the faith and practice of Spiritualism just as people usually are into any evil habit--by degrees. I commenced first with the rappings and tippings, and from this to the writing. And although I did not believe very firmly at first, I at length became confirmed in A WRITING-MEDIUM 231 the faith that it was of God; --for they gave good advice, and surely no good ever came of evil. I did not remember then that wolves sometimes appear in sheep's clothing. My first lesson in Spiritualism was in sitting around a table surrounded by several friends, who were operating with the spirits. Upon being asked who of the company were mediums, the spirit a answered by raps, that I was one. I accordingly took the position of master of ceremonies for the evening; and many wonderful manifestations of powers were shown before its closed. Some days after this, I was practicing in a room alone. I asked the spirit if it would send me the spirit of my wife. It answered in the affirmative and I was soon made aware of the presence of a new spirit, -- I was at this time known as writing medium.-- She wrote her full name with distinctness. I asked her where she was, and will now give you the various answers to my questions in precisely the same language she gave, them to me. She said she was in a. place of deposit awaiting the resurrection. I then asked her if she could explain to me the means by which spirits could communicate with the living. She replied she could. I told her to proceed. The pen started and wrote as follows: " In the beginning God made the heaven, and the earth, and made man out of the dust of the, earth, and breathed the breath of life into him. 232 THE OHIO HUNTER And when he breathed the breath of life into him, he breathed also a portion of electricity into him, and when man died, he returned to the earth from whence he was taken and the electricity returned to the air whence it came; and living souls breathing that electricity that flowed from the dead, brought the living in connection with the dead." I now thought I was in possession of all the knowledge that I wanted, I could now unravel to the world the great mystery that had confounded the most learned. I need no longer walk in darkness, for I had found the key of knowledge. But I had not yet fully learned to measure everything by the law and the testimony. But with much self-assurance I commenced showing to the world the wonderful works that I could do. At one time I went in company with a brother to a place somewhat distant, to purchase cattle. Some time was spent in making the bargain, and we were invited to dinner. The gentleman with whom we were dealing was an extensive farmer, and a number of workmen were present at the dinner-table. At that time, Spiritualism was the chief subject of conversation, and seldom two strangers met for an hour without referring to this important topic. It was introduced on this occasion, and my brother at length told them that I was a medium; but our honorable host very decidedly expressed his want of faith in the matter; TABLE-TIPPING 233 said he did not believe in the manifestations, to say nothing of the truth of the matter, that he did not believe that such things were ever done its people said were. And if the people who said these things were so, really believed what they were saying, it was only some optical illusion, or magician's artifice, that had deceived them. However when we had finished our meal and tipped back our chairs, he addressed himself to me and said, "Now if you can perform these great wonders whereof you speak, I want that you should call the spirits, and tip over this table, and break these dishes all to smash, and then perhaps I may believe." I told him I did not wish to do so rash an act as that, but thought I could satisfy him by gentler means. No, he said, nothing but the most powerful evidences could convince him, and when the dishes were broken he was able to buy more. I told him that after partaking of his hospitality I could not, nor would not do so rude a thing as to destroy his dishes; but to convince him that I could, I would give them a terrible shaking. So I rolled up my sleeves that they might watch carefully all the movements of the muscles, and satisfy themselves there was no secret agency employed in the matter. I then carefully laid my hands upon the table and invoked the spirit. It came. I asked it if it could raise the table for me. It replied it could not. I asked it why. It answered it was not strong 234 THE OHIO HUNTER enough. I inquired if it could send me the spirit of Samson. It said it would. I could always tell when Samson had come, by the powerful sensation experienced in my arms. I ordered it to raise the table, which it did immediately, about four inches, bringing it down with a terrible crash, causing a great overturn among the dishes. The women all turned pale and shrieked with fright, and even the strong-minded man said, It is enough. At another time, when writing letter to a friend, the spirits would every few lines write something not connected with the subject. I found after considerable experience, there was no dependence to be placed in anything it said, for it would as frequently tell that which was perfectly false, as it would tell the truth. I became disgusted with the business and determined to discover what it was that had wielded so powerful an influence over me. I went to the Bible for testimony. I found there that "the living know that they must die, but the dead know not anything." Also, "His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth, in that very day his thoughts perish." Besides much other testimony, clearly proving to me that I had not been holding any intercourse with the departed saints, but with devils. When once satisfied that it was the spirit of Antichrist which goes forth into the world, I determined never more to meddle with it. I CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE 235 could give a great deal more testimony against this false doctrine, and reasons why I forsook it, but lest you charge me with sectarian prejudices, I will forbear further comment.