p. 56 | IS THIS GENUINE? by Editor

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, January 22, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 4

IS THIS GENUINE?

By Editor

A FRIEND has sent us a handbill announcing a wonderful exhibition of spirit power which was to be given in Wieting Opera House, Syracuse, N. Y., Jan. 11, by C. C. Braddon, assisted by three of the most remarkable mediums in the world. They claim to perform all their wonders in full view of the audience, under brilliant gas light. The following are named as some of the tests which usually take place in the presence of these mediums:—

“While the medium is raised from her seat and floating in mid-air, the many spirit forms that appear around her are truly wonderful, and seen by all present. They stand beside you, converse with you as in life, and shake hands with their friends.”

It is claimed also that a table rises in the air, and that a large piano is raised clear from the floor, and played upon, without any visible hand touching it. This is put forth as “evidence that the dead do return;” and the parties challenge all exposers to meet them and disprove, if they can, the genuineness of their manifestations.

We present herewith some of the testimonials which they produce, and in reference to which they say: “Persons doubting the following assertions can write to the parties and substantiate the same:”—

“Lady Mayhew, No. 2, Vernon Place, Bloomsbury Square, London, states, ‘that thinking there might be some deception in the hall, she took the mediums to her own house, no one present but her own family; that while herself and brothers were holding them, the guitar floated around the parlor, touching many upon the head; bells were suspended in the air and rung, and her mother appeared, and was seen by all present; that there was no chance for deception, as the medium had never visited the house before that day.’

“The Countess of Caithness, of Landsdown Terrace, saw her husband; he stood beside her, conversed with her, placed his arms around her neck, and kissed her as in life.

“C. B. Greenwood, No. 11 Angel Court, Throgmorton Street, London, stated, that he had never seen any manifestations, or even believed in Spiritualism and didn’t know as he did now, but certainly there was something wonderful and miraculous in the manifestations; that his little grandchildren came to him, sitting upon his knee, placing their arms around his neck, called him ‘grandpa,’ and asking for ‘papa’ and ‘mamma;’ that he distinctly saw them as they were sitting there, and felt their presence upon his lap.”

“C. C. Braddon, and mediums, held a seance last evening, at Steinway Hall, to a full house. The performances were new, and startling enough to almost, if not quite, convince the veriest skeptic. Spirits were seen, felt and heard; musical instruments were played upon by spirit hands; the mediums were securely tied and bound to a chair by the spirit of Mulenburg, whose form was plainly seen by the entire audience. These are the only mediums through whom spiritual manifestations are developed in full gas-light.—Spiritual Telegraph.

“Mrs. William Chase, of New York City, testified to the audience, that she had not previously been in the presence of a spiritual meeting or medium, for twelve years, but on this occasion curiosity prompted her to see these mediums, and, on being seated with them, her mother, Mary, her sister Alice, and little child, Willie Lewis, appeared to her, and even talking to her, giving her many cheering and comforting messages.”

“Dr. W. S. Stevens, of No. 14 Arch St., Philadelphia, states: ‘I had C. C. Braddon and mediums in my own parlor, for a private seance, and none but members of my own family being present. Spirit forms appeared, as many as seven at once; they conversed with us, shook hands and played upon the piano, raising it to a height of three feet from the floor. We (myself and family) were not believers in Spiritualism, nor had we ever seen any manifestations before. What I give here are simply facts, and I am positive that no deception could have been practiced, and that each manifestation was most thoroughly investigated. I would further state that the manifestations were all produced in full gas-light.’

“New York Herald, Jan. 25: ‘Might truly be called a marvelous seance. The guitar was seen to rise in the air, while some invisible hand was thumbing it for a space of three minutes. The committee was allowed to hold the medium while the manifestations continued as before. It is inexplicable.’”

“The Graphic, Dec. 31, says: ‘Neither the committee or other spectators were able to fathom the mystery. Miss Fay was firmly tied to the wall and pinioned by a committee. Indeed the demonstration continued while she was held by a reporter of the Tribune.’”

“London Standard, July 5: ‘Nothing half so bewildering has been seen in England. Quite beyond the range of description.’”

So much has appeared already with high-sounding claims and marvelous pretensions, which finally turned out to be a cunning imposition, that the public will no doubt receive this, and perhaps justly, with no little incredulity. But the view we take of the prophecies which point to spiritualism as Satan’s great master-piece of deception for the last days, holds us to the conclusion that he will be able to do the very things which are here claimed to be already done. If, therefore, these manifestations are not genuine, we still look for such things not far in the future. If they are genuine, then that power which is just to reach the climax of its wonderful working as the Lord appears, has so far developed as to be able to perform all but the last act which the prophecy ascribes to it, Rev. 13:13; and the coming of Christ is indeed at the door.