PART 2 - INTRODUCTION.

 

IN offering this work to the public, the undersigned has no other motive than the disclosure of truth, and the welfare of mankind. I have never been anxious for public notoriety in any field of labor in which I have been engaged, and, the reader will pardon me if I say, had I sought for public applause, I would have chosen a theme more favorable to such purpose than I am apprehensive these new manifestations and revealments by spirits will be likely to secure. Yet the truth is truth, and the opinions of men can never make it otherwise. With this conviction I have pursued the investigation, of modern developments, resolved not to be deceived, nor deceive others.

 

My first convictions were produced by vibrations, or sounds, accompanied by such sensuous manifestations as scattered all doubt of there being any human agency or collusion in the matter. As these facts have been laid before the public, I will not repeat them here. Suffice it to say, that what others do not know, or have not seen, weighs nothing against what I do know, because my senses must determine for myself what is true and what is false. What others may say, they will say on their own responsibility, and, when they know what I know, the matter which now is open to some discussion among minds will be settled beyond a cavil or doubt.

 

In the month of August, 1850, peculiar manifestations of spirits were made at my house. And, in the autumn of the same year, (1850) the inner doors were frequently opened and shut without the aid of human hands, and when no other force than spirits could have done it. In the mouth of November my only child, a girl then between six and seven years of age, became a subject through whom spirits could manifest themselves.

 

She was exercised in so extraordinary a manner, that we were not without some apprehensions for her safety. The child was exercised by control of her limbs. Some manifestations of sounds were also given. At length, the violence with which she was exercised, induced us to visit a clairvoyant, to understand, if possible, the reason for these peculiar manifestations. We were without intelligent responses to inquiries, through the sounds at my house. During the interview, at Esq. Draper's, whose companion is regarded as a clairvoyant of more than ordinary development, it was made known to Mrs. H. and myself, that no harm was intended the little girl. We requested them to desist, to which they responded that no harm would be done. The object seemed to be to exercise the girl for the benefit of her health, and induce us to make that visit.

 

On the evening of the 20th of April, 1851, having retired to rest, I was surprised to find my right hand and arm move without any volition of my will. Being satisfied that spirits were present, I said mentally, will the spirit take my hand and throw it forward over the bed clothes. Gently my hand was carried to the position I asked. Various other manifestations were performed, until I gained a response, that they would control my hand so as to spell sentences by moving it along the alphabet. The next morning, I put the response to the test by taking the alphabet, when I found my finger drawn along the column until it reached the letter which was necessary to form a word, when it would suddenly stop. In this way spirits were able to communicate their thoughts and wishes to me. I was made acquainted with their designs, and what is still more strange to me their names; for I must confess, that no names would have surprised me more. The authors of this book were to be my counsellors. And who were they that I should be the subject of their solicitude? Names venerable it is true, yet obnoxious to my prepossessions. They were minds who had shared in the world's favors and frowns, but their writings were no commendation to me. But it was not until June, 1851, that I had advanced to the condition of writing with their aid very rapidly, or correctly; and then I found that oar chirography was very much unlike. Indeed, all varieties of hand writing were displayed. Exact counterfeits of writing by persons with whom I was wholly unacquainted, were every day occurrences.

 

With the subject matter of this book, I was wholly uninformed, formed, not knowing even the first word until my hand was moved and wrote it. When written I have often found the sentiment to contradict the convictions of my own mind. This has led me sometimes to suggest amendments, but I have uniformly been unfortunate in that respect. The book was written without any wilt or volition, except that I consented to sit, and let my hand write as it was controlled by spirits; and as it was written by them, so I have caused it to be published. Not a word, or sentence have I changed from the manuscript as they prepared it for the printer. The punctuation is partially my own. In the rapid manner in which it was written, being mostly written in the months of August and October, and often interrupted with visitors, it was not well punctuated. As, near as I can now estimate the time required to write this work, it was about equal to five weeks, and averaging tea hours each day. And even this portion of time has not been all occupied without obstructions. Visitors have broken up the communication in the middle of sentences and even words, but, on resuming my usual attitude, the hand has been moved, and the sentence or word completed! as though no interruption had taken place.

 

Whatever of merit or demerit this book possesses, the public must be judge. I claim nothing on my own account, save the credit to give it as it was written with my hand. And I may also add, that had I undertaken a work of this kind, I am quite sure it would have varied essentially in all its material parts; because I found myself confounded on every page as it was written. But what I would say is, that as it is written so it is published, and whether others are wholly satisfied or no; I will sky what is true, and that truth will not wrong itself.

 

The writers of this book are well satisfied, as they inform me; and what satisfies spirits I have no reason to complain of myself They are four in number, with two of whom I had the pleasure of an acquaintance when they were living. But the most part of the book was written by two spirits of a generation gone by, and whom I never knew, not having read their works, which are valued by many, and censured by others. Their names will appear in the pages of a second work, but their sentiments do not appear in this book, as I have understood them to have been held, while in the body. The reader will not even expect that they should, if the doctrine of progression be a truth.