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BF1283.D36 A2 1867
Maaic Stan: an autobioB^^^
fkMc^r
-l</^
THE
MAGIC STAFF;
AN
AUTOBIOGRAPHY
OP
ANDKEW JACKSON
DAVIS.
'
Though
with
I
;
me
walk through the vulley of the shndow of denth, 1 will four no thy rod and tut Staff, thoy comfort me." Uedbev Poet.
evil
for thou
EIGHTH EDITION.
BOSTON:
PXJBIjISHEr)
14
BY
BELA.
:M!A.IiSH:,
BRGMFIELD STREET.
1867.
By
ANDREW JACKSON
New
DAVIS,
States, in
ad
{br the
Southern District of
PUBLISHEES' PEEPACB.
A MOST
rational
We
;
regard
it
as the
jBrst
its
we
look upon
as a valuable
This book
stance,
abilities,
while a greater
as
we now
brief
offer
to the
mean between
these
The
and fragmentary
4
to
PEEPACE.
time appeared, have
believers,
neither
supplied
the
demands
alle-
and wishes of
tematic autobiography
memories
supply a desideratum so
is
and we respectfully
entirely authentic
ful events,
offer it as
and beyond
refutation.
satisfactory manner.
its
We
with
Indeed,
with
all
critics
and
scholars,
this
to be
pronounced,)
we
from
its
New
York, May^
1857.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
CHAPTER
The USB 0^ AuTonioGEAPiiT
I. 19
CHAPTER
The Local Habitation
II.
;
,
24
CHAPTER
The Name
III.
28
CHAPTER
The Vbkdub and Dbpaetcbe
IV.
,
34
CHAPTER
Mr First Memoeies
My
Fibst Temptation.
,
V.
.~
41
CHAPTER
VI.
46
CHAPTER
A
Change of Scene
VII.
51
CHAPTER
The Dutchman's Ghost
VIII.
54
CHAPTER
In which I
IX.
.60
CHAPTER
0THBB Scenes
;
X.
66
in this
Dbama
CHAPTER
aUNSUJNE AND ClOUDS
XI.
.72
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER
In which I ASK MANY QtTBSTIONS
XII.
PAOB
76
CHAPTER
In which I GO Babt-Huntino
-
XIII.
^^
CHAPTER
rises aoain
XIV.
87
The Cukiain
CHAPTER
In which AitB Signs of Second-Sight
XV.
91
CHAPTER
Mt Temptation to be Peofanb
XVI.
96
CHAPTER
Mt Mother's Dbbam
XVII.
103
CHAPTER
Signs,
XVIII.
109
CHAPTER
A Chapter of Accidents
XIX.
112
CHAPTER
The Gambler's Pibrt Fate
XX.
118
CHAPTER
In which 1 00 to School
XXI.
123
CHAPTER
Initial Experiences in Htde-Park
XXII.
129
135
CHAPTER XXIV.
A Curious Case of Witchcraft
143
CHAPTER XXV.
Other Episodes
In
in this Histort
153
CHAPTER XXVI.
which
I
164
CHAPTER XXVII.
Mt Lancastbbian Education
171
CHAPTER XXVIII.
The Ups and Downs of Iiifb
174
CHAPTER XXIX.
A Lesson of Self-Sefendence
185
C0NTENT3.
CHAPTER XXX.
My Life with
Ira Asubtboitq
paob
188
CHAPTEK XXXI.
The DAvn/nsa Lioht
r
196
CHAPTER
In
XXXII.
.-
which
204
CHAPTER XXXIII.
My First Flight thbottoh
Space
218
CHAPTER XXXIV.
The Summit of the First Mountain
225
CHAPTER
An Entire Change of Programme
XXX"V.
246
CHAPTER XXXVI.
My Journey toward
Sfeoiai. Fbovidences
the Valley
260
CHAPTER XXXVII.
270
285
294
CHAPTER
The Principles of Nature
XL.
303
CHAPTER
The Sobbowb of New York
XLI.
.
813
CHAPTER
Several New Stabs
XLII.
320
CHAPTER
The Spiritual Sfhebes..
EviiNTS OF the
XLIII.
332
CHAPTER XLIV.
Valley
344
CHAPTER XLV.
Missionaries in the Field
355
CHAPTER XLVI.
Vision OF Perpetual Peace
368
CHAPTER XLVII.
The Furnished Room
384
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER
Night and Morning
Facts and Pancibs
XLVIII.
r-*^*"*
393
CHAPTER XLIX.
^O*
CHAPTER
The Fbatubnai- Marriage
L.
41*
CHAPTER
The Rbconoiliation
LI.
420
CHAPTER
The Fatal Gem
LII.
428
CHAPTER
Readings and Teaching^
LIII.
435
CHAPTER
In the Ofen Field
LIV.
448
CHAPTER
Life in the Cottage
LV.
^
460
CHAPTER
The Double Suicide
LVI.
468
CHAPTER
The TEEOLoaiCAL Eclipse
LVII.
479
CHAPTER
The
Infinite Conjugation
LVIII.
491
CHAPTER
Cause and Effect
LIX.
500
CHAPTER
Golden Tokens
LX.
516
CHAPTER
Singular Visitations
LXI.
533
CHAPTER
The Conjugal Marriage
LXII.
545
INITIAL CONSIDERATIONS.
BT THE AUTHOR'S COMPANION.
to this
Autobiogka-
occurs to
me
may
ent volume.
Some
by
my
Why
The Author
by
as
by the incidents of a life. The among the things that are, give volumes, already
and
illustrated
How ?"
restless
As
1*
axi
10
to
INITIAL CONSIDERATIONS.
to
one of the
Davis
"None BUT himself can ever know from hooks, or other known sources, the
nical terms found in his writings,
and techintellect
could learn
all this
is
To admit
to
man
vastly superior to
The
evil effects of
to
need pointing
Mental and
which I
fact that
pretensions.
The
shown in the
The
Liberator,'
out more
eleairly
things that
ha& tended
said',
produce them.
if
" It will be
however, that
superiOT powers of
true,
we need
Some dispute. Of
by testimony
that
interior sight,' or
Neither can I
to
The thin^
to
and,
my
is not,
The above
writings of
derlie his
extract
is
but a
fair
skep>-
and
Mr. Davis, and the grand subjective laws which undevelopment. Hence, the demand seems imperative
INITIAIi
that,, for
CONSIDERATIONS.
11
and meta-
physics, this
work should be
world's literature.
i.
own
history^
(P^
that, too,
while so
young ?
"
not in figures on a
He moat lives
acts the best."
long.
During a
life
half-score of years,
to the
By
this pro-
cess
Na-
In every sense he
thus gleaning from
has been a
only
by going
Hence,
his education is
now just as
intellect
;
and
only
when
some'
new and
he needs
mind
still
State."
It is plain
be seen, then, that his present ordinary state, in which he writes this Autobiography, is vastly " superior" to that former dependent
condition in which he dictated " Nature's Divine Revelations."
*
own
case.
reveals
many
when
sway of
sense,
and
less
dependent on
At
the same
12
time,
INITIAL CONSIDEEATIONS.
he alone can relate accurately the events of his own life, and give a faithful transcript of what would otherwise be for ever
obscured by misapprehension and consequent misrepresentation.
Besides,
many a contemporary
to,
now
be appealed
be deemed
at all difficult,
when
it is
mary
psychological development of
"The Poughkeepsie
New York
Indeed,
his-
many
tory,
testimonials,
will
to
me by a
well-
known
citizen
This brief notice of my friend, your honored most respectfully dedicated to your kind care and keeping, as a testimonial of regard for merited worth. In 1843, Professor Grimes, a lecturer on Phrenology and Mesmerism, came to Pouglikeepsie, New York, and raised considerable
Deak Madam
is
husband,
interest
among
all classes,
erybody began
to
liam Levingston, a
and many submitted to his experiments. A. J. Davis was then a youth of about sixteen years, living next door to where I was employed, with Ira Armstrong, as an apprentice to_ the shoemaking business. Said Davis, with other boys, called on Mr. Levingston to be magnetized, as it was then
into the clairvoyant state,
proved susceptible to its influence, was put at once and began to see through his forehead without the use of his natural eyes ; which phenomenon caused much surprise to all who saw or heard of it, and many were anxtermed.
ious to learn about the strange manifestation.
He
I became much
and sought
ble for
me to get. I talked with Samuel Davis, Levingston Armstrong, &c., and learned what they were able to give concem* See Introduction
to
INITIAL CONSIDERATIONS.
ing the origin, disposition, education, and character, of Jackson.
13
I
became
ting,
satisfied that
His education at that time consisted of reading, wriand ciphering, and only rudimental in these. I found, by conversing with him, that he had read but very little, and did not posHe was a light-hearted, well-dissess any general information. posed youth. In answer as to what books he had read, he said, " I have only read a book called * The Three Spaniards,* " which
honorable.
tale, as
He
many
and, from all that I can learn, has not done so to this day.
His
knowledge,
now
voyant
state.
His newly-developed powers took a medical turn ; and, after a few weeks of experimenting, to satisfy the curiosity of himself and his friends, he commenced practising as a clairvoyant physician, Levingston being his magnetizer. Armstrong gave him up to follow his new calling. He continued in and about Poughkeepsie for a year or two, taking a tour out occasionally, and again returnHis descriptions of variing to see his old patients and friends. ous ailments, both mental and physical, as weU as his prescriptions for, cure, were truly wonderful and astonishing to all who knew hira. Educated doctors would admit that his anatomical descriptions were correct, and that his remedies were curious and philosophical, displaying a knowledge of things of which he knew nothing when in his normal condition. At that time he had no power to remember what transpired in his clairvoyant state, while in his natural condition ; but he has since attained that power, as well as He does not therefore now need a that of self-magnetization. His experiences are stiU quite as astonishing to manipulator. himself as to others, as he informed me not long since. While living in Poughkeepsie with Mr. Levingston, and continuing to follow the healing art, Jackson received an impressioUj in his interior state, that he would be the instrument of communica"Nature's Divine Eevelations" ting a work to the world which work was dictated in word and sentiment, and written down from his lips, by William Fishbough. This volume contained philosophy and sentiments not in the mind of Fishbough, as he
14
INITUL CONSIDERATIONS.
Hav-
next to a miracle
Davis
to
me
that
son would attain some distinguished position in the world, but did
would take the direction it has. He was a practical Dr. Franklin school, and never doubted the success of any one who had a trade, and a disposition to foUow it with patience and economy. He was a man of candor and philanthropy. His present address is Huntington, Indiana. I have taken an interest in clairvoyance, as developed in the career of Jackson ; and, being personally acquainted with him, I
not dream
it
utilitarian of the
have traced
Having doubts upon the immortality of the soul, I hoped to be convinced through that source, and have often conversed with him upon the subject. He has ever told me, since he became developed to a communion with spirits, that to himself it was knowledge not faith; for, in his interior state, he both saw and conversed with the disembodied. I have no doubt of his sincerity, nor of its reality to him but, as I am low m the organ
to the present time.
not,
up to this time, feel clear upon the immortal existence of our race. But I am still investigating all alleged sources of information, with the view of finding the " pearl of great price." Let this be as it may, however, I can truly say that I consider A. J. Davis as one of the marvels of the age, and his " Harmonial Philosophy" as one of the purest and most reasonable systems of
religion extant.
It professes to teach the gospel, as inspired by
and Mother-Nature," and is fully worthy of such an Designed, in the " good time coming,'' of which it is the origin. prompter and forerunner, to establish harmony, justice, and happiness in the earth, and fit our race for blissful abodes in any future
" Father-God
mend
that may await them', I bid it " God speed," and recomand its author to the favorable consideration of the world. Hoping that I may one day realize the truth of his sublime anticipations and exalted theories, I hereby subscribe myself the candid friend and rational admirer of the life and writings of Andrei?
life
it
Jackson Davis.
156
James Flaglek.
-n,
-,.
INITIAL CONSIDERATIONS.
3.
15
portray events
Why
does
this history,
so minutely,
and
Though many of
and with a
particularity that
is
may seem
trivial
stiH, it
and no language
its
is
irrelevant
advancement.
That I
am
:
may be
New
Orleans
Picayune
"
The world
is
made up of
trifles.
of
the world.
trifles light
as
air'
discoveries
we
;
have.
The
to gravitation
^not to
that,
turies
Goid.
we owe
"
and
light
which
The
foundation of the
trick in
an individual combat, or
glorious states arose from
American
liberty
and thirty-one
nians in 1775.
covery of a
New
World.
The
erection of
a sawmill
in California
little
The
crossing of a
liberties
of
Rome, and
acorn the
From a -little
the course of
many
a river;
16
It is impossible to
INITIAL CONSIDERATIONS.
enumerate, especially in a newspaper article, the almost numberless 'trifles' that have produced numberless great events, and made numberless radical changes in the history
Suffice
it
to say that
'
triifles'
are not to
The
vrorld
may
true,
and valuable
same
'trifles.'
The
fable of the
by a
little
man.
Upon a
less foundation
than
many
Hold nothing
in
contempt
came from
The
by the
telescope.
The loathsome
feet, will
caterpillar,
which we long
to
The little pool of dirty water into which we have stepped will be woven into a bright and beautifully-embroidered veil, by the miraculous sun, for the face of the queen who
rainbows for wings.
trails
!"
4.
How
can
the
Author
state
of
His
father,
still
P. Wil-
liams, are
when
their juvenile
awaked
into conscious
memory.
of his vernal
associ-
Why
ates f
own
no
less
illiterate
companions,
As
it is,
these
INITIAL CONSIDEBATIONS.
faithfully-reported colloquies
all
17
show how
far
sisters,
of childhood.
teracted
by any subsequent
But, to the true child of Nature, time and circumstance are not.
He
has his
own awakening,
is
in the
still
regions of
Thought over
there
is
which there
through which
the
rushing of no
is
On and
pathway of
suns,
then his
all
of this Autobiography ?
evidently of great importance. anecdote,
it
To
While
the young,
it
its
mission
is
by the charm of
wiU
teach them lessons of virtue, which any number of moral harangues, however finished and elaborate, might
fail to
impress
on their untaught
faculties.
The
and intemperance
and
to cultivate gentle-
To
them
it
will
treated,
how
carefully
may
be early sown.
In
this
to the writer
many
Untutored in
all that
and contemned,
they stiU watched carefully the daily conduct of their son, and
kindly, though promptly
seemed
to
To
hope.
far,
all classes,
be a well-spring of
The
18
mortalify,
nnnii
and the
considerations.
intercommunion with the happy
possibility of
Nor
trials,
is this all.
The
di-
the discouragements,
and the triumphs, that have marked his past career, are a study, the pursuit of which will awaken courage and inspire aspiration
in the souls of the
That he has
where and
warm and
full
of glory,"
is
fact in
human
to
God
Mabt
New
Yoek,
April, 1857.
F. Davis.
THE
MAGIC STAFF.
CHAPTER
" Tell
'
1.
Life is bnt
And
It seems
to
me
destinies
germ of a human
being.
Noth-
is
The beginning and the end of all human endeavor is, TO EXIST. The arts, and sciences, and machinations, by which men
vient.
as
ephemeral as
And
tions,
human
existence
would be impossible.
and no two
rela-
20
items which on review
we
find strung
years
sister, bj
the friendly neighbor, and " the stranger within thy gates"
with-
life,
no
direcl
EXISTENCE.
Hence
it is,
and apparently in
instincIf
whatever
is
even though
appetite
an
insatiable.
The realm
of subsistence
told,
how
all classes,
!
and
all ages,
of both
sexes,
The
is
interesting
that of
a person
is fas-
cinating.
There
is
The
illit-
to
be hanged, are
un-
if told
by himself than by
and an
adept
is im-
men
it
but,
when
left to
seek
gratifica-
unguided by Wisdom,
Pernicious
tale-
The
is
sanctuary of private
life
is
ruthlessly entered
;
by a gang of headlong
ual character
biographical investigators
and the
individinfuri-
by an
ated
mob
phleteers.
All this
is
and
in public, by
true
men
; : ;
21
it
may and
may be
distorted
by the
flitting
shadows of appear-
Now, should a person thus along without taking his own life, why, then
unknown
foe.
he
is liable to
by some supposed
by a
Hence
has in
it
it'
follows, as
developments
lessons
if it contains
is
any fresh
at the
mystery
then
it
of justice and
intestate,
mercy
but to bequeath to
whom
it
may
Man is bom
ows ;
but,
He forthwith
destiny, to
future, but
at
struggles
attain the
and
frets,
and tumbles,
every
The
may
and him,
may pass
yet, undaunted,
ambition
the same
when,
bhing,
lo
which
is
at the base of
my
5wn
sf
life
a commanding
common level of birth to the summit The first position reached, I saw a vale
a yet higher
hill for
before
me
and, beyond
this,
my feet to climb,
still
[n due time
another
22
elevation,
ascent.
so,
rugged mission.
The broad
experience.
or
gorgeous
moimtain'home
ings,
errors,
and wander"
be-
and
mists,
significance, of
every vale
low, through
It
was
like standing
on a
solid
rock by the
away from
fall
and
For
thus
was
that, far
down
I could see
gorge to
my feUow-men, too
and marring
cliff",
by methods
At
saw
length, however, I
was moved
and, lo
!
to turn
tion of
my
pilgrimage
contrary to
on which I
my
way-
There was
work
that
to
do on
Between
ning vale.
is yet
scarcely visible
an
mterver
just
as
In
vaUey I
me;
and
tiiis Autobiography. public writing, except the ordinary work of answering correspondents, that I ever did while sojourning in a vale. But this is not to be wondered at, because tiiis
higher
up is more elevated
vaUey
is
highest
abilities
tiius
giving
me
normal
2S
after
a thorougli magnetization.
To
relate
what happened
me
in the
many and
various regions
to time explored, both while in the valto give the rationak of the provi-
my f^et have
one mental position to another, will be the sole end and purpose
of this volume.
Be
till
me
my life.
24
CHAPTER
In vain might the
II.
Humin
travels
in vain peruse
any history
to
become
first
scene in the
life-
drama which
this
is
about to be delineated.
Tou need
not marvel at
human
was
structure
and imme-
New York and was by a half-weaver and half-shoemaker, but wholly honest man, who, in common with his wife, had amassed considering-Grove, Orange county, in the state of
owned
in part
is
most easily
of Eliza,
acquired
by
titles
Jane, Sylvanus,
Amanda, and
Julia
Ann.
attained the
Pov-
had
upon him.
As
1/
25
web of his
ers,
private
life
he acquired the rare accomplishment, without books or school-teachof weaving linen fabrics, cotton and woollen cloths, and rag-
carpetings.
not support a
alone,
he
and shoes
an
art which,
aided
by
mary
position of
journeyman shoemaker.
As he
tween the loom and the bench, with an occasional variation in the
way
now and
then,
we
shall
mark him
as the half-weaver
and half-shoemaker of
this history.
The
only
wife,
thirty-three
dowry being a
Her inward
nature
childlike.
The heavy
effect,
which her husband could and did wear with only ordinary
on the contrary had the
frettiag,
combined with
his intem-
shone beautifully
forth.
Of
these traits
we
shall
In regard to their
may
parts of little
Earth.
remind
The country in aU
we
write,
Standing
2i5
And
cfit
;
and cleared
away
and instead of
behold in
many
directions apple-orchards,
and well-fenced
tracts
The
unfin-^
still
known
whose
sociable
propensities
became
a source of no
little
annoyance.
We
in,
sometimes
It
close of
The
at-
title,
&c., declared
to
"You
lage.
who
vil-
sir,"
^ and what
is
a fine-looking boy."
boy, eh?" soliloquized the enriched
just
"A
man
that's
what I wanted
"that's good!
Overhis
doctor,
and with
swimming
In
in
a river of parental
delight,
to collect his
scattered thoughts.fact, if
But
rest
impossible.
his brain.
Thus
con-
TH(3
LOCAL HABITATION.
parcel of poor man's' riches
;
"li
little
which,
his previous
good
sjttis-
was not
all
a dream, he bethought to
woman
28
CHAPTER
THE NAME.
"
III.
Many have died in their misery, Aad left their thought untold."
The
ing streamlet below the sloping eminence on which the house was
built,
had the
effect to
of
a whiskey-breath, which
her,
now passed
like
summoned a
and get
me
joUy father.
of the nurse and a neighbor served only to in-
The presence
She looked up
he bent over her, and, with one of those expressions which can
only arise from fear,
"
grief,
Now, do
nurse
Go away
;
away !"
The
now
offered her
and, from
THE NAME.
'
29
By
had
this
reason had been sent to visit a neighbor, hearing that the doctor
left
colts.
who
to please her,
The who
!"
it
me
said the
awakened moth-
er, as
say?"
wilful daughter
little
;
"
why
'un.
didn't the
gal
young
so,
there!"
Saying
she walked sulkily out, leaving the less excitable and less disappointed brother and sister to look, and think, and indulge their
childish curiosity,
to pass. to presidential
less discussion
At
months previous
elections in the
concerning the merits, and especially the demerits, of the antagonistic candidates.
There was a
known
Or-
New
leans in 1815,
still
even pace, in
The
on the
battle-field,
30
Hillo, there
!
!" woman by this time ? And how 's the baby ? Come, let 's know Uncle Thomas Maffet, from whom this abrupt salutation pro-
ceeded, at
first
wagon, with which he had just arrived from the village, freighted
with a plough and other implements used in the art of agriculture.
determination was to
him
And
so
it
proved.^
Not waiting
to
be
invited, out
is
he
juiftped, and,
heartiness which
when
manu-
and turned
baby from
ye think
his view.
"
What
d'
lapstone ?"
old,
eh ?" and
TJflcle
Farmers considered
some
sort of stimulating
beverage
to
So thought
testified.
Take
I'm
afraid
Uncle Thomas
will let
which
un-
make maniwas
told to
and went through the usual aoxeements and contradictions regar^ng the merits and demerits of the popustruck
up a
political talk,
lar candidates.
THE NAME.
"
'31
Who
d'you vote
for,
next
election,
'the farmer.
"I'm Old Hickory, up to the hub!" replied the cordwainer, who prided himself on being right up and down on matters of
opinion.
Thomas.
"Now,
to'-day,
I'll tell
if
you want
to please
me
you'U
let
me name
that 'are
boy of yourn."
"Oh, I don't
care
who names him what d'you say, mother?" who was still extremely debilifall,
"Don't
let
the child
;
or get' hurt
that's the
most I care
to
a verbal
consent.
!"
"now
let's
On
to
hearing
this,
dren
who were
at play.
The whole
is
kling of an eye.
" Uncle
Thomas Maffet
!"
come, and
is
goin' to
name
the baby.
Come quick
Whereupon, Julia
Ann
missed
it,
and tumbled
then
Eliza,
who had by
when, as
time almost reached the house, catching the sound of the cry
for help,
to jerk
SyFvanus along
Julia
Ann
whereupon Eliza,
younger mem-
it
was
to losis
her patience
pered under a
head of explosive
curiosity,
which as a motive
32
force
is
by divets
by
side,
his
baby as
mental
safely as
anybody
else.
With
his usual
agility, the
bosom was
far
A large glass
nurse stood
arm
The
from the
little
in-
re-
when informed
meant drinking
"The
boy
just
thing I want to
know
is,
what I say."
I'm
to
a-goin' to vote
New
Orleans
the
as
greatest
man
'are
a-livin' in
and I want
this 'ere
boy
bear that
great man's
name
now, neighbor
you seem
to
and
(hie)
I say
(hie) that
'are great
'Hickor/
was
mind
that
and
you'll
bom !"
Nothing could be more evident than that the good Uncle Thomas had waxed more patriotic, and more pathetic, and more prophetic
than he at
first
and
THE NAME.
his brain,
83
It
in his heart.
was a beautiful
scene
No
magic art ever wrought a change so quick and thorhush, like that of death, spread through the
ough.
A breathless
He
room
which
stillness
farmer's breast.
seemed
whole world ; and, while sobbing like the infant in his arms, he
invoked " the blessing of Heaven" to rest upon them
all.
Uncle
ward
The
baby's sad
mother believed, for years afterward, that the jovial neighbor was
made solemn by a
own
funeral.
a-i
CHAPTER
None
plexities
sistence.
IV.
what
is
computation.
man whose
for,
half-shoemaker, with
the terrible
which ever
out success.
The
thought and
standings,
effort,
had the
effect to
On
such occasions
talkin"
amount of
and
fault-finding,
down
into
most piteous
to behold.
to
35
:
but
member
curred;
New
Testaments.
There h^'Ppened a
we
will
The
when
Syl-
vanus seemed
to
d'you
see
!"
"No, you
foolish feller,
!"
returned she.
"Then
round white
light
moving
woods ?"
replied Eliza.
!"
Then
but
little
Julia
Ann
;
tried
all to
no purpose
tell
all
about it"
When
And
yet, to
peculiarities, there
were certain
grief.
:
betokened an inward
When
in her husband's
mind
for being
a believer
him
to eject
an unsympathetic "Poh!"
arrived, however,
at
when
3t>
hold
all
When-
cordwainer would
reply,
with
ill-suppressed
impatience,
" Poh, nonsense; the light hadn't nothing to do with his death!"
Notwithstanding, howefver, this habitual rejection of whatever
appeared extraordinary
of intemperance to which he
was
addicted,
it
should be here
nor
irreligious.
On
To
return
to
believing
for the
it
to
be impossible
and also
pay
humble dwelling
in
which
this history
up
to
Empire
state.
a stronger or
more
resolute propensity,
when once he
sacrifice at auction
Aud, perhaps, there never was a feminine nature more fond of a fixed and settled " home," than that of his companion ; and, perhaps, also, no person's disposition
injured
was ever more perplexed and by the frequent recurrence of such violent breaking up of
afiection,
every local
than hers;
"Don't be
day
in
as her husband
avowed
his resolution to
sweep" of the
tient to
and furniture
"don't be soimpar
A
make "a
clean
stone,
be off. "We've had trouble enough already. you know, never gathers no moss."
rolling
"My mind's
"Next
gingly;
pjove
made
"and
may be
?'it's
so painful to
^way among
37
" I won't 1)6 in debt," returned the honest half-weaver and half-
if I'll stay
I'll sell
here
as I
am
no
not I
and
quit."
The
a
certaiQty of having
sacrifice,
to
her iohabitative
we
rest?"
And
he
said,
Taking
his wife's
postpone pro-
was a
he began combating
:
I hate,
it's this
dilly-dallying along,
and
ing had.
When
do
it
and not
for
work enough
me
no
on
is
good
let
up
sell
so there's
it.
to
go!
You
We'll
pay
all
we
can,
in his
brown eyes,
fragile
woman ;
heart
sigh, as if
her
full
trial.
Now
surely
much
to
be
thought.
The
indolent habit of
is
next
to
a vice,
38
if,
be not,
strictly speaking,
soul's
Persons who
from
to the time
when
human weakness.
into
But
the truth
is,
a heinous moral
same
procrastination
annoyances, of which
ment
But the
conscientious shoemaker
spirit less
to
work
a mountain of
difficulties, like
some
social satis-
There
is,
without doubt,
much
to
wisdom
in procrastination,
truly
Idleness
is
ever
more
to
action.
The
by any
; which frequently caused her and be defeated even by an ordinary trial; while the
husband, ever ambitious to be " up and doing," and with no submissive will, would urge her into positions the most distressing,
because foreign to her organization.
Destitute of the commonest
education, and, therefore, without a charitable solution of
human
weaknesses, each sadly misunderstood and painfully afflicted the she, by feeling and saying disheartening things; other he by
39
may
may be added
in
temperamental incompatibility
the barrier to conjugal peace and unity which Nature had unmis-
life-
with more or
offspring.
Hence, in
body and
labor of
disposition
many
years
became
and
it
was recognised
as being within
the reach of
human
effort.
it
When
will the
The
" stone on his lap and the strap on his knee," and replied in a tone
Why you
just said
'
we'll go to rack
and
Day
all
trump-
ery will
who
cares?"
indeed, they
were a
at last arrived,
articles,
to
homes
Eliza
The
wilful
away with
thus
But nothing
40
save the bedding material, which was put straight into a bag-
gage-wagon
for
immediate emigration.
full
of
fictitious
who
asked,
came
at his
own
calamity.
all
in the travelling
wagon
'-
shoemaker
in
thirsty driver
all,
pioneer-like,
little
Blooming
in
it
tenement
<rf
John Myers,
Suffice
New York, we
to delineate.
in
,place
rise
where
and where,
MT
FIEST MEMORIBS.
41
CHAPTEK
MT
" When
at eve I sit alone,
V.
FIRST MEMOHIES.
Thinking on the past and gone While the clock, with drowsy finger,
And
Tell of
to dust returning
Then my lonely chau- around. With a; quiet, mournful sound With a murmur soft and low. Come the Ghosts of Long Ago I"
When
Memory,
definite
the Soul
it
makes
its
first
and
Individuality
therefore, inseparable
tales
in
autobiography.
of contemporaries
may
rected
by
sonal pronoun
"I" may be
hereafter used.
Three years and a few weeks had glided away ere Memory
received the news that without and beyond
objective world.
itself,
there existed an
By means
face toward
easily revived
air,
with
my
42
a
my
inexpen-
enced mind, looked like a very spacious and wonderful superstructure. Whether I had ever been in it or not, I could not
remember.
Towering
away through the dreamy " What is them high things caUed ?" I
erect
and wavy
trees so
my
head.
"
And
what 's
my
my
nature a
and awaking,
then no knowledge of
my
power
to
make
Mother/ mother!
Juan Fernandez,
voice broke
my own
And
yet, as
I can
now
of blessed significance.
it
appeared
:
to
and
per-
haps, reproducing
my
birthplace.
What is
'
Mother" ?"
1 could not
tell.
Whether
these,
it
had
form, not
size,
I could
decide.
Two
sensations I
knew:
my
personal
littleness,
made
and immense
me
and
my
desolate state,
more
terrifying because I
Mother
When I screamed I evidently appreciated the fact that I was soliciting, imploring, demanding, the presence of something which could
!"
make me
feel
warm,
part,
safe, satisfied,
which I was a
a lesser portion
MY
cold,
FIRST MEMOEIES.
Butj strange as
it
43
hungry,
it
thirsty,
and miserable.
may
ap-
pear,
is
somehow
related to
my
safety
and existence.
all
This fact I
now
metaphysicians.
I think np
than did
I.
little
boy ever
cried, "
A host
tall
my
mind.
force or
The
trees
were swaying
to
and
fro
by means of a
query.
of motion.
hurt
me
.'"'
was
my instant
Away
buga-
down yonder,
for the
"
Do
boos live there?" 1 thought; and, louder and quicker yet, I called
my
mother.
As
cried, there
trees behind
me
a familiar
voice, singing
mon
in the plebeian
I listened
" This poor man came in from his plough, Dando, dando This poor man came in from his plough. Clam an' a clish and a cling go This poor man came in from his plough,
'
And asked
his wife,
'
Is breakfast ready
now V
And
a ding go
I"
My infant mind
heard
my
blessed mother
and I
;
which her
as
spirit
ory of mine.
dissipated
My loneliness,
;
for, -with
for supper,
up she came
of
me
to follow her,
we
my father
sat,
making
shoes.
This
as
was the
my memory
to go out
my
sisters,
they invited
me
44
On
my
if
cir-
Still,
many who,
if
they
gather impressions from the outward world, might corroboexperience and bear
rate
my
me
company.
my own biography
and
this plainly
enough assures
me
that I
to
am
is
regarded as common
to
my fellow-men.
the fact ?
Can I cause
inmost
my doubting friend
spirit
comprehend
During
of
man
is
slumbering in the
The
ple.
The seed
lies
embedded
therein.
As
so
it is
As a
sequence of
its
envelop-
ing
womb which
is
spirit,
memory are
they
quite impossible.
According to
you
perceive that the spiritual forces expand from the central genn,
till
fill,
and
thrill,
the
myriad minute vessels and nerves which, together with the cerebral embroidery, constitute what in these days are termed phrenological organs.
It is
owing
to
that
some
jfersons complain
of an incapacity to reflect and reason easily ; and yet more especially do such deplore the unfaithfulness of their memory, even
when
On the
foregoing theory,
plain to
be seen
that,
MY
sess
FIRST
MEMOBHS.
4t
which
mine
is), it
follows that
memory might be
length;
ened out
that
the time
commonly supposed
and
when the awakening at length comes, so vivid an impression might be made as that no subsequent events could ever obliterate it I know it is hard to remember exaet^ when you began to
memorize common impressions ; but could each one do
all
so,
I think
would be amply
satisfied
my
individual experience.
4f
CHAPTER
MY
Leaving
record.
VI.
FIEST TEMPTATION.
my
after
The
my
father engaged,
It
day
my
curiosity.
was so funny
to see
soft
different forms
and
still
cunning
little nails,
on
and next
to notice the
holes, with
a sharp
pointed instrument
and then
change of
directions
;
bristles
in opposite
his forehead,
and
he seemed
mind
was done
for good.
There
ap-
peared to be an amusement in
ticipate.
all this, in
which I
longed to par-
it
ing
when I caught
my
that
is,
On
MT
ordered
FIRST TiaVIPTATION.
47
which was
me
in a whisper to
go into a
sort of cellar,
a small
full
hill just in
bring her
my
apron
fruit,
and so proposed
"Don't
tone
;
tell
she, in
if
a quick under-
"I'll
you do !"
Hearing
a strange apprehension.
seemed
to
me
was about
to
This
before.
And
yet,
less
more nor
many
Thus
other boy^.
felt half-
commit an undenable
evil act.
confused and ^itated, I ^sked " Ain't them apples yourn ?"
"No, you
.come
I"
little
him
"I
guess I can't go at
all," said I,
"I'm
me
that
and turned
my
a whirling force
;
made me
I
tell
fgel
go, as
you, or I
pound you
see
if
I do n't
!"
Moral
obligations,
what I wanted
what moral difference there existed between apples in our cellar under the house and apples in John Myers's cellar under the hill
I started, pushed open the unlocked door, and apron with that fruit which tempted the fabled Eve.
off
iny
48
Returning with more apples than I could keep from rolling out
of
my
;
uplifted garments,
their
owner looking
right at
me
What
to
do I did not
kept running
Fleeter
know
and
but,
though the
fruit di'opped at
every
step, I
to get
home.
still
me
faster
I reached
the house.
my
sister's threats
of punishment, I
sprang toward
the top of
told
my
mother, buried
my face
!
in her lap,
and wept
at
my
dry
She heard me
do so again
;
through,
then, to
me
to
my
eyes,
and never
to
and
my
ing
great satisfaction, she went out to " settle" with Eliza for send-
me on
What happened
;
to
my
sister,
but, instead,
my
human
spirit.
it
seemed
like
might have
my
My mother,
evening,
One
day, toward
we
all
but consoled one another with the saying, " She 'U be back before
sundown."
At
touching as
it
went the
loftiest
and
the
man ?
The
we
fancied that
we
from the woods, blending with the sad, low moan of the grandlyEvery moment became more and more swaying wilderness.
painful.
till
choked
and
tears.
!"
I cried and
He
did
MY
FIRST TEMPTATION.
49
not fear the darkness, neither the spirit of night in the forest, but
went boldly
into
it.
listenings,
we
and, ere
we
The
my
memory.
Our family
hut;
so, let's
My
my
and said
week."
;
be
off this
To
sudden proposal
time in the
life
gle between
them
made upon my
after getting
infantile
mind.
"Well
enough do I remember,
Big Good
Man
Mother 1"
with
all
my vocal
is
power.
" "What
D' you
if
"
my
son
nothing
^ to sleep
'
.-
lieve.
But 'twas
I
impossible.
"What troubled
And so me
I tried
to be-
I knew not,
my
lost
eyes again
sleep.
if
slept,
It
reminded
me
in the forest.
Therefore I begged
to get in
my
parents,
"Don't humor
nothin' but
that
ailin'
my
father sternly;
't
ain't
worms
I felt that
the
first
time, I found
my mind
rejecting
my own
father's
judgment.
Here was
But
this
oppo-
50
sition to
worthy and venerable progenitor, served only to add more strength to my indescribable terror. Having no knowledge of words wherewith to dispute my father's worm-theory, I cried
my
and continued
to cry, until,
by mutual consent
mother
wherein,
feeling
I soon forgot
aU trouble
in
On
reflection,
my awakening
spirit,
An
idea of the
to
me by any person
shocking event as
I put
this
down
corresponding outward
realities.
A CHANGE OP
SCENE.
51
CHAPTEE
" He
VII.
A CHANGE OF SCENE.
lived not in himself, but did become Portion of that around him.'
Paternal
and two
days subsequent to
my father's
announcement,
we were
once more
on our
way to a
strange habitation.
Walking and
riding
by turns,
lai'ge tract
we
was
situated in the
same town,
ling
Dutchman by the name of Bart Cropsey, whose years were him down the afternoon of rudimental existence.
South of
this
rol-
fields
only an indistinct
wagon track
human
east,
away around a
Toward the
soil
and
countless splinters
from the
Looking westward
the eye would very naturally and pleasurably rest upon a swift-
52
running stream, that skirted the timber-land just beyond it, and which continued its musical pilgrimage downward through the
verdant
fields that
common
to
Everything
and no-
body ready
partments
do
it
all avail-
The
first
was
as
all the
flight
of rickety
stairs,
lath
and
plaster,
or other finishings,
from the
day of
its
erection.
indicated no sorrow of
to get the
straw ticking on, the washtub (with a few tea things and crockery
wares
in it)
The
children
were not
less industrious.
They helped
and prepare the reception room for the best arrangement of our
limited stock.
But
my mother
Her
eye
was
filled
may have
it
appeared thus
a thousand times
attention
weeks.
Nothing of importance transpired worth recordinj, for several My father worked diligently on the shoe-bench every
frettings
and
fault-findings, all
went
my
sister
What
that
was something, I
noticed, which
A CaANGE OF SCENE.
mother did not by father
to
like.
53
"mind my business,"
I
me !"
that
But
So
my
with a stranger.
wrong
because
to
I had reto
they had
And
I remembered,
also,
;
how they
made molasses candy and sugar, once, from maple sap and gave me some if I would run away with Julia Ann and play.
My sympathies
frock,
were with
my
mother on
this subject.
And,
ask
and habited
in
a short woollen
my
father's hearing, to
these questions
Then
you won't
let
me
be mai-ried
will
you ?"
;
K my memory serves
effect to leave
more merriment and laughter than I had ever heard from her on
This conduct had the
me
void of satisfaction.
PJh'za's
"How
curious," thought I,
!"
"to weep at
the sight of a
But
my
sie.
thinking,
and made
me
CHAPTER
Ax
this
yill.^
my mind
began
to
ried changes
faces.
As
my
memory.
Before
this
individuals, besides
most
part,
my
children
(my
more
;
especially) stood, as
by a
of
thus forming,
by a kind
a bare
possibility,
in
spheroidal communion.
The
fail
to impress
me
painfully.
My
moved
with
words of rebuke which I thought were many times deserved, but this can not be recorded of my mouth; for, whenever I
thought that mother was troubled by father's moods, I could not restrain a propensity to cry loudly and lustily, and thus restore them to comparative unity by means of my counter-irritation.
man seemed very fond of visiting Through the deepenuig twilight we frequently saw
him coming down the indistinct wagon-track toward our habitation. But he made his visits too early and late, as well as too frequent,
55
go home
earlier.
my
eyes to keep
awake during
would
steal
over
me
at length,
and the next morning's sun would sometimes shine ere the deep
slumber of childhood was again broken.
that our " reception
It will
be remembered
ever visitors were there, it became a rather delicate matter for any
member of the family to undress and retire for the night Hence we all rejoiced, when Uncle Bart entered his positive protest
against Dave's long nocturnal visitations.
by
man's injunction.
commenced
as
One
jieyman-farmer
choly sort."
totally
and slamming on
father.
!"
we
to finish.''
We were
!
when
!"
came
hallo
The
made by
06
move
poor plight
to
render assistance.
outer door, and
.
demanded
"What's
the matter?"
There stood poor Dave quaking and trembling with fright, scarcely able to utter
comer of
Where
d'
you see
!"
it
?"
"3y
little
up
in the
slab bridge is
"What
does
it
look like?"
!
Can't
you go with
me
till
"Well, I'U
jjv.ess
we 've
got one.''
to
go with Dave, we
;
all
declared that
we
of
got quickly dressed and ready to turn out in the gloomy darkness.
It
was
all
alarmingly
new
to me.
felt
no
Per-
much
frightened;
and hence,
foot.
my mother's
"What's a
somethin' that
means somethin',
if
one knows
how
to take
it
right"
:
Not
satisfied
"How
"Hush
does
it
look?"
still
hark keep
hold
yer tongue
can't
you,"
67
clackinV
But lowering
my
voice,
I continued to interrogate :
?"
" Mother,
I'll tell
you
to-
By
Father made
drew up a
that
'
got a glimpse of
nature, to have
Came back
fun."
some
And, so
declaring, the
ploughman
;
which, to
the truth,
little
of wind that
But
crisis,
momentous
its
cloudy curtain
by the
dilapidated
up
a monstrous form
its
enveloped
its
in
a snow-white
a hat on
head, and
"
Good
geacious
!"
exclaimed Dave
"
As he
said this,
to the ground.
This
accident took immediate effect, in giving each the terrible impression of having been struck
and, acceler-
ated
by
resembled the
that
of John Gilpin.
As
for
my
by an unbroken
fear, poetically
the
68
Hold on
!"
cried father,
"What you
spook what
it
in our rear
wants there."
Obediently
then
all
we
baited.
The
battle,
and
cautiously returned.
When
my
what's wanted?"
?
Who
are you
Autumnal
response.
blasts, full
and the
fitful
moon kept up a
heavy
was
Hence our
But
prospect
father's
fast
my
intrepid conduct,
me
with a particular
"Poh! nonsense!
big pebble.
me
I'll
knock your
And
missile,
sure enough
To
his
Obeying orders we
didn't
courage, the
"budge a yard;" -but witnessed, with rapidly increasing bombardment and demolition of the White Spook.
And
I believe the reader's disappointment will not be more provoking than was ours, when I record that some mischievous in-
knowing that Dave frequented our house and returned late every night, had wrapped up a bundle of straw in an old sheet, with Uncle Bart Cropsey's broad-brimmed hat to
dividual,
that
way
indicate
and
slept undisturbed
'Tis
my
50
is said,
upon
my
by
influence on
my mental
organization.
my
mind
for investigating
and discrimi-
by
this
straw.
-
" Thus, when I am all alone, Dreaming o'er the past and gone. All around me, sad and slow, Come the Ghosts of Long Ago."
00
CHAPTER
IN
IX.
WHICH
of
my
eldest sister
I looked upon
the
I helped
place the wooden chairs in a row on either side of our " receptionroom,''
all
come from
to
occupy them.
At
length the neighbors one by one arrived, and the seats, in-
cluding father's shoe-bench and the two beds, were literally cov-
ered with
visitors.
to
as often defined
by
my
mother's aprono-.:i
string,"
and wouldn't
water,
let
go
but
;
followed her
doors after
siairs after
wood and
down
up
my
hold
was
to
gers!
tracted
be hopelessly wrecked and cast away among utter sti-anOne of the women brought with her a-l:itle p-'ri., who at-
my
attention,
first
my own.
She wore
and
so
fact
which
my mind
MAKE MORE
man
DISCOVERIES.
61
Presently a well-dressed
everything.
entered,
who
acted as if he
knew
As he
My
attic
chamber
aforesaid,
viously.
Then up stepped
whom
I was
now
to
know
name
of it
He
Whereupon
my
mother began
;
to
weep; then
last,
my
Ann
cried outright
and
as well as
lamentation.
What I was
know
but
mother
cried,
soon ended, the sandwiches were quickly consumed, the walnutshells delivered
up
their meats,
and
to another
when
life
the
company
The
me
importune
me
get married.
WediS
we
other year.
The
curtain that
world
which
family I
I pass on
my psychoHence,
to the advent of
Santa Claus
good children
that
down
filled
treasures
I resolved to
be very good
62
my
compensation.
'Twas the last day of bleak December, when mother said: " Come, Jackson you run out and draw your sled about, and
play tiU I
0^11
for,
you."
"What
mother?"
want you
to go."
go,
so
now new
it
asking
I'll call
when
want you."
fre-
me
to
me
that
mother
;
my
imagination.
Hence I
per-
"What
for,
what for?"
go, as I tell
you
and when I
call,
you
shall
Why, mother
what
me
that
for
Mother
say, tell
But
father, hearing
"Don't humor
head!
boy so!
!"
Make him
mind, or crack
his
Jackson, you
calls
sir!
do as your mother
Of late
to painful
Albert Brisbane
and unrequited
suffered
by
the masses
but I
no embryo
man
five years
of age) ever more realized the beauty of " attractive playing," and
the distressing constraint of repulsive amusement, than I did im-
my father's
Amusement, when
disagreeable,
repulsive labor
as
when adapted
amusement.
;
But
the
at this
to
my
personal welfare
paternal
thus,
ice
weapon lay curled up by the lapstone and hammer ; and victimized and dejected, forth I went to ride down hill on
snow^.
and
MAKE MOKE
DISCOVERIES.
63
Up
ing, I
my sled.
me
out doors.
them
to
send
me
" and
who
is
he ?"
Glim-
my
my
awakening
his
intellect.
And
of
power
to
descend
this
me
it
came from
my
worthy, loving,
my
been
confidence.
"She's so
big,
and so
old, too,"
thought
I,
And
straightway I believed
friend of
aWl had
good children.
down a
dirty, sooty
chim!"
ney
Still fast,
to the
veiy
fireplace,
"
and
that's
why no one
and
several snowballs,
to
htirled
them
my force,
from' this
of their
exertion
little satisfaction
and
that
is,
by tugging
the
hill-top, in
snowbank below.
At length the married Eliza called, and said I might come in and warm myself. Accordingly, I went in, but saw nothing unusual, except
ceived some reward for remaining out so long, agreeably to maternal request
Night hastened on ; and how glad was I to get into the tnmdlebed
!
Next morning,
was destined
to
find presents in
my
stoeking
Mother hung
64
against the sooty jam, just at the end of the great back-log;
by
her permission.
sleep," said she sooth-
Now, Jackson, be a good boy, and go to ingly, "and you'll see what '11 come of it."
Doubtless, like
stances,
I
"
was remarkably
and got
to her retiring,
my
I had
my
still
effect to
make slumber
more
difficult.
Steadily, through
a hollow
on a right
ordinary anxiety,
our folks
night.
re-
my
I managed
to obtain sleep.
When
his
every pocket
filled
with hold
beautiful gifts.
And
in
my
and
lo
there stood
my mother,
"
my
ear^
and sprang
hung
Filled to the
very top
me
And
I hastened
Out
warm
sheets to discover
tasting just
a cow, and a
little
MAE MOKE
DISCOVERIES.
to conclude, out
C6
came
six chestnuts,
father's shoe-strap
the veritable stirrup of this industrious discigentle admonition from Santa Claus that I
" must
mind
my Ps
and Qs."
doubt, and
and
joy, I
hopped up,
my stockings ?"_Iasked,
realized at once.
My dream was
felt
that I loved
me
so
much
pleasure.
Npw-Year's
of incorrigible skepticism.
Simple as
my already
awa-
kened proclivity
vigilant incredulity
human
of subse-
quent development.
GO
CHAPTEK
One day
X.
my mother
concerning
make a
visit,
How
cur'us
it is,"
a body what's
!
bom
with
There's
my Jackson
be one o
may be
he'll
"
so
?
Du
Yes
tell !"
that
Why,
!"
I want to
know !"
and almost
stifled
"
"Yes
I,
I
'
remember
" and
when I looked
He's bom
"
to
see trouble, or
somethin'
related,
else
mother
by way of
how, on a
certain
man
solemnly walk-
Who was he ?" interrupted the old lady. " Ah that's what I can't say," returned my mother.
"
!
But J
peared like near, I opened the front door quick, to ask him
67
Well, I thought
Not a
But next
night,
same time,
he did
didn't,
like, jest as
knows who
"
'tis.'
But I
"
Du
tell !"
exclaimed the
visitor.
^
You
it
who
"No, I
'Squire
couldn't.
But I know'd
so
it
that
meant a death
in our
neighborhood.
,
And
who
proved.
Why, I want to know !" ejaculated the amazed woman " du tell, now Was it true that he liked the smell of candle-smoke ?"
;
!
"
"Yes, he
did," replied
alius
somethin' to breathe.''
rife
When my
industri-
such an odor.
Horrible
'Twas enough!
asked permission
if
The
went
my
My thoughts
insupport-
How
Overcome
and
begged mother to
me
Say, mother, say
"Do
do I
?
Will I
die,
mother
if
I do
Say,
my lamentation, and laughed loud enough to drown the sound of my voice. But this method of consoling me did neitlier allay my fears noi- reduce the strength of
Father caught the burden of
68
my mental weakness
tion
and I persisted in
soliciting aid
and
instruc;
from mother.
She gave
me
rest,
but no satisfaction
and I
could not get ever the fear of immediate death for many daya afterward. In the meantime my father would alternate between
threats to use his strap
upon me, and the assertion that I was and should take " a teaspoonful of brim-
The
tails
reader will
now
hasten with
me
of
many
vital importance.
Poverty, with
not
its
I do
mean
of poverty
frettings,
at our
home.
my mother busy
baking
meat,
my
father
To
such questionings
:
my father
would impa-
"
No, hang
the poor
man
gets poorer,
and the
rich
man
way with
the world."
chilly spring
day receded
hill
car,
and
and ushered in the star-gemmed night which, was thrown upon the bosom of the still Earth.
But, instead,
royal
Of
course,
and changes I did not in my childhood perI saw tears, sorrowings, and many anxious
!
We had no food
Neither had
we been
felt that
feasting recently.
intensely fearful
desire to eat which only the really famishing can ever fully com-
OTHER SCENES
prehend.
IN THIS
DRAMA.
69
My
Ehoemaker, but wholly honest man, as he whacked a piece of soleleather for the reparation of
ued, "
it
seems
to
me
more upon
us than
"
we depend on Providence.'' Why, how queer you talk !" sgid my mother, whose
to light
face
now
began
face of
befall us
say :
'
The Lord
my pasture
me
shall prepare,
And
feed
Now,
by a Lordly
seemed
to
me
of good old invisible Santa Claus, or like the great white spook
made out
of straw.
And
my
fifth
year, I
more
and protection of
my honored
At
this
progenitors on
whom
by the
What can bring anybody this way at such an hour ?" exclaimed my .father " who can it be ?"
;
"
!"
morrow."
" "
Who are
We 're
my
just
from John
Radcliffe'a
fishing-grounds
just going
!"
home with
said
the team.''
;
mother hopefully
some
70
"
yes
!"
said father
ring.
Eliza,
Out she
ran, followed
by
Ann and
But
great
when
down
the
Hudson
to
New York
meshes.
that he
Mother
said, "
That '11
do."
But
while I did not realize any preference whatin the quality of shad
'And
the
"
What you
inspirited cord-
wainer.
" Nothing," replied
my
mother.
" Nothing
!"
echoed he
" nothing
Why, what
be done
Who
fact
else,
I 'd
like to
know?"
But the
a
bit of
chamber
more
strictly speaking, in
stairway.
be served up
that
Fortunately, we
society.
On
the contrary,
many shoals
to
of embryological shad
seemed
demand.
Therefore
we
all ate,
and thus
satisfied, for
a time, the
thirst
painM longings
of hunger.
This
time was
thirst
brief.
came on
for
a moment.
71
dis-
heartened cordwainer.
twice
!"
" Just as
I thought.
Hearing
this,
I hastened
to
mj
;
meant by
fish
swimming twice
for,
there
little
finny flukes
Mother explained,
Eeceiv-
fish usually
make one
but, gastronomicaJly,
the case
was
quite otherwise.
sick,
turn cam8, and out belched the most of her supper ; whereupon
Eliza, with ill-suppressed disappointment, projected her
head and
her
last
then, to
com-
memorable
night,
mother and I
groaned and vomited, and vomited and groaned, tUl each particular
oriental stoiy,
was so
of ex-
we
each at
last
found nutri-
its
wings
for,
a linowledge of their
destitution,
our father,
now
fully aroused
from
sufficient to
72
CHAPTER
" Life 's but a walking shadow
That
struts
XI.
and
frets his
And
then
is
Alcohol
rible.
is
an accursed tyrant!
earth's
is ter-
the
air.
The
indigence
but, starting
from
gloomy
vista,
I seem
industriously
the
whom, according
The
and external
73
I.
was
by other common
my
mind became,
as I sup-
my
familiarity,
:
how-
show
In order
to frighten
folks procured of
some neigh-
categorical proportions
its
being,
presented us, one fine morning, with almost half a peck of very
diminutive cats, sa7is eyes, but chuck
full
of interest to me.
with
full
saucers of
their
By
came
to
know
own
eyes,
and take an
For
this event
I patiently waited.
But
my
father insisted
cat family
alleging, as
all
suf-
"one
set of
he could
manage
to feed."
And
was ofttimes
numerous
;
children.
This gave
me
confidence in
I,
made
a.
As bad
by shaggy
it,
uncombed
hair,
-the growling of
when
father
hailed
him
as
an old acquaintance.
stay, the
74
kittens
and,
much
to
my
consternation, their
to
;
in pursuance
visitor
and, contrary to
my wordless
closely
entreaties, out
my
In
gave
me my
first
my
;
mind.
me
for
nights
but
my
me
at length,
to
mile south of
till,
me
to
stay
all
that night.
my
But obedient
to the
away we
till
peregrinated, trudg-
beneath our
feet.
When
wonderful abode, the striped carpets and painted chairs, the brass
andirons on the hearth, the
quilts,
window
curtains
and
beautiful bed-
complete holiday.
I was in
si
museum ;
On the subsequent morning, after a good breakfast of what they termed spon and milk, I was led home ; across the two saplings which formed a sort of temporary (short cut) foot-bridge, over
the rushmg stream, between our house and the woods.
Entering
">
Eliza's
bed
was
utterly hid
by a canopy of old
;
quilts.
but, ere
my
"
Come
in,
Jackson
He
In reply to
my
interrogatories
me
But
my
curiosity
The box
completed,
received a lining
what
quilts,
do you think?
why,
father
little
it
and then
laid
down
in the
coffin
human being
with
not,
Placing a
down he pressed
it;
then nailed a
With spade
our garden
in hand,
he went
which,
poetically speaking,
was
deep hole.
hearse,
On
occasion
my
father
was undertaker,
fact,
Mas
The grave
kettle.
in the shape of
a big iron
And
to
came.
Unspeaking
yet,
he went
CHAPTER
WniCn
I
XII.
" Do not muse at me, my most worthy friends I have a strange infirmity, which is nothing To those that know me."
An
human
life
was now
partly
exposed to
causality,
my
now.''
And
she hasfor
"
What made
the concealment
There was,
questions
;
my
for,
eyes,
away she
flew, here
;
greatest despatch
keep
"Say, mother
won't
you?
Where
did
you get
that 'are
baby?"
After numerous evasions^ and prevarications, which served only
to stimulate
my
77
" "
Who 's
the doctor ?
I hain't seen
recollection,
my
"
W"^
tCRt 'are
great, long,
man what know'd so much what spoke such hard words when Eliza got married waa he the
doctor?"
"
If I had hold of him, I'd shake he didn't stop That I would !"
individual,
at
a moment's
know who
There was
in that exclamation
a something so
to
irritating
felt
and so
nettled
me, that I
and combative
when
frightened
by the
make
b'lieve."
But contrary
same'time
to
my
anticipation, if
I had any,
this
emphatic
equanimity of
effect
my
mother.
At
the
had a marvellous
arm.
on the muscular
fibres of
my
father's right
strap, with
which he struck at
for
me
an
accidental result,
grateful.
which I
am
even at
Be-
and
hurt
if,
moral conviction,
brutal blows
my budding
by
upon
my
fellow-men.
No
78
memory
which
my
infantile
and maddening
mortifications,
are likely
In the mere pronunciation of the word " thundering," I could In fact, as I thought when first I not perceive the least harm.
heard
it
used by Dave,
it
for
anythmg
greatly disagreeable.
unknown
to
me, I esteemed
my
father's
my mother
protection.
life out,"
"Don't
"
said
He
didn't
know no
"Yes!
that
I'll
warrant
spile
If you do,
my
word
for't,
an inverse
ratio to
In
short, there
was developed a
fearful dispute
between husband
and wife
me
the
But
comparative
and
I,
my
curiosity.
Pur-
my
I asked :
me
where
ask ?"
You must be
still
and
wait, child,
till
our house; then ask him, and see what he'll say,"
79
subject
The
was never
the
we
ex-
He
was uniformly
very social and jovial ; and we, children, having been told to use
our
patronizing friend.
" Yell,
mine
he
to
voman ?"
"
t
I replied ;
how I
could open
up the
interesting subject
referred to
him by
my
mother.
But
his
me.
" Veil, vat ish dat place under de tre yonder ?" he asked, pointing to the unturfed
mound made by
little
"Why,
for
Vy,
Vy
dat
was vari
"Yes! 'twas
live
so,"
responded I mournfully.
to play with.
"But
tell
I wants a
the
baby of
it.
my own
Can't you
me where
doctor got
Uncle Bart?"
"Ha!
vont
life
"Yot! you
pape
?"
I,
blushing.
"
ItU tel
it."
to
" In de fust plash de doct pounds de holler tre, den puts hish
ear to de tre
an
if
80
cry for
hish
;
taks te pape to
fust sic
voman
Wondrous
revelation
the
my
nigh worshipful.
The
willingness, with
me
in the art of
me
to
my young
mind.
The
my
childish curiosity,
what's
At
into mul-
replied
"
to
Nix kom
ahraus, mi poy
How
vari
punny
ha!
Vot you
ef
vonts
kno dat
fur,
eh?
He! he!
vel ha!
vil tel
yu
ish coot
to say nothing
hows de
ting vus
kom
to
happen."
my
of
and
proceeded
Vel, ef I mus
tel
yu,
mi poy, I mi
tollars
vil.
she vonted.
Te man
taks
an I taks
Mi
'cause he give
jist
town a pig
81
asli
mi
fi-ow
wus making
an
mi headt
itcht
an mi fr3W sed
te
donder-
ing printle kow's tamt lish hat cot sprinkled mit mi pig
hair.
mesh of
gone
!"
combed out
no tamt a
de hair wus
pit of it
all
till
The
deferential emotions
which moved
me
With mingled
sentence,
feelings of
to the last
and then
fled precipitately
houseward
to
make, despite
ray promise of secrecy, a full report (as I did in the apple case)
I did so
my mother
to
save
my
usual,
and gave
me
me what he
did in fun.
my own
rible.
hair destroyed in a
manner equally
and hor-
The
sisters
my
father
and
They seemed
:
to
I,
while
And,
my
individual protest
to talk to children as if
they were
idiots or imbeciles in
matters of truth.
'Tis
my
belief that
more
may
all as
a sequence,
to
manner
has
in
which the
delicate confi-
dence of infantile
repulsed, or abused.
intellects
Ifepen
83
CHAPTER
I&
XIII
WHICH
GO BABY-HUNTING.
And
" Can such things be, overcome us like a summer's cloud. Without our special wonder 1"
There
tibility
is
doubtless a
marked
possession
but, if
no
effect
whatever upon
my
juvenescent
sensibilities.
Only
hunting
this
do I remember
with myself
of
live baby.
Previous to
my
departure, I crammed
my
were
to
hollow trees.
An
itself
to
ever)'
human
observation.
The
glorious
monarch of heaven,
tlie
meridian.
air,
human
I presume
GO BABY-HUNTING.
83
to
my
ear.
in
But of all
realities
surrounding
psy-
This fact in
my own
me
when
a poetic
license
known only
and the
to the
The blooming Eden of childhood is full-grown, healthy man that is, 'tis a pure
;
maturity alone which can truly appreciate the good, the romantic,
beautiful.
is,
The
plain truth
my
come
The
way
to this
a couple of limber
saplings reaching
feet
across from
bank
to bank.
my
upon
it,
the
swollen current.
overboai'd
accident.
me much
but,
throwing
commenced
my
novel peregrinations.
As I
picked
:
my way
'T would
" Suppose I
make me
sick to leave
but 'twould
their heads
make me
off as
man wring
he
approached a
lofty rock-
84
and then
I
and listened
my
re-
ward.
Then I
tried
my
experiment on other
trees,
and
finally
upon various
forest
;
logs
my
steps.
life,
because
esteemed
my own
to
man was
ever made
my
fail-
home
of
my
Of
course, I
was of necessity
plaguy old
thoughtful.
Bai't has
"
Now,"
said I men-
Unde
ses
been
!"
foolin'
me
ag'in
I don't b'lieve
notliin'
what he
and
no more
My simplistic con-
reliability
Superannuated wisdom, though crowned with a bald craand leaning on a most useful instrument of agriculture, seemed next to foolishness.
niimi,
for a he,avy rain of. a previous day had greatly enlarged the tributary streamlets through the upper
country.
To walk
beyond
made of insecure
saplings,
was
a
my
GO BABY-IIDNTING.
85
and, cautiously creep-
infant
ing,
is
But the
to the
rushmg
added
rapid undulations of the elastic poles beneath me, proved too great
trial for
my
!
strength.
"
for
Mother
mother
!"
cried I.
But the
distance
my
voice to be heard.
as,
"Come!
help!
screamed,
aid came.
my
hold.
No
Anoth-
throwing
me
In
my
my feet into
;
the air
down
my
my
breath
zenith, yet
and I
recollect, also,
lost all
fear,
how
came out
of sleep.
in the
me
They
my
and
let
us reason together."
Let
me
ask you
"Should
"
Come,
little
more matured
associates ?"
You may
rience
you may
8fa'
that,
of the ever-beautiful
facts
man
all,
spurious, that
is
your veracity
civil,
un-
rearing of the
young
there are, good and intelligent,
who
re-
to reply
when
questioned by children.
will refer to the
boy's
Such
What
shall
we
say ?"
In reply, I
The
simply replied:
"The
When you
he does
If
to un-
derstand him."
little
inquisitive urchin
and, on
making the
discovsai(^ he
could not withhold either his admiration for her truthfulness or respect for her refinement.
And
Instead of
filling
suppose he had said: " Vel, mi leetle poy, dar igh.many tings dat
shildren can't do
mid dar
ban's, as
yu vel know;
many
mid dar
heads.
Now,
as
pe a coot poy, and, ven yu ish pigger, and ven yu can vork
pig peeples vorks, den
yu
shall
te doct' bro't de
Now,
it
seems to
me
The
subject
by those few words of truth, waters; and saved not less from
many bad
persgijs
jjnpreseipiis
advanced in years.
EISES.
87
CHAPTER
XIV.
RISES.
" To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow, Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To
level of
commonplace experiences,
may
bound
county.
New York
similar trial,
an expression
In her large
as if beholding a
state
some
of existence.
Mournful indeed was the sigh with which she openly announced
the fact that, at certain moments, o'er the pg^st her thoughts were
sadly roaming.
those
Her
who
herself a stranger in a
strange land
a dove,
set forth
from tha
Ark
where
at such
moments
into
symbolic language, they might have reminded one of the " De-r
serted Village
:"
88
THE MAOIO
STj^KP.
" Sank are thy bowers in shapeless ruin all, And the long grass o'ertops the mouldering wall And trembling, shrinking from t'he spoiler's hand, Tar, far away, thy children leave the land !"
For
thus,
when viewed
appeared the
deeper
life,
many homes
her
to
restless
husband.
In
justifi-
:
o'
staying
that's
his
my
Make
or break
and
a childish
in
intellect.
Was
can
Was
that
wrong
answer ?
her?
Where
o'er the
Where
shall the
blame begin ?
Who
judge them ?
Who
As
will
Away
istence,
Who ?"
the
the loaded
wagon
rolled along
woman was by an
come
urchin
"Mother,
tell
me
once more
how
did I
to breathe?"
"Why,
then."
child, 'twas
so ordered that
you wasn't
to leave us
"
Who
ordered
it,
mother ?"
It
was so
to be.
It couldn't be
That's the
reason, bub."
I,
At
this,
more
like that,
Jackson
must know,
blessin'
;
is
the
't
Maker
good
^^the
and
ain't
RISES.
spirit;
'89
"but, I'd
hear you
mother,
how
I was
made
to live again."
dialect,
she proceeded
Somehow
or ruther,
it
a-talkin',
down
at
'.he
Henry
to
So down
screams,
the
hill
^Why,
as I live,
Jackson's feet!'
to
Then Eliza
and
ses
knocked
at the winder,
and yelled
me and
father,
'Make haste! our bub's got drownded in the brook!' jumped all to once, and didn't stop for nothin', but run Henry was
dripped off
rat.
We
both
out jest as
a-bringin'
o'
you up
!
to the house.
your clothes
You was
drownded
as wet, bub, as a
drownded
that
ain't dead.'
rollin'
was good
to bring
So we
but you
rolled
didn't
show no
all.
But I know'd
Henry went
it
and got an old barrel, and father rolled you face downwards on
very quick, and shook you
to see the
sick,
at the
same
time.
water begin
to
and threw up as
groaned,
We wrapped
you up in warm
all
And by
that,
up and
Jackson ?"
" Oh, yes, I remember that, mother," I responded
didn't Prov'dence keep
" but
why
me
from
fallin'
in the creek?"
He
;
lets folks
go on
then, if
he
likes 'em,
if
he doesn't
he
lets
'em get
way
they can."
At
this
90
to US
with
his
to
was
to be
The
ride thither
incidental
was
brief.
thereto,
ebony
we were
In-
and
we found
ourselves in a comfortable
and plum
trees,
and
How r^'oiced we
were
Julia
Ann and
rious fantastic
night,
mother?
me."
SIGNS op SECOND-SIGHT
91
CHAPTER
IN
:^V.
WHICH AEE
fear, too ^arly
;
SIGNS OP SECOND-SIGHT.
for
"I
my mind misgives,
Some
OuB
industrious
He
cheerfully provided
rent, to
my
father with
pay the
One warm
to
mother, that he had just spent two whole hours in searching for
success.
As he
and, contrary
her
habit, she
appeared not
to
't
ain't lost,
Mr. Marshall."
where you
your
what
that's
ain't lost,"
he
"Yes!
what I mean.
own
self."
"
The
last
time I had
it,
my
upper
it
I'm sure
ain't there."
"Yes,
'tjs,
"you'll find
north
jest
where you
lot
left it
in the
comer of the
now,
92
he went
but declared
delicacies
which have
resulted
my
to
many
and the
beautiful in
external nature
made a
legitimate impression
Doubtless
it is
true, that
young
but, as
I write exactly of
my own
reminiscences, I
am
constrained to acknowledge
fascination,
life.
the realization of
no romance, no
no
spiritual delight, in
On
the contrary, I
remember
made
after
grass, for
cows
;
to eat
water,
warm
vegetation
grow
down
hill
fall like
head
and
programme of
my
juvenile
included
my
parents and
and
gratifications of
my
But now,
window
SIGNS OP SECOND-SIGHT.
ings of the rain
98
angek, as
much
in clouds
and
darkness as in sunshine
lights
poetry, in summer's
But, alas
in
felt
oppressors were
Ignorance,
seldom
in the
terrible despofe
many demons
which
began
to dread, as
evil.
At
her great eyes wide open, she would look abstractedly against the
wall
or through
;
it
as
it
were
a remote and
unknown space
certed
at which,
;
and
terrified
disrespect,
tried to
make her
by
arid
by passing
my
hand rapidly
to
and
fro,
the- direction in
But
all this,
noticed,
had next
no
effect.
When recovered from her dreamy rebuked me " Don't do so, bub
:
my
age would
flying a kite, or at
month of October.
my
history
is
I chose
in
to dwell
woman
" hanging," as
my
"to
my
mother's apron-string."
any
social
94
no congenial
spirit.
was a vague
added
my
de-
me
to
make her my
particular associate
and
confidant.
all
My question,
but me."
"Oh,
't
ain't nothin' to
nobody
we
better
ofi"
than what
we was
in Bart Ci-opsey's
house
was in that
shanty ?
And
cow
To
all this
my
recol-
0h,
comin'!
different
It's so
I'm
'fraid."
"What
"
What
signs ?
What was
it
that
I won't
tell
father
nor nobody
you seen
else."
SIGNS OP SECOND-SIGHT.
I've been she replied;
lately
;
95
feelin' jest as
felt
when
lo^t in
my
left
shoulder
and
when
fork
on the
foremost
and then,
night, T
dreamt one of
my
my
;
when my
so I
hair
come out
in the
in
bunches
and
know
well enough, as I alius knows, that there's trouble for this 'ere
poor family."
To
this recital
how
to utter
a word of
ported
direct
my
and
my own
was
in fact.
At
this day,
with
my
nngrammati-
and sub-
Gued amusement.
Thus brought
capacity allowed
logical trials.
up, or rather
enough wherewith
to convey what
sympathy
my
limited
me
to experience for
my
But I began
to feel
a need of confidence
the
in the sky;
and
peated
many
you woi't
let nothin'
happen
to our folks
will
vou ?"
96
CHAPTER
XVI.
MY TEMPTATION TO BE PKOFANE.
and hate."
The
my
went about
in search
and he took
majesty and
on the throne of
self-satisfaction at his
command.
One
parting
with the
and
retail
shop, located in
some
distant village
beyond the
hiUs,
whence
the
he
"Look
day from
the
woods, to kindle
you a jewsharp."
Now
this notorious
most extraordinary
human
my
natural vision.
It possessed,
my
vantages.
What made
the harp
seem peculiarly
attractive was,
just
and getting pleasure out of it with one's mouth as gratification was got out of cherries, strawberries, apples,
As
a natural consequence,
;
and, taking
MY TEMPTATION TO BE PROFANE.
97
only time enough to acquaint mother with the promise and conditions of its fulfilment,
I straightway went
to
my
too
day's labor.
all
If the reader
the woods
day in and
weak
to pull
briers
then
will
it
vexatious of occupations.
There
is
much work,
but
little
show.
Toward night I
and a
very
But
at
gi'eat
pile of kindling-wood
My object
my
mind
at first sight
was
fully
To
toil.
this belief
I had
already brought
my
my
Thus
satisfied,
known man,
leather, to
:veeks.
Self-control being
now
my
He
bade
me
wait
till
we reached
my
de-
Jars tingled
r'ma.'^t !"
when he
said, "
my
disappointment,
clared that he
me
the jewsharp!
What a
all his
have
felt
My sudden
a man's misfortune
capacity.
98
enraged against
my
Half-suffocated
mined
go out hj the wood-pile, and swear an awful oath! 1 saw no other plan to get relief no other way to do the subject
to
justice.
effect.
Thither I
delib-
erately proceeded
and
concentrating, at
one burning
focus, all
the ugly words I could recall at the moment, I actually and knowingly swore thunderin'
:
"
TE
he
dod darn
to
hain't too
dam
had,
and enveloped.
of air
stars.
Not a
breath
moved
so laboriously obtained.
Still,
very
too
still,
was
all
the world
physical
senses
at the
moment when I
that'}
with
my
terrible profanity.
Hark! What's
In an instant
I had vented
my
laden
to the
very core of
me
!" it
'
was
and
in a mofell
ment
my
fear.
Darkness
round about
air
me
The
very
offended deity.
A
my
swift
wind
buzzed close
replaced
it
to
my
cap and
several times.
Why, Jackson!"
but
they thrilled
bly
me with an unaccountable horror. They unmistakeaconveyed, and awakened m me toward myself, astonishment,
0
;
of mother?" soliloquized I
pshaw! what's the use bein' " she can't blame me, no how."
;
and though
still
uncontrolla-
MY TEMPTAnON
TO BE PROFANE.
99*
"Don't care
if
me
swear.
'Twas
too bad,
any
how
!"
my spontaneous
con-
The
ever active, was busy with preparations for the evening meal.
The
much
more
my
profanity.
talk.
What
to
I wants to know
in ev-
is,
Be I
be disappointed
erything in
my life ?
Is'
you
bad
everlastin'ly ?"
sufferings,
:
Her
made
my
and
"I>on't you
Warn't
father to
blame
jewsharp ?"
" Oh,
't
ain't
no use
An'
if
Now
me
Jest
what you
ad
"Mercy
to
"No, I
my
me
greatly.
"Who
;
hollered so leud,
'twas you
who called me ?" and said, 'Why, Jackson'? I I couldn't see. Must be 'twas
" Then,
Julia
Ann."
nuther," returned
my
quietly-listening
sister.
mercy
'twill
be the
last."
100
know why my mother. '"Twas
I
"
Now
them shadders
be no
different,
I'm
'fraid.
That
he
makes
me
Bible ses about Cain bein' hurried on from one bad thing to another, until
killed his brother.
Then he
heet'd
voice cryin'
his head,
from the blood on the ground, an' from the clouds over
sayin',
she gloomUy,
"I'm
remembering
my
the chidings of
who employed
painful trial
was yet
As
the last
uttered, the
good woman
without pictures
sabbath-days,
with
it
father peruse
many times, on
She
open on her
read.
lap,
in quest of something to
At
first,
'twas almost
new
no reader
;
at
all.
kind Providence.
In
Bible
is
come of bad
folks.
about that
'are."
in order
But
the uneducated
woman
Ac-
"Providence
is
good
to
them
that's good.
all
But he's
jest as
them
that's ugly
and wick-
He
lastin'ly.
And
he
them what
lies,
and
steals,
and
MY TEMPTATION
TO BE PBOPANE.
101
die!
to
But
there's no comfort
friend to help
drink
no
no no and, no nothin'
rest
sleepin'
!"
no water
!"
soul-sickening
no longer.
"
Do
let
me
go to bed
ed.
known
juvenile prayer
commencing with
mo down
to sleep."
The
third line
"If I should
die before I
wake"
revived
all
my
slumber.
my
breathing
difficult.
1
With
deep
my
who
impatiently exclaimed
He '11
had the
my psychological
effect to neutralize
and
hypo" of
my imagination
piration
result
which acted so
as ever,
became as healthy
a speedy convalescence.
Of
know
that I
my
spirit
of blasphemous inclinations.
;
Slumber soothed
me
102
So
that never,
from
the depth of
I been conscious of uttering a profane word. And in my soul do I desire that every young mind could be
some manner equally impressive and
salutary, the
made
to feel, in
uselessness of anger
expresses it
MY
MOTHEB'S DREAM.
103
CHAPTER
As
XVII.
MT mother's dream.
music's Goddess taketh down her late. Touches the silver cords of dulcet ^ouud. And sets the summer melodies to words So from the Spirit Land an Angel comes, And, when profoundest sinmher folds us fast,
Wakens our
A SEVERE
and
thirst,
caused
me
still
to
awake
on the morning
Looking
about, I
saw the
As
now
how
I'd like
Why
not?
Old
folks does
big
Self-
who
interrogating thus,
what
my
I want to
only smokin' like you is what I wants." Mercy on us !" she exclaimed, '^ what '11 you want next?" I don't know," I replied, "I want to be good, mother, an'
104
I'm
At
But knock-
to the
"Don't
I'm good.
tries to
be so
alius,
to
"My
head aches
so,
mother, I doesn't
know what
If
't
to do.
I
to
guess smokin' would make me feel better. smoke, what makes you smoke ?"
"
ain't
good
Why,
bub, didn't I
tell
you once ?
Two
torn,
when we
an' I
come near
in.
to the brink
happened
ses she,
'
I know what
'
'11
cure you.'
is
it?
Then
ses she,
the water
your stummic by
smokin' terbacker.'
But somehow
I
feels
the pipe
now
if
I does,
bad
at
my
me
all
my
it
mother's example.
to, that
my
nature
when
thus appealed
(except once a
bit
my
lips.
And
am
very
On
every alternate day for two weeks, I shook with the ague and
;
but,
which I do not
set in!
symptoms subsided and convalescence To cheer and strengthen me, mother proposed that I
recall, the
These
pedestrian
excursions,
MY
MOTHER'S DREAM.
105
American peasantry.
There
is,
perhaps,
intelligence
enough
among
keeping
ever to be
For instance
my
mother, obe-
own
habits
make
rolls
our brindle cow's milk,) and exchange them for such useless,
injurious,
coffee,
as,
Toung Hyson
tea,
burnt
plug
and
While
in other things
pictures,
&c.
we
newspapers, books,
folks
and ague.
chilliness that
pervaded
my head
upon her
In order
:
to divert
my
attention
"
Now
if
little
man, I '11
tell
you a
When did you dream it, mother ?" " When I got lost in John Myers's woods," she replied.
I answered in the affirmative
;
you remember?"
whereupon, in her own untutored
:
style,
" Well, as I was a walkin' an' a lookin' for kindlin' wood, a thin
sliadder fell over
it
my
do
eyes.
it,
I tuk up
my
to
wipe
out.
I could
n't
though.
forgot every-
nothin' no more.
Then I
106
alone
by
myself,
away from every livin' cretur. " But a strange man kept a walkin'
o'
an'
When
want
to
What
do you
fit
hain't
<
be a
Oh,
yes I be
'
I to him.
it so.'
No
to
you
he
to
me,
an' I won't
;
have
Then
ses I,
You
me
do
alone
you
're
a strange man
with strangers.'
" But
somehow or
ruther,
he made
me
foUer
him down
into the
the
Mummies a
'
bloomin'.
goin' to
woman, I 'm a
afore,'
show you a
'
seen
I kinder
jest
tho't
what he
"What
interest,
d'
d'you
see,
mother?" interrupted I
and quite
forgetful of
my
"what
lift
yon
"
see ?"
I'll tell
Why,
you, bnb.
which I didn't
see,
a kind
o'
a big
Under
it
there stood
anuther
man whose
face,
somehow or
ruther, I seem'd to
know
very well.
Then, as I
look'd,
I seen three
men a
comin' from
different corners
of the country.
They kept a walkin', nearer man what was under the sheet. Bimeby, they
got to him.
of pens, to the
very black
The first put m the middle man's hand a bundle number of a dozen. The second put a jug of ink in his t'other hand. The third opened a big packit
mother!" cried I in the height of childish" excitement, "didn't you wake up an' stop dreamin'?"
"Why,
MY
"No," she
callin'
MOTHER'S DEEAM.
didn't
107
I heer'd father a
replied,
"I
wake up
till
my
name."
my
I"
men
stand
still.
a hull
paper.
Then he
first
the pens
was
all
used up an' there was n't no ink nor no paper that was hisen.
*'
came up a whirlwind
an' scattered
way
an'
some a nuther.
the hull dozen pens turn into a dozen fuU-grow'd men, drest in
pretty white an' blue clothes.
to
^ork, without
o' paper.
When
o'
paper down
it
what looked
round there.
"
Now
was a
know nothin' what. For the hull country was full of folks. The strangers kept a comin' up, closer an' closer, to where the dozen men stood the one man standin' bolt upthe middle of the hull tribe. The folks what kept comin' right in
or a somethin', I didn't
;
o'
other side.
a river
a swimmin', with
'
"We be
hungry
we be dry
;
to drink
say good
they 'Yes!
won't you
?'
ses to
all.'
we'll do
in kindness to
you
Then they
an'
hungry wolves.
hull
world was
eatin', an'
108
me
to
An
so I
woke up
!"
lost in
'are pokerish
woods
Imperceptible as the
fall
my
"Mother!" exclaimed
I,
as
makes
folks
dream?"
what I can't "but I
loves."
left
"Ah,
"
that 'are's
alius
what does
for
them he
Does Prov'dence make you see the new moon over your shoulder ? or makes a fork fall tine foremost ? or makes you
see
them shadders
"No,
"
bad
sees."
all
signs
of
that
happen
to
them what
told
Mother !" I
still
persisted, "
you
me
once
about good
what
an'
baby
to our house
was n't
jest so
now
spook what Dave seen, an' the bad shadders in the road,
Prov'dence what makes you dream, be
t'other?"
all jest alike
one
jest like
silent
and
sad.
making no
reply,
till
we reached home.
coaxed her with
;
all
my
might
to
me
which, as a reminiscence
of
my
SIGNS,
BIGNIFED.
109
CHAPTER
SKJNS,
XVIII.
" Beason can not know Wliat sense can neither feel nor thought conceive.' There is delusion in the world and wo.
And fear,
and pain."
the cause of Ms great-
est misfortunes.
trials this
unblushing Monster
tyrannically imposes
der-in-chief of
at
upon
he
is
;
the
commanwhich,
mth
any
time,
and
The term " superstition" was the first word employed by the converted Boman Pagans to signify what moderns mean by the phrase
" Religion" that
is,
whatsoever
ly
is
known and
rely confiding-
But
idle fancies, or
by the
more or
less influence
Now
celestial
what
is
quite singular,
is,
that
divine
signs
and and
faith in
omens and
110
changeful wonders
require
the
same
class of
mental
faculties
which goes
session of
conceded
fact, that
is
the pos-
knowledge makes
between the
is
superstitious unless
it
ed by education.
serve to fix the
And
fact, that,
beset
by
but feels none of that beautiful repose which either form of sometimes so graciously bestows upon
its faithful
follower.
My cherished
by
left
supported
crossing
muddy water
between which
affliction
and the
woman
slight-
est discrepancy.
all credence,
"Poh !"
hair's
breadth in her
own
belief.
spiritual things
am led to
con-
on
retrospection, that
my mother's
She
to
borrow trouble
;"
but although
not, return
is
everybody's who
She had
real
But not
be-
SIGNS,
SIGNIFIED.
life
]!!
became a
meandering stream of
ness.
trial,
sadness,
by what was
112
CHAPTEE
Shoktlt
XIX.
A CHAPXEE OF ACCIDEKTS.
after the trading-excursion
mentioned in foregoing
It occurred thus
:
Our
man was
field to
the barn.
great
two-wheeled
Or
one of his
trips
!" cried
I.
Unnothe
cart,
"Haw
losing
go
my
'long!"
my balance, fell into the loaded wagon's track. I screamed. Hearing which, the driver stopped the team suddenly, with the
wheel directly upon
again, with the back
!
front
waist!
He
its
started
and stopped
them
just as before
wheel resting
was taken
to the
Hours I asked
my Faculties,
:
my
mother
if
I would die
when
she replied
"
No,
child, 'tain't
80 ordered.
Providence
is
But
A CHAPTEB OP ACCIDENTS.
you was hurt
jest
113
Thus
left
me
and a very
still
sensitive stomach.
my possession. The weakness and frailty that lingered through my breast ofttimes made an hour's sitting on the shoebench next to torture. But my energetic and wilful father, though
in
" Tou
're
a lazy feller
that
's
the rea-
son.
salt.
'un I do n't
it,
was a seeming
a useful
evil,
will, to
How
Obviously,
;
it
unfitted
me
for being
St. Crispin
it
made exposure
to sun-beat unbearable
as I
and headache
and
employment of agriculture
curtailed
repulsive
and impossible
and, lastly,
it
my
desire to eat
tageous.
well
to
much
"
me
to get
:
com ?"
To which I
stultify
replied
own
now
cele-
embodying a good, would appear to you as a personal misfortune of no small importance. If, then, you wish to be clearbrate as
especially not,
114
Succeeding
I shivered through
many weeks
to
with fever-and-ague.
a distant
Here, as I
now vaguely
to,
recollect,
I imbibed no lessons
all
of instruction.
from,
school
home
and got
cold,
among
letters,
other
scolding,
!
of pictures
my
or even
to
a good name
solicitous
my
It
About
this
time
my father,
fall
returning
seized
one evening from the village with his package of work, was
with a kind of paralysis which caused him to
in the snow,
his
unable to rise or to
make
The
man
lay there
'a
The
neighbors brought
him
to us
on the
For a poor
another
^at
trouble.
"We
all
depended upon
many
make any
exertion.
And
we
Not long
was
after this
Ms
unknown
my
must get
his
to
them under
done,
own
much
served to bring
true one of
my
my
young and
debilitated body.
A CHAPTEB OP ACCIDENTS.
Sic^ess, as the reader
is
115
well aware, is very tioublesome and exIt is too frequently one of the
On
cordwainer was going out to separate our cow from her young
calf,
I accompanied him.
the right
she yielded
yet, seeing
me
standing at a
little
me
terrific violence.
luck to stumble, and her tremendous speed carried her whole body
quite over
me
Ere she turned for a second attack, my fearless fame from further danger. The psychological fright
to
my nervous
day
resembling
fever-and-ague.
eign
recomm^d
disease
;
this cure as
it is
a sover-
because
not always
Although I could not see any connecting link between the cowfright
and
my
my
Some time
was now
my
assisting at
returned home
to relate
She
when I
up
!
But up I
gits, an'
No
sooner was I
heer'd the
I looked up,
come in !
Oh, I was real scared, for I know'd there was nothin' that the ani-
mal could
Eitand
<m ;
But in a minute
116
it
wasn't there no more, an' I couldn't hardly sleep any that 'are
hull night.
What
d'you
thinlt 'twas,
mother?"
As
saw the
well-
till
was
like that of
one
it
.
lost to consciousness.
But when
the meanin'
Ann
't
" Oh,
ain't
no use
a-talkin'
ain't for
you
yit awhile."
For
several
weeks
my moral history,
my
eye rested on a
bit
toolbox,
was a
first
was mine.
it."
At
But, as he unisuf-
stiff
Then I thought
"
o'
pshaw
and I want
entering, I
it
That seductive
stolen toy
!
rea-
On
;
guilty
for
my father
:
exclaimed
"
sir
doing ?
What
d'
you
get,
Without
fessed
you
sir,
many
im-
pediments in
my
speech
A CHAPTER OP ACCIDENTS.
" Don't dare to ask
" or I'll thrash
JIT
stout severity,
me
he with
life !"
My mother
anguish
;
but, for
Dis-
consolate indeed
Something told
me
that she
was
me
my
of father's
summary
sir
Now, you
keep that
'are iron in
me."
He
that I
wallied very
fast,
things.
!"
He
said
good-for-nothin',
and mischievous
;
But I did
very
respond
''
Amen."
box w^hence the toy was purloined, and there the honest cordwajner compelled
me
to leave it
belong to me."
But
happy
or-
and contented.
ganism; and
My father's
not
to
in
my
moral
I do
me
know
I have
he then forced
make!
less impressive,
many
direction is
open
to
seems to
child's
departure
from the
strait
118
CHAPTER XX.
THE GAMBLEK'S FIEKT FATE.
"I recall
My thoughts,
and bid you look upon the night."
guilty of
filial
irreverence
I should say
that,
upon the
reliable loco-
motive.
He
all
his whistle,
and ad-
monish
On
erate load,
he was a
till
fine engine,
and gave
steam
passenger,
he began
to let off
proceeding which
it
not been
on the
If
the'
reader
curious to
know where
to
it is,
he can see
it
when he
takes a drive
Pine Plains.
Hiram
That
ited
Our
conditions
and comforts
several
were
on the
decline.
Why
119
it
But I think
was
done to bring father into closer proximity with his various pursuits,
my
mother
to
In
this
a weaver's loom.
and,
when
destitute of this
with enviable
artistic
considerable assistance.
thought, in the
faithfiil
service to him, as he
I refer
If
me
a gallon to intoxicate
my
father,
my
is
orders were to go on
little
till
It
with no
canvass of
Memory.
be strong to save
for the
contaminate.
It
was
my
taste
was
in no instance tempted
by the
inebriating beverage.
The
her a
my
mother's bosom,
among
By the
we had
rustic dance.
On
called
such
as fortune-
But on
I remarked
my
mother's reservation.
When
she
120
some
sport.
mere
And
yet, being
accustomed
a blankness and
undefinable.
In
this connection
The
But
those
who
in-
duced
to believe there
lurking in the constitution of the pack which none but the players
To
the
among
my own
them
to a card-
Many
hour.
The
here."
to
were brought
and the
party
were permitted
that there
was a
recollection of
its
my
mother's brain,
and that
fulfihnent
was near
at hand.
At
we
all retired.
A cloud
hung between
the
woman and my disturbed spirit. That night I prayed many, many times, in the silence of my heart, for immediate pardon and
sad
better lucjs.
afflicted
Fmally, I
slept,
the
on the
:
hearth.
As
"
Now, me
you must
for ?"
settle.
all
them
folks to
come here
12l
What
by them
playin' ?"
" Nothin'", but to see 'em play high, low, jack, and the game,"
returned I with painful confusion.
"
What's
in that to
you ?"
to see
want
it, is
't ain't
I'll tell
my
she calmly.
of cards.
"Now
sure to happen to
them what
While speakfire
ing thus, she laid the package directly in the midst of the
Holding
my hand
!
firmly,
and riveting
my attention
:
is
picters of
many
o'
grandees
queen
there
's
diamonds, an'
!"
o'
there
's
the dretful
Jack
Now,
child, save
'em
if
you can
in the
me and went
my
being.
I trembled
in
every nerve.
But as
she had
commanded me
!
to save thejaek,!
was forced
o' sight."
;
to reply:
'tis
by gambKn'
The good
do him no good
so the Evil
One
him in the
It
fire
of destruction."
skiLfiil
my young mind
was
losj;
paper were
being consumed.
cards,
it
As the flames leaped up and danced around the seemed to me that great men and beautiful women were
6
122
won't
never do so no more
!"
Twenty-one years,
full
by
since that
My perception of the
Divine
of how
my
diilers greatly
companion of
ered, she
early
Yet I think
And
my
footsteps-^ contemplate
my pathway
when
past
and
see no instance
the pledge I
made
in that isrfated
GO TO SCHOOL.
123
CHAPTER
IN
XXI.
WHICH
GO TO SCHOOL.
"And
'
And
Unwillingly to school."
About
shop,
is
a small
dwellings, cjdled
Union
Cornel's
cluster of
that
is
to say,
a wheelwright's
gery termed a " tavern," (by the imaginative a hotel,) for the ac-
occupying
the wholes body of the structure, the second being quite as large,
right overhead, but just under the rafters,
might be termed a
flight of ladder-st^rs.
Not a shade
tree or
shrub was there to shut out the cheerless and ominous prospect of
that publican's house.
Only space
to the extent of
six yards,
and time
to the
to
Well, reader, while the spring spirit of 1836 was vivifying the
ample
fields
Within the
window
124
you might have seen
fession.
my
And
fail to
which by nature
adapted than
many merely
the
first
physical ladies
who
I was
now
in
my tenth year;
Had you
"I
decade in an eternal
take
life
this^ youngster to
intellect,
I was at
first
regarded by our
new
Thanks
my
parents, I
to school.
The
teacher
to the children.
But with
to recollect and
alphar
At
teacher
He
me
when I came out at the bottom letter, I invariably lost nearly all memory of the preceding sounds and connections. But I went
forward, nevertheless, and
got triumphantly into mya-b, abs.
Shortly, however, this responsible teacher of the district-school
was superseded by a religious-minded man, named Lacy. Under this gentleman's austere training and vigilant supervision,
my perpendicular
fact
!
became a fixed
The
sentinel -who
faithfully.
taken
and guarded his outposts more fundamental position, as logicians say, was well nor do I remember that I had the misfortune to be dis-
My
placed more than three or four tunes, and then only for a few minutes. But this teacher was quite gentle and patient -with me,
withal, aivl concluded to set
me
He
GO TO SCHOOL.
125
wished to make
table
me
believe, through,
my
He
convince
me
at
all
my
had the
effect to
postpone
my
pen-
indefinite.
my
father
by
the
my
eyes
is
my
mind.
is
The
frontis-
piece
in itself
a charm to children.
There
a comfortably-
his disabled
below
is
the sentence,
!
to
be there also
"Take
I '11 not
care there
tell
if
my
toe,
you another
The
to
childhocrd
and youth.
:
By
" The world is round, and like a ball Seems swinging in the air;
it all,
In
fact,
my
to
mother's
other.
Map
;
lessons,
therefore,
as well as the
and
cities.
The map
of the
me
something
like
a cobweb
into
maker had dumped here and there a mess of words, too hard
126
and hence, notwithstanding tte captivating influence of the pictures add images of houses and of strange
either spelled or spoken
geographical
But here
raphy
or studied.
let
me
I ever valued,
cherished,
it
I value
it
throws
and
I have preserved that book as the only charm of the hours I spent
in school.
The
That book
is
my
pyramid.
The
con-
as a link
Among
sex, I
was never
harsh
while
to play with,
me
and embarrassing
entirely without
timidity..
The
result
any agreeable
a few
associate.
called
me "gumpy;"
me
"
girls called
me
me
"blockhead;" and
my
eldest sister
dummy."
These
acteristics in
me which
of honor
or happier
among
I
those of my
The code
markable.
re-
will give
One
afternoon, just*subse-
my
father wished
me
to take
a package of work
to his boss in
Hyde-Park.
Procuring a very
and generous Isaac Stoughtenburgh, I mounted and set out on the errand. It was
al)out twilight
when
The
GO TO SCHOOL.
127
for, to tell
the truth,
so far
I had no
inclina-
combative propensities of my
tions
own
to gratify,
no ambitious
As I
expected, the
village-boys like so
many young
Who
" "Where
d'
you
when you're to hum?" shouted another. "What's your daddy's name ?" said a third, as he run violently against me, and
knocked
my
made fun
of.
me
as I hadn't in
set
up a mortify-
reiterate.
They
stepped
on' my
toes, twitched
my
hat off
many
times,
and otherresentful.
me
angry and
At
this
moment
of
trial,
my
me by
name, as
if
my
peril
It strengthened
and encouraged
resentment on
to
me
to
my persecutors.
fight,
little
my part, a
them
:
me.
But I thought
thus
and afraid
go home to
my
mother."
feel revengeful,
my
tormentors.
And
is
than the
for
jumped
me down and
;
then,
in the
128
village alone,
me many
ing a hemorrhage at
my nose
my face
my
and breast
But
spirit
my
interior
bruised,
was
still
ly astonished.
only.
I wept to be sure
but
't
was
I told
my
mother
;
all
about
it.
and
my
to
a sequel to
this
MY FATHER AND
129
CHAPTER
XXII.
A EDM-SELLBE may be
a rum-drinker.
unreforroed
drinlsers,
just as honorable
and philanthropic as
now
in
some
places, the
man whose
daily occupation
produced
gallows,
community
employed as
:
men
of business.
For example
I never
my
father's intemperance,
and the
domicil.
means by Which
it
Look
at the temptation
Leaning
window, with seductive smile and crowned with beads, was a redfaced chap
called
Brandy
Gin
sickly
countenance
called
swiney vagabond
by
candle-light
open his
Whiskey!
And
be-
lesser scoundrels
who
caused
130
men
to
trample on the
women
ye.,
ment of the
alcoholic
power of words
be seen at
all
'Twas
extremely
first
of January.
the weather
cold.
Now
my
unmated skates
smooth
ice.
across
my
arm and
strip of
I enjoyed the
soon to return.
me
whom
in
and wish
alone,
He
was
He
asked
me
to
be seated.
man went
to the closet,
mixed some
me
the remainder.
I tasted; and
!
its
charmed
my
palate
!
Our
me
have
anything so sweet
And
so I
made
New-Year's
social
gave
me
I became remarkably
and
that
loquacious.
My
present
assure
me
I talked
like
an unconscionable
!
was
intoxicated.
But when I
knew too well my deplorable condition. The room spun like a top ! Stove, chairs,
all,
me
but
like so
it
many millstones.
eluded
my
131
like
Now
my
feet
What was
be done ?
The
besotted
old
man was
stove he
had long
surrounding circumstances.
office,
He was
in society.
to spring
time
came around!
door within
As
the
room revolved
specific
bringing
the
energy.
Wasn't
to
I glad ?
To
reel
But
to arise
to
bed
weeping
!
at so
my mother, that I could not do my power to groan and gasp my own calamity and to shout
:
drunk
!
so
drunk !"
I was
suffer-
ing, perishing,
and willing
to die
of that
New-Year's day!
My driveling
going up
finally
brought
in
me timely assistance
"black
be-,
gave
my
mother
to the nature
my
Do you
men who
treat
and
Do you
with
Are you a
friend of riots ?
Do you
of fatal accidents ?
Do
scaffold ?
Do
you cry
Down
132
with
virtjie,
ery?"
Do you work
Do you mean
ernment.
Eai^th.
destroy the health, and shorten the lives of the people about you ?
to
work
for the
Era of Haimony on
gee
;
the
act,
WUl
you do so ?
We shall
for
!
no individual
however
Futuei;
demon-
me
fixed within
deadly embrace,
save
ii^
one iustance
when
inebriate)} old
to the larger
liberty of
a New-Year's day.
my affection or
man And
my
would not
for
Shortly after
this,
ill.
my
quiet
and tender
sister Juli^
Ann,
re-
turned
home very
;
Her melancholy
face
was
discolored with
vital
jaundice
disease.
and mortal
Poor
!
girl
memory
feverish
and
shoemaker,
physician
skill
" House not built with hands," in which there are neither nor poor, but phnty for all God's children
night, as
girl,
One
my
departing
I was
mother sat watching by the bedside of the made quite sad by observing in her eyes that
133
which
I had long
suljeripg
The
patient asked for something, but the maternal ear did not catch
When
again she
Betiring
tp the
back window, and gazitig out upon the frozen earth, she
Thig expression of grief I ^id not comprehend, and
wept aloud.
asked
"
:-
so,
mother ?"
"How
think so?"
little
it,
mother?"
Julia
"
Ann
seen at Peter
De Garmo's upper
"
When
d'
you see
when
;
I exclaimed
" did
really
room ?"
it
slipped in
when
What did the lamb do then ?" " Why, I seen it walk on all-fours
an' then
it
very gentle.
" There
!"
"there!
asked
is
gone away,
'm real
d'
'fraid
't
Ann
along."
"
What
't
you see
my
&ther impatientiy.
;
" Oh,
ain't nothin' to
and
tear-
woman
Do n't
be a
frettin',"
said father.
"Bo n't
fret
about what
134
can't be helped.
know.
happen."
As
for
we
followed the
My
but,
though I lamented
my relative,
tears.
But the
sorrow in
situation
my
heart.
voice told
me
that
my
present
was
to
and I longed
to tell
drawn
to the life
which came
after-
ward.
terror
and
slabs,
which rung
the
knell of
tions.
my
sister's
up unwholesome imagina-
And when
cold earth
so
my
a
very soul was harrowed up to the most doleful and repulsive ideas
of death.
After. this, I feared to go without
company through
churchyard at night.
In
fact,
which
pain-
lingered
upon me
my
spiritual illumination.
How
well do I
remember
when
the
my He
was more absolutely in the enemy's power than I ever saw him
before.
1 will not stop to portray the desolation that his condition spread through the garden of my mother's heart. How
How
seemed
to
fountain source!
lJi6
How
No
\
Do
Re-
efficient
we needed
man
destroyer
To banish from our home the peace-annoyer, And on our hearthstone dash the fatal bowl."
But I am about
to record
of individual reformation.
my
father
The
man," was taken and kept in the calm silence of his own heart
With
the
enemy
full in
him, and through weary months of deadly and desperate struggle with the foes in his
own
For nearly
quently
;
he was intoxicated
at
fre-
Union
mother
Corners.
my
But neither
calm, pure
any part of
it,
There
is
The
And, believe me
is
answered.
136
CHAPTER
One of Belden
situated
XXIII.
HYDE PAEK.
is
INITIAL EXPERIENCES IN
(or was)
the village of
Hyde Park,
either toward
New York
Or Albany.
On
i-od
shop.
On
the south
the
families of the
two houses
well.
we moved
in the spring of
1837
manent work
I was
either
in the
now
in
my
eleventh year.
body or mind was concerned, however, I was considerably behind most boys four or five years younger. Timid, sensitive,
prone to solitary rambles, and meditative at times, I was
quite
sports.
In view of
this
seeming
my
exclamation
"
You ain't worth your salt !" To which my maternal protector and ready
advocate would
reply
INITIAL EXPERIENCES IN
HYDE PARK.
137
"A child!
bound out
for
Poh!
What can you expect of a chUd ?" Before t got to that 'are boy's age, I was
and
clothes," the father
my
victuals
would
rejoin,
it.
" and I don't see that he's any better than I was.
I won't bear
sir!"
You
he contin-
who wants a
boy."
village,
my
business
was
to see
into the
my
muscular system, save the right arm, and that too leisurely to keep one from dreaming and absent-mindedness.
my
thie
moth-
side,
" homesickness."
lord's garret,
When
I went to
my
sleeping-place in
land
my
knew on
earth
mother
walking
began
more commonly
my
would
called sleep-
to
show
itself in
my
nightly exercises.
A thou-
shafts
my
brain.
which I had seen during the day, I could perceive and compre-
structures.
for
boiards, for
all
brought
138
The exceeding
my almost irresistible
propensity to tramp
me; and
homeward.
On
entering,
my father,
me
for
What
sent
What
the dogs
is
me
me
an'
I'm
'Iraid to sleep
up
garret," replied
much
judgment or mercy.
justification
But, fortunate as ever, mother came to my and rescue, and said : " Oh, what can you expect of a
d'
child ?
How
it."
the truth ?
Let him
stay
home
know more
about
And thus
a professional
and practical
some of
&e
my
enough
to
make a
was
whistle,"
''
my
me
main
trait
laziness,"
for play.
my
midnight employments.
little
Without
artificial light, I
entire success.
These nocturnal
exer-
now
them, and
make
the record as if I
was outwardly
con-
so sneered
and jeered
at
by
my
INITIAL BXPEIHENCES IN
finally
HYDE PABE.
139
About this time I formed the acquaintance of a notorious T^ageboy named " BUJ," who was the terror of neariy every other youngster in that
community.
He was
an .apprentice
to
a wheelwright,
foouge.
At
last
he spied
The
boss
^n
turkey-buzzard !
who
sent
you here ?
Tell me, you blunderin' lummiz, or I '11 give you a touch under
the
fifth rib
!"
With
Gur
folks."
"Who's
As
if
him who
my
me
to."
!"
and
I wouldn't
lick
you
too
much
of a spoony
-altogether!"
questions.
shopj
to
and incUned
years
;
me
He
circumstances.
his eyes,
every lineament.
hnn
as
my
140
Shortly after the
him
to
my parents
and, contrary to
my expectations, he
my first
Of
course, I
was not
But I
I know
What
not
But
this
The timber
sufficient to the
his
when
commenced.
he said
I want to
tell
you somethin'."
's
one thing in
my mem-
me more
!
than
all else
what I ever
did."
"
"What is that, Bill?" I asked. Why, hang it the thing 's foolish
:
somehow."
After
before
Bill,
to live in
" Well,
it
tell
me
I won't leak
it all
out, never."
(And
yet,
am
letting
out
into
your confidence.)
't
"Well,
ain't nothin'
it is,
"do n't
stop ag'in."
He
proceeded
"
About
an' I
done
nothin'
sorrier
be blamed
if
I ham't
felt
more
an'
more madder
at
INITIAL EXPERIENCES IN
" "WTiy, Bill
!"
HYDE PARK.
141
*'
exclaimed
I,
concealing
my
actual emotions,
did
!"
who
"No!
street.
When
you needn't
fret
'are
!"
lam
the hoy
what you
owe you no
;
ill
will
"You !"
what I licked so
thun
boy
so sorry about
Bill ?"
now
ha
ha
By
!
mud,
if that hain't
Why,
back
light.
felt
somethin'
hke
on
I 'd
felt
all
But you
at
you didn't
act as if
you
mad
me
at all
on'y
it.
ha^
'cause
you was
sixty."
Bill," said
"Never mention
hurt any now, you
know
do
it.
make you a
winter."
me
to possess.
And
we
Had
I returned
142
my
not.
Would
I think
The
me
of the poet's
forcible assertion:
" If men, instead of nursing pride. Would learn to hate it and abhor it If more relied
better for
it
I"
348
CHAPTER
XXIV,
And
The
by
One
step toward
ajiother was, a
;
new
two-dollar
another, a
warm
and a pair of
me
white stream of daily benefaction flowed with great ease and uni-
form abundance.
My mother
seemed
to place
a great deal of
felt
a genuine
in this respect
went on swhaming-
my mother,
and
caused her to
trouble.
we drew
These neighbors
also
and
less fonntainoua
made
44
our butter was the sweetest, and our milk was the creamiest, and,
as
Both cows were pastured in the same meadow ; and that is, it was ofttimes my business and pleasure to drive them " critneighbor's merely ordinary our own noble animal, and our
filthy lucre.
tur"
to
field
But
the
member
Things continued in
this
some
four
weeks ;
during which no
woman
my
it,
"She
if
Neither were
yield the most
wei'e entirely
cow did
short,
!"
In
we
so,
dear reader?
Conditions, however,
critical.
a real
which served
to bring
my
One
milk
Mother
the
fence, pulled
an armful of
beautiful clover,
before the
milky way.
;
space of an hour
and,
lastly,
was abandoned.
customers came
;
At
but the
morrow our friendly answer was, " Our cow won't give down
to the pasture as before,
no milk."
remained
So I drove her
till
where she
brought home at night; when the same ominous fact was repeated. Not a drop of the sweet beverage could be
obtamed
{such as
it
Meanwhile, the opposition family got plenty of milk was !) from the opposition cow, and we had the mor-
14->
it.
On
the suc'
my mother returned
with a like
One
said the
had imbibed the milk during the day; another, that she had
swallowed her cud
another, that there
;
the udder.
But each
was triumphantly
all right.
stand in view of the fact, that from day unto day her hag was
greatly swollen and painfully distended with an abundance of
its
undischarged secretion.
worthless
The cud
revealed
presence there.
The man
who
shut up, on finding grounds for believing that the creature's well-
refuted
by mechanically
the least progress
Not
satisfactory solution,
of the case.
mained unexpressed.
my
mother.
Her
con-
had never
Superstition
seemed an inevitable
The
ticking
had ceased
any
un-
were
signs of approaching
146
of our household.
And,
occur-
had been
!
domicil
In a word,
my
sorcery.
possibilities
The power
in a neighbor's
chum, or
of one living thing into that of another, she did not doubt ; and
yet she seldom
made
these
things
subjects
of conversation.
Among my
stories,
early recollections
women
far and near. Bewitched the children of the peasants Dried up the cows and lamed the deer, And sucked the eggs and killed the pheasants."
my
mother, aided by
she exclaimed
cretur is possessed/"
"I mean,"
" Poh
under a
spell."
the shop,
stufi"
my
mother
home
skepticism,
somewhat
as
and replied
"Nothin'
whole breadth of
that poor thing
else
can
make
how ?" asked father. Come out and see for yourself," the same time leading the way with
" Act
followed,
We
all
tried
147
testily
The poor
up and
bum
her to death.
turned to go into the house our eyes caught the gaze of our opposition
neighbors
It really
We
an
in-
who
if
it
laid
deliberations, however,
I asked
Dave saw;
but
my
inteiTogatory
made no impression on
" losing the poor thing"
insupportable.
was every minute growing more and more was unanimously resolved
son.
it
a seventh
He He
was
of the
nose, then
punched her
logical,
side with
his
tail
thumb, and,
a
little,
then said
night."
he twisted her
and
to-
"
What
ails this
crittur is
His
test-prescription,
dis-
enchantment of the
distinctly
field in
remember.
They were
them
will" be
pardonable
"Watch and
see
put
it
in
who comes
to
your door
148
hair' from the
tree in
bore a hole
it
in
some
and seal
up."
Saying
with a
truly remark-
and
then,
commendable
vigilance,
we
When obtained,
fire.
That
fire
seemed determined
to
do
its
duty.
(as
It
was not
confined
are),
most stoves
arise
how
Infernal regions
!
may be
kept at
a high temperature)
no, indeed
threw
its
nances.
wood
fire,"
said
away dark
did not
spirits."
Whether
be true or
false
we
know
each
member
At
thoughts awakened
half-jovial
We
!
were
and
half-terrified.
The
somebody
But
who
could
it
be?
bubbling, and
eyes!
It
summons
far
more
by an
officer
of justice.
we
beheld the master and magic spell that was to do one of two
:
things
either break and remove the subtler and weaker charm on our cow, or bring the malicious witch (or wizard) in person to If the latter, whence would come the sorceress? our very door
!
149
she travel ?
Perhaps,
't
some
who,
With
And
head, hands, wings, or feet, pursues his way. swims, or sinks, or wades, or creeps, or flies."
What would
tery.
all
a speculative mys-
But
Now
for
and then a
a moment
needle (there were nine in the pan) would come upon the liquid
float
it
beneath.
Was
that strange?
Mother remarked
it
first;
and
then
we each watched for another needle. " Hark !" exclaimed Eliza, " what 's that a-knocking ?"
We
listened,
and
distinctly
kitchen-door.
the question
The
we had
the disen-
How,
then, could
seventh son had said, " See who'll come to your door."
then, to
obey
directions
out !
What next ?
Nothing
to
What
Only
d'
my
father good-naturedly.
to
I'll
return
to-morrow."
Oh, to be sure," returned mother, with characteristic promptness to accommodate a neighbor ; and, well nigh forgetting all her
150
lingly said
it,
an' welcome."
!
By
this
The marvellous
liquid
controversy,
we
the bare idea that the harmless and uniformly well-behaved old
we
sought to exorcise.
And
yet,
it
was
so
very strange
Shortly after our breakfast next morning, the disenchanter
entered,
and interrogated
"
What
did
you do ?"
" But
nothin'
happened."
*'
call
to
hastily replied
"
You
should
n't
the
Who
the
almost
consternation'
when
"Mer-
cy save us
consciously put the long end of the lever into the hands of our
opposition neighbors.
They
pail,
preceded
my
mother
and
instituted
a more
careful
151
;^
this
moment
ridiculously solemn
;
next
it
was gathered up
to
finally,
intelligence,
my
'pinion
is,
fat
" Diseased
eased?"
" This crittur has the hom-distemper," replied the
wolf in her
"
tail.
No
mistake,
marm
that's just
what
her."
What
my father
incredu-
lously.
me
;
agreed
to,
kindest act
now
see
by
thr-
Thus we
how much
trouble a
little scientific
knowledge,
as
it
applied at the
first,
this
humble family :
movements of the
two previously;
as
were
supernatural significance.
The unwholesome effect of this case of superstition did not away for several months. I remember how mortified my how ashamed and penitent we all were over the mother felt The proceedings of that silliness and injustice of the imputation.
pass
night of incantation
Indeed,
oblivion.
But the opposition neighbors with the opposition cow did not
152
become wholly disenchanted of a tendency to antagonism, until the resident clergyman (of the Dutch Reformed Church) was
called in to exert the
magic of
his influence
upon them.
The
butter,
closing
was a serious
a struggling' family
perate cordwainer,
we
other
OTHER EPISODES
IN THIS HISTOBY.
15'iJ
CHAPTER XXV.
OTHER EPISODES
IN THIS HISTOEY.
About
this
a bale of brocade
silks,
Having nothing
to do,
(which was
work
at without bungling,)
I endeavored to
make myself
and dispose of
by the merchant.
my
voluntary
performance, engaged
me
for
a few
shillings
whom
While
lAipacking, arranging,
and
I was
But when
it
was
tumbled from
my lofty
position
down
to the
common
level
of those
faculties
My
computing
name
to
Add
to this a
nay, an awkward
154
and
you may
left,
however,
my discharge from that establishment. Before my mind was freed of an unavoidable prejudice
While
the
for business, I
hear,
when going to and fro for my meals, such reproachful speeches as " A Jew '11 cheat you out o' your eyes !" " The Israelites is under
the cuss of God."
Jew
&c.
Jewish
clerk,
slightest
him
to give
true price of
any
saleable article.
as good
scoffed at
Hebrew merchant.
!"
"
What
to
why
the storekeeper
Why,
't
more
schoolin'," replied
my
mother
if
en-
couragingly.
"
He
he
can
in
harmony
was sent
my
how
To her
'
question about
at
Union Corners."
When
she wished
know
where I stood in
my
studies,
learned,
She desired to ascertain what I had and I answered "In the spellin'-book I got to 'baker,'
g'ography
all
an' in the
the
way
thro'
every picture."
Whereafter
me
spelling,
her satisfaction.
Subse-
was placed
hill
at
progress
up the
of useful knowledge.
155
By
In ciphering I
addition.
waded through
compound
In spelling words of not more than three syllables I had considerable vexation and trouble.
advancement.
yet I must confess that, during the most of the time, I came
When the days of absence are deducted, I think the amount my schooling there did not, altogether, exceed six weeks.
Gloomily I
left school,
of
my years.
brow.
Not a
fetters
be seen upon
The
my fevered my
The
foot of
upon
my
my
youthful neck.
My desolated
car of
The
Time sped
ward
jolly school-mates,
and
left
me
Station.
The
buckle on the
The wings
my
chiro-
graphical benefit.
Neither did
my
And
so I
was de-
felt
the symptoms of a
and burned
but another
upon
forms of nutrition.
an allopathic physician.
For
several
little
me
156
and
won the battle and felt myself victorious But my previously impaired frame was yet more shaken and My arm was weakened disabled. It bore marks of violence.
I
The
beautiful present
set of to
was
colored,
Tooth-
ache, and
Turnkey
of torture.
slain
My tongue
silently lay
nearly
on the battle-plain
full
of that
as Sir
Calomel.
My
my
knees
;
kept up the
feet
strife
least exertion
but,
amid
all;
my my
innermost
"
physician to
one.
my
solicitous
mother.
is
a very
critical
The
ma'am,
will
endanger his
The
dying.
aware of
my
lively dread of
The thought
of ceasing to breathe
in
coffin
of
:
of
closing
my
eyes
horrible.
And
"
seemed
sweet-^ater ofmaple
a fever dream
;
Tou
mai/drink
it
the
trees."
At
first
I thought
was but
the suggestions of
my
my veins.
The
But 'twas
breathing
And
The
voice
was
like imagination's
very
low, clear.
157
every word of
my
supposed dream
and
my
request,
What
in
A substantial
and,
illness,
I obtained a situation
W.
"W.
edged
abilities
He
was, I believe,
and not
legal skill
whenever
his talents
were called
He
and was
me
But
my inaptitude
stiff
and
constitutional clumsiness
each
finger being as
awkward
as that of
a clodhop-
per
soon made
me an
profession.
These personal
disqualifications,
lawyer's friendship.
He was
;
an agent for
aristocratic family
My principal
or watcher and
a shepherd
cattle, that
158
Hudson from
diversified
and
beautiful
every direction.
My
imagination can
now
luxuriate in the
;
but, while
save
the
my
surging and
dewy
grass, with
tin-pail containing
my breakfast,
and the encouraging words that ever and anon flowed from her
heart's
pastor.
I,
Judge Wood-
bowed before
that altar
and
went
to the
same manger
A very
mem-
my
lent
sabbath exercises.
She gave me a
lesson to
and
me
pictures.
ted, as
By dint of swerveless
a proper
state of
Who made
inwardly
my
"
Who
softly
The meaning of
my
me
for a
moment
my
precise time
How glad I was that she did not question me as to the when my redemption happened If she had, I fell
!
sure that
my memory
would have
failed
me.
159
'
"
"
Who
sanctified
The Holy
" "What do
"I
b'lieve," said
" I
my mem-
b'lieve
;
Maker
of the^bom of theof
j,nd surprise.
I,
"
Do you
not
remember your
''
word of
it
" 'twas
all in
my
'
mind
afore to-
day.
lost
to that 'are
word
else
Ghost,' I kinder
this."
"
Of what
my very
temples.
word made
me
!
named
what
Dave once
seen up in Staatsburgh.
Yes, ma'am
I was a-thinkin'
that
's
jest
like t'other.''
Hearing
lips
this,
.that
all
her
se-
me
one of the
my irreverent treatment
of "sacred subjects.
diflSculty
and therefore
my
reli-
160
of which
my
serious
autumn I cheerfully accompanied my parents every Sunday morning to the village-church. There was here
all that
less exclusiveness.
As
But
my memory
air,
yet
The
and
saintly.
The
reverberations of
still
sabbath
or
away
In
and then
die
among
me
mine.
my
Out of pure
filial
the minister
said on Sunday.
To be
still
more
Many a
bed
might happen to our family before morning. I attended that Reformed Dutch church
its
Regularly, however,
studied out lessons in
catechism
what I thought.
The
which the
Calvinists
my
under-
The
member.
On
who
was
tion."
161
At my
to
particular request,
he repeated
ways
mankind.
My head could
planation.
The
believed
it all,
me
derstand just as
much
The
though somewhat inclined to their estimate of me, earnestly compounded, expounded, and pounded the sacred theme, until I be-
at length found
myself believing
:
less
than
didn't
you ?"
my
child,"
he smilingly
" I did."
"And
God
wise too?"
" Certainly,
my
little
man ;
And
just as
much
my
parents, else
God
vriW send
me
I,
Now, Uncle
tell
Isaac," said
" let
me
tell
't
get
my
head
Tommy."
he know'd
" Well,
" that
if
God
man
is
(dlrwise
to hell or heaven."
wisdom and he you know he God, and narrow way mercy, has you know opened a most a few be saved they wUl but be
in his great
strait
"Why,
to
for
all
for
to
if
en-
ter in thpreat."
" But that are hain't what I'm wanting to know. Uncle Isaac,"
I replied.
"
What I want
to
knowas
this 'ere
Could a God of
after death,
me
into existence ?
what I want
162
to
know.
my
brain that a
God
of
Love and
Wisdom
ever."
too good
child!"
to create
anybody
"Oh,
my
"You
have read
finding
thie
Scriptures.
The ways
my
out
tempts
men
tempts
last lesson
my
blems of wisdom
floated, like
matured brow.
my
mother
teaching her
the only
that
Goodness
is
the only
is
key
to unlock the
emerald gates
and
me no
by a
thus, ih this
my
sought to wash
away
the stumbling-blocks
flood of tears.
first
Soon
up the
mountain of
my
life,
nambulism.
which I
lay,
Aurora Borealis.
that the
effulgence
faculties.
was
strictly
a spiritual exercise of
my own
perceptive
which then
by the
river-side.
So
163
me were
much
to
my
waves.
a disease.
But
my
healthiest conditions.
And,
besides, I
strict-
ly be called a sleep-walker.
My
self-possessed
and
my
eyes
know
In
me
short, I
had
to
go through a cer-
my age.
(which
why
I did
a beautifully
my mind
at the Episcopal
in
my
months
of any
164
CHAPTEE XXVI.
IK
WHICH
HEAE STRANGE
MUSIC.
Mt
and
religion
my
best knowlallotted to
commonly
At this time,
for
known
many
Hossacks' Farms."
It
upon
tillage.
mary accomplishments of a
that,
enough
and
clothes
me
dropping
fretting,
com
or hoeing
my own
row
with an
workmen.
I became quite handy with the hoe, and so had a day's work
marked out
for
me.
day, however,"
when
chanced to be
left
alone at
my
twenty-acre cornfield,
my
attention
165
emanate from the
seemed
to
airy space above me, and had a pathos like the sighing of autmnnal
winds.
Being
far
away from
trees
and human
habitations, its
my
brain
my
heart
awakening
and
filling
my
juvenile
world.
afiection*for strangers.
my
immediate
relatives,
moment I had entertained no enlarged The idea of loving anybody not loved by or of disliking persons who were openly
little
peared to
worthy.
me
Indeed,
my
me
an inexpresI seemed to
be
lifted,
by a
While
listened,
the
may
^ohan
desire
to
words
"
Tou
travel."
my
hoe,
by which I kept
my
trembling
form from
for
falling,
nervously hearkening
oh,
how
intensely!
whatever
else
air.
might reach
But, ere I
me
knew
immense
field
my
wondering
For three or
upon me.
forgetful of
my
to
Strain of atmospheric
harmony
so delightful.
166 Tte
shrill toot
tensive plantation,
The
associated farm-
tilling
Hence
their
same spa-
and, to
make expenses
this plan,
On
first
three
days of each week with one of the joint-stock employers;^ and the
night,
The younger
and, as I
thought, a miserably
reUgious
even in
his. most
which invariably
Besides,
tended to produce
obli-
Sunday" had become, by some tremendous down and crushed into the meshes of the secular
all to feel that
accident,
fabric
giving
"religion
is
here below."
But he was,
withal,
in his
own
way, uniformly
kmd
to
me.
And
when I
My teeth would masticate well enough, but, when I came to swallow, the provender would stick
short,
my
and tarry by the wayside. In toward the end of the second day my head would ache, and stomach report indigestion. The senior agriculturist, on the
other hand, although conscientious and equally strict in his attendance at public worship, was very far less rigid, and presented a
to all
four days subsequent to the event recorded on a preceding page, I was eating at the table of the gravest of the two farmers.
Some
After thanking
Heaven
167
and invoking a
toes,
and
continuance of the Divine blessing, the farmer fixed his eye inquiringly
for
felt
that something
my
specific edification.
" Did you hoe one row across the field this forenoon ?" he asked.
"
Not
lumpy
sensation in
my
my
down
before
it
was
sent.
my
thoughts
done ; but, instead, I could only think of the delightful sounds and
mysterious whisperings of that music so unaccountable.
"We
away
their time,"
he at length
On
if
hearing
itself
this,
the aforesaid
lump
in
my
tended
my
stomach as
my
plate.
My
embarrassment was
painful.
more wish
for
to explain
Can
it
have been
work ?
He
make
I hee/d."
But
my mind
as to whether I
was not
to
by some
person, or in a sort of
that,
my task, never to squander away which justly belonged to my esteemed employers. And,
alone at
lest the
indeed, I
report of
my
my
father,
and
result in cast-
168
We
now
In the
winter of 1839,
district school.
But
was parentally decided that I should attend the my memory reports no progress even in the
The
where I stood
and
my
I had an inwrought
In order
I procured
little
my time,
me
with a good
to obtain
more em-
One
new ground
for
at
my
work, and
When
melody
silent.
first
I hstened,
my
all
nervously-intensified ear.
fioated dreamily
bird-like
And
again
was
in
In order
to imitate
to fix that
^olian harmony
properties
my
recollection,
tried
some of
its
to
tremulously-delicious
To my
This
notes
by a
sort of ventriloquism
of which,
till
then, I had no
knowledge.
pecuUar, purling
symphony
a passages I have
and
breathing
since
Ever
superstition-
at our house, I
my
my
individual expprience.
frightened or saddened
169
my
held a relation of
my musical
And
!'
enchantment in the
cornfield.
Oft
What
did
it
mean ?
travel
'
You
desire
to
^may
Was
that a voice
mother
And
again:
"Was
'
that a permission, or
?
a prophecy?
'
Which word
it is
If upon
may,' then
a permission.
travel,'
then
it is
a prophecy.
!"
How
perplexingly vague
How
I mentally questioned
returned.
Eesu-
ming
my
work
remembered voice
keep-sie."
(like
With
intelligibly before
sire to travel to
me.
What !"
?"
may
de-
Poughkeepsie
descended.
From
have oui
locality^
As might be
of travelling.
expected, this
new experience
juvenile geography
to realize,
My organ
of
of other faculties.
But I
did suggest
to think of
it
;
nevand,
my father
it
I persuaded
my
mother
to agree to the
movement
also, if
means.
My main
At
last,
father
and I walked
to beautiful
Poughkeepsie.
He
170
discov-
vacant and to
And
my
native village.
And
now,
afl
new
characters
may
my
to the heart
behind, and in
this
all
Autobiography,
JfLY
LANCASTEEIAN EDUCATION.
171
CHAPTER
Pekhaps no member
XXVII.
MX LANCASTEEIAN EDUCATION.
of the Society of Friends was ever more
Through
many
orations
on education,
to
ble, listened
tion.
embarrassments.
sufficient
money
fled to the
once
Quaker
metropo-
his spirit
and
set in
harmonious operation.
In Church
street,
The
that
is,
of the writer.
^
The
truth
is,
that
my father, after
him
effort to
make me
of use to
in his art,
bade
me
attend the
172
me
out of mischief."
Obediently I
next.
me
" behind"
intelligent
The
me under
who were
greatly
more advanced
in the several
And
I too,
promoted
to the
But
this
No, indeed!
The honor was conferred only after many days of pupilage when the superintendent had determined, by virtue of observation
and
tests,
which
my
Where was
know,
at
What
in
Hyde Park
to
what point of
tell
ex-
altation, then,
my
me
mind attained?
Reader, I will
you.
Mr.
Howe
placed
A-B-C
class
A mislisp-
urchins, surrounded
me
My eye
lettered
The
hung
in front of
my
heterogeneous
class.
With
simultane-
by the
pupils,
how proud I am now with my work on the plan of Joseph Lancaster But I would
knowledge!
have passed
ful history.
it
During the ten weeks of my attendance there I made no advancement save in writing and ciphering. My attention
was apparently
stultified
studies were
at
placed before
me; and
new games
MY LANCASTEEIAN
marbles and ball-playing, I
anything.
left
EDUCATION.
173
Before leaving
this section
of
my
The
fine
arts
dancing
were
my
geography,
The
strictly withheld.
And who
umes of
gratitude ?
my
In
my
was
a dwarf.
times grieved me, but a few skips in the open air would restore
my usual
before,
it
contentment.
Added to
months
made
little
more than
five
the whole
amount
of
my
With
returned to
my
parents
this hour,
or philosophical subjects.
The
reason
have
Since that
why I memo-
rable winter I have allowed myself several times to ask " whether
down upon
the numer-
ous classes that were then being educated according to that system
of mutual instruction, which he, while a dweller of earth, had so
earnestly promulgated on both sides of the Altantic ?"
To
this
174
CHAPTEE XXVIJT.
THE UPS AND DOWHS OF
"If
his call
LIFE.
Be but our
Of summer winds
Beneath
the ripple of mirth I ever realized a calm flow of "While bubbling and bounding along through the
serious thought.
reveal.
forces that
On
my
soul
was
some baptismal
river.
banks.
Their
I
my own
anon,
my
soul
existence.
Such were
my
to
Mother
said to father,
who was
:
on the bench
"
Do n't
tell
He 's
"
A child !"
" Let
me
LIFE.
If
's
He 's
got to do
it
too."
MI
springtime of 1840.
imprisonments.
Sunbeams were
from
theii* frosty
Ice-bound streamlets
were unmanacled by the solar ray, and fled away ihitough the meadows dancing he joy. The sublimesi epio of North American
Waters, the noble Hudson, was
ag^n chanting
its
inelodious song.
traffic
And
commerce,
too, the
its
and sub-
sistence,
be^n
to roll
But
my soul
prison of doubt
and depTession,
Main
here.
street.
'^
My breast
me
so that I can
hain't
't
And my mind
it--^ mother is
on
Father
real
moment a
solid-looking
and out-spoken
individtial,
he continued,
'ein too.
indicatitig
a basement-grocery
aslaf
"and count
Come! be
that."
commanding
afld
unexpected as
it
was,
it
and extent of
my
abstraction.
Doubtless I hesi-
tated
and acted aS
if disincliaed, until
it."
my
mother's: "Jackson, So
I did
so,
and continued
till
'twas
home
for
my evening
for
meal,
when
Ijoy is
what I want
a while."
176
My
mother
was
great.
next morning.
in
the basis of
my usefulness
made me
Iiis
retail
all
grocery.
The
proprietor
Under
clerk
to
circumstances he gave
me
his confidence,
and companion during business 'hours, and remunerated me my satisfaction. My calculating faculties were so deficient,
bills
;
but, fortunately, I
health
The
relief,
periods of his absence from the store, to get bodily rest and
And
little
so,
being
property,
he. said:
"Why don't
you in
it ?
tell
the old
man
to think of it."
The mere
my
feither
me was
extremely preposterous.
three hundred and
The
his
fifty dollars;
but
my
respected progenitor
paymg
weekly
bills
on Saturday night;
besides, the enpublicity,
And
"
my name
!"
on a sign-boaxd
dollar in
'
without a
my
The
sugin
seemed
to inspire
She sympathized
every exertion I made to escape the constrained posture consequent upon aidmg my father at home. An opportunity to place
me
in congenial
cherished
by her
Hence, in opposition
:
she replied
I'm
down
in the
THE UPS
AifD
DOWNS OP
LIFE.
177
tend the
and
wheh Jackson
is
gone out
to
buy
things."
it
oil
it
to vote, suggestfed
it
emendown,
to corUe
laughed
at
He
disliked to
be doing
thiiigs
by
the halves.
Sd down
n't
street
Mr. La#rehce
thdt,
although he had
of industry and hoUesty, and would pay for the stock by degrees,
(ten
dolMs every
was
satisfactory,
The
And
at the
The
my experience
own
of no public impttftance.
remark Upoft
fact that
itny
defidiency as
a merchant.
OTs^lng to the
we had no
extra capital to
limited stock,
without
for
feetj
some seventy
to
worth of saleable
bill,
but
day arrived
pay
that
we
and our
creditor, J.
O.
Van Anden,
to close
up our
we
all
health.
Her
exertions to Inain-
a '^stressing
disease.
She
was very
ill.
my
father's spirit.
He
8*
178
grew impatient and
my
was
breast, to assist
In a short time,
it
difficult to
But
honest
fortune.
The entanglements of poverty hemmed us in on every to warm and sustain us there was the sunshine of our Lower and lower still sunk the clouds of mispurpose.
Soon
it
was hard
to obtain the
commonest
necessaries
of daily subsistence.
The
woman,
attentions
The
The
shattered fabric.
about her head and neck, and, like a deadly enemy, dealt
its
victim.
And
but
human
my mother
we
periodically
went
for
our religious
rein
The
He
With becoming
his
dollars out of
own pocket
The
it
pastor
was himself
hearts.
and so
his charity
upon our
But the
assistance was
too circumscribed;
hours.
On
the following
mommg,
to
in accordance with
silent
resolve, I
beg
and
If
visit
crowned?
I commend you to
LIFE.
179
them. There are distant mountains which reflect themselves upon the surveying eye, and a broad expanse of fanning landscape to the south and east.
The
beautiful scene
from
:
this
sum-
mit
is
almost worthy of
EUza
" There are forests, there are mountains, There are meadows, there are rills,
With
There are pasture grasses blowing In the dewy moorland shade. There are herds of cattle lowing In the midst of bloom and blade."
its
kened
those
.
my
reverence.
Its
advantages
my path
my
Toward
rang the
the door.
now bent my
reluctant steps,
When arrived, I
to
As
made
my visit known
whereupon
manners and
denial.
and gruff
pail.
me
like lightning.
reel for
this sentence
wholelump."
it
"A
litth
leaven
Now
Apd
made
had used
was sucyeast-
180
every
THSi
MAGIC STAFF.
a loaf of bread and a pound of
day cbiildii't
Yes
!
eai-n
meat ?
1 'll do
it !"
-iiUs
going ^ith
my tin-pail, I
coaxed twelve
cJ
the
M. Yasser
&
Go.'s
immense brewery by
Investing
my
and
my
"Have some yeast to-day?" I asked. " Some what ?" returned a certain colored cook. " Some yeast, for raisin' bread an' buckwheat cakes."
" Oh, sartainly I does
!
Give us two
likes
cents' worth.
It's
it
kinder
new
the
commadation of
though.
thisre,
and thus
also at
many
other
my
entire stock,
and had
a widei- extent
of cfistom.
On
cents.
examining
my
Cairefully preserving
my
of ibeatj and
little friiit, to
my
ifbJ-
suf-
fering
me
lis
To
all
find thiat
money enough
food
for
gave hie & perfect inward jubUee of jdy and gratitude, though IMgnififedit by no boisterous dutward deinonstration. For se<'eral successive
aloiile
weeks I continued
to
efforts gUttered with of that niagie metal which rules the proudest worldling. In
and
vtrell-iiigh
in tatters; btit
my
my
business peraiiibulations, 1
met
now
extreme!
many mar-
181
Let the
siiperciliotiS
therefore
and
let
Near the
close of
S,
chilly day*
Febkiary
2f,
1841,
when I was
about to open the baick-yard gate which separated our door from
ihe public street, Something like a Mack veil Suddenly dropped
me
in
faiy
west
My consciousness
as
when
the
somnambulic trance;
btit,
my
closed eyes
now
In
my
ungtilaed-
feiet
stumbled
I should chronicle
my
reflectiohs while
wetididg
dliiig
my way
I.
uiipirosperous ped-
of yeast.
thought
" Why did I want to hiove irdm Hyde-Park ?" "Why did I coax father and mothei* to make the
change ?
There,
we had n't
There,
of this sickness.
Nbw, everything
'fraid that
is
Oh,
why
I 'm
't
was owing
I won't
Well, one
thinig is sure,
But now,
lo
I was
made
blind in open
be instantly
!
filled
The world
"fruit-
was traiisformed
glided
trees
away
warm
me
many
182
few moments previous
;
sounded like
my
haste, (at
which I
am
air,
trees,
amid the
diversified
bloom and
mother's
my
if
home
I hesitated, thinking "
A moment
visitors?"
how
shall
I act
she
's
got
The thought
No
answer
While waiting
habitation.
for admission,
With
thought's
own
many
mis-
erable houses
we had
occupied.
The
contrast
made
this loveher
than
all else
my
My
bosom
and
swelled
then
with a gladness
which made
me
I think
my joy
was very
fantastic
boister-
ous
for,
It's
Yer a bould
a power
softly
o'
wid yer
's
noise.
It's
no play.
Go
in
bit to
yer mother."
!
Could n't
better
The hall
before
me was spacious,
she pointed were radiant with flowery carpetings, and was n't I
the proud son of the healthy and happy mother
palace ?
who owned
tHe
LIFE.
183
my
my
mind.
And
so I
Laughing aloud
at her foolish
words of
In
The Hack
veil
was
the
me
It fell
and,
lo
the ill-furnished
room
darkened bed
the
emaciated
woman
alas
I stood in the
The
doctor whispered
Who
can portray
my
feelings?
me
it's
'T would
Poor sowl So
she
's
Sid
if
ye wants
is
to
The
it
could world
dancin', lad.
She
be a lang way
that."
ye
'11
know
In
fact,
I was
velled,
in
spite of
my
and
!
my
sister's
abundant
exclaim
:
tears, I
I wanted to
What
a great house
we have
I did not
Mother!
you a queen in a
beautiful palace?"
my
an-
"No, you
I.
The
can't help
it."
And
such, instate of
was the
truth.
my
early
years
the
the
tablet
first
engraved upon
ever-cherished
Mother
ever-prophetic
The
spiritual
Not
I8i4
THE
Tiol that
ittAdiC
STAFF.
proTed,
stouter
and
all
my
bosoiiii
and
to
appearance, I wag
spiritually,
(i'.
and
clumsy.
But
e.j
my
soul's heart,)
1 was
alinost
born again.
My spirit had
no
teai's for
The
The
sealed eyes,
the
me ?
perfection,
beyond
oil
the
broT*'
of Nature.
When
all
the
members of
the
"I
thaiik you,
;
A LESSON OP
SELF-DEPENDENCE.
185
CHAPTER XXIX.
A LESSON OF SELF-DEPENDENCE.
Soon
after the impressive event last chronicled,
my
father
to
belonging
and
into
From
with
its
intelli-
Its
me
far
away.
and shunned
it.
My well-remembered visit
we were wide
and the
me
believe that
trials
Becent
had considerably
my worthy progenitor,
its
In addition
all
the commodities of
steadily as I could,
and corporeal
subsistence.
And
him
in those branches
known
In
fact,
responsibilities rested
on
my
shoulders.
The
firmly
more
186
in
its
And
bilities
which,
till
my being.
During
number of books of
ture to
amuse
my
father.
He
seemed
to read
and
profit,
"Why
thing?
You'd
moping about,
I knew
Now
my letters,
erably well
istic
my
character-
stupidity.
But I attempted
After
book
entitled "
The Three
Spaniards."
To the
spelling
and
read-
my
and ghastly
absurdities of
forgotten.
The
influence of
the eve of
thereof lingered in
my mother's death, had now subsided. The my memory stUl but even such parts
;
as were
not
eSsucedL,
Like
an expression of sadness,
One
day,
dis-
heard
my name
pronounced (as
:
it
large, tree
" jEai
^leniy~M)f-bread-^^nd
lively merriment.
How
this I
funny !"
But, strange
hiid
into the
extreme autumn, I
and
my
Look
at that
'are
LESSOIJ
OF SELFl-DEPENDENCE.
utility
187
of that exclu-
My sanguineous
forces
system was
and
my nervous
their
were equalized
normal operations.
Near
and shoe
industrious
declaration
living,
want
to
make
nothing
only a comfortable
up a
leetle."
Previous to
this,
My situation with
ping-stone to
strong.
the paradoxical
German was
my acquaintance and engagement with Mr. Ira ArmAnd, inasmuch as my path for the ensuing two years lies
and domestic
relations of the
down
the
many
my
to the
J.88
CHAPTER XXX.
MX
Iea Armstrong
facturer also, to
street.
LIFE
-was
some
extent, in the
will of course
(The reader
His
physi-
much
mind was
devotional.
Constitutionally, or
;
by nature, he was a
by
heart,
spiritually, or
he was a
stead-
How I rejoiced, in
when we
entered upon a
He
gradually intrusted to
me
In due time he
carefully
me
to
make
money
in the
all
of which I was
awakened
in
my
it
;
spirit.
credit, or
wished a reduction of
recall periods in
my own
life
when a
" faith
and
charity"
would seemingly have saved our family from months of discouragement and suffering. Mr. Armstrong, however, detecting this
disposition one day, admonishingly but kindly said
:
MT
18
Honesty
is
not a universal
trait.
It takes
a business
man
to find
that out."
mean
to cheat,
But some
paying up
bills,
and never
settle
them
at aU."
"
Then I'm
Mrs.
bor
with a pair of red children's shoes, and your neighwith a pair of pegged coarse men's boots."
that,
I supposed
critical expression,
and exclaim
"
coarse men, eh ?
coarse
see
pegged
men
?'*
But seeing
was
my
children's
red
shoes'
no
moise, unless
you know
it,
that's certain.
minated
man
as
he could
"I would
Where storm
storm
way
!"
But the
on
in strangers," occupied
my
mind
my
grammatic blunders.
And
how
to
J.90
coiTectly as I
conferred upon
me
"
sir
Mr
to you to send to him 2 doz red morrocco childrens shoes 1 case of fine mens calf boots 1 case do of coarse stoga mens shoes and
&c"
With
quite
this chirographic
proud
especially
when
cordance with
my
and
would
firm
had the
my
natured looks, and another hint about " red morocco children" and
opportunity in
my
Ufe of jingling
Listen,
an American
bible, I
nativity, without
my back, an unfirst
known and
American
my
American Independence I
bakei's biscuit, friendship
Powder and
my patriotic
of a future
fire-
hill-top,
and the
my money
MY
191
feel inclined to
patriotic celebrations of
American
my
<Jtougbtiess excitement
By Mr.
member
than an appr^atice
^m the
tree of Life.
Although then a
member
asked
thanks over each meal, yet I never remember that Mr, Armstrong-
me
and aid me
temperance
One Sunday,
while singing-^
friends that to
me were
so dear,
L^g,
When we
distinctly
and emphatically
shouted in
my
eai".
" Don't do
"
Do what ?"
No when
!'
't
ain't in
"I didn't," he quickly replied; "and I didn't hear it neither." The younger children, Austin and Freddy, also denied any participation. So we proceeded with our smging. But whenever we sung the affirmation that our friends are " in their graves laid
low," I would hear the negative " No
!"
At
comprehend
it.
My belief (if
relatives
my
;
dearest
that death
a kind of
192
to deeds
was
the
men and
wise-looking
knew.
Mr. Armstrong,
also, the learned
men
all,
academy.
tremendous than
so believed (as I
who
to
self-imposed
dream
to introduce such
objects
directly
on the psychological
and aims of
fables.
volume.
The
story of
my
life is
is
not based in
It is all
a sober and
it
solid reality,
and
interesting only
differs
And
mix
familiarly
to
to cause
me
seriously to attend
by him and
others enshrined in
my confidence. my wishes,
Sunday
expositions of
was somewhat excited Zionward by a revival in the Methodist church. Whenever business and Providence permitted, I presented myself
And
among
and
m silence
me
to the altar.
MY
LIFE WITH
IRA.
AEMSTEONG.
193
up privately
fruitless, at
But
it
was almost
which I
no
consternation.
"What alarmed
me
from conversion.
On
one occasion, a
religious excitement
very se-
me
"
May I
call
you
my
"you may
if
you want
to."
How
do you
feel,
" but
't ain't
I'm used
The
you,
my
my brother
my bowels yearns
!"
Now, being
deficient in
I made the characteristic blunder of taking the converts metaphoric words literaEy ; and so, with unfeignedly pathetic tones, I
replied :
s'pose.
n't
when
Hearing
this,
he gave
me
The
and wicked.
This
little
circumstance
greatiy diminished
my
my
steps, at full
i94
my
esteemed employer.
On
hearii
"
At
was plenty of
"
'
Edward
replied
still,
live in hopes."
"
The
folly,
" Peace, and justice, and truth, the people are slow to see,"
suggested the moderate tanner.
" But," interrupted Ira, " the national government
sustain
is
made
to
a system opposed
ithe
North.
When the
rived
it
I mention
this slight
event because
was
my
it.
life
when I came
!
to
a knowledge of the
"When
were
millions of
disqualification
and a black
skin,
who
at that
moment
were dwelling
in hopeless
deprived of personal
free-
when I heard
;" s'pose
I'd
b'en
bom
black
down
!"
my
Bomeijody's slave
The mere
idea chilled
me
to the core.
It
made me
my arms
in silent consternation.
"
!
strange that
me
How How
troubled.
MY
195
a conscious prejudice.
In
this connec-
my
sluggish individuals
destitute of
who come
into being
When
at-
thinking of such, I
remember myself
that
and had
conscience against
196
CHAPTER XXXI.
THE DAWNING OP LIGHT.
" The dawn flowed
forth,
and from
its
purple fountains
make
One day
actions.
Armthe
As
" Honesty
is
best policy,
and no man
;
" but
what must I do
in
a case
like this
John
down
so
it
cut
and
that
it
Now,
customer or keep
?"
"Ah!"
John
cut the
me
see."
"That
won't do
can't have
Put them among the sale-work, and send out another pair
binders."
"
Must I
alius tell
a customer everything I
know
I inquired.
" Make a point never to sell bad work," he replied
;
and then
continued
honesty ?"
197
that 'are gentlerelish,
man."
Whereupon he proceeded
:
with a hearty
" To catch dame Tortune's golden Assiduous wait upon her And gather gear by every wile That 's justified by honor
smile,
Not for to hide it in a hedge, Not for a train-attendant But for the glorious privilege Of being independent."
Iii
ly heard
my
employer,
when
me
feed
me
venient for
the
me
lest
I be
full,
name
of my
God
in vain."
Shortly after this excellent lesson, concerning the use and exercise of strict
itinerant
revival
and seeing
me
"Well,
Very
well,
sir,''
said
-I,
cheerfully.
my
young friend
I have
suppressing as
Now, thought I, here 's a chance to be candid in business. So, much as I could my arising confusion, I replied
Some how
your
sins ?"
is
your soul
God?"
It
seemed impossible
"for the
to answer.
to
198
my
boyhood, and
my
youth.
cellar
;
First,
J thought of
at
John Myers'
next I shuddered
;
my
terrible oath
when
then, I r:
my
life
which I regretted.
fore replied
" No,
sir,
I do
some
things,
is
" This
young
friend, for
you
"Have you
sought to make
God make peace with my God !" solilpquized I, greatly bemuddled "Why, I hain't never had no disturbance with him in all my life." But in my embarrassment, I managed to stammer put,
?"
" No,
sir
!"
Gpd ?"
busi-
" No,
ness,) "
my
God."
" I fear
!"
I fear
you will
he lost
for ever!"
Tjius
The
and
my thoughts, as Ije closed this my young nature was chilled suggestipns horrible occupied my soul
love of
dreaded nothing
Neither did
life,
God!
"A long
" a long
life,"
thought
before
I,
life is
me
pirate at
once ?
damnation
will
be
my
199
could in the
says, that
for if
it
be
true, as this
man
am
!'
eternally lost
lost in hell
'
bjit
a-weepin' an' a-
my
"Be
breathing
passed over
my
face,
and I heard
in
whispering
wrong ;
youshall
summer breeze
see !"
calm!
my
The
pastor
is
this,
when a
pay
for
many weeks
previous, at
to
" Well,
what
that
is
my
which in memory
vivid
I had
let
customary ac-
gifted
in
oral
prayer
who
said they
p?iy,
would pay
them some
time.
But
Yet
this
with out-
me
From
the
little
had the
effect to establish
last-
besides bringing
who
to light
God
of implacable wrath
tion of
my
better nature;
satisfied
my
clergyman.
Sometimes, during
my
200
intercourse with Rev.
my friend,)
to -read, but
who wished
who
for themselves.
My
know the pastor to borrow own time was too much occupied for readso.
ing,
even
if
And
I could a
my
to the
examination
and
yet,
owing
sole-
Mr.
was a
practical preacher
too
much
so to be popular
with his
own
people.
and comprehensible.
controversial dignitary of
the denomination arrived, and occupied the desk, then would come
all sorts
of outlandish and to
me
meaningless words
"sheol"
Sec.,
hell,
darkness, genera-
by
scriptural writers
who
teach
?"
He
replied
my utilitarian Director, " how he " When I see a word that looks
let it go."
would speak
hard, I give
In
short, J[ got
no
relief
my
mother had
dis-
and learned
gloomy were
my
view of the
able
fire,
possibility of dying,
and going
a pit of inextinguish-
my
by the kitchen-stove
when I heard
repeating
the voice
in
morning,
mother's
minor
tones:
"Be
calm/
my
Jackson.
The-"
201
of this un-
wrong
is
you-;-sh(M
I,
see !"
The promise
seen and
unknown annunciator
or no dream," thought
it
error
tranquillized
my
troubled heart.
Dream
ful to
anyhow !"
time greatly excited by reports
The
villagers
became about
this
by an
itinerant
made through
novel to
Mesmerism"
me
which
a word
entirely
would con-
&c.
yet
wished
to test the
Tte
excite-
ment spread
like
an epidemic.
others, I also
skeptical about
He
me
which
Accordingly,
Edwin and I proceeded down to " Hatch's Hotel," where, in a quiet room up-stairs, we joined some fifteen young men who, like
ourselves,
had arrived
the
telligent
and somewhat
At
length
it
me,
to resist
a natural sleep
know which
served to keep
my
mind on the
alert.
The
the.
professor went
change"
said:
"You
eye
I did open
my
202
with perfect ease.
next subject,
without par-
me
mentation
because," as he alleged
even
A few days after this about the 1st December, 1843^ William
Levingston called at our
netic
store.
During a
"
recital
at
of
many magmes-
he ad^i'essed himself
merized ?"
me and
said
ment upon
me by Mr.
Grimes.
if
Then he
"
Come
my
his
house to-night.
you do n't
object,
and Edwin
too."
for declining,
Before relating what happened on that memorable night, however, I wish to call attention to the fact, that
having no conactuated
just
others
whose
curiosity
superficially
excited.
summary
of
my
at the tiiue.
First, mentally I had a love of truth ; a reverence for knowledge; a somewhat cheerful disposition; a deficient imagination; an unbelief (or ignorance) concerning the existence of ghosts,
:
&;c.; an unconquerable dread of death; a stiU greater dread of encountering what might exist beyond the grave ; a vague, apprehensive faith in the Bible doctrine of eternal misery; a tendency to spontaneous somnambulism ; ari ear for what I then called im-
aginary voices
a mind neariv
203
was very
sensitive
;
my body was imperfectly developed my my spine was short and weak my stomach in my blood flowed the subtle poison of my
;
;
father's ^.Icohol
my
inefficient
my
my face was pale and marked by a my reverted eyes were almost black, and slightly near-sighted; my head was small in circumference, with a retreating forehead my h^ Was jet black, and fell awkwardly over my brow my hands bore decided iuarks of my trade and, lastly, my whole appearance was calculated to inspire strangers with btft little interest in my existence.
parental use of tobacco;
prominent nose
204
CHAPTER XXXII.
IN ^-HICH
I
Whose
significance
is
deep."
Perhaps
operation. sentences.
the reader
may have
I
At
all
events,
will
who
intends to
may be
properly induced,) to
free alike
in
an easy
position
entirely quiet
with mind
The
internal desires.
centrated;
to accelerate the
At
is active.
to exclude all
unfavorable circumstancea
tedious or unsuccessful.
reciprocal
In due time he
will
know the
result
following account
WUliam Levingston
felt
my
brow, the
undis-
chamber of thought.
turbed through
The
The
living blood
my youthful
form during
well-nigh arrested.
3 M
09
do.,
m H m
e
ce
S
?
">
s g
s
s
^1
I.
P o
a. iS"
* p. o o DD "3 O o i-s s S
c 3
*
SB
Si
e
i g ? S
<!3.
s s s
a 3 5
S.
i B
o
S?
p p m 3 ? B cr
S' 3.
sua
CO
h|
Sf
si
3 S
5. S^
f
g
Biff
.
I
S-i
206
illuminated
sis
An6n,
all
was
my
As
My
had horrid
convictions of
terms
Death.
" Oh, mother 1" thought I with ieiror, " can this be
the period of
my
;
My heart
continued to
^perform
its office
but
its
felt
the
ually closing.
" Alas
clo-
subduing ^\ver.
liiould
Ho longer
heaj: the
busy and
actPve
feel
"No
The
longer," thougfel
fragfant fields
affe
happy coBtemplation."
Thoughts
esseiitiSlfy like
my awe"To
yfet,
struck mind.
"What am
this condition
to
3o?" 1 queried
silenitily*
And
remain in
skepticail
'the
this
of the imagination?"
my
without
sat almost the
it
making the
breathless
my judgment;
a few iseeonds
rflight riot
'16hger
;
encouraging a
it.
hope that
experiment
succeed
may
"I am
alive yet,"
hour
I hear him respond seemingly to something said by another but I do not hear iany other person speak I Ain't this exceeding strange?" (See the second diagrsdn, p. 205.)
Another
silentie
endeavored to analyze
my
feelings.
pene-
207
Shortly,
I heard a Voice-
low,
me
distatt, strange,
bientally leav-
"It
is true, then,"
thought I
sadly, "that
my sense of
reverberated the pleasurable music accompanying the sacred voice of pure affection and fnendsfaip is closed
reality
silently.
ttf
!
ain
eternal silence?
!
Can
this
be
contintied I
No, indeed
arrived.
I will submit
no longer
shall
to this dangerous
and dreadful
eipef&nerit.
Never
my
me
into
this
^Bs! I
will
But
6h,
how
frightftd!
My
my
month.
My
if
my lips
were joined as
by death
apparently to
move no more.
and
instantly
Another resolution
its
passed through
my brain,
I obeyed
suggestion.
I made a desperate
disengage
change
!)
my
hands,
my
volition.
my own
I
felt
person.
it
seemed
irretrievably lost.
life
What
could 1
do
my
!
mental
degree
startling clearness
moVe
my
reside
form
but
my' natural or
spiritiial
body?
life ?
Is
it
Where
Presensi-
am I ?
Oh, I
am so lonely
Alas,
if this
be Death .'"
A natural
my mind. my inmost
208
bilities.
What
surprised
me more
unknown world
possible for
me
even now
suaded
to relate.
These conceptions
influx of
as I
am now
fully pertruths.
were an
all
many
interior
and immortal
absolute decision.
Death seemed an
my
helpless situation.
me with me
!
strength, but
even
me onward.
thought
in mind.
Now
for
a powerful exertion. be
Resist-
or
else I should
gloom
In thought, I
The warmth
my
ex-
changed
tion
with terror.
The
terrible to relate
found
sweep
at first,
descending
flight,
my
till
movement.
And
in that
immersed
me
forgetfulness
p. 205.)
on the
This psychological event makes a bold and ineffaceable mark first mountain of my pilgrimage the mountain of Use.
209
precious
am
filled
Immutable, indeed,
of
am compelled
Ex-
my
mind.
All minds, I
to these impressions.
Neverpractise
who
That
my own
conviction rests
upon
my lifeless
body and
distracted
is
mind
short :
to the
The
story
very
I awoke
circuitous
form.
The
my
ascendiag
movement)
to increase
and expand,
till
I gained the
mar^ that
waves
oblivion,
whose
restless
me
and wakefulness.
light
My
senses, the
windows of the
soul,
my dimmed vision; sound vibrated through the labyrinths of my ear sensation flashed over my whole frame and I moved, shouted, and opened my eyes. But how joyfully
broke in upon
;
surprised
first
Many
acquaintances were
felt dis-
my
mental
sufier-
ings;
and somehow, in
I had not
my
certain that
reality,
died.
me
whereupon I arose,
210
by the mag-
anxiety.
"What
)))>
What haye
I been about?"
you perform."
f Perform
words.
!"
a queer youth,
to
be sure
but I
"What
operator.
is it?"
I inquired.
'
Facts in Mesmerism,'
he describes cases of
to-night to perfection."
f'
What 's been done ?" I again asked, " Tell me all "Why, after a little, you read frofn your forehead
on a newspaper ;
told the time
abput
it."
the large
;
letters sides,
be-
all to
our
perfect satisfaction."
Well do I remember
my
Translated into
my
present
my
"What
shut out
this
power?
What was
the world ?
that which so
benumbed
my
flesh ?
Which
Which caused me
back
to
life
to die
a dreaded death ?
Which
brought
me
in
again
a blank
Can
my
mental history
this
be prophetic power ?
ancients ?
Can
it
be a dream ?
An
irnaginary display ?
Is
it
mental hallucination?
Am
Nay
there
is
is
me
that this
And
I remember,
211
"Becalm !
That
night;,
Tou
shaU:
see."
Next morning
I related
all that
had happened.
On
the
the
He
it,
me
soli-
me
is
money")
for
I was punctually in
my
spell
discharging
there
soul
the several
duties consequent
on
my
calling.
But
was a mystery
higher calling
hanging oyer
my
path
on
my
'T was
a weird and
was a region of
I was
literally
my
body and
soul.
It
unexplored
it
an ocean without a
shore.
Yea,
;
" going
but
By
my
chair,
and contend
get individual
tests.
mysterious sleep
first
passed from
my
My popmy
notori-
The
latter,
made me a
target
at
discharged
professional
men and
the fashionables
Almost every
continued.
were successfully
At each
session
212
would make
its
and.
by verbal
report
its
influence
became scattered
But
;
the
and the
Individuals
As the
to
surpriserand persecution
anxiety
my apprehension and
to exercise
it ?
and what
constituted
Know,
then, gentle
have
related,
all
my possession
MY
PIBST FLIGHT
THEOUGH SPACE.
213
CHAPTER XXXIII.
MY
"
FIEST FLIGHT
THEOUGH
SPACE.
O backward-looking son of
Still
Time The new is old, the old is now The cycle of a change sublime
sweeping thi'ongh
i"
m
In order
to bring the progressive steps of this
mystery properly
I received
now
on
first
(The phi-
losophy of this
third
mode of
By placing myself in sympathetic relations to the operator by turning my thoughts inwardly, and shutting out the fleeting disturbances and interruptions of the outer world
into the third
1 passed
At
readily
magnetic condition.
first
of January, 1844.
my
upon
my memoriginally
it
was
far
ixi
with
more
cer-
satisfaction
the
same
fields
connection
with
still
room
as usual, they
were
after tests
and won-
i2l4
ders
little
knew as
little
definitely
not, in fact,
Nevertheless,
in less than
As
usual,
my
of
definite sensa-
fiiictuation,
me
this
to
inertia.
and then
Not a
my
spirit.
bom
again"
being in
acter.
thtt spirit.
most
peaceftil char-
I thought
And
yet,
so
my
any
direction.
But
this conclusioli
had
ntt
sooner Settled
among
my
thoughts,
into space,
aid envelexperilifted
This reminded
me
of iny
first night's
and, as gradually,
my perception
was awakehed
indi-
it were
Each human
bodj^
MY
was glowing with
cal.
PIRSt FLiGlJT
itiany colors,
THROUGH SPACE.
bir
SlS
and ma^etl-
mbre
less brilliant
The
was enveloped
in a light atmo-
eiitite birfdy.
sphere of light Burrbiindihg them, the hair another, ihk ears ahstill
iii
many
by
(The reader
ivill s'ee
this Ultts-
The
I
felt
view overwhelmed
1
cbiild not
ifeel
iftiy
mind with
it.
as-
Comprehend
Again
was
its
living
on
earth.
with
iall
of
inhabitants,
into
some Elysium.
knew then
henc'e,
my perceptions
Utterance
few moments
more, dear reader, and I hot bnly boheld the exteriors of the indi- viduals in that
light as it
were
but I
also
my natural
or ordi-
nary
state,
;
viscera
but
now I
could see
all
the liver, the spleen, the heart, the luUgS, ihe brain ;^ all with the
greatest possible ease.
transparent as a
sheet of glass!
It
beauty,
it tboked illmhinated as
had several
centres
of
light, besides
behig eavelopcjd
a general
sphere peculiar to
only, but
itself.
And I
and
heart
The
and
216
flames of
life,
surits
The pulmonary
or respitorial
illu-
minated with
beautifiil flames,
color.
The
ries.
many
chemical laborato-
The
fire in
appeared
soft
like
and silvery
The
pecu-
This view, I
well
remember, excited in
me much
admiration.
But I was
so deeply
that
I neither manifested any delight nor described a particle of anything which I then beheld.
down
in
many and
various degrees of
dis-
to
On
rior brain,
my own conit
I continued
my
observations.
soft,
The
superior organs
did not
In
truth, the
decorated
with
Here I
will parenthetically
is
human
brain in this
its
MT
first
FIEST FLIGHT
is
THROUGH SPACE.
217
stage of existence,
in
the
Spirit-Land to which
we
all
Each
colors
but
From
fire,
the brain I
saw the
magnetic
The bones
ap-
golden flame
a dark, purple
me
living light,
indi-
cated and set forth beautifully the presence of the spiritual principle.
Another
I could see
an element of
vitality,
more or
less
Just as
you would
of
glass,
by an
it,
act of volition,
from the
blisters in
a pane
through
at the objects
discern,
and
that, too,
without a conscious
and enjoy
pillar,
my
I could see
;
I could
them with
more
satisfaction-
ture, locality
than
known
in
my
ordinary state.
house.
At
first,
but soon
became
brighter,
218
became
light,
and vanished
I could
melting
my
sxir
vandng
vision.
now
room
where I was
situated.
moment I heard the voice of the operator. He inquired '' if I could hear him speak plainly." I replied hi the affirmative.
At
this
He
my
feelings,
disr
cem
On
me
to con-
title
of a
book, with the Uds closed, behind four or five other books."
Hav-
my
title
and
the
many
sense,
demonstration
vision,
was
clear
and unquestionable.
At
length, feeling
to a
my
outer form.
my
The now
village
was now
my
it
vision.
It was
as easy for
me
moving about
was
most
and shades
'Twas the
first
!
of January,
remember
frosty, beautiful
A
its
chilling
and freezing as
went ; but
my
perceptions
waved on
inhabitants melted
away
my
in
May
or June.
By a process of inter-penetration, as
en rapport with Nature 1
instantly
now term
it,
I was placed
spirit
The
spirit
of Nature and
my
to
had
first
time formed
what seemed
me
to b
MT
FIRST PLIGHT
THROUGH SPACE.
219
a kind of
the
foun-
Her
spacious cabinet
sole visitor
to
me, and
it
a royal banquet!
were
distinctly visible.
The
Every
radiant with
own
peculiar
life.
The
eapiHcKPy ramifications of
the streamlet-mosses
lad/s-slipper,
vision.
all
were
laid
open
to
my
and
hills, all
with
It
life
and
vitality
of
cEffierent
ment.
uses,
and
of every
form and
tiie
that
The
I can
living, vivid
not even
now
more
beautiful
and
inef-
But
my perceptions
still
flowed on
The broad
surface of the
earth, for
many hundred
my
vision
The deep
alluvial
and
were
distin-
by the
and
Earth gave
still
off
one particular
minerals
another.
When first
I discerned
a bad of minerals
started
it
and shiv-
The
And my
agitation
that
oi
these rivers
220
miles,
yea, could
and
ffold,
not be extinguished
silver, limestone,
my
attention
and each,
human
and
Crys-
The
gems
sea-plants
with hydrogenous
life,
and em-
sides of ocean-mountains
is
and
a magnifivirtue of
immense
and,
by
more recent
yet possess
investigations, I
I
am
man
shall
it
Be
I
to relate.
now
fields
The
external anat-
omy and
open
to
my
my
understanding
and the complete anatomy, of animals that were (at that moment) sleeping or prowling about in the forests of the Eastern hemisphere, hundreds and even thousands of miles from the room
in which
It
I was making
these observations!
MY
FIRST FUGIIT
THROUGH SPACE.
221
At
best,
outline,
me
like stone
prisons in
thoughts.
In
will
this
with
body
at physical death.
It
an atmosphere
Every
loftiest trees
their largest
and minutest
I^ves
me
each and
into
all
mosphere
an almost
infinite variety
and animal, I
thing OP
to
In
truth, the
me
offuture
In the beaver
;
possessed
and embryological indications qf, Man Had I then my present instinct of language, I would have exclaimed,
!
" Herbs gladly cure our flesh, because they Find their acquaintance there
'
*******
candid reader,
Understood in
proriate
this sense,
how
let
instructive
and ap-
was
Peter's vision
in which
222
containing all
&c,
and was
told to slay
and eat!
" Peter, thou needest not feel too exclusive, too partial, too
etatic,toO high-minded, and lifted
little
worm
made
acknowledge
therefore, thy
lives,"
Now,
since that
memorable
lesson.
night, I
They,
new method
and sueh
of tracing
*'
Say,^
We are
Nature
fast approach-
when mankind
and
its
God^to
and empty
In
little
superficiality.
my
remember toW t
g&aeit at the
an atmosphere of
peculiar to
itself.
hmy
appft-
Some
aiiiftaals
gave
off
many
In
feet
M* Of
Sfympaihy #a8.
very distinctly
monia.")
visible.
and
that
sit-
by
it,
all
and
reciprocally
maintained.
human
even
and
stars,
sympathy.
I saw the
other, and,
upon each
intermediately,
upon the
solid
MY
attached
FIRST FLIGHT
THBOUGH SPACE.
223
their magnetic
emanations.
S'tveet
breath of their
petals of the
life.
prophetic of com-
ing animation
eral
I saw currents of
And I
saw the
leap
little
flames, arising
from the
upward
scene
Sufficient to say,
lights,
with atmospheres,
life-essence
and leap up
to
into the
human
constitution
be Man!
felt
But I could no
incapable of mainso deep
I my emotions had
become
and
unutterable
now yearned
for
For a moment
retain-
magnificence alone
me
and incapable of
my recollection. Whereupon
the village
of the
room
in which I
for the
mag-
netic experiment
of the
contract.
individuals
whom
room
of the
were
operator, too
and, immediately, my
The
Now, I
began
to diminish
and
hiUs, forests
lights
The
effulgent
behind
tor also,
who now
said:
224
very
I
still
!
to say ?" in
tliis
made an
effort to describe
chapter.
I remember
how I
but, as I
was about
I heard
I involuntarily ex-
my own
accents,
total inexpressiveness
At
felt
my head.
Soon I returned
my
of what I had
all that
seen
my
external
memory.
Therefore,
I have
herein related
upon
my mind.
225
CHAPTER
" A wonderful stream
X.XXIV.
As
it
With a
faultless
And a broader sweep, and a surge sublime. And blends with the ocean of years."
The
tious
having a
;
conscien-
and benevolent
continued
Freely and
indis-
hope of reward.
During
the day
we
upon
me
but, externally,
with the whole shut out and unremembered, I remained dullheaded, mystified, and apprehensive.
Officious
acquaintances
were
at
"You'll
cheat
One
said
get crazy;"
an-
another
"You're a "You're a
was
far
fool
to
be so bamboozled
every night;"
humbugs a
an impostor;" and
my
But
226
"Like
Man
a
fact, fully set forth
;"
and demonstrated in
tins portion of
my pilthe
grimage.
air
An
uncomprehended sympathetic
influence, like
of heaven,
it
now
Shortly
seemed
to unsettle
and weaken
my
Armstrong, and
to define
and strengthen a
Mr. Levingston's
and as the
delicate fascination.
Final-
the
unknown
my
business obligaits
tions to the
former
fish leaps
joyously into
native
Elysium
proving
I did
this,
my
Mr. Lev;
me any
liis
pecuniary inducements
only said
me
in
family,"
In
short,
like the bird that seeks Its congenial clime, or the planet that rolls
its
celestial sire, so
followed
I my
mdefinahle attractions.
skeptic
scoflfedv
sighed^ the
doubtful heady the familiar fiiend regrfettedj the boys hooted, and,
last,
but not
it
least,
nounced
trick to
make money.
Not
that I
had
to eneoujiter
;
these conflicting
all at
once
l&ut
they
fitftil,
of March.
now
my cradle and the Future few furlongs had The been passed over only by virtue of continuous private struggling and resistless obedience to the hidden
mountain that stood between
last
stirred
my nature.
But an
event,
And
2^t
^uWi'shedf, yiet
it
seems
me, unless the main features of that initiatdfy vision are made
reappear in
this connection; atidy
aided
by
my
^wresent
^di-
tional
recollections
am
fortunately
wkh more
'Twas a cMly,
fitful,
arid
street.
inspect, while in
To make
such
visit
on
this pCeasion.
On
which I experieneed^
my
usual mental
tran8!)m!ia:-
first
attem jJt.
The
en-
gagement being
fulfilled,
me
of
But,
fctf
a long
tinsiej' it
seemed im-
attenipt,
Anon, however,- 1
causing
returning
life
me
felt
Yielding, I descended
now imagined
that
my
I stood
to return
On
was
home
But
now
thus,
While standing
Bartlett,
me
to visit
Eev. A. E.
for
whom,
attachmient.
228
vrMly rang the
bell
;
a seat
The clergyman
hour.
entered,
lingly
my intrusion
He
that late
my
sudden appearance.
frater-
me to And
any
satisfaction
my
visit,
home
in
Main
street.
entered the front-door, passed through the haU, and ascended two
flights
of stairs to
laid
my
me
bed.
With extreme
agitation, of both
body
and mind, I
down.
My thoughts
fleeting.
My
slumber.
How
long I slept I
knew
not, but I
my face.
my eyes, but
stillness
my
follow
me."
thyselfand
It
seemed as
if
my
I obeyed.
it.
awkwardly or
street.
My feet clung to
There was no
friction.
They
fleetness indescribable.
My exu-
The unseen power (which I thought might be what mother called " kind Providence") conducted me to the
sidewalk, corner of Mill and Hamilton streets,
at
tins
time,
no dwellmgs.
My mmd
was
"What can
this
queried.
What
a change
The heavenly archway is exceedingly glorious and beautiful The many stars stationed throughout the vast labyrinth shine
with an immortal effulgence -^ to guide the traveller onward and
229
joy!
And
unseen by any save the Eye of the Eternal Being, and unheard
human
con-
Yes
am
clad in
my usual
garments, and
!"
am
power I came
I retired.
Nevertheless, I
my
marvellous ability
But I was
fully
prepared for a
vision.
A strange sound
beautiful sheep
!
now
vibrated on
my
ear.
I looked, and
lo,
The
flock
was
large,
and
Shortly,'
wmch
I
:
now apprehend
and
and
spiritual elevation.
The poverty
of their
and their
the Universal
Father
!"
into
my
from heaven
to earth.
ance.
But I continued
first
my meditation. The
peace as when I
saw them.
seem-
* At
this time, I
ha 1 no
230
ingly desiring-
migM
rest undistatbett.
their judgnsefits
were weak
thsit
to'
b6 see&ing.
His sudden AnA
hiiVi-
At
shepherd.
;
gpirituEtl
appearance
stirprised'
me liot
arid t
approached
as
divine friend.
mined (though
He
and
tjsefully attired.
He
eyes,-
ming smd
stately
digM^
ai
to be adniired in
any being.
His
indicated purity.
His whole
kind ahd
perffeetioii.
of
hiS'
coun-
He
needed
siyinpatfryl'
and assist-
The sheep were in ignorance and cohesion which he had labored to overcome. They required gentle but regnlaa* discipline.
To' his request I immediately acceded.
we
mutuMiy adhered
whereupon, as
if substantial beings,
they and
street.
do'wn the
Their uniform motions seemed to melt into one harmonious movement, tUl they faded and vanished amid surrouiiiiing objects that
seene.-
With
rt'hole
by a rosy
ligit, the
power, I was
flaroughout the
The Mlo'wmg
tinctly manifest
significance of its
:
"The
mmf
spirit breathed 'peace on earth and whose exalted wisdom eompreheiided the
231
race;
others
maay
human
all
The
throwfij eor-
to
and tbeolo^^
lastly,'
reality
and
ifflRgination,
to the intense
not believe
forth
1% immorfair
The
beamed
from Ms
men^
moral part
first,
So I
by the
tion,
my mind
irresistibly,
and regardless of
my own
my
personal trans-
by a power superior
the blood chilled in
paiufully congested
;
to myselfi
I sWbd- almost
;.
fi'ee
my
exposed body
my
head-
insensible.
for breath
ooldy dark,
effort failed.
AH- was
I made a feeble
then
fell
many
miles over a
new
At
rivei*
Hudson, which
I was
as if on a hunting excursion.
this crisis^- that
My natural
rendered unconscious of
or existence
my body
life
my position.
forth
I moved, and
I stretched
I could also
hear
atmosphere.
few minutes
my
sight
wap
232
quite clear,
saw common
things in a
new
light.
Yet I
was nearly
I was
in a reclining position,
forming a
neatly
well-pro-
artificial altar.
On
either side
I was
The
and through
interstices
were decayed
trees.
valley
On
four mUes.
On
ill-fash-
hills,
and
me
of
my sad
death.
mother.
if
mourning a world's
Like smoth-
ered groans of universal agony, the thunders rolled forth far and
wide with
concave.
terrific violence.
The
Oh, it was a horrid vision I never can forget how, as the rain descended, the heavens seemed to weep, and
ous succession.
groan, and sigh, and laugh
;
and how
still
I,
my
psychologized
in torrents,
spirit,
seemed
my
exposed
The
rain
fell
and the
to
fleetin" elements
(while warring
menace
my destruo-
233
An
Upon
tion
Erom
God omnipotent
reigneth."
I beheld
all
my
I
own
insignificance,
mankind,
Power which
when the
As the
representa-
my reflections had passed, I began ponmy locality. Where I was I could not
;
The
it
until then
and I
far,
felt
had travelled
Obedient to
my
and
guide, I
had
laid
on the brush-heap
my
garin.
felt
dull,
reaction,
and I became
unusually clairvoyant.
But an
I
my
ears.
I listened.
Presently, I
whereupon
A flock of
sheep in a state of
in
every po3sibl
234
directioft.
I saw them leap skgainst the glazed mountain, from which they re-
force,
and
ccrtild
stantial foothoidi
The
mott'fifa^s
The
froizen
earth *as too unp#o|)itians, and the {)assage too well gaarded.
At
this moaient,
theii'
appeared
me
with a slow
to those I
had seen
in
particUlai'.
1 stepped forward
to
He
soUeited help
in his
fifst,
werk
At
the
We
gathered arid guided them into the path leading around the mountain's base^
new
peaice
no^ seemed
to
The sheep departed, like evening shadows, with their genshepherd, up the valley through the opening. And it seemed
" Angels moved
in the spate ftilchanted,
that^^-
Overjoyed, I retutiied to
its
Mf resting-placej
more
closely
Ifcrid,
leaning against
side,
itew
my
garnients'
into
deep meditation'.
Presently,-
ing deliberately
aipparently absorbed
stature,
thought.
He
waS a
person of diminutive
yet
had a beautiful
structure.
His
fine
285
my
attention.
He
appeitred
was
attired
in
style
Friends.
shadowy
loc^ over
shoulders.
His
was
full
and expressive.
He
was a
spiritual
In
Ms hand
'
Its
edges
sparkled with gUding of the finest quality; and the care with
which he preserved
its
beauty, exeited in
to
me
When
tranquil.
A
eleit
Ms
countenance.
He
a I
then handed
ehiimsy.
it.
;
it
to
With
which
had
but I could
clear
triaaislate
tation.
and comprehensive.
It contained
The form
a world of
df expression was
beautiful mea&ing.-'
but po'wetful.
It
As
felt its
ObBerving
pencil, (for I
had
my
convictioti
and signed
my
name.
TMs
it togiethfer,
my
stupendous mountain.
How
HDaccoantablev" exdaii&ed
I^
236
come, obtain
vocally,
my
my
:
spirit,
fol-
lowing correspondence
"The
earth)
scroll-bearer
light
represented a reformer,
who
(while on
had shed
upon
life
and immortality.
The
'
white
The
contents of the
scroll
represented the
grand
consummation,
viz.,
Peace on
Earth.'
Thus:
they were
;'
"'As
in
As
the sheep
were (when
first
I saw them)
having no knowledge
So
they are
;'
So mankind are
superstitious,
in the
same
dis-
organized
condition,
ignorant,
skeptical,
bigoted,
fanatical, intolerant.
"'As
for
they are
f As
'
united
'
which
Happiness.
So
ihejf
(mankind)
all
;
will
he.'
That
is
From
Free
There
shall be
righteousness.
As
men
Brotherhood."
The
interrogatory, "
Now
do you
it
believe it ?"
was addressed
to
my
And
my
were necessary, that I might apprehend the vicissitudes of future life, and bear them with wisdom and patience. The
question appealed to
then impressible judgment, whether I would believe the instruction I had received in preference to my
previous religious opinions.
their ordinary state,
my
My faculties were now restored to and I stood once more free from everything
I commenced descending the
237
I was
my
geographical situation.
now
in
my
natural state.
Presently, I observed a
man
attired in
lei-
an anxious jnanner :
" Sir, will
you
tell
me
far
to
Poughkeepsie ?"
:
He
smiled,
and gave
me
an inquisitive look
is
and them
perhaps,
You asked me
t'
about
other
Well, I s'pose
Acting upon
this information,
ferry-boat.
And
now
sleep
again, as
.
I lay
reflecting
became
which pre-
cede the closing of the senses and illumining of the internal principle.
As
;
my
body
yielded, as I
was willing
it
should
external
Many, many
miles I ran
and then I
slept again.
How
know
instances,
I at length
felt
returning
life
streaming through
my
system, and
I opened
The
huge stone
wall,
surmounted by a
ordinary fences.
and, I
tiiink,
The
enclosure
was
in the
form of a
triangle,
and
A dense wood
concealed die
2SS
my
knowledge.
the
I resolved
to continue in
same
position as
when I awoke
to consciousness,
and await
any suggestions
At
other,
this instant
upon the
front
and side of
my
organ of
ideality.
spiritual appearance.
He approached, and,
out speaking, turned to the right near me, and furnished himself
with a similar
seat.
As by
instinct,
had
a constant
knowl-
edge
and
investigation.
his highly-cultivated
presented a combination of
He
constrained to love
for love
was prompted by
his superior
wisdom.
felt
And
it is
versed with him, and he with me, for a long period, and that
reflux of thought
:
on
this
wise
among
the inhab-
my obedience to
Natural Law.
From
upon
my
mind by
my
But
artificial
my mental progress
I discarded,
early,
commenced
interrogating and
communing with Nature and her productions within the circumference of my vision and mental capacity whereby I became
acquainted with truths of deeper importance and of greater magnitude.
It
was demonstrated
this,
to
me
nal forms in
by
virtue of
239
^
whidi
;
is
their
or Soul
and
this essence,
by men,
is
called
God
also, that
imperfect,
by the
specific
life
and
By
this
by a law-^m
in-
And
were unfolded
being
by inner
life,
to
From
fe^ the
me
(as
it
animal kingdom
sustalomg;,
will
sta^ of
ascension, developing,
And
all this
cape
to
come
to
" In
my analytical
Power
investigations, also,
I discovered a threefold
essentisd
or triune
in every
parts to
absolutely necessary to
may be
among
for
perfectly
organiz^
earth
and impressed
taining the
me
some
effectual
remedy
to relieve
may be called a
'
medical
system of the
trinity.'
In
this
human body
and
and applied,
would cure
240
"To establish
by
interior truth
I labored
diligently;
the satisfaction of
;
knowing that
my
systems were
I love truth
;
Now
because
it
begets wisdom
substantial
for
my
love has
become wisdom
and
and
my
wisdom
knowledge !"
His
spiritual countenance,
beauti-
filled
Mentally I inquired,
stranger,
''
you, kind
within
by appropriate means
to afford ?"
"Ah
till
't is
you
sit
in
my presence,"
" Here
said he,
incli-
ning to the right, and raising in his hand an elegant' cane, which,
then, I
his possession.
is
full
synop-
sis
of
my
I desire that
its
mankind
!"
Thus
saying,
top,
and
the
strips or pieces.
A strong rod ran through the centre, graduated to accord with the
cane's shape.
I saw that
the rod.
These
until they
mond
form, especially
'said he, "
The when
now assumed
the dia-
closely observed.
little
Here,"
on these
blocks," presenting
them
to
241
is
me, " is the name of every disease with which the human race
afflicted."
I saw^
felt,
disease, with
Now,
find
my
remove
the disease
named upon
and
its
exterior.
Of
compound make
to
be well adapted."*
He
means
to disunite its
"Take
to
a work of a
demanding
and
gratification.
The
pieces,
when
disunited in the
man-
human
The
principle.
The
determined pre;
by the
interior, creative,
to the truth,
expand-
is
11
242
"
parts
together, corresponds
the
running
And
law of truth
the interior of
all
things,
and especially
dwelling
and
there
"Inward searching
for
disclose, the
by
this Staff"
an accumulation of
interior
and external
evidences, as-
sisted
Thus ended
His countenance
be-
and
my
spirit
warmly over my
left
and head.
It
seemed
to
beheld a
human immediately behind me. Impressed thus, I turned and man of an appearance very different from the one beside
His anatomy was of wise proportions
structure,
;
me.
he possessed
perfect
symmetry of cerebral
in stature.
sis feet
my
attention, for I
The cerebrum
as also an exalted
power of
con-
He
and a high degree of spiritdrew near, and reclined against the stone the first
:
By
Lord, to
as
it is
and other
becoming
life,
me
interior
243
resurrection
now untrammeled
artifices
from the
and perception of
world where
still.
and wisdom.
reside
;
men
Thy
Great
is
be good, and
true,
and
profitable.
"I
path.
The
and metaphysics.
affect
thy external
life
but they will tend more fully to expand thy interior being.
Press
to truth
and
By
thee will a
new
light
appear
it
shall
be new because
it
will brighten
reflect intel-
lectually
upon
and
it
is
Peace on
made
and
By
end of a
season they
be generally acknowledged,
their
At a time
commune with
elevated things.
testify
who
244
spirit.
when consummated,
human
"
But now I
:
repeat,
and wisdom
secureth health;
And
it
thus
congmia
and
truths."
;
last speaker's
prophetic admonitions
and, as
sweet and
heavenly
coming,
neous ease.
I
felt directly
my
staff,
depart.
I went
to the
fence, placed
its top.
my
foot
upon the
wall-side,
and raised
railing,
my body to
my
irritation
On
however,
clothing
This
was unusual,
for
my father
rail
at the
which, being
my
coat.
I knew
that
my
actions
thai
my
and
that I
polite
society
which
greatly
wounded
my pride
mortification.
feelings
this,
till
Meanwhile the strangers were observing my and movements with apparent complacency. On seeing
me
it
He
courteously
my
trembling hand.
Being
it
thus free, I grasped the rail at the open portion, and tore
completely in twain.
Having vented
my
rage, I descended
to
staff.
At
this,
the person
:
"
Keep
moreover, learn to be
;
and add
to gentleness, love
and
to love, wis-
dom
tion,
illumination,
to say, in
;
happiness.
And,
as
it
was given me
an unguarded
impulse, in minds
"
riot
From
this learn
"and
sustain these
this
by a proper
and
Receive
thy
first
sufficient lesson,
and by
its light
lead
Righteousness^ whose
fruit shall
be
but untasted except they nourish the seed and cause the tree to
spring
up within them
spirit
which
^
wUl
a refreshing
Thus he
soul into
closed.
As
my
sacri-
while, at the
same
time, I felt
ultiits
that, too,
their
no more,
I stood
246
CHAPTER XXXV,
AN ENTIEE CHANGE OP PEOGEAMME.
" There 's a divinity that shapes our ends, Eongh-hew them how we will."
'
You 'kb
a queer youth,
to
ing.
last
night!"
"Yes,
that's
what we want
to know,''
he
preciating
my
abstraction.
Collecting at length
replied: "I've been
sights.
it all
my
But," continued
confused,
"I
can't
make
out what
means."
reader need scarcely be
told, in this connection, that
The
I had
at
in the interval
be chronicled.
Immediately upon leaving the graveyard, I passed unexpectedly
and, wishing to
know my
So
where-
abouts, I directed
my
upon Poughkeepsie.
real or
was
my vision of
CHANGE OF PROGRAMME.
did not recognise
247
that
me
And
it
flight of
my
cumstance of
distant village,
thither,
mystery.
most
direct route
And
yet,
I remember of being conscious and feeling natural only at I walked on the road Poughkeepsieward.
exceedingly discon-
intervals, as
by
when
waking
from'
my
magnetic condition.
I spoke to no person.
at the termination of
my memory
for
concerning
my
This bewildered
me
the dining-
Oh, wasn't
hungry!
I threw off
my
at the table.
my unceremounconversable
and
still
more
so at
my
They began
;
questioning
me
in reference to
my mysterious
that I
disappearance
me
made
when
done, I pro-
make me
feel nat-
Yes, I
now
a return of normal
sensibility.
As
the
me
for so
many
all
hours receded,
I saw a
brilliant light
it
flashed
and again
And
was darkness.
But now
was absolutely
The
fact that
and then
that
248
my
a moment, the
familiar
me
this
chapter begins
and
still
kindly inquired:
" "Well, Jackson, can 't
you
tell
us sometliing about
it
?"
"
How
?"
hastily questioned^
"
At one
time
this
forenoon
it
we
con-
that day, I
was able
upon
my
mind.
The
men
;
once known as
gian
;
,
Swedenbokg, a Swedish
to that time,
but,
up
the
either books or
my
experience.
and wonders.
to
time by the watch then in his pocket. Another had at last induced his
skeptical
to
come and
satisfy herself
by
getting
for
me
to look within
what
had taken
stoical
supper.
Another had
at length prevailed
test
upon her
and
sneering husband to
titlepage of the
by having
me
read the
that purpose.
CHANGE OF PBOGRAMME.
was a group of the
sick,
249
and
sore,
and
suflfering
persons who
wanted
me
like
a hedge-fence.
still,
sible to all
demands
a,nd environments.
My spirit,
unseen by
crisis.
An
With
My clair-
my immediate
that there
future.
a
felt
substantial benefit
There
was a
lofty
inspired
and strengthened.
benefit in ex-
istence.
My happiness
man
was
to
when
disease oppressed
my
neighbor,
and a
staff
who stepped
that I
before me.
And
was not
saw
up with
self-importance.
The
blessed
work
to do, instead of
exciting
my
life
and overcame
my
soul.
My gratitude
and
we^hty,
my
was
become a sober
to ask, "
The prolonged
duced the operator
son?"
" Oh, yes
I"
silence, or rather
my
some new
visions."
directions to give.
now
W7
l**'^
am
ready."
11*
250
"In the
change."
first
"
A change
!"
fear-
him
was
me
into clair-
voyance.
"Yes,
"
'tis
is
the
time to begin."
good," said
I,
upon wonder-seekers
advance the truth of
believers, but, either
because, even
;
when
they do not
this science
from sheer
to
"
How,
then, shall
we
operator.
"By domg
"by
examining
and prescribing
asked, with a
?" he
show of disappointment.
;
to give ample
Our
future time
was
be systematically employed.
I was
remain
to
who were
What
The
time,
further
is
reader
now made
my
my
clairvoyant faculty.
But
it
should
the
great uses and benefits which I saw, or of the rules and regulations
CHANGE OP PROGRAMME.
by which we were
state.
251
to
my
natural
my
an indefinable apprehensiveness
that
my soul was
ma-
irresistible
enchantment
slight
down
depths of
to restore
my my
soul,
Arm-
strong.
it
His
profitable.
conscien-
encouraged by
mind
He
did
this,
incredu-
of continued pecuniary
Shortly after
loss.
my
upon the
self
utilitarian, or rather, in
" Crazy
!"
How
long do you
" What
to be"
magnetized ?"
"Yes
that 's
what I mean."
;
"Do
yo|i
mean
to
let
mesmerism
step
between
us,"
he
252
asked, " and put a
a business
man ?"
" I don't know," answered I gloomily
;
now
that
my
" Indeed
exclaimed he
" do you
make
cures ?"
really get
" but
we Ve
got
new
rules
now, and
may
cure more."
line,
I suppose I must
spai-e
And
this, for
many
last conversation
between
this place
I feel
moved
to record several
remarkable occur-
rences that transpired both before and after the startling events
The
incidents to which I
now
my
medical examinations.
to
Of
this there
two evidences
either an excess in
lo-
cality, or else
a deficiency.
instinct, to
The
I soon
lat-
learned, as
ter,
by
my
clairvoyant condition I
dis-
seemed
to
ease and
its
external Nature!
For each
CHANGE OP PKOGBAMME.
need in
253
man
(which
may
Even
also
become a
disease),
I could discover an
The
remedy
by an
instinctive
sympathy ; and
to exercise
would proceed
or book, or
my
in
what
field,
was
that
located or described.
is,
In
this
ments-^!
common
its
(stnd
human
all
physiology,
its
neurology, &c.
when not
and
for then I
had
to rely solely
upon hearsay
gossip.
The
secret^ then, of
my
vitalic principle.
And
first
yet,
what
is
not a
little
years of
my medical experience I could not give a satisfactory In fact, I did not comprehend the solution of my own method. extent and import of my own perceptions no, not even when most exalted in my mental illumination. The reason was, that
;-
is
repre-
sented
by the
fourth of
thei
gression.
Having made
relate
I will
now proceed
to
a few
illustrative incidents
One
to
night, while at
Mr.
Bartlett's residence,
he requested me
vicinity of Utica,
go
(in spirit)
my
handi
me
to see a
friend ?"
254
On. this occasion
in the affirmative,
good, so I replied
At
this
hour
1 can remember
how
He
the
knew
the direct road to travel, and the house where his friend
resided,
correctness or inaccuracy of
in his mind, like the lines
my
observations.
Printed
distinctly
disposed, I
know
that,
satisfactorily
was
at the time.
relied
upon
his
mind and
localities,
recollections for
my impressions
or knowledge of the
in-
then
how would
formation
of
The
my only
reliance.
So
off
I started!
Over
hill
from county
to county
till
I located the
neighborhood.
main
as correct.
it
When
described
symptoms of a
satisfy
Mr.
to
Bartlett.
seemed
somehow
But I
persisted that
;
in the neighborhood
and
after
my
like lightning
welcoming embrace.
investigating reader, here are two points to
:
Now,
remember
for
further explanation
elled with
one
is,
my
all
spirit's entire
yet I could
CHANGE OF PSOGBAMME.
the Other
is,
255
my
own powers
the track, so
panorama of new
in
my
But
this
experience seemed to be
most convincing.
I record
it,
who
One day a
vision
countryclear,
My
was
a few moments'
be deafness.
With
;
become
familiar
The
ness (the thickening of the lining membrane, &c.), called for the
Of the
rat
!"
How
can
it
be done ?"
skins of the rats over
warm
and
back of each
time,
ear,
let
every
jiight," said I,
and then
me
see
him again."
at first greatly discomposed
by
this fan-
in.
a reward
for
um
soon brought him dozens of the fated creatures, with the hot,
skins of
humid
which (immediately
after killing)
he
eccentric prescription.
And
I subsequently heard
that, contrary
remedy wrought
his much-desired
256 One
patients,
citizen
much
but I want
relief."
He
which was
growing
rapidly worse, inflaming the entire arm, exciting the whole ner-
vous
fabric,
my
fields of
an exquisitely
intensified
expeditious remedy.
I,
"that's
it that's
ofij
and
" Are you certain," inquired the anxious and agonized patient, " that I can save
my
finger
?"'
" only io
what I have
directed."
But where
that
question.
The
inexorable Frost-King
The
ice
was
winter
resi-
remedy was
densely
And
yet, as if directed
by some
betook
man
a frog had providentially just hopped out, and was hastily and
impiously scrabbling back again,
killed,
when he was
caught, instantly
incorrigible felon.
and
The
cooling effect
delightful.
And
One more
illustration
may be
given.
CHANGE OP PROGRAMME.
257
way
ble
for
The
respectaafiUcted
with deafness.
that
ears,
into
"Besides, there's a
to the
the operator.
There's some
ossification, too."
Hey P'
"What's
all thai.'^
The
To which the
thought-
ful old gentleman very reasonably replied: "I have long since
abandoned
I ask
"
all
hope of having
relief
my
All;
is, relief,
that's
what I seek."
Do you understand him, Juckson ?" asked the operator^ "Yes," replied I ; " and I will now see what there is for him."
Away
"
I floated through
&e
sive fields,
Good
it'll
"
Why,
he makes a cure
!"
what
is it,
He must get," 1 replied, " he must catch thirty-two weasels." " Hey ?" screamed the deafened patient who had heard just
enough
to
" catch
what ?"
which
and
thereto
must be dropped
till
(one.
the whole
is
gone
when you
be nearly cured
!"
258
" Reediculous
!"
whelmed with a
flood of silk
and
satin
upon her
what
refined person
"perfectly reediculous!
sels' feet
I
And how
if
disgusting, too!
tell ails
Bah! wear
But I wonder
little,
he can
me ?"
till
"
Wait a
politely suggested,
Jackson," he continued,
"do you
really
mean
!"
I'll
remain as I am."
After two or three more examinations
elderly gentleman
we
But to you,
to support
They
enough
;
in the specified
number of weasels
make
oily
relief Certain
6ecretion, soft
and
an
living thing,
known
word
American vegetable.
comprehended in
my
in self-justification.
The
locomotion.
until the
imaginary weasels
About
day
story,
my clairvoyant
on a
certain
be
thirst-
and
CHANGE OP PHOGBAMMB.
never be heard of more
!
259
this
it.
:
wholly un-
It
was
Believers went
One mer-
But the
skeptics laughed,
feel the
first
filtering,
and didn't
symptom of being
But, sick of these
poisoned.
all
I did dis-
from the operator's well, and I did admonish the family not to
drink or cook with
tions
it
unless
it
was properly
filtered.
My sugges-
were followed.
rumors detrimental
2f>0
CHAPTER XXXVI.
MY JOURNEY TOWARD THE VALLEY.
" I see the l^ht, and I hear the soand; I '11 sail on the flood of the tempest dark. With the calm within and the light aronnd Which makes night day."
In
gfory.
stillness
my
lonely way.
glee,
was
rife
with beauty,
and
all
budding flowers, and the sun smiled down upon the habitations of
men.
the
and
me no
no message of
from too lofty places ; the beauteous birds laughed and chirped and
twittered with far too
of the young
insincere
much levity the greetings and gabblings men and acquaintances were too thoughtless and
;
in short, I
:
was not
a prayer to
know my doom,
to
my
young
my
unresisted enchantment.
The
subjective effects of
my initiatory
vision
began
to
be
fully
realized.
VALLEY.
261
my mystic slumber, I
Had
part of the truth, the beauty, the sublimity, the consistency, or the
in
mindedness, such as I
now
my
pil-
normal understanding.
One
of
.
effect
my
brain of what
tact
with
my
In
my
mind I
felt as if
some
practical housecleaner
Whatever of
belief,
intellectual furniture
of doubt, of proclivity
I had
unoct)y
Hence
my
soul
felt
it
little
space I had in
was empty
cupied, but very clean" and whfte, like the " rose just
the shower," as in the juvenile ditty delineated.
felt
washed
No mind
ever
more
destitute of sense.
The
No
deficient
No
more blank,
unscribbled, or unblemished.
first
result
definite in
my inner
consciousness
weeks
rolled
away.
experience
Another
effect of that
'the outlines of
memory
life
which had
panic-
by
this
was, a
!
had
lost
This singular
hung
like
my
and the
fact out of
which
it
it
pointed.
hope
lit
up the empty
cells
true,
a shadowy
"
But I guess
2&2
I don't know nothing," thought I; "and that are's jest what I b'lieve too." After trying to reason a moment I added " No
:
that folks
is
right
when they
I'll
ses
I'm
makin' a fool
straight
o'
myself.
go right
back
to
Imand,
my
interior nature;
I had lost
my
One
night,
down by
:
the
" Oh, kind Providence who art in Heaven, I thank thee that I
live;
but, as
I now
feel,
wrong.
me know what
to
I have
lost
or
forgotten!"
that
At
lost
this
moment I seemed
remember, vaguely,
I had
a walking-stick
sort of cane
which some
me weeks previous, but I could not recall and so my haunted soul was once more filled
Then I
continued
:
whom my
mother used
to tell
me, I
be very much
show
me what
is right."
!
flash of light
Nothing but a
Again I bowed
my
flash
an exact image of
returned
I perfectly
Instantly
gift,
my memory
forth
and reached
my hand to receive it. 'T was gone Darkness was again there, and, in my mind, a feeling of unsuppressed displeasure.
Time passed
supplicate
:
to
" Forgive
;
my
Providence
may
VALLEY.
263
whiteness, on which
seemed
to
silent air.
I was not
:
charmed
264
Be-
my
One
day, during
my
absence,
left
me
On my
The
beautiful flowers
I enjoyed very
what
At
length, how-
ever, I concluded
't
was
all right,
and so
let
further attention.
flowers and
more comlittleiiote,
laqjce
shocking, a cunning
to take
me
that
very afternoon
now 'a
my
Staff."
The
Consequently I
in person,
and returned
How
glad I
was
me
geranium
left
on the mantlepiece
for
My blushing
!"
suddenly attracted a
:
visiter's attention,
who,
I
ever saw
"Why so?"
"
I asked.
Why,
there 's a pretty girl in love with you," said he, " and
it."
"In
exclaimed
I,
"What
know ?"
"
Why,"
replied
fine, smart,
made
to
know
that I
VAIX,EY.
265
Here I leaned
I can do
't
firmly on
my
!
" Why,
think of marrying
it's that.
Why,
never to
foolish,
let
me
get married.
they
act so
and
!"
giggle,
one
calling
me me
me
advising me
me
to visit
urging
her at
my
And,
in order to
wind
more
closely around
my
cluded with a few very original lines about joy, love, hearts,
friendship, bees, hot weather, sweet briers, honeysuckles, trailing
of
my poetic ability.
't
and,
was only
after I
began
to
joint, that
reply
" dear miss " I got yonr pretty letter and read it every word
better
A bird.
" But
to
my heart hain't redely my keeping And my feelins is too heddy and my business is a sleeping.
go beyund
i
" So
me
me
transcribed, I
had
no
furtlier trouble
266
But
flay
my
Staff
benefit
in truth,
it
was my
Every
invisible palladium
my two-edged weapon
of defence.
would bring
to light
difficult
oil
but,
all,
my
Staff
was
my
private strength,
my
rod of support,
visited
my
unbending
consolation.
by a grim-visaged money-digger
my
Magic
Staff,
and
my
me
an uncon-
querable repugnance to
operations generally.
all
say hatred
repelled
solicited
visitors,
my
services.
At
times, however, I
who, notwith-
much
out of harmony
sort,
From many
it)
whom
I related
may
yestigator.
fine-looking,
portly,
to
gentleman
me
to look
infor-
was seeking
mation
calls
sick,-
we had
so
many
many engagements
with the
One
dition, the
As on
other
shaped white
crystal, into
which he requested
me
to look,
and
tell
VALLFT.
267
"
The
made
at
a dark room."
down with
it
it
intensely for
became
down.
went
precipitately
me
that
to soften,
I perceived a landscape.
field,
was a
side-hill, rising
out of a ploughed
trees.
Two men
this,
in
sailor's garb.
Having seen
The
But he asked
Presitself in
me
to
hill-side.
ently, I did so
and then
One more
it
As it looked brighter
It
than anything
else,
I thought
must be important.
was cov-
ered with dust and spiders' webs, and seemed to have been long
neglected, if not absolutely forgotten,
On making
saying, " that
me
But
was."
Then I went
trees.
again,
it
just at that
under the
It
seemed
to
me
268
deed was a distant
heir,
Plain enough I could see that he was dressed in the old English
style,
feet high.
He
ily-heirs resided in
Germany.
The
know
reason
it
came
to
All these points, as seen and explained by myself, proved perfectly correct.
The
crystal,
fact,
known
to
many,
that
into
a stone, mirror, or
commonly known
as fortune-telling; and
gipsey-like
;
many
persons,
who pretend
some individuals
gift.
of any-
In
fact, for
some four or
cumstance seemed to
vision
me
At
length, however, I
my
And
it,
occurred to
me
that
my
gazing into
with so
much
characteristic earnestness,
had induced,
temporarily,
me
first to
and
then,
by simple
concenin the
glass before
cially
me.
light
Since then, I have met several persons, espeor very black-haii-ed females
virtue of long
very
susceptible
who, by
who
are mdst
at
an
In regard
to the origin
crystal, I have
269
it,
and the
foregoing was
tertain
my
first
and
last
it,
experiment ; but
I,
somehow, en-
an impression that
The magic
in
crystal," says
now
my
made long
is
still
;
and used
for the
some,
it
jet
but
of
much
importance, or rather,
to.
The
that persons
who gaze
unknown
to them.
The
crystal of
which
I speak,
sold
is
some years
by a dealer
in curiosities, as
an old magic
Having
take
told a}l
crystal,
my
staff
and continue
my
o^
the
vaUey.
2T0
CHAPTER XXXVII.
SPECIAL PROVIDENCES.
"A
traveller through a dusty road Strewed acorns on the lea And one took root, and sprouted up, And grew into a tree."
light-
I was not a
little
ashamed
to exhibit.
upon
that of the
forth,
even on
me
involuntarily to laiigh
to
one of
it
my
And
yet, strange as
may
riably superficial,
my
spiritual con-
who
affirmed that
my
occupation was
my
daily doings
and momentary
"In heaven!"
they want of
ejaculated I
"recorded
in heaven!
?"
What
do
my
up there
"Punishment, young man," he warmly replied; "to award punishment for the bad deeds done in the body."
SPECIAL PROVIDENCES.
" Well," said I mirthfully, " the writer of
ring
all
271
my language
du-
my medical
will not
be mocked,
sir,
sir !"
he
re-
be warned
take
before
it's
too late!"
And
call heat-lightning.
StaflF
was in
my
possession,
and so I
asked
"
remember
own System
young man
" His rewards and his punishments are based on his of government
not
on.
yours,
sir,
and
you
'11
flqd
it
out
when
or
I'm mistaken!"
" His
own system
abstraction, " I
his
own system
of gov-
ernment !"
In a moment I forgot the presence of the pompous stranger,
and, under a trance-like pavilion of emotion, I hastened up-staits
into the
somnambulic condition.
It
This relapse
was a
positive refreshment.
earned
Park nocturnal
My interior
the cloudless
judgment and
intuitions
my melodious
;
hither
and
The government of God," exclaimed I " that 's the question Reverently, and with every emotion stilled like And so it was
"
;
!
!"
:he
What
272
relate-
my
sys-
them down.
employment,
friend
my
my
confidential
A. R.
Bartlett,
:
who, seeing
me
"
Ah
The government
it
"That's a good
subject.
Got any-
"Yes, Brother
which I 'd
Bartlett," I answered,
my uncommon thoughtfulness.
it."
;
Read away
to
which
The
subject
is
important, and
if
well,
very well.
'11
you
become a good
nei-
my
my mind
benefit
my
moderate ambition
to
show
that, while, in
my
cir-
cumstance
The
inconsiderate ene-
my
spare time
unfriendly
was devoted
my
trary
The
by
solely
my uncultivated
meant
to learn
SPECIAL PROVIDENCES.
to
273
this
:
I
5
knew
of
my
extreme poverty
of
my
of
my
my
me any
diay,
or I be so unfortunate as to lose
limbs,
my
to
eyesight, or
my hearing,
or
my
disease
employ
my
may be
crusts of bread
Who
unknown
city ?
Who
knows but
words I heard
Whose trembling limbs hare borne him to yonr Whose days are dwindled to the shortest span
Oh, give
rtelicf,
door,
!'
and Heaven
that
still
will bless
your store
The wi?ard-mystery
and the occasional
actual value, served to
hung over
my
its
daily occupation,
feeling of uncertainty as to
continuance and
is
dampen
that aspiration
which
natural to
my
my
me
back
to
Day
knowledge."
of
me numerous
intelUgent ad-
degree,
who valued
my rare
gift,
yet, spirit-
stoically dispassionate.
No
;
pride
inflamed
my spirit
;
distinction
to
no love
of power
no aspiration
know
the secrets
my
soul.
On
the con-
274
trary,
from day
to day,
from week
to
week, I
lived
and travelled on
even
that I
was taking a
toward
the very
Now
deon
;
my
asthmatic accor-
and then
operator,
and
my young flesh would become benumbed by the my spirit examine the present or absent sick.
to get
return to the instrument with which I might one day possibly earn
a livelihood.
Thus
for
my immediate
future
and
yet,
T was
my
way.
when a
gentle-
man
Smith
the pulpit
clairvoyance.
and, being
somewhat
This was
This
man was
I did
truth
so,
is
"The
to
far in the
new
faith,
he said: "That
"When
the
animal heat
withdrawn from
flies,
why
up
Now,"
me what 's
SPECIAL PROVIDENCES.
276
lucid,
At
this
my
and I
promised
him three or
Now
The
astonished, while
less delighted.
was not
still
addressing him-
this thought-reading
in dreams."
"
just try
You do n't, eh !" exclaimed the Ask him to visit any him
!
sanguine operator ;
distant locality,
get satisfied."
you
to
go some
five
hundred miles to
New
Maine
,
and give
me a
who
and occupants
just so
!
That's a fact
That 's
No
mistake
!"
The
to
appoint-"
The
operator
that I
now
restored
me
and
told
me
to lecture.
unintelligible.
to
now
seemed
so completely unlike
were
my two
At
conditions.
might utter. All the illuminations and emotions and events and conversations and visions of
after explained
my clairvoyant history as
be here-
are
now
my every
any time
276
rememprom-
ber
my sudden
to deliver the
could comprehend
cle
of
my
personal understanding.
My uprising
were
like so
many
My expanded
reason was like the ocean that rolls over the earth, and images
forth,
ment.
But
my
extravagant exclamations and enthusiastic profesnot repeat, because the curious reader
sions at that
moment I wUl
may
my
corrections,
on page 210,
Harmoma."
Neither will I
II. of the
same
series,
name
will
you give
after I
netism
nearly
aU new
to
call this
down
hill
glide
my mind
and I
" Clair
what?"
The word was duly repeated, and recorded, and published to But I now wish to correct its orthography. The the world.
thought in
my "taind
was
this
the clear
ance
productimi of clairvoy-
Clairlativeness," as defined
The Present
and,
its
all
unconscious of
slopes.
my
The
ing up
ness
rugged
seeds
acorns
SPECIAL PBOViPENCp.
Strewed on the lea
277
and perfect
rose
to accelerate
one
its
useful of
That
is
to say, those
planations of magnetism
to
be his
duty to
deliv!r thenij
went ^rmly
The
painfu^ trial for me, the presenting of myself, blushing with timidi-
be put into
my mystic
ous assembly;
and subjected
them as a Hottentot,
own mental state, y^t was I as igporant of and knew not what mischief might befall me
.^xaii
all,
my
possession
on which I
a moment be-
trayed.
The
set
persecuted trio
and myself
city
New
York.
Its
This
siderhill
was the
Sebastopol of conservatism.
new
tile
discovery
mercan-
an emphatic
also inconveniently
into clairvoyance.
expensive.
to depart
my
first
ride
What
The recently-faUen snow was deep along the and beautiful Danbury was reached only after a tedious
Arrived, the lecturer's
bills
journey.
278
the novel
suli^ject,
Night hastened
was
filled to its
utmost capacity,
the platform.
to the gratificaftion of
my love
of _solitude
As
it
was, how-
my
mystic
slumber.
The
tests of claii^oyanee'
were
tried, the
committee announced
their
state.
satisfaction,
restitution of
my normal
Wasn't I glad
over
And
At our next
stand
;
lecture
to
sibility.
Among
viva-^oce
lapius.
nients-
my
person, but
In
ing
fact,
suffer-
so profoundly thorough
was
my
magnetic disenthralment.
fell
On
out of
my
side of
my
right limb
and
yet;
when
was
to
made, I was
the
In justice
who had
christened "Pinchers!"
The
spirit of
!"
And
became
left for
so intol-
parts un-
known.
for,
and the
and
lasting, yet I
him by
the in-
.The
sick
came
SPECIAL PEOTIDENCES.
aqliing, groaning, limping,
filled
279
Our rooms were
external
life
coughing, dying!
to excess all
my
was
About
this
longer in demand.
assistance
duties.
:
therefore
sect to
which he
may have
pamphlet
fugitive
own mind
word from
with
containing a
word
for
my clairvoyant
ances
ism, with
my
Our long
visiting
list
during
occasionally
all
of which
I continued, externally,
youth
;
upon
my
I walked steadily up
On
our
first visit at
Bridgeport,
where many
sick
list,
appear in
this psy-
whom
which
were soon
to subsist
between
us.
to the
reader until
May, 1845j
at
280
The
religious encounter
came
whither I was
and retirement.
in
The
sectarist
began by
sarcastically pitying
me
my
perilous
entanglements.
" In your benighted and unsanctifled condition," said he, " you're
at
aU times
in
me ?"
who
I asked.
warmly
believe on the
I,
Lord Jesus
Christ."
Disregarding
my question, and
in
up with combative
zeal,
faith, in
substance as follows
is
that there
to be a
I was taught in
my
youth to read
and
;
to believe in
a superintending Providence."
was I
my
mother taught
"
me
to believe in
an overruling
that
many times
since I was
a boy."
"No,
he with energetic
sir,
Why,
the Bible
follow.
Do
you
that the
people of
" Yes, I
to
I,
proceed with
" Oh,
my
ramble unmolested.
you
do, eh ?"
he sharply returned
" then,
sir, let
me
tell
to the promised
on the journey,
it
was
their duty to
"
overcome and
What good did all that do ?" I asked. " What good, sir ?" exclaimed he, with rapidly-increasing warmth,
SPECIAL PROVIDENCES.
"I'll tell you, sir!
281
providential
zation."
The extermination of the hcathep, sir, was a way of promoting the cause of Christianity and civilimurder an
evil ?"
I asked.
"t is
wrong
" does
to destroy
human
life."
" Then,"
sjjti
J I,
God do
evil that
good
As
God
you
I spoke, I
felt
flash of
"
Aha !"
a contemptuous
didn't
know anything
But
I'll
expose
you!"
" Please answer
" (Oh yes,
sir,
my
I will.
bands.
He
can change
The governmept of God is jn his own when he adjudges necessary, and none Thus, when he wills so to do, he staikes wicked
it
;
men down
fruit
in the street
of ungodly fanners ;
its
and
inquired.
own word,
sir
and that
now,
sir,
And
all
and
my
and prepare
"Why,
Messiah
sir,
the second
I,
coming of the
think of
it."
he, mellowing
down
into
a beseeching
282
mood
delay
Do
so,
my friend,
I"
do so
wiftout
my
During
Staff,
and
bent not
it
retreat
walked in deepest meditation -i- then the Staff was well-nigh neglected,
and
my
mental
affliction
became exceedingly
intense.
my mind
the solemn subject which the severe and persistent sectarist had
my
attention.
The world-wide
interesting problem,
among men, for the purpose of changing, reversing, or regulating human affairs and designs, vras agitating my spirit almost continually
final
;
its
And
let
me
here express
my
It
was the
last
day of the
bealitiful
re-
to ascend
My native village
;
my risual
retreat
disturb-^ but
to
Upon
this
mount,
and
to
at
tliis
my
spirit, in its
ciples of perception
itself, and my interior prinwere opened, and were permitted- their easy
The problem
rested upon
me
SP^CaAL PEOVIDENCES.
283
The
entire in
Philosophy
of Special Providences.''
sionate reader, yet
it is
may seem
to thee, dispas-
was a believer
in
an
manifestations.
My unreasoning
was
to
conviction
to
was so
entire, that
awake
millions to everlasting
!
happiness, and
many more
And
I trembled
lest
made
the dupe of
whieh had so
trick of
my
troubled
some
^ard
so much.
And
yet,
all this
mental
my
support
At
length, as I
village,
my
tribulation.
I did
so,
may
be
specified.
Immediately upon
my
As
soon as
my enmy clair-
me
a glorious presence
an
ultra-terrestrial being
the
very
that
beautiful
and tender-looking
same
my
boyhood!
'Twas
more musical.
What
a divine revelation
overhanging shadows of
whole of
my
dreaming
baseless fabrication
alted joy, I
still
no!
no! no!
leaned on
wisdom
His sublime
284
Hence, in
this book,
my
spirit
was
lifted
triumphantly out of
Providences.
As
dark
I pursued
my
walk homeward,
my
heart was
filled
with
The
night had
come
on,
and
it
was
But the
Eternal
Day
my
immortal soul
and,
by
that Light
LOVE
Supreme Principle
my mind
deprived
me
of the blessed
in clairvoyance
so impenetrable
was the
curtain of forgetfulness
that
hung between
my my
two conditions.
And
hence, though I
topic, yet I
within
me
285
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
STEUGGLB FOK THE SECOND EMINENCE.
" Ah
!
to the stranger-soul
its
when
first it
peeps.
From
new
And
desolate a tract
wide world
["
The
be written,
ciui
be
appreciated only
The charm
of a landscape, for
The enchantment
gent
artist
of distance
is
never to be rejected.
No
intelli-
forest,
nor puts he his head under "the sad sea wave" to behold the
In
like
manner, the
intelligent
who would
vicinity of
items and survey the whole surface with the eye of a gener-
alizing mind.
last
during
visits at
Bridgeport,
condition, a
Connecticut
a lucid
new and
The
mysterious burthen
to this daite,
my now
286
some
aged
man weE
human
enterprise.
My prevision
presentand
to
These novel
disclosures
were
be
in
me by
convalescing
my
mystical experience.
entertaining,
Some
and important.
An
example,
"Can you
tell
me what
or "Is "
"Is man's,
spirit immortal.'"'
man a
or an essence ?"
populated?"
What "What is
is life ?"
"
How
where
is
Was
God
himself?"
"
Can
hell ?"
" Is there a
literal
place of suffering?"
my invariable
just
answer was
"l^e patient!
satis-
know
how
to give
it
When
Be
dictate a
tories.
Book, which
patient!
my
yet."
to day,
through
all
my
mind from
told,
the
programme.
In
short, if the
exact truth be
I had
of the'
dition
diffeirent
My general
was but
con-
my mind
partially
287
till
the
first
of Julj following;
which time
began
to
dawn upon
my
understanding.
or premonitions.
One
nature of
mj
clairvoyant vision
accompanied
r
with a partial
suspension of
period of
able
;
my .original capacity to endure the trance. The my magnetic sleep was consequently shortened or vari* and the feeling and Ineidity of my mind partook largely of
irregularities or fluctuations privately dis-
These unmistakable
my
spirit.
I grew sad
and
dissatisfied,
the operator.
my
restlessness or discontent."
" I can
't
said
I-
^'
Perhaps
your magnetism
is n't
good
me any
T asked.
more."
thought 'twould be so."
"Ahl" exclaimed he
" "
sorrowfully,
"I
so ?"
Why,
that
how
it is.
They wish
to get
you under
their influence.''
to confess that this unqualified
for
Now I am free
avowal surprised
Staff,
my
Magic
I think I
reflec-
It
was a
upon
!
my
have been
offered large
sums
to leave
break up
said he
" for
it
would be a pity
to
do anything
promised."
to
To
this
made no reply
me
a larger proportion of
om
288
insignificant income,
pecuniary temptation
average income for months together did not exceed what he used
to
make
I strove to be cheerful
my
clairvoyant
occasionally
powers, preceded
for the
my own
private property.
To me
ominous
The shadow
had
my
horizon.
What
fore,
the future
in store for
me
There-
my
Staff,
my
spirit
was
painfully disturbed.
In
this connection,
character.
bite.
Nay be
!
not shocked.
He 's
but, for
I called him
my
daily walks
was
he.
but,
light;
in the
vUlage.
little
Dick
was undisguised.
dogma'tic
were
his
little
and
some-
times in advance of
my own
far
more exalted
impressibility!
And
deed
this inipulsive
for
me
at this crisis in
my mental
289
The
first, is
the second,
last,
a second
remove from the common cur and a fourth from the pointer or
bird-dog.
On
is
My
was bowed
down by
walked
the pressure of
some unknown
responsibility.
Hence I
like
The
Dick.
ramble was
fields
my little
in the
open
his
My spirit was
to retrace
lifted
up
But no
my
ear,
my
with
air,
steps;
when
little
Dick attracted
my
attention
by divers
demonstrations of uneasiness.
He
me homeward.
On
birds
and so
believing, I whistled to
But no
by
curiosity
my
what 's
going on here
delight,
?"
In reply he exhibited
if his litttle
happy.
At
tor.
this
moment I
felt
the presence of
my
invisible benefac-
sufficient,
13
290
abstracted,
these musically spoken works " Seek I mountain jifour Avision Delay one more waited Breathlessly I wiU shown
the
!
o'clock.
not.
he
thee."
for
beautiful word,
like
my beloved
mother's.
But
remained
still
as
homeward.
Before the appointed hour I crossed the Hudson, via ferryboat,
my
familiar seat
upon the
beautiful
Mount
nearly due
there stood "
my glorious
know
Guide
like
an angel of
light
Thou
art cast
down and
am
" Then,
if
thou wouldst
oppressed. But I know not why." know wherefore thy spirit is cast down,
into the depth
gaze yonder."
" In a
moment
will
I picture forth
As he
body of a great
The side of the edifice toward me seemed to have been hewn down and removed, giving a free and natural view of
mountain.
its
interior parts
and arrangements.
"
" Behold
!"
said he affectionately.
exter-
" Indeed
!"
exclaimed
I.
"
How cold
and desolate
But I can
and lowest
apartment."
lo
me
I was walking
Eden, &c.
while my
291
"Yes," said I
true
!"
iiito
apartment."
On
saw
lifting
my
my own
personality.
There I
speakers.
in the
Hyde- Park
lighted
&c.
natural
light.
I,
"Yes," said
that period."
my mind
was
in during all
and
still
his direction.
And
this
view was a
and, though
sunlight
my
Now,
which poured
in
through
"The
tude.
picture
and
grati-
"Yes!
way
of
my
felt
mind."
But while
" Oh, kind
a sudden sadness
I said
:
Then
Guide
can you
tell
me why
292
0h!
next."
yes, yes!"
exclaimed
I,
" Then,'' said he, " direct thy vision upward into the
highest apartment that thou canst for a season behold."
last
and
man whom
my bodily eyes
It
filled
with light
was
far,
What
a desirable change
!
!"
I fervently ejaculated.
!"
" "What a
delightful prospect
But I
I
and, feeling
momentarily depressed,
"
dropped
Why
is
wound round about with very strong ties of sympathy. firmly fixed in Mr. Levingston's affections. Besides, if I
not understand
it,
my
"Fearful, indeed,
" Tell me,
if
is
human
attributes
is
the
Sympathy?
me
is
or Justice?
my
answer
it,
and I said
"Your
me,
is
my
mind."
"Tell
if
most
trees
EMINENCE.
293
A ship
;
is
a quick
But again
tell
me,
if
two vessels
cious winds ? or
a ship given
to the
The
my mirth
and I
"
The
which
is
" Verily
Keep
it
in thy
to day.
And
tell
me,
if
human
attributes is the
most admirable,
Sympathy? or Justice?"
Guide, for not seeing your
is
As he
my
The
remember
it."
is
the
name
first
my kind
to
that
bent for-
In a few minutes I
But, alas!
my
head again
my
beautiful
its
own
state,
realm within
my soul's
territory,
I relapsed into
my common
full
and returned
a heart
of joy
wholly inexpressible.
294
CHAPTER XXXIX
THE MOUNTAIN OF JUSTICE.
"Ever
the truth comes uppermost.
And
ever
is justice
done."
Bepoee
my memory
to discern
it."
was unahle
to recall the
I,
what had
transpired.
and
not
to
remember
And on
cumstance of
my
doing
my organ of justice which caused me to think of whatsoever my conscience might eventually dictate. The
it
an energy and
fear-
would grow
being, and
it
a new
would
river
had just
the
set through
my
to brighten
my
mental
in the
rise
Magic
Staff
although
still
memory
the im-
mense wealth of
my
me
a stron"
we
295
Staff.
forget to take
my
In con-
some of whose
tell
patients I
ails
had
Can you
what
me ?"
"
What
ails
of mankind.
"Yes," said
"Whether
it's
I,
my
state.
" Are you not able to examine yourself while in clairvoyance ?"
he inquired.
" Seems to
me you
can.
'
"No," I answered.
as I can that of others.
ears.''
"I
can't discern
my own
state of health
lifting one's-self
by
his
" Does your power of clairvoyance ever seem like fading out ?"
he asked.
"I
"
think
it
has of
late," said I.
"And
that's
what makes
me
feel so
unhappy, I guess."
me any
higher in
I
clair-
voyance
perhaps, he
feel so."
may
not hold
me where
am
now.
sometimes
your power.
Why, my
dear
sir,
I 'm
indebted to you for a faith which I would not exchange for any<
thing I
know
of."
I,
" if I go on as I am,
out.
my
clairvoyant candle
be snuffed
But
some
sort at
hand."
"
Ah !"
"Not
what
know
"But I'm
certain
know
it is."
who
son
is, if
to get
a new magnetizer.
For myself
296
me more
gratification
me
I can't
foretell,"
I replied.
"But
man
to magnetize
me, I
And
my
spiritual
duced greatly
had weighed
it
me down
Finding
patients,
we arrived the same afternoon. 'Twas now about the nineteenth anniversary of my birth-day. The rich and pearly hours dripped their ripeness into harvest field and meadow. The gracefully twining vines and upspringing
whither
affluence of the soil, the soft breathing of garden-flowers, and the
the
susceptible
imagination
but such
pleasures
my
my birthday,
so grateful always to
upon
my
One
my
incoming of a protracted
duty called
illness
the
next, I didn't
know
but
me back
to Ira Armstrong's.
physician
Now, my
affections
then, they
nestled
At
length, I sought
my
Leaning on
my
Magic
Staff,
inter-
Long and
came.
far
None
from
my
fellow-raen.
as.
297
I heard
robin as
it
bestowed kindly
on
its
creatures
for
poet's
sad song :
"I
one who treads alone Some banquet-hall deserted Whose lights are fled, whose garlands
feel like
dead,
departed."
was
at hand.
In the midst of
my
meditations a
my
spirit.
My nature
appeared to spring, as
by an instantaneous growth,
hood.
that
into unfettered
and
self-reliant
man-
The
arms and
fraternal hearts
bound
me
The
me
from Ira
luxuri-
The
like
me
flood
My
soul
was
strong,
and
free,
and wholly
my
own.
What
a marvellous liberation
On
twilight,
and impatience,
Several patients
gone.
"
You 're a
day
for you.
so long ?"
The
reveal
news of
my unexpected
but, planting
myself firmly on
self-justice,
my condition
ent.
And then
;
I intimated that
we had better
To
this
but
The
horizon of
my
was luminous as
like
a being of
independent
life
ami understanding,
My
yery
life-blooc]
and
298
magnetism
for
but now my
self-controlled.
making me
will
and
my
and
But I was
forward alone.
And
positive attraction.
the
first
instance, separated
me
my
relation
with William
Levingston.
fraternally
The Bridgeport physician. Dr. S. S. Lyon, received me very ; and when I told him that he was chosen, he maniThis man's physiognomy was pecu-
marked.
The
regular.
But
a mixed temperament
between
across being
his
no
reliable
He was mod-
But
the
him
to
many a
Now
My
new
and continuous
Those who
knew
of the doctor's
was equal
to, if
crue from
my
clairvoyant examinations.
But the
to
conviction of
interior direc-
Hence, in obedience
his practice
;
my
he relinquished
and, together,
we
proceeded
to that
States,
known
as
299
New
York
city.
were
to
be delivered.
pathway ; but as
usual,
when
in the ordinaiy
my
mind was
discourses.
glide with
me
during
It
and
halt at our
private boarding-house.
No. 92 Green
street, in
And now,
if the psyillus-
a very extraordinary
suddenly upon
work,
entitled,
me
at this time,
my
ro-
" Present
There
is
may be
few days
Of this my
recol-
very perfect.
The motive for the appointment of witnesses is suffiThe motive for selecting the particular person ciently obvious. who was chosen as a scribe, may not be equally apparent ; and
chapter.
In reviewing and
reflecting
my
state of
mental exaltation
just as
when
scribe
a man on a mountain can see more of the country than I foresaw the necessity of having a
who
would voluntarily
300
defend our proceedings from the aspersions of prejudiced and unscrupulous journalists.
In order
to find
this
whose mental
qualifications
New
Haven,
Connecticut.
my
nor-
mal
state.
But
to
be commenced.
In accordance with
my
upon
My impressions
that his
God-
It
seemed
to
me
that he
in
was
any
cautious, critical,
that
in
that,
whatissue,
would, in the
human
universe.
Perceiving these
traits,
and discerning
the
future, I coun-
was
readily
It
may
be
difficult for
my
unilluminated.
the
ridiculous.
Twenty
and promotp
301
me from an
philosopher.
tions,
Or
five
would bring
me
from the exalted throne of Jupiter down to an untaught and unremarked dweller of
the
common
level of
Manhattan
will itot
isle.
mind
this fact,
he
marvel
commencement of
my
lec-
tures, I fled to
my
for consola-
tion
me
once more.
feel
my
steps
It is true,
my
;
me
on many occasions.
and with
In
and led
astray.
this
mood I
my
soul in a flood of
My spontaneous
faculties,
illumination, the
harmonious exaltation of
discoveries of
my my
soul's trackless
Intellectually, I
How
my
easily
But the
result of
The Argument." Hence I will not record it The inestimable details of those metaphysical
up
in the treasury of
my
clairfeel-
voyant memory.
On
!
returning
New-York-ward, however,
ing cahn and prepared for the lectures, I kept mentally saying,
" Thanks
thanks
thanks
!"
But now I
was stamped
Surely there
know
indelibly
folds of
my
soul-substance.
302
added
to
my own
exertions and
the unfailing Staff, that I attained the top of the Mountain of Justice
;
my
303
CHAPTER
"I remember the
time, ye
XL.
When ye raised my soul from its mortal bars. And bore it through heaven in your golden cars !"
Having
accompauied
me
many and
for
va-
rious changes
birth,
now
turn back.
Nay,
curtain,
The
locality
street,
of Manhattan.
sona, or those
who
the writer.
whom was
Lea
;
Smith.
body
at the time
my patient,
he was a
sin-
The novel
sion
was
it
"Lectures by A.
But
For the
object
was not
money;
but,
on
304
Steadily as
tual
aim
subse-
were
is
now
it
legitimately.
'Tis
by means of this
may
by your
fireside, the
of some locality and event in the world which your eyes have
never seen.
Fancy
to yourself
arti-
a couple of
man
and broad-browed
lie
individual, seated in
on which
And, on
men
The
pleasure of silence
is
as the sun.
And
now, as the
youth
is
In the
stock,
first
an inventory of his
intellectual
article at its
is
marketable valuation.
If " size
is
is
The
unusually small.
the
this youth's
mental capacity
unusually
is
mind must be
feeble
and circumscribed in
its
operations.
He
If " circum-
manners must be
He
305
If "
common mind,"
for the literary
then
is
meagre
market.
But see
The
grave-visaged operator
ties
a handkerchief about
the youth's uneducated head ^closing the world yet more out,
to his
own
Do
not turn
away your
They
heavens.
What
See
it
the house, above the highest steeple, above the loftiest mountain,
stars,
all elevation,
so,
most worthy
friend.
Allow
not
me
Surely you do
mean
be unnatural!
above the
brutes,
soil,
Why,
above
yon
field
arises
power of prowling
above the
yond
be-
or emperors
Yea, aU
life
tangled, behold
how
it
hasteneth thither!
Yes
all
can you not see that radiant shaft of spiral light reaching
the sleeping youth's uneducated head to a Focus
the
way from
An
306
" Impossible
if
!"
Why,
you
northern seas.
Now
cending column of water forming a junction with the spirallydescending column from the cloud-region above the ocean.
the vortex of
See
prodi-
foam beneath !
gy
and dan-
Beholding
and believing in
can
the
you doubt your own eyes and your reason when looking upon
head of that magnetized youth ?
So
it
close at
home, too
Have
locality ?
Why,
was
in the nineteenth
Hark
The
The
witnesses were
as pall-bearers.
" This night," replied the youth, with reverent and measured
intonations, " I reach
my
superior condition."
The
"
writer attained the fourth stage /or the first time permanently
who had
To
thought
to that
the knowledge of
human
"
I go
"
to the spiritual
Sun
of
to receive
my information."
Does he wish
to
lant scribe.
The
r.ot that."
But
after
a pause he
said,
"
Now I am
ready."
307
and the doctor
The
hand in
order,
to
who, according
rectly heard
to previous direction,
was
pronounce aloud
make
:
and written
being
word was
cor-
a principle belonging
:
to
man
alone.''
This sen-
" The
office
of the
mind
is
to
many and
varied ramifica-
When
the
careftdly inis
proceeded
" Thought, in
its
proper nature,
uncon-
It is free to investigate,
and
The
free thought
And
and
lofty principle, is
wrong."
first
lecture
was deall
And when
memory
that
and
Divine Eevelations."
"Incomprehensible!" methinks I hear you incredulously exclaim.
in'
thy rejection.
Here
lean
me
most reason, of
Put
and thy
learning for a brief period at least, and open the child-part of thy
Greene
street.
How
he-
O conceited
intellect
my
mother
was uncultivated?
And
308
because of
its
infancy?
The uneducated
of a thoroughly-
viz., that
And
at this
mo-
many
occupy
feel
my
Therefore, I
am
the most
secret
reliable witness,
and
workings of
my mind on
and subsequent
sessions.
different operator.
and
my
soul flow-
ered out, and presented that rare fruit which had been so long
anticipated.
Accordingly, added to
my
rolled
"What's the
latter
The
difference is the
same
as bethe
For example:
This
you hoh
sight,
without a
see,
what you
look at
corresponds to clairvoyance.
both
illus-
and
which
is
Hence
it
who
is
a clairvoyant merely
more or
and
and mistake
the
relation, of
whatever he
is
may
thus
perceive
who
both clear-seeing
and clear-knowing
or who possesses
is
only in three
and magnitudes.
Eoth
condi-
309
my mind
at first
seemed
to
expand
all
over the
isle
of Manhattan.
as this novel
intui-
identified
my
human
kind.
Nor was
My instincts identified me
felt like
and thence with the essences and laws of plants and vegetaand thus I
tion
a conscious mirror,
if
may
so say, on
which were
reflected
made me
afiBrm
intelligence
for information."
is
The
is
form of expression
ambiguous.
uttered
whereas
my
my
of external
substances.
mean by
and expansion of
my
human
you.
into the
life.
" Are
Nay,
Let
me
am not by
is
ask-
What
the greatest
geometrician?
studied books
Th^
greatest
is
that creature
the honey-bee.
What
is
is
is
Th^
unscholastic beaver.
What
Who
God ?
The The
untutored Indian.
What knows
Ovid ?
ol
The
unsophisticated heart.
Who
The unpretending
310
mother.
Who
any physiologist ?
and
The hungry
laborer
Now
allow yourself to
That was
my
which are
received
my
knowledge.
Yea, I ob-
my
What
peach.
?
:
By ultimates
you hold
in
I mean the
your hand a
products of primates.
For
illustration
What is that peach? An ultimate! An ultimate of (Ah now you become an incipient Interior Philosopher.) The peach is an ultimate of a flower. Whence the flower ? From a bud. Whence the bud? From a twig. Whence the twig? From a branch. Whence the branch ? From a body. Whence the body? From a seed. Whence the seed? From spiritual forces. Whence spiritual forces? From the Divine Fountain. Whence the Divine Fountain ? Most exalted question It will
what ?
! !
consume an eternal
life'to
My intuitions
arise above
New
ether.
From boiling water. Whence the water ? From earth-bound gases. Whence the gases ? From the vitaJic forces of the earth. Whence the earth ? From the sun. Whence the sun ? From another sun. Whence that sun ? From a sun still greater and more remote. Whence that remoter sun ? From a sun yet more inconceivable. Whence that still vaster sun? From the central Sun of the Univercoelum.
Whence- the ether ?
My intuitions ascend like a light column of ether toward the upper realm, and I come in contact with an atmosphere of Thought! Whence that atmosphere?
Or, take a different example.
From
college.
Why
that
congregation?
It
is
commencement-d^.
311
The relation of Whence Christianity? From the teachings of a person named Christ. Whence that person ? Now,
Christianity to Ciyilization.
in asking
myself
my intuitions
man
history.
become centred upon the myriad-form tracks of huPresently I strike the right vein.
Then, true as
down
of Time"
till
I fix
upon the exact events which preceded and characterized the birth
and
life
In
like
manner,
pro-
intuitional rapport
subjectable
to.
my
voluntary investigation.
And
thus,
from the
which
my
nature,
and
of
its
future
obtain
to
destinations
receive
"impressions."
Whether I
them
which in part-remains
be decided by
my individual industry
intuitionally exalted.
I say " in part," because a certain proporbe truly explained only by reference
and hereditary
inclinations.
Thus I become
" impressions
;"
to
for
my
(for
my
may
my moral
status
and
will
me.
In
utility
of the
Magic
Staff.
And,
how
who
J.
advertise
my
lectures as
Davis"
as if
my mind
specifio
312
opinions
!
an egregious error
a most unwholesome
and guardianship of
mis-
representation.
The
special influence
spirit-
ual beings are interpolated, so to speak, into the independentlywritten chapters of individual existence.
Such
is
an immutable
law of humanity.
not that
we have been
plajing the
but that
that, aided
last
we are self-existent and responsible beings and now and then by these providential agents, we have at
;
313
CHAPTER
The
city of
XLI.
New -Tork,
The
is
a mag-
BJficent d^pot.
And
the
nervous and muscular speed with which everybody walks, and the
locomotive anxiety depicted on every pedestrian's countenance, serve to give a countryman the impression that each
to take the
is
hastening
next train of
cars, steamer,
or flying-machine, bound
men
of
my age
to
Union Park.
races
all civilized
may be
must
an endless
a week's
museum, or
which
is to
close with
cent charai^er.
To
and seductive
horrible per-
But the
saw
appealing
my
constitutional sensitiveness
and disposition to
14
314
and neu-
many
streets
my
city
life.
The
piercing,
yet the sun shone effulgently upon the Isle, and I was walking
leisurely for purposes of bodily health.
But could I
distressed
feel
happy ?
desti-
Perhaps the
tute of
first
sight
warm
garments.
woman, with
so on to
and raiment.
And
the end of
my
walk.
The
money and
assistance,
would sink
to the
my
heart
exercise of pity
and
charity,
lone child, the mendicant mother, or the decrepit old man, what-
ever
sum I
my way
oppressed
as
with the sad reflection, that the few pennies I had given were
flies to
a famishing
lion, or as
thirst-
ing
cattle.
But the Magic Staff many times gave me tranquillity. What little money I had obtained by examinations, was at length expended on supposed genuine objects of
that those objects
charity, but I remarked
became no
less
This
was trying
to
fill
a " bottomless
pit ;"
and
me, while
in
in clairvoyance, to
New
to
York.
The
were
at least of great
personal service.
You will find a faithful record thereof by turning page 105, volume seoond, of " The Great Harmonia." After
much
less
from impulsive
;
street
but, relying
associative
efforts
for
the poor, I
many
daily appeals,
my scanty
income
my
erty-stricken sister.
315
to the
first
commencement of
section of
communication
to the "
terms the progress then being made with our private lectures,
and remarked
briefly
my
magnetic session on
new
We were now
particularly
to
24 Vesey
street.
One
gi-uff old
man I
remember.
specific
make
lectures.
When
fully informed
graphs ?"
The
as
The
selections con-
such
which
and, I
may
add,
my own
not less
exalted.
Hold
Let
me ask,
is,
does that
big
"
No,
" It
it
perhaps, a
new
coinage.
The
to signify those
and
speculations
may be
evolved."
visitor.
"
Humph !"
that
"
Take
my
advice,
sir,
and leave
phological
word
out."
Then he
continued:
"What's moranother
mean ?"
scribe agaiii replied:
The mild
"This term
is
new
316
word, I think, which the clairvoyant employs to designate iiTegular forms of matter, or
mark
The befogged
his eyes firmly
old
man
rigid.
And
planting
the use
on those of the
he said: "What's
sir,
of
all
that
unknown language ?
sir.
Use words,
understand,
by
But
at this
moment
me
my
man
where he sharply
words
?"
"
Are you
" Then,
my
advice."
"
Burn
folks
scowling look and a croaking voice, " and then write something
that
can imderstand."
Saying which he
shuffled
away,
as
if to
make
my
individual benefit.
visit
from a very
of
But we
did
not know,
able guest
till
he was about
philologist
and
theologian.
me
good.
It taught
me
to believe that,
notwithstanding the unpopular nature of our magnetic proceedings, there was at least one worthy person
himself.
who dared
to
examine
for
317
on a similar errand.
mental characteristics
the
In his
critical eye,
however, I
:
Thinking
to myself,
I said
" This
At
length he informed us
interior conver-
name was
During an
that,
article
main
ideas conveyed
true.
by
it
were
strictly
and philosophically
At
first
lecture of the
Second
My present
extremely vivid.
and
tions, &c.,
&c.
my own powers of
comprehension, I
was
intellectually
soared out into the boundless sea of existing life; and then traced,
link
by
link,
Having
arrived,
by the intidtional
Depdt
of the universe,
facts
moved to break
318
" What was that word ?" asked the intensely-interested scribe,
referring to the newly-coined term " Univercoelum."
Now
knew
give
letter
it
it
is
not a
little
remarkable
that,
while I instinctively
it,
by
letter, to
make
is
fixed, I
proceeded
"
The most
vigorous and
ambitious imagination
and breadth
thereof.
The diagram
let the
is
Now
reader imagine a
Sun
large enough to
fill
SW
Mind
called
" Sensorium," and the white circle or belt near the Centre as
Spirit
an inconceivably vast
personages
entertain
who were once men and women, and then he will a faint but comet outline of the stupendous spectacle
with
my
utterances
320
CHAPTEE
SEVERAL
XLII.
STARS.
NEW
The Magic
of severe trial
;
Staff supported
and saved
me on many
is,
occasions
the more I
used
it
the greater
my
contentment.
Throughout a pro-
tracted and distressing illness, which, about this time, almost shat-
tered
that
summoned
my exhausted frame, this Staff was the invisible magic wand to my bedside not only loving friends from this
"
Take
it
and try
it,"
dear
sure as destiny.
My clairvoyant
our
less
Not
world were less numerous, but the lectures monopolized and con-
Out of the
limit-
first,
to defray our
own
His
knowing
necessary
we removed
now remember, my
stellar universe.
soul
Th>
321
my memory.
became
in-
by
what
scientific
astronomy.
to
my
traceable in the
you
may
still
find
atoms representing
&c.
which are
tion.
ties'
concealed^ within
its
In these more sensuous sources the chemist finds the qualiof the rose, just as scholars read books and papers to acquire
a knowledge of astronomy.
pendent.
Of
all this
my
claitvoyance- merely.
But when
my intuitions
see
were disentangled
md
inspired, then
I conldfsei and
Thence
to the
still
more advanced
is
men among
the Egyptians.
Thence
to
what
now
called
Central America.
Thence backward
to the
Ghaldeans again,
from
whom
and thence, nearer and nearer home, the works of Galileo^ Newton,
Kepler,
La
till
And what
facts
remarkable, as I
now
re-
by
living astronomers.
During
my own
language, a
summary
it
Hence I
be necessary
14*
822
ify ray intuitional
Had
I surmised for a
moment
that astronomers
had not
seen allthe
hand ofplanets,
seems
to
me now
fact,
port the community of asteroids which the telescope has since revealed.
In
when
And,
besides,
when I
Le
were
correcl, then,
moved
solely
by the motive
to criticise or con-
firm the inference, I arose out of the historic sphere, and, investi-
gating independently, discovered " the lone pilgrim of immensity" ere the news of
country.
M.
was known
in this
One
ses, in
'
day, while in
my common
state,
remark
"
!"
How
like the
"In
"
certain principles
is
scribe,
a resemblance."
late lectures
Seems
to
are very
much
Though I must
my curiosity.
And
:
so next morning,
I said
think
would hurt
my
Vestiges of
Creation?"
" "Why do you wish to read
it
?"
he inquired.
I informed him of
my
To which he said " I have no fear that you ward memory into your I'lairvoyant state."
:
will carry
any
out-
323
Acting upon the " It seems
see."
we
made
to
the purchase.
me
own a
book."
As
soon as
we
few sentences.
.
words bothered
me
first
exceedingly.
Thus I was
down
the
page,
when
me a
question;
efforts
my
phrases.
he, mirthfully,
Although I knew that he was but quoting the expressed suspicions of skeptics,
it
serious
acted upon
me
Sub-
by
clairvoyance.
And
its
locomotive
lated
tion
;
New
York.
beings,
That
is to say,
both
localities
are popujurisdic-
by human
yet, in almost
two very
different cities.
The
funda-
mental laws of nature are presented in a somewhat similar manner in both books, but the specific deductions from them are
kingly at variance
stri-
a
my
fact
which
is
sufficient confirmation
of
volume.
Shortly after this the soribg,
moved
his family to
New York
It
his boarders.
was i
324
I
he spring-time of 1846.
How many
reader ?
and
spheres were
No
'Twas
to
at
Street, close to
Hudson.
But
seemed
me
hand I was
Mount
Justice.
As
my
chair for
among
middle-aged
ladies,
This from
stran-
my
clairvoyance.
One of
examination.
these words
:
" Head
Book Idfe
the
of-
my
ear
.'"
my
invisible guide
But
I albne
perceived the meaning, and I alone looked into the lady's private
history,
lii
Eevealing
you examine
Perceiving
it
to
ceeded with
my
examination.
Then
I fixed
which
to
Promptly,
All
"
left
No
that
wrong, you
shook the
lady'i*
325
She knew
that
my
vision.
But the
doctor's presence
seemed
to
annoy
her.
She wished
to speak with
me
in private.
request.
But
this
of the laws governing the magnetic sleep, and so the reply was a
denial.
Her proud
:
soul rebelled.
expression,
she asked
" Partez-vous
IVanfms?"
it."
"No,"
said I,
"but I understand
And
"j'e
I continued^
/"
"Are
my words
?"
suis
the
mMiy
disadvanvages of
to
leave her
country, and on the soil of a southern clime, near the city of Eio
Janeiro, find
a'
Distinctly I
saw she
"
make
" Circumstances
How
is
can that be
Bail
My plans
to
week
after next."
gp,?'
ejaculated.
hour ?
future?"
"
" can
you
discern
my
know you
North
America,"
"
"
Thy
will not
mine be done."
And
As
I entered the
apartment, she took from her finger a beautiful ring which she
gav3
me and when she departed, as she said " never to return," me the hankerchief still wet with her tears, as tokensthe gfatitude she felt toward me. What I had said, while in
;
326
clairToyance, to
then recall
household words.
"
Are you
a-goin'
awaj
.'"'
my normal
to sail for
state.
" Yes,
my young friend,"
"I'm about
Buenos Ayres."
"
I kindly asked.
" If
with
God so wills," said she devotionally j " I shall take a friend me, who knows the American minister at Rio Janeiro."
saying, she
Thus
departed from
my
presence.
But
ere the
me
the follow-
ing:
"Boston,
"
,
1846.
Mt deae Young
still
Friend
myself
The
vessel in which I
was
to
port without
me
Indeed, as you so
no mastery, have prevented the contemplated departure the most beautiful one being a thrilling dream which the spirit of my deceased father impressed upon
my dear sister
New York
to relate it to
me.
saved me from a perilous situation. ..... " It appears now that I may again have the pleasure of seeing you in your wonderful trance. May I come soon ? You told me
all things which I ever did.' If I may soon see you, while your elevated condition, please address me " My God thy will not mine be done
'
!
in
in
remembrance
that, since
my
first
had reguinterior-
my
ly obtained.
writing,
was
my habit
at the time of
which I
am now
method
my
327
first
moment.
magnetic
my
unconditional emancipation
of which
glorious event the reader shall in due time receive reliable intelli-
gence
was compelled
to rely
evolved for
my benefit
external.
my
my own
;
interior counsels,
but,
on reviewing the
my
can
not. recall
imparted.
On the reception of the above letter, I have my interior judgment passed upon it,
reply.
at
once requested to
previous to mailing a
Consequently,
when next
And
I also
relate.
Of
to the con-
But
instead
must
tell
me, when
awakened,
to
answer the
to the
effect that, in
my wisdom, I
saw
me
Having returned
answer
to
my outer
state,
my
"New YoEK,
"
1846.
In reply to your real kind letter, I am I directed to say that i( is not wisdom for you to visit me again. can 't tell why only I write what Dr. Lyon says I said to -him in
Esteemed Ladt
328
my
tell
and I dare not disobey. He says, that I am willing to what ails you when siek, and send you prescriptions by letter." [Here my forehead began to grow warm, as if exposed to a
sleq),
July sun.
spontaneous
illumination
I waited
my
eyes.
Knowing
till
it
was and
It
was a
Becoming
eloquent in the midst of it I thus proceeded : " Beautiful and wonderful indeed, dear lady, was the holy prov-
my
life.
presence
There
is
My conscientious
man
may meet you in the future. When- or And I trust you will never urge, before that see. another personal interview. Be assured, diear lady, that I
that I
know what
now
perceive
manner above
described.
"The God
your feet
"
in the right
Pardon
my
Believe on Him. Then His minisand guard you night and day! familiar language and accept the best wishes of " Your friend, A. J. Davis."
path
The
conscious
clau'voyant
last
and I was
letter,
away
to the
lady,
between
my
evening
mountain.
the
A-person
wiUmeet there"
thee
my
mother's, saying:
329
(The reader
Poughordinary-
What was
will
remember
situated opposite
keepsie.)
my own
as 1
communicate
&e
im-
pending event to
pressed
me when awake
inasmuch
would be imall
when
yei
weak
mountain. Seek
the
Donot
is
delay."
It
my Magic
me
my
disap-
by
Among
while the
promenade
sight,"
saloon, there
me by
rest, to
whom
hemmed
in
by
when
not magnetized.
sir,"
Is that so ?"
Yes,
" Is
it
I replied.
fact."
true,"
asked another, " that you can see into folks ?"
I.
is
at
my
back
to
prove
it."
At
this
moment a
and
said
" Pray,
sir, is it sir.
true that
you
" Ko,
I teach
God."
As I
uttered
my
mind a
partial illumination.
The dark
" Pray,
to
color in
my
gentleman seemed
sir,
tb think
me
angry.
sir,
330
may
be too
answer them."
"That's candid.
tell
me
what do
" So I do n't
know what
I think."
Do you
God made
the earth in
six days?"
"No, sir I do
" Indeed
!
not."
And
"No,
sir,"
I replied,
"I'm no
infidel.
Why do you
ask about
" Oh, I only wanted to know," said he, " on what ground you
Leaning on
my
is
Staff
word
'
sabbath'
yom
shaha, meaning
is
*
The meaning
and
it
age'
or a period of
rest,
was
originally applied to
who
teaching, worship,
and the
The
particular
day on which these sages met was determined in round numbers by the obvious periods of the lunar changes.
tions
The moon's
revolu-
were naturally
was
omers."
"Ho, ho!" exclaimed the supposed parson, "you much of a fool as the papers report. Go on, pray
excellent
are not so
do go
it's
most
on, sir."
I continued
"
The Jews
In
fact,
themselves
and
the religious
SETEBAl,
beliefs, fonns,
NEW
STABS.
331
almost
all
Such
I,
is
the origin of
therefore I
modem
sabbath.
"and
is
realize
so universally
exhibited
by
!"
and
their devotional
supporters."
" There
this
young
man
is
Pray,
su*,
college ?"
" 1 hav" n't attended any college," I replied, " and what I have
just said to
you
is
new
he
to
me !"
"
"
Humbug !"
throat."
said
sarcastically.
You
my
I.
The illumination
what
here declined
and
I was about to
asked
:
retire
draw a prize
My mind," I replied,
you
tell
me
" No,
sir,"
was
my
reply, " I
would not
The
gameful-looking
man
started as if
he thought I meant
:
','
man
Tou '11
in
Hearing
this
mained
the
I heard
!"
for Poughkeepsie
832
CHAPTER
XLIII.
A WONDEKFUL, twofold
double existence.
daily
life
was mine
I was living a
The mystic
my
common from my
drawn.
superior condition,
was
still
Few
soul
even of
my
my
mo-
states so
widely and
startlingly this
different
A trifling
boy
ment, a sedate
man
the next ;
;
now a
intellectual prodigy
ago,
now a
traveller
Infinite.
Although these mental conditions remained for the most part marvellously distinct, dissimilar,
other, yet
there
eosis
apoth-
an
my
intimations
My hasty trip
useless.
to
friendly calls
Loitering
333
along beneath the shady trees of Cannon street, and doubting the
wisdom of
-person.
my being there,
desires-^-thy
-presencethere.
I heard
" Seek
mountain. JDonot
the
it,
A
at
delay."
In obedience
full
to this
my
mind
occa-
states,
which
on the way.
Thus I
re-
Swede
Celestia"
the Prophet-Seer of
this place
by Swedenbokg's
to Professor
particular request,
I mailed
Geoegb Bush
"
Dear Sik
" PouGHKEBPSiE, June 16, 1846. Yesterday morning, after eating breakfast at No.
49 "Washington
street,
where
my friend
some
Mrs. Lapham
lives,
I went
.
down
ter
paper" to write to
street,
Af-
buying
staying
Soon I had a desire to go down what caused it I don't know. But went down; called on one or two friends on the way. " I soon lost all knowledge where I was, recollect of being about the river somewhere, and also ascending a hiU. I am conscious of meeting the same person that I had seen in the graveyard in Hyde Park. I also remember convei^sing with him, and taking out my pencil and writing all the thoughts given me. I remember him leaving me suddenly, and I came out the state. I was surprised to find myself wet with rain, the paper on my lap, and and being in tiie mountain opposite Poughkeepsie, about dry 4 miles, where I had been before, 2 years ago. " 1 came directly home, it was 6 o'clock in the evening, I was wet and muddy, and very hungry. The paper had not been wet. The very moment I came into the natural state, I felt you should
only a few minutes at each place.
to the river;
334
'
A. C. and them figures. It appears now that I know it then, but can't recollect what it was. As I felt impressed so strongly to send it to you, I do so, for it must be right. " The friends here can tell about it. I am at Mrs. Lapham's, 49 Washington street. If you can tell me about the meaning, I copy the writing exactly please write me at the above No. from the paper, as written by me then. "Yours, &c. A. J. Davis."
not
fail to
commu-
rules of gram-
mar and
tion.
It
a genuine
illustration,
the interior
condition, as manifested
by one and
would be
irrelevant in
volume.
He
lished works,
all
of which Profes-
treatise
Of
During the
from
hottest of the
summer
season, I remained
away
New
hospitalities.
my
mourning
for
left
While
relating to
me
adjoining room.
overpowered her, and she retired with heart-broken sobs to an Soon I heard her voice in prayer. To the
I desired to see what would be the result of
great Father she poured out her agonized feelings in behalf of her
wandering
child.
"
335
power of clairvoyant
ment.
insight,
1 directed
my
I at once saw a
From
a narrow
extended upward
somewhat obliquely
imtil
it
I traced
who was
oif
From him
an-
earthward until
fled,
it
had
and
at length
The
effect
was marvellous.
His
affectional
were aroused.
And
there were
awakened
ings of repentance
and
widowed and
cru-
Her God whom she believed had answered her prayer was unbounded. Of that sacred vision I told her not a word. But full well did I know that when the
again in her. presence, fully resolved to lead a better hfe.
it
would be a
still
sublimer
On
by the mind
my
There
is
336
subject
is
wrapped
to ex-
up
in so
much
uncertainty, that
becomes necessary
amine
"
ness.
this," replied
know
but
modest snule.
dis-
abilities
No
my mind
and
as
am
my
visitor,
own
reflective faculties
fact
which may
how he
and
reasonings.''
That theory
"I
am
far better
can
this,
added
and absorp-
And
"Allow me
" Wait
your hy-
pothesis is defec
till
"
hurriedly, "
and that
The
is inclined
Now,
"
like faith?"
As
337
come
to that part
of his revelations."^
The
conversation continued a
little
it
was not
The reader
location
is
now
The
was in the
inside of
way.
One
Harvey E. Haight, a
proprietor
is
whom
the reader
supposed
now well acquainted. The auditors were the operator and myself. The subject under discussion was the theological bearing
be
of
my
cliurvoyant lectures.
:
vigorously said
sir
He
My
opinion
is,
win
be fully sustained."
"No,
sir!" replied
tell
you
no, sir-r-not if I
it, sir,
He
can 't do
and
still
" His
sure,
am
will en-
Shortly after
theological part.
first
this,
Immediately subsequent
discourse on "
The
which pervaded
He
The
superhis
to that be-
was
afiectionate
first,
more than
intellectual.
338
For two whole weeks he was mourning tie loss of the darling during which .he was extremely idea of his affectionate mind But one morning, taciturn and wrapped in laborious thought.
which I
distinctly recollect,
:
into the
examination-room, saying
Good
I have found
difficulty,
my way out
am now
at
My mind is free
rest."
and I
But
his liberation
was not
absolute.
ftilly
Instead of possessing
intellectudl affections
he
possessed, on
statement
is true,
my impressions
my ideas
on
my
As my
lectures
after an-
so that, out of
the end.
While
me
but, ordinarily,
felt
many
times
my
Magic
Staff.
Among
and
others. Professor
Bush began
to exhibit lukewarmness,
to intimate that
my
the foundation for a mixture of truth and falsity on th& grand doctrines of Christianity."
On
it,
one occasion, at a
later day, I
remem-
ber that the ingenuous professor avowed his belief that, while
" gift," as he termed
my
by a
which subordinated
it to
some important
and several of
its
lute enormity."
my
mind was
in sympathetic rap-
339
port with that of Professor Bush, the fixed and talented Swe-
denborgian
My
intuitions
And when
By
virtue of
Philosophers
the Intuitions
Second
an Encyclopcsdia
uni-
Compendium of
not only
this,
the history
of
all pre-txistent
And
sessed
show-
ered
down upon
is
and
knowledge
obtainable
by means of
and
intuitional
put
in operation
The diagram
my
discoveries.
Let the
sphere divided through the centre, like an apple cut in two halves
is
and
planets,
commonly
;"
and
make one
of the groups of
;
the outer circle at the right hand, near the bottom of the diagram
next imagine, when looking upward at night, that your eyes can
only see " our
own
circle of suns
way," (or fixed stars and constellations,) and that you can not
penetrate, even with the best telescope, into the region of the third
planetary
circle,
which
is
more
we
are all
tion
nexl
340
Sun
it
attracts spirit
it
not
that
is
mony with
human
Divine
and go
to the
Second Sphere
that,
many
men
reach the
341
that
stupendous system
its
immense
axis
all spirits
of reproduction or child-bearing
during which
the suns
and
into
planets,
from centre
to circumference, dissolve
and mangle
then imagine
out of this
planets,
roll forth
new
circles of suns
and
and
same
that
is,
produce min-
new
order
more pleasant
latitude
and
new Universe
its
and thus
that no truly
human
:
spirit
ever loses
all this,
imagine
dear reader, and you will entertain a rude outline, merely, of the
magnificent scene which, in 1846, broke upon
my
intuitionally-
prepared understanding.
There are
am
may seem
Harmonial
Philosophy
but
if
my more
recent
and more
Upon
the conclusion of
my
Spheres, I began to reahze that I was travelling toward the psychical valley
342
me
My
as I
me
shadowy
distance.
One day
der-tone, exclaim
"
When
that
Book
is
up the Bible in the drawer under the desk, put the key
pocket,
my
!"
New
Philosophy
For I knew
my lectures, save in
reliable
a few
isolated instances,
judgment upon
their value
mankind.
continued.
"Religious
Decay
is
is
the
mighty
of a struggling Humanity.
The
spirit
of Divine
Love
is
and power!"
He
lie
spoke
it,
with a firmlylu-
clenched
his
minous
occasions
when
The extreme
to shrink
bril-
my spirit
back
would shut
much hght
The
denly,
had arisen so sudand so far above what was very high-water mark ta my
lest
the ebb
me
The
splendid pendulum
had swung
like lightning to
would as
But I was
and, as
he was
343
And
my
cir-
The
my
discernment.
Soon
to
work, and
all
moneys
On
returning to
ness) informed
me
My
moment was
severe.
my
future
resources I could not imagine, because I had for weeks felt a distinct, secret
conviction that
my
minate.
an angeVshand."
not!
There
are
treasures
in
'Twas the
.
familiar voice of
my
venerated Guide!
Instantly,
therefore,
ed circumstance.
me
one thousand
solicit.
dollars.
But thinking
meant
my
the-
344
CHAPTER
Neak
after
XLIV.
March of
this year,
magnetism
a specified date.
too
who were
much
diseased to be healed
by
He
From day
day I could
distinctly realize
a temporary decline of
however, we received
my
clairvoyance.
During
as usual
many
letters,
immediate medical
aid.
The monetary
turned.
were punctually
re-
One day
a Mrs. Brickett.
appealing to our voyance. than
relief.
illness, and,
the aid of
my clairfor
more
As
ment.
to
my
for
clairvoyant judg-
it
led
me
first to
no person at
whereupon I asked
"the
letter," as
medium
This did
345
But
were
still
taking
it
true,
examine the
author's
cation,
mind
I yielded at once to
my
depicted
hood of the
specified locality,
be considerably helped
scription
hence
I proceeded
The
de-
scription
customary remuneration.
when
the
news reached us
was a
tissue of falsehoods
the
unscrupulous fabri-
who was preaching Christianity and publishing a saintly sheet, called "The Gospel Banner," somewhere in the state of Maine! The appearances in this affair were wholly against clairvoyance. The facts themselves,
cation of a professional priest,
trick of
the
interpretation of
country.
still
And
who
are
deceived
by the
by
The next
large a
question was
''how
to
get
to
means
to
publish so
volume?"
The
lectures
were
be stereotyped, and
That
is,
the
The
to
scribe
like myself,
Whence,
means
15*
346
me
ik^ Spirit
to
for several
I wrote a
full
whom
I was in correspondence.
pMn
to prosecute
the glorious
Eeformation.
in
New
sable
York.
"Monsieur Davis."
my band
"Thanks!
thanks
!
my
Spirit
Brother
!
my
Gladly would I do
But I am only
affairs, to let
able,
under the
my
pecuniary
Messrs.
Lyon and
I will take
sum
it
and preserve
your future
benefit."
The
reader
may imagine
tlie
deep gratitude of
my
soul.
Hav-
hundred
dollars
the
material
power
work.
The second magnetic crisis in my life had at The operator's influence became more and more
length arrived.
unfavorable to
my
clairvoyant exercise.
sort of stultification
and numbness
my
faculties.
'Twas a
repetition of the
new degree
it
of consciousness.
Of
all this
my
entire
netized
by him
on the 10th of
"When
last
magthat
April,
1847
I remember
And
left
perhaps, while
might have
upon
his
mind
347
left
Be
;
this as it
may, I soon
Poughkeepsie
where I began
of an independent existence
on the
and
16th of
May
realized yet
more of
that
The
bodily
labors
upon
my New York
The
were many
and
my
inaugurated),
It shines in
my memory like
the holy
Her
physical distress
weighed upon
my
sympathetic heart
my
superior condition..
Harmonia,"
vol.
i.,:
p. 204.)
many
the reader knows, without the help of an operator j but to consciously attain to the highest mental eminence, independently
and
in the secrets of
my own
closet,
was
like;
a rainbow of promise
my
soul.
My
and a
relief.
two
walls
means of
My
" Great
"
My soul
me
use
my
will
soul's
endowments as
Thee by a
them !"
relief.
But the
wasting
The
breath of a
348
One day
she said
friend,
" Jackson,
my
me ?"
;
much emotion
is
mighti-
intelligently into
my
"
"
The news
is
I.
To me
tidings in death."
"
it
be best for
I,
all
mankind
it is
" Death
" Is
it
good," said
for
not sought."
wrong
I,
me
is
to desire
" it
not
wrong
all
you could
"
and confused.
"Tmean,"
we
we
possibly can."
" Well," replied she with energy, " suppose I should neglect to
take a medicine that might cure me, and I should die in conse-
my soul in the other world ?" " that they only are entirely happy after
strictly in
who feel that their life on earth and departure from it were harmony with the righteous ^Principles of Nature."
to
wander a
little,
quilt
over me.
I'm very
Has
the
the chilliness to be a
lease.
The summer weather was exceedingly warm, and so I supposed symptom of her gradually approaching reBut I covered her with more
blankets,
my
last
remark ?"
;
To be
and
now
let
do you
me
ask
all
A DRATH SCENE.
349
"As
far as
Then death
is
most welcome
!"
and
spiritually-aspiring
woman; "but
my
feet."
save
down
the
and
vacy of
my own
And
room.
The
upon me.
The
spectacle
was im-
pressively
and supremely
holy.
!
But I
my pen,
and
The
artist
formation
"Death" which
roll
be experienced by aU man-
onward.
The
of
reader
is
traits
my mental
all sides
orgarjization.
Perhaps
was an
me
from
of humanity
self-justice
letter,
and
self-preservation.
On
or disease,, my disposi-
tion
was immediately
imposition
me
much
and
suffering.
Yet I have no
desire that
my
to universal goodwill,
is
nor would I
right or conducive to
happiness.
My
scores
me
upon scores of
letters.
and reading
S50
tliese epistles
was,
how
:
sball
toiling that
was necessary
answer them''
From
"New Yoek,
"
1847.
My deak
Sik
stranger, to get
the
The
;
vortex of bankruptcy
is
my
brain
am a young
merchant,
sir
my
my
me
my
and I have invested largely in stocks, to unless you, by means of your supernatural powers
these losses
by
invest-
ments which
will
by suicide, sir, were it not that I have a daryoung wtfe and an infant son, who look to me for sympathy
God's sake,
sir,
and support.
" For
despatch
help
and
me
Yours, &c."
My reply
versal
barrassments
import
my
that suicide
it
and
that,
who knew
him.
post brought
:
me
another
letter
man all because I relied upon what will happen. In your letter to me, you say positively that ' I would receive the assistance of merchants who knew me.' Not a word of it has come true No, sir and never will !" not a word
I
ruined
! <
am a
to tell
And
man
misconstrue
my
counsel.
fifty letters
from
351
And
then
"PHILADELPHrA, Pa.
"
Deab Friend
upon thy time and patience are numerous, but thee is able to do good as few are, and thee is willing, I am told, to use thy power in a case of humanity like mine. My youngest son is lost or dead we fear. He left home a few months ago to visit a relative in the country, and has not been heard from since. Now, my dear
friend, if thee can find him, thee will greatty relieve the
broken
With
me
letters containing
"
" "Will
my
Mr.
involve
me
in
more pecuniary
" Can you
tell
me
the
name of
the
a loan on the
securities in
my
possession ?"
my credit ?"
my
Some
letters,
while living in
was a -guest
at
a merchant's mansion.
Serenely shone the sun upon the rich man's ornamental possessions.
"Warm
asked
"
Can you
euter clairvoyance
now
help?"
" Yes," I replied,
"
my wiU
when I
"
desire
it."
Do
you suppose," said he, " that you have the power
stater
to tell,
desire to do so?"
352
"Yes," said
I.
in thirty minutes."
?"
How
at
he inquired.
" First," I replied, " I would examine the condition of the crops
now
in the
;
ground
speculators
how much
data, I
it till
and
lastly,
from these
the
"That would
chant.
"
if
my
he asked.
it,"
I answered.
"
The
reason
is,
and a fraud
" but
which greatly
afflicts
is
the working-classes."
true,"
he argumentatively replied
somebody
ey
will
be made
and wouldn't
;
the thing
it
will
be done mon-
man to make it than a merely who wouldn't help on Reform?" I "all speculation is wrong, no matter who
is
goes
to
the world."
"
Your
is
rather
muddy
to
my mind,"
Now
get so
many
"
a good
The
tion.
foregoing
is
Of the
results thereof I
evil.
bored no suspicion of
that
day went
353
ac-
my
pulsive movements, I
but, actuated
by
expression of
my
regrets
and
But
others
The
recipient
an operator.
And,
far
my
sensitive nature
because I
me
to trials
was sojourning in
mental
valley,
Mount Power,
unknown
in
One more
illustration
from
Pardon a stranger
in writing to
come
under which I suffer. The circumstances are these Soine ten months since, I courted a young lady with the But one day we had the misintention of making her my wife. fortune to disagree upon a trifling matter, at which she took great offence, and I find it impossible to conciliate her by any means in
my power.
affection
....
me as to what will bring about the state of and confidence that existed a few weeks since, you will
me
letters
of every conceivable
shade of
scientific, historical,
never
What
imparting a particle of information, but asking innumerable questions about all sorts of out-of-the-way
subjects.
and never-to-be-thought-of
I in the valley.
And
354
could serve me, in
my
and
my
Magic
Staff?
Vermont,
to visit
all
the
way
my
355
CHAPTER XLV.
MISSIONAKIES IN THE FIELD.
" They Wrought with sad sfncerity, Themselves from God they could not
free,
They builded wiser than they knew, The conscious stone to beauty grew.''
The balmy
much
spirit.
my
flesh,
presence of
my Vermont
friend
There was a
would
that on
my my
return, I
halt in Troy,
New
so.
York, and
call
upon
my new
There
said:
is
I did
were to
me
was now
"
less
He
The
"
mission on which I
am
am now
preparing a course of
my
western tour."
" Have you made out the plan of your trip ?" I asked. "I shall need your impressions, Brother Davis, on the best " I shall -.course for me to pursue,"- said h with much emotion.
consider myself, in due wisdom, as acting under your guidance."
Saying
this
he relapsed
into
little
856
space,
" I expect
much
labor,
much
hardship
my
will
wisdom
will
so I shall
discouragements with
magnanimity, and
labor with the serene and patient courage^, which, in so good and
divine a cause, must at last insure success." "
I asked
for as
" the
Book
,is
first
of August.
am
out.
Have you
Troy Whig'
?"
me read
you
my
rejoinder."
In that
article
he ably maintained
"
1.
The book
originated as
is
of Dr. Lyon, the operator, Mr. Fishbough, the scribe, and Mr.
and
their
known proved
reputation
men
Lyon
or
Fishbough, any or
all
of the
Mr. Davis
himself, in the
normal
state,
was capable
"3.
The
reality of
Mr. Davis'
to
have
March
his
last,
ment of
place.
He
is
now
able, without
being magnetized, to
make
full
use of his
spiritual
powers
to
357
most abstruse
and
to solve the
he read, and I
'
"
What do you
?"
he
The
I.
"
But
feai",
Much
will
he tremulously
will induce
and I
trust the
importance of
you
me
from time
to time, giving
my mission me interior
guidance.
my
go on
life
At
While
and
sailing
tried to
down
pene-
But, alas
The
intui-
had
chilled
me
before,
many
The
times during
my
faculties.
My
would not
rest,
upward.
a period of
and,
knowing
was wrong
Staff I
in
me
to repine.
And
reader
yet,
my
Have you not had many beclouded days and trying when your circumstances compelled the
of
wisdom, and yet'you could not see your way clear enough to act
wisely
At
least,
such was
tions, for
weeks succeeding
my state, with some effulgent excepmy conversation with the poet-misrecalling, the. unsought respon-
sionary.
had
upon
nre,
I thought
to
" Well,
And
yet, it
seems
my Book
368
individual.
of his
own Reason.
is
When
a man's soul
is
self-harmonized, the
in other
spirit-world
revealed to him.
Man
is
a microcosm,
Truth and
?
words
and
all
A man plenarily
all
inspired, then, is
all
Wisdom.
will
That
be
because I
may
aid
him
to
become plenarily
inspired, and
'11
thus his
own
centre of strength.
Very
well, then, I
do
all
can
to
help him.
He
to
be
and he
is
very
All
this is
his impulsiveness."
Thus ended
personal
events,''
my
me
my
"Why, I
thought
I, "
principles.
And
and
eloquence of an angel.'
talk enough,
that,
The fact is, people complain that I don't when I do talk, I bungle words together so,
"
that I
am
Thus
wiU speak
of
me
all
an angel' and
is."
when I am nothing of
the kind
My
Brother Harris
tell
is
a poet.
They do n't
to
common
let it pass,
people. It's all right for him and I guess and not think nor worry any more about so trifling
days.
859
the eleventh of
is,
Tis
my birthday;
August, 1847.
The
title
" Men
and means
to edit
;
New
York."
The curtain rises and the play begins. The particulars of the drama, as evolved during a few
need not.be rehearsed in
this
hours,
volume.
Suffice
it
artificial
Each man's
human existence
into better
men met
to construct
were
after
at once purchased
by
And
many good
"
What
shall the
paper be
called?"
At
marked
-that
unexceptionably excellent."
"The
" "
"Yes
a very
Who
Why,
shall
who
He
is
man
our ranks."
" Yes, Brother Brittan," said the conscientious and deliberate
scribe,
<Ae
man."
The
My
be
suffi-
360
supplementary expression,
this
"And
Spiritual
Philosopher"
;
with
motto
"
The
but the
things
The
a new character in
drama, and
many
at
The
me
for
which I
cordially grateful.
have I gazed
images, that cluster and glow and stretch far away, scene beyond
scene, in the region of his vivacious Ideality.
illnesses, also,
And
during his
organism.
love
;
He was my
In
was a look
of
in his smile,
:
a token of confiding
were
He became
The
Uni-
and
appear in
field.
this history.
The
in
missionaries
that I
The
it,
mind
into
though I cheerfully
scribe, the
became
of
their coadjutor.
We stood side
by
side
on the
stage
their intention to
Reform paper.
over
for
and the curtain dropped amid what the imagiPoughkeepsie was of brief duration.
My absence from
returning thither,
While
A
.
publication
was
be started
in
Methought I saw,
in the
361
in tor'
its
rents, the
editors
were
on a sea of discord,
exclaimed
I in
much agitation,
But
Mmtntain
my
me to quiet, when
I
I>orw>tfear !"
Staff
Hearing these
my
and
felt
perfect faith.
to
Soon
after
me a
conversation,
subststntially as fol-
Have you
"Are you
"JJbj"
ypu?"
s^d
he, moodily.
that
hwki."
"4-h, indeed!
You
astonish me.
his
book ?"
men
"I
enticed
nie."
"You
"No,"
don't?"
said he,
it
don't."
my
" Jf Jackson
me
magnetize
him, he might have given a bgok worth reading." " But some of the papers say that his Revelations are very interesting."
*
may
be,"
he responded.
a few smart
fluence, but
if
things,
now and
to
then, while
in-
he had continued
operator.
I'pt
"Then you
Book?"
16
362
though I aspect
to read
when I
get time."
When
known
to
my New York
and Bridgeport
mon
sense.
to
be extremely
pre-
posterous.
And
so
it
was.
But
to the Revelations,
became
altogether
my
subsequent volumes.
In
in America, a
The
me
a catalogue of grave
after
due
'Twas
mammon,
new
partners to
but,
to main-
and exert
their
the
Through a
letter, I
my
Spirit Sister
whose
the
lady
face
my
first
impres-
we
:
Her
My
is
dear
do everything to
dearest brother,
work of thy life, and I would aid thee in it. But my means are not abundant, and I regret that I can not do more. Out of
the
what I have, however, I will cheerfully lend twelve hundred dollars to Messrs. Lyon and Fishbough, to be appropriated (as you say) in defraying the expenses consequent upon the publication
363
But,
sale there, to
until
add that you pay your current you receive back the entire
Will
to
this do ? Do be of some use to
."
my own
best brother.
I wish
"
Thy
Spirit-Sister
and
fifty dollars
the Univerccelum, a
greater
offered
by the genboth
intelligent disciple of
plates of the
The
thither
were
satisfactory.
But prior
to his departure
visit at his
ful
and useful
of the
human
race.
Viewed merely
air before
as a generalization of histori-
cal truth,
be
focalized
upon the
me
utes, it is as
much
But
what
Feeling dubious as to
operator,
my future
my mountain
sanctuary
for instruction.
lull
dreamy
state
which preceded
!
My
his beating
bosom, and
for thee,
hath given
me wisdom
pure pres-
my
son."
I,
aroma of
his
my
soul.
"I
am
very thankful."
364
On my
plied with
"Why
callest
thou
me
'Guide'?
Thy
guide
within thee
I"
"do
not
me
My .every day's
!"
ruling providence
Oh,
man !"
still
mean to be a
" but
my
heart recalls
gone astray."
who is sightless ?" he inquired. " No," said I, " 'tis only the blind who require a guide.'' " Art thou a seer ?" he asked " or one who merely gropes his
" Dost thou lead the seer as one
;
not
my
guide," said I.
"
When
lest
I wish to take
I should stum-
ble."
"'Tis even
so,
my
"Thus
own
beam
of
And
done
"
all
Do you
"
'
like the
is
centre; the
his revolutions.
Tell me,
my
and
my
reply.
"Then
words ?"
my own
ing soul
Do
thus
Nothing more
is
required of any
liv-
365
:
He now
fore,
retired a
"
As
be-
Behold
!"
Looking in the
duction of
a repro-
the impressive
witnessed
the
true,
very true.
These are
my
Levingston, and
my work
Yes,
all true.
But what
is
next to be done
To my
in the structure,
more
It
brilliant
all
the lower
ones combined.
seemed
to
be made of
through which
And
in the
The
table
and
Below, I recognised
my my
room.
make my
vision sure, I
saw a was
whom
Oh,
tell
me," exclaimed
I,
" do you
my
The
asked
vision vanished.
But
for
my
me
"
What
is
the
work
And
See
!
he replied^ "
The bounty
me
wisdom.
The road
way up
the Mountain of
Power
into plains
Hold thy
many and
to
mighty.
life.
Thus
saying, he disappeared,
and I returned
outward
366
Wending my way homeward, I pondered on all that had passed ^for my memory was no more suspended and the reader can They were that I would henceeasily anticipate my resolutions. forth live an independent life, be my own centre of sight, my own inditer of impressions, be responsible for my own mistakes, distribute the generosities of my own soul, help on the work of human progress as one among many, be the leader of no party, the
friend of
thu^j
my
boarding-house, I hastened to
my
room, and
lo
the
was
<dl
Past
that
No more
!
contradiction
ed existence no
more
The abounding wealth of my experience another's bank. No man could now hold
to
go in and out of
my
soul at pleasure
of
common
understanding.
" No, no
!"
exclaimed
my joyful
heart,
Oh, I
am wholly awake my
!
The
is
rent in twain
life
The
secrets of
a clairvoyant
are before me, and no man can wrest them from my reason and memory !" There came a natural feeling into my flesh, on the har-
monious blending of these previously separate memories. Not that the superior condition was drawn down to the level of my common
life,
but
my common
life
was elevated
to the
very threshold of
as I said in
my first
Univercoslum
I could
vol-
untarily enter the " superior condition," investigate truths, see for
367
recollection
draw
my own
conclusions,
In
you
may
God and Mother-Nature have in reserve for every son and daughter of humanity.
Not
that all
;
men
ordeal of magnetization
sooner or
later,
sufficient
life
guide
will
of Divine
in the soul,
368
CHAPTER XLVI.
VISION OF PEEPETUAL PEACE.
Although
do I
if
my barque far
from the place wherein I beheld the substance of this chapter, yet
recall
each
little
'twere yesterday.
"Each
soft
remembrance, springs
like blos-
ningham
music
is
said
all
walk to church
this forenoon.
The
The two
cheerftilly
I,
being a guest,
sun
more
short
bright,
and up
on the
hillside, in
The
organist ex-
One
me
a prayer-book.
pediment to
my
devotions.
to
books of any
sort,
to
appear
to read,
At
began
his
solemn discourse
to a
solemn congregation.
He
met
my
mind during
369
but
when perhaps
first
"Who
Who
can
tell
delivered to erring
nations ?"
Those questions
preach.
my
mind
the
at
once.
^'Yes,"
me-
know when
first
minister began to
first
In
fact,
form of
reli-
gious belief"and
first
what
theology."
As
and
me
Causing the altar, the pulpit, the minister, and the church, to melt,
fade^
My
intuitions
was
perfectly produced
knew
the workings of
my
soul.
The ma-
me
my indi-
What was
the
first
power
to
existence.
The
human
was Barbarism.
The
Then
I looked
which was
Pantheism.
Patkiarchahsm.
this in
The
was
Fixing
memory, I looked
Civilism.
at the
mountainous wave of
is
The
Dualism.
"Now,"
said I thoughtfully,
"why
16*
What
370
Eepubucanism.
theism.
The
The grandeur
methought,
of this view
"why
Why not
began the
"
And
immediately I
My penetrations
me
Now,"
each
in
its
order
until
whole past ; and, from the immutable laws that regulate human
existence, let
me
And,
urged by these
my own
future,
prophecy.
seemed
to
me
at the time
owing
to
my
large and
in
was pictured
the
air.
But I am
intuitions
positive that
it
action of
my own
" Have,
my
outward
state.
"
wide awake."
The
By
cal-
culation,
minutes' duration
Of
Next
morning I hastened
the pages of
to
memory.
my
any
historical
work.
371
Introductiye Explanations.
stitute the
These con-
A Vision of PerThe
petual Peace."
The
is
Human
Mind.
philosophy
is this
that
;
that
Human
Soul.
This
The reader
Ages
will ob-
on turning
to the first
is
that
2.
Human
History
3.
1.
Savageism.
Barbarism.
Patriarchalism.
4. Civilism.
5. Eepublican-
ism.
whereby
and the
Keep
in
mind
Ages run
way through
the Chart, and that the Captions of the sixteen lon^tudinal (or up-
Race
page.
of the
first
For example
Age
Now,
in
then, to ascertain
what
by the correspondmonu-
piles, altars,
Chart
will,
I trust,
make
it
useful to
Indeed, as
may
372
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o
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bo bO
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-a N lis. 3
e8
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B B ^ *^ a S " .2 S
03 03
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B 3-3 Q 2 S " a S .S
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"art-" O Q ^
f^
ta
-
03
o
t=s
fe.s.s
,s
cs
is
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CO
& &
S.W
0)
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a
a-
'I
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,
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.
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-S
s
a -a t--,
n.
03
373
GO
Ok
bo .S
ISe3
374
1.
SOOTAT. STATE.
375
3.
ARCHITECTURE.
376
5.
LANGUAGE.
mi
7.
PHHiOSOPHY.
378
9.
GOVERNMENT.
379
U. AST.
380
13.
POETRY.
381
15.
IDIOM.
382
There NiAL
is
HabmoStudy
more than
I, will utterly
con-
What
Age
is
is
For
Age
is
fifth
Age Barbarism adolescence; the fourth the Age Civilism manhood; ism a ripening of Age Republicanism maturity
third
is
Savageism
is
virility;
is
the the
; or,
same family
at the
same time,
ism and harmonialism in the same age and in the same Nation.
And
again,
that, as
of maturity with childhood, so will the highest harmony of the Bace touch the lowest discord; and thus, by interchange of interest and
sympathies, keep up the progressive rotations, and reproductions,
and
is
similarities,
of
human experience.
is,
In other words
that which
Old age
to
Man
even
so, that
which
is
Harmony
Race
is,
on a grander
scale.
Now,
is
Happiness.
Not
and
all
ously harmonized and perfected, but that the best portion of the
soil
Kingdom
of
Seers
visionists
No, no
Poets
Era of Universal
888
Millennial day, the Utopian period, the reign of Justice, the age of
Happiness
aU!
yes, all
is
What do
I mean?
The meaning
titles
is,
that
aU conceptions of
the last
word
at
name
is
of the
Era of
Harmony.
tion of
" Unity" includes the fuU growth and harmonious ac" Unity"
the ultimate of
Therefore,
when accom-
Man
or,
Nature
The
lar
tical history,
shows that
it
progression
that
men were
now
Parallel with
Mankind
morto the
als,
&c.
If
we know
one,
we know
the other.
Appealing
and human
intuitions.
As men
errors
leam
teousness.
The
Age
has
been
lost, is to
384
CHAPTER
XLVII.
And beauteous
thoughts
an angel-band
greet,
Returning
all
to
my
to
which the
writers
Amid numerous
From
my
make a
single extract
"Waltham,
Light of my path! My
The motive
to flee to
that induced
me
to
'
refuge
a home
of thine
own
when
fatigued with
of
Human
my agent, is
planning to
up the mortgages now .resting upon these premises, settle all the bills for furniture, &c. ; and then, dearest brother, this is thy home a place where the son of man can lay his head, and be
take
wholly at
rest.
darling thought of
It
is
the
material
wants, though I
perishable form.
not in this world be permitted to see thy my best friend, wilt thou accept this
house as thine ?
Thy
Spirit-Sister,
."
385
my
accepting
it.
The
de-
allow
my mind to
me
consequeiltly,
house
and give
But
we
me by
On
New York,
Reve-
my
belief in the
Ultimate to show
li'e-
was
in man.' "
:
Then, after
" I find that
will
efforts to
lution.
am
determined to
'
conquer or
the present, to be
much
me
as he
went on
all
his
the
this
&r me
to furnish.
important
epistle,
my
my
head
warmed with
"
Can
as
it
me
a Heaven-appointed prophet?
And
does he proclaim
my
too
ex^ed ?
17
386
He
He
is positive
words
will ever
be an exponent
particularly
!
This
for
trait of his
mind I
But what
shall
I do
him ?
Li
obedience to his
heroically relinquished
aid,
now gone
'
and
alone,
But he
depends upon
my interior
I wrote
wisdom.'
Meditating thus, I
felt
But
at length
him a cheering
reply, sent
him a
And
we
will leave the poet to the prosecution of his painful work, and
subject.
The
deliberate scribe
had
just returned
from a
visit to the
" Stone House," where he saw and conversed freely with our benefactress.
grieved,
It
seemed
to unsettle
to dissipate
Mr.
was soon
out of her possession, and she was determined once again to breathe the invigorating air of her native
Ehode
Island.
now dare
venture.
by the
scribe
"Waltham,
Mass.,
1847.
"I
submit.
Thy wisdom
more
is
my reliance.
In the
'
But,
my
plan.
Stone House'
I have furnished a room and consecrated its every article of comand luxury to thee. It contains everything requisite for a gentleman. There are pictures on the walls, too, and a collection
fort
of choice books.
Do
!
not deny
me
My
disappointment would
be past endurance
My health
is failing fast,
and I
feel that
my
387
a bedroom and a
remaining link
? ."
on earth
is
short.
Allow me
to furnish
may
Do
it
that binds
me
May
I do so
"Thy
Her generous appeal was
of this
yet I had
My
interior examination
new
I replied in
where I contemplated
my
The
secret of
my safe
Magic
few weeks of unimportant experiences passed by, beof the lady's last benefaction and the inci-
tween
my acceptance
"
Why, Brother
!"
Diavis,
how
glad
we
more
warm
my
arrival
from PoUghkeep-
of cloudless blue
The
editor
had procured a
liamsburgh.
From
out upon the expanded bay, covered with the gliding agents of
commerce
New York,
an interminable
"
forest.
;
Thank
once more."
"
about
all this
" Oh, at
of things," I replied
my new
all
&c.
How's
the
children ?"
388
" Healthy and beautiful as ever," said she, clasping with enthu-
me
to per!"
"
Have you
for
Dodge lately ?" I asked. I have. She 's been doing all kinds of
What's been going on
comes, we'll
?"
splendid
work
you
up-st4urs."
!
" Don't be in too great a hurry, Brother Davis," said she, smiling archly;
"when Mr. B.
all
in
together."
my boyBut
we went
as first proposed.
lo
!
The
door of
my .winter retreat
I beheld with
was pictured in my vision of the mountain-structure. Everything was in exact accordance with that foreshadowing, save the presence of the strange lady : but, leaning firmly on
my
Stafl^
I held
my heart
stiU,
and
my tongue
my
nature
astonishment
;
at
gratitude
violets.
my rugged
path with
The
initial
or specimen
to
family was the desire I had to bring about a unity of interstep toward unity of
action
and a
whose
were more or
At
the
my
individual pilgrimage.
389
That seed of
and
My belief
is
two
and then by
their quiet
Our movement, on the contrary, was begun in the external sphere of common business and though it was flushed, to all appearance,
;
its
ultimate dissolution.
But
K.
my
and thus
co-operating with
Frances H. Green,
Ingalls,
try to diffuse
some
spiritual
The
imbibe another
letters
In one of them
1847
dated November
14,
"To-day I have rejoiced in spirit. I feel strong. I feel inwardly assured, in spite of apparently unfavorable circumstances,
that there is reserved for iis truth
dark.
It
may be
that
a mar-
age.
lift
But be assured of
continually
is at
while I
'
am
the
my voice
crying,
Reform
kingdom of heaven
hand.'
The
O for
more do I see the necessity of the work in spiritual might to enable me to overcome
The
spirit of this
reformer should be and do, was congenial to me, and his ambition
390
to Stand in " the front
But he looked
for
an outward authority.
pioijieer's affections
Alas
letter, too
" I must have an answer to this immediately. The cause demands it. / must know to what places I am to go on leaving Cleveland, Ohio. Leave all else unnoticed, so that you answer this."
Long and
At
length I re-
me
as an authority.
I,
"how can I do
it
Fra-
my
plan,
cast
cify
however
would tend
to
him upon
own
central reason.
to spe-
a number of places
;
easily be reached
way
one
my
vision
was
unreliable.
letter but
His next
dated
December
18,
1847
contained
I think,
out
upon
my
intuitional
And
that logue
little
was eventually
split
from end
to end,
by
dantly show.
Soon
and
after
my arrival
portions of Maine.
As he
entered
my
!
him with
"
Welcome
back,
my
How's your
health and
spirits ?"
"The
391
Why
so,
The
"
brow gathered up
into
gloomy
ridges, as
he answered,
the fact
is,
still
playfully :
Why,
I have had
my
by
my unsuccessful
many
trip
impleasant con-
about
affairs
"Well, take a
chair,
and
let's talk
crisis
near
matters."
"Very
'
ters."
toil
and
But I
in
reader,
forebodings.
and mundane.
The
scribe,
remembered, was
of earnest fellow-laborers.
me
In
They
In
did not
this there
sort of necessity.
When
I separated
was
at once closed up, save the capital loaned to publish the book,
scribe's
lived
till
Then
and so continued up
afterward.
892
The
know
But
the affectionate scribe appeared subsequently to confound his personal perplexities with something infernal in certain imaginary,
invisible abettors of the
New
Movement.
write, the operator, (a cherished
At
now
brother of the editor's wife,) with his recent bride, was occupying
apartments' below mine.
Quietly, he began to ask "if
it
wasn't
me to me but,
;
be magnetized again."
in order not to
wound
simply suggest, in reply, that I did not feel the need of his
ence.
^
At
was in Ohio
lecturing through
much
when
cf
tribulation, selling
scribers to "
The TJnivercoehim."
situation of aifairs
tablet
my memory.
393
CHAPTER
"Be
XLVIII.
Channel
Eb
made you no borrowed stream. hath lent yon mind and conscience;
!"
The
furnished
apartments
study and
bedroom
were
sumptuously decorated.
with every
my
The
foolish
report that I
was a
vigilant
" Let
me
whis-
said a rosy-faced
There
!
litterateur
my
study, to an
enemy of
table.
clairvoyance
"let me
who once
that
that
chilly
my
study
my
vision,
Did
it
mean
that she
is
to
me
here
?"
394
thy Spirit
Although
historyof
inlo
tlu
Sister."
"The
my mind
was interested
in
me
my whole
And
her
once again
my
benefactress.
life
at the boarding-school;
with
others,
whom
she
felt
an unconquerable repug-
nance; how
this repulsion
endure the
false
tour
and
and regal
circumstances
to in
upon some
aim
Ayres
her
visit to
;
me
at
what I
there
saw
for her
the
viz.
:
the interveits
ning months,
my mind
its
growth
diiBeuIt interior
work;
;
that
my
that, as
she had no children, and her reasons for a separation were abundant, she should procure a divorce
;
that
it
would then be
right
and
just
and useful
for us to
would be of
be
little
or no
me
individually,
would
still
sufficient to support
her in her
own
need not longer concern myself with the local influences and
especial wishes of surrounding minds.
395
How
did I see
all
this?
Not by a
before
spiritual communication,
The chequered
the present
past
was
all
me;
the circumstances of
foretells
an
eclipse.
Ah, now
vaticination.
my
about
my
interior
investigation.
The
barrier of distance
came personally
had
my presence.
She
from the
which
my letter
first
with emotion, and tears gushed forth abundantly from her long-
wearied heart.
" Can
it
when her
to
voice once
?"
more found
utter-
be that we are
be married
my
than that."
my
Spirit.-Sister."
my
my
life
for,
began
to fear that
"what will the world say?" sudden doud shadowed her features " The world has no right to interfere, if you but get a divorce,"
said I.
as
" That
's
the
first
"But I'm
"No,"
so
much
is
Is that all?
"
answered.
account."
396
I will prepare to
Monday."
I asked.
there," she replied;
"
my rehis-
lease
Her
useful.
had encountered at
escaped them.
her
She seemed
The
reader
may form
some
my benefactress, from
Her
counte-
Strength,
all
were
de-
predominated.
character to accompany
me up
In her
"When
She
was born
and
to rule.
flattering to
but to those
whom
she
hostility.
Her
benevolence
was impulsive.
To
But
ail this, I said: "Tou are governed by love, not by Your impulses alone make you ofttimes unhappy, while wisdom. a calm exorcise of wisdom would give you heaven on earth."
Seeing
me wisdom ?"
"I
will help
you
to
be quiet," was
my
response
"I
believe I
397
can make your Kfe more useful and happy, else I would not propose
this
extraordinary marriage."
first
interview.
conversations,
A few weeks
much
The
business
was
fixed to
legislature.
But her
was
now
the
Under
deemed
it
I therefore
my own,
and
socialities.
In accordance with
time fixed upon,
siasm.
my
Spirit-Sister arrived
redolent with
enthuguest.
She_
was
justly looked
upon as a distinguished
Hence her
me.
when
save
all,
took possession of her room with the air of one accustomed to com-
My heart was
friend.
my
endeared
was
as pure
" In the far-off South, where no r^ide breeze E'er sweeps o'er the plain of the halcyon seas, Where the airs breathe balm, and the heavens smile With a glorious radiance."
She seemed
like
sister, for
whom
398
with her
own means my
and devosoon
and conversation.
The day
came
Now, I
related to her
spiritual exfire in
many
visions,
istence.
But the
The
my
The couch
furnished.
selled
Her own room was comparatively cold, cheerless, and ordinarily Her health was quite unsound. Therefore, I counher to exchange rooms with me, or else occupy the spacious
To
whereupon I
retired to
my
adjoining
sister
room
had
my
esteemed
her quiet
rest-
'Twas
Noiselessly,
and
hastily,
I passed from
my
bedroom, behind the couch, to the door, to request the workto enter just yet, saying that
ing-woman not
we would
soon be
my own
let
All this I
detail,
grew out of
Furthermore
me
add, that for the promotion of our kind benefactress' health and
comfort, I induced her to
make
the
own
sacred dor-
few mornings after my sister's unexpected arrival, I entered the office of the Univercoelum," in Broadway, opposite the Park
fountain,
when
much
to
399
all
own
mind.
And
this
seemed
to
me to
be slightly tinged
state-
with ideality,
still
ment.
"Thank
at the time,
and the
"
What
can
this
mean
?"
thought
I.
And
"Which way
I look over
this proof,
pany you."
residence.
Very soon we were walking arm in arm, toward the artist's My friend's manner was extremely fraternal, his tones
mild as love's
own
my
ear.
to disturb
it
your
spirit.
me
or any of your
valuable friends."
my
"
My
spirit
quent to Mrs.
's
arrival,
owing
to
a painful suspicion
?"
that
pervades
my family
!"
" Indeed
I exclaimed.
" Do
tell
me what
it is
"
when
400
D D
's)
room
to
make a fire,
's
day-garments sus-
Then she proceeded to your room, was late, when you came in undress
to wait
a while longer."
but, leaning on the
all that
On
Magic
hearing this
Staff,
my
soul
was sorrowful;
amount
"
to
?''
Why,
knew
positively that
Mrs.
D
to
mean
my
bedroom
be
" Tes," answered he, sadly, " but I worked immediately upon
her
fears.
circumstances and
in
prison.
of opposition that I temporarily silenced our servant's tongue." " Then," said
I,
so
much
and events."
of all this before to-day?" I asked.
"Because you kept yourself away from us neglecting, at the same time, to bestow any attention on the Bridgeport friends who
were
for
our
guests
which rendered
it
necessary for
me
to wait
my favor,
me
to know."
and the
401
among
the records
of preceding pages.
I added
my
"
perceive," said
he with
cordial
energy,
"I deem
it
untarnished."
" It
is
more important," I
you
deem me
insincere,
turned he, " when I say that your friends think too piach of you
not to feel deeply concerned at whatever
may
ii^uriqusly affect
I.
"
But
and
not so important to
me
as justice
may suffer
if
are unfavorable.
my
wife has
Why,
she
my
friends," said I.
"And
artist's
room where
my
honored
was in
waiting.
Having the
betrayed iiothing of
to
my inward agitation,
Slip ferry,
accompany
me
to Williamsburgh.
I related
had
'Twas a most
resplenface
l(dy's
402
as she listened.
vengeance, sorrow,
These rapid
may
"
redound to ou
affair,
"
What a
your
malignant falsehood!
Do
not these
you ?
Can they
well enough to Jcnow that you would not thus err ?"
sister," said
you know."
replied.
tf
"These people
ering satire
call
(A with're-
now
predominated.)
"They
!
Most noble
'friends!'
most noble
formers
!'
of
the world," she continued, somewhat subdued, " yet, amid those
who make no
butterflies
who
silly fashion,
scandal
"
to.
Do n't
much
disturbed," said
I.
"
We
must
cherish
who misconstrue our worthiest deeds." "I recollect the words of a German
replied: "'I forgive in justice to
justice to myself.'"
countess,''
she warmly
in
my
enemies
I remember
editor's residence,
we
we
for
are to tread.
If
you
Bristol,
best
you
remove
to
403
where you are even
you
to board right
shall presently
know and
!
will
you frankly.
Meanwhile, be calm,
my
sister
for,
with this
work us an
brother.
injury."
replied.
"Thanks! dear
''I
know you
will
do
right.
family, betray
my
displeasure.
I promise you
I told him
all
concerning
my
sad position.
He
was extremely
me
of his soul.
404
CHAPTER XLIX.
PACTS AND FANCIES.
" Cpme one, come
all, this
rock shall
fly
From
its
Hastening
tation.
my
parlor-study, and
First,
my
relation to
immense pecuniary
become
service that
toiled
;
my
;
spirit-sister
was
to
my wife
was much impaired and required judicious treatment ; that I had begun to separate myself from the false position of being the centre
of a
new phase
of religious propagandism
fully inaugurated;
that the
work of
self-
extrication
sister's
was now
and
that, aided
by my
every
individuality which
was the
first
my
guardian angel.
I quoted: "Obstructions of
life ;
hut they
And
again
way, and
and wisdom"
policy, of
Then I reasoned
thus
" Here
is
a question of external
me
the
405
Suppose I
make friends
would not
soul ?
'
truth
and wisdom'
flee in
sorrow from
my
apostate
?
only reward
Ah,
the
full
know
"
by
Just
this,
and nothing
!
more.
my
She must
be respected as
my
future companion,
and I
my
hon-
She seemed
to
be
satisfied.
The
tea-bell
group.
irrepressible.
She looked a
They
felt
it,
pallid with
an undefinable uneasiness.
to control
Eetuming
toward
to
my study, I
lest
admonished her
and overcome
her expressions,
us.
fall
bitter hostility
would
The
only
my sister-friend,
to
whom
I cared
was the
still
friendly operator.
When
knpw how
it
happened."
like to
"I know
regret
all
it
"Yet I'd
about
me
to
that
in
my diary)
I interior-
to
become
my
wife."
At
ever,
nance became
Very soon, howstill njore grave and thoughtful. he said: " If you would but consent to be magnetized, and.
406
right, I think
Ibe satisfied."
first
Now,
althoifgh I
number of
the
circumstances and
my
all
will
demanded
it,
who
thought they
knew
about
me
therefore,
upon that
point, I did
But I resumed
here.
"
Now,
doctor, there is
no need
for
any
trouble
Let
it
benefactress as
is
my future
;
companion.
The
nothing to
me
The
tious
to the several
sort of
ficti-
harmony
many
successive weeks.
Toward
New
York.
His
spirit
During a sojourn
in
brothercentral-
He
be
His
seemed
to
me
'to
full
of good news.
I was no
truly in-
In
fact, his
mind was so
and
self-centred, that
he gave
my own
The
reserve, I told
him
all that
had happened.
The
sighings and
wrestlings of his
spirit,
he was deeply
He
continued to be
my
avowed
friend,
407
my
my
private eatisfac-
circle of spiritual
purity
"
'
The
Univercoelum'
is
paper," said I one day, taking up a recent copy, " and the
manmust
agement
see."
reflects
its
become extremely
influential,"
we
its purity.''
;
"
intense emphasis
"
God
holds
the hearts of
men
in his hands.
God
"Why
At
his right
hand painfully
tight,
God can
man
blinded by passions
who
in unity with
overcome with
feelings of unhappiness
and
horror.
my
Staff,
enough ; and I
principle.
am
anxious to have
all
men
practise
?
upon
so
good a
earnestly
Ohio ?"
visitor,
"as
But I sometimes
fail,
have on
At this moment I observed a change thrill through every hearInstantly, much fraternal love was converted into fraer's heart.
408
temal hate.
My severe
first
went
mark!
left
my
quiet study.
Finding
my
She did
so.
Whereupon, taking
off
for near-sightedness
and putting on
my
down
is clear," said
man
tions
has ambiis
'is
actuated
drag^g
brethren,
must be equally
"
positive,
The
influence of her
doctor.
it
is
a victim
He
me
His clairvoyance
trust in Grod."
is
gone
His
letters to
prove
it.
I put
my
But no
will
make no
rich furniture of
my rooms to the
fatigued,
Bristol,
My frightened,
to depart for
Rhode
The
welcomed
she
left.
perturbed editor.
to one of the
The poet was already there. rooms, when the poet trembled and
We four retired
said :-^
am a
plain, earnest
shall
be guilty before
God
on
my
mind."
409
you
will
The news
of
in every man's
mouth everywhere
Articles of exposure
Sunday Dispatch.
Ruin
tion.
is
And we
look to
you
But you,
!"
my
mag-
netism
" See here," interrupted the scribe, with a determined look, " I
far,
by
consid-
At
this
is
the
editor's
intense
excitement.
" There
My heaven-bequeathed Magic
peaceful,
Staff
strong, and,
my
heart was
The
spread excitement
is
rather poetical.
But I am
to offer.
Dodge be permitted
toilsome ascent
of importance to
me
and
to all
my
was the
the
this
A meeting of
knowledge of
How
all
thankful was 1
had escaped
for Bristol.
to the editor's house.
The
room.
scribe
The
different
members of
The
special
410
It
was
my return
into
my
social life
As a means
dences
first,
and,
mis-
woman.
But I had
perfect knowledge to
present, as I ob-
served,
who
for they
were
my
steadfast friends.
But
my open
de-
had resolved
to
commence the
trial
and
to say
After stating
:
what I considered
" It
is
to
aflSrmed that I
am
Now,
show,
let
me
Then I proceeded
first,
letters
to
that she did not entertain the least hope of ever seeing
me
ing
to visit
me in
person
on a certain day ; secondly, to show that she did not think of becom-
me to that effect.
actuated
the
editor interrupted:
"Aha! I didn't know that there was Then he added, "I beg leave to affau-."
meeting."
so
much
love in the
all this
suggest that
this
So
lief,
saying,
dignity,
his be-
my
Staff.
He
the
memory
And
then,
facts
411
His
me and mine
his
feel angry.
My
soul
condemned
rally kind
exasperated
by a
my
sister's
un-
Though
bum
out
all opposition.
thxi&
nance.
memorable meeting.
length the poet,
At
me
and said
"
we
Why
"
Do
you, after
all,
doubt the
but
we wish you
to
be candid with
it all."
us,
your brethren,
and we
will sustain
you through
scribe,
who
" I object to
In com-
mon law, a man is considered innocent till proved to be guilty. No man is called upon to testify in such a case, and I counsel
Brother Davis to make no response whatever."
This sudden opposition from the considerate scribe shot into the
editor's
412
ed.
He
mistaken
seldom indulged himself in the luxury of being entirely and the scribe's offence consisted in this open declara;
His
ideal of a
full-
grown man
is
to
To
upon
un-
my
The
principal reason
assigned for wishing to prevent the union was, their belief in the
Next morning
my spirit-sister had lived unworthily. my meditations were these " How cruelly Tias
: !
my
what then
'
Can
late
by
and denunciation ?
Of
siUy
'
platitudes concerning
ality'
upon
sensu-
is to
reclaim the
traveller
who
of anger
factress
is false
who
words of
humanity
If
my benewhy
I
heart.
They say
condemn
jpe.
my
soul requires.
The
Tribune'
may
publish
an exposure of
my
conduct.
Well,
if
413
issued on every rod of space between the earth and the sun, and
if
article against
me, I should go on in
that will I do, nor turn aside to confer with the powers of this
world."
my blessed
Magic
Staff.
My course led
or cir-
a pilgrimag3 of psychical
414
CHAPTER
About
L.
my
flight
The beloved
scribe
accompanied
me
and
left
upon
my
all
around.
Poughkeepsie seemed
beautiful
Heaven was
transcendently glorious.
The
exilement
which I had temporarily imposed upon myself, was for the accomplishment of two objects^ viz.
:
make me "the prophet" of a theologico^philosophic movement, and to prepare my mind for a higher plane of public usefulness.
Looking back upon
forgive them, they
my Williamsburgh
upon
brethren, I said
"' Father
know
fell
And
a dewy shower
of angel-blessings
my spirit.
My most lonely hours were beguiled by loving words from hps not
seen by mortal man. I had two valued correspondents
spirit-sister.
my brother
scribe,
and
my
His
letters
;
In one of her
written
You
still
will
if
I ask you
to
you
intense
Many, many
415
know
that I will ?
Tell me^
I can bear
it
Do you
trouble.
am
Is
it
right ?
Are you
sure
we ought
to
be married ?"
stilled
Day and
for the
last of
me.
He
spirits
I,
viz.
" Yes," he replied, " these ideas have laiely come up before
my
mind
in
a new aspect."
I.
them?"
" It came clearly to
basis
my mind,"
self-justice is the
may begin to
"Yes
that's right
'
go
on," said I.
"So
I saw
it
when
wri-
The True
my own
body
second,
my my
I
me,
my
and,
my
now, as I never
rests
the basis
on which
aH Justice
to the neighbor
and
to the world."
" That 's the very principle by which I have tried to regulate
my
that
life,"
I replied.
why
the brethren do
and
416
Next day
New
York.
Eeturning from
by-streets of
At
of
a moment.
My escape
was
silent.
onward
my
soul
But
my
my
I
guardian
spirits filled
me
life
felt that
well-ordered
preserved.
As I had
to Boston,
which secured
personal freedom to
my
spirit-sister.
The
scribe accompanied
me
And,
as I had
place
also foreseen,
we were
married-.
The
legal
ceremony took
on the
'Twas not
but
an event
sanctified
by a holy purpose.
From
interior
the
first
my
But my
lead
scribe's residence.
Knowing
that
my
memorandum
entry in
of
commenced a systematic
follows^:
record.
The The
first
my
day-
book was as
417
respectable living
Debtor.
:
To a
and competence."
Debtor.
to
To
living
life
kingdom of heaven
be within.'" Also, to
practising the doctrine which teaches that Self justice is the truest
kindness
is
Religion."
The
But
within,
owing
to
my
companion's oriental
taste,
the comforts
original
and sumptuous.
But the
disagreeable.
Her
omy" was
living,
Her
a large mould.
For
many
was barely
sufficient to
meet
wave of
irrita-
had swept
past,
"I
your advice.
know your
matters."
spirit
sister,
do not
feel sad
nor disappointed.
externals.
We,
Petty
more than
never get
"Yes,
yes, brother
mine
^ there!
Now
that
I think I
shall
brother.'
it.
we
comprehend
But
18*
418
tiful
Your sweet
letters
began
'
Dear
Spirit-Sister,'
my
Yes
beautiful!
And
that blessed
word
What may we
style each
other
now?
one
my
is it ?
What
do they
Tell
say?
"A
word
and
'
I,
its
the
I do not
So, after
now know
this,
But
it is
*
your
spiritual
'
name.
Katie,'
Silona'
when we
human
hearing."
look.
But
what
self,
is
yours?
call
name
to give your-
I will
you
My Jackson.'
That
's
what
my
heart keeps
naming you."
At
this
friend
scribe,
me
to
"Mr. Fishbough,"
thank you,
sir,
an imperial
severity,
"I'd
to let
it
was commanding
on
my
friend's heart.
But remembering
my
Taking
my
Staff,
to
show me,
my
friend ?"
was
my
first
inq jiry.
419
My
was suggested
in
a dream of which
The
torial
faithful scribe
having completed
:
work
for
me,
viz.
my
chart, entitled,
"The
had
write.
own
now
" see
work," said
I,
" and I
am
glad to
productions."
commenced
"is constructed
upon
principles.
and conspiring
As you
and
material
perceive,
it is
shows the
spiral path of
human
progress
But as I examined
it
more
closely,
to complexity or
A
and
brow
as I spoke,
seemed
to
rebuff.
Thus was
smooth the
These
slight
of his sympathies surcharged his heart, and also excited a feeling of resistance.
yield to
unhappy emotions.
Be-
was
to accomplish as
my
private
destined to isolate
me
from
my
best friends,
and thug
me
pathway of
spiritual progression.
420
CHAPTEE
LI.
THE KECONCILIATION.
" Who
blesses others in his daily deeds,
fragrant beauty
The
tasteful
influence of "
managfement of
chief editor,
deepening.
who had
its spiritual
its cir-
magnetism.
culation so
its
my
troubles
foi
columns during
many
weeks.
The
over-
abilities
where acceptable.
He
and I knew
this
that in private
he was
still
my
friend.
The
external proof of
letter
was as follows :
"New
"
Yokk, May
26, 1848.
I can hardly suppose that any one has a desire that you should be an exile from your friends, and I am constrained to think that you have misapprehended the wishes of those friends whose devotion has perhaps rendered thero
:
THE RECONCILIATION.
annecessarily solicitous in your behalf.
421
I grieve that a
spirit,
which is inaccessible to less-gUted souls. May it pass quickly away, and the fresh joy, which baptized thy spirit when first we met, return and make
is
With undiminished
affection,
am
S. B. B."
"Yours
Such was the
faithfully,
My
On
afterward
in
August
I received a
may be
seen
letter
from the
sing a reconciliation, as
by
of the same
"New Yobk,
"Esteemed Feiend: Although
August, 1848.
from you for a considerable time, and during that period many unforeseen circumstances have transpired, I feel moved to write
to
you; and
shall
believing that
do so in a spirit of cordiality and frankness you wiQ recognise and respond to the spirit that
prompts and the feelings that find utterance " I feel that your inward desire is for Unity. I feel the same I wish to behold all who are interested in spiritual desire myself.
progress brought together
ties
feel and desire and Ihe desire foj unity are not beneficial unless they find an open expression. Havthinking ing these feelings, I have felt impelled to express them it might aid you in considering the position of the Friends of the
buried,
destroyed.
You
the same
But the
feeling of good-will
Cause. " With feelings of respect for your companion and of regard for
yourself,
I remain
yours,
T. L. H."
jlist
"What letter
is that,
my
as I
had
422
"How
"
ties,
"how dare
he,
you a
letter?"
He's asking
to
for
a reconciliation,"
have
all
errors forgiv
said I
"
Heaven knows,"
am
willing to forfriends
!"
your pretended
They were
When
trepidation."
" Well," said she haughtUy, " what does he propose ?" " Nothing directly," I replied. " But I gather from the tenor
"
A meeting
!"
"
Would you
con-
men
?"
will
"Most
SHona?"
" Oh,
"
I'll
gladly," I replied.
"And
yes,''
it."
my
spirit-sister," said I.
" Now,
off in this
very house."
this conversation
was
brief.
The
result
was good.
There seemed
to
be
But
my
indignant
companion found
it difficult
to restrain
mar
The
conclusion was
the
my highest intuiOn
The
rily
and hastened
to leave
it
THE RECONCILIATION.
issue.
423
very
9,
scientific."
The
poet read
it
over,
and
said, "It's
'Twas published
read as follows
"
:
in the
i848, and
To OUR Readers
among editors and contiguous minds immediately connected with the TJnivercoelum a misunderstanding having for its parent three causes, viz. : a misapprepreviously-existing disturbances
their
a misconception of individual respona misarrangement of individual persons in reference to true positions and spheres of action. This misunderstanding
all;
and circumstances
their
but one path, labor but for one purpose ; and will endeavor to rep-
by their oneness of Soul and combination of Strength, the triumph of the threefold manifestation of the Beligious Sentiment, viz., Sel^ Fraternal, and Universal Justice. "Editoks of Univerccelum."
resent,
In accordance with
my
In consenting
which I
did with
my
whole heart
My
path
still
led
up the
dark
Mountain, and
to
my
And
my
pilgrimage.
Hence I
my
essen-
tial serenity.
reconciliation.
My soul was
now armed
life.
With
sliield,
peaceful
energized
by the force of no passion, fearing neither to live nor to depart, wrapped only in the mantle of universal charity, and accompanied
424
by no
visible
deep of the
infinite
Among
man who
to help
memory, there
is
one of a noble
Katie's income
served
me when
less
was considerably
on Keform.
Her outstandmg
were equal
to
Seeing that
we
the bills sent in from various sources, I devoted a whole day the question of liquidation.
At
my
deepest
thi/
heart,
agone
said,
" Write
to
"
Do you mean
the person of
whom I was
asked.
between and
thee
The
" Jle
is-^thefriendto-^stand
the
world."
Straightway, while
my heart was
who
meet them
to the
amount
keeping ; and,
finally, that
and weekly expenses, he cordially invited us to share with him the joys and freedom of his family group. Beautiful indeed is the
providence of the angel-world
brother,
!
The
and the many deeds of intelligent kindness that spontaneously issued from the sanctuary of his heart, are among the best
pictures
my
memory.
my
A published
state-
ment of the
particulars of
THE RECONCILIATION.
Paris, in Berlin,
425
cholera-
and in
St.
Petersburg
locality
and
tunity to judge,
of
my perceptions. The
New York
Sun," noticing
whole of
it,
the causes and cure of the cholera, the origin of the potato-rot, a
flying visit of twenty minutes to St. Petersburg, etc., will be found
in another column.
of the
Hermann,
is
its facts
by the news by
at yesterday's Sun,
Prussia.
is
Whatever our readers may think of clairvoyance, there an amount of common sense in the philosophy of the communi"We have not seen the subcation worthy respectful attention. jects of cholera and potato-rot more earnestly and scientifically
treated."
this psychological
My
to
impressions,
when
first
preach from
fulfilled. The ebb The backward swing of the penDuring the summer of 1848 he preached
flow.
Broadway
Colis-
He
work of
centrifugation
To show
was
complete, I
pen
to the
to
on aU statements which come from persons in mental illumination ; to make their words authoritative receive their sayings as oracular and infallible;, to accept and
endorse their statements, without evidence and without investigaThis is visible among the sect of ' Swedenborgians.' Many tion.
426
among them
Swedenborg
as infallible authority,
and en-
subserviency so far as to deny their reason and distrust their intuitions, if so b3 that they are at variance with the statements contained in their teacher's 'Doctrines of the
'
New
Jerusalem,' or
Memorable Relations of Things seen and heard in Heaven and Hell.' No matter how reasonable be an idea, or how great a mass provided Swedenborg deny it, it is treated of evidence sustains it with contemptuous indifference, as unworthy of notice. " I observe the same tendency among some who have been interested in the various statements put forth by Mr. Davis. It
pains
me
men who
making the sayings of Moses, or Jonah, or Jude, authorigreater than reason, more reliable than contative and infallible believing whatscience, falling themselves into the same error without investigaever Mr. Davis alleges, because he utters it
ists for
without proof without even asking for proof. It ought to be borne in mind that Mr. Davis's book contains errors and contion,
remembered
that he has
liable to repeat
much that is truthful. It ought to be made grave mistakes, and at any time is them. The very ideas he advocates show concluslavery of the mind to the assertions of any man
this setting up of oracles, this voluntary paralysis of reason and blind reception of their words is a foul transgression; and, history adds, has been the cause of unnumbered misfortunes to the race. If I apprehend aright the position ^f Mr. D., he recoils as much from this as I do. Now, while the evil is in its incipient state, be warned and let it extend no further."
The few
were now
struggling to keep the pubHcation above the impending and concentrating storm of pecuniary embarrassment.
spoken
my inner vision
it.
a few hours
after
the proposition
was made
to publish
its
cause and
effect,
I prayed for
continuance.
plaining a
The melancholy hours of one dark December day I devoted to new distribution of existing forces. The principal ed-
THE BECONCUilATION.
iter,
427
and
as I
wealthy persons.
the
might assume ^e
editorial responsibilities.
Thus
co-operating, I
publication; might
They
utterly crushed
many homes
dirge-like requiem trembled upon the bosom of reformers a few lingering notes reverberated through " The Spirit of the
Age"
distant
and familiar
and thoughtful;
but,
anon, the human- world was clashing as before, while the ^angel-
its
truths
and
universally.
428
CHAPTER
OCK
removal
to the residence
LII.
New
ele-
But
to the
began to
of an
''
foreshadowing of the
initial
volume
to
the world.
As
yet,
I had not
sufficient confidence to
go on
in so
some one
to
Hence
His
to"
aspirations
were
steadily philanthropic.
And
I had in mind
propose an
of reformatory
work
boundless sweep.
the scribe responded in person.
explicit.
To my letter
was long and
429
communion
sympathies.
The
my
frank
and
fearless Katie.
and
His manly
appeared
and
self-sacrificing
utterly to forget
He
her
in contemplation.
this
:
certain,
however, than
that she
was .too
and too
aristocratic for
my plainlyshe had
for the
whom
She was
isolating
me and I was
isolating her:
and I
It
gave
me
seclusion of a mountain
home above
the
and
still
One
a
day, as I
was walking
soft breath, as of
Guide
ing."
said: "Tell
Silona twainowehernoththat
the
me, and
my
The
were
in
effect
The
parties
far
But
my Guide's judgment and counsel, I 'sought Silona, and said: "Do you feel that your notes against Lyon and Fishbough need
ever be paid
?"
"No," she
thought those
"
replied,
"and I would
give them
it."
up to-day
if
men would
The
"'Tis
my
SUona?"
430
my
wisdom."
to send the brothers, in accordance with the
The
notes returned
we
The
scribe's
was as follows
, . . Your very kind I have read over many times, and feel the utmost embarrassment in attempting to answer it I a(!cept the kind offer which it bears, holding myself responsible to Heaven to see justice
letter
my
conscience.
If the
to appropriate the
"W.
F."
'Twas a work
agents
and in
this
view we mutually
My sole
history.
object in
making
this
item public
keep up
the
my
individual
is
unfavorable to a free
will
Day
of Judgment
conscience
ever
One
me
and said
"
Sir,
my
few questions if
you do not
object."
"Oh,
no," said I,
"when
all
431
waving
trees,
and he began
"I
am
free to confess,
;
sir,
that
my
mind
those
sir,
is
yet I
am
not one of
who
a new
thing.
Permit
me
to ask,
if
modern
Instantly I
knew
that
that he only
Where
did
it
originate ?"
" In the East," said I, " toward the rising sun." "
Why in the
interest.
human nature
was populated."
you have seen the
Do you
sir.
" Yes,
day
"
sun."
"
What have you seen there of interest ?" The first thing I saw that interested me," I
it ?
replied, "
was
dis-
connected with the subject upon which I was lecturing at the time."
Pardon
my
curiosity
he laughing.
first
attracted
my
I replied.
"
The
sinations
and
of India."
listener's response.
"What became
of the
I,
saw
that he
was
by
own
I,
band."
patient.
"
What
else did
I perceived," said
432
stition
into this
me what
it
was ?"
gem
which
that
was
possessed it
The
gem was a
ruin,
" But
"I have never before heard of this superstition," how would you apply it in this country ?"
" I'll teU you.
Milton's devil carried about with
is
said
he.
him a
splendid
Gem
"
tune upon
possessor."
patient.
What do you refer to, sir ?" asked the "I refer to his Ambition to succeed in
his undertakings
not
because the object in view was good, but because he had too much
selfish aims."
" The
fa,tal
that fixes
They
is
pursuit of Truth.
Respectability
more precious
than Wisdom.
Ambition
is
The sound
now upon
the
air,
and
directly
first
and
At
me a
letter
THE FATAL
"'
JEM.
433
The
fatal
Gem,'
sir, is
no longer in
my
possession.
As
result,
my
business rdations.
foolish lawsuit
to persons to whom, for years, I have been as a thorn and a scourge. If you should ever come into *this region, my dear sir, do not fail to give me and my family a
years
I have had much less difficulty in my Ninety days after our short talk I withdrew a confessed myself wrong for the first time in twenty
and
me
better
caU."
Katie's health
treat-
many weeks.
how
Well do I remember
the hour when, immediately after returning from one of her baths,
:
me !"
I not as consoling as
"Why
were
?"
so,
Katie?
Am
my
letters
"You
up with your
beautiful union."
realize the purity of
we both
it
our mar-
brings us."
to
"Oh,
"but I love
it
every day."
" Well, Katie, " Oh,
tell
like to
me
for eternity.
Will
it
Are you
I,
sure'
very, very
sure
"
As
far as I
luble."
"
My heart
is
my
And now
tell
me
know
is
-'
know
a true union
Nothing
is
more
certain, Silona,
19
434
tion.
all
as far as
lean
see"
"
nity
Good Heavens
and
heartfelt
!"
alarm
dig-
Do you
"
not
know
unalterable ?"
believe, that
our union
is
eternal."
"
really do believe, then, that our marriage
still
"
You
!
is
to last for
ever
Do you
believe this,
my Jackson ?"
our union."
"Yes, Silona
I have
soul
is
blissful
how one
of
its
kindred soul
and
amid
is
all
tainty of
m the
by
conversation
others
whenever
would
to
she
affirm, positively,
it;"
eternal,
and
yet,
when
alone in
my
words, and
"
What did you mean by saying that our marriage was eternal
see' ?"
My reply was
eternal because
is
it is
But of one
and by
was a
true one,
perpetuity."
we had a powerful evidence in favor of its Her warm heart and imperious mind, however,
Hence, believing
that
she was
my true
upon
my
Magic
Starf
and
lived
life
harmonious.
435
CHAPTER
"I
live for those
LIII.
me
For those who know me true ; For the heayen that smiles above me,
And
For For For
the
awaits
my
spirit,
too
wrong
can do."
skies so deeply pure,
and im-
we were
and our
The
ambrosial boun-
struggles consequent
And
like so
many empty
private de-
shadows and of no
had
my own
Magic
Staff.
made
in the waters of
memory,
seems
to
me
The
436
Without the
wrote the
first
from oooks, I
This was
my
princi-
Soon
my-
spirits,
The hours
signs of
"
The
solace of
soli-
coming wisdom,
this
all
came unto me
What means
fell
shocking disturbance
and small
upon the
strings of the
open piano.
I,
Your
positive anxiety to
more
excite.
do
surprises,
however, became
At
But no expression of
daring
The
were seen
the playful
in-
were scattered
in all directions
moment
disturbed.
re-
turning with his son, whose dress had been suddenly torn by un-
seen fingers
"See!
is
What
but
my
it
answer," I replied.
to
your permission, I
promise was
will
read
your family."
Ere long
were
fulfilled.
The
my
437
The
impiously perturbed.
And many
irreligiously
any
religion,
were
The
clergyman's
residence
was sanctimoniously
scrutinized.
revelation.
Now
pillars
noises," but
no
in-
effects so alarming-
ly unmistakable.
A few weeks
chusetts.
subsequent to this
we went
to
Cambridge, Massa-
She
wished to
and we there-
fore sought
salt
breezes came.
But now
my
own
violent attack of
Typhoid Fever.
for six weeks,
Previous to
in writing
my illness,
man
thought.
tremely.
My whole mental organization was exercised exThat subject was " God, the Ruler of the Universe."
of the " Great Harmonia" contains the result
my
labors.
pressed
my
extreme positive
state,
which
my
exceeding
my
disease,
I was daily
visited
;
by an
and abDity
but, as
my
my ultimate
believed,
restora-
and
it
was generally
by those
who
v/itnessed
my
become a per-
manen; resident
in the Spirit^land.
But Mrs.
Mettler, of Bridge-
438
port, Connecticut
the
to
hearing of my
which
condition,
to
came immediately
inspection,
Cambridge.
My
her
accurate.
Out of several
millions of medicines
exist in the
case,
my
two
Of these a
tea
my
my
fever
was subdued.
tea, in the
magnetism or psychology.
me The
:
physician
who
had seen
me
it
strength that I could not turn in bed, nor assist myself with
my
hands.
And my
but few exceptions, had been confined to Congress Water, which I drank freely.
Such was
my
condition
when Mrs.
ments steadily in
led."
state, came to my my hand in her own, and gazing a few momy eyes, said, " Now you can raise up in your
The
requisite strength
my system in an instant, and I forthwith raised up with ease. Now she made passes down my spine, and over my entire body, and bade me walk from my bed to a chair, which had
throughout
been prepared for the purpose, about four yards from the bed I
was occupying.
in
and I rested
substantially
my
chair that
Thus I
took
and in ten
days I could driv ' out and enjoy the sunlight and
air.
439
upon
Mj
entire
system
my
more
those great and lofty subjects which constitute the vital system of
my
subsequent volumes.
The next
street, in
we became^ boarders
after our arrival,
some four or
gentlemen
called,
'
and one
said
"
We welcome
blue laws,'
will
be long."
of all
" "
sorts.
little
help,
now and
then,
But we
can't get
many
of the
At
voice,
this
moment I
air,
felt
Stepping out
into the
open
are
Loyal
minds
teachings." Begin
-ihy
young boy.
living
soul.
But of what I
nothmg
to
any
session, *I nar-
bold,
The philosophy
of
them
I reserved
a future occasion.
At
My
matter, not
mv
Whereupon I
440
Her
even
with
among
professors
especially
had
intuitionally written.
'Twas
all
new
Charter
Oak
city.
nently interested.
Ladies of Fashion
There
sat
lady,
'tis true,
but
What did
fear
Her
voice
was
its
lifted
without an emotion of
She read
is
against prejudice
and
atrocious crimes.
the dis-
Nay!
But 'twas
strong
The
made them
gratitude.
Most
follow
ad-
The
my
soul,
Of a
Of rank and
riches I
had none.
Of
credentials
destitute.
And
yet, I
had
all
these
not
my
And
because
sense.
Not
but I
walked up
for the
it!
same reason
the
my
first
he
441
For
public services I
made no
charge.
I to render
than,
them
that I
who
listened.
Our
crippled income
was
And
melted away, one after and into another, I began to think about
returning to the hospitalities of the spiritually-appointed brother.
Be-firm
"
my
son.
Thy
hmne
is
said
here."
!
How
If I
were, the words just spoken would in ten minutes seem like a
dream.
unravel."
Now,
there's no mystery
no
ambiguity
nothing
to
At
this
Hartford publisher,
tained."
moment an acquaintance arrived, a generous-looking who said: "I think the cottage can be ob" But
my Jackson
we
made."
" There 's no use of planning as I see," she replied. " 'T would
While
we had
another
call
gentleman.
"I've called
early," said
he apologetically, "to
tell
you that
Mr. Turnbull
is
we can
for
not raise
money enough
something cheaper.''
"
You
could pay the rent, I suppose ?" inquired he, with a busi-
ness look.
!"
much
vivacity.
"
We should have
The
parted.
Presently he de-
When
19*
442
my
Guide scan
circumstances.
Yes,
my home
was
to
be in Hartford.
The
and
on high
The
frantic voice of
the
and shout
"
Hurrah
world
!"
structure
whereon,
which
examined
eternal truths.
And when
in
my
ordinary
dreamy
lingerings
my
Hyde-Park,
to
Union Corners,
Hiram
my
my
little
In December following, in
derived from the perception of a
accordance with
an impression
human
argumentative discourses.
arrested
nell will
'
My
was
by reading
Revelation.'"
Moved by a
he would assume,
Being
in the presence of
brethren I did
so,
literal correctness
of my, report.
This
The
friends attended
448
Directly
my
its
completion.
Of
work I
"The
Approaching
Crisis."
To
"
We, the
'
much
gratification, listened to
and successive reviews or 'criticisms' thereupon, written by Andrew J. Davis and delivered by him in this city do hereby certify, that, to our best knowledge, recollection, and belief, Mr Davis has rendered Dr. BushneJVs ideas accurately nothing extenuated or aught set down in malice.'
the various
James S. Hooker, Hartford, H. Robinson, HlKAU KOGEBS, Timothy Drake, Johnson S. Dow, JosEFE Silas Bkown, Andrew Wells Fox, TI. H. BirCELAND,
Ct.
R. K. Stoddard, Hartford, " B. Stoddard, " W. B. Johnson, " John C. Peat*, " George Wheelock,
Ci
Mart
Ebenezer Chamberlain, " Samuel D. Smith, Bpheaim Pabkeubst, " " Emeline a. Smith, " Jane Cunningham,
James
B.- Abbott,
Roger Casement,
"
Franklin
L.
B0ee,
About
Brotherhood pro-
from week
to
week.
The
participators
were
intellectual persons
of both sexes.
religious faith
same
to our
The
chilly blasts of
Biting frosts of
culturing
;
calumny
we were
but no
444
The
ress.
first
more spacious
hall,
was a
statement of
my
my
: If I appeared before you as a member some Sanhedrim, as the sworn advocate and avowed propagandist of some new dogma or system, it would then be but
of
ments
strictly "sectarian.
it
argu-
of an
exclusive scheme,
skeptics
my plan
to misrepresent
and expose
And
an
me to hum
opponent at the stake as the great Calvin did the good Servetns, I might contrive a substitute and roast him in a vast Gehenna of hard words, fed by igneous adjectives and scorching epithets
altogether terrific
and unendurable.
elicit light
As
it is
impossible to
to
to
gather
figs
from
thistles,
so
is it
expect a benign
sectarian.
to
spirit
He is boldly challenged by each element of his faith be consistent. The requirement of a creed is sacredly binding, and every way imperative. His terrible and implacable motto is
damned!" Whether the mind has adopted the Bible or the Koran, or any system which claims supernatural origin and authority, its reasonings are the same : " If I profess to
"Believe, or he
side, my words and actions should correspond and I should feel myself called upon openly to oppose all ideas and all persons denounced and rejected by his word. My aim is 'Be God- like.' Therefore, God's enemies are my enemies, whomsoever God hates, I hate also ; His friends are my friends and all condemned by God are condemned by me. When God's word is assailed and impeached, I should haste to the rescue and defence ; if the wicked march against Zion, I must gird on my armor and resist them yea. all the years of my life, I must strive
be on the Lord's
BEJLDINGS
to
AND TEACHINGS.
445
be God-like to make His Word my word, His commandments my commandments and whenever He sends any soul by light'
sectarian.
To
God,"
receive the totality of any one record as the only " Word of
is
To be a true foldo what he does and believe what he believes rejecting, by the fiat of a conscientious To be prejudice, all opponents as infidels and enemies of truth. liberid and free while a champion of some sectarian scheme, is to
is
to
The
now and
than which no paradox was ever more glaring, no solecism more dangerous. They profess to adopt a Book with " Believe, or be
damned," as
blessed
ary.
its
Te admit the possibility of the existence of any soul-saving TRUTH in any other religion, is to openly dishonor your reed bemen, and cause them
to associate with
fore all
your professions a
My spirit said
their creeds."
met with liberal and charitable Christians. " Verily, these men are more magnanimous than
added: "May we not also conclude Being is infinitely hetler than the best man's report of it ? Whereupon the illuminated air seemed to ihroh throughout with the rushing waves of a deathless song, whose refrain was " Selah !" meaning, " Bepeat the question, till all men behold an affirmative answer emblazoned on Nature's
And I have
every realm
their
!"
most repulsive features toward those who are usually termed as if the soul could control its convictions! Per"skeptics" haps bible-believers would be more just to disbelievers if they had
our philosophy, which teaches that the intellectual faculties are constitutionally skeptical ; that he who lives mainly in the &ont
part of his head
is
of necessity a doubter.
The
illiberal
446
vival preachers,
tent animosity
and intolerance lurking in the atmosphere of the more dignified and self-posse?^'5ed. Let a person who intellectually doubts the soul's eternal duration, acknowledge his skepticism to
a professed Christian or
infidel ; all further
Mohammedan,
useless
!"
be illiberal. On the other be an illegitimate Christian. Unheeding the philanthropic suggestion that " the whole need not
To be a
consistent Christian is to
to
now
right than
he
justifies
man
And
and not less painful, is encouraged and prepared for battle. Thus it happens that unwholesome dissensions arise between those who, with our philosophy of things, might be the best and happiest of friends.
is
never ready
It
either
is
consideration
BJiA.
or dispassionate judgment.
denies
its
by
-nature
unnatural,
hospitable
entertainment to the
mildest form.
An
it is
opponent must
be repulsed at
all
events
because, in brief,
impossible that
any form of sectarianism should be impartial. But as I come before you not as a propagandist, not
founder or abettor of a
as the
new
sect,
pledged only to be faithful to an interior principle of undogmatic Truth, regardless of the form, you may expect from me an unbiased and dispassionate presentation.
my
The rude
ward
and lowlands,
447
Staff.
Silona's
to the
who came
my
social allurement.
nished.
Our Embowered dwelling was expensively as well as cozily furThe breezes of the distant fields entered it, healthy condiand yet Katie's physical
air.
'Twas
ford,
it
to obtain for
her
we
temporarily
cottage.
left
Hart-
And there
'Twas
from
was,
away from
The
to
celestial vision
commanding
all
It
was grander
than
that
a climax
rience.
It occurred
chronicled in
my
Inner-Life."
much improved during those summer months ; and, after the visr ion, my own body rested, while a novel tranquillity pervaded my
every inward
fs.^\.lty.
448
CHAPTER
IN
" I thank
LIV.
Thongh
wailings
fill
this earth
of thine,
To
Hartford
of reform
toil.
Ere long
cinnati, Ohio,
For
was
critical
felt
audience.
Notwithstanding
visit
people to
with the friends, and memorable encounters with the foes, of unlimited Progression.
"
The
object of
my calling,"
talents."
said
is
to talk with
ployment of your
may
be pleased,
sir,
" Looking over the morning papers," he continued, " I see you
'
Causes of
Civilization,'
and
it
449
me
that
yourself unpopular
when
"
no need for
it."
" Indeed
!"
said I.
Do you know
me?"
" I think 1 do," i-eturned he moderately.
this
:
way
is
for
you
is
best clergy."
"
the
What
Why
New
"
Do
asked.
Certainly
!"
And
is
the reason
_
is,
the world
to skepticism.
So they withhold
their congre-
And knowing
that religion of
some kind
is
necessary for
men, and believing the gospel precepts to be the best in the world,
the clergy husband their influence over people,
selves to
what we
I, " what would you counsel me to do ?" Why, when I perused the notices this morning," replied he, struck me that if you would adopt precisely this course, the
situation for
you
this country."
do
?"
I asked.
useful
dollars
The
was
soul
quite pleasant to
my
ear, but
exerted upon
my
may
be gathered
450
from what followed.
Your
course you
to
recommend
for
me I
Mary
"I don't
"
What language do you refer to ?" And I replied " "When the devil
:
Man
of
Love
to stand
to contemplate the
which I now
" No, no
tives.
!"
reiterate
'
my
mo-
My object
respected,
useful."
you
will
have
to excuse
me
this
to
morning
Subsequently I noticed
The morning
fol-
lowing
the
my
postoffice
three
anonymous
to
letters
character.
They purported
have attended
From one
:
paragraph
" When you sat down afler your last night's lecture and covered up your eyes with your hand, I pitied you ! For you was thinking of your drunken sprees, of your flour speculations,
ruined
it,
to
make money.
it."
for
My knowledge of
451
false
me
to conceal
from her
all
communications so wholly
and malignant.
My safety
letters,
on
purpose
this:
"I don't
believe
d word
your professions;
am ready to
a d
my name so if
this."
you
ain't
d hum-
tell
who wrote
When
Toward him
my
more
I
By
clairvoyance I easily
that, before
left
so
happened
came
into
moment
previous.
;
He
and so
he asked
know
that he
had writ-
How
do you
like the
Queen
only
I replied.
" There
's
this city."
"What's
"
Mr. Davis?"
The
by
used for
"
"
Humph
The
How 's
last lecture
of
my
ance," I replied.
"
Can you
tell
tell
stranger.
is,"
Can you
tell
You have
cigars to
smoke ; second,
own
P. M,"
452
Hearing
this
hav'n't lived in old Connecticut so long for nothing. at guessing, like all
You 're
good
wooden-nutmeg
folks.
Barnum ?"
"There!" exclaimed I
now."
"
half-mirthfully, yet in earnest,
letters,
"I've
but I will do
Thunder !"
said
he with a
what
letters
At
place,
this
entered to conduct
afflict
me
to another
my
already regretful-looking
Thus was
the inter-
But
my
man
of
trifle
of clairvoyance.
From
also
Cincinnati
we journeyed
to Cleveland, Ohio,
and
there
commenced a
social
Nothing occurred of
in that city, except a
circumstance reported
by President Mahan
report involving
The
went
is,
in brief, this
That
one of
my
on " "Woman
;"
which, being ended, was pronounced by a gentleman in the assembly to be verhatim from a condensed report published in
recent
New
York Tribune.
sentiments and expressions of this statement
The
which may
"Modern
editorial
insuffi-
entitled,
compel
me
to believe that
he founded
on the
its
many
and unscrupulous
and
its
453
still
and
think, not to be
But I
will
now
misrepresented circumstance.
course of lectures in Cleveland.
was delivering a
My
subject
cerned the sexes equally, being a definition of their relative positions in the order of creation.
It is also true that, while in the
it
midst of
my
subject,
would be
know what a public teacher, like Horace Mann, had to say on the rights of women and the relation of the sexes.'' The audience, as well as I, knew that Mr. Mann was announced to Hence there was nothing irrelevant lecture soon on that subject.
interesting to
a few
clair-
my
impresssions, saying
who
will hear
;"
and affirmed
that
York Tribune.
Mahan
The
truth
is
was
gratified
feeling that
my
Thus you
made any proby " vision," nor attached any imBut the Cleveland
"pretensions,"
my
"at-
&c
myself to
bit of
fact,
newspaper
a settled
my
454
past history.
THE MAGIC
ai'AVF.
and believe
ident
will
Mahan.
His work is a
And passages
But
The
fitful
then,
Her most
painful
symptom was
a violent and incessant cough. Turning and yearning homeward, we took cars
for Eochester.
Here
Katie's illness
to her energies.
At
length
we were
referred to
who
And
the
young
and the
door, her
of rain.
municated in a series of
the effect to bring
letters to the
down a shower of
from Professor
me
The appearances
But
if
were, at the
first
against clairvoyance.
untruthful were the which show how and learn the laws by which mankind may
utterly
tations
also
the
fall
of rain,
let
him peruse
my
The Har-
monial Man."
By this
was overpassed.
Already
my
face
un-
IN
455
known
valley beyond.
Now
strains of
melody as
if
an angel's
trees
skilful fingers.
At such
times,
it
and birds and rocks and streams, and even untamed nations
Arcadians.
me
was
silently blending
cover the dull earth day and night for ever; and then I longed to
listen,
and I
what could I
;
do
on
Ah I must culture patience from year to year, and, leaning my Magic Stafij toil for the God-like race of a far future.
!
a great
worthy of remembrance.
It indicated the
New
England orthodoxy.
The
But the
last night,
although
it
was a
The un-
was the
legitimate efiect
who
But
my
attention
was
And
Our
retired.
was upon
all eyelids,
save
my
ear.
walked
once.
noiselessly
down
He
456
himself safe,
till
walking-stick in
my
right hand.
obliquely
in,
and enabled
me
as
those
whispered
" Jackson I
speak Mm."
to
At
well-known voice
"Have you
no
home?"
is unkind, my friend, to visit me as if I were your enemy. Do you not know that I am ever willing to help a poor man ?" He made no answer, and I continued " Do you think that you have done right? Do you treat me like a brother? If you should come here in open day, and tell me truthfully what are
:
to aid
you and
commend you
To
all this
me
through the
fright.
Convention.
The
the
way through
The
The
force.
meant
to refute
argument by physical
Staff sustained
my arm
she clung to
my pide,
down one
down
yells
against us.
street,
hoots and
acting as a
body-guard.
The
we were
left to ourselves
left us,
unharmed.
faint, yet, as
the stranger
IN
457
that blackened face
and passed
Our
protector
The
thief
do you
piloted
us through that
human passion ? Although I was now journeying a little every day toward the valley between Mount Power and Mount Beauty, yet, directly
after the Bible Convention,
my
condition
ble to clairvoyant
and impressional
exercises.
My
lectures
on
"sPhysiological Vices
Harmonia."
But
down
ence upon
my honored
her sleep
companion.
was she
was
curtailed
and irregular
and a shadowy
To
we found
sea.
Not long
after
And
as I
had
for
made no medical
my
Under
prescriptions her
symptows abated,
an
and I was
open carriage.
The
a favorable
inflaeace.
20
458
grew
chill
fear.
I feel broken
this diseased
down
"
tired of life
frame."
Do
is
may
continue for
many
years.
becomes
"
less
sultry,
perhaps you
may
Do n't
talk to
me
resistance.
"
Silona," I replied.
" You
have
many
days and
of
of health.
]JTow I think
may
rely
vigor,
Her
was
in the chamber.
Anon,
?
she
If
asked
"
Do you
fancy,
my Jackson,
you
do,
my
feelings.
Maria !"
me my
a
portfolio.
Jackson, raise
me up
bed
I wish
to write
letter."
When
I took
my
Thither
sickle
and other
:
fruits,
On my
when you go
out again
it,"
put that
she
added, " that no one can say I was under your influence."
The
letter
was addressed
Bristol,
459
Rhode
her.
who had
transacted
much
business for
A
all
me
legal papers
were
made
out and signed, and thus was another act of her generous
nature perfected.
There dwelt in
my mind
not so
much
as the
fortune.
:
And
one
when
!
fact,
she replied
" Oh, I
know
left
my
Jackson.
all
my
cherished father
life.
work of your
All I regret
days in August,
when
But
September greatly
we
Hope.
460
CHAPTER
LV.
My pilgrimage had
psychical valley.
rest.
musical
messages into
contrary,
my
ear.
The
was devoted
soon after our return, she became again nervously weary and
discouragingly prostrated.
Sometime
city,
:
who asked
" Is
Mr. Davis?"
my
reply.
"
Do you
said she
much
agitated.
Be you a
master of the
Black Arts?"
"
No
dyin'
by inches
it
it ?"
is.
who my enemy
note,
Some
person,
unbeknown
me, sent
me
which read
as
461
to let
" Black
cat,
This
is
you no that ef
liv'
whare you
now I
will
torment you ev'ry day of ev'ry week an eVry hour of ev'ry day
till
(Signed)
it
"f"
it
up and kept
in
my right hand. The distance to the postoffice was yet considerable, and as my business there was urgent, I invited her to walk
thitherward.
me
that her
room was
in a tenant house
families.
"Has any
elsewhere ?"
move
woman away.
sir.''
"
How
" Oh,
stomic
sir,
My
by
is
gone, and I
no appetite
faint
Oh,
I'm so
!
I know I'm a
!"
dyin'
inches
Ot, dear
Now I had
resolved to do this
woman
good.
I appreciated her
witchcrafib,
would cure and save her. Of this I was morally certain. Having reached the Unitarian church, I stopped and said:
will
"
We
now
part.
Did you
notice that I
have carried
this
note in
my
right hand?"
462
" Oh, yes,
sir," .she
taking out my
it
pencil
face
it
letter,
then breathing on
for a
now
injure you.
It
harmless.
Brush
the ashes into the stove or fireplace, and think no more about it"
"
Mercy
to
me
sir
me
jest the
same ?"
But I wish
to ask
you a
Do you know
sir,"
Night,
when dark
" Tes,
to hurt
me."
her, as if alarmed
celebrity.
I.
You must n't drink a Hack fluid," said " Mercy to me what shall I do then ?
!
my
coffee, sir,
Oh, dear
me !"
you have burnt
"
Go
the letter, prepare for yourself a roast potato, and eat that with
To-morrow morning,
coffee,
and so
also for a
tell
month
human being
that I
Little
more than a year elapsed ere we met again. 'Twas at evening Withdrawing to the outer edge of the sidewalk, in twilight.
North Main
sir."
street,
she whispered
"Never
was
sir,
better, sir, in
many
years
what you
my
!"
told
me
to do
my
cure.
Nobody never
disturbs
peace no more.
Oh,
^GS
.
"
My
art
is
If
to spare,
you
shall
we know
how I drove
the
"Oh, thank'ee
I'm obleeged
sir ?"
to
you
"
can you
jest tell
me
name
of your Art,
woman," said
I.
The name
!"
of the charm
you
is I"
Psychology"
she exclaimed, " skylolloge
" Skylolloge
to
never
fear ^- 1
you
for that."
With
these words
we
parted,
Prejudice
is
impudent as
history is
idiotic,
Of
this
my private
a
itruth,
a demonstration.
to
to feel
first to
examine a
Hoots, hisses,
and
silly
my
Sunday-school boys would chalk vijlgar words upon our cottagefence and gateposts.
which
And young
which thinketh no
evil
ning
epithets
and harmless
.satires
What was
all this to
me ?
what then ?
doing
!
What
and
An
this,
Nothing
The sun
statue.
464
is
And
me
certain companionable
spirits
redolent
fields of
"'Deus
mea^" thought
I,
when
the
ray person with a pail of filthy water from one of the upper win-
dows.
"
God
is
my
light,
the
is
Magic
Staff is
able to hinder."
But
the freshyet,"
men
laughed
and
so did I
at their fun
and
folly.
" And
much
better if
Then, instead of
arti-
Men !"
'Twas a
upon the
fair
earth,
windows
and
to-
do n't
let
me
"
troubles you,
feel
worse
day?"
The day
is
so tediously long,
me
no
rest."
" Perhaps,
the
and enjoy
"Don't
phasis.
a sad em-
me much
longer, I hope."
465
Maria gently bathed her hands and forehead, and then placed
before her the waiter of carefully-prepared
delicacies to
tempt
her waning appetite, but the fatigued sufferer declared that she
felt
no
of anything.
At her request
the food
"My
Jackson
promise
me
one
you ?"
may
ask," said I.
"Promise me,"
spirit is gone,
much
energy, "that
when
my
you
at this old
wornout body."
" I hope," said
I,
" that you will retain the use of your body for
many
years
but, if
in
it,
who among
supremely ridiculous."
I, really surprised at
Why,
" who
my
shall
clude?"
" Exclude everybody," said she, with
much
resolution.
what
is
relatives to
it
;
be informed of
my
when
my
,
spirit
of mourning."
" Silona," I asked, " do you consider the feelings of
ture on such occasions ?"
human
na-
" Promise
me !"
to fulfil
" say
that
views harstrictly."
monize on these
subjects.
your wishes
thing,
my
"What
is it,
Silona?"
20*
46T
came
for her,
and
satisfaction.
spirit
was com-
They made a
also, in
the same
work
The
sold;
sequestered domicile;
down upon
that portion of
my
life.
468
CHAPTER
,"'
LVI.
heaven
is
here."
Soon
eifects,
harmonies innumerable.
Though
my lone
heart,
murmurings of many
voices
of
in
the garden of the soul, seemed the " preamble sweet of charm-
my being.
eyes turned toward the
feet
The
attraction
was
irresistible
My
my
and
its
invisible
summit.
The
sacred depth of
my
it,
through immensity.
"With a waltz of
my
faculties,
I continued
my
The
pilgrimage
spiritually
469
to feel " at
me
home"
in his residence.
The
reckless
the
But I
Harmonial
is
idea of immortality.
terated fiove, to
unadul-
whatsoever
and
divine.
repelled
by showing
modem
manifestations were
first
open-
human nature
man's
spirit-
.principles of
church-people
and,
therespirit
intercourse.
Next, there issued forth " the gossip" of church deacons and of
the narrow-headed
ly aflBrmed
among newspaper
editors.
They
unqualified-
first joJia
of evidence
io
that
" ^pirituaUsm
JFree-Loveism."
This seemed
me
to
be the
last
degree
be a
spiritualist,"
know
cepted the work, of examining into the origin, laws, rights, wrongs,
This, therefore,
way up the Mountain of Beauty. "What progress do you make with the marriage question?" asked Mr. Green, who knew that I had consecrated the first half
all
of my pilgrimage
the
many days
470
" I find," said
I,
more
divine
to be*'
" What's the natural law ?" he inquired. " Ah, that I have not yet discovered."
to decide
who's the
"
My interior
examinations
perceived, I
am
sure
ab-
is
"Why
so?" he asked.
" Because," said I, " evil offspring result from bad marriages,
and
beautjful."
"
What
is
" It
my
can not
But
the laws," said he, " would not grant divorce on such con-
siderations."
"
Then
eral happiness of
New
York.
to a clairvoyant survey of the " physiological vices and virtues" of both the
My
interior penetrations
not but detect a multitude of atrocious evils growing out of existing marriage relations, which nothing, save divorce, could efiectually banish from thousands of
homes and
hearts.
471
false unions.
But
to
them
all
my reply
my
am
not pre-
my sympathy."
Newton, who was
gifled
One day I
called
upon a
lady, Mrs.
Human
fairy
em-
and
her
will,
son, en rapport,
would
rise
intelligible proportions.
me and
said:
How,
then, do
you wish
to
know me ?" I
much
pleased
accession
And
At
length
How
rhow
!"
jojrful the
" Yes," I replied, " the miseries of false marriages are blighting
and corrupting
"
to all concerned."
Not long
upon me, whose heart was overflowing with both happiness and
misery."
^'Indeed!" said
I.
"What was
emotions ?'
With
been
"
He
is
for years, to
472
"Has he
asked.
whom he
While
was o'erburthened
ardent, gentle, and
with
its
immense love
for another
one who
is
.congenial."
"
wijfe
know
of hi$ attach-
ment
affectionate.
She seems
to
delicate
^ows
it.
And
she
is
it
even
to be
"
!"
said I.
" If
it
be true that
new
to
be an act of justice
if this
ceived from the mind of the unhappy gentleman be correct she must be a noble-nunded 'woman, even
a,nd
if she is
then
not affectipnate,
for a
I would
like to look
.at
her.
In
fact, so
rare
is it
human
ing the past and future of her friend, which she had witnessed
Her
and
gloom of a loveless
paper.
past,
in
a Boston
soon g'lided by which I had set apart for pleasant converse with
this
473
heartfelt satisfaction.
The
was
willing to travel
and
dis-
course on
Reform
topics,
personally accept.
upon the weather, and Spring stood in the portal of March's dreary
temple, yet dark and grim and
fitful
" Does the weather affect you ?" asked Mr. Tirrell, to
whom
Very
little, sir,"
I replied.
"
With
" Where do you live ?" I asked. "In Quincy, this state, in the' region of the
granite quarries."
sifter
My
lecture
was appointed
for sabbath
The
we
on a ramble
My liberal-minded
Accordingly,
conductor,
Mr.
Tirrell, said:
"I
think we'll
way."
we
my
attention.
And now
" In
memory
The
but,
of John and
the writings
of A. J. Davis."
story, as
it it
was related
me,
lies
vaguely in
:
my memory
I think,
ly married,
They were
474
male
attire.
was Poverty.
The
adventure-
worked occasionally
at his trade;
but from some cause, he did not earn sufficient to pay their
board.
At
roomed
were
together,
and the
Among some
the
its
And on
looking over
that, previous to
When
the inconsiderate
young man
arriv-ed
and discovered
this slight
cumstance and inducement for suicide, and caused the gravestonecarver to express the glaring falsehood which I have frankly
chronicled.
this,
then,
is
upon
years ago,
is it
?'
" But
it
hasn't amounted
much
in this region."
"Why not?"
"Because," he answered, "everybody in these parts knows
that your writings
had nothing
I.
to
" Is
it
THE DOUBLE
"What,
then, do they think of
SUICIDE.
475
" agree that the father has madjS himself ridiculous in this
;
case
But the
the
Staff,
spirit
and
silently
I thus soliloquized:
How
wretched the
prejudice,
features of that
Suppose I were
citizen
Suppose I were a
the birthplace
sonages.
of,
John Quincy
Ad^s
and other
air,
illustrious per-
To
Presently
my
The white
on
features of
a self-murdered
still,
my
thoughts.
Stretched and
dangerous person
dumb slumber by A. J. Davis I Who is this Where does he live ? What does he write ?
is
Can
it
community
My breath
;
my
eyes
I step
soil
;
I stoop to the
man
What,
then,
But these
do I think of
monumental record ?
Let
I think
hood, which
is
own
character, but
an open
insult to
is,
Tyorld.
That
nat-
ural right
justice is
to
be possessed f Truthpi^blishes
But what an
apostate to
!
he who wantonly
a baneful fabrication
How
is
man
Here
one
476
to arrest
rolled to
who
sought
To an
angel's
mind
"The
world, deluded
by an
imjust
New York.
The
But
instead of those
not
" Deluded by
hum^i
life ?
Love !" Who wrote " love" within the book of Who made the heart ? Who enlivens and occupieg
meditating, dear reader,
the universe ?
Thus was I
requested
me
the
to continue the
fields.
hall
listeners;
full
and, on the
to
of gratitude
All the
to central
New
York, with
melody that
down
me
and
Whether
when
my
anthems of
invisible
choristers.
And
was
notahnewanderer, my
my honored
;
The
voice
that of
gentle
Guide.
the
the
477
The
edly hostile to
my
which I
pitarian
to
solicited attention,
If a pul-
had delivered
my
it
lectures, multitudes
my
back or
in
my
But- to thQse
who came I
life,
human
love indulgence
must
resist
every impulse
that tea
and
coffee,
were enemies
and
disasters of
"What's
Auburn.
"
To
by
What
human
spirit."
sir
upon my word, I
man
is
can't."
a pocket
edition of
Men
Such seem
me
like
an old
man
who, with
them."
"Can you
tures?"
tell,
sir,
in a
your pnbUc
lec-
First
478
ance in
that,
spirit
Second
by obedience
of every
to
the
perpetual inspiration.
By
divine,
to
be
true,
is
destiny of every
human
The
its
though
it
little
opposition to hinder
it,
for eighteen
hundred
years.''
At
this
moment another
citizen
said:
"Mr.
ex-
who
"That's good," I
to-morrow."
replied.
"I expect
to
be there day
after
"The
by
citizen,
now
disaffected parties."
"
A divorce
!"
said I.
who
" No, the gentleman did not inform me," he replied, " but they
vure
somewhat expected
to attend
your lectures
in Rochester."
4.70
CHABTEE
THE THEOLOGICAL
LVil.
IICLIPSE.
The
next scene in
this
psychological
What Palestine is to the Christian, Rome to the Catholic, Italy to the Artist, such "Home" to the way-worn Keformer. Sweeter
scene,
laurel wreaths,
is
a hospitable
than a sylvan
Evangelists of the
New
Dispensation.
What
"It appears
to
"
"On
all
"I have
;
publicly
is
that
it
not a
that Liberty is
an
infinite ocean,
while
48U
"Are you
is
quit* sure?"
is
I asked.
"Let us apply
the
test.
Liberty, as a principle,
liberty-man
it
a man of
principle.
feet.
He
beneath his
to
His patriotism
is
boundless as the
I,
" that
my
view of Liberty
is
more
searching
and complete in
its
" Oh, no. Friend Davis, I feel that thee is mistaken." " Let us see," said
principle.
"
My
proposition
is,
that Liberty
is
tion or
it
A principle, you perceive, will have universal applicawill have none. A true liberty-man loves freedom in
own
soul.
He
loves
Liberty in
in
Hungary and
ciple.
The
struggle
sublime baause
it is
universal.
Now
let
me
apply
this
more
closely..
That
is
the'inteUect,
not Liberty"which
unhappily married
that
is
woman
"
we
expect a
A couple
!"
hope there
will
be several
was going
to say,"
is
that
they have concluded to separate." " Ah, they must be the parties of I replied. "
whom
481
"They
"living near or in
Randolph I
to
that thee
may
say something to
"
And
my
my
During
dear reader,
my
first
:
source of strength
my
Intuitions
then, ever
and anon,
else,
Magic
Staff.
One morning, soon after breakfast, Isaac came to me and said iu " The troubled persons, the school-teachers, have an- under tone
:
just come.
tion."
When
thee
is
ready I
will
We
time,
divorce-
ments.
Two
and an-
On
gentleman
coiijugal
"
said he, " I wish to inquire
"
Mr. Davis,"
decide
to act in
"A
principle contains
aU there
is
of value in a policy," I
replied.
" I would act upon the principle, therefore, and take the
On
and said
"
I said to you
To
482
from the
first,
While on
the
to the fulfilment of
my
appointments, I had
my
pubhc
discourses.
But no person
broached
way
disaffection.
I had neither
single ques-
and
policy.
after closing
" I guess
it
must be a
;
my
last lecture
my
While speaking
and
virtues,"
to the
few
libejal
felt that
many
silent resolu-
lives.
And
My
letters.
writing-table, in
Mr. Green's
residence,
was loaded
with
They were from persons of almost every social and intellectual grade. Some of my unknown correspondents were
bristling with the tactics of logical disputation.
less disposed to controvert
Others, though
my
my
clairvoyance
for
personal benefits.
But
there were
also
letters of
different
spiritual
temper,
full
communications
epistles, soliciting
my
services as
Among
my absence,
THE THEOLOGICAL
was a
sort of valedictory epistle
F.CL1I'>B.
488
scribe,
And
to
me and my work,
it
I think
it
due both
:
that I insert
entire in
this connection
WiLLiAMSBOKGH, March
16(A, 1854.
Mk. a.
J.
Davis
Deab Beothee
you and propose a
pertaining to our
terests of the latter
I feel that
little
it is
now proper
for
me
to write
friendly
own
still
day unfolding.
You
doubtless
me an intimacy which I once believed could never be interrupted or suspended by any untoward human event, or by any promptings originating That intimacy, so either in the natural or the spiritual world.
sympathizing intimacy existed between you and
long as
it
subsisted,
overrules all things, for a good and wise purpose, and that purpose
few days after a paryour career had been consummated (viz. I think, on the 5th or 6th of July, 1848), and while you were visiting at Poughkeepsie, as I was sitting at my writing-table a distinct
I can
now
ticular event in
There you have now nothing further to do with Davis. It has ceased to be your duty to stand between him and those who speak against him. Leave him, and let him pursue his own course
while you pursue yours."
to
This impression was so unexpected, and I must say so contrary my intentions and even desires, as to create no small degree of
to
my mind ; and although I could not possibly refer any mundane source, I was for a time disposed to doubt its heavenly authority, especially as T did not receive any confirmation of it through you, whom I then regarded as far more capable
astonishment in
it
of receiving truthful spiritual impressions than myself. You are aware, however, that external events as well as intei-nal convictions ensued, which were of such a nature as to force us asunder.
From
l84
divergent paths.
my
me
would appear to be, in some respects, totally different from cerJain important and prominent points of doctrine set forth and defended
in all
years more especially, I have been conwhat I am forced to regard as the most sacred truths, and on which I believe the salvation of the world depends, ignored, misconceived, misrepresented, and virtually
During the
(though of course ignorantly, and, therefore, unintentionally) abused hy and through yourself and a majority of the more prominent spiritual mediums and writers who adopt the essential
principles of
During
this-
period
whom I desire alone to serve had yet called me into his field. I ^ow, however, feel that it is time to begin to speak forth my convictions to the public, and with the promptings which are constantly growing stronger and stronger within me, / dare not keep
silent
I,
much
longer.
is
before me.
friends
it
means of sundering the last which I made upon the plane of your
me
in
by my invisible Guide) I will have to stand almost single-handed and alone against a host; and I am not a man of war but of peace, as you well know. I would, therefore, that conflict and public discussion, and especially conflict between myself and my
much as possible ; and to this end I address you this epistle in order to invite you first to a friendly comparison of notes for the purpose of ascertaining how far you and I can possibly agree, and not how far we can differ.
friend Davis, could be avoided as
Another object I have in view is to respectfully and fraternally soUcit on your part a careful reconsideration of certain questions of vital importance on which, if I do not misunderstand you, I
am
Upon
the result of
to
may agree
from you. any epistolary or oral consultation which you have with me upon these subjects, will depend in mj
far I
am
to include
my
friend Davis as
485
teachings
among
the supporters
of,
or dissenters
from, those
me as making the following concessions what I apprehend to be your own views 1. That ther3 is much bigotry and intolerance in the world which ostensibly rests upon a religious basis, and that this bigotry and intolerance, besides being intrinsically unjust, constitute one of the most formidable obstacles to all true reform, and that we should hence labor to remove them by aU fair and honorable
Please, then, understand
to
:
means.
2.
own developed
and
reason, intui-
purified moral
religious sense;
and
hence that the Bible should be (candidly) investigated, criticised, and judged of according to its intrinsic merits, which, however,
we
That there have been true revelations spiritually given to man, more or less, in all ages and among all nations, and that the relative importance of these must be judged by their subject, character, scope, and, above all things, by the fruits which they have been calculated to produce. On these and many minor points, I suppose you and I would not essentially differ. At the same time I am, after the most serious and patient investigation continued now for several years_;
3.
among
others
of less importance
1.
That the
and pivotal
element of
in
human
nature, and
my judgment,
and
thorough, and
radical reform,
or
its
behests disregarded,
By
mean
an ever-present God who takesspersonal cognizance of the conditions, thoughts, and actions of his creatures, who personally hears (or knows) and answers
worship, and render
service to
486
tion
exist.
;ir
God no
religion, in
my
all minds should hold themselves open to true from any and every source, it so happens that the book, or collection of books, called the Bible, especially as viewed with due reference to its interior sense, contains the highest, the truest, and the most -purifying instruction concerning God,
2.
That while
instruction
ments of human beings, of any other book extant among men, and is, therefore, altogether indispensable as a guide to the reform of ourselves and of the world. Judging it altogether " hy its own merits," and irrespective of any traditional authority, I am compelled to regard it as precisely what it claims to be in all its most essential parts a divinely originated production, and in its
own
3.
Moreover,
many
consequence of man's
is
sins.
Hence I
Way, the Truth, and the Life, and that no man (or men) can come unto the Father except by him" that is, by entire self-abnegation, and an unreserved and unconditional surrendry of themselves to him as their exemplar and their moral and spiritual guide. Do not by this, however, understand me as supposing that the
the only "
society of
whole
infinite quantify of the Divine essence was shut up and comprehended in any limited space or form, and thus withdrawn from other parts of the universe. No intelligent person ever yet
supposed
that.
The
fact is
God
where
of a
man visible to the interior perceptions of the high and pure angels who are sufficiently en rapport with him and the physical
space,- of that
These propositions, which I firmly believe to be truths, have wrought the most salutary and happifying effects upon my affee-
487
and life, as well as upon the affections and lives of millions must say, that, after witnessing the disunity and confusion, and, in some instances, the positive malignity and wilful decepand
-I
tiveness of spirits to
my
and solemnly reconsider these vitdUy important points. Enter deeply into their inner significance pray, yes, ^ray ferseriously
power you may recognise as the highest and best above yourself that can still exercise a guardianship over your inner life to open your soul to a perception of whcUever of good and truth may be involved in these several propositions and their kindred Christian doctrines ; and after duly ponvently to whatever spiritual
how
the
to the
enable
me
my
public
me against
feel,
the danger
fast approaching, if
it
mencement of the death-struggle between religionism and antiChristianism and anti-Christianism, Bibleism and anti-Bibleism, as connected with the modern spiritual unfolding and if the Truth simply has fair play, it has nothing to fear, on
religionism,
intended
when I com:
menced, but am prompted to add the following ere I close You are aware that there is a very numerous class of people in the world, to whom the idea of humbling themselves, taking up the cross, and unconditionally and unreservedly following the Divine
teacher (as the
New
may
488
lead them,
for
is
I think, admit with me, that it is among this class principally that thie stronger admirers of your teachings
a moment, you
(or
them an excuse or
am
prompted
to
God
his truths and precepts whether men will hear Don't you remember that once in your vision you found yourself lying upon an altar between two mountains ? Oh,
HIM by advocating
or forbear.
my
lay
and then,
will
and
lightnings, and
new
and the spiritual sun upon you ; and then you wiU be really prepared to assist the great and only true shepherd, Jesus Cheist, to collect his scattered and disunited sheep together which, permit me to say, in all kindness, you never can do, until you first recognise him as the only true shepherd. Brother Davis, cultivate the religious element of your nature, and then your intellect will perceive these things more clearly. Please let me hear from you as soon as possible, and believe me, with many prayers for your spiritual welfare, Affectionately, your brother, Wir. Fishbottgh.
be refreshed
the Lord himself
you
arid invigorated,
will shine
And
the
thus the
which
human world. In this event, however, I see nothing at to murmur or be surprised. Well do I remember the first
viz., that
spiritually-affectionate
soul ; and that whatever religious conviction might once become fixed in the depth of his loving heart, that would dominant all subsequent reasonings and take precedence in the conduct of his
destiny.
This
total
Theological Eclipse of a
human mind
is
no
489
new phenomenon. We have seen it many times before, and so we shall again. But after carefully reading and reflecting upon the worthy Scribe'^ letter, I made the following reply
:
Baktfobd,
Deak Bbotheb
March) on
press here
sence of over nine weeks, and found your favor (of the 16th
my writing-table. It is quite needless for me to exmy gratification at the truly fraternal tone of your comIn regard
to its contents,
munication.
in brief:
1.
That the
apprehend
2.
me
seem, so
to
you make
to
a most " patient investigation continued now for several years," you have arrived at other and different conclusions which you very clearly and candidly state.
But owing
as
you say
With
give
If I should
my
sit-
seems to
me
In
all
intuitional discoveries
me
own.
Your
religious experiences
accordance with
how we can do
any scheme of salvation which rests upon the teachings of any one nor yet on all books combined. book in the bible, or out of it On the contrary, I believe in the progressive growth and harmo-
Human
Family.
You
490
mirera of my teachings are to be found among those to " idea of taking up the cross is extremely distasteful."
tainly
those
know that the best of Harmonial Philosophers are among who have tried the old system thoroughly. They can not be
accused of ignorance.
perimental religion.
called to
Nor have
But
tjiey
been reluctant
to test ex-
If you
feel
commence a warfare
more
J.
like
it
than at present.
In
all
the fraternal
ties,
still
remain,
A.
Davis.
My
energy
mode
of warfare
soul.
is
not ancient.
I believe in muscular
of the
me
When
I become a victor,
the amaranth,
and conducts
than kings.
I wordis-
ber ride to
my
side
show me an
in-
Hercules, a poetic
self-control, a
God
of
show
me
these
me ?
am an
idolater, I
am
a worshipper, I am
Because
and why?
my
vision
immeasurable
fields
c'
infinite
domain of Deity.
491
CHAPTER
'
LVIII.
exhanstless
Love
still
On
In heaven sweet chord, that harmonizes all The harps of Paradise ! the spring, the well, !" That fills the howl and banquet of the sky
Vert
felt
the attractive
the
My
journey up the
me
the awful precipice of the Table mountain, of South Caronerveless and appalled.
The
dizzy heights of
fortitude of
my
is
soul.
my
or discontent
mainly traceable
to
cessation
hymeneal
altar
disaffection,
hour of wedlock.
Another
part,
of
my
teaching was:
that to
marry a person
492
whom you
your own
which
is
disastrous
and
inevitable.
by mutual
love, is positive
statute-law,
adultery
is
no source of
public virtue.
Modern
demon custom
The consequence
bearing, as
that,
refinement
woman
is
and
the
my
prescription
for indifference
other
Eden
parties
by
Furthermore, to prevent
litigious troubles in
to the state
when a marriage
rela-
was
to
be consummated.
And,
finally,
to
and
the
licen-
the Atlar and the Right of the individual to chastity and liberty,
As
493
my
The return wave of these wafted many letters from both sexes
assailants.
my
writing-table.
One of these
I listened to your
firet
my
life-long sufferings.
man
my-
Our
I know,
differ-
too, that
Sometimes I have left home, taking my youngest child with me, and stayed away for weeks to get a little relief. ..... I am compelled to yield to his wishes, contrary I sometimes hate to my every inclination and sense of propriety. and despi'se even my own body, and feel more willing to die than
I am Vreak, weary, and despairing. The people say must msJte my husband happy, and, obey him as the Scripture saith ; but my Ii& is a sacrifice to his passions, and I must have liberty or death. My relatives are all opposed to my making this disaffection public, though they know full well that lam a martyr to
to live, for
that I
legal sensuality
The
one in
and
"Will you please answer this, Mr. Davis, whether you think such should be divorced ? S. A. PI. With much sorrow and sincere respect,
this region
tell
me
In reply
to the foregoing,
letters
that
my
one, viz.
to define
and
show the
own
personal
On
opening another
letter
494
Mr Kind
and
this
Fkiend
You gave me
morning I
feel inclined to
freely of
my
past experiences
of
do
so.
May
It
I speak
is
to
you
blessings that
have attended
my
existence ?
who seems so worthy of confidence as you for, though there may be many such in the wide world, they have seldom crossed my own pathway. From the hour of my legal union with my friend and brother, but not companion, we both realized that ours was a false marriage. Yet we strove to be happy. We endeavored to assimilate
cheering to find a friend
;
to
world
our
efforts,
and thus we have lived on from year to year, calling each other "husband" and "wife," while our hearts throbbed with agony at the profanation of those holy
continually widened between us
words.
What wonder
ance of those self-evident truths which constituted the basis of your lectures in Eochester ? heart bleeds with pity when I
My
I will
and find the strength within me, do something toward shaking our selfish law-makers from
of society.
live,
their posts
more
fully
meet
In
am
new
significance in
a beauty in existence that I did not discern in by its light, I feel my sympathies going out toward all the human race. There are those on earth,
is
;
There
years gone by
and, gladdened
whom
I gratefully
trust, feeling
" "Warm from their spirits spreads around An atmosphere serene divine
first
home during
the
summer
what part or
of
May.
The West
parts I
495
please direct
Shf^uld
letter,
"With
much
Mabt
It
F. Love.
was evident
of
whom
whom
New York.
was
let to
My reply
Hartfoed,
Mt deab
pleased with
Fr.end
its
Your
letter
came
to
me
safely,
and I was
me
freely
I comprehend, with a true sympathy, the sufferings you have realized, and which have been shared equally by your fraternal, but not conjugal, companion with
whom, also, my soul deeply and steadily sympathizes. The world needs great light on the question of true Marriage
and Parentage.
be
How
may
law-makers of our century to a full and free and salutary discussion of the wrongs and, no less, to a new of present relations between the sexes
in strength to aid in rousing the
moved
its
bearing on
and the right development of our species. Like many others from whom I receive letters, you write of unhappiness in your own false relation, and I know, from what I discovered to be the nature of your " friend and brother," that he no less experiences the pain arising from a consciousness of the same cause. In these things you may both open your wounded hearts to me, in all the simple confidence of little children, and I
progression,
will give to
human
each
my
know
not
how
to
bondage.
Mount Beauty
rivers of melody.
From
the topmost crag, through the dales below, there flowed whole
Its
down through
496
my
awakened
portions of
my
harmonial animation.
the perception of
Thus
my
to
At one
breath I
vulgar.
Ashamed
face
of what I had admired during previous years, and overglories of the present,
I hid
my
of the heart, delicate thoughts of the manly soul, the sacred mission of the woman-nature, the adaptation of
evil
Love
to "Wisdom, the
relation,
the- sin-conceived
such
/
attractions
my
soul as I walked
up the broad
table-land of
Mount Beauty.
viewed the wide world of
life
From
living
men.
My vision
;
will
Immediate individual
interests I did
not consider
Into the
homes of the
of him who
unhappy ;
teries
man
into the
;
memory
the lip
and
into
bedroom
to river,
revelations,
to clairvoyant
through long,
;
and
I said
" Let
me
not to
'
when
it
alter-
497
I will speak
remover
to remove,'
brought forth in
tongues of those
iniquity
Behold the
idle
limbs and
silly
wed-
ded
blotches of hatred
felt
delicate
woman has
this
fold
Mountain
blood
Behold the
the invisible
mob
of reproductive essences
rushing, unwoman
soul
And
indifference to truth
tte
loss of delicacy
the
and you see what I saw wonder that I wrote the fourth volume of the " Great
Harmonia."
by which I mean a
its
state of
comprehend
had
my
fields,
charms
also.
While
meditating upon
its
broad summit
lips 'twere
mute.
Because I
saw no words
seas
and mountains,
and
men
and angels
my
soul
felt,
but could
not express.
Then came
eternal
and
this is the
by
upon the
soft air,
conjugal harmony.
In order
498
heart and head
right
tion
; ;
light
and heat
contrac-
and
left; attraction
positive
and love
Man
and
Woman
all
The
infinite conjugalities
The
first
marriage of
examined
I comprehended
the worth of
human
make
its
devotions eternal.
to
human
dower
is
the power
to eternize
a temporal union.
Not
Even then
cacies
deli-
by which Love
to
good union
awakened and nurtured, might cause a dwindle down and at length vanish in a cold and
On
will,
perhaps, get
my
About
this period
in the full-blown
summer-time of 1854
Her very
breath was
Her joy-abounding
But her
may be
Hence
this
that,
of conjugal
From my
that
harmonies
each other
relation
between us
extend beyond the tomb and be crowned with the Harmonial per-
499
at first
it
had
some-
what of sadness
And
as she withdrew
my
happiness, a.id
my
lips
blessing.
600
CHAPTER
LIX.
A NEW
Mount
then,
creation
revelations of
tc
Beauty.-
be har-
by
society
would
harmony out of
Again
:
existing discords.
state for
not a housekeeping,
humdrum, commonplace
like the
Nature.
The
true
woman,
nature
while the true man, with the strength of Jupiter and the
In
all this
there
is
nothing but
to
which
its
501
" And here am I," methought, " without my mate. If there be woman in the domain of human society with whom I could
united, I
become eternally
soul in which I
woman
of
intelli-
gence
a Mend, a playmate, a
a Harbinger, her
sister,
And
to that soul
lifting
spirit's resting-place,
and
its
safe
reader,
when a shower
Land
of genial
upon
my
head.
camo
into
who was
panion ?"
and one,
true com-
"Kind
Guide," said
I,
"there
in
me
" Ere
Dost thou
love that
"
The
fills
my heart,"
same
that I see
my son,"
this,
perception of
mission."
me
its
laws and
its
that
which transcends
all
over the changeful impulses consequent upon the trials of days and hours. It is an essential spring to personal development
and both
to
man-
502
kind.
It is the
benediction of
Heaven
life
the divinest
destiny
the crown of
!"
"Thou
own
life,"
said he.
clairvoyance to
^nd
counterpart.
we
whom
thy
spirit
relation."
Your words
fall
upon
my
But
tho
basis of
my
my celestial
lessons."
visitor,
"such has
my
mountain
They now began to retire toward the door, when I said " If either of you know which way I should look to see the person of
:
My graceful
ward the
his
to-
setting sun.
Being
my vision
ladies
letter
one of whom
I had recently
my
" She
is
the
Now
Thus
my
interior medi-
My investigations into the laws of marriage had given me the knowledge that there was no inexorable destiny to contend with
God had not predetermined and foreordained man must be married to a certain woman in order
that
that
certain
to secure the
eternal marriage
but,
Code
is
is
human
it
whether they
be transiently or per-
503
first
With
his
scanned
the
immense
field
of human
to detect, if possible,
among
my
own.
To
this
hour for
five successive
At
length, I concluded to
examine
so,
the lady to
whom
I was referred by
my
;
visitors.
I did
and
The
girlhood
her soul for proportion, melody, and beauty ; the native tranquillity
the plighted
fra-
ternal marriage
mutual
efforts to
how
time
woman
conceal the fact from the observation even of friends most intimate
the final and mutual agreement to a conjugal separation as an affair
could possibly love the other as husband and wife should love,
their spurious relation should, be suspended
became
fixed in both
desolation, but
rela-
to disturb the
her eyes.
Now
effort.
Through many sad and trying scenes I traced her footsteps, up to the hour when my physical eyes first rested upon her at the Reformer's Refuge.
And now
viz.,
why
the twain
604
and she
for ob-
I observed,
her motive
was
to
to his im;
ends
I saw
to
ed
friends,
each
yet
cast
that I detected
a genuine
fitness of
My Mend, Mr.
into Ohio,
asked
me
to
While
in the cars
minded
individual, recognising
"
Can
you
tell
how
you how
it
appears."
his
quick,
you'll answer
my
questions."
momentary emotion
of the ludi-
" If
he replied
pompously, "
"
me."
I,
From
ens appear
with
light, as
But
should you ascend to the outer rim of our atmosphere and look
505
steadfastly
present no atmo-
would emit no
scintillations,
and the
now azure sky would seem like a black concave immeasurable." "Fudge!" he exclaimed. "That's all spiritual twaddle, sir.
AU d^n nonsense
been
"
sayin' ?"
What
The
I,
quietly.
" Light
is
First,
at-
and
by our
mosphere
by bodies
The
questioner seemed a
:
now
"
Some say
is that so ?"
"
The
to
from the
!
to
man."
" What
do you mean
say that
it 's
" Yes,
eternal
sir,"
snow
almost
with the
upper
"
air."
Look
a-here
now
up the agony
way
sound
!"
"The
plain truth
till
is
fiction,"
I replied.
" Therefore,
that
fact is
ogy instead of
spirituality,
realities
"About
ain't
"say,
in-
more
" Chemists can produce a lower temperature than that which prevails within
the Arctic
circle."^
They can
22
506
into a solid substance,
is
than
skeptical,
he continued
'^You
feller,
are you?
I'd like to
know how
the spirits
a. cold
anyhow P
jest let
"
Do you
me
that's all
I ask."
I.
"
My answer
is
" Spirits,
when
drawing
liver of
move
in
sol?;,
magnetic,
summery
elements which flows, from the North to the South Pole, a few
miles above the earth's surface."
" No, no
!"
exclaimed he.
I.
"
You do n't
The
next
is
And
right
come
down
stand
all
The
reflections of these
images are so
distinct
and
shadow of
one's
own body
in a lookingrglass,
that inexperienced
selves.''
"Humph!
civility.
"That
"
CA-U&E
Stand
AND KFPKCT.
tables are
507
moved and
come
voices
arfi
how
when
heard in a room."
"
I have
I,
" that
spirits
diate presence.
Only
this
quently as
is
supposed bytbose
who
act as mediums.
Tables and
Words
can
And
yet,
my
would
like to find
The
entrance into
:
" You
have done
me
good,
your
doctrines,
and
shall read
sir,
and
"
we walked
man
any
when di^greeable,
I believe that
if there
's
chance
do him good.
Now
human
refbrm.
At
all events',
he
if
much more
likely to
of pugnacious bitterness
which he at
first
manifested."
The next
many
persons
social season.
At
lady endowed with a "kindly heart and a sincere and active lOve
of truth and justice, withdrew ffom a group of animated guests, and, seating herself beside me,
made some
divorce case.
"the merits of
?"
this
"I guess
Btances."
a thoughtful look.
"People
508
'
" "
What circumstances do people require ?" I asked. The world, you know, demands something more tlian
"
a mere
to think
ill-treat-
ment, to justify a
" Is
it
human
The
What is
as I
more a
violation of purity
and principle ?
respect.
Mrs. Lewis,
this case
commands
my
am
They have
freedom.
failed
This
is
known of a
It
pair
is
bold and original stand to take, and I trust both parties will have
the courage to go through with
"I
it
hope they
to be
to
rather faint-hearted
when he
left
Mary
here,
He
has, apparently,
now,
it
seems
to
to
" What does the wife say to that ?" I asked. " She seemed to feel badly to see him so disheartened," replied
Carrie
;
far happier
when he
that
it
as she also
feel
needed freedom for her own peace of mind, she could not
would be
"
On what
a look of
sympathy.
will
be
'
desertion.'"
"Suppose a
then
what
mean
to
509
to get niar<
same as
it
is,
for
Mr. Love
children,
and
for
Mary
to
make
it
her home
is
at
little
not
lecturing or teaching."
arily into
The
moment:
" Jack-
son,
The
conversation
now became
spiritually-designated
many well-remembered
friends in
Amherst
and Cleveland.
of the season
1854
a large
portion
At
the conclusion of
citi-
my
zen,
attractive residence.
loutish
and
selfish
upon a question of
jus-
and
liberty
and,
among
as one
On
is.
hear-
"
Do
Friend
divorce ?"
"
She
left
Cleveland friends of her cause have heard nothing from her until
quite recently."
"
"
The
off
for testi-
mony."
"Well,
is
there anything
wrong
in that?" I inquired.
510
"It's
friends,"
all
way
or two longer."
"
" Charles
What 's her brother-in-'law's name ?" I asked. M. Plumb," he repiiied. " He aots like an
:bnt
inteHigent
in
X thitik %e
'fi
been injudtcioas
" Is
it
true,"
is
persevering in
Tier
this
Cleveland
friends
f
re^onded somewhat
;
" Yes," he
testily^
"whic^h
am
almost positive
will
be the
result
of
^their operations."
I,
"this fact
is
makes me
bofla
sad aad
thamkfuL
just cause,
am
and yet I
am
to hinder her
he answered.
"In
fact,
am
something in the
way
But
why
my
"Yes,
that's true!
who
m you know.
But
in
am
unpleasantly doubtful."
What
"I mean
some
retired
a closed
parlor, in
511
nohle declarations,
lovers of equal
many make
perfect
work
and
pri-
sorrow have seen those same bold and beautiful talkers play fantastic tricks,
diabolical, to
make
" True, very txue," said he with a deep emphasis and tone of
rfegret.
"
opposition.
My
anti-slavery
and Other
battles
has
my
miod."
his heautiful
At
this
moment we reached
which
occasions, freely
me
his household.
till
Upon
the
after breakfast
on
when
me
letter
Come,"
am going
to
answer that
letter to-day,
"I
doii't
affair,"
I replied.
woman
Why, Davis," said the firm and fearless brother, " you're just the man who should sustaiin individuals in their struggles far liberty Come, make haste T Let 's have a note in fifteen minutes, for 1 must go right down street."
*'
which
It
dis
induced
will
me
to decline
any
be remembered that, by
clairvoyant penetration, I
had
woman .and
myself.
612
Hence,
my
have been
justifiable
But I
consented,
Cleveland,
To
Mrs.
Maky
F.
:
Love
Dear
Sistee
Friend Sterling
insists
upon
my
sending yon
letter.
He
cheer you.
and encourage you in this struggle for civil and mental freedom. Be very firm and hopeful, for the angels Love and Wisdom send ybu good and true friends to aid you externally ; and they strengthen your purposes also, in the present exertion for Justice and Liberty. If you do not succeed at this term of the court, you need not despair. few months more will doubtless accomplish all you Remember that if you fail now, there remain plenty of desire. time and ability to achieve the ends of reciprocal justice. With an unchangeable regard, your brother, A. J D.
rable effort to sustain
'
My friend, William
Ohio, to
positive
visit
having a
engagement
New
proper destination.
Of
And,
yet,
and prophetic
fact,
many
from ploughed
tors
fields, liberty-lovers
and I
did not observe more than twenty in the crowded assembly, but
While
613
name, asked, " if I
a stranger, having
first
ascertained
my
could give
uality?"
him any
"Not
times."
to-day," I replied.
"My
at all
"I
sider
much
The adjoining seat was occupied by an owlish-looking individual, who exhibited a remarkably large and white neckcloth, and
still
Overhearing
Harmonial system, he
exclaimed :
" Away with your vain philosophy, with your
striving to be wise above
what
is
written
Have we
shall
Uve
What
more do you
''
ask,
sir,
Be
interlocutor, "
justice to listen.
The
and I looked
Man
begins
sur-
in total ignorance.
face of the
human
soul
Man
brute,
commences a sensuous
i.
e.,
space.
lect is
a blank skepticism
is
sort of disbelief
all
which, after
the mainspring to
22*
514
" Your
talk, sir,
nified minister.
is
as distinctly
it
mind, without any real growth in experience, darts off like a comet
to superstition, from
extreme
to the other;
and so
it
who most
who have no
and miraculous.
All argument,
:
The
"
immortality,
although I
much wish
it ?"
Why
all
I inquired.
trees, herbs, brutes, bii-ds,
"Because," he
I behold
men,
all
coming
alike changing
leaving behind no
trace
of a future existence."
death?"
"Oh, I
this
don't
know
to
I shall
then."
see
till
At
you,
that
this,
sir
very
is
sorry
You
are a materialist
faith !"
an
infidel
Oh,
"What
skeptic.
"My
pitarian,
tion, sir
sir
faith,
sir my
"why, I believe
yes, sir
this
a God,
sir!
and
in
when
and
a divine revela-
and each
shall
be judged according
615
the skeptic calmly
On what
On what
hav'n't
asked.
"
sir,
sir
on what grounds
skeptic.
Why,
we
sir,
"But,
my
me
ask
what proof
is all this
array of testi-
disbelief causes
me
to
shudder in every
" Moses, and Jesus, and the apostles, are entire strangers," replied the skeptic.
" I never
who
sides,
has.
,They
may
have existed
honest, or
All history
And, be-
when
me men
haye reasons
all
made
to another is
no revelation
from a
to me.
It is only a
say-so,'
a second-handed
apticle,
satisfying effect
which would
result
my own
mind."
The
terminated.
Christian
suade"
-each, other.
Why
not?
believcj
The church
tions.
Over
mentalism.
ty, it casts
And
thus, as
it
too
much
faith
516
THE
BfAGIC STAFF.
CHAPTER
Mount
LX.
GOLDEN TOKENS.
Boauty was now surmounted.
Its topbso.
t
acclivity
There was
also
that un-
my way
toward the
tranquillity transcending
in
;
speech.
across
it is
It
is
many
trials
arm
and
my
me
had walked
to the
celestial
music
'twas
to
my
spirit.
But
Magic
Staff,
And my
soul
still
for
its
inward glee of
gratitude to
into words.
Hence
The
friends would
to
deny them
entrance.
vari-
They wished
ous subjects.
tive
These
visitors
were
all
beloved.
Yet more
attrac-
floated hourly
down
my soul yearn to be away from external sounds This will not appear strange to the reader who
GOLDEN TOKENS.
517
wo" from a distance of hundreds and even thousands of The compact walls of my abode, in the healthy and beautiful city of Hartford, were no protection. The study and discipline of Mount Beauty had opened my sympathies toward all mankind. The descriptive and questioning letters that came to
me
Oh,
daily,
from
far
to put
my
soul
for selfish
Human
Intuition,
when
clairvoyant,
knows no
space.
The
sensibilities
of the soul
roll
its
may
merge
into
between the
wide margins
trials
idle words,
my own life-book.
dinner, during
my
quiet
utterly
my
Forrows.
Intuitionally I
became
world
to
of
human
beings.
My soul
political
saw
fugitives
from
from
power
to
and sometimes in rural hamlets, O, how I prayed for awaken in each human soul a moral courage that would
One
human
free!" "Sheis
Tell
race, the
into
Instantly I asked:
my "Do
me
did I
518
"She
is
fret J"
replied
heard no more.
five days
"
Good !"
"The persevering woman has obtained a divorce from bondage. The certified decree will liberate both parties, and each may legally enter upon relations more congenial."
exclaimed.
Hearing nothing
however, I wrote
to confirm
my
to the
and her
prompt and
definite reply
my kind
me
of
it,
and
that,
before her
own
far
more
fact
interested
tidings of the
same
from her
faithful attorney
my
immediate future.
The
tints,''
great lessons of
my
Mountain
journey were yet fresh, and 'through them I read the destiny of
outward
leaf
things.
life.
"
Autumnal
and
As
with the
my
heavy sound
of
earth Tailing upon the coffin, the darkness that envelops and the
stillness that
to
What
if
if
we do
behold clouds
the
Does not
same
beyond
What
my
my
mate,
is
there not
an era of peace
to
succeed ?"
familiar voice
While I meditated a
air,
hath
aspring
it
and
my
ifancmtmnneomethi
mission and
its trials
came
not
store?"
And
I answered
To my pubUc
!
I will
admit no murmur.
GOLDEN TOKENS.
liev^ in
519
the darkness,
who
I?
no, never,
never
Excelsior!"
;
The reader will not marvel at tiiese transient feelings of sadness, when told that, by means of clairvoyant penetration, I saw
that
my public
that
I must conorder
and,
ceal
of our conjugal
fix
fitness, (in
to leave
upon
their
own object ;)
lastly, that
bitter prejudices in
All this
loomed up before
the
me
like
Leaning upon
Magic
Staff,
however, I wrote
my
for the
open
field.
But
owing to the newspaper tirade that succeeded, I sketched an additional valedictory letter in
spirit
of criticism.
To all
of which
satire,
the conservative
and
by
ridicule
and
Just previous
my final
On
"
Hive you
assuring
him
to
that I
had
not,
would expect
me
be present."
to the
The chosen
:
chairman, William
Green,
jr.,
JResolved,
That we
Philosophy as a
effect,
New
and,
by
faith in cause
its
Harmonial and
influence,
we
and
principalities of this
620
nize this world
which
all
be utterly incapable of doing. Resolved, That something more than a vote of thanks is due from us to him, for the many invaluable lectures which he Yog gratuitously enlightened us with during his four years' residence
to
proved
and that we feel a high degree of gratitude therefore, That as a small expression of our love and gratitude, Brother Davis be requested to accept from us a Watch, bearing an inscription, expressive of our feelings and sentiments as above
among
us
Resolved,
declared.
passed,
memento
for
my
acceptance.
before
But fancy
my bewilderment,
dear reader !
There I stood
and intimidated
com-
demand upon
my
untrained mind
Fortunately, I had a
audi-
In a moment
language.
And as
quickly as thought
ed congregation
Bkethkek of the
itude.
New
is
Dispensation
AU
it
gratitude
to
You From
:
have discoursed
not help
its irresistible
blissful relief to
impressions.
owe a debt
of grat-
Hence the
of making perpetual acknowledgments to the supernatural. But nothing can be more absurd. 'T is the benefactor, not the recipient, who enjoys the first good of his acts. He aloi.e feels,
and must of necessity feel, the deepest debt of gratitude. quently, it is always more blissful to give than to receive.
Conse-
GOLDEN TOKENS.
621
You
of such
me
;
the enjoyment
and I
am
grateful* to
you for
it
but now, as I
is
am
and I am
the receiver
causing me
yours
a substance
significant, it
Tour token of
is wrought from earth's purest metal be untamishable. This fact, so externally not without its moral. I hope that I shall profit by
friendship
said to
by you.
presented
!
a startling thought
hours, minutes, and seconds, as they from the empire of life into the realm of death. But this reflection can not disturb or sadden us for we know that, to our inmost principles, there is no Death ; but Life, unfolding more and more beautifully as we pass along with the
of the
fly
me
flight
my
soul to keep
its vigils
day and
night.
My spirit
faces of
is
In
its
its
my Harmonial friends
and
ex-
me
many
earnest
women and
the oppressive-
My soul
nations of
is
joyous,
gift so significant
my
friends,
me
warm
will
my
spirit,
speaking companion
a meter of time
.because everywhere
;
it
be
my
constant
ceeding moment, which I shall be admonished to improve as it It will ever sing It will keep me at my happy work. passes.
"Now's
That terribly sad poet, the day, and now's the hour!" " The angel of Grod appeared in a statue :
up
his
that
Time
should be no more."
my con-
Time
is
622
we term
" Eternity"
is
composed of Time as drops constitute the and under all circumstances, your gift will serve to remind me of this conviction, inspiring me with new efforts for mankind. Day unto day uttereth speech ! We talk of yesterday, to-day, and to-morrow. What are these but the proper names of everreceding, ever-present, ever-approaching waves of the ocean of
ocean.
And,
Time ?
prayer,
Your
dwpMing within each soul, that I may lose no Time in doing all that I, as an individual brother, can, to break the fetters
of ignorance
bring
to
teach the
to
and, through
man
own
Intuitions
and Reason
the benign influence of a ratioi?al Spirituiilism, to do something toward establishing harmonious relations between the Heavens and the Earth that you need not I said that gratitude was mine, not yours express any toward me. But I think your token of friendship No, my friends, the will not diminish my indebtedness to you. uniform kindness and candor with which you have listened to my
"impressions''
your
your
disa|reli-
oilection of all this, in addition to the abiding fragrance of Friendship's flowers, the germs of which we have planted silently in the garden of each other's hearts will, through all the coming years,
augment yet more the debt of permanent gratitude which I have long had the happiness to experience. As you so touchingly and substantially express your affectionate
know not how I can depart without ur^ng upon you remember, in all places and under all circumstances, the impressive words which you have written on the walls of this room, corsentiments, I
to
GOLDEN TOKENS.
responding to the four quarters of
523
dom"
to
"Harmony" "Excelsior."
"the
world
" Love"
"
Wis-
May
words act like Truth's magic upon each heart, saying evermore all, " Peace, be still !" so that, whether bowed down in affliction Or elated witL happiness,
you may
me
solicit
you always
to bear in
mind
that this
platform, on
which I BOW stand, is, while in your possession, dedicated to the nights of Mail and "Woman the {)ulpit of Free Speech and Impartial Discussion ! And, whether you remain in this city, or remove to oth^ parts, whether at home or abroad, may you never forget to preach and practise the great Law, written over yon rostrum, viz., " Let no Man call Goid his Father who calls
NOT
Man
his
Brother 1"
that
The motive
apology
it
moves
me
is,
the
my remarks
The
:-.-
travr
esty is excellent.
There
genuine wit in
it,
though
it
be limited
1854.
ment of the Beauty of Love and the Magnificence of Wisdom, or good of organized substantial spirits, I am impressed rather, I realiae an inclination, to send you a notice of a meeting held in this place on Tuesday evening, for the presentation of a gold ^plaited) watch to Professor Z. J. Koback, the discoverer and
iove Fraternity, an assodation composed of Professor Eoback's patients and a few agents, journeymen and apprentices to the pill
trade.
The
524
Resolved, That as Brother Roback purposes in future to devote A very considerable portion of his time to selling his pills in other
and
less over-stocked
markets,
we
sincerely
public
at large
stomach
may
to
subjection to
its
harmonize the world, in consentient and unisonal mUd cathartic virtues a result which all the pills
;
to
be
utterly
licsolved, That something more than a vote of thanks is doe from us to him, for the much invaluable "advice gratis" with which he has, for four years past, enlightened those of us who have purchased his pills ; and that we are very grateful for the
same
Therefore,
we
following inscription,
going."
Tempus
abire,
to be
then
made the
following remarks
It is always
more
blissful to give
especially
benefits.
pills.
Speak
you thereby
and preserver.
phy teaches
received
is
better things
and that the imaginary obligation for benefits by the mere passive reception of them. I accept your watch. Don't thank me, brethren. Tou are quite welcome. [Applause tears from the earnest sisters, and subdued
cancelled
:
spirits.]
is
_
earth's metals
be
Your token
of friendship
This
fact, so
externally significant,
shall profit
not without
moral.
I hope that I
It shall
by the
by you.
my constant care
" external
significance''
which
GOLDEN TOKENS.
This watch will help
.525
truths.
me
to
remember important
It will
and you have already been taught that " matter and motion are coeternal principles existing in Nature," and that " matter possesses
It moves,
remind
me
motion inherently."
run down because motion is eternal. It will grow better and brighter, and more perfect because the "laws of matter and motion are eter-
wear out
because matter
Therefore,
is
it will
move
for ever.
It will not
eternal.
It will not
nally progressive."
thought
Yes, brethren,
let
monitor
table.
an
may
plause.
the benches
eight-day clock!
My
spirit is
look upon
dial of brass
and
I
Its
extended hands turn to every point of the compass, and, at every Its Aar-spring suggests a fundamental hour of the day, cry give
!
and the
oped in the
ratio of the
beard.
Its
contained power
by an
this,
internal, or selfits
own
little
and
our philosophy
terms progression.
And
now, brethren, I
am
listened to
my
my
pills
the favor
you have so often received at my hands, of being permitted to your faithful support in the warfare I minister to my wants your cheerful rejection have waged against the regular practice of popular prejudices and superstitions, discarding the old-fashioned creeds which recognize a religion, a Eible, and a God, and
adopting with
me
the
more sublime
no greater or wiser being than we ourselves are or may become But, brethren, the capacity all these things make our parting sad. In you, I foresee its limit is apfor swallowing is not infinite. Your stomachs no longer crave pills with the ardent proaching. and I have "a few more left" longings of their first love. course), I another go for appetites whetting your (wUle you are
to sell them.
One more
women,
526-
one more parting gripe of my fearless patients ; and now, brethrfin and sisters, farewell; [Sobbing. Spirit of Dr. Franklin wipes his
spectacles.}
the conclusion of the professOT's remarksj he was presented an elegant watch-holder of ebony, in the form of a miniature gallows with the motto (allusive to his astrologieat researches *nd investigation of the supmor spheres)^ Sie itur ad astro.
flrith
At
P. S. For the information of those friends of Professor Bobaek who were not present on this interesting occasion, I am permitted
to state that
QmzQuis.
he
same
place, at intervals of
one week.
My
repetitious
of
my
first
vision.
Msmkind's
religiouSj
social, patriotic,
and other
affections,
is
and
At one
do but
to aid him,
so
to
people's preju-
began
to
the
thus,
many
times, I
The
best.
altar
was
reputation.
Keputation
is
but a brush-heap
at
A few
it
flashes of fire
destroy
root
and branch.
men
do,
Man,
and
prejudice, I
GOLDEN TOKENS.
627
528
forthwith,
prostrate
earth,
position of mind,
my
"infernal
"insanity" "free-love"
&c. at
which the flock
Then came
fresh accuaations
"evil
delusion,"
people's
away
The grand
old mountains of
people's judg-
Justice
from
and
eternal
to climb, beginning
But every
fresh discipline,
spiritual
every new
nor "elated"
when on
The
artist
has en-
my
first
individual progression.
chapter, "
told that
my
The Use
of
The day
Oak
city,
upon a
lecturing
tour through
New
and refined gentleman asked " if Modern Spiritualism was not immoral in
ite
tendency ?"
spiritualism,''
"As
I replied, "it
is
more
state."
"Now, Mr. Davis," said th^ why you should say so, when it
doctrine of free-love."
well
me
" Newspapers are not always the Evangels of truth," I replied. "
The popular
journalist is a chronicler of
what he
individually
GOLDEN TOKENS.
knows and thinks
629
and fan-
a mere
therefore be counted
statements."
teach free-love,
it-'
like to
not
call
me
in so kind
spirit, sir,
are these
That
all
equally opulent
feel truly
It is
an immutable law
that,
when two
hearts
power
to
permanent."
" What
build
!
Do you
up or demolish
a marriage which
is at first
agree-
I.
"At
evening's
dewy
hour,
'
when
gentle hearts
may
mutually
which seems the acme of their dearest hopes ; but, when the gray
and
]y
chilly twilight of
may be
and happiness."
'.'
listeiier.
remedy ?
Do n't you
said I.
getting married,
"
No,
sir,"
"On
man
to
one
woman ;
and then
not, until
23
530
" But, Mr. Davis,
me
suppose a case
here 's a
woman
jrho
has a good husband as the world goes, yet she does not love him,
?"
I,
Under such
heaven) to
insist
upon
does,
it
work
and
in the moral
penitentiary, to expiate
and
The
twain
sister.
Thus,
human
being."
" But," asked the gentleman, " suppose one of the parties has
what then
?"
wisdom might
prescribe the
"But suppose
wife
and mother
finds
her health
I,
failing daily
what then
conditional divorcement."
let
me
wife
re-
what
secure
cir-
then ?"
" In such a case," I answered, " the parties should candidly
consider and carefully decide as to
their
.
the.
Be
the
In other words,
for
a companion
yearns denied
of death
wait,
a pure
is
life
when
the trial
is o'er,
reached,
you
will surely
GOLDEN TOKENS.
" But,
631
enthusiastic, san-
liave
an ardent,
Then your
all
trial will
conquest
the
more sublime."
man.
"
But such
is
my
philosophy," said
I,
is
my
practice.
women and robust men have sought my opinion in regard to their own domestic difficulties, and my answering words have been such as these You must await the developments of
Many
delicate
'
the ion
coming time.
;
perhaps, not
is
no deceiver ;
it
yearns for a
;
is
one
who
be pa-
then
keep your
spirit pure,
free
from blem-
ish, to
"The
report
is,
Mr. Davis,"
who
Harmonial Philosophy as
"
and practice."
Do you
man.
" Yes, from the bottom of
cling years
my
"
When
all
cir-
have wrought
infinite changes,
when
dry,
when
when
human
tion
knowing no
indifference
and
no decay,
"
and devotion."
Thank
ciples.
sir
I see that.
You
is
put the
opinin the
bars
ion
up very
is,
most mortals.
My
own
direction of
532
my
vi'hile
on
The
reader
may
be
sufficiently
to
realize the
awkwardness of
my
my
to
bliss
much
my
my
Fancy
steeled
my
surprise
and
mortification.
It is true that I
had not
exterior.
Simply and
naturally I had,
when
solicited,
fix
upon
me
as the
embodiment of an
The Magic
neglect
Stafi"
became necessary.
to
contrary
It
my
every inclination
to
were
;
summoned
was not
as
a body-guard.
seemed
me
only
as if a patient
And
smUe
and
central
attractions.
They
in deeply-loving natures.
did
my my
soul rejoice to
know
be unchangeably monogamic.
And
the
many
me from
pure and
affectionate
mine, taught
me
my own
nuptial posi-
SINGULAR VISITATIONS.
633
CHAPTEE
"
LXI.
SINGULAR VISITATIONS.
a whole
eternity of bondage.''
The
The now
Eoehester,
New
York.
of January, 1855.
.frost,
The
serenely-
so full of electrical
stUl
like
distillation
of
diamonds.
greetings of
my
revered Guide.
beard;
to
which
my
My
soft
well-known
fragrMit
guardian's affection
"
Kind Guide,"
said
my soul, "I
for
that there is
a private work
!"
me
to do
among Mary's
this
in Orleans county."
"Ah,
'tis
well
he
replied.
"My mission
morning
is to
My desire
is,"
My
34
next appointment
nights."
'
me
"
You
Did
influ-
my
counsel and
ence ?"
"Human
prejudice
;
is
"But
God is Love, my son are you not a child of God ?" " To that.divine Father I absolutely yield all that is immortal "But tell me, can I overcome the in my nature," I replied.
prejudices of her family ?"
"A
and
"
to
battle
justice
must be
conquer ?"
said I, " the
in
it."
work
is
a blessed one
and I
weary
there.
Stillness
was again
The
celestial visitor
had withdrawn
at
from the
earth's atmosphere.
view when,
in accordance with
my own
intuitions of right
and
the
my
Magic
HoUey.
The
given
way
to another fiat
of old Winter,
now
careeting wildly
and playing
as
fantastically
fields,
wind and
hail
and snow.
The
prejudiced
this
unceremonious intrusion."
But onward
from
my way
New
England
to
Western
SINGULAR VISITATIONS.
535
to introduce
New
M. Plumb, a
and
literary assistant
at the
to express
my
appreciation of
During
my
brief stay,
to
he kindly
call
upon
Mrs. Plumb, his wife, whUe on the road from Bochester to the
West ?"
This
little
to the hotel,
engaged a
hill.
Fancy
knocked
length,
my
My
its
my
large blanketlatest
shawl, save
disposal about
my person,
was of the
Broad-
way
fashion;
my
impious
flexibility,
my
black
hair and full beard, save the regularity of their adjustment, were
lastly,
a thief in the
was not
to
be wondered at
me
What
a singu-
WTiat a presentation
!
to one's future
friends-m-
and
reZafoVes-in-Iaw
Was
it
work
so delicate
and unexplainable ?
There was an air of home-comfort about the room ; in which were a young woman, a young man, and a neighbor. The young woman, whom I afterward learned was a recently-married daughter,
replied:
"Yes,
sir"
but
me
another question."
533
began
to float
;
off.
in
and, discharging at
:
me
a volley of
shai'p, in-
he asked
"
"My name is
Plumb
at Albany," I
whom
Mrs. Plumb
also, in
At a
six-foot
tality.
tallei:
and a
well impressed.
something
the
"What's
Tem-
"We'll
'em though."
the people favor reform in this
"
Do
With a firm, self-reliant, half-defiant air, he replied " Can't much with folks who live on Rum, Ignorance, and Tobacco."
do
By
The
this
street,
ffhereupon the
man
of principle said:
"Tou must
at the
excuse
us.
academy.
The hour's
I must go now."
Having no
disposition to
to gallantry, I
somehow
woman
to
huge snow-bank.
and seemed
to
we
each
made
While
SINGULAB TISITATIONS.
delivered a
Bpeech.
cises,
637
celebi-ated
Toward the
tion,
talented scholar
was
introduced to
me
as Charles J. Robinson."
From
him, then, I
whom
was some four miles in the country, spending a short time with a married sister whom he called Mrs. PettengilL At my request,
he promised
to pilot
me
True
to his
The
away
and cutter
a reasonable
down
we sped through
'Twas
difficult to
draw Charlie
into conversation.
At
length,
But the
intention
my
to
was
to
him
as
was
come of
it.
One
know:
my
eonscience^-for I was on a
whom my
her friends
conjugal companiotk
How
my
my
To
was going
wrong
in the distance.
At
up
Charlie's suggestion,
we
;
next, a dinner
was
;
cheerfully served
lastly,
we
arrived
at the
home
Clarendon.
introduced
my
Christian name, r
fine face, and
among the
mental
forces.
The ample
stQ|.ve
shed
its
the
to melt.
my over-
"I'll
hang up your
The emphasis
understand that "
off.
me
to
it
my"
And
and
coat
beautiful.
is
"
'
My
also too
warm
it aside.''
sir,''
"
Do as you
like,
a look of forced
severity.
But
tion,
as she granted
me
Presently
with
sincere cordiality.
"My
in
" I can sympathize with her," said I soothingly, " for I was
the
same
state of
mind about
At this,
said:
Eliza bore her fine form yet more proudly, touched her
"That's not
my
trouble, sir."
At
but
my
little benefit,
be in Eochester
to Ilolley."
we'U
return
to
much
determi-
SINGULAR VISITATIONS.
639
woman," thought
Her prompt speech aroused my hopes of doing some good. "Any I, " who is capable of manifesting that amount of
is
Her
soul
utter freedom
from hypocrisy
admirable
and
none
when her
becomes
its
advocate.
At
this
moment a gentleman
and from
entered to
whom
I was forthwith
introduced,
whom I
felt
The group
tarily into
stand,
fire
were ex-
cluded, while
we
"Mr. Davis!"
" So
"I'm
sir,"
sir."
am
I,"
was
my
response.
said he, "
all
and I
find they
our institutions."
Do my
works tend
to destroy
good
institutions ?"
I asked.
Unheeding
my
direct question,
up family
ties
worse,
sir^they
sir,
brealt
relations
and,
you must
know
asked.
"Will you
doctrines."
"Oh, I
plain
hav'n't read
extracts ia the
enough
to
be seen."
you denounce upon so litttle evidence ?" I asked. We might as well come to the important point," he replie^, met our That is this : the news got here yesterday that you
Do
540
sister,
The
repori
is,
that
and
induced to
beliieve it."
false report,"
said
I.
"My
am
"
friends
who tnbw me
eithet
dictuiti
of
spil-its
on earth or in heaven.
But
suggestions I
" Please
answer
me
said he
not, tell
affinity?"
The
I replied
" No
sir.
Not even
at this date
four riionths
tioh,
aftei:
the
of
my inten-s
I have
which
is, sir,
my
companion.
But of
now
told
first time
when
Now
minute.
there
was
silence in the
room
Eliza, I said
depart"
"No,
sir,"
"Nathan
occupy neu-
ground.
My soul
however, because I fully appreciated the origin Of their appalling apprehensions. It appeared that their sister, Mary, had procured a divorce without the knowledge of her family also, that no relaf
;
save Mr. and Mrs, Plumb, was informed, even after the divorce, of all the priyate re^spps lyhJch. during years of silent
tive,
euffering,
Of
SISGULAB tiSITATIONS.
coarse the family pride
of being persecuted
641
the dread
by
and
identified with
much
nated their mutual distress; and the fear that she would bring
still
greatfer
Of
all
I would
make no
record were
it
this
and conceal
the
vice,
Sy
iej^al
and
pcpuJar
"Thank
you, Mr.
Da;vis," said
how composed
and I
brother;
trust the
my
questibnsj sir^
The
affectionate
sort
of guardian angel to
severest
triftls,
now
ex-
be undr circumintej>
more fevorable
Mar/s
knew
On
when we reached
the hotel.
Before taking
hill for
another
some members of
seemed to me that the parents had imfrom the turbid channels of Baptist orthobibed rather too much
evangelical theology.
doxy.
intelligence in th
542
domestic group
sufi5cient,
res-
A fire was
me
said
me, say
it."
sir !"
siderate mother.
"
Staff,
On
deportment, said
"My
many,
daughter Mary,
sir,
has a
first-rate
education.
She's
qualified to teach in
intelligent,
domestic difficulty
Her relatives are and respectable. The first we knew of her was after she came home a divorced woman."
any public
institution.
Mr. Robinson,"
looking companion.
"
WeU,
sir,"
positive
into
my
To
this
my
reply was
"I
daughter
is
at liberty to dispose of
sir,"
that your
"My
coming
daughter,
said
more
sternly,
"has made
What
she's
I don't know."
He now
!
she
's
got
my
advice, and so
all
concerned.
SINGULAR VISITATIONS.
543
you
No
matter
how
people will say that her purposes were wrong, and you can 't
make
net-
No,
sir .'I'll
never consent
to it
ER
!"
"With the ejection of the last word his hand shot suddenly
up, as if to convince
me
that I
"
Mr. Eobinson," I
But
in this pro-
nothing wrong.
is
Your daughter
;
and I
have a firm
question.
she
is
But you
my
intentions, at least,
that I
am
imparting to you
this
my
choice,
become
my
wife
but
when again I
honest wishes."
doubtless learn of
my
He
said
:
gave
me
" Well, if
up."
The
half-indignant father
now left
the room.
But
tlic
lingering
"I'm
afraid the
Mary
is
one of
my
best children.
disposition
steady, home-like
and
she
Eob-
"
Your
"
And
become of them I don't know. Mary says the understanding is that she can have them But they are to live with their father, and he part of the time. yet." them for home L.'.s no
her two dear
children.
"Wtat'll
544
by
my influence."
On
and soon
embarked
for Rochester.
"
Do you
think
it
right for
me
you
tell
spirits
own
judg-
ment
"
?"
he asked.
as a general principle," I replied.
Not
human
tvhat
beings.
To
boundaries of
human
obtain
and
iiUpart
knowledge
sUperioi- to
is
men can
by
equiv-
"
Why, what's
It-
the
is
iise
" Spiritualism
existence.
tainty."
useful as
a living dentonstration of a
this
;
futun,
abundantly proves
" "Why,
!"
"
Do n't you
harmony with
;
my own
Intuitions.
have aided
me many
reason."
times
my
"
person or
my
somewhat comforted.
"Yes," I answered;
spirits
"with gratitude I
acknowledge
that
MMly
offices
for those on
earth.
would not discourage any friend from obtaining all the benefit he reasonably can through the aid of spiritual beings. But this benefit
become our
our masters
that
545
CHAPTER
LXII.
*Twas
was hallowed by
Itfvilig
its intelli-
gent proprietors.
were Valentine
The
visit
after
my
poses of lecturiiig,
Mary had
On
my
arrival, as
it,
she
had an appointment
critical attention.
to lecture.
To
Her
subject
skill.
Her
were orderly,
firm, far-reaching,
broad
oil
fields
of Reform.
finding
such a co-worker.
fully confirmed.
artist
my
visions of her
endow-
meflts
Were
Of her
volume.
Returning
is
to the
visit
Personally,
546
And
stranger to
my
spirit, for
many
times."
sooth-
"
Many
How
Mary
grateful
must be a season of
rest to such as
you
During
my
that I
my
that
my
life
and magnitude
and
consent to become
my
" Marriage
said I.
is
Can I, in obedience to my highest attractions and noblest impulses and purest aspirations, yield to Jackson all my I would have you compare affections and confidence for ever ?'
one question
*
me
with
all others
self-questioning,
come
a true conclusion.
You
see,
my
dear
spiritual,, and
insupportably
dreadful,
my
me
to that other
and return
to
very
voice
of Wisdom."
Thus
did
we
my Mary
its
said
come when
my
soul be
grateful."
647
be disturbed
union would
eai-nest,
bitter for
me
to bear,
no
sufferings
my
I,
soul's
companion."
"Mary,"
desiring
said
my
eternal mate,
by
so
and so
And
she assured
me
that such
was her
and
wholly
which
consecrated to
my spirit, and
thereby
brotherhood of humanity.
my
Mount Beauty.
extended from
A perceptible chain of
my
had
me and my work
it.
all
Therefore I
meet
my
my
spirit full
of elevated joy.
On
the loth of
May, 1855
chronicled
three months
the state of
New
Mary and
I did openly
The
intelligent
Maghis
my
hand
legal certificate.
letter of in-
But they
In
several
members
ble distance"
thereby acknowledging
:
time being,
.'"
What
548
At
position
fiilly
understood, I said
To-day your sister Mary, now my companion, will New York. Feeling that you are acquainted with the steps, just and honorable, which have'led to this alliance also that you appreciate the Jjosition of the other party, and the total falsity of several newspaper articles in this region will utter no words of explanation or comment on these topics. Tis of other matters, of vital interest, that I wish to speak. " Mary's children, as you are aware, were clainied a few days since by their legal protector, and departed from her presence.
"
Friends
She bade them farewell, not willingly, but in obedience to StatuteLaw. The tyrannical laws of the state of New York which wrest from the mother the were instituted by men for men These man-made laws patronizmgly right to her own children.
and
a
to
keep away
fi:t)m
the ballot-box.
Under
these circum-
stances
false
which must inevitably deprive them of their cherished offspring. Mary would no doubt have yielded to a similar attraction, had she not felt entire confidence in the honor and generosity of her children's father, and in his assurance that she might freely see and express her love for them during all the future years. It seems to me, however, that a mother's love is but one sixth of a true woman's heart ; and the proportion of time necessary to bring up a family is but a fourth of a woman's proper lifetime. Tha:efore, when a mother sinks herself in the depths of a repulsive and impure union for her children's sake, she is very liable
not only to see her offspring ruined by the moral poison of domestic discord,
Mary,
ful of
efit
but to become herself a blighted, useless being. If whUe she is no less tender and regarddarlings, her public teachings
is
her
own
may
'
eventually ben-
The empty
question of
we
549
Past.
But
me an
invitation,
my
" wife"
and
visit
the family.
Accordingly we arrived
;
and,
by a few
I and
Next
day,
Mary and
visit to
her children,
were painful
to all
who were healthy and contented. week we were kindly welcomed to the
;
homes of
all
"We
will
now
glide over
ways
letters
from un-
known
I had not
Of course,
But
were
cast
upon
my
vision.
"
What
my
" Publish
the facts."
completed
ing,
One day I
said to
Dundee,
New York
That SpirituaUsm
. . .
" Resolved,
tiousness
to licen-
and
Andrew Jack-
Boa Davis, who is now living an adulterous life in the city of Brooklyn with the wife of Mr. Love of Buffalo."
550
The appearance of the foregoing " pious fraud" made me realize how cfvsy it is for the unscrupulous to circulate a falsehood against some reformer whose doctrines they may dislike. But I received a letter from Buffalo not long after which revealed to me the fact that this absurd charge cotdd he apparently proved against me and
mine, by rf fi^rence to
th".
The
:
was as follows
A. J. Davis SiK I want to write you, and I will tell you why. I have just seen a decree of the court in Erie county, granting Mr. S. G. Love a divorce on positive testimony. I quote from
the decree
"
is
for
some
F.
time living in open adultery with the said A. J. Davis, and that
the said defendant
Mary
is
Davis"
it
and,
"that
shall
marry again
is
as if the de-
but
actually dead."
This
letter
were
nei-
to its
we had
follows
was as
Buffalo, February
16, 1856.
Mt
own
my
am
At least, trouble might arise in regard to it. Have you objections to my obtaining a divorce from you
in this
state ?
It will
Without opposition, it can be accomplished very quietly. be obtained solely for the purpose of avoiding the possiall
bility of trouble to
An
early
letter
quite well
from the children, a day or two since, reports them and happy. Hastily, but very truly, S. G. .
in her reply, assuring
him
that
we
felt
not
was
651
when
the sumit
to
In
fact,
ern
the
we were proceeding with our public teachings through eastcities, when the letter already chronicled came freighted with
unwelcome
tidings of the barbarous scandal
legalized
At
first
might be inclined
bill
to
obtaining his
by
priority of
But we, on
the
contrary, attach
no blame
to
any person.
pelled to do as
Empire Stafe
sion of the
What
is this
but a guaranty to
vice
an
this
my
every innate
self-justice.
in-
tralized nial
not for
my
Philosophy
not
benefit,
Human
to
certified
The
it
poison and
its
But be
remembered
But
like
this also
had " a
silver lining."
552
Our
souls
.iiB
MAGIC STAFF,
that, shortly subsequent
to this legal
he, consummated
had
so long and
in the
find
a safe refuge
careful guidance
assurance,
The last
drama
is-
now performed.
Mount
Aspi-
Aspiration.
means a mental
to
and heart
all
make
Fbogbess.
;
Even
so
in
which the
soul
From
the com-
all
my
vol-
Mount Harmony, with its overhanging grandeur and stupendous And I know that my spirit, accompanattractions, is. before me
ied
by
its
Already I can
to
oyerhe.ar
certain holy
Mother-Nature
The
sUvery
through
my bemental
Amid
eternal visions
my
But
all
Music and the Seasons, progress in ascending Thus the summit of Mount Harmony is but the base of
THE END.
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^^.l^K
MARSH,
14=