McDonough’s Ghost.
A Virginia City Sensation – A most remarkable history of supernatural occurrences – voices in the air – the spirit of a father returns to earth and converses with his daughter.
From the San Francisco Chronicle.
We are about to relate a series of events which have recently happened in this city so marvelous in character that the most credulous might well withhold their belief were not every circumstance substantiated by unimpeachable witnesses. Our authorities for the statements we are about to make are Rev. Father Manogue, Rev. Father Nulty, J.C. Masel, Mrs Masel, Agnes McDonough and John McDonough, all of whom witnessed a part or the whole of the occurrences in question. The strange manifestations were also observed by Rev. Father Clark and Rev. Father Haupt, of Gold Hill, Rev. Father Tormy, of Carson, Michael Lynch, Mr Seffern and others; but we have not thought it necessary to consult any of these, as it would only be accumulating additional proofs upon testimony already entirely satisfactory. There can be no doubt of the absolute truth of every statement we are about to make. We will mention that all the parties whom we consulted at first questioned the propriety of publishing an account of the wonderful affair; and it was only upon representation that it had already become the town talk, and that it was better the public should receive a correct and authentic version, that they reluctantly consented to its appearing in print, and furnished us with the full particulars.
Six years ago, James McDonough followed the occupation of an expressman in this city. He is spoken of by those acquainted with him as an upright, conscientious and industrious man. He was a Catholic, but we have not been informed as to the strictness of his religious observances. He was attacked with dropsy and died at his residence at the corner of A street and Sutton avenue six years ago next April. He left a widow and two children, a son and daughter. The widow has since married, and the children are living with J.C. Masel, whose wife was a cousin of their father.
John, the son, is about eighteen years old, and is employed in Mr Masel’s butcher-shop, at the corner of C street and Sutton avenue; Agnes, the daughter, is fourteen, and is attending the First Ward public school. She is a tall, healthy girl, with light brown hair, blue eyes with long dark lashes, frank and regular features, and a modest and candid manner. Mrs Masel states that though exceedingly vivacious, she is a dutiful and pious child, and that her whole nature is foreign to anything like untruthfulness or deception.
The residence of Mr Masel is at 163 North B Street, nearly at the extreme north end of the city. It is a neat, one-story, brown cottage, with a porch in front, a yard in the rear, houses adjoining solidly on the south, and a vacant space on the north side. Following is a diagram of the rooms.
The family consists of Mr and Mrs Masel, two sons, respectively seven and eight years old, a babe, and John and Agnes McDonough. Mr Masel is of a fine physical build, about 36 years of age, an energetic and clear-headed businessman, and one of our best-known and respected citizens. His wife is a bright, cheerful, intelligent lady; and the children are two as handsome and manly boys of the period as Nevada has ever produced. The whole tone of the household is that of health, sound sense and cheerfulness, pervaded by an earnest feeling of piety.
On several occasions during the past few months the family has been disturbed by prowlers, two of whom were detected entering the kitchen window, and others of whom had knocked at the doors without warrant. In consequence of this the female members of the household had become a little nervous and apprehensive. On Sunday afternoon, October 27th, Agnes was home alone with the children, the others being at church. A loud knock came at the front door, but Agnes refused to open it, supposing the summons to come from one of the intruders of which we have spoken. The knocks, however, continued at intervals, and when Mrs Masel returned from church, the neighbours, who had heard the disturbances, informed her of the unaccountable noises at her door. She entered, and when the sounds were renewed, supposing them to originate in trickery or intrusion, she advanced quickly and opened the door, but nothing was visible.
Agnes was dispatched to a neighbour’s upon an errand. As she left the house loud knocking was heard upon the door, but nobody was to be seen near it. While she was absent no sounds were audible, but they re-commenced upon her return. That evening she went to visit her mother, and during her absence the noises entirely ceased, but they began again as soon as she re-entered the house. None of the household were believers in spiritual manifestations, and therefore no one had assigned the singular occurrences to that cause, but they were thoroughly perplexed, and Mrs Masel and Agnes at last retired to rest with strange and unquiet emotions.
The next morning the household rose at half-past 4 o’clock. Business called Mr Masel to Truckee Meadows and John McDonough to the shop down town. While it was yet dark Mrs Masel was preparing to do her washing, and Agnes was standing near the kitchen stove when the terrible knocking was heard at the back door. The child’s nervous system had become so unstrung that she was nearly paralyzed by the sound; but Mrs Masel dauntlessly proceeded to the door and found as usual – nothing. The knockings continued throughout the day, wherever Agnes happened to be – on doors, walls, picture frames, sewing machine and even on the fence, when she chanced to go into the yard. But a stranger occurrence now mingled with the monotonous noises. Whenever Agnes was alone she could hear a voice distinctly saying to her, “Do not fear,” “Be not afraid,” and other assuring phrases. The words appeared to be whispered in her ear out of the empty air, no object being visible and no person near her. So the day wore on, the child surrounded by the strange knocks and voices until she became almost prostrated from nervous excitement.
At evening Mr Masel returned, and being informed at the supper table of the occurrences of the day, was moralizing upon the strange visitations, when Agnes started to go into the middle bedroom, which opened from the dining-room. A loud knock from within sent her affrighted back. Mr Masel directed her to enter the bedroom and ask who the visitant was and what was wanted. She shrank from the trial at first, but upon Mr Masel advancing near the door to assure her, she entered the room. No sooner was she inside the door than she saw a shadowy figure near the corner to her left. She can not say whether it stood out in relief, or was spread on the wall like a picture; but she saw it distinctly, and noticed that it had short whiskers upon the chin, that the eyes were fixed and partly closed, and that the shirt was white, the coat black, and that a small black hat was upon the head. She exclaimed:
“In the name of God, father is that you?” She saw the lips of the apparition move as it replied: “Yes.” The voice was audible to every person in the dining room. It was an unnatural voice, the word appearing to be spoken with teeth closed. Every one present attests that at the assurance that the spirit was her father, a singular change came over Agnes. Whereas she had before been excited and frightened, she now became perfectly calm and self-possessed, and continued so during all the subsequent occurrences. She next asked:”What do you want of me, father?” “Prayers, prayers, prayers, prayers,” was the reply, in the same audible tone as before.
While single words spoken by the apparition could be understood by all, his longer sentences were a confused sound, intelligible to Agnes alone. She says the words appeared to be spoken in her ear, and were as plain to her as the ordinary speech of persons in conversation. The spirit proceeded to tell her that he had been judged by Jesus Christ, Almighty God and two angels; that he had been in purgatory since his death; that at length an angel had come to him and brought him to earth for six days to visit her; that he appeared to her because she was the only one of his family who prayed. Much more was communicated to her, but as most of it was of a private character, relating to members of the family, we refrain from publishing it. He earnestly enjoined the religious observances on the part of all, and beseeched prayers for himself. At the request of Mr Masel, Agnes asked the following questions:
Question – You say you come from purgatory. How far away is it? Answer – Five minutes. Q.- How long will you stay with us? A.- Six days. Q.- When will you leave us? A.- At half past 1 on Friday. Q.- At half-past 1 in the daytime or night? A.- At half past 1 in the afternoon. Q.- Why will you go at precisely that time? A.- Because an angel will come to me precisely at that time and lead me to heaven. Q.- How long will it take you to reach heaven? A.- I will be in heaven at twenty-five minutes to 2.
That night when Agnes went to bed she drew the clothes over her head, as timid children are so accustomed to do. But immediately they were softly removed, and, although she saw nothing, she heard her father say, in his spirit tones, “Bless you, my child!”
Father Manogue and Father Nulty were sent for and told of the remarkable appearance at the house of Mr Masel. Father Manogue says he endeavoured to dispel the belief of a visit from a spirit as an illusion, but in vain. According to request, therefore, he and Father Nulty visited Mr Masel’s. There was nothing visible to the eyes of either of them, but there were loud knocks, and a voice issued as from a person unseen. Agnes, who could see her father, says he scanned Father Nulty from his head to his feet. He at once addressed Father Nulty, saying that he remembered well when they both attended him when he was dying – on a cold Winter’s night about six years ago.
Father Nulty felt some reluctance about relating for publication what he had heard. He said he heard a voice, but saw nothing, and he could not tell where the voice came from. He asked, perhaps, one hundred questions, to some of which answers were given and to others no response was made. He asked the voice if he knew anything about heaven, and received in reply, that he knew nothing whatever of heaven or hell, but he had seen Almighty God and our Lord the Saviour. He asked him which was the best prayer, and the reply was, “The Lord’s Prayer.” He also asked him about a dozen other prayers, among which were the “Thirty Days’ Prayers” and the “Prayer to St. Joseph.” The reply was – “They are all good.” Question – Why is it that my own parents do not come to me and give me some information of the future life? Answer – I don’t know. Q. – Why do you appear to that child more than to anyone else of the family? A.- Because she is the holiest. Q.- Will you pay us another visit after you go to heaven? A.- I can not tell.
Father Manogue asked the voice to speak louder, and the reply was that he came to speak more especially to Agnes, who could hear him distinctly. Question – How could you come into the house? Answer – Because I am a pure spirit. Q.- How could you, being a pure spirit and pure spirits being immaterial, have contact with a material object? A. – By the power which God has given me. Q. – What do you think of Spiritualism as it is understood on earth? A.- It is all nonsense. Father Manogue asked him how long he would remain on earth, and the reply was six days; that he would leave at half past 1 on the afternoon of Friday, when an angel would appear and lead him to heaven. He said it would not be the same angel that took him from purgatory. Q. – Does your body suffer? A- My body has nothing to do with my soul. Q. – Is there no punishment for the body? A.- Yes. Q.- What is the punishment of the body after death? A. – Into ashes. Q.- Will you ever see your body? A.- Yes. Q. – When will you see your body? A.- At the eternal judgment. Q. – Where is your body now? A.- In the grave. Q. – Is it in California? A.- No; it is here in Nevada. Q. – Do you wish to have a headstone put over your body? A. – Yes. Q.- What sort of headstone do you wish to have put over your body? A.- A plain headstone. Q. – Will you give the inscription to put on it? A.- Yes. Q. -What is it? A.- Remember me, my children, who came to you at eve: When I was a sufferer, in purgatory I dwelt; My children were not around me to hear my cries to them. A messenger from Jesus to my child Agnes.
One morning during this period Agnes remained near the sanctuary of the church after mass, and Father Manogue asked her if the spirit of her father was visible to her there or if she could hear his voice. She could hear or see nothing. Remembering that the visitations had most frequently occurred when she was in a room apart, he requested her to step into the sacristy by herself, which she did, when she says the apparition at once appeared to her, and Father Manogue attests that its tones were audible to him outside.
As we have already stated, the spirit had said that an angel would come for it at half past 1 on Friday, and it had also told Agnes that she could see it ascend far up into the sky. On that day Father Manogue and others were present at Mr Masel’s. The spectators watched through the door of an adjoining room, while Agnes stood in the presence of her father and conversed with him. As the appointed moment approached, the child says the spectre grew evidently nervous, rubbing his hands and exhibiting other symptoms of anxiety. He told her that they need pray no more for him; that he was going to heaven and should pray for them. Father Manogue says he was watching the clock, which could not be seen by the child. As the hand pointed to the half hour, the spirit said to her: “The angel is at the window; I must go.” Agnes sank on her knees and shrieked. One of the by-standers told her to go to the door and see her father ascend. She arose and went to the kitchen door, the apparition advancing along the wall beside her, repeating “good-by,” and finally taking her by the hand and kissing her. She says she plainly felt the clasp of a cold hand, not larger than a babe’s, and felt the cold lips pressed to her own. At the door she beheld her father assume a spotless white mantle, unfold a pair of shining wings, and, with a smile of ineffable sweetness, float into the air. She could not see his companion, but one hand was uplifted, as if he was being led heavenward, while the other was waved toward her, as though bidding her adieu. And so the vision vanished into the sky, nor has sound or voice or sight made itself manifest since.
Space and time have compelled us to curtail this wonderful account to the merest outline. We have not told the tenth part of what was seen and heard, and have told that little so imperfectly that we feel we have done injustice both to the witnesses of the strange events and to the reader. We have not made a single statement except upon the most indubitable authority, and unhesitatingly assert that we believe every circumstance narrated to be true. As the cause, nature and object of the strange visitation, we make no pretensions to penetrate the mystery which surrounds them. We simply relate the unquestionable facts as they were told us, and leave every one to form his own conclusions according to the light that God has given him.
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The Virginia City Manifestations.
(From the San Francisco (Cal.) Catholic Guardian).
Most solemnly do we protest that we will believe no miracle which has not been fully examined and settled as such by the proper authorities of the Church. We may express an opinion; but, when expressed, it is the opinion of the individual, and subject to correction. While we do not deny the existence of miracles, we believe that men are too prone to follow after the marvelous without sufficient light from the Church. It is hard, we know, to maintain that exact equipose between too little and too much belief in the spiritual; but if we will only remember the words of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and “Hear the Church,” it is all easy. We have been publishing accounts lately about the miracles said to have been worked at Lourdes, in France; and in this issue we have an account, taken from the New York Herald, of a deaf mute restored to hearing; but all this needs confirmation.
We are prepared to believe it when, by the light of Divine inspiration, the Church tries and decides the cause. Until then, whatever degree of belief we may give it, is based upon the ground of its extreme probability. It is such belief as one accords to the newspaper account of a crime – subject to be modified by the evidence in court. The Church is our court in such matters, and we believe in the ever-present miracle of a God-directed Church. Excitement or enthusiasm may warp our private judgments, and lead us into an abyss of heresy; but it is the business of the Church to “prove all things, and hold fast that which is good.”
“The talking ghost” at Virginia City, Nevada, is a wonderful manifestation, yet it is hard to separate it from the ordinary spirit phenomena. As we have several times remarked, it was our good fortune, or misfortune, whichever it may have been, to have had an opportunity of thoroughly examining that matter. That they do receive communications from some intelligence not human, we are fully convinced; but that pure spirits come to this earth, except by special permission, we do not believe. St Augustin declares it to be the height of impudence to deny the possibility or probability of their coming. In fact, visits of the spirits are attested by many of the saints. We have condemned the ordinary spirit manifestations, because the teaching was bad; we have approved the theory of special visits, because the teaching has been good; and, as a Catholic, because the Church sanctions it. We publish herewith the letter of the Vicar-general, who was present and examined the matter to the Bishop of the diocese:
I thought I would inform you about a strange occurrence which took place here, on Sunday, October 27th. There is a girl, named Agnes McDonough, living with her aunt, to whom her father (dead about six years) appeared. The apparition continued from Sunday, October 27th, to Friday, November 1st; appearing to the child whenever she was alone in the house, or in any room of the house. It mattered nothing how many persons should be in the house, provded Agnes were alone in any room, the same thing took place. He wished to be continually speaking to her. He spoke to her under the same appearance as when living.
On Monday evening, the second day, the family sent for me, as they were very much afraid and annoyed. I went, carrying what I supposed necessary on such occasions. As I entered the house I examined the girl, pretending the whole thing was only the work of the imagination. But I was unable to dislodge her from her belief. I told her to enter the room, while I took my position at the door, which was left open. Immediately a signal was given her, which was given on every occasion when she was alone, and denoted a desire to speak to her. I told the child to ask her father various questions, among the rest, where did he come from? His answer was – “from purgatory.” “How long were you in purgatory?” “Six years” was the answer. “Where is purgatory?” “Next to Heaven.” “Is it in one of the planets or stars?” “I do not know.” “What punishment is in purgatory?” “By fire.” “How does purgatory appear?” “Light and smoke.” “How did you find the way to the earth?” “An angel conducted me.” “Where did the angel leave you?” “At the door.” “How long will you remain on the earth?” “Six days.” “What day will you leave?” “At half-past one Friday afternoon.” “What was your reason or object in coming on the earth?” “To see my child Agnes.” “Who permitted you?” “God Almighty.” “Is God visible in purgatory?” “No.” “Did you ever see God?” “Yes.” “When and where?” “When he judged me.” “Did he judge you in purgatory?” “No.” “Where did he judge you?” “At the gates of Heaven.” “Who judged you?” “Almighty God and Jesus Christ.” “Was any one else present?” “Yes, two rows of angels behind them.” “How did the angels appear?” “As white as snow.” “Were the angels standing?” “No, they had wings.” “Did they fly?” “No, but their wings were in motion.” “Were you not afraid when Almighty God and Jesus Christ appeared to judge you?” “No.” “Did Jesus Christ appear as a stern and severe judge?” “No.” “How did he appear?” “Very kind.” “What did Jesus Christ say?” “Come to me, my blessed.” “Did he say anything else?” “Yes; descend into purgatory.” “How long did you remain there?” “Six years.” “How is time counted in purgatory?” “I don’t know.” “How did you know what time to leave?” “An angel told me.” “Did you know how long you had to remain there?” “Until prayers and masses were offered up for me.” “Where will you go at one-and-a-half o’clock next Friday?” “To Heaven.” “How can you find your way to Heaven?” “An angel will come for me.” “Is it the same angel that left you here?” “No; it is another angel from Heaven.” “How will you know when one and a half o’clock on Friday arrives?” “The angel will come for me then.” “Do friends and relatives know one another in Heaven?” “I was never in Heaven.” “Which are more efficacious for the souls in purgatory, masses or prayers?” “Masses.” “What is necessary for us to obtain eternal life?” “To believe in Jesus Christ, and practice the duties of your religion.” “Is there a true religion on earth?” “Yes, the Catholic religion.” “How long will the Church of God be persecuted?” “For ever.” “Will Pius IX triump over his enemies?” “I don’t know.” “If you were on earth now, what would you do?” “I would do every thing to save my soul.” “Where is your body?” “In the grave.” “Why did not the body suffer with the soul?” “The body has nothing to do with the soul.” “Is there no punishment for the body after death?” “Yes, into ashes.” “Will you ever see your body?” “Yes, after the general judgment.” “How will you know your body?” “I dont’ know.” “Where are little children who died without baptism?” “In darkness.” “Will they be always in darkness?” “Yes.” “Where will children be after the general judgment, who die without baptism?” “In darkness.” “Are they suffering pain?” “No.” “Are they in purgatory?” “No.” “How far is purgatory from here?” “Five minutes.” “Do you wish us to pray for you?” “Yes; I wish to have prayers and masses offered up for me.” “Do you wish us to pray and have masses offered for you after one-and-a-half o’clock on Friday afternoon.” “No.” “Why so?” “Because, I will be in heaven.” “What time will you be inHeaven?” “Twenty-five minutes to two o’clock in the afternoon.” “Will you remember us in Heaven?” “Yes, I will pray for you.” “How is it that you could come into the house, the doors and windows being closed?” “I’m a pure spirit.” “How is it possible that you can make such a noise on the wall, being a spirit, and immaterial, and the wall being a material object?” “By the power which God gave me.” “How do you strike the wall when you wish to speak to Agnes?” “With my hand.” “What do you think about Spiritualism?” “It is all nonsense.”
These are only some of the numerous questions which I proposed to him through Agnes. What was strange about the matter was that he would never be fatigued in speaking to his little daughter. But as soon as she retired to bed she was never annoyed till morning. When asked how he spent the night; watching and praying. When asked several times to speak aloud that we might hear him, he said he was sent to speak to Agnes. It being a sort of a private apparition to the girl, we kept it as still as we could, fearing the Spiritualists might take advantage and say it was their doctrine. However, it is a good deal known now over the city. In all the conversations he appeared face to face with Agnes; and he invariably spoke of Jesus Christ when he was asked for advice how to live. I went there every day during the time he predicted he had to remain, and on Friday, at one o’clock, I was there watching.
I was putting questions as usual, when he announced the time was fast approaching. The girl was standing in the room, in the centre of the floor – the door open, and about eight persons looking or – among the rest, Mr Lynch. I kept my eye on the clock – there was no clock in the room with Agnes – as soon as the precise second arrived (one and a half o’clock) the child screamed, falling on her knees: “There is the angel.” She screamed out several times to her father, and rushed after him to the door, where he told her, during the week, she could see him go up to Heaven with the angel. She saw him as he described. The flight was due east, in a slanting line. She saw him only about a second ascending, when he was out of sight.
Such is the outline of this strange apparition. What do you think of it? Agnes McDonough received her first communion on the first Sunday of September, and was confirmed by your Lordship the same day. Her brother, who never went to Church since the death of her father, attends since, and is preparing for a general confession. Strange, the father told him what to do, and how to prepare; that is, when Agnes asked him. He told him to go three times every Saturday, for three Saturdays, and, if necessary, a fourth, to prepare for his Holy Communion; after that, to go to his duty every third week for six months, and then never to omit his religious duties afterward. I suppose you are already tired out with this narration.
The Virginia papers give a great deal of space to rumours regarding the operation; but the above account contains about all the essential facts in the case. In the accounts published in the daily papers many questions were asked, quite frivolous in themselves, and the answers to them were simply on a par with the answers received by the ordinary spirit medium. Father Clark published a card, in which he intimated that there might have been jugglery; but we are fully satisfied with the Vicar-general, Father Manogue, that the girl thought she saw, and was conversing with her father ; that she tried to practice no deception. Had the spirit made some very simple and inconsistent answers, we should have been prepared to believe that its appearance was permitted to confound the doctrines taught by the half-crazy congregation of modern spiritists. The matters communicated to Miss McDonough were, so far as they related to the other world, entirely at variance with all the teachings of the spiritists. By this communication the doctrines of the Catholic Church were indorsed throughout. We don’t know how the spiritists are going to receive these “manifestations”. It is said they regard it as the most striking manifestation they have had for years; but how will they get around masses for the dead, purgatory, the judgment, and all those things so emphatically indorsed by McDonough’s spirit, and equally as emphatically repudiated by all spiritists.
In this age, miracles and strange things appear to be accumulating on all sides. It was, perhaps, necessary to combat the materialistic tendency of so-called scientific men, and, for that matter, of most of the Protestant churches. And in this, as in all things else, all we, as Catholics, have to do, is, “put on the brakes” – go slowly, and listen to the never-erring voice of the Church.
Card and Affadavit From Agnes McDonough.
To the Editor of the Enterprise: – Having published what appeared in Wednesday’s paper without any request or desire on our part, you will oblige by further stating that no member of the family is, ever was, and I trust, never will be, a believer in Spiritualism. We have as great an abhorence of it as any one else – not excepting Rev. Wm. Clarke. From the commencement we placed ourselves prudently on our guard; but as that gentleman undertakes “to set the public mind right upon the matter,” he must do so without stamping me with the brand of falsehood, and th erest of the family with wicked complicity in the same. Timorous about what the public might think of him, it seemed a matter of no concern to insinuate, in turn, what the public should think of me and the other members of the family. My intention is not “to set the public mind right upon the matter,” but set my own reputation right before the public. There is no consideration on earth weighty enough to induce me to barter away my soul for a lie, especially the one imputed. It is a very strange way to justify ourself before the public by casting a slur upon another. Whatever the motive may be, the charity, certainly, is more than doubtful. – Agnes McDonough.
State of Nevada. County of Storey.
I hereby swear before Almighty God that no “Yes” or whisper, mentioned in yesterday’s card, ever passed through my lips or teeth; and I further swear that I never knocked upon the wall, or any other object, to deceive, during the week I was speaking to my father. – Agnes McDonough.
Suscribed and sworn to before me, this 14th, day of November, A.D. 1872. George H. Dana. County Clerk, Storey County.
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In our local columns will be seen a card and affadavit from Agnes McDonough, the child who was the principal figure in the recent marvelous occurrence in this city, an account of which appeared in the Enterprise of Wednesday. We are informed that a friend wrote the communication at the anxious request of the child, embodying her sentiments as nearly as possible. The card repels indignantly the supposed insinuation of Father Clarke that she was in some way consciously instrumental in producing the knockings and utterances heard at the house of Mr Masel; and the affidavit solemnly denies all purpose at deception, and all voluntary agency in producing the strange manifestations.
We believe the child’s oath will be accepted as conclusive. At least, until there is a preponderating weight of as solemn testimony brought against it, her affirmation will remain unshaken. But we think she has shared the general misapprehension as to the views of Father Clarke. The reverend gentleman has evidently been misunderstood, not through intentional disingenousness, perhaps, but through failure to express himself explicitly. We are not authorised to speak for Father Clarke, but we consider that under the circumstances it will be no violation of courtesy to state that we have conversed with him upon the subject, and understand his position to be substantially as follows: that he believes Agnes McDonough to have been sincere; that he has no suspicion of deception on her part; that he is satisfied the rappings were produced without her agency; that he is convinced there was a supernatural presence in the house; but that it appeared to him that the mysterious utterances were articulated through her mouth.
If we comprehend Father Clarke correctly, he does not dispute the marvelousness of the occurrences, but considers that very marvelousness a just reason why any conclusion should be slowly and cautiously approached. It is obvious that Father Clarke has been popularly misapprehended, if we understand rightly, if not, we shall be pleased to have him correct us. We regret that the affair should have taken the turn it has, as additional injury only more thoroughly convinces us that the occurrences were of a character worthy the most earnest and intelligent investigation; and we hope that the irrelevant war of cards will be suspended; and that those who witnessed the strange manifestation will favour the public with an ample account of them, together with such conclusions as they may have arrived at.
We still place implicit credence in all the circumstnaces, as we originally narrated them. Further than that, we have no opinions to express. But, we do not believe that all is known which mankind will yet ascertain of the mysteries of the here and the hereafter; and we hold him recreant to the interests of progress and knowledge who receives a challenge to the investigation and does not pursue it to whatever conclusion it may lead.
There was one notable peculiarity about the visitation in question. It was the first orthodox spirit, so far as we are aware, that has made itself manifest in these latter days. In all essential points it confirmed the doctrines of the Catholic Church. That church should come out boldly and patronise it, without regard to scruples about directly or indirectly indorsing Spiritualism. In this skeptical age, one acknowledged visitant from the other world is worth the entire collection of obsolete revelations. Creeds are immaterial considerations. The indubitable evidence of a hereafter of any kind is what the masses of mankind want today. Whether the weight of testimony establishes the truth of Christianity, Buddhism, Free Love, or nothingness, as vindicated by the hereafter, let result be accepted as the logical conclusion of creation and existence. – Enterprise.
Religio-Philosophical Journal, December 1872.