The Missing Link In Modern Spiritualism Part 24

Two raps " _neither Yes nor No_, but variously, according to the nature of the question, as: _not now, not yet, not quite, don't know_, and the like.

Five raps signifying _Alphabet_--The Alphabet is never responded to, except when the signal for it has been given by the Spirit. Hence, to save time, it is never called, unless the signal has been heard.

Continuous light raps indicate _an error_ in the answer just given.

They annul the signal previously made, and the question should be repeated.

Continuous loud raps indicate _want of Harmony_ in the Circle, and may generally be taken as a reproof in consequence of some violation of the Rules of Order.

_Admission One Dollar._

Hours: From 3 to 5 P.M., and 8 to 10 in the evening; except Wednesday and Sat.u.r.day evenings, and Sat.u.r.day afternoons, which are reserved for private parties.

The mornings of each day are also appropriated to private parties, the terms for which are five dollars for each hour, and for which arrangements can be made by application to Mrs. Brown.

[Hand Symbol] No visitors will be received on Sundays.

We received a great deal of money. There were occasional days when my maid, the good and faithful Susie, would make returns of a hundred dollars as the day's receipts; but it was as freely spent as given. We, none of us, have ever been accused of the spirit of h.o.a.rding; nor had Mammon any temple in the home or in the hearts of any of us, though Charity had; and that, I think, is one of the frequent though not invariable fruits of Spiritualism and intercourse with Spirits, observable in human character and life. Money, and selfishness in all its forms, are apt to shrink into small dimensions of value in the minds of persons who communicate much with those of the next life, and who thus come to know and realize, as a certainty, the truth of _that next life_.

[Ill.u.s.tration: My dear Mr. & Mrs. Underhill--

Can you come and take tea with us to-morrow evening? I do hope so. I want you socially--not =spiritually=. Mr. Oliver Johnson and Mr. Owen will be here, and both of them hope to meet you. Tea at six o'clock. Our number is 52 East 20th St. near the Fourth Ave.

Hoping to see you.

I am most truly yours.

Alice Cary.

Sunday.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: My dear Mrs. Underhill--

Can you and Mr.

Underhill drink tea with us tomorrow evening?

Half past six is our hour.

You will meet Mr. Davis of Was.h.i.+ngton, and probably Mr. Greeley

Hoping to see you.

I am very truly yours,

Alice Cary.

52 East 20th St.

Sat.u.r.day.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: March 30. '58

Dear Leah

I have a gathering of spiritualists at my house on the first Monday evening of every month. The first one will be next Monday April 5=th= Will you come?

You will meet many old friends

Yrs =J W Edmonds=

159 Lexington Avenue between 31st & 32d Street]

[Ill.u.s.tration: New York Tribune

New York, Dec. 4, 1876

My Friend:

I thank you for your note just opened.

I will try to call on you soon, but I am =very= busy.

I have a letter from my folks to-day.

They are at Arcachon near Bordeaux on the south-west coast of France. Mrs. Greeley cannot walk a step being a fearful sufferer from rheumatism, but her hives are better.

The girls are both with her and well. I may try to find you next sunday.

Yours, Horace Greeley.

Mrs. Leah Underhill]

CHAPTER XIX.

NEW YORK CITY _(Continued)_.

OUR BRILLIANT SUCCESS WITH THE SUPERIOR INTELLECTUAL CLa.s.sES--WHISKEY AT WAs.h.i.+NGTON--COGNIZANCE OF DOMESTIC SECRETS--DISCOMFITURE OF ANDERSON, "THE WIZARD OF THE NORTH"--REMARKABLE EXPERIENCE WITH A VERY NOTORIOUS PERSON.

Our rooms were frequented by much of the best society in New York; and it was common to see the street enc.u.mbered with long files of carriages.

Particularly the intellectual and literary cla.s.ses were familiar visitors, both at our circles and in our private life. Many of them became our most intimate friends. Hundreds of promiscuous visitors were deeply interested, and were, in reality, Spiritualists at heart who had not the courage to face the social and business disadvantages attaching to the public avowal of such a novel and unpopular doctrine, which the clergy, as a rule, denounced. Several of the most highly respected Senators in Congress having become open and warm Spiritualists--among whom Gov. N. P. Tallmadge was the most openly zealous--probably nearly all of that body pa.s.sed through the experience of our rooms; for I frequently received telegrams from Was.h.i.+ngton for private engagements for a party of a dozen or more. It was remarkable how the superior cla.s.ses of actors _took to Spiritualism_, and I have been greatly interested in them from my earliest acquaintance with them. My tenderest sympathies have been awakened when sitting in circles with many of them, who have been raised in my estimation far above the level of those who fancy themselves to be their superiors.

This Spiritualism is a searcher of hearts, and the truly good get satisfactory answers and elevated Spirits to guide and watch over them.

But to return to Was.h.i.+ngton, it was not at that time a very satisfactory place for the prosecution of Spiritualism: even though it was such a centre of congregation from all parts of the country. It was, indeed, a centre of political agitation, and business connected with the Government; but at that time, at least, too much whiskey was consumed there. The following letter from my young sister Katie will sufficiently ill.u.s.trate this:

"I am tired of my life. Only think of it! Last evening a party of twelve fine-looking gentlemen visited our rooms. All, but two, were as drunk as they could well be. They made mean, low remarks. Only imagine Maggie and me, and dear mother, before a crowd of drunken Senators! One very fine-looking man stood up before the crowd, and addressed them thus: 'I wish to be heard, gentlemen. This is all a humbug, but it is worth a dollar to sit in the sunlight of Miss Kate's eyes.'

"(Margaretta had left in disgust.) At this sudden announcement, all was still as death. My face was red as fire. A friend walked up to me. He was from the Navy-yard, and said, 'Don't mind him, he is drunk; I would not pay the least attention to him. He is a gentleman when sober; and when I repeat his language to him to-morrow, he will feel ashamed of his conduct.' We all left the room, and that ended the scene. Oh, dear Leah, I long to be laid in a peaceful grave. I care not how soon. I would live on a crust of bread, and drink cold water, if I could live a different life. Oh, how we wished for you, dear Leah! I told them, if my sister Leah was with us, they would not dare insult us. They would be escorted by officers from our rooms.