The Missing Link In Modern Spiritualism Part 37

CHAPTER XXVIII.

MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS (_Continued_).

E. F. NORTON--JOHN E. ROBINSON--GOVERNOR N. P. TALLMADGE--PAULINE M. DAVIS--SAME--JOHN E. ROBINSON--PROF. I. JAY WATSON.

"CINCINNATI, June 14, 1852.

"MISS CATHERINE FOX AND SISTERS:

"Permit me to offer a few thoughts in reference to your late visit to the Queen City. Having spent the day in calling on a number of the friends who visited you while here, I find but one opinion, and that of regret at the necessity of your having to leave so soon. I have just left the Walnut Street House. The captain informs me that no less than fifty persons had called to see you during the day. He said, 'They came by carriage loads.' Your friend Sweeney, the proprietor, is on the anxious-seat. The Spirit told him that a sister of his, residing in Texas, was dead. He received a letter this morning, after you left, conveying the sad intelligence of the death of that sister. I think he may be cla.s.sed as a convert to the cause. I can but think that, had you remained another week, the receipts would have doubled. The friends feel that to wait till September is out of the question. Do prevail on one of your sisters, Mrs. Fish, Margaretta, or Mrs. Smith, to return with you immediately. Will not the good Spirits approve of it? It does seem to me that Cincinnati is the best point in the West, both in a pecuniary point of view and for the advancement of the cause. Miss Cronk, of Painesville, and her father, are expected here soon, the circle having written and received an answer that they would come. Should they come, it will be for the benefit of the circle, and cannot interfere with your visit. My Spiritual friends are all telegraphing me while writing, in approbation, perhaps, of what I am saying. I forgot to give you the book containing the list of the names of the visitors. I will copy it and enclose it to you. Please advise your sisters, and believe me

"Yours truly, "E. F. NORTON."

"CLIPPER s.h.i.+P SEA SERPENT, PACIFIC OCEAN, June 21, 1852. Lat. 22 N., Long. 118 W.

"MY DEAR FRIEND:

"My a.s.sociation with your family, during the past summer and winter, I trust is a sufficient apology for the liberty I take in addressing you.

The past three months have offered a good time for reflection, and I acknowledge to a feeling of solicitude for you all. I know you have friends in all parts of the world, but, I am sorry to say, even some of your best friends sometimes fail to appreciate the severe tests through which you are compelled to pa.s.s, in order to prove the genuineness of Spirit manifestations. You will oblige me very much if you will write me particulars in regard to your success in your new home, surrounded by new friends, etc., etc.

"Mr. Greeley expressed a hope that you would stop at his home until your house is settled and ready for occupation. He also expects that Katy will accept his invitation to come immediately to attend school, and remain with them until you are settled in New York. It is only since my sea-life that I have fully realized the situation. You are exposed to the scoffs and ridicule of the ma.s.ses, at all times and in all places.

This great and important truth is destined to revolutionize the world, and will render your names a part of the history of the age. It has already done so. I shall claim as a right from you, occasionally, a full account of the progress of the cause. The subject has been a very dear one to me. In fact, I feel that I am living in a different sphere since I have been acquainted with the object of my own existence, and have a clearer perception of a life beyond. I can realize the truth of that saying, so common with the good old Methodists, viz., 'I enjoy a peace that the world cannot give nor take away.'

"We are now almost one thousand miles from San Francisco, being only four or five days' sail, with a fair wind. Unfortunately, however, the wind is turned unfavorable, and we may be as many weeks. This is our one hundred and fourth day at sea, without landing, having travelled some fifteen thousand miles.

"Our voyage, on the whole, has been very pleasant. The weather has been remarkably fine. We have not experienced one day of what the sailors term rough weather. Our pa.s.sage round Cape Horn, the place so much dreaded by all voyagers, was unusually favorable. We were only three days in getting round, while it is common for s.h.i.+ps to be from fifteen to thirty. The greatest treat of the voyage is the sunsets on this side.

Their wondrous beauties baffle every attempt at description. Will you have the kindness to send by mail the piece of music, 'Haunted Ground'?

"With kind regards to all, I remain yours truly,

"E. F. NORTON."

JOHN E. ROBINSON.

"ROCHESTER, N. Y., October 20, 1853.

"DEAR FRIEND LEAH:

"I have received your note of a recent date, and am obliged to you for it, as I always am for a letter from you. But, what is the matter with you? your letter is deeply tinged with sadness, and reads very much as I feel sometimes, though from a different cause from any which appeared in yours.

"You have, or had just then, a November mood on, and here it is October, and a clear and bright sky; and although it be autumn, it is one of no common beauty. What has crossed your path? Are you not blessed with friends good and true? such as you used to tell me of? and if your health is pa.s.singly good, what is there standing between you and your share of happiness? I suppose I might give answers to these questions by looking in upon my own life record: for a human is a human, and we are all of a piece in most things. But your letter leads me to these questions, and so my pen has asked them. You do not say a word about Spirits, or what _they_ and _you_ are doing, leaving me to guess everything which I would know about those things.

"You recollect Frederica Bremer paid you a visit on Troup Street when she was in this country. Her manner and remarks, as you related them to me, I remember in a general way, particularly as she was, on account of her eminent literary character, a marked personage; and I was somewhat surprised this evening, when I read an extract from her recent book of travels in America, in which she gives an account of her interview with yourself and sisters. It is evident that she was false to you, or else she is _false to the public_ who now read her work. I mention this as a pa.s.sing matter of but little consequence in itself, disconnected with other considerations, but which are inseparable therefrom.

"She is, through her writings, the familiar and admired companion in countless homes here and elsewhere; and her opinions pa.s.s as of more value than those of most persons. I regret exceedingly that, for some cause, she has said either more or less than what seems to her the truth. In the long run it will make no difference to truth itself, but I do so hate to see one, whom I consider a n.o.ble spirit, swerve a hair's breadth from the path of honor, merely to minister to the current opinions of a world that it should be too proud to bow to. It is but another instance, another ill.u.s.tration of the truth of what I have often said to you and our friend George Willets, that there never has been anything which so severely tried the integrity of men and women as does this Spiritualism.

"_The Rochester Union_ tells us you have quietly settled down in a place called Harmony, Chautauqua Co. No other paper has the news.

"Yours, "J. E. R."

GOVERNOR N. P. TALLMADGE.

"FOND DU LAC, WIS., March 27, 1857.

"DEAR MRS. BROWN:

"I received yesterday from Judge Smith the communication through you from my wife deceased. It was remarkable and significant in every point of view. Judge Smith writes that her name was not known to him nor to you, and he did not know whether it be right or wrong. I wish to say to you, it is exactly right--both the Christian name and the middle letter; and it is remarkable that whilst Judge Smith spells my name, as almost all persons spell it, with only one 'l,' to wit _Tal_madge, the name as rapped out, letter by letter, is _correctly_ spelled with two 'l's,' to wit, Tallmadge.

"I was much gratified with your note of condolence appended to the communication. I know your sincerity, and I appreciate your sympathy.

You know the pain of separation, and the severance of such earthly ties.

But how my views have changed from what they were when my son William died! I had no peace for years till I began to communicate with him through you. Death now has no terrors for me. I feel that the separation from beloved friends and relatives is but temporary--and that, by a pure life here, we shall soon be again united in 'another and a better world,' where there will be no more separation forever.

"With kindest regards to your mother and sisters, I remain, very truly,

"Your friend, "N. P. TALLMADGE.

"MRS. ANN LEAH BROWN, No. 1 Ludlow Place, New York."

PAULINE W. DAVIS.

"PROVIDENCE, August 8, 1857.

"MY DEAR MRS. B.:

"A writer, whom I have been recently reading, says: 'I count life not by years but by the acquaintances I form and value, hence if I make a love I double or even treble that year.'

"In that sense I would like to be old, for I would like to have many real loves.

"I am glad of my visit to New York, for I learned that my heart was not cold when any one came near me with the power to rouse me.

"Deeply as I am interested in the new philosophy you are a chosen teacher of, still I am more interested in you as a woman; a woman whose heart is alive to all that is good and great, and that has been purified by a high love.

"It is not often, as I told you, that I make any demonstrations of affection (and I have been so long called cold that I begin to think I am rather so). Nor do I often express admiration; but toward you I was impelled to offer much; and now, in writing you, were I to utter all the warm feelings that awaken in my heart toward you, I fear you might think me weak and enthusiastic--or worse, insincere; which G.o.d forbid I should ever be.

"You are my opposite in almost everything. This may account for my admiration, but not for my love; for it is not every one that I can love. I have looked about to see what I could do among my friends, and what inducement I could offer you to come; which is very little indeed beyond a warm welcome to our little cottage and hearts. Our friends are nearly all absent, but some half-dozen gentlemen wish much to have you come. So your expenses would be insured, and you should have rest, quiet, and the perfect protection of our house; and I think you would enjoy the freshness of the country. It is so green and lovely now that it seems like June. I have been in Boston and saw my dear boy, who will come down to see you if you come. I also obtained for you a beautiful thimble, so do not bring one for yourself. Please let me hear from you at once, and if you will come--what day. We will then meet you with our carriage and take care of you. My husband is greatly interested in my story, but can't realize the truth in the least. [This refers to a remarkable cure of Mrs. Davis by Mrs. B. which will be found in the chapter on Spirit Cures, page 364.--ED.]

"G.o.d bless you, my dear friend.

"PAULINE W. DAVIS.

"Mrs. J. is not well, but is out with my husband driving."