The Missing Link In Modern Spiritualism Part 20

"Yours with respect, "E. S. BROWNFIELD.

"P. S. I am here authorized to use the names of our friends, some of whom you will doubtless recollect; also others, for whose character and respectability I have but to refer you to Dr. Bigelow, of Cleveland, who is well acquainted with all, viz., Mrs. Boss, Mrs. Baker, Wm. Boss, Thos. Holmes, Dr. Blair, John J. Mooney, Wm. Lyon, Wm. Cunningham, and Lewis Evans, _who all join in_ pressing the invitation.--_E. S. B._"

CHILLICOTHE COMMITTEE.

"CHILLICOTHE, O., May 23, 1851.

"DEAR MADAM:

"You will notice by the enclosed proceedings, that the duty has devolved on us, in behalf of the citizens of this place and vicinity, friendly to the investigation of the so-called "Spiritual rappings" and "manifestations," to extend to you an invitation that we may be honored with your company and have the benefit of your experience in the investigation of that which is to us a subject of the highest interest, and which we consider deserving the most patient and devoted attention.

"In addition to the performance of our official duty as a committee, we request you to accept from us, individually, our warmest and most heartfelt congratulations, for the dignity you have preserved, and the Christian forbearance and charity you have manifested toward your opponents, amid the many trying scenes you have encountered during the last two years, while lending your aid to the investigation of truths of a new and startling character.

"We are the more desirous that you should honor us with a visit, from having inst.i.tuted some experiments ourselves, with partial success, the particulars of which have been published from time to time, to encourage the friends of the science to pursue the investigation for themselves.

Circ.u.mstances, however, have not yet been sufficiently favorable to its development to enable us to gratify the public interest which it has naturally excited; and consequently a visit from yourself at this particular juncture would be particularly gratifying. We should be pleased also to learn what mode of compensation would be the most agreeable to you as a remuneration for your services. Hoping to obtain from you a favorable reply, and a visit at some early day most convenient to yourself, accept, madam, our a.s.surances of esteem and friends.h.i.+p.

"JOHNSON LOFLAND, JONATHAN MIESSE, H. M. PINTO, _Committee_."

"To MRS. FISH, of Rochester, Cleveland, Ohio.

"A meeting of the citizens of Chillicothe and vicinity, friendly to the investigation of the phenomena known us 'Spirit rappings,' 'Spiritual manifestations,' etc., which have claimed a considerable share of public attention in the United States during the last two years, was held in the city of Chillicothe on May 23, 1851, at which Clement Pine was appointed chairman, and George Armstrong secretary.

"On motion it was resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to forward an invitation to Mrs. Fish, of Rochester, who, it is understood, is now in Cleveland, to visit our city, that the citizens may have the benefit of her presence and experience in witnessing the so-called 'Spiritual manifestations.' Johnson Lofland, H. M. Pinto, and Jonathan Miesse, M.D., were appointed by the chair said committee.

"Resolved, that it shall be the duty of said committee, on receiving an answer from Mrs. Fish, to call another meeting, and make known her intentions in regard to the acceptance or non-acceptance of such invitation, and in case we should be favored with a visit from Mrs.

Fish, to propose such measures for her reception as may be deemed necessary.

"Resolved, that a copy of the proceedings of this meeting be made by the secretary, and transmitted immediately, together with a letter of invitation, to Mrs. Fish, by said committee.

"CLEMENT PINE, _Chairman_, GEORGE ARMSTRONG, _Secretary_."

The foregoing letter was sent to Ma.s.sillon for other signatures of parties there alike interested.

"Ma.s.sILLON, O., June 23, 1851.

"We earnestly hope that you will accept of this invitation, and thereby give a few earnest inquirers after truth an opportunity to satisfy their minds upon a very important subject.

"C. D. SMITH, J. W. UNDERHILL, D. M. BRADSHAW, F. KEITH, S. HUNT, J. R. CECIL, R. PARTRIDGE, G. W. WILLIAMS, C. H. RUSSELL, S. HAUND, S. RAWSON."

CHARLES F. WHIPPO.

"NEW CASTLE, Lawrence Co., Pa., June 9, 1851.

"MRS. FISH: My object in writing this is to invite you, in behalf of myself and many intelligent friends here, to stop, on your way to Pittsburg, and spend a few days with us.

"I have heard of your trials and troubles at Buffalo and at Cleveland, and you have had my sympathy through all. I hope and trust you will be able to stand up under these persecutions, steadfastly and firmly.

"Remember that truth is mighty and will ultimately prevail. The Rev.

Rascal C. C. Burr is on the wane, and he will learn, before all is over, that 'honesty is the best policy.'

"Very respectfully and truly yours, "CHARLES F. WHIPPO."

M. L. WRIGHT.

"CLEVELAND, August 23, 1851.

"MRS. FISH: My dear friend, I promised to answer the article by Green, through which you were called on to enter the arena with Mr. Clark, for examination, etc. I did so; but the Clark family came out boldly, and offered to make oath that they knew nothing of the source of the 'manifestations;' that the article by Green was without their knowledge and very much against their wishes. We all thought best to suppress it for the present. You can hardly imagine how much pleasure and happiness _we_ have realized when in your presence. That scene in the cemetery can never die out from my memory. How can we ever forget those sweet messages from our dear ones, whose affection for us has outlived their mortality?

"Oh, come with us again and permit us to listen to those good old raps that first shook our scepticism and brought us to a realization of the truth. That message in the grave-yard, saying, 'My dear son, weep no more, the fault was mine. No longer bow your head in vain regret and grief. I _bless_ you, be happy.' Then the messages from our dear children, bidding us to rejoice and weep no more, 'We are all happy in heaven;' and then, in answer to my mental questions they spelled, 'We accompanied you here--this is not our abiding place--we will return with you and watch over you through the night, and communicate with you at home.' The promises have all been fulfilled. We have the manifestations at our own house, and the Spirit of our father is our guardian-angel now. My wife holds daily converse with him, and he tells us he 'is happy. All is well.' This is not belief, it is knowledge. Your friends in Cleveland are all armed and equipped, ready to defend you now and forever. It is midnight; my dear wife and children are sleeping quietly, and those of the higher spheres are watching over them. The midnight winds whistle fearfully around our dwelling, and as I write old Lake Erie lashes her sh.o.r.es with a fury perfectly terrific. May the good Spirits of the wave watch over the mariner to-night and pilot him safely into harbor. Our friend Gray has returned and wishes me to remember him to you. Mr. Tiffany has also returned. You must excuse him for not calling on you, as his child was very ill, and pa.s.sed away to its Spirit home last Wednesday. He feels deeply interested in your welfare, and has attended to all the preliminaries in the slander case, so that you need give yourself no uneasiness in the matter. Judge Bissell complains of your not writing. Be sure and write to him immediately. He is your _true friend_ and will see that _justice_ is done in your case. Judge Paine also, do not forget to write to him.

"Now, Leah, _your true friends_ (I need not name them) are expecting you will locate here some day, not far distant. We expect to see you in Rochester soon. My love to your mother, sisters, and Calvin, with a great share for yourself, and believe me

"_Truly yours ever_, "M. L. WRIGHT."

D. A. EDDY.

"CLEVELAND, O., October 28, 1851.

"MRS. FISH:

"MY DEAR FRIEND--Your letter dated at Rochester, after you had partially recovered from your severe illness, was duly received, and I answered at length; but while waiting to get hold of the precious bluff missive that appeared in _The True Democrat_, to enclose to you, some time elapsed, and when I finally got it, I found you were sojourning in Troy, N. Y.

So the letter was old, and I did not send it. I cannot find words to express how glad I am to hear that you have recovered and are able to visit a place where I know you will have so many true friends; but we will not own to any city that can produce more sincere friends than Cleveland.

"I suppose that Mrs. Eddy has informed you of Mr. Crittenden's intention of making you a visit soon. Is it not possible for you to come here again before close of navigation? If not, you may look for me there the first of January, or about that time. We want you to come to Cleveland.

We will select a house here where you will be happy and comfortable. We pity those poor wretches who are ready to persecute those who are too good to breathe the air of the same neighborhood where they reside.

But never mind, you know and we know there is truth in these new revelations, and the good work is destined to lead men from darkness and doubt, into the blessed light of truth and a hope which I despaired of ever obtaining.

"Your correspondence must necessarily be very large and quite a task.

The cause is gaining here daily, but we want you here again. Adieu for the present.

"Sincerely yours, "D. A. EDDY.

"P. S. We have all signed the bail bonds for costs in your suit with C.