[Gutenberg 61807] • Psychomancy: Spirit-Rappings and Table-Tippings Exposed

Excerpt: ... SPIRIT-RAPPINGS. The wide-spread and alarming mania of Spiritrappings and table-tippings of the present day, is only a modification, or new garb, of devilish instrumentalities, operating through human machinations, which have infested society from time immemorial. We start with this proposition, harsh as it may sound to some, and if we should fail to sustain it by facts, reasoning, and common sense, to the entire satisfaction of all, we still say to the unbelievers in our doctrine, show us the proof to the contrary; and with a confidence firm as our belief in Holy Writ, and the unfailing laws of God, we challenge the exhibition to our senses of any performance with spirit-rappings, or table-tippings, which cannot be explained upon natural, and well known natural laws. We will here premise, that we do not attribute to Satan any direct agency in this matter f her than has always been ascribed to him in the'crimes and misdeeds of man from the fall dowji to this present time. That neither the uynpc& of the power of the air," nor his imps itfuiesa they be in human shape), rap out intelliI "gence by sounds, get under tables and tip them. over, swing them round, or perform any of these extraordinary feats, which so many among us are determined to invest with supernatural character and origin. Nor do we consider that the archenemy of man has brought any new power or agency into operation to further his mischievous designs. Fab From It. A new power? It would frustrate his schemes in their very inception. A new power? It is a lawful subject of pursuit, to the very exhaustion of mental resources. A new power? Its bare mention is an arousing signal to the devotees of science, and upon the first scintillation of plausibility, the midnight lamp...