SPIRITUALISM: AN EXPOSURE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6823, 29 September 1883, Page 2 (Supplement)

SPIRITUALISM: AN EXPOSURE.

Tjie Police Court (says a San Francisco paper) is about to solve the genuineness of the spiritualist manifestations as produced by Hrs.k. F. Reynolds, who peeps into the deep beyond with the aid of mediumistic gifts. A certain searcher after truth, who, though still searching, vet has full faith in spirituali»m, went to the medium's place about three weeks ago for the purpose of convincing himself whether the spirits which attended her were the real Simon-pure article or whether they were only chalk-and-sheet iriitations. He was permitted to sit among the elect in the front rank, where also sat Aft. Reynolds, the medium explaining that this was absolutely necessary, as the spirits which have control over her hai commanded the arrangement to bs made, in order to give her sufficient strength to effect materializations. The investigator charges that Mr. Reynolds, sitting n'rar, also became a spirit and assisted in making noises. This he did by producing a tube from under his vest and connecting it with a large horu in the cabinet, from which soon after were heard to issue sounds. Becoming more and more spiritualized, he finally began to talk as the spirit of" Gordon." Ha ceased whenever the investigator looked at him, and finally a special spirit appeared in the cabinet to divert the latter's attention. Not satisfied with one trial, the firm believer in spiritualism attended four more seances and found his suspicionsof jugglery confirmed; He then made up his mind to expose it and for thie purpose h;< attended last Wednesday's seance. As fortune would have it, Mr. Rsyuolds and the 'tube were unavoidably absent ou ihat occasion. Spirits in great numbers were nevertheless produced. The first to appear was a little child, styled " the medium on her knees." This spirit revelled in the name of Effie. Next two forms appeared, one of whom called up a lady from the rear'end of the room, who obediently came up to re-'-ceiva a spiritual kiss. The spirits having tasted of the sweets of an earthly kiss became quite bold and ordered the light to be raised. The two forms cajne out again and the investigator then aate that one of them was composed of a bundle of white musquitocloth,' with a mask where the face ought to be. Seeing hie opportunity, ha seized the mannikin by the head and neck and attempted to drag it out. Iu this attempt he met with resistance from the entrance'! Mrs. Reynolds, who did not propose having her favourito spirit thus ructe'y draggnd ctoivn from the seventh heaven, where it presumably Bleeps during the day-time. A struggle began and I for some moments it was doubtful whether the man or the spirit had the better muscle. But before the contest could be decided half-a-dozen men and women came to the aid'of. the spirit by throwing themselves upon the zealous investigator. Thedesecration of the cabinet filled fcicem with rage, for they began choking the captor of the rag baby and would have fiuished him had he not possessed extraordinary powers. They weie strong, enough, however, to rush him towards the door, despite; the protests of a gentleman iri the rear, who shouted, " Give him."» chance." They gave him a chance for fresh air, for. he was uncerimoniously caat out of the company of the spirits and into the outer air, carrying with him the grater part of the musqnitobar manufactured spirit. learning subae-' quently that one S. H. li°wis had been.one' of the assvilters, he hied himself to Prosecut.-" ing-Attorney Grave?, before whom hei.laid" his case and his cloth. That gentleman decided that the Penal Code does not excuse an assault in defence of manufactured spirits and. accordingly issued a warrant of arrest. Lewiswas compelled to deposit £10 of our mostunspiritual money and was told to stand trial on the charge brought against him oh Auaust 29th. - ;