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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 14

[George Chainey to R. G. Ingersoll]

Col. R. G. Ingersoll:—My dear friend; Your letter is an oasis in a desert, and most sweet surprise, though I had already declared that I knew no word of disparagement or mockery would ever pass your lips. In a naturally serious life the event you refer to has been the most serious experience that has yet befallen me. I have been greatly pained and shocked at the amount of illiberality shown by former associates. Tortured and stung by all manner of gibes and jokes and unjust accusations of false motives, I fear I may have been less discriminating than I ought to have been in my replies. I thought that in leaving the Methodist first, and afterwards the Unitarian ministry, I had safely passed all danger of suffering for opinions sake. But that was mercy in comparison with what I have endured in the past six weeks in private letters and public ribaldry. Let me then thank you from the bottom of my heart for this wave of kindness you send me so generously from your far Western home. Though I have often felt the overflow of your great, loving soul before, it never seemed so truly great as now. Before giving the facts you solicit, let me make one or two observations. I have no right to expect that my experience will convince you. I had heard in my association with Spiritualists many equally startling narratives, and yet had remained honestly unconvinced. So then may you. Then it is much easier to suppose another the victim of an illusion than to admit the same touching an experience of your own. It is also utterly impossible to put into the scales again, all that helped to turn the beam. I was surrounded by hundreds of bright, intelligent, happy Spiritualists. They all had marvellous experiences to relate, and many of them gave me the benefit of the same. Precious sacred joys, screened from the eyes of unbelievers, were, for some reason or another, freely confided to me. Through the free page 5 and delightful social intercourse of the camp life I had a far better opportunity for forming a correct judgment of the people than one does in the ordinary course of life, so that the conditions by which I was surrounded all helped to produce conviction. I hold that we do not believe as we want to, but as we are compelled. From their appreciation of my lectures I also had golden opportunities of investigation pressed upon me, without money and without price. I have seen and sympathized with the sufferings of mediums such as no money could have tempted them to endure. I have seen those who, when I first came on the ground, could hardly exercise their gifts by reason of the positive influence I exerted over them, bathed in tears of joy when from the platform I told the story of my experience. I could hardly tell that story for tears of joy myself, while the impression made upon the audience was simply indescribable. I have seen people happy under the excitement and emotion of Methodism, but this was altogether of another character. But these are not the facts you want. I went to this meeting quite by accident. You know yourself of what I had told you of my discouragement with the great majority of professed Liberals. That feeling had grown still stronger, and so I had thoroughly resolved to go on the stage. 1 have been studying with this in view for two years. But my dear friend Putnam was most desirous of leaving business and entering the field of Liberal propaganda. I tried hard to dissuade him. from it. He felt then that his chance was dependent on joining forces with me. Under an impulse of gratitude and sincere friendship I consented to try it for a year, if the conditions I mentioned in a former letter to. you should be complied with on the part of the National Liberal League. Having to go to Canada, I went around to Salamanca in order to consult with Green in reference to our plan. While there I quite accidently resolved to visit the Camp, so as to engage accommodations during the forthcomingmeeting for myself and friends in advance. They invited me to lecture. I spoke to them on "The Church of the Future." They liked it so well that they invited me to speak again the next day. I gave them the "Genius of Shakespeare." They wanted some more, and so the following day I gave them "Leaves of Grass." of course they talked to me about Spiritualism. I said, as you often do, "I don't know." I had no proof, and all the proofs I had been taught to trust were broken reeds. To use your own beautiful words, I did not know whether death was night or day, a prison wall or a door, the folding or unfolding of wings. I said to them: "I have no objection to another life, but at present that is my position." At the close of my lectures, what they called public tests were given. A young man, who sees clairvoyantly, stood up and described spirits he saw, giving their names, and the time and place of their death. He would also frequently go into distant homes and describe the furniture of rooms, contents of bureau drawers, containing relics of the departed, such as a locket or a picture, or articles of clothing, so minutely as to produce a most startling impression. These descriptions were generally witnessed to as being strictly true by some one in the audience, nearly always an avowed stranger to the young man. Still I set them down to a judicious selection of epitaphs on gravestones, carefully culled obituary notices from the Spiritual papers, coupled with mind reading. I was invited to a seance. Most striking and exciting things were done. It was in such company and under such conditions as made the thought of trickery impossible. We had not sat in the circle a minute before each one was patted on the knee, hands or face by hands not belonging to any one of us, while beautiful starlike lights flitted like fire flies about the room, and a guitar was taken from the lap of one of the sitters and passed all around the room, beyond the reach of any of us, and all the time discoursing sweet page 6 music. Though startled and perplexed, this would not have convinced me. I met next Mrs. Anna Kimball, a celebrated Psychometrist. As Prof. Denton, who made a special study of this subject, testifies to her accuracy in this field, I gave her a ring I had been wearing, to hold. She soon made me feel like the woman of Samaria, who said of Jesus: "Come see a man who told me all that ever I did." As a seer or clairvoyant she described the spirit of two young ladies standing by my side, who gave their names, and said I visited them when they were sick, and preached their funeral sermons, all of which was true. She also described another spirit, standing by, who was my guardian angel. But more of this anon. I began to be somewhat shaken and to catch myself saying, "Great Heavens! Is it all true?" But then I thought of all the trickery and fraud that has been exposed in Spiritualism, and all I must undergo should I proclaim myself a Spiritualist, and said quietly to myself: "No, it won't do. You have changed around enough. It seems to be true, but I will just keep this to myself and say nothing about it." Being under engagement I attended another seance. This time the manifestations were still more wonderful. The room seemed to be full of spirits, audible voices speaking all about us, giving names and messages fully recognized by some of the sitters. Next I saw the phenomenon of independent slate writing. To deny that it was the work of an invisible agency was utterly impossible. That it was done by spirit friends seems probable, as in most instances the message was written in the handwriting of the person signing. I was, of course, still more excited by each additional marvel. Still I persisted in my purpose not to be converted. At this time I had been on the ground a week. It was Sunday. I arranged to leave next morning bright and early, and so went around bidding the new friends I had made good-bye. This kept me out until eleven o'clock. When I reached the hotel I found the door locked. Just as I was about to knock at the door I seemed to hear a voice saying, "Go and sleep with Jack." Now, Jack was a very nice fellow, the musician of the camp, and husband of Mrs. Lillie, a most interesting inspirational speaker. They lived in a lovely tent, and as Mrs. Lillie was away, I knew that Jack would like my company, and so went. We lay awake talking some time. It was a bright, beautiful night, and the tent, in consequence, almost as light as day. Finally Jack fell asleep, but there was no sleep for me. I was going away in the morning. All that I had seen and felt during the past week passed through my mind. I felt more sure than ever that it was true, and yet I resolved more firmly than ever that I would not be a Spiritualist. Suddenly I became aware that some one was there in the tent besides Jack and myself. It was a most strange feeling. Words were put on my lips to the following purport: "You have been brought here to be convinced of the truth of Spiritualism. Those that love you see that this is all that can make life for you now worth living. You must stay here until every cloud of doubt and haunting shadow of despair is cleansed from your mind." Long I reasoned against it. Finally, in despair, I yielded the point, and fixed upon a plan by which I might stay. The moment I did so I felt a soft hand placed upon my brow. I cannot tell you how I felt. It was at once the strangest and most beautiful sensation I ever experienced. It thrilled me through and through with indescribable ecstasy. I can assure you that it was no dream, but a most sweet reality, amply confirmed by many subsequent experiences.. As soon as it was known that I had changed my mind about leaving I was again invited to lecture. A voice seemed to come and whisper in my ear: "This is to give you an appropriate chance to confess what you have seen and felt, and swear allegiance to the faith." I resolved to do so. The manner in which it was received was as page 7 great a miracle as anything that had happened. I never dreamed that such an effect could be produced by a simple recital of my religious experience. It gave me new ideas about oratory. From that time on the revelations have continued to increase in power. Through three different mediums my guardian spirit claimed to be the one who had touched my brow in the tent. From the fact that she was seen one time to place a bunch of lilies on my breast, and another time a dove, I called her Lily Dove. I have had the strangest and most wonderful dreams, in which I have been with her in a beautiful country. All that I have done of importance since has been foreshadowed in dreams. These dreams are unlike anything I ever had before. But this letter would stretch out to a cyclopedia should I tell you all. Two of the leading persons attending the camp meeting were Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Skid-more of Fredonia, N. Y. Mr. S. is a successful railroad contractor, and a man of large brain and heart. His wife is a most sweet and royal lady. Several years since they lost a beautiful daughter by consumption, just as she had blossomed into womanhood. Her name was Kitty. The love between her and her parents must have been much like that between your own sweet daughters, Maude and Eva, and their parents. But they lost their Kitty. She was married to the man of her heart's choice a week before she died. They were beside themselves with grief. Life hardly seemed bearable. They had all that money could buy. But the pride of their hearts and light of their home had gone out in the darkness of death.

Think for a moment how you would feel if Eva were your only child, and you should lose her. As you would feel so felt they. They had no faith in the teachings of the church. Your lectures have a more honored place in their home than the Bible But they turned in their despair to Spiritualism. They received message after message on closed and locked slates in her own familiar hand, full of the perfume of the same loving nature she revealed in earth life. They saw her materialize, felt her arms around their necks, and then saw her simply fade from their sight without moving from the spot. Since then she has come to them in. so many different ways that they feel that she makes one of the home circle almost as much as while in the visible form. They have a lovely little seance room, and whenever a medium comes that way he or she is called in, and they commune with her as of old. The tent that I occupied in camp was furnished by their kindness. The easy chair I sat in was the one Kitty was married in a week before she died. She was seen several times, by clairvoyants, to come into the tent and sit down in that chair. During life her favorite flower was a white rose. Mr. Prang, of Boston, kindly sent me a package of picture cards. On one of them were some white roses. I gave it to Mrs. Skidmore, saying, "That is for Kitty." That night while I was talking with Mrs. S., Kitty was seen by a medium to enter the tent, kiss her mother, and then come and place a bunch of white roses on my breast. After the camp, Mr. and Mrs. Skidmore invited myself, Mrs. Anna Kimball and Mr. Mansfield", the slate-writing medium, to spend a few days at their home, during which time we had two seances, with only ourselves and two relatives and members of the family present. Just as soon as we sat down the first night, Mr. Mansfield was entranced, and the most startling phenomena commenced. Kitty came and covered her father and mother with tender caresses. Things were taken out of our pockets and passed to each other. I felt two soft hands touching my forehead and toying lovingly with my hair, while all the others in the circle were being touched by other hands. When I felt them on my forehead I said mentally, "If that is you, Lily, please touch my lips with your fingers." It was done immediately. The next day I went into Dunkirk and bought a box of flowers—white roses, a lily, some jessa- page 8 mine, heliotrope, sweet peas and carnations, appropriate presents, I think you will say, for such sweet angel visitants. When we sat down, the box of flowers rested in Mrs. Kimball's lap, whence it was immediately taken and placed in mine. I then asked if that was to indicate that they knew I had brought them the flowers. At once I felt three gentle touches on my forehead, while at the same time three distinct raps were made on the box, which in spirit telegraphy means yes. I then formed the mental request that if Lily was present she should put the lily in my hand. It was done as quick as a flash. I then said mentally, "Kitty, if you are here, I brought the white roses for you, and would like you to put one where you placed the spirit roses. Immediately I felt something placed there, and when the light was turned on, there was seen the white rose. Ever since I had the experience already related, of the hand touching my forehead, if I happen to be mentally tired I am almost sure to have it repeated. At the first touch of those magical fingers, the pain and weariness vanishes. The emotion this gives is all I can stand and live. I feel now so sure that much sweeter experiences will follow death, than can come to us in this life, that I think of that otherwise gloomy event with the most joyful and intense expectation. But this letter is growing too long. If I had far greater marvels to relate, I should expect you to reply. I might not this believe without the sensible and true avouch of my own eyes. So far as I am concerned, I can say, my life upon the ghost. She has told me many things and never played me false. She inspires and strengthens me constantly. I would not part with the joy of this experience for all the gold of earth. I do not think I shall be any more sure of immortality when I am dead, than I am now. I wish I could have seen you face to face, or sat in the dear family circle while I told my strange story, and answered all the questions which might arise, and See just how it affected you. I have not written it in such fulness before, from a feeling that some of it was too sacred and personal, that it would be almost sacrilege to give it to the general public. Your letter, however, shines so grandly and beautifully alongside of most of the comments of my old friends, and inspires me with such perfect confidence, that I cannot resist the temptation to give both the question and answer to the public. I feel sure that it will do much to restore the good feeling marred by the unjust censure of others and my own somewhat strong remarks under the intense excitement in which I was thrown, first by my experience, and next by its unfriendly reception. If you will write a short reply, and say just how it presents itself to your mind, I am sure that also will do a world of good. If you can explain it away on any hypothesis, that does not demand more credulity than the theory of spirit return, please do so. I have no wish to be deceived. Spiritualism is not Christianity. It courts investigation. If you think I am insane please say why. If you have any questions to ask touching the possibility of my being deceived I shall be glad to answer them. You may put me on the witness stand and cross-examine me in this trial, and I shall be delighted to take any pains to give you all the light I can. If your confidence in my sincerity causes the star of hope your loving eyes saw gleaming above your brother's grave to shine with a steadier ray, and brings to your ears, so thirsty for the grandest and sweetest music, the sweeter music of the rustle of a wing from a world that conquers death, and gives back to the heart all its desire, then I know that thousands, through your help, will be cheered by the same sweet music. With ever faithful love to you and yours, I am now, indeed, yours always and afterwards,

George Chainey.