"The Keelers of Moravia and Their Spiritualist Daughter"
SPIRITUALISM
Source: The Genesee Courier, Le Roy, N.Y., Friday, October 20, 1871.
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SPIRITUALISM
They have spirits in Moravia, N.Y., according to a correspondent of the New
York Star, and their performances are novel and startling. Near Moravia
is a family named Keeler, an old grey-haired farmer and his wife and daughter.
The daughter, who is a spiritual medium, about two years ago received a
communication from the invisible world, directing her to build a house for
the reception and manifestation of spirits. She was directed to construct
in a certain manner and locality, with a cupola on the top of it for the
entrance and exit of her ghostly visitors. The favored family set to
work to do as they were bidden with more than earthly energy. In a short
time the house was completed, surmounted by a curiously-constructed cupola.
The house stands a half a mile from Moravia, on a hill. Its exterior is
unpretending and plain, but one has only to enter its awful portals to doubt
his existence. On the second flor is a room about twelve by fourteen, with
a bay window facing the street. There is only one entrance to the room, and
across the space occupied by the bay window is a thin board partition. In
nearly the center of this partition is a small rectangular-shaped window,
across which is drawn a dull black cloth curtain. It is at this window that
the spirits appear and talk to their friends. There is a piano in the room,
and some of the spirits are good musicians. The medium charges two
dollars a sitting, which generally covers about two hours. From one to twenty
persons may be present at one sitting, and the expense can be apportioned
among them. After a sufficient number have collected to witness the
manifestations, the medium leads them into the above room. -Rochester
Democrat.
The writer says: "They take seats in chairs placed in rows before the black curtain covering the wonderful window. The door is shut and fastened with an air of the gravest solemnity. The medium takes a seat directly in front of the partition, and beneath the window. She folds her arms and sits motionless, with a funereal aspect. Up to this time the incredulous spectators have joked very freely, and seem to regard the affair in the light of fun. Suddenly impressed 'Phs' are heard coming from the females present, and the room becomes totally dark. The darkness is so dense that it is painful to the eyes. A few moments elapse, and the audience experience disagreeable sensations. A scintillating speck of light resembling a star flies through the darkness. Several stars quickly follow it, and darting hither and thither make a fine pyrotechnic display. Large and small lights dance about the room which resemble the St. Elmo's phosphorescent gleams that are often seen by sailors at night. This continues for aboaut a quarter of an hour, when a spirit voice calls for a light. A lamp standing on a table is lighted, the light of day being totally excluded. The medium rises, and drawing back the black curtain, retires behind the cabinet and occupies a chair concealed from view. She goes behind the cabinet, she says, to lend her magnetism to the spirits. She sits perfectly still; the slightest movement could be head by those outside. The shades of departed friends and relatives now discover themselves in the awe-stricken audience. The faces of near and dear friends, and als of persons never before heard of, come to the window.-
Some things occurred at a sitting the other day that would unsettle many minds. A gentleman and wife, residing in Madison square, New York, visited the medium with a party of friends. The spirit of the ladie's old family physician, who had been dead a great many years, came to the window. She had been suffering from some bodily ailment or other for some time. She asked the doctor to prescribe for her, and he did so. She returned to New York, and following the spirit's directions, has been entirely cured. The same lady saw the spirit of her deceased grandmother. She came in a shadow, looking as she did on earth, with her ruffled cap and spectacles.-
'Clara,' it said, 'I attended my funeral. I saw you lift my hand as my corpse lay in the coffin. I followed it to the grave and saw everything. It will not be a great while before we can come to you in your own homes. Our bodies die, but our spirits are as free as the birds of the air.' A young lady from Bufalo was visited by one calling himself James Booth. She sat down at the piano and played a lively tune, the sounds of an unseen violin accompanying her, keeping correct time. The party struck up 'John Brown,' and many voices from the spirit world joined heartily in the chorus. The spirit of a very dear friend of a lady present appeared, and stretching out a very beautifully moulded arm, presented her with a blush rose. People are patted on the head and knees by invisible hands.-
Individuals with weak nerves become frightened by this operation, and until
re-assured by a few remarks from Mr. Keeler, show evident signs of leaving
their seats in precipitate haste. Some sights that daily occur make one's
marrow creep, and the unbelieving scoffer goes away with conviction written
on his dismayed countenance. The Keelers regard it all as a mere exposition
of their religious belief. The room and cabinet have been minutely examined
by many visitors, and nothing unusual or suspicious has been discovered.-
People from Syracuse, Auburn and Ithaca make up large parties and visit Moravia
to see the manifestations.- There has been a greater number visiting the
Keelers this summer than ever before. They bid fair to the row in the shade
the once celebrated Fox sisters of Rochester.
Source: The Genesee Courier, Le Roy, N.Y., Friday, October 20, 1871.
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