Lillie used often to say to me, “Mamma, put out the light. My guardian Spirit will take care of me.” She had no fear of them. Georgie, on the contrary, was somewhat afraid, and would say, “Leave a little light, mamma, ’cause the Spirits are rapping.” Leah would come flying down-stairs, pale and almost breathless, at the least indication of the presence of Spirits. Still they all knew and believed in them, and loved to sit in dark circles in our family alone and witness the different forms of manifestations.
Lillie has an abnormal faculty which often gives entertainment to her friends. She goes out of the room, and any member of the company may hide any small object wherever he may please—such as a key or coin or anything convenient. All the rest of the company are requested to fix their thoughts on the object and its place of concealment, while careful not to do or say anything to suggest a clue. On her entrance she takes his hand and applies it to her forehead, still holding on to it and keeping her eyes shut. She will then lead him to the spot where it is concealed. She moves by starts, he accompanying her passively. She very rarely fails to find the article concealed.
MUSICAL MEDIUMSHIP.
I might tell much of the indications of the mediumistic character which have run through the children of the generation following our own; that is to say, those of my brother and sisters and myself, including my nephew’s little son of five years, who plays on a child’s harmonica with astonishing accuracy and beauty, accompanying any musical performance and following every variation with whatever rapidity, with his face kindled with excitement and delight; the whole being spontaneous, without ever having had any instruction. He is (I have no doubt) a musical medium, of whom the world has seen several; the most remarkable one being the idiot boy known as “Blind Tom.” It is indeed evident enough that this mysterious gift, or whatever it may be called, is not destined to die out with the present generation.
The next instance of mediumship in the generation succeeding ourselves is such as to merit a chapter to itself.
[6] I am not entirely certain that I remember the number of days with distinctness: it is very nearly correct.