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T
E
T
s
ON
THE WING.
BRIEF NARRATIVE OF MY TRAVELS AND LABORS AS A MISSIONARY
SENT FORTH AND SUSTAINED BY THE ASSOCIATION
OF BENEFICENTS IN SPIRIT LAND.
.'j;
' ■
BY
JOHN MURRAY SPEAR.
PREFACE BI ALLEN PUTNAM.
BOSTON:
WILLIAM WHITE AND COMPANY,
No. 14 Hanover Street.
1873.
�Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873,
By
WILLIAM WHITE & CO.,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
Stereotyped at the Boston Stereotype Foundry,
No. 19 Spring Lane.
�PREFACE.
BY ALLEN PUTNAM.
Careful students of the spiritualistic literature which
the last twenty-five years have been furnishing, have noticed
from time to time allusions to,' and occasionally rather distinct
accounts of, extensive a^Mations of spirits in the spirit world,
whose special purpose was and is to devise and use ways and
means for systematic and extensive action, upon men, with a view
to reform and improve the religious, civil, social, domestic, and
individual conditiorM the dwellers Upon earth.
In his “ Present Age and Inner Life,^beginning at page 82,
A. J. Davis gives interesting descriptions of his visions of “ The
Spiritual Congress,” its readings of the prominent nations on the
earth, its prophecies concerning many of them, and its purpose to
come nearer to earth/*-to do whatsoever good thing we find to do
with one accord, for so shall at last Eternal Justice be done on
Earth as it is in Heaven.” Methods of associated spirits in
acting upon men are hinted at in “ Twelve Messages,” by John
Quincy Adams, page 417. Allusion is made to an u assemblage
of spirits,” by Dr. Hare, page 14, in “ Spiritualism Scientifically
Demonstrated.” The fact of such associations is most promi
nently presented, however, in the “ Educator,” embracing com
munications through John M. Speaa^where the “ General As
sembly,” which seems but a large committee appointed by the
“Spiritual Congress,” have outlined the projects of the spirit
world for improving the condition of men more fully than in any
other work that the writer has seen. This very large General
3
�4
PREFACE.
Assembly subdivided itself into at least seven sub-associations,
each having its specific field of labor.
One of these committees was called the “Association of
Beneficents,” consisting of Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin,
and ten others of kindred spirit, who chose and set apart John M.
Spear to be their scribe, “ to execute their schemes, and to com
plete their beneficent intentions 5 ’land they sent him forth, “ with
out scrip,” and have kept him journeying up and down over the
earth for twenty years, calling,, under impression, upon numerous
people, giving huge volumes of communications, most of which
have been recorded, have i»iusweleased him from his position
as their scribe and communicator, asked from him a brief out
line report of his doings, and requested him to submit it, for in
spection and revisal, to myself. The reader will find the work a
simple and interesting narrative, by a man of fidelity and faith —
showing how the invisibles can sustain those who confide in them
without any misgivings.
The writer has had tatter intimate knowledge of very many
mediums for spirit communkjaiTo'ns, but among them all, of no
other one who seemed to him so trustful of the wisdom, power, and
beneficence of his spirit gyles and controllers as Mr. Spear. In
him has been manifested the nearest approach I have ever seen to
that Abrahamic faith which could raise the knife to slay one’s
son at the bidding of a supermundane call. He is the only
medium whom I ever heard say to the spirits, “I am entirely
at your service—do with me, and through me, whatever you
judge to be useful to my iellow-m@n.” They seem to have taken
him at his word, and his submission has indicated the sincerity of
his devotion. His trials and buffetings have been most severe.
The thorough fitting of him for his work apparently required him
to sever all old domestic and social ties, even by processes which
caused him to be despised of ^nen*—of most men ; though a few
who knew the source and purpose of his eccentricities could ap
preciate and sympathize with the suffering philanthropist. It
was from the outset, and has been for more than twenty years, my
�PREFACE.
5
privilege to know enough to secure for him my sympathy in his
most-intense mental and affectional agonies, and my admiration
of a man who would submit to be dumb as the lamb in the hands
of its shearers, because of his unfaltering faith in the wisdom and
love which chastened and molded him, that he might become a
better instrument for benefiting his fellow-men.
If the question be put, whether it is right for one thus to sur
render his individuality,/tfaejgse reply seems to be, that it is not;
yet we must either admit exceptions, or be severe in our condem
nations of Abraham, when he made preparation to sacrifice his
son, and commendatory of Jonah for his attempt to get away from
the presence of the HLord by taking ^voyage at sea.
Sending the thoughts off bEoad^ oy<ar the fields of spirit reve
lation and history, and letting {teem generalize the apparent
teachings, a fair s tatement QfiTth!e1m »iS^ be substantially this :
The different associations of beneficent spirits, though having a
common benevolent pufeppse toward men, can best accomplish
their work by causing the® human fesSuments to misunderstand
each other, become somewhat at variance, move in quite distinct
paths, and be kept to a great e-x^^Mgnorant of each other’s do
ings. Some can be^ made most useful in the quiet home and
social circles ; some upon the rostrum and before the public;
others under the ban of society: these classes, and others into
which mediums might b®ii®|Hed^ become, or are made to become,
measurably rivals, and are not exempt from jealousies and re
criminations.
No one of all mediums whom-»®ve known came into the
field of mediumship with a better record for purity of morals, for
active beneficence, for devotion to whatever promised to relieve
human suffering, than Mr. Spear. For many years, as a clergy
man of good standing in the denomination of Universalists, and
especially as the prisoner’s friend, he labored in season and out
of season, in summer’s heats and winter’s colds, with the appro
bation, respect, and support of very many of the ablest and best
among the clergymen, the physicians, the lawyers, and the mer-
�6
PREFACE.
chants of Boston. I have full confidence that his purity and devo
tion to humanity’s good were then genuine, and that they have
never lessened in degree or character to this day. Whatever
seeming disregards of the proprieties or moralities may have
been manifested through his organism were not his own acts,
though most men, without conscious injustice, will hold him re
sponsible for them. He is to a greater extent than most others
an unconsciozis medium; has no knowledge of, and no control
over, any word or act of his lips or body when in the trance.
Such being his susceptibility, provided his controllers judged thatz
they could accomplish their work throughWhim better by making
him “despised and disesteemed of men,” they had power to
manifest such action through him as would bring him into con
tempt when tried by any human standard. Mediums of this
class may have less advantages for pefcSonaljpevelopment and
education than others, but they are obviouslyffirose through whom
spirit teachings come most free from adulterations or perversion,
and are therefore among the most reliable as reporters of spirit
utterances.
Once, before a vast crowd which had assemffed to hear him
lecture in a hall at Cleveland, Ohio, he was made to turn his back
to his audience and speak to the wall, Whether^is was because
the magnetisms flowing from the assembly were unfavorable to
control, or whether the spirits wished, by humiliating him, to ren
der him more pliant in their hands, or whether they had other
motives for it, has never been revealed. But such was their
usage of him.
His eccentricities are not discordant with many manifested
by prophets of former ages. All history, Jewish and Christian
as well as Pagan, teaches that seers and prophets were often
manifestors of unseemM| and sometimes of uncleanly actions,
admissible only by maniacs. Read of Saul as a prophet, and you
will find that when the spirit^as*upon him, he stripped off his
clothes in public, and “ lay down naked all that day and all that
night,” obviously acting in such harmony with the ordinary man
*
^z
?
�PREFACE.
7
ner of those who were subject to spirit control that his acquaint
ances asked in astonishment, “ Is Saul also among the prophets ? ”
Turn to the writings of Ezekiel and you will find that he was
made to lie on his left side three hundred and ninety days — then
on his right forty days, and that he received instructions for
preparing his food which it is indelicate to quote. He was
directed also to smother the deepest' affections. The spirit said
to him, “ Forbear to cry ; make no mourning for the dead; ” and
he adds, “ So I spake unto the people in the morning, and at
even my wife died.” MHfe case, as is in some others, the deep
est and holiest affections of mortal life must give way to the .free
exercise of mediumistic functions.
On the side showing the consequences of resisting the spirit,
look at Jonah. Trying to get away “from the presence of the
Lord,” that is, from the call of his controlling spirit, he paid his
fare for passage by ship to Tarshish; when out at sea he was
thrown overboawMEa^»owecWBv‘ amgreat fish,” vomited out
again upon dry land, and then made to prophesy that in forty
days Nineveh should be overthrown; yet, as the Ninevites re
pented, God
his threat made through his
prophet, and the^eSeMbnah was made to appear as a lying
prophet. This so maddened him that in his wrath he said, “ It
is better for me to die than to live;” and many a modern medium,
truthful and obedient, has been made to feel as much ashamed
and mortified at wh®w®|i b|||®>aiiWand done through them as
Jonah was.
The methods of invisible intelligences, who are obviously intent
on promoting the highest interests of men, are not always in full
accordance with
of expediency and right.
Their ways are not a^^S’ wafe. Frequently, when human
organisms are controlled by spirits for communicating with mor
tals, those organisms are made to manifest actions and utter
ances far from harmonious with the ordinary ways and speech of
the minds and hearts to whom such organisms specially belong.
Sometimes the ordinarily gross and sensual become proclaim-
�8
PREFACE.
ers of high spirituality in refined and polished diction — also, the
highly spiritual and refined are sometimes made to utter coarse
thoughts in offensive language, and to manifest almost beastly
disregard for the decencies of refined life.
Facts like the above furnish a just basis for very charitable
judgments as to the individual, personal character of those
ordinarily benevolent and estimable persons who are sometimes,
as mediums, made to do what sqeiety may justly censure. We
are so accustomed to consider whatever comes out through human lips as the offspring of the head and heart for which those
lips were especially formed, that we find it difficult to ascribe
them to any other intelligence. However it is essential to a just
judgment of persons whose outer organisms are highly mediumistic, that we overcome that difficulty, and look upon mediums, at
times, as only trumpets or pencils used by others than their own
ers, and not expressing the sentiments and thoughts of those who
ordinarily use them, but of some temporary borrower.
A. J. Davis, in his “ Present Age and Inner Life,” page 186,
says, “John M. Spear stands quite prominently before the
world‘as a missionary medium.’ Recommended, as he is, to
public credulity by virtue of his well-known truthfulness, sim
plicity, and uniform conscientious philanthropy of character,
his spiritual experience is particularly and generally interesting
and acceptable. According to my wrceptions of his state, he is
a compound medium —pulsatory, missionary, and
speaking. The most prominent manifestation, it seems to me,
and the most reliable in his case, is the missionary develop
ment.” The work from which the above extract is taken was
published in 1853, while the commission of Mr. Spear is dated
April 1, the same yearl| consequently the characterization was
written before Mr. Spear had scarcely entered upon his
special labors.
Those who have so long employed Mr. Spear, and have moved
the hearts of men to supply his needs, now, when he is permit
ted to put off the harness and seek the repose which his advanced
f
.
�PREFACE.
9
years and previous toil make very desirable, express a hope that
“ the readers of this narrative will give some substantial tokens
of their personal regards, and their appreciation of his numerous
love-labors,” for the purpose of helping him to a small, quiet,
comfortable home, where he may rest from active labor, and pass
his remaining days amid peaceful and happy social and domestic
enjoyments.
J
Allen Putnam.
J-*-*— '/> // g
426 Dudley Stre^ Boston, Oct. 20, 1872.
APPHNDiXU
Prophetical^ apprehending that such enunciations as are
contained in the
agaj^me feast amount of unpub
lished manuscripts emanating from the same source, will in future
ages be regarded as a rich collection of prophetic gleams, I am
disposed to make public a sample of what the spirit world is
purposing to accomplish. In 1859 there was transmitted to me
the following docum®HWM® the public is hardly prepared to
receive, though it must admit that it is pregnant with most
momentous suggestions.
�TO THE APOSTLE OF PRECISION.
It belongs to the unfoldive labors of the General Assembly to
teach of the vast field of adjustments and of true balance or Pre
cision. The papers now in the hands of the Assembly are quite
numerous, and some are most Intricate, and, to some extent, of a
character not usually laid before ®he public eye.
First. Of the origin and<g||||Ba of the human species, which
is a masterly effort by the author to show that man has been,
and, in harmony with certafe laws, can be again, generated with
out the ordinary copulative processes.
Second. And therefore a child may be begotten to order as one
begets a spade, shovel, or hoe ; and the work will be perfect in
correspondence with the Elementist who combines and arranges,
and with the condition-of the mother and the harmony and wis
dom of her surroundings, 1— and
Third. Scales can be so perfectly constructed that all varia
tions, however slight, may be seen by the mos| precise micro
scope ; and in this paper the history and variations of the com
pass are noticed by a careful microscopist, — and
Fourth. The reasons why there is a lack of sexual precision
on some planets, and why^ere is just sexual equipoise on other
planets, — and
Fifth. What elements are important to constitute precision
of life ? What to constitute a mathematician, what a surgeon,
what an engineer ? — and
Sixth. Of the overcoming of gravitation by the application of
electricity and the magnetlms, so that the steam-car can be made
to move with yet greater precision and increased velocity, — and
Seventh. Of the human <®ody as an electrical machine, and
acted uponby persons in the higher lifes, — and
Eighth. Of insulatory laws for certain practical purposes.
These and kindred subjects are considered by the Branch of
Precisionists, for and in b'ehalf of the General Assembly, and re
ports thereof are made at suitable seasons. The Apostle of Pre
cision is a middle man, and hence he has the ability to, as it
were, hit the mark, find both radicals and conservatives gather
about him, and he becomes to both an able counselor and valu
able guide.
For and in behalf of the Branch of Precision of the General
Assembly.
Isaac Newton.
Given September 17, 1859.
10
�NARRATIVE.
Retiring from the field of domestic and foreign
missions, in which I have been diligently and con
stantly employed Kor twenty years, and called now to
resign my commission to another, it is impressed upon
my mind to make a brief report of my labors, hoping
it may be of service to her who is to succeed me in
directing the missionary work; and it is felt also to
be due to the numerous friends with whom I have
been and am associated, and who, by their words and
deeds, have encouraged and assisted me. It is proper
to say that my labors have been performed in Faith.
Very few have so understood my mission that they
could give me either counsel or assistance, and there
fore my trust has been in the invisible world. Most per
sons have doubted if the spirits from whom I claimed
to have received my commission, had even an exist
ence, and not a few considered me deluded, if not
demented, when I assured them it was my belief that
they did exist, did communicate, and had organized
to promote certain specified purposes.
The association by whom I was commissioned had
not at command any tangible means by which my
11
�12
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j
NARRATIVE.
traveling expenses and daily needs could be met.
Such was the nature of my labor that I must have
constantly near me a competent amanuensis, since
otherwise much that was to be said by me, while in
the superior state, would be lost. Over and above
these things, I was informed that I must leave all
other pursuits, however •pleasan^honorable, or profit
able, that I might devote myself altogether to my
mission; and it was further shown me that I must
disconnect myself from^moM? associations of either a
private or public character, els< I could not do my
best in the field I was entering. Leaving all earthly
considerations, I gave myself unreservedly to my mis
sionary work. Thoughtful ^^fons,^ho value the
world’s approval,'its honors, emoluments, and reputa
tion, can somewhat realize the early struggles that
opened before me. I met them, when they appeared,
as best I could, and pursued my onward way, feeling
that if I was deluded, God was just, would not for
sake me, and in due time^mgprror being discovered,
I could retreat and warn.^hers of danger.
My mediumship may be said to have commenced
April 1, 1852. I was then in a measure prepared to
begin my missionaS. work., and was from that time
sent out on some domestic missions of an individual
character. Names of persons were given me of whose
existence I had noEgthe tightest knowledge. I was
told where they dwelt, when to see them, and was so
acted upon when in their presence, that I immedi
ately relieved them of their infirmities. The prompt
ers of these missions exhibited unusual intelligence
and great benevolence, and I became much interested
in obeying them.
�NARRATIVE.
13
In July, 1852, John Murray, the father of Univer
salism in America (whose name I bear, and by whom
I was dedicated when an infant), through my hand
wrote a programme of subjects, upon which he de
sired, through my instrumentality, to speak. A pho
nographic reporter, Miss Matilda Goddard, being en
gaged, twelve messages were delivered in Boston, my
native city, at regular intervals. The themes were
of a moral, religious, and spiritual character, and were
subsequently published by Bela Marsh. Two messa
ges were now given me: the first, dated September 11,
1852, was written through the hand of my beloved
daughter, Mrs. Sophronia B. Butler; the second, dated
September 12, 1852, was written through my own
hand. Here they are : —
First. “You will soon be directed in the work you
are to be engaged in promoting. The teachings will
come in a way and at a time least to be expected.
To-morrow you will receive almost important commu
nication from a number of spirit friends. Do all they
direct in all cases. |^ulaw to receive new teachings
— different, from those' you have received. Have
Faith. s A new work is open before you, and great
shall be your reward, as you shall see. Some new
spirit friends will soon teach you. You will know
your work to do. Be quiet: all is well that is done
with good impressions, and yours are. When the
new light shines in upon the minds of the inhabitants
of your earth, then shall the world be changed. It
shall grow wiser and better, so that after a few years
things shall be altogether changed, and you will
hardly believe that things were as they now are.
�14
|
NARRATIVE.
The day to spread joy and happiness is near at hand,
when all shall love one another, and all shall feel that
they are brothers. The darkest complexioned man
shall not be crushed on account of his color, but you
shall live, eat, drink together, and not know any dif
ference,— shall feel that you are all of one great
family, and are to do good to all around you. Great
and important will be the instruction given from the
spirit world, and men will soon be directed by their
friends there. Their faith shall bejstrengthened by
the communications they will receive. They shall be
restored to health by spiritual physicians, and new
mediums shall be made throughout the world, and
their truth shall teach men to lead good and pure
lives. Crime shall decrease, and beautiful thoughts
shall fill men’s minds. When they attempt to do
wrong, they shall be directed differently, and all shall
pass pleasantly along.”
Second. “ A most Important Communication. Your
spirit friends, whose names when on ^our earth will
be hereafter mentioned, mogt earnestly desire now to
communicate important information, which will be
most useful to you, and through you to the inhabit
ants of the earth on which you nowSbr the present
dwell. It is perceived that your past manner of liv
ing, thinking, and laboring has admirably prepared
you to engage in a new and impfeant labor.
“ You will for a coming season be under the more
especial supervision and immediate direction of the
spirit friends whose* earthly names will be mentioned.
They have been commissioned, prepared, instructed,
and qualified to direct, prepare, and- lead you on in
your important work. They will be, some of them,
�NARRATIVE.
15
always near you, and when it is seen that you re
quire assistance of one or more, or all, it shall be
freely given unto you. You will now be most quiet,
most patient, and at the same time most watchful and
most active ; and your wants shall be supplied as they
come unto you. Let this be most carefully preserved,
and placed in a conspicuous position, that it may be
seen and read.
Benj. Rush,
John Howard,
Franklin,
Oliver Dennett,
John Murray,
Zacheus Hamlin,
Joseph Hallett,
Thos. Jefferson,
Roger Sherman,
John Spear.
“September
I looked at these remSkable messages with much
care, and finaly show®d'tnern IRome valued friends.
Most of them doubted. For a time I hesitated. But
while in this unsettled and unhappy state of mind,
doubtful whether Spiritualism was or was not a delu
sion, it was my good fortune to hear an able address
on spirit manifestations, given by Allen Putnam, Esq.,
in Roxbury, Mass.
_
I looked critically at the speaker as he entered the
desk, observed the class of persons assembled to hear
him, among whom were many of the most respectable
citizens of that ciS noticed the fairness, candor, and
clearness of his statements: and the evidences pre
sented were, to my mind, irresistible ; and from that
time I date my perfect, unwavering conviction of the
truth of an open communication between persons in
the spiritual and material worlds, and then concluded
I would not retreat. Other messages came, and
among them the following: —
�16
NARRATIVE.
MESSAGE FROM THE ASSOCIATION OF BENEFICENTS.
“ The undersigned, by the instrument which is
being herein communicated, say to the inhabitants of
the earth on which this Scribe dwells, that an associa
tion, called ‘ The Association of Beneficents,’
has been selected, qualified, and commissioned, to
teach of the Benefices ; and they now say and declare
that they have in contemplation a system of revealments which will much surprise the dwellers of the
lower earth. They moreover make declaration that,
through the various instrumentalities which now are,
and which, as they are most needed, will be under
their control, teaching, and direction, this association
will greatly, wisely, and seasonably instruct and bless
the diseased, the suffering, and the wretched of the
aforesaid earth. And they declare that this scribe,
known by the name of John Murray Spear, is now
chosen and set apart to execute their schemes, and to
complete their beneficent intentions! \
Benjamin Rush,
Benjamin Franklin,
John Howard,
Roger Sherman,
Oliver Dennett,
Thos. Clarkson,
Joseph Hallett,
John Murray,
John Pounds,
Thos. Jefferson,
John Spear,
I. T. Hopper.
“ Communicated and dated April 1,1853 (being the
commencement of thf united labors of the Association
of Beneficents), and delivered into the hand of John
Murray Spear.”
It was now supposed I was insane.
Physicians and
�NARRATIVE.
17
others were sent to converse with and examine me.
I showed them the above commission. They looked
upon me with tender, compassionate eye, as they de
cided that I had become a lunatic. I knew their ver
dict, and greatly feared I might be confined in an
asylum for the insane; but I was mercifully preserved
from such unhappy fate. I was then made to avoid
society, to write much, to make strange drawings, to
do many things that I did not comprehend, and some
that seemed to me quite foolish and ridiculous.
My missionary fieWKoon began to enlarge. I was
commissioned to visit the city of Cleveland, Ohio, at
a distance of seven hundred miles. I expected there
to meet John M. Sterling, a gentleman whom I had
seen at Worcester, Mass. He was absent from home,
but I made the acquaintance of Dr. Abel Underhill,
Dr. John Mayhew, Horace Fenton, and others. A
meeting was called in Brainard’s Hall the Sunday
after my arrival. A large assemblage convened to
see and hear me. WR3|ithoW tW slightest preparation
on my part, without the least hint of what I was to
say or do, I was mQ<J^p^jfc>rth the following dec
larations : —
“We come from the higher life to declare things
which are soon to
place, — which are schemed
in wisdom and will be completed in beneficence. We
come to harmonize things apparently discordant, and
out of discords to bring concords. We come to in
struct the uninstructed of things supereminently prac
tical. We come to inspire the inactive to high states
of activity. We come to promulge a more critical
knowledge of Nature’s- laws. We come to raise the
low to conditions eminently high. We come to intro2
�18
NARRATIVE.
duce, by wise schemes, a new and better era. We
come to supersede things apparently unimportant by
things which are practical and highly useful. We
come to institute and organize a new Church, to es
tablish new systems of Education, to teach of new
Architectures, to organize new Governments, to teach
of new Garments, to instruct of proper Foods, to teach
of the more symmetricdLainfolding of mortal bodies,
and thereby the more perfect unfolding of spiritual
bodies. We come to select wise instrumentalities to
execute beneficent schemes.
“We come to introduce a new era, unlike the two
prominent eras of the past, namelw the Jewish and
the Christian. The Jewish was an era of Force ; the
Christian was an era of Feeling. The third era, which
has now commencA
the era of Wisdom. It will
embrace, however, both Force and Feeling, adding a
still nobler attribute, making of the thr^fe one grand,
beautiful Trinity,—’•Force, Feeling, Wisdom. Thus
no truly useful thing of the past will be lost or de
molished. Force and feeling will be deleted by Wis
dom, leading all to ask, in simplicity of (Spirit, ‘What
wilt thou have me to do ? ’ This question, they who
come from the higher life are now prepared to an
swer, so that each one can find his proper place.
“ The preceding era® have hadpheir primary books,
which, to a very considemble extent, have molded the
public mind of their respective times* Containing, as
they have, portions of permanent. truths, they have
been preserved from 5jhe moMering hand of time,
answering the purposes for which, in highest wisdom,
they were designed. The era which has now begun
has its book, superior to those of the former eras.
�NARR ATI V E.
19
This has been termed The Book of Nature ; but,
for distinction’s sake, it may henceforth be called The
Book of Unfoldings. It can never be superseded,
because it is perpetually unfolding. It has no last
chapter; but chapter after chapter will be revealed,
precisely in proportion to the mental expansion of its
readers.
“ The unfoldings of former eras ended when they
were founded. On their respective foundations super
structures were reared 9Ht these could not be broader
than their bases. Th® new era, unlike the former, is
to be founded on imperishabfl, indestructible, and
ever-multiplying Facts. Hence its base can never be
wholly laid; for there can never arrive a period when
facts shall cease to multiply. As a consequence, no
book can be written by
hand comprehending
the basis-facts of the new era; for they will embrace
those of the past, the present, and the interminable
future.
“ The eras of the past have only, to a limited ex
tent, satisfied man’s expanding mental wants. Theyhave been unable fully to fill vacuums, because they
were angular in their unfoldings, and, of necessity,
created mental angularities. The new era, deriving
instruction from the past, the present, and the future,
will develop Truth in its completeness or circularity.
Consequently, its primitive lesson has been the forma
tion of circles ; and there have been gatherings around
the tables of your dwellings. It was not primarily
for the mere purpose of listening to unusual sounds
that these circles were organized; but it was symbolic
of truths which are to be unfolded.
“ The former eras have been commenced, and to a
�20
NARRATIVE.
very considerable extent perpetuated, by the mascu
line sex. And in the second era one declared, ‘I
suffer not a woman to teach.’ From the utterance of
that unseemly declaration woman has been denied the
right of public teaching. Thus has one sex monop
olized the power which has been wielded to the high
est detriment of the other A The new era, unlike the
two preceding, for the purpose of regaining a lost
equilibrium, will, for a suitable season, place the fem
inine element in preponderance. Another Trinity is
to be introduced, namely, Economy, Convenience,
Beauty ; and woman, being specially adapted there
for, is to aid in its development.
“ The students of preceding eras have especially been
taught to reverence the books, writtffli by mortal hands,
for their respective periods. In the new era, truths
alone are to be reverenced, for truths are immortal.
“In the eras of the past, reverence of individual
persons has been taught. In the new era, man, as A
grand whole, with all other portions of Nature, is
to be reverenced.
“ The teachers of past eras have established forms
and observances, suited to their respective degrees of
unfoldment. The new era dwells not in outer forms,
ceremonies, or observances. These are but the scaf
folds of the superstructure; they are transitory, and,
of necessity, pass away. Each individual person will
be left free to express her or his thought in her on his
way; so that woman and man, wife and husband,
daughter and son, will be at liberty to adopt forms,
ceremonies, and observances, as they may from season
to season find to be individually agreeable.”
At Cleveland, while in the trance condition, my
�NARRATIVE.
21
eyes being closed, persons whom I never had seen
entered the room where I was seated. I approached
one of these, a lady, and addressing her, gave her the
name of “ Leaderess.” Returned to my normal con
dition, I inquired what I had been doing, and was in
formed, among other things, that I had made an ad
dress to Mrs. Caroline S. Lewis, and had designated
her as the Leaderess. This was all inexplicable to
me, as it certainly* w^ta to herself and others. I
saw nothing then to beT led which called for any
Leaderess.
I was now commissioned to go from Cleveland to
some springs that had been discovered by a spirit
medium, and were owned by Oliver G. Chase, John
Chase his brotherland W. W. Brittingham, on a farm
then occupied by John Chase, in Farmington, Pa.
Accompanied by Horace Fenton, Dr. Abel Underhill,
Dr. John Mayhew, "Samuil Treat, Dr. and Mrs. Burritt, William E. Dunn, Emily Hickox, Caroline Sykes,
Sarah Fuller, and Hannah F. M. Brown, I left Clever
land on the 10th of May. I have not much recollec
tion now of the things I was impressed to say and do
while at the springs; but remember I was directed to
make a second appointment to be there again in a few
weeks. All was yet dark and mysterious to me; but
I decided to move on a little further, supposing and
hoping these strange missions would soon terminate.
At a time previously named I made a second journey
to Cleveland, accompanied by my beloved daughter,
now in the spirit world, Mrs. S. B. Butler, who acted
as my amanuensis. From there I made a second visit,
by spirit direction, to the spiritual springs in Farming
ton, and arrived there on June 10th. At that time,
�22
NARRATIVE.
the domain where I now write (Kiantone) was pur
chased by Horace Fenton, Dr. Underhill, and
others.
I was then directed to go to Rochester, N. Y., and
Niagara Falls, and Dr. Abel Underhill was requested
to accompany me, which he did. While at the Falls,
some statements were made in respect to the future
of the American nation, and of a union of the Canadas
with the United States! At Rochester, June 30,1853,
seated with Charles Hammond, a writing and speaking
medium, interchangeably, i. e., I naming the first,
third, &c., and he' the second, [fourth, &c., we were
made to announce the existence of sWen associations
in the spirit world, Ithe names of whichfas reported by
Dr. Abel Underhill, are as follows®—
1. Association of Beneficents.^
2. Association of Electricizers.
3. Association of Elementizers. j
4. Association of Educationizers. '
5. Association of Healthfulizers. .
6. Association of Agriculturalizers.
7. Association of Governinentizers.
Some time subsequentMto these announcements, it
was furthermore intimated that all these bodies sus
tained a subordinate relation to a yet more numerous
and comprehensive organization, called the “ General
Assembly ” of the spirit world, from which they were
special delegations or committees. The following pa
per, communicatee! as will be seen, about a year after
the commencement of I these unfoldings, contains a
lucid and succinct statement of the mutual relations
of these several alleged bodies, and of some of their
methods of operations : —
�NARRATIVE.
23
ADDRESS TO THE INHABITANTS OF THIS EARTH.
“ Something more than a year since, a number of
persons in the spirit world resolved to associate to
gether for the promotion of several scientific, useful,
and philanthropic purposes. Organization- was the
result. A body called the General Assembly was
formed. Entering immediately on its duties, the
General Assembly resolved to organize several subor
dinate bodies. Seven, a numerical perfection, was the
number determined on. Cheerfully these subordinate
bodies immediately commenced their labors. They
selected a prominent person to journey from place to
place, with a view of seeking, selecting, and appoint
ing its general agent. At the earliest possible mo
ment these subordinate bodies commenced their dis
tinct, though co-operative labors.
/
“ It was deemed wise, by the subordinate bodies, for
that asso ciatiora which would, of necessity, bring out
most prominently important fundamental principles,
to first enter upon the work,whereby forming a sub
stantial basis upon’which kindred associations could
safely build. Among these bodies was one significant
ly denominated the Electric-izers. At the head of
that association the name of Benjamin Franklin was
placed. His great intellectual ability, his skill as a
diplomatist, and his philanthropy, qualified him for a
position so important. That association in due time
commenced its laborsjwcarrying them forward to a con
dition when others might wisely commence their
efforts.
“Each of these subordinate bodies has now un
folded its general plan, and presented its fundamental
�24
NARRATIVE.
principles. Difficulties have been encountered in this
undertaking, but they have not been more numerous
than are usually connected with labors of this charac
ter. Looking carefully over the whole ground which
has thus far been traveled, the General Assembly is
satisfied with the results.
“ The General Assembly, as such, takes this oppor
tunity to somewhat^ fully declare its purposes and
plans. While the subordinate bodies have each their
distinct labors, acting uSfe a class or classes of per
sons, the General Assembly proposes to affect in sev•erSj. ways the general mind,—hence its name. And
its labors and plans will generally tend to the promo
tion of the more individual labors of the subordinate
bodies.
“ One of the first, objects which the General Assem
bly proposes to accomplish is to- select from a large
class of persons a body of representatives, each being
distinct, and yet all, when unitedrforming a whole.
They will be selected in different locations, and, to
some extent, in different nations f but the majority
will be from this, the American nation.
“ When the General Assembly has completed this
branch of its labors, it will then proceed deliberately
in unfolding its general plans, which, briefly, are the
following: —
“ ‘ First, to construct a new general Government^
selecting from the governmental institutions of the
past and the present the essential and the useful, hap
pily combining and arranging the s'ame, introducing
new principles, and constructing for the inhabitants
of this earth a new general government, presenting •
it as a model to this and other nations.
�NARRATIVE.
25
“ ‘ Secondly. It proposes to prepare a general Code
of Laws, embracing essential moral principles ; and it
proposes to present this code to the consideration of
distinguished legislators, eminent jurists, and other
judicial persons.
“ ‘ Thirdly. It proposes to present certain religious
or spiritual teachings, embracing the essentials gath
ered from the various Bibles and other volumes of the
past, connecting them with the highest spiritual teach
ings of the presentthus bringing together compre
hensively all that spiritual instruction which man
needs, and constructing a basis upon which a new,
living, and rational Clvwrch can be built.’
“ While the General Assembly will be engaged in
promoting its general labors, the subordinate associa
tions will continue, quietly and perseveringly, their
respective efforts, tiding, as far as may be practicable,
the general undertakings of the Assembly. That its
plans may be promoted, certain selected persons will,
at a proper time, visit fet only certain important loca
tions in this nation, but will also visit other nations.
Various persons, from time to time, will be employed
in generally advai^jgg ' the objects contemplated by
the General Assembly. Obstacles which may lie in
its way will be, by various means, removed. Persons
friendly or unfriendly, whether in the garb of friend
ship or otherwise, will be exhibited in their true char
acters.
“For and in behalf of the General Assembly,
“ Daniel Webster.”
The names of the original twelve Teachers selected
by the General Assembly were as follows : —
�26
NARRATIVE.
Allen Putnam, Roxbury, Mass., Apostle of Precision.
Distribution.
Jonathan Buffum, Lynn,
“
“
Devotion.
Daniel Goddard, Chelsea, “
“
Government.
Eliza J. Kenney, Salem,
“
“
Resignation.
Emily Rogers, Utica, N. Y.
“
Harmony.
Thad. S. Sheldon, Randolph, N.Y., “
Freedom.
Mary Gardner, Farmington, Pa.
“
Education.
Angelina Munn, Springfield, Mass., “
Direction.
Eliza W. Farnham, New York City, “
Treasures.
Jno. M. Sterling, Cleveland, 0.,
“
Commerce.
Thos. Richmond, Chicago, Ill.,
“
Accumula
George Haskell, Rockford,*^
“
tion.
A basis for a new government and a new church
was indicated, and twelve representative persons
selected, some of whom have been translated to the
spirit world. Persons in England have been chosen
to aid this work, among whom is Mary Howitt, who
was called the “ Celestial Poetess; ” Dr. J. J. Garth
Wilkinson, called the “ Spiritual Analyzer; ” Andrew
Leighton, called the “ British Interchanger.” Numerous others in Great Britain and other lands, among
whom stand prominent William and Mary Tebb, of
London, were given spiritual names, but I am not
permitted to recall more at this time of writing.
To each and all of the twelve apostles addresses
4ave been made, stating in explicit language what
the Assembly desired, through their aid, to accom
plish. Nearly one hundred papers have been given
to the Apostle of Commerce, upon the subject of com
merce in its inner and outer, its spiritual and material
sense. More addresses have been made to the Apos-
�NARRATIVE.
27
tie of Treasures, on spiritual and material wealth, of
their value and good uses, and not a small number of
papers have been transmitted to the Apostle of Har
mony. To the extent they have promulged the
ideas and thoughts given them, they have been the
teachers representing the “ General Assembly.”
While on my w|y back to my native city, from
Rochester and thejFalls^Kwas informed that it was
proposed to bring out, through me, a New Motive
Power, and that I must be prepped for revelations on
that subject. They lame, and continued to come, for
nine months : following out with precision the varied
instructions as tnOggwere rgiven, an external mech
anism was elaborated, vibratory motion was secured,
which was perpetuiMBWong as the mechanism lasted;
but on being removed by direction to Randolph,
N. Y., a mob broke into the building in which it was
stored, and the machine was demolished ; though the
principles brought out by its construction are pre
served, and in due time that work, as I was informed,
is to be resumed. I was much assisted in this effort
by Mrs. Sarah J. Newhm, Al E. Newton, Thaddeus
S. Sheldon, S. C. HOl Jonathan Buffum and wife,
Samuel G. Love, and many others, whose names do
not now come to me. I was now commissioned to visit
Cincinnati, St. Louis, and other important places, and
while at the last-name® place a course of twelve lec
tures was given of JElements; Warren Chase, Mrs.
French,. Mrs. Hyer, Horace Fenton, and others, assist
ing me in various ways to their transmission. I was
now instructed to again visit the domain, with some
others, to engage in excavatory labors. It had been
declared through several mediums that an ancient
�28
NARRATIVE.
and highly cultivated people had dwelt there. Driven
from this location, they here deposited certain valua
bles, which were to be exhumed and used for certain
beneficent purposes. Here I worked, in the heat of
summer and the frosts of winter, for seven months,
entering into the bowels of the earth more than one
hundred and thirty fee^> ^during many privations,
suffering much through doubt and anxiety of mind.
When that work terminated I was informed that at a
future day it was to be recommenced. While engaged
in this labor a valuable minerA spring was opened,
and very many papers were transmitted and carefully
reported, some of which compose “ The Educator,”
a volume of more than s’even hundred pages, carefully
prepared for the press by A, E. Newton.
January 1,1861, an organi^fen was founded under
spirit direction, called the “Sacred Order of Union
ists,” which was to termifliSatl harness contracts at
the end of seven years. Its general purposes are ex
pressed substantially thus: T® unite man to man,
nation to nation,- planet to planet.; To abolish war in
all its forms, and to promote universal peace. To or
ganize various beneficent aodw-operative institutions,
which, without injuring the rich^^would greatly aid
and help to educate the poor and improvident classes.
To establish such religfelSl^institutions and ceremo
nies as are in harmony with man’s nature, and tend to
his highest culture. To establish a system of meas
ures which will encourage iwustry, render labor hon
orable, remunerative, and attractive. To institute
means whereby education may be made thorough,
equal, and universal. To secure to all a right to the
cultivation of the soil for useful purposes. To ad
�NARRATIVE.
29
vance and encourage all the important sciences and
the useful arts. To teach of the intimate and sacred
relations which exist between the material-and spirit
ual worlds. To aid and encourage inventors in the use of their powers for human advancement. To open
new fields of thought, institute new and unitary meth
ods of labor and of daily life, and to encourage perpet
ual progress, and so instruct mankind that they may
bring heaven down to earth and lift earth up to
heaven.
The following werejthe precepts of this order : —
I. Thou shalt be strictly just in all thy dealings
and in all thy intercours^ with thy fellow-men.
II. If thou seest thy neighbor at fault in word or
deed, thou shalt teach him the way of everlasting fife,
and lead him therein.
III. Thou shalt not covet the goods of another, in
thought, word, or deed.
IV. Thou shalt make ft thy daily prayer to so walk
before thy fellow-men that th^example may be wor
thy of universal imitation.
V. To the extent of thy individual and social pow
er thou shalt contribute to the virtue, sobriety, indus
try, neatness, order, and happiness of thy kind.
VI. It shall be thy pleasure to aid the sick, the
distressed, the poor, and the oppressed; to weep with
those that weep, and rejoice with those that rejoice.
VII. Thou shalt not|ommit adultery of any name
or nature in thy thought, by thy heart, thy eye, or
overt act.
VIII. Thou shalt welcome all new thoughts, retain
the good and eschew the evil.
IX. Thou shalt avoid all harsh, unseemly, or
�30
NARRATIVE.
angry debate, and thy affirmation shall be yea, and
thy denial nay.
X. Thou shalt strive to so perfect thy dress that
thy whole body and spirit shall be enlarged and
improved thereby.
XI. Thou shalt eat of such food as shall be con
ducive to the highest health and harmony, as shall
best fit thee for thy daily labors..
XII. Thou shalt ever speak the truth, whatever
may be the cost to thee or to others, reserving to
thyself the right to decide when and where thou
wilt speak, and wheg be silggt.
With my wife I 'fcoae traveled for more than
fifteen years, she essentially aiding me in the labors
to which I have devoted the best part of my life.
I have labored without price, but not without re
ward, finding it in the love of the work itself. I
have been specially sent four times to that remarka
ble people, the Mormons, dwelling" in Utah. Some
seed there sown has grown. Some excellent friends
of moral, social, and religious progress have there
been led to the building of a Liberal Institute, in
which free thought and free speech are encouraged,
and the way has been opened by which That abomina
tion, Polygamy, may eventually'disappear. I have
several times visited, by direction, the Shakers, to
observe their order, neatness, economy, industry,
modes of worship, manners and customs, and I have
ever been welcomed by them in the most cordial
manner, and refreshed in the outer and inner man
while with them.
A suit of their garments, presented me by Elder
�NARRATIVE.
31
James Prescott, I have preserved with care, wearing
them only when they would serve to make fitting con
ditions for the reception of certain writings. I feel
sure they are the purest and most spiritual body
of persons I have ever met.
In business matters the associated spirit world has
exhibited much skill and commercial insight. It
has predicted the state of the flour, stock, and real
estate markets with accuracy. Tracts of land and
buildings have been purchased, and held or sold ad
vantageously under its guidance. Much more might
have been done in this direction had capitalists had
more faith in the unseen. The future of many indi
viduals, living in the New and the Old World, has
been predicted wi^<pi^^iir®n, tana d national convul
sions and wars
been foretold years before
they have occurred.
December 30, 1853, my hand was moved to write
thus: —
“ It is now permitted to be prophetically declared
that the following events are at hand, and that they
will transpire without the aid of miracle, and without
suspension of Nature’s laws.
“ First. Several nations holding important and
high influential positions on your earth, will soon be
engaged in most acrimonifcs and sanguinary strife.
“ Second. The American nation will not be except
ed from the great commotions which are at hand.
“ Third. The more especially oppressed, enslaved,
and hunted, will, of absolute necessity, be emanci
pated.
�32
NARRATIVE.
“ Fourth. There will be dissolutions, and unions,
and new governments, as necessary results of the
mighty national struggles ; and, among these unions
and disunions, there will be a union of the United
States with the Canadas and neighboring provinces.
These unions will cause a dismemberment of some
of the now Confederated States ; and, as a conse
quence of that dismembermentj there will arise a
new and glorious REPUBLIC, which shall have for
its basis “JUSTICE, EQUALITY, AND UNI
VERSAL FREEDOM”
“ Fifth. Prominent persons will be placed at the
helm of the new ship of state, whose motto shall be,
‘ ETERNAL PRINCIPLES, NOT PARTIES.’
“ Sixth. A new Religion shall take the place of
dead forms, which shall lead to high, energetic action,
and to wise endeavors to elevate the oppressed, and
instruct the uninformed.
“ Seventh. The new Republic will invite to its
broad shores the greatly enlightened of all the nations
of your earth ; and by new co®Mnations of character,
of thought, and actio®, there shall be a new and
higher order of being than has at any former period
inhabited your earth.
“These prophecies are presented at this present
moment, that greatly spiritualized persons may be
wisely informed, and somewhat [prepared for the
important things which are at hand, and also that
they may be unmoved and undisturbed when they
transpire.
“For the Association of Governmentizers,
“ Robert Rantoul.”
�NARRATIVE.
33
■ The fall of Napoleon III. was seen and stated
several years before that remarkable national event
occurred.
Hundreds of programmes have been written of
things proposed to be done, of messages to be de
livered, of series of discourses on an immense num
ber and variety of themes; all of which has been
done with wonderful exactness.
I will narrate a singular mission to Hamilton
College, New York. I was informed that it was in
contemplation to give through me a series of twelve
papers on Geology, a subject on which I have not
read, and in which, to this day, I take but little
interest, my mind being of a moral, social, religious,
and philanthropic cast, rather than scientific.
I was directed to go to Clinton, where the above
named college is. Arriving there, I made the ac
quaintance of Professor Avery, a liberal-minded and
large-hearted gentleman. Informing him of the
strange mission on which I was sent, he inquired
if I had a programme of the proposed course. I
placed the outline in his hand which had previously
been given me. Critically inspecting it, he asked
how long I was in writing it; J answered, about
twenty minutes. Evincing surprise at my reply, he
remarked that the subjects proposed to be treated of
were very important.
He then desired to be informed what aid I needed to
enable me to do the proposed work. I replied, I had
been instructed to obtain, if possible, a room in the
college building, and to secure the use of its cabinet.
The Professor kindly assured me I should have the
assistance I had named, and further said he would
3
�34
NARRATIVE.
hear the discourses, adding, that he has lectured on
geology ten years, and was orthodox on that subject.
Before I was prepared, however, to commence the
discourses, the Professor was thrown from his carriage,
and his ankle being sprained, he was unable to walk.
He then kindly invited me to occupy his private
dwelling, and offered a suitable room for the delivery
of lectures. Accepting his generous offer, two gentle
men (Dr. Abel Underhill and Thaddeus S. Sheldon)
reported the lectures as they were delivered. The
minerals needed to illustrate the several subjects dis
coursed of were brought from the college, and in
spected while my eyes were closed. The Professor
heard all that was said, and carefully observed all that
was done. When I had finished my work, and had
returned to my normal state, I inquired of him what
I had been doing. His reply much surprised me.
Said he, “ You have taken up geology just where the
books stop. You have not contradicted what they
teach, but have presented, finer thoughts, some of
which have been hinted at by a few English geolo
gists, but are not considered orthodox.” And he
added, with a pleasant smile, ‘fcE shall teach some
things you have said, but shall not tell where I ob
tained them.” Thus ended my mission to Hamilton
College to give lectures on geology.
I can not refrain from adding that Mrs. Avery
kindly seconded her husband’s noble efforts, and I
will also add that the lectures embraced, among other
points, Concretions, Petrifactions, Man Geologically
Considered, Woman as a Combinist, Conchology,
Pearls, Rubies, Diamonds, the Various Ores in their
Natural Conditions, Coals, Rods, Talismans, Charms,
�nAbe.ATi v k.
35
Discovery of Natural Deposits, Uses of Knowledge,
&c.
To carry forward these labors, needed means have
come in unusual ways. Among the generous donors
and benefactors, John M. Sterling gave the first dol
lar, and his purse and heart have ever been ready
when he has felt it was his place to act. Another has
done more labor and given much means, who has been
translated to the higwer life, Thaddeus M. Sheldon, of
Randolph, N. Y. Much hard labor and liberal means
have been furnished byHorace Fenton, of Cleveland.
Dr. Abel Underhill for many months acted as my
amanuensis. Caroline S. Lewis has traveled with me
extensively. John
bMn liberal with his
means, and done muchto aid the social work. Jona
than Buffum and wife, Oliver Chase and wife, Stephen
and Mary Gardner, Dr. George Haskell, have been
ready to give a genemus helping; hand when their aid
has been needed. In. England, foremost among the
numerous persons who have assisted me, I am pleased
to mention the names of Andrew Leighton, of Liver
pool, James Burns, William' and Mary Tebb, Thomas
Shorter (Editor of London Spiritual Magazine), John
G. Crawford, Georgiana Houghton, all of London, and
Thomas Grant, of MaidstoneJ Through their kind
counsel Mrs. Spear was aided in the preparation and
publication of a littie workfon the position of woman,
and in founding the London Spiritual Institute.
Many pleasant recollections come to me as I write, of
counsel, encouragements, and benefactions, while in
California. Among these, stand out in bold relief the
names of Laura Cuppy, William Smith, and William
M. Rider. At Utah, I have been encouraged in many
�36
NARRATIVE.
ways by William and Mary Godbe, Henry Lawrence,
and others. In pursuing my missionary labors, I have
been in twenty-nine of the States and Territories of the
American Union; have traveled extensively in Eng
land ; have been in Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France,
the Canadas, and Central America. Under commis
sion, I have visited England from the United States
twice, and been sent to Paris four times. Few per
sons can be aware of the trials, sorrows, difficulties, or
pleasures, joys, and encouragements that attend me
diumship. Most mediums, who have had much expe
rience, and have been beibre the public, have been
looked upon with a degree of suspicion, and have been
thought to be self-seeking. In my twenty years’ ex
perience I have not been exempt from trials. Persons
have come to me for counsel in respect to their health,,
their private or public mutters. Advice has been
given. Following, in whole or in part, directions or
■ suggestions, results have not always been as pleasant
and satisfactory as they anticipated, and they have
blamed me. In vain have I said to such, “ I did not,
as a person, give you the counsel you have followed.
I did but give you what, at the time, was given me.”
Disappointed, they have heaped abuse on my head.
Sometimes I have felt called on to severely reprove
persons for unwise or wicke:d«conduct, and instead of
reforming, they have become my deadly enemies. I
have been sent on special missions to find certain per
sons ; selecting some,1 others have complained because
they were not chosen. But I had no choice in the
matter. I felt that I was acting under the direction
and guidance of unseen intelligences, who had associ
ated to accomplish certain specified purposes; and
�NARRATIVE.
37
there I rested. In some cases I have been compelled
to differ with, and to separate from some, for whom I
had had the highest respect and tenderly loved. These
trials, borne mostly in the secret chambers of my soul,
have been hard to endure. My missions have not al
ways been promotive of immediate union and peace,
but have sometimes been provocative of discord. Indi
viduals, families, and neighborhoods that had previ
ously dwelt in love and union, have been so disturbed
and separated, that I have been regarded as “ a pesti
lent fellow, and a mover of sedition.” But they,
under whose guidance I was, have taught me when
reviled not to revile again, but to return good for evil.
Doubtless the numerous trials and sorrows I have
borne, have had their good uses. Usually it is through
tribulation that we come into the fullest enjoyment
of highest truths. Bu^there is another side to which
I turn in my missionary labors. I have had more joys,
perhaps, than most persons. - Dearly have I loved the
work in which I was ®gaged. I have been helped to
see that, beyond the clouds that were round about me,
there was a living, guiding, intelligent, beneficent pur
pose, — the elevation, regeneration, and redemption
of the inhabitants of this earth. Although I have
been called to travel hundreds of thousands of miles in
my native land and foreign countries, yet, at the termination of my labors, I can truly say that all my needs,
if not all my wants, have been seasonably supplied.
Sometimes they have seemed to come in ways im
pinging on the miraculous, and occasionally in answer
to prayer. As an encouragement to others, I will
mention a few instances: —
Some fifteen years ago, when in Cleveland, one
�38
NARRATIVE.
morning when dressing, I perceived that I needed
new nnder-clothes. I looked to Heaven for them.
On the evening of that day my friend, John M. Ster
ling, called on me with a bundle under his arm, say
ing, as he entered, “ I have always worn cotton
flannels, but recently I bought woolen. I did not
feel comfortable in them, and so laid them aside.
This morning it occurred to me that you might want
them, and here they are.” I felt sure Heaven had an
swered my prayer the morning it was offered. When
engaged in developing the new motive power, of
which I have before spoken, I was directed not to ask
for external aid, being assured it would come when
needed. A Spiritualist from New Hampshire called
on me. Inspecting the mechanism, he said, “ I per
ceive it needs nursing. I think I will sell a share I
hold in the Boston and Maine Railroad and send you
the proceeds. At all events,” he continued, “I will
give you ten dollars now; ” which he did, and de
parted. Subsequently he informed me that he had
sold the share for one hundred dollars; but inasmuch
as he had already given me ten dollars, he hesitated
whether to send the one hundred or only ninety dol
lars. He had two sons who were mediums. They
knew nothing of the question in their father’s mind.
One evening they said,Father, we must read the
Bible.” They read the conduct of Ananias and Sapphira; and turning to their father, said, “ It won’t do;
you must not keep back a part of the price ; ” and he
immediately forwarded to me the one hundred dollars.
It came at an opportune moment, strengthening my
faith in the work to which my whole energies were
then directed.
�NARRATIVE.
39
While on our first mission to England, we engaged
I rooms near Regent Park. One week we had not the
means to pay our rent. Among strangers, as we then
were, we knew of nothing to do but to pray. We
knelt by our bedside, and asked for the aid we needed.
Our prayer was answered in the following remarkable
manner: A lady, Mrs. McDougal Gregory, drove to
our door, and entering our apartment, said, “ I never
make calls on Sunday, but this morning, although
Sunday, I felt I must come to you, without knowing
the purpose for which I have come.” Neither Mrs.
Spear nor myself said a word to her of our pressing
needs. But on rising to leave, she said, in a tender,
affectionate tone, “You are far away from your native
land, among strangers, and as there is war in your
country, perhaps you do not receive remittances as
often as you need them.” She then placed in Mrs.
Spear’s hand the amount needed to pay our rent.
Dear woman, she knew not of the faith and trust in
God and the invisibles with which she, by her words
and deeds, was inspiring us. Neither did she know
that she had been sent in answer to our prayer on
that dark and cloudy Sunday morning. I have said,
on a preceding page, that I was commissioned to go
to Paris four times. Although unable to speak, the
French language, yet Mrs. Spear had a sufficient
knowledge of it to answer needful purposes. At the
outset of these French missions we always had just
enough to reach our destination, but not means to
live there or to return to London; and yet all our
wants were supplied. During one of these visits, we
met a noble Russian gentleman, Alexandre Aksakof,
who had read with interest, in his native land, the
�40
NARRATIVE.
“ Educator.” He was not content to express his
pleasure at our meeting in words, but made a hand
some money-present, which -helped us on our way, and
encouraged our hearts to continue our foreign missinnary work. One day, just as I was about to commence
a journey from London to the North of England, a
lady medium called to see me. I informed her of my
purpose. Seating herself quietly, she said, “It is
right for you to go, and I peaceive that I must pay the
expenses of the journey.” I wondered how she could
know the sum required. Taking out her purse, she
handed me the exact amount. By what power was
she sent to me? Who informed her of the precise
sum needed to make that journey ? Very many more
instances might b^Jtamed of providential aid, but I
will narrate only one.
Awaking one morning from my slumbers, while in
California, I said to Mrs. Spear, “ I ought to go im
mediately to Salt Lake City.” When the first morn
ing postman came, he brought a letter from William
Godbe, of Salt Lake City, a gentleman deeply inter
ested in Spiritualism and other progressive ideas, who
had just left the Mormon Church, informing me that
our dearly-beloved friends, William and Mary Tebb,
of London, were there; that they had intended to
come to California to visit us, but it was now doubt
ful if they would make the journey on account of Mr.
Tebb’s health. I now felt an irrepressible desire to
start at once for the “ City w the Saints,” but did not
see the quarter from whence the needed means were
to come to make the journey, a distance of more than
eight hundred miles. But to my great astonishment
and delight, the second postman brought me a letter
�NARRATIVE.
41
from Colonel G. F. Lewis, of Cleveland, in which was
enclosed a check for money, to be used, as he said, for
missionary purposes. This letter had been twenty
days on its way. It should have reached me in five
or six. I made the journey to Salt Lake, and on my
return to California I had more means than when I
started. Who impressed Colonel Lewis to send me that
money? I had long known him, but he had never
before sent me a dollar. How came he to write it
was to be used for _missionary purposes ? I did not
know that he took interest enough in these missions
to aid by word or deed. Where was that letter for
twenty days which should have reached me in five ?
Had there been detention of the mails at that time ?
None. The road was open all the way from Cleve
land to San Francisco. , How came the letter to ar
rive the very morning jhen jt was so much desired
and needed ? Thesiil questions are easy to propose.
Who can answer them ?
August 6, 1872uteh® “Report of Domestic and
Foreign Missions,”
written up to July 30, being
read to the “Spirit Missionist” (Mrs. Manley, my
successor), she wrote thedfes^'ollows: —
“ Blessed angels of lovti and wisdom crown thy
head with the ever-living immortal flowers of power !
Powerful utterances they give thee at this time;
power and strength are seen in the air, and come, as
health cometh, by thy own life. Blessings are com
ing even at this life-season. Aids and auxiliaries are
coming not seen. Knowledge cometh to thee of
thousands of aids never before known. Ever present
with thee is the love of God, — ever present the home
love of all ages. The sorrowing flee to thy own home
�42
NARRATIVE.
of rest in the coming time, and a beautifully roundedout home mansion shall be the one given to thee,—not
as compensating thee for thy labors, but as a token of
love and affection from varied lives. Most lovingly
do we tender our thanks to thee for all thou hast suf
fered, and all thou hast passed through to attain the
eminence now seen, whose principal hights are seen
but by few of earth’s dwellers. Somewhat we have
to say to thee : One dawning of glorious morning
stars is seen for thy life ; one glorious home shall be
made the light of the age, and never shall any want
who eat at thy plenteous board; never shall any fam
ish who drink of the wine given by the celestials, even
at thy home table. How wonderfully hast thou been
led! ever by high intelligences. How proudly we
come to thee in this humble room, and give thee
choicest flowers of heart’s ease, that thy life may be
refreshed! One land is seen for thee to rest on, even
for a few days; and the ones who love to listen to
sweet home songs, even the birds of the air, will love
to sing to thee ; will give to thee for couches sweet
mosses, — being mosses from the garden of Christ.
“ One love we will give thee of the fruitsdain on the
table of the Divine. We will eat with thee this day ;
we will ask our writer to eat with thee, to make
lovely life to be known; we will ask all here to eat
with thee, to be as one harmonious family. Eat and
receive fresh fair flowers of inspiration. Wash in the
waters of sweet life-giving elements ; make sweet the
air with thy songs, because the air is so holy, so full
of divine songs and celestial harmonies at this hour,
we would baptize each form. Hear what is given at
this natal hour 1 Natal hour, why were ye so long
�NARRATIVE.
43
coming ? Whosoever liveth to narrate to the children
of men a history of this movement thousands of years
hence, will call this a day of feasting when the pow
ers crowned thy brow with the diamond crown of
strength; when added to thy life were powerful aux
iliaries, who must come and lean on the strong anchor
of truth. Eat and be called the, master of th^family;
eat and be called the one whom the gods of wisdom
delight to honor. Eat and be refreshed, for truly it
is said, Whom the angels of wisdom love they give
sweet feast seasons, and fullness beyond the earth’s
fullness. Whatever is given thee accept in the spirit
of love, and take it as a gift from the higher intelli
gences. Their eyes read the smiles of many, and
their strength will be given to influencing many to
leave thee a memorial of their interest in thy labors.
We will make request for the blessed light of the
General Assembly to give thee.a mantle, to make
thee a staff, even a staff of strength, to enable thee
to live ever as one who eateth at the table of power,
and needeth not the viands that sustain the children
of earth. Needs shall be supplied; and manifested for
thee shall be the tenderness of love coming from thou
sands of souls who receive the bread of wisdom from
thy teachings, the wine of love from thy leaves of
righteousness. Hold! here cometh a messenger from
the Assembly, — one man of love, called Sheldon, who
hath a huge wheaten loaf; and here cometh one
harvest basket from combined lives, that not one hour
shall thy strength fail. Eat now, and be as one who
hath supped with the assembled souls. A chain of
gold we give thee, — a chain of gold we give unto the
writer. Let peace ever reign in your lives. Let
�44
NARRATIVE.
sweetest harmonies ever be here where your lives fest
in seats of power. Let this hour be as one life of
blessed rest. Morning is dawning, and the sun hath
hid his face from the glorious realities of the coming
Sun of righteousness.”
MESSAGE FROM THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, THIS DAY
CONVENED BY THE DIRECTION AND THE CALL OF
THE SPIRITUAL CONGRESS, ASSEMBLED IN GENERAL
CONCLAVE.
Old things, customs, manners, habits, are passing
f away, to clear the path for those that are to take their
places. The Spiritual Congress this day directs the
General Assembly, it being one of its numerous auxil
iaries, to declare through you, its general agent and
communicator, to the inhabitants of earth, that through
its varied instrumentalities a social revolution has now
begun, that is to extend from individuals to families,
and from families to tribes and nations, shaking and
removing whatever can be shaken, while that which
can not be shaken will remain. The Spiritual Con
gress holds this day one of its grand jubilees, it being
the twentieth anniversary of its annunciation to the
clear vision of the chosen Apostle of Nature. Well
has he performed his work, and he soon retires from
public life to engage in proposed private pursuits, for
which, by his social position and spiritual and intel
lectual culture, he has become eminently prepared.
On the 12th day of the 9th month of the present year
the general labors and mission of the General Assem
bly closes its conjoined efforts, and with its cessation
terminate all the missions of its apostles, teachers, and
�NARRATIVE.
45
healers, including those of its general agent and com
municator, and it desires that all documents, books, or
other property, be placed in the hand and at the dis
posal of the newly-selected spirit missionist, and she
will in due time direct of their future uses and dispo
sal. Personal addresses are not included in this direc
tion. Retiring to private life, the general agent and
communicator of the General Assembly will accept
such assistance as may be tendered him or his com
panion, or to their friends or agents; and as sums of
cash or other property shall be tendered them, the
same shall be placed in the careful hands, or be under
the direction of, the gentleman known in the spirit
world as the Homeologist; he making such provision
for the home of the communicator of the General As
sembly and his companion as shall be in harmony with
his business judgment; thus securing one home for
the earnest and faithful, it will open the way for other
homes, that in the time of the present social revolu■fion will be needed. Some will be concealed from
the gaze of the world, while others in open field will
fight valiantly the great battle now to be commenced;
their weapons being spi^tual, they will be mighty to
• silence, overcome, and conquer the evils of the present
disorganized social state. The faithful Deborah is to
co-operate with the Homeologist in the home efforts in
such ways as has been and will be indicated, through
z the writing of her who is known by the General Assem
bly as the spirit missionist, she becoming an interme
diate agent until other movements on the part of the
spiritual congress shall have, through her, been made
known to other parties. The General Assembly now
directs the general agenl and communicator to offi
�46
NARRATIVE.
cially inform the Homeologist of the work desired of
him, and it also directs that the report begun be fin
ished on or before the twentieth anniversary of his
appointment, and that the address of the spirit missionist, and also the message now being given, be in
corporated into the report to the spirit missionist;
that the general agent keep in his own care the origi
nal of the report, and that another copy of the same
be placed in the hand of him who temporarily is called
the Colonial Supervisor.
Inspected by the Mission Committee of the Spirit
ual Congress, in connection with the Committee of
the General Assembly |l and unitedly sanctioned and
unanimously approved by the President of the Spirit
ual Congress, John Hancock, and the President of the
General Assembly, Benj. Franklin.
Frances Wright, Secretary,
and General Communicator of the Spiritual Congress,
in conjunction with the General Assembly.
August 7, 1872.
“Dear Spirit Missionist: I place this report
in your hands, having in some degree trodden the
missionary path ; rough though it has sometimes
been, it will be easier for those who come after me to
follow. It is ever to be borne in mind that while
Paul may plant and Apollos water, God give th the
increase. Allow me to ask that you heed with care
the voices that shall salute your spiritual ear. Retir
ing from missionary labors, I now proceed to the
organization and upbuilding of colonial homes, to
�NARRATIVE
47
which, you will be welcome when the infirmities of
age shall be upon you, receiving there the reward's
of private and of public duties faithfully performed.
Let thy motto ever be, ‘ Do justly, love mercy, act in
harmony with the light given thee.’ ”
John Murray Spear.
Ancoba, N. J., September 12, 1872.
�Friends who may desire to make contributions of any kind/
to furnish the comforts of a home for Mr. Spear, in harmony
with the kind hope expressed by Mr. Putnam, in his PrefaceCp. 9,J can send the same to either of the following named per
sons, or directly to Mr. Spear, 241 North Eleventh Street, Phila!
delpliia.
Allen Putnam, 426 Dudley Street, Boston.
Thatcher Hinckley, Hyannis, Mass.
Mrs, Oliver Dennett, Portland, Maine.
Dr. George Hashell. Ancora, N. J.
Mrs. Caroline S. Lewis, Cleveland, Ohio.
Mrs. Thomas Hornbrook, Wheeling, West Virginia.
Dr. John Mayhew. Washington, D. C.
Fox Holden, Watkins, N. Y.
Oliver G. Chase, Jamestown, N. Y.
Milo A. Townsend, Beaver Falls. Pa.
Thomas Richmond, Chicago, Illinois.
Warren Chase, 614 N. Fifth Street, St. Louis, Mo.
Laura Cuppy Smith, 179 Temple Street, New Haven, Conn.
A. B. Child, West Fairlee, Vermont.
Andrew T. Foss, Manchester, N. H.
Mrs. Mary Godbe, Salt Lake City, Utah
Wm. M. Rider, San Francisco. California.
Mrs. H. F. M. Brown, San Diego, California.
Andrew Leighton, Liverpool.
William Tebb, 20 Rochester Road, Camden Road. London.
Hay Nisbett, 164 Trongate, Glasgow.
Alexander Aksakoe, St. Petersburg,
�
Dublin Core
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Title
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Victorian Blogging
Description
An account of the resource
A collection of digitised nineteenth-century pamphlets from Conway Hall Library & Archives. This includes the Conway Tracts, Moncure Conway's personal pamphlet library; the Morris Tracts, donated to the library by Miss Morris in 1904; the National Secular Society's pamphlet library and others. The Conway Tracts were bound with additional ephemera, such as lecture programmes and handwritten notes.<br /><br />Please note that these digitised pamphlets have been edited to maximise the accuracy of the OCR, ensuring they are text searchable. If you would like to view un-edited, full-colour versions of any of our pamphlets, please email librarian@conwayhall.org.uk.<br /><br /><span><img src="http://www.heritagefund.org.uk/sites/default/files/media/attachments/TNLHLF_Colour_Logo_English_RGB_0_0.jpg" width="238" height="91" alt="TNLHLF_Colour_Logo_English_RGB_0_0.jpg" /></span>
Creator
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Conway Hall Library & Archives
Date
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2018
Publisher
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Conway Hall Ethical Society
Text
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text.
Original Format
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Pamphlet
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
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Twenty years on the wing: brief narrative of my travels and labors as a missionary sent forth and sustained by the association of beneficents in spirit land
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Spear, John Murray [1804-1887.]
Putnam, Allen
Description
An account of the resource
Place of publication: Boston
Collation: 47 p. ; 20 cm.
Notes: From the library of Dr Moncure Conway. Smaller sheet bound in following last page listing people who have made "contributions of any kind to furnish the comforts of a home for Mr. Spear ...".
Publisher
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William White and Company
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1873
Identifier
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G5223
Subject
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Missionaries
Rights
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<a href="http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/"><img src="http://i.creativecommons.org/p/mark/1.0/88x31.png" alt="Public Domain Mark" /></a><span> </span><br /><span>This work (Twenty years on the wing: brief narrative of my travels and labors as a missionary sent forth and sustained by the association of beneficents in spirit land), identified by </span><a href="https://conwayhallcollections.omeka.net/items/show/www.conwayhall.org.uk"><span>Humanist Library and Archives</span></a><span>, is free of known copyright restrictions.</span>
Format
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application/pdf
Type
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Text
Language
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English
Conway Tracts
Missionaries
Spiritualism
Spiritualists-United States