The Communistic Societies of the United States From Personal Visit and Observation by Nordhoff, Charles, 1830-1901
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A word from our supporters: File extension NDS | "They then began holding converse with their guardian spirits and others, some of whom they once knew in the form, making graceful motions with their hands--talking audibly, so that all in the room could hear and understand, and form some idea of their whereabouts in the spiritual realms they were exploring in the land of souls. This was only the beginning of a series of 'spirit manifestations,' the most remarkable we ever expected to witness on the earth. One prominent feature of these manifestations was the gift of songs, hymns, and anthems--new, heavenly, and melodious. The first inspired song we ever heard from the 'spirit world,' with words attached, was the following, sung by one of the young sisters, while in vision, with great power and demonstration of the spirit, called by the invisible. "'THE SONG OF A HERALD."'Prepare, O ye faithful, To fight the good fight; Sing, O ye redeemed, Who walk in the light. Come low, O ye haughty, Come down, and repent. Disperse, O ye naughty, Who will not relent. "'For Mother is coming-- Oh, hear the glad sound-- To comfort her children Wherever they're found; With jewels and robes of fine linen To clothe the afflicted withal.' "Given by inspiration, at North Union, August, 1838, ten years prior to the Rochester Rappings.' "The gifts continued increasing among the children. Among these were the gift of tongues, visiting the different cities in the 'spirit world,' holding converse with the indwellers thereof, some of whom they once knew in the body. And in going to these cities they were accompanied by their guardian angels, and appeared to be flying, using their hands and arms for wings, moving with as much velocity as the wings of a bird. "All of a sudden they stopped, and the following questions and answers were uttered through their vocal organism: _Question_--'What city is this?' _Answer_--'The City of Delight.' _Question_--'Who live here?' _Answer_--'The colored population.' _Question_--'Can we go in and see them?' _Answer_--'Certainly. For this purpose you were conducted here. They were admitted, their countenances changed.' _Question_--'Who are all these?' _Answer_--'They are those who were once slaves in the United States.' _Question_--'Who are those behind them?' _Answer_--'They are those who were once slaveholders.' _Question_--'What are they doing here?' _Answer_--'Serving the slaves, as the slaves served them while in the earth life. God is just; all wrongs have to be righted.' _Question_--'Who are those in the corner?' _Answer_--'They are those slaveholders who were unmerciful, and abused their slaves in the world, and are too proud to comply with the conditions.' _Question_--'What were the conditions?' _Answer_--'To make confession and ask forgiveness of the slaves, and right their wrongs; and this they are too proud to do.' _Question_--'What will be done with them?' _Answer_--'When their time expires they will be taken away and cast out, and will have to suffer until they repent; for all wrongs must be righted, either in the form or among the disembodied spirits, before souls can be happy.' "And when the girls came out of vision, they would relate the same things, which, corresponded with what they had previously talked out. |



