Light from the spirit world

Preface

Agreeable to announcement in the Light from the Spirit World, I am able to present this volume for the first in my life ; but present it to the public, under circumstances which will be gratifying to all those who are the friends of progress and reform. No pains have been spared to present the precise words chosen by the author, and preserve the style and sense of the original manuscript. In regard to the merits of the production, it must speak for itself, for whatever merit or demerit it may possess, I am worthy of neither praise nor censure. Astounding as may be the assertion, that I had no will to write it, or exercise any other control than to let my hand be moved by an invisible influence, and write as it would, without any volition on my part, yet it is nevertheless true ; and I am quite confident that out of the two thousand writing mediums in the United States, no one in a passive condition will be able to contradict the assertion. Indeed, I have found by actual experiment that, in a great many instances, the spirit who controls my hand has succeeded in writing sentences contrary to my will, and while I was endeavoring, with all my volition, to write something else. But so far as the orthography and punctuation of the pilgrimage are concerned, I have exercised supervision, and aid has been afforded me by the Spirits in this matter. The Spirits even arranged all the paragraphs, sentences, and the initials which represent different minds, to aid the general reader ; and also the division of the work into chapters, with the prefatory contents of the same ; for, without the help of the Spirits, I could have done nothing ; never having written a book in my life, excepting by the control of the Spirits who now have given this volume to the public.

Concerning my condition while writing this book, I will

iii

IV PREFACE.

say, that when writing, the whole subject was in the dark to me. I would take my pen, and place myself in an attitude of writing, when all thought and care would be abstracted from my mind. As my thoughts vanished, my hand would generally begin to move ; then a word would be dropped in my mind, and also at the same time be written. When the word was written, my hand would be uplifted, so as to leave a space between the words, then proceed as before. In this way the book was written. But when the Spirit was writing, I found my mind often, though not very often, impressed with the word that was being written. But I can say that I often have whole sentences impressed upon my mind at once, but not so often as a word at a time; and that comes, as it were, while they are writing it.

Should the reader receive instruction and pleasure in a perusal of these pages, which are now offered to the public, the reward will be great to me, though I shall condemn no one if they do not read it; because they will suffer sufficient loss without it; for there are none that need the consolation and reform that Spirits require, more than those who refuse to be instructed by them. But there are those who will, as they have done, aim their darts at both ; they belong to a circle that needs more pity than censure. As regards the history and death of John Pox, I know nothing, save what has been written by an invisible influence with my hand. Having been connected with the same, I have been a faithful medium for two years and eight months. I was a strong skeptic at the beginning of my mediumship, and retained my same belief for twelve months. I visited the South, some three hundred miles from home, and the Spirits told me that some of ray friends were sick, how they were taken, the day and hour, and names. I then wrote immediately to them, and received an answer, and found their words true. In that I was convinced of the matter.

Contents

CHAPTER I. page.

A history of the unnoted times, and the principal events of the nations of the earth in this time — The time that this time "was lost — The tyranical operations that took place in this time, and all their promiscuous business, both public and private — Their religion, and manner of worship, and all the bloodshed and wars, &c, <kc , 11

Chapter II

The second chapter treats on the first part of the Bible, especially on the five Books of Moses (so called) — Showing that part of the book to be evidence against itself, as it is now held forth to the world by Orthodoxy 27

CHAPTER VIII. Treating on historical facts — Showing their representation of

power and so on, by using the words lamb, lion, <fcc ^41

V

VI CONTENTS.

CHAPTER IX. page.

Noticing the account of creation, and the time in which it is said to have been effected, and reason of the same 44

Chapter XIII

A brief sketch on the authenticity of the Jewish law — Showing that Moses could not have been the author of the books in question, in their present form 55

CHA PT ER XIV.

Making it appear by the Bible and good reason, that the old Jewish law,, or the Bible, was not written till long after the death of Moses 57

CHAPTER XV, In regard to Moses being the true author — A rather strong proof that has always been slightly noticed 58

CHAPTER XVI.

Making it appear that Hilkiah, the priest, wrote the five books in question, by reason and the Bible 63

CHAPTER XVII.

Another view on the author of the book in question — Showing how Hilkiah imposed his law on the people, at that time. ... 65

CHAPTER XVIII.

Showing that Hilkiah is not the author of the law in its present form 67

CHAPTER XIX.

Offering a few strong evidences to confirm the foregoing chapters 72

CONTENTS. VU

CHAPTER XX. pagb.

Offering historical facts and language, to contradict Moses being the author of the five books in question, with reason and Bible

proof 76

CHAPTER XXI.

Offering up the orthodox views on the same question, and admit them as facts, then prove by the same that Moses could not have been the author of the law 83

CHAPTER XXII.

Giving the time and under what circumstances the Hebrews derived their language from the Arabians 87

CHAPT ER XXIII.

Viewing the historical character of the Bible — Showing that it stands contradicted by authentic profane history and reason, of as equal authority and authenticity 94

CHAPTER XXI Y.

Treating on that part of Scriptures which concerns Abraham, and so on, with reason 102

CHAPTER XXV.

Exposing the credulity of the above work of the Bible by itself and reason 105

CHAPTER XXVI.

Treating on miracles performed by Moses and Aaron, and the Magicians with the rods — "With regard to Pharaoh — Locusts,

frogs, etc 106

CHAPTER XXVII.

The spirit of Joel West expressing his belief while living — His professional business while in the flesh — His opinion in regard

to creeds as sects 125

CHAPT ER XXVIII.

A few brief sketches on the last part of his life -His disease and its cause — The physician was the spirit of John Fox through A. J. McBride — Also, his feelings — The prophecy of the spirit of the same spirit — The first conversation in regard to his disease — The answer he got from the spirit of the last attending physician, Fox, through Andrew J. McBride — Also finding the termination and result precisely as the spirit of

V1H CONTENTS.

PAGE.

Fox said twelve months prior to the time appointed — His sickness — His farewell — His death — His companion — His travails, etc., etc 131

CHAPTER XXIX.

Is pleased with his new home — Pleased with his new life — His recognition of rudimental associates — Reasons why his opinions and positions were called unpopular — His opposition to revelation — Error acknowledged — Strife condemned — A new song sung — Receiving lessons — Remarks 137

CHAPTER XXX.

He offers his own experience in the spirit world — The opening of his travail — Conversation with his guide — His request to his earthly friends in the same manner, soliciting them to unvail their faces and view nature in its true light as the spirits do in the spirit world, with many other interesting remarks — His conversation with his earthly friends, showing nature in its true light — His request on the close of his part of this volume — Joel West 153

CHAPTER XXXI.

The spirit of General George Washington to the American people — His views on governmental affairs — His own experience here on earth — His principles while in the flesh — The principal events of his age — His special advice to the true Americans — His views on foreignism His kindness to all men, both foreign and native, showing how the foreigners, as called now, first cut out for themselves the right of the continent of America, with many other remarks upon interesting subjects — The spirit of Washington through A. J. McBride, medium 163

CHAPTER XXXII.

The spirit of Light from the spirit from John Wesley given in the form of a lecture — Comment on the first part of the Bible views on the creation of man — His view on a new dispensation — His views on the natural composition of men, the different natures of men, and the manner to treat nature — His views on the present theories of the day, on the effect of knowledge and remarks on subjects of equal importance... . 179

CHAPTER XXXIII.

Andrew J. McBride, medium — Light from the spirit world, from the spirit of Isaiah Collins (when living a resident of the

CONTENTS. IX

PAGE.

State of Virginia, Loudon county) — The Constitution of men — Views on the subject of nature, proving them in part by the divine writ, as it is so called, but chiefly from nature — A brief sketch on the constitution of man — Light on the word knowledge, and views of various interesting subjects — A. J. McBride, medium 200

CHAPTER XXXIV.

The spirit of William George, conversing with his wife on earth, telling her his travails and the principal events which have occurred since the death of his body — His views on the true light of nature — His first return to his wife after his death — Pleasure in conversing with his wife and relatives on earth — A. J. McBride, medium 217

CHAPTER XXXV.

The spirit of Joel West to his mother — His separation from her — His natural love for her — His retaining the same nature he possessed while in the flesh — His enduring love to her — A. J. McBride, medium 224

CH APT ER XXXVI.

The spirit of Joel West — Address to his sister — His fond love for her — Her present and future welfare — A memorial of the pleasure that they would have enjoyed had he lived in the flesh — His and her dispositions, etc 226

CHAPTER XXXVII.

The spirit of Joel West to his earthly friends generally — About having to leave his friends — Account of a medium — His views on parting the evening shades, etc 228

CHAP TER XXXVIII.

The spirit of Joel West to his earthly friends — The fire-side meeting — Change of life — Once enjoyed happiness of brothers and sisters — Bloom of life, etc 229

CHAPTER XXXIX.

Light from the spirit world through the spirit of Shakspeare on various subjects throughout scenes of man, from the creation to the present day, etc 231

CHAPTER XL.

Light from the spirit world through J. M. Ward on progression — Various interesting sketches » 232

X CONTENTS.

PAGE.

CHAPTER XLI.

Light from the spirit of John Holt — Let not others be your guide — Let not love blind you unless it is founded on justice, truth and honor — To all his earthly brothers, etc 235

CHAPTER XLII.

Light from the spirit world through Isaiah Collins — Celestial scenery and spirit abodes are varied with innumerable difference, etc 237

CHAPTER XLII I.

Light from the spirit world through the chief Oneida, to his white and red brothers, and various other interesting sketches — His sincere desire to return to the earth — Contention with spirits — Fervent prayer — Benevolent advice, etc 244

CHAPTER XLIV.

John West requesting the spirit of John Fox to describe his brother Thomas West, who had gone to the spirit land — The man described — Medium knows nothing of the said West — Satisfaction given to the inquirer, etc 249

CHAPT ER XLV.

Another Fox of ancient times — He was a man of reverence — His profession — His dedication — His Catholicism — Born in Boston, Linconshire, 1517 — His travails— All his scenes — All his troubles, etc 250

CHAPT ER XLVI.

Isaiah Collins comparing the spiritual and orthodox platforms. 264

CHAPTER XLVII.

Joel West writing to his parents 267

LIGHT FROM THE SPIRIT WORLD.

Chapter I. The Opening Of The Unnoted Period

Before I enter upon particulars, I would observe that there were five periods previous to this ; but this is remarkably distinguished from all the foregoing periods, though we have no account of a great part of this time in Scripture history. Yet the events of it are more the subject of profane history than any of the foregoing periods. There are two ways wherein we have the accounts of the events, and, by which the time has passed — history and prophecy ; and in one or the other we have the accounts preserved. In the Scripture we have the account of the five preceding periods from their beginning to their end. Though the Scriptures do not contain an entire proper history of the whole, yet the 4 whole chain of great events, by which this work was carried on, from its commencement to its completion, is found either in history or prophecy. It is to be observed, where the Scriptures are wanting in one of these ways it is made up in the other — where Scripture fails, there profane history takes its place ; so that the account is still carried on, and the chain is not broken till we come to the last link of it.

In the consummation of all things, as it is termed, it is accordingly observable of this 3pace of time, jthat though it is so much less the subject of Scripture history, than any of the preceding periods — there being above four hundred years of which the Scriptures give no history — so the great events of this period are more the subject of profane history, than those of all the foregoing periods, together. There are two hundred years of this period that have been taken from profane history, and is brought under the head of the Bible, in the name of a prophecy. Most of those remarkable prophecies, in the Book of Daniel, and those in Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Ezekiel, concerning Babylon, Tyrus, Egypt, and many other nations, that were fulfilled in this period. Hence, the reason why the Scripture gives us no history of so great a part of this time, is not that the events were not so important, or less worthy of notice than those of the foregoing periods, (for they were great and remarkable,) but there are several reasons that may be given for it. One was, that it was the will of God that the spirit of prophecy should cease, in this period, for reasons that may be given hereafter, so there were no prophets to write the history of those times. God, therefore, designing this, took care that the great events of this period should not be without mention in profane history. It is observable that] the writing prophets in Israel, were raised up at the beginning of the foregoing period, and ceased at the beginning of this, for the time had come when the spirit of prophecy was to cease. There was to be no inspired history, therefore no other Scriptural account but that which was given in profane history. Another reason for the suspension of inspired history is, that God in his providence, took care that there should be an authentic and full account of the great events of this period preserved in profane history.

It is very worthy of notice, that, with respect to the five preceding periods of which the Scripture gives the history, profane history is silent, or gives but very imperfect accounts. There are a great many fabulous and uncertain accounts of things which happened before, but the commencement of authentic profane history began one hundred years before Nebuchadnezzar's time, and all of his reign was taken from profane history, and brought under the head of the Bible. As before said, this period is the link that is left out from the consummation of the old laws, which is the Bible, to the establishing of the New Testament, which is the new laws. It is observable, that it was six hundred years from the fall of the old laws, to the rise of the new laws, which were manifestations of Jesus Christ, so he is termed the Great King and Savior of the world.

I would observe, that there are some prophecies in the Bible that does relate to this period ; but it was left under a veil, and unexplained. Now, I will proceed from the time that authentic profane history commenced, to the erecting of the new laws. We have undoubted accounts preserved in profane history, of the principal events of this period, that wonderfully explain those veiled prophecies, which we will relate. Thus, the great God, who disposes all good, took care to give us Scriptural accounts from the beginning of the creation of the world, through all the former ages, and ceased not till he came to those times in which profane history relates things with some certainty. Concerning those later times, he gives us abundant accounts, both by public and private manifestations of the spirits, and by comparing the profane history with those prophecies and manifestations, we may see the link or argument. This period seems to have been remarkably distinguished from all others, by great revolutions among the nations of the earth. This was caused by a dispute that was raised among themselves, concerning the promises that were given of the new laws, or the new revelation, that was to come.

Now, the time was drawing near, when Christ, the great king and Savior of the world, as he is termed, was to come. Great and mighty were the changes brought to pass, in order to do it. There had been a preparation through several of the foregoing periods, which caused many bloody wars ; but things began &b ripen apace, for the coming of the manifestations of the new laws; therefore, Divine providence wrought wonderfully.

There is a, greater history to be penned, than any history, except this, has recorded, since creation occurred. In this period, almost all the nations within the knowledge of the Jewish empire, were overturned, again and again ; all lands within this term was subjugated, or captivated, and, as it were, emptied. This was done repeatedly, in this period. This agrees with the prophecy in Isaiah, xxiv, 1: "The Lord maketh the earth empty, and he maketh it waste, and he turneth it upside down, and scattereth the inhabitants thereof.' ' The first particular event which I shall mention, is Nebuchadnezzar's reign, which is brought under the head of the Bible, in a part that is not to be found in Scripture history, which I intend to relate, for that which can be found in other history would be of little or less importance for me to mention, or to call to mind anew the old events, of which you have the history.

There was a great revolution with Nebuchadnezzar and his subjects. A certain part of the Jews became enlightened, and did not feel under any obligations to be governed by a tyranical governor ; therefore, Nebuchadnezzar of course caused a bloodshed, by ordering his friendly subjects into the field of battle. By this, there were many lives lost, some of which I shall notice.

The first that I shall mention is Zebedee, and two of his sons. The second was Haman, and the most of his race was destroyed. The third was Jonathan, and his wife and four children, who were destroyed within their own tents, by the hands of the cruel subjects of the king Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of the Jews at that time. The fourth was Bebel, his wife, and three daughters, who were destroyed by the same, as before mentioned. Jehoiakim, and most of the surrounding neighborhood, was also destroyed.

To proceed next, I will mention that there were many severe and dreadful bloodsheds on the fields of battle. Every monarch was doing his utmost to rule the earth, and force all nations into or under his government, or dominion. So, finally, all the monarchs came to naught; which was caused by divisions that were got up under their own government. There were a certain number of subjects, of each and every nation, chiefs, or kings, who objected to the tyranical law or government to which they were then subjected ; so there were many bloodsheds, by which there were many lives lost. Jhe names and number we think it too tedious to mention, for the information that could be derived therefrom.

There were several overturnings of all nations and all kingdoms; therefore it was every one for himself; and so they began to travel, range, and wander, with neither home nor friends. They were in this situation for thirty years, of which you shall have the greater part of the particular events.

After a travel of three years, through Asia, and the surrounding countries, in the manner above mentioned, they began to reunite, as it were, one by one, but yet there was no ruler. So they began to direct their course through all Asia, in different directions, by which seven years were spent, or occupied, and then Asia was vacated, one by one, as it were, till Asia was left desolate and empty. And so they wandered from there to the south of Africa, and through Italy and Germany, by which there were eleven years occupied.

They then began to reunite more and more, by laying aside, or putting down the tyranical part of the laws, and their bigoted feelings, and so each and every individual and nation began to suffer dreadfully, from their wandering and unfriendly dispositions, and their desperate situations. Therefore they began to direct their course back through the countries through which they had once traveled, till they reached the desolate lands of Asia, from whence they started. Then they gathered the most of all the nations that were in Asia, and called a meeting, and left it to vote, whether there should be a new government or not. The majority of the people were in favor of a new government, and their desires were then to befriend all friendly nations ; but finally, it proved tyranical. This period is the last of the thirty years before mentioned.

This united kingdom was known by the name of the new Babylonian empire. The before-mentioned thirty years was divided into small periods; first, three years; second, seven years ; third, eleven years ; fourth, nine years. So the cup from them went around to all nations, and all the scattered inhabitants of the earth began to collect themselves together, and form a discipline, or rather a verbal law, of which they lived up to in part for several long and tedious years. Thus the nations lived till they replenished or repopulated the longvacated or depopulated lands of Italy, and the adjoining countries. In the course, therefore, of one hundred years, each and every state in the Italic knowledge were grown to a vast population. Therefore every nation began to think that they had grown to vastly exceed all other nations then within their knowledge. So according to the bigoted nature of man, they began to insult innocent nations, and trample down their cities and villages ; but yet they had no king or ruler in all nations. So they that had none, called an election, and elected & king or ruler in each nation ; therefore every nation was giving or receiving threats from other nations.

Thus the ruler of the new Babylonish empire began to threaten the kingdom of Persia. Thus the cup went around to all other nations, agreeable to what God revealed to the prophet Jeremiah, xxv, 15, 27, her special respects to be had in regard to the kindness in each and every nation in the first part of the new Babylonish empire ; but, as before mentioned, it proved tvranical. j,

Thus they were at enmity with all the nations within their knowledge ; so they began to war with each and every nation that would resist in the least, or in any way; but, after this, there were several overturnings before the new manifestations, or the erection of the new law, which is termed Christ. What next follows is the four general overturnings of the great monarchies of the world, at that time. It was done in succession.

Therefore, there were hot bloodsheds throughout Asia and all the surrounding countries. The first was the new Babylonish empire, which was overthrown by Cyrus, who founded the Persian empire in the room of it, which was of much greater extent than the new Babylonish empire was in its greatest glory. Thus the world was overturned one time ; for the world had become subject to the two nations now in view.

Therefore, when Cyrus overthrew the new Babylonish empire, all the nations that had been conquered by the latter empire, then fell into the hands of the Persians with the Babylonish kingdom, and so Cyrus conquered the world at that time. So the world, then, was once subject to one king, and the new Babylonish empire in this lost their name forever.

But one more word, and that is, when those nations were captivated, it was done by taking them without previous notice, so they had no time to call assistance ; therefore, when they had taken or captivated one nation, they then would order their new subjects into the field against the next nation that would resist.

Therefore, now I think the reader has got the particulars, sufficient to draw an idea how the work was carried on thus far.

The next that offers to my mind is, the rebelling of the captive nations; and, also, another warm bloodshed upon the field of battle. Thus the nations that were then forced under the care, or under the hand of the Persian king, were not satisfied with their new master and situation. Therefore, all the under nations had now become friendly and kind to each other, knowing that they had not only become captivated nations, but they well knew they were without friends, unless they clung to each other. So all the under nations then agreed to try to escape the Persian king without his knowledge. They then began to strive to fall upon some plan by which they might escape without any bloodshed ; but the king overhearing their plan, soon caused a bloodshed, by ordering his lawful subjects to slay all the under nations ; but in that he was mistaken, for by that he got himself and his empire overturned by Alexander, the leader of the under nations, who founded the Grecian empire in the room of the foregoing.

Alexander, therefore, had now become the ruler, or king of all the nations of the earth, within his knowledge at that time. In the course of a short period, this empire vastly exceeded all the foregoing empires.

The next that I shall offer is, the escape of a vast number of the under nations, which were the most of them. As before said, the private nations became dissatisfied with their situation, and also with their ruler, which they were forced to obey. So, as before said, they all agreed to try to lay some plan by which they might escape out of the hands of the Grecian power ; hence, the reason why they made their escape so easily, was on account of Alexander being oi*t exploring the distant part of Italy ; by that, therefore, they made their escape, without any bloodshed or the loss of a man.

They then marched through that land to a distant part of Italy, and their located themselves in the best manner they could, according to their abilities. In the course of a short time they began to increase in strength and wealth, and, therefore, they increased to a vast population. Alexander intended to gather a heavy tax off of those under nations, as they were called by the Grecians ; but those nations refused to contribute anything for the benefit of the Grecians, unless they were made to do so by the force of arms. There was, therefore, another immediate bloodshed, by Alexander ordering his lawful and adopted subjects to conquer the under nations, as he termed them, or be slain in the attempt. In this they did not succeed, but the reverse ; for in this the under nations, through a seige of two years eight months and seventeen days, they slayed, captivated, and overturned the Grecian empire, and founded the Roman empire upon the ruins of the former.