Writing on the Wall

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 31, 1856

"Writing on the Wall."

"On the same evening I also saw a person's hand distinctly write the word TRUTH on the wall, while we were all sitting around the table with hands joined. The writing was evidently done with a preparation of phosphorous, but any one at all acquainted with the nature of that article, knows that it cannot be handled with impunity, unless it is kept in water or excluded from contact with air, otherwise it will take fire immediately.

"What is still more strange the word would disappear, and in a moment come out again as bright and perfect as when first written; and what is still more strange, twenty-four hours after it was written, it appeared again, and on rubbing it over with the hand, the brighter the light would shine. Some one may say it could be done with a match, by leaving particles of phosphorous on the wall, which would show in the dark. This was tried, but before a letter could be made the match would ignite, and in making marks with a match, it would leave an impression on the wall, which was not done in the other case, as no mark could be found while the light was in the room."