Strange Developments in a Family of Episcopalians.
By Uriah Smith
[No cause but Spiritualism could survive the revolting developments described in the following, which we take from the Banner of Light. Should such manifestations occur in connection with the cause of truth, the end of it would never be heard. It would be thrown into the teeth of believers everywhere. It would be heralded by its opponents from one end of the land to the other, and justly, too, as sufficient reason for consigning the cause to everlasting reproach, while all wherever its sound might come, would shun it as they would a contagion. But these things are performed by spirits, and it is coolly and unblushingly published as a most powerful and convincing manifestation. So completely do some people seem to yield themselves up to be dupes of the Devil, that the more absurd, ridiculous, and blasphemous the manifestation, the more weight and importance are attached to it as an evidence of the truthfulness of their cause. Let the reader consider, as illustrated in the following cases, the infernal influences to which mediums are subjected, and to which all Spiritualists are exposed, and beware.—U. S.] In the quiet little town of Glastenburg, about five miles from the city of Hartford, Ct., each member of a family of eight persons, were simultaneously seized with what the people and the doctors thought to be raving insanity, for which they could divine no cause. The family consisted of Mr. Geo. L. Ford, wife, and two children, Mr. Talcott and wife, the father and mother of Mrs. Ford, and a man and woman servant—eight in all. Mr. and Mrs. Ford are in good standing in society, and in full communion with the Episcopal church in that place, and neither had any knowledge of, or sympathy with, Spiritualism. Mr. Talcott was a free-thinker, and only Mrs. Talcott had any knowledge of modern Spiritualism. On Wednesday, the first day of last October, Mrs. Ford was suddenly seized with strange motions and actions, gestures, and contortions, was violently exercised, alternately manifesting great joy and great agony. Mr. Ford was greatly alarmed at such new and unaccountable manifestations of his wife. Soon, however, it was announced through the lips of Mrs. Ford, "This is the control of spirits; and this control shall be a stepping-stone to a new belief in the Old Church. Fear nothing. All is well. Be not alarmed at what shall happen." Mrs. Ford continued to be severely exercised by, and give communications from, what purported to be a great many spirits, both happy and unhappy, until Sunday. The family was kept up with her day and night, excited, alarmed, and anxious for her safety. On the Sunday following Mrs. Ford's first manifestations, just as the people were coming out of the church, which is immediately by the door-yard of Mr. Ford's house, Mrs. Ford rushed into the yard, as if driven by some determined power, and at the top of her voice screamed, "Water! water!" Mr. Ford was seized by the same power, and with his wife ran into the same yard, and screamed "water," too. Mrs. Ford's father and mother were moved by the same power, and did the same as Mrs. and Mr. Ford; then the two children, and the two servants—making eight persons in all, that were in Mr. Ford's yard, right in view and hearing of the congregation coming out of the church—all of them screaming as loud as they could, "Water! water! water! water!" This screaming continued for about fifteen minutes, accompanied with the most ridiculous gestures, contortions, grimaces, and expressions of joy and of suffering. It seemed as if all the noises ever heard, and motions ever made, were imitated by them. Nearly the whole of the congregation drew near and looked upon the strange phenomenon with wonder and amazement. It appeared evident that there was no volition exercised on the part of any member of this frenzied family. Each was moved to make these curious demonstrations before the public in such a time and place, by some power over which they held no control. After about fifteen minutes, by the aid of some friends who came from the crowd of witnesses, Mrs. Ford was conveyed into the house, and was followed by the other members of her family. She then fell into a trance, and lay, to all appearance, dead, for about one hour; after which she was controlled by a spirit that made her utter the most terrible oaths and curses. It may be proper here to say that Mrs. Ford has ever had a great horror of profane language, so much so that she desired never to have a man in her husband's employ that used a profane word. In fact, Mrs. Ford, in her conduct and life, has been a faithful Christian and a devoted wife. Here she is moved by some power that she cannot keep off, to do that which is most repulsive and revolting to her desires and practices. Mr. Ford, the same as his wife, was made to utter oaths and curses, which in his normal condition he had never done, and had a great disgust of hearing. Both Mr. Ford and his wife stand before the world in their moral and Christian lives without a blemish; but here comes upon them a power, to show to themselves and to the world that their own will does not control their lives, but that there is a wisdom and a power above human will and human desire. No matter if this revelation be made by scenes that are ridiculous and revolting, whereby the mighty, unrecognized, unacknowledged truth shall be made more impressive. Mr. Ford, his wife, and all the family, affirm that in these strange manifestations they had no control over their actions. Mr. Ford says that during this scene of affliction, he observed that his nearest friends stood the furthest aloof, while the poor and more oppressed, came nearest to him and his family, and were first to give them friendly aid. A doctor was called, and pronounced the whole scene the manifestations of insanity. Mrs. Ford continued to be under spirit influence. She would perform the most beautiful and difficult airs in music, of which airs she had no knowledge. Then she would use the most horrible oaths. She would utter in a clear and intelligible manner the most heavenly strains of thought; then her utterances would be jumbled, confused, and unintelligible. Spirits seemed to hold perfect control of her, and all grades seemed to have equal access to the use of her organism. In the course of a few hours all the family except Mrs. Ford, her father and mother, entirely recovered from this fit of "possession." A consultation of doctors was held on the cases of Mrs. Ford, her father and mother, the decision of which was, that each was positively insane. Accordingly, the selectmen of the town caused them, on the ninth day of October, to be carried to the Insane Hospital. This was done against Mr. Ford's will, he being held, by order of the selectmen (it being claimed by them that he was still insane), while his wife was removed from the house. Eight days after Mrs. Ford's father's removal to the Hospital, he died, and his death was calm, happy, beautiful. Mrs. Ford's mother was discharged from the Hospital on the tenth of November. Mrs. Ford is still in the Hospital, and is still under spirit control. Mr. Ford is most devotedly attached to his wife, but he has not been permitted to see her since she was carried to the Hospital, it being thought best by the Hospital physicians to keep her for the present excluded from all her friends.