aassP)~F/ ;^a I. 
 
 Rnnk 
 
 
A 
 
 RETURN 
 
 OF 
 
 DEPARTED SPIRITS 
 
 OP THfe 
 
 HIGHEST CHARACTERS OF DISTINCTION. 
 
 AS WELL AS 
 
 THE INDISCRIMINATE OF ALL NATIONS, INTO THE 
 
 BODIES OF THE "SHAKERS," OR "UNITED 
 
 SOCIETY OF BELIEVERS IN THE SECOND 
 
 ADVENT OF THE MESSIAH." 
 
 By an Associate of said Society* 
 
 " Millions of spiritual creatures walk the earth, 
 Both when we wake and when we sleep." 
 
 i 
 
 PHILADELPHIA: 
 
 PUBLISHED BY J. R. COLON, 203^ CHESTNUT ST 
 
 1843, 
 
^i 
 
 !2.^» 
 
 ^v 
 
 Entered, according to Act of Congress, in tlie year 1843, by L. G- 
 Thomas, in tlie Clerk's Office of the District Court for the E.itsterr^ 
 Bistrict of Pennsylvania. 
 
 ?HILAI>ELPHJi; 
 
 PRINTED BY WILLIAM L. HABBI* 
 
 139 LorrsT stesec. 
 
" Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. 
 A PECULIAK people; that ye sliouIJ show forili tue praises oi 
 him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellou* 
 light."— PETEa 1, Chap. ii. 
 
 " Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the 
 heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that 
 love him. 
 
 " But God hath revealed them unto us by his spirit ; for the spirit 
 searcheth all things, yea the deep things of God. 
 
 " For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of 
 man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man^ 
 but the spirit of God. 
 
 *' Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit 
 which is of God ; that we might know the things that are freely 
 given to us of God." — Cor. 1, Chap. ii. 
 
ff 
 
^* 
 
 TO 
 
 THE VARIOUS 
 
 RELIGIOUS SECTS, 
 
 AND MORE ESPECIALLY TO THE 
 
 JEWS AND ROMAN CATHOLICS, 
 
 THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, THIS 
 
 VOLUME IS RESPECTFULLV 
 
 DEDICATED BY 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 The publication of the present work, at this 
 peculiar time, will naturally awaken the curi- 
 osity of the public mind to a marvellous extent ; 
 and as there is existing, among the human family, 
 so great a diversity of opinion, in regard to the 
 second appearing of the Messiah, numerous will 
 be the inquiries in relation to the truth of what 
 is herein set forth. 
 
 The author would therefore briefly state that, 
 in the compilation of this work, he has studiously 
 avoided the introduction of any matter except 
 that which came under his immediate notice, or 
 which he has derived from authenticated sources. 
 
Vlll 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 No opinion which he may entertain in regard to 
 the reality of the mysterious toork, will be ex- 
 pressed ; his object being to display it before his 
 readers in the same light in which he himself 
 beheld it, reserving to those who may favour 
 these pages with a perusal, the privilege of pass- 
 ing upon it such a verdict as they may entertain. 
 With this brief introduction, the work is respect- 
 fully submitted. 
 
PART I 
 
 VISITATION 
 
 DISTINGUISHED CHARACTERS. 
 
 The existence of a body of people associated 
 together under the appellation of " Shakers," is 
 generally known to the public. That a great 
 deal of prejudice, caused by a misunderstanding 
 of the true character of that strange people exists, 
 the author is fully aware, having been connected 
 with the " United Society of Believers in the 
 Millenial Church" for some length of time, 
 during which period he has had a fair oppor- 
 tunity of arriving at a correct knowledge con- 
 cerning the doctrines and principles of the people 
 composing it. 
 
 Being desirous, therefore, of giving publicity 
 to the subject matter contained in this work, by 
 presenting a plain, unvarnished statement of those 
 strange and marvellous scenes to which he has 
 
10 
 
 been an eye-witue.ss, he trusts that what shall be 
 here related, will be regarded as the simple truth, 
 divested of all artificial colouring. 
 
 Deeming it needless to enter into a minute 
 history of the rise and progress of the Shakers, 
 we shall merely advert to the most important 
 transactions that have taken place among that 
 people, in order to bring the mind of the reader 
 to an understanding of the subject. 
 
 Sixty years have elapsed since the establish- 
 ment of the '* Millenial Church" in the United 
 States. During that time its increase has besn 
 gradual, and several thousands of souls have been 
 gathered to Zion, as it is called. At the present 
 time, branches of the society are located in the 
 states of New York, Connecticut, New Hamp- 
 shire, Ohio and Kentucky: the settlements at 
 New Lebanon and Watervliet, in the State of 
 New York, contain the greatest number of 
 members. 
 
 That portion of the society located at Water- 
 vliet, near the City of Albany, where the author 
 of this work has resided, numbers about three 
 hundred souls. 
 
 The gifts of God have been manifested in this 
 people in a very marvellous manner. For a 
 period of many years they have been especially 
 
II 
 
 favoured with spiritual gifts and operations ; 
 among which may be mentioned, as most pro- 
 .rainent, the gifts of prophecy, speaking with un- 
 knov/n tongues, discerning of spirits, and holding 
 communication with the spiritual world. Very 
 frequently they are seized with a rapid whirling 
 and violent twitching of the body, which they are 
 unable to repress. We have seen numbers in 
 this manner caught up by some invisible power 
 and whirled around the meeting room at an 
 almost incredible rate, some proclaiming the 
 word of tlie Lord to his people, while others 
 would be discoursing in unknown language, and 
 holding converse with angels and other heavenly 
 spirits. 
 
 It is believed that these operations have been 
 displayed for a number of years ; but, more re- 
 cently, there has been another manifestation of 
 God's divine power toward his " peculiar peo- 
 ple," which, in magnificence of conception, far 
 exceeds all others, and which, when universally 
 known, will add much in confirmation of the 
 general opinion that the Millenial day is nigh at 
 hand. 
 
 It was at New Lebanon that this new dispen- 
 sation was received, in a communication from the 
 spiritual world, announcing that the lattei day 
 
12 
 
 was near at hand, and would soon be ushered m 
 by the developing of the strange work promised 
 by the Lord: — "Behold ye, and wonder mar- 
 vellously; for I will work a work in your day, 
 which ye will not believe though it be told you." 
 *' Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for lo, I 
 come ; and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith 
 the Lord. And many nations shall be joined to 
 the Lord in that day, and shall be my people : 
 and I will dwell in the midst of thee ; and thou 
 shait know that the Lord of Hosts hath sent me 
 unto thee." '* Yea, many people and strong 
 nations shall come to seek the Lord of Hosts in 
 Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord." "And 
 this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in 
 all the world for a witness unto all nations ; and 
 then shall the end come." 
 
 Accordingly, the work began to develope itself 
 in a manner that nearly astounded many who 
 witnessed its approach ; but as they, the people 
 of God, hnd ever preserved tlieir faith firm and 
 unshaken, in regard to every previous display of 
 His wondrous power, they were unwilling to 
 entertain the shadow of a doubt in relation to 
 this last manifestation. Tliey consequently 
 laboured in spirit for an increase of faith and 
 spiritual strength, to enable them to go forth in 
 
13 
 
 every gift of God, however mysterious and dark- 
 ening to the natural understanding, keeping in 
 view the divine truth, that '* the natural man re* 
 ceiveth not the things of the spirit." 
 
 Disembodied spirits began to take possession 
 of the bodies of the brethren and sisters ; and 
 thus, by using them as instruments, made them- 
 selves known by speaking through the individuals 
 whom they had got into ; after which they were 
 welcomed to Zion to hear the true Gospel of 
 Christ.- 
 
 it must be borne in mind that, while the breth- 
 ren and sisters are under this influence, they seem 
 unconscious of the fact that they are other than 
 the spirit for whom they are acting; and even 
 when the spirits of others have left them, and the 
 return of their own spirit, to its natural abiding 
 place, brings them to a slate of recollection, they 
 retain no knowledge of what has transpired, and 
 utter exclamations of surprise when apprised of 
 the fact by those who were eye and ear- witnesses 
 of the scene. 
 
 We shall now proceed to a description of some 
 of the distinguished individuals who have, at dif- 
 ferent periods, severally appeared at New Leba- 
 non and Watervliet, in the State of New York. 
 
 George WAgHiNGioN, to whom we ?haU havt 
 
14 
 
 occasion to make allusion hereafter, was among^ 
 the first that made themselves known in this 
 manner. 
 
 His spirit had been often discerned, by those 
 who were gifted with spiritual sight, before he 
 made his name and purposes known through 
 one of the brethren, whose body was thus so 
 signally honoured by the spirit of that illustrious 
 man. 
 
 George gave some particulars concerning the 
 discharge of his earthly duties while sojourning 
 upon this terrestrial globe, and concluding with 
 congratulating himsolf upon the opportunity 
 availed of entering into communion with those 
 who were walking in the *«pure Gospel light." 
 
 He informed them (the elders) that he was 
 commissioned of heaven with the important and 
 responsible duty of ministering to the wants of 
 thousands and tens of thousands of departed 
 spirits, who were wandering about in search of 
 happiness. That he was to conduct the nations 
 of the earth to Zion, where all, whether in or out 
 of the body, must eventually come to find salva- 
 tion. In accordance with this divine commission, 
 the elders ratified the appointment of Geoige 
 Washington, who has proved himself a faith- 
 ful minister indeed, having already sent many 
 
15 
 
 thousands to the True Church, where they have 
 rapidly progressed in the way of God. 
 
 In the course of the work we shall notice the 
 different nations in the order in which they ar- 
 rived ; but, for the present, individuals of distin- 
 guished popularity, many of whom have been 
 dead for thousands of years, will occupy our 
 attention. 
 
 It may be proper here to state that we shall 
 avoid any unnecessary detail of the conversation 
 of spiritual individuals ; and shall only describe 
 such conversation as shall be deemed of an inter- 
 esting character. This course is adopted in 
 order to guard against wearying the patience of 
 the reader. 
 
 Many of the statesmen of the American Revo- 
 lution, among whom John Adams and Thomas 
 Jefferson were most prominent, have, through 
 the influence of Washington, appeared ; and by 
 their acts have proved themselves good believers 
 in the Millenial Chuich, and faithful followers 
 of Christ. 
 
 General Harrison, whose withdrawal from 
 earth while in possession of the presidency of 
 a mighty republic, and whose departure was 
 accompanied by universal lamentation, has 
 come to Zion, and, after staling his name and 
 
16 
 
 circumstances, has been joyfully weicomed to 
 an associatioQ wiiii the people of God ; which 
 privilege he gladly accepted, and is now among 
 the heavenly spirits who are singing eternal 
 praises to the Almighty Father. 
 
 William Penn makes an occasional visit to 
 the Shakers on earth, and he- himself is a valua* 
 ble instrument in the hands of God ; being very 
 efficient in conducting the tribes of Indians to 
 the peaceful vale in Zion. 
 
 William has at dilFerent times spoken of his 
 bodily sufferings, caused by the persecution he 
 received in his native country, England, while 
 maintaining his religious principles. He de- 
 scribed his progress through life, from early 
 boyhood to the period of his death. He spoke 
 of the struggles he had, and of the difficulties he 
 had to encounter, in endeavouring to establish 
 those principles of Quakerism for which he so 
 long and strenuously contended ; of the opposi- 
 tion he met with from his father, which was of 
 such a nature that he was several times forbade 
 entering his house ; and, likewise, of the hostility 
 entertained toward him by the leaders of the 
 established church, which was also of such an 
 unchristian and uncharitable spirit, that he was im- 
 prisoned for daring to avow his dearly cherished 
 
IT 
 
 jM'iiiciples. He dwelt at some length upon the 
 grant of land tendered hin:i by King Charles ; 
 ?ind of the establishment of the colony which re- 
 ceived the name of Pennsylvania. 
 
 He expressed the strongest sympathy for the 
 poor Indians ; and when told of the wrongs in- 
 flicted upon them from time to time, he niani- 
 fe«;ted the deepest concern. 
 
 William ha>!, bv his maornanimous conduct in 
 favour of the different tribes of Indians that have 
 jippeared among *' Believers," so completely 
 won their respect and admiration, that he is 
 called *' Father Penn;" and when some new 
 tribe of the red men mav arrive, and be inclined 
 to be noisy, they are always obedient to every 
 request or command of ** Father Penn." 
 
 William Penn, who, while on earth, supported 
 so strenuously the principles of the Quakers, has 
 become a faithful adherent to the doctiines and 
 principles of the Shakers; being persuaded that 
 the latter sect of people, by abstaining from 
 tleshly works of every nature, live more in the 
 spirit of Christ than any other sect of religionists 
 upon earth. He says that he lived up to the best 
 light received in that day; but that had the testi- 
 mony of the true Gospel of the Church of Christ 
 been opened, at that time, he should certainly 
 }inve espoused it. 
 
18 
 
 Napoleon Bonaparte, whose extraordinary 
 career of warlike achievements have rendered 
 his name at least immortal, has long since been 
 called to the home of the faithful. 
 
 As the history of this wonderful man is so 
 universally known to the whole world, it were 
 needless to repeat the account of his many war- 
 like deeds as given by himself, when he arrived. 
 Suffice it to say, he has humbled himself suffi- 
 ciently to become one of Christ's followers, and 
 those who could hear him discourse, would 
 wonder at the mighty change which has been 
 wrought in that once all-powerful man. Yes, 
 the spirit of that Napoleon, before whose invin- 
 cible power nations trembled, is now upon an 
 equality with the meanest soldiers of his vast 
 armies. But kings and princes all must come 
 down from their thrones and mingle with the 
 dust of the earth. 
 
 Stephen Girard, well known as a distin- 
 guished millionaire of Philadelphia, and the 
 founder of the magnificent edifice, bearing the 
 name of the Girard ' College, which is being 
 erected at Philadelphia, came in spirit, and re- 
 ceived a hearty welcome. 
 
 He gave a very interesting account of himself. 
 He stated that after he departed this life, he 
 found himself on the banks of the Delaware 
 
19 
 
 river, at some distance below Philadelphia, 
 where he had been wandering to and fro for 
 some time, until he heard the sound of a trum- 
 pet, which attracted him to this place, (Zion.) 
 He related some incidents illustrative of his 
 rapid increase in worldly wealth, and gave an 
 account of his wife, wherein he spoke of the 
 circumstance related in his biography, concern- 
 ing the affair between her and the American 
 officer. 
 
 Girard made anxious inquiries about the dis- 
 position of the property which he had bequeathed 
 to the city of Philadelphia, and particularly in 
 relation to the progress of the College; and, 
 when apprised of the fact that it was not yet 
 completed, he manifested his surprise in terms 
 of disapprobation. The Elders advised him not 
 to trouble himself about worldly matters now, 
 as he had been called hither for quite a different 
 purpose, and he must, consequently, be prepared 
 to receive such advice and instruction as would 
 render him worthy of an association with the 
 inhabitants of Christ's kingdom. 
 
 Accepting, with a willing mind, the offer of 
 salvation, Stephen Girard has become a believer 
 in the Millenial Church, 
 
 Mahomet, the celebrated imposter, made 
 
himself known at New Lebanon, and created 
 quite a sensation. It was an arduous task to 
 bring his mind to a conformity with the princi- 
 ples of "Believers," notwithstanding he ac- 
 knowledged having endured all the torments of 
 hell, as the punishment inflicted upon him for 
 his wicked deeds committed while upon earth. 
 After v/itnessing the order and plan of worship 
 of the Shakers, — which privilege was allowed 
 him by the elders, on several occasions, — his 
 high sensed notions fell, and he could not refrain 
 from an expression of his admiration of the 
 beautiful and systematic arrangement of the order 
 of worship adopted by the people of God. He 
 admitted that the order of marching was much 
 superior to that of his best disciplined soldiers; 
 and he eagerly accepted the profferred privilege 
 to "go forth in the dances of them that mab 
 merry." 
 
 Mahomet confessed and repented of the sin oj 
 having deceived his countrymen, and those who 
 followed him, and who believed his false doc- 
 trines and representations. 
 
 A large number of Arabs accompanied their 
 leader, Mahomet, and, like him, were highly 
 pleased with every thing which met their view at 
 New Lebanon. 
 
 .it 
 
21 
 
 Not having had the opportunity of being 
 present where Mahomet made his spiritual 
 advent, we have presented the preceding brief 
 account of him, as narrated by one of the elders 
 presiding over the Society a! New Lebanon. 
 
 . Pope Pius came one day, and received a 
 hearty welcome from the elders of the Church, 
 who were much pleased at the opportunity thus 
 aiforded of having a conversation with the head 
 of the Church of Rome. 
 
 The Pope was, apparently, in a depressed 
 state of mind. He depicted the horrors of hell, 
 in which, he said, he had been ever since he left 
 the earth. He stated that he had not been burn- 
 ing in z.fire^ as understood in a literal sense; but 
 he described it as a more terrible scourge — a con- 
 tinual fire of anguish within, which was gradually 
 consuming him, and which it was impossible to 
 extinguish or assuage. He was sensible that 
 this torture had been inflicted as a punishment 
 for various criminal acts committed upon eartli, 
 while in the exercise of his Papal authority. 
 
 His holiness, the Pope, maintained considera- 
 
 ^^J|igh sense on the occasion of his first ap- 
 
 p^pnce, and, notwithstanding the affliction he 
 
 was subjected to, manifested all the dignity 
 
 TKShdaut upon the power and authority of his 
 
22 
 
 eartlily potentateship. Soon after his arrival, 
 he was joined by two members of his Ecclesias- 
 tical Council, who showed the same reverence 
 for him which they did while existing in the 
 body, and seemed sflrprised when informed that 
 all the vast power which the Pope had been 
 possessed of, formerly, had departed from him, 
 and that he was now not only in a destitute situ- 
 ation, but in a deplorable state cf suffering, from 
 which nought but an honest confession of, and 
 atonement for all sin, could relieve him. 
 
 It was not until a great deal of argument and 
 persuasion, on the part of the elders, had been 
 employed, that the Pope manifested a willing- 
 ness to humble himself to this humiliating con- 
 dition ; and he pleaded his high rank in extenua- 
 tion of various scenes of debauchery and sensu- 
 ality, in which he hesitated not to confess having 
 been a conspicuous actor. 
 
 He urged it as a strange thing that he who had 
 possessed the Keys of St. Peter, should have to 
 make confession to those who were his advisers 
 at this time. He was, however, wrought upon 
 to such an extent that he finally becam^ 
 vinced of the absolute necessity of acting 
 the advice of his counsellors, and expressed 
 
23 
 
 willingness to unite with the True Church of 
 Christ. 
 
 The Pope, together with his friends, were 
 then despauched to a mansion at a short distance, 
 where, they were told, all matters connected 
 with their future welfare would be arranged. 
 
 Several other departed Popes came likewise. 
 Among them were Leo X., and Clement VII. 
 All of them acknowledgded the committal of 
 much crime in their public and private relations ; 
 but having repented of it, they have been 
 gathered among t ;e faithful. 
 
 Bishop James Doyle, of tha County of Car- 
 low, Ireland, was introduced in the room, during 
 a meeting of worship, by some nuns from a 
 convent in Ireland. The nuns made a criminal 
 charge, of a serious nature, against the Bishop. 
 The Bishop repelled the charge, at first, but, 
 being overwhelmed with the powerful testimony 
 of the nuns, he was forced to acknowledge that 
 he had been guilty of the most licentious conduct 
 towards some of the female occupants of a nun- 
 nery in Ireland, where he had occasion to visit 
 in his clerical capacity. 
 
 He was charged with excessive debauchery, 
 of every description ; drunkenness being a com- 
 
 2^ 
 
24 
 
 mon habit with him. Yet, as the nuns said, 
 there were few persons without the walls of the 
 convent that were acquainted with his irregular 
 habits. The Bishop, however, seemed sorry for 
 his offences, ar^d, after confessing his sins, gave 
 promise of great improvement. Since that time 
 he has b; en a frequent visitor at the meetings— i- 
 sometimes bringing spiritual presents from the 
 heavenly hosts. Rapid has been Bishop Doyle's 
 progress in the way of God since he c^me to the 
 ''Believers;" and so highly is he estimated in 
 the spiritual world, that he has had conferred 
 upon him the high situation of Messenger from 
 Heaven to " Wisdom's Valley," (Watervliet). 
 
 Numerous other Catholic priests have been 
 summoned to Zion, and, when they came, they 
 were not unfrequently accompanied by nuns, su- 
 periors, and abbesses, with whom they were as- 
 sociated. Children of the priests have likewise 
 accompanied their parents. 
 
 Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, 
 came to Watervliet, in the month of March last, 
 but as we were not present on the occasion, we 
 are unable to give his account of himself. We 
 believe, however, that he was in quite a com- 
 fortable state when he came out of the deep sleep 
 jnto which he had been cast after departing this 
 
25 
 
 life, and that he seemed much interested while 
 listening to the remarks of the elders in relation 
 to the subject of eternal salvation. Saint Patrick 
 is now a good Shaker. 
 
 Sampson, celebrated in the Book of Judges, 
 as a m?n possessed of extraordinary streng'h, 
 came, with a number of the Philistines, whom 
 he had slain aforetime. Some of the Lords of 
 the Philistines discoursed about their god Dagon, 
 which they worshipped with great veneration. 
 
 Those of the brethren who were gifted with 
 spiritual sight, described the Philistines as being 
 ten feet high, or thereabouts. 
 
 Alexander the Great, his father, Philip, 
 with their generals and officers of state, came to 
 Watervleit. Alexander boasted of his many 
 brilliant achievements in the world, and, for a 
 timei maintained a proud and haughty disposi- 
 tion. He made some allusion to the events of 
 his life, and stated that he was convinced that it 
 was through excessive drinking that his death 
 had been accelerated. He stated that he had 
 seen George Washington, and that individual had 
 directed them to " Wisdom's Valley." On being 
 made acquainted with the noble character of 
 Washington, and of the services which he had 
 rendered to his country while on earth, Alexan- 
 
26 
 
 der seemed much interested, and expressed his 
 desire and determination to cultivate an acquaint- 
 ance with that illustrious man. 
 
 Mary, Queen of Scots, made her presence 
 known in a bold and haughty manner. She 
 maintained this proud demeanor for some time, 
 ridiculing, in the most scornful style possible, 
 the plainness and simplicity of eveiy thing which 
 met her view, affirming that she was deserving 
 of more honour and favour than was bestowed 
 upon her. It was with difficulty that she could 
 be brought to entertain a knowledge of her true 
 situation. 
 
 Being questioned as to what kind of a state 
 she had been in, since leaving the world, she 
 seemed unconscious of the fact that she had 
 died, although she said she had endured much 
 tribulation and affliction of spirit. 
 
 Queen Anne accompanied Mary; and they 
 seemed to enjoy each other's company marvel- 
 lously well. 
 
 Anne was acquainted with Mary's history, 
 while Mary was entirely ignorant of hers; and 
 it was amusing to hear these two queens con- 
 versing about matters and affairs of state, as 
 though they were still in the body. They were, 
 however, soon weaaed from their attachmeut to 
 
27 
 
 subjects of worldly excitement, and directed 
 their attention to a consideration of the neces- 
 sity of adopting measures to secure the salva- 
 tion of their souls. 
 
 Queen Elizabeth has been a *' believer" for 
 some time. We have little knowledge of the 
 circumstances attending the arrival of this queen 
 among the Shakers, save the knowledge of her 
 having arrived and received faith in the doctrines 
 of the Millennial Church. 
 
 King Charles II., and George I., came 
 about the same time with other English sove- 
 reigns, among whom were Edwy and Elgiva. 
 
 King Edwy and Queen Elgiva reigned in 
 England at an early period. They related an 
 interesting and melancholy story of their devoted 
 attachment to each other; and spoke of the per- 
 secution which they received from the monks, 
 which they had incurred from having married 
 contrary to their advice and desire. These two 
 lovers manifested great devotion to each other 
 upon this occasion, and conversed about the 
 mutual happiness they were in the enjoyment 
 of, before being separated by the cruel persecu- 
 tion of their enemies. 
 
 By their story, which was a melancholy one, 
 indeed, it seems that Elgiva was put to death in 
 
28 
 
 the raost cruel manner imaginable ; and that the 
 grief, occasioned by the loss of his beloved con- 
 sort, caused the death of Edvvy soon after. 
 
 General Brock, the British officer who fell 
 in the battle at Queenston Heights, during the 
 last war between the United States and Great 
 Britain, made himself known at the meetings, 
 and in his deportment presented quite a dig- 
 nified appearance. 
 
 The general made some statements in regard 
 to his conduct at the battle, which we are told 
 corresponds with what is related of him in the 
 historical account of the affair. 
 
 He acted under the impression that he was 
 still habited in the regimental dress which cover- 
 ed him when he fell upon the field of glory, 
 pierced with musket balls. 
 
 On the occasion of his first visit he seemed 
 desirous of attracting the particular notice of 
 those who were in the body, and seemed much 
 chagrined when he observed that other spirits 
 present, at the time, received the same degree 
 of attention as that which was bestowed upon 
 him. 
 
 General Lafayette has united himself with 
 the church, and occasionally makes a visit to 
 his associates in the body. Washington and 
 
29 
 
 Lafayette are inseparable friends in the world of 
 spirits. 
 
 Marshal Ney, General Bertrand, and 
 other of Napoleon's officers, presented them- 
 selves and conversed gaily and enthusiastically 
 about the engagements in which they Were con- 
 spicuous actors. 
 
 Nero, the Roman emperor, whose cruelties 
 have stamped him as a tyrant of the worst de- 
 scription, entered into the body of one of the 
 brethren, and discoursed at length in relation to 
 his past conduct. It was evident that he had 
 become duly convinced of the atrocity and enor- 
 mity of his crimes, and was repentant. From 
 his appearance, we judged that he was afflicted 
 with intense mental suffering, indicating that the 
 fires of hell were raging in his bosom. 
 
 Osceola, the celebrated chief of the Seminole 
 tribe of Indians, manifested a very friendly dis- 
 position toward the '* shiny white folks," as he 
 termed those who were in the body, and who 
 conversed with him. This warrior was accom- 
 panied by several other Indians of his tribe, all 
 of whom paid much attention to the remarks of 
 their advisers. 
 
 Alexander Pope, the poet, we have under- 
 stood, has come and associated with the society. 
 
30 
 
 Queen Charlotte, of Africaj made her ap= 
 pearance in quite a dignified and haughty style. 
 She affirmed that she reigned in Africa, many 
 centuries ago, and that the state of the country, 
 while under her imperial sway, was highly pros- 
 perous. 
 
 We have understood that Saint John of Pat- 
 mos, King David, and some of the Apostles, 
 have likewise returned from the world of spirits, 
 and have made themselves known through the 
 instrumentality of the brethren of the Millenial 
 Church. 
 
 RETURN OF THE PASSENGERS OF 
 THE PRESIDENT. 
 
 Early in March, 1843, the passengers of the 
 lost steamship President, whose fate has been, 
 hitherto, unknown, arrived at Watervliet, an- 
 nounced their names, and related the circum- 
 stances connected with the loss of the vessel and 
 crew. 
 
 Captain Roberts, Mr. Tyrone Power, the 
 Rev. George Cookman, and the Messrs. Lans- 
 DOWNE, with others of that ill-fated ship, suc- 
 ceeded in "getting in," and communicated the 
 dreadful tidings in relation to the destrudtion of 
 
31 
 
 the vessel, and the loss of all who were on 
 board. 
 
 We can readily imagine the surprise that the 
 announcement of any information calculated to 
 throw light upon the subject of the loss of the 
 President, will awaken, and shall therefore pro- 
 ceed to give the description of the affair, as 
 related by Mr, Power, one of the passengers: 
 
 " My name is Tyrone Power. My profession, 
 while on earth, was that of a comedian. I am 
 a native of Ireland, and was, at the time of this 
 disaster, on my return to my native country from 
 the United States, having been eminently suc- 
 cessful with my business. I had with me a large 
 sum of money, the fruits of my labour, and was 
 fondly anticipating the joy I should experience 
 in rejoining my family. But my fond expecta- 
 tions were not to be realised, and I was doomed 
 to a watery grave. After being out a few days, 
 a tremendous hurricane arose, and the agitation 
 of the sea threatened annihilation and destruction 
 hourly. It was, I believe, just after we had 
 passed out of sight of the George's Bank, that 
 we were driven, with tremendous force, against i 
 an iceberg, and the vessel immediately went to 
 pieces. 
 3 
 
32 
 
 **lt was in the night, and awful was the scene 
 that ensued. Brief it was, yet, nevertheless, 
 terrible beyond any thing I had ever conceived 
 of; so that I feel a sensation of horror while 
 dwelling upon the scene of that awful night. I 
 believe I was one of the last that went down; 
 having seized part of the vessel, to which I clung 
 as long as possible, not with the expectation of 
 being preserved from death — no ! the last ray of 
 hope had departed the very instant the vessel 
 struck, and we were scalded by the hot steam — 
 but I desired to prolong my life a few moments, 
 to afford me time sufficient to enable me to com- 
 mend my soul to that God toward whom I then 
 became sensible I had been too much a stranger. 
 After performing this duty, I felt an inward plea- 
 sure which assured me that His mercy had not 
 been invoked in vain; and I mentally expressed 
 my regret at not having employed my time and 
 talents more profitable to myself and acceptable 
 to him. While the air was rent with the cries 
 and lamentations of my fellow-passengers, I dis- 
 tinguished the voice of my dear friend Cookman, 
 (a clergyman, who is here to speak for himself,) 
 j^engaged in an earnest and eloquent appeal to 
 God ; invoking his mercy upon all. In a few 
 moments I sank beneath the waters, which closed 
 
as 
 
 over me; and that is about all the information I 
 can impart in relation to the dreadful occur- 
 rence." 
 
 Mr. Power made inquiries concerning his wife 
 and family, and was told by the elders that they 
 could give him no intelligence respecting them, 
 for they had never heard of him before. 
 
 They endeavoured to console him, by saying 
 that his family were doubtless provided for, and 
 exhorted him to turn his attention to the object 
 for which he was brought hither. He, together 
 with Mr. Cookman, who, by his own account, 
 was a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church, paid particular attention to the remarks 
 of the elders, and were apparently pleased with 
 the prospect of soon finding the place of eternal 
 rest and happiness. 
 
 Mr. Cookman rejoiced that he had found the 
 True Church of Christ. He had laboured under 
 the impression that the church to which he had 
 been attached was the right one, but now that it 
 was made manifest to him that he had, while 
 upon earth, mistaken the road, he would endea- 
 vour to rectify the error, by doing all the good in 
 his power to other wandering souls whom he 
 should meet while traversing the world of spirits. 
 
34 
 
 He was informed that John Wesley had long 
 since become a *' Believer," which intelligence 
 he received with exceeding great joy; express- 
 ing a desire to see and converse with that great 
 and good man. He was rejoiced to hear that 
 there was every prospect of his soon being in 
 the enjoyment of that privilege. 
 
 These spirits were then directed to spiritual 
 elders, by whom they would be assisted in their 
 onward progress for the attainment of the king- 
 dom of God. 
 
 PASSENGERS OF THE WILLIAM 
 BROWN. 
 
 Shortly after the arrival of the passengers of 
 the President, some of those of the William 
 Brown, packet ship, of Philadelphia, made their 
 appearance. They were principally natives of 
 Ireland. They described their sufferings in de- 
 tail, but as the circumstances must be well 
 known to our readers, we shall refrain from a 
 repetition of the sufferings of the passengers. 
 
PART II. 
 
 INDISCRIMINATE CHARACTERS 
 
 OF 
 
 DIFFERENT NATIONS. 
 
 INDIAN TRIBES, 
 
 We believe that the North American Indians, 
 of various tribes, was the first nation that came 
 in a body to New Lebanon and Watervliet. The 
 Indians were first conducted by George Wash- 
 ington; but since the arrival of William Penn, 
 and his connection with the church, Washington 
 has conferred upon him the duty of ministering 
 to their wants and necessities. 
 
 Among the various tribes, were the Mohicans, 
 the Mohawks, Delawares, Pawnees, Shawnese, 
 Seminoles, Cherokees, Chickasaws, Choctaws, 
 Cohocsinks, and many others, whose names we 
 cannot call to mind at the present time. The 
 Indians and squaws were said to be about the 
 premises in great numbers. They seiaom came 
 into meeting, except when they were called. 
 
 3* 
 
36 
 
 The manner of calling them into the mee ings, 
 during worship, was by singing in imitation of 
 the sounding of a trumpet; when the spirits of 
 the "natives" would spring into, and take pos- 
 session of, the bodies of the brethren and sisters. 
 They all seemed to recognise each other. The 
 Chief, Chiefess, the Prophet, and the Warrior, 
 most generally came together. The joy at meet- 
 ing together seemed to be very animating; and 
 so great was the noise which, they made by 
 dancing around, singing, and sounding their war- 
 whoop, that it was almost deafening. They 
 were very fond of dancing, and occupied nearly 
 the whole time, while in the meeting-room, in 
 the indulgence of that recreative amusement. 
 They would frequently gratify the company by 
 singing some of their native songs and ditties. 
 
 There was an old squaw there, known by 
 the name of So-le-an-ti, who was quite a fa- 
 vourite with her native friends. She would 
 make frequent visits, and act as an instruc- 
 tor to the tribes, initiating them in the art of 
 dancing according to the manner of " Believers." 
 
 The Indians showed, by their conversation, a 
 great fondness for George Washington, or 
 "Shiny George," as they called him, and 
 ''Father William Penn." 
 
37 
 
 An old Indian (we say old, because he said 
 he was an aged man when he died) alleged that 
 he came from beyond the Rocky Mountains, and 
 stated that where he lived there existed a race of 
 very large animals; and, from the description 
 which he gave, we were led to the conclusion 
 that he had reference to that species called the 
 Mastodon, or Mammoth, the bones of which 
 animal have been found in different parts of the 
 United States. This Indian could not give us 
 information in regard to the amount of time which 
 had elapsed since his departure from this terres- 
 trial world into the world of spirits. He seemed 
 to think, however, that a considerable length of 
 time must have elapsed, from the fact of his hav- 
 ing but little recollection of the events of his life. 
 
 ESQUIMAUX. 
 
 The Esquimaux Indians presented a singular 
 and ludicrous appearance by moving about the 
 floor, while in a kind of sitting posture, and per- 
 forming the actions requisite for the driving of 
 dogs in sledges, which is a common occupation 
 with the Esquimaux. They would move about 
 the floor, give a whistle, and accompany it with a 
 motion of the hand, as though they were flour- 
 ishing a whip. 
 
m 
 
 Their manner of conversing was by a kind of 
 gurgling sound made in the throat, and as unlike 
 any known language as it possibly could be. 
 
 MEXICANS. 
 
 A tribe of the Mexican Indians, who lived 
 before the invasion of the Spaniards, came also. 
 
 PERUVIANS. 
 
 Indians, from Peru, and a tribe called the Ari- 
 canians, natives of Chili, have likewise attended 
 the meetings. They came on several occasions, 
 and spoke of the battles which they had fought 
 with the white men who came over the water. 
 
 PATAGONIANS. 
 
 The Patagonians came about the same time 
 with the other tribes of the Indians of South 
 America. 
 
 LAPLANDERS, &c. 
 
 The Laplanders and Greenlanders exercised 
 themselves with, apparently, skating about the 
 floor. The scene was extremely ludicrous and 
 amusing. There were about thirty, of both 
 sexes,- — the greater number being females, — 
 moving about the room with the same degree of 
 
S9 
 
 rapidity, and in the same manner, as though they 
 were actually skating on the ice of their own 
 dreary countries. 
 
 SIBERIANS. 
 
 The Siberians came in large numbers. They 
 appeared to have a melancholy sort of air about 
 them; walking about with their arms folded 
 across their breasts, and conversing together in a 
 doleful manner. 
 
 ARABS. 
 
 The Arabs visited us very frequently, and the 
 scenes enacted by them were particularly amu- 
 sing. Sometimes they would indulge their felo- 
 nious disposition to a great extent, seizing every 
 article which came within their reach, and endea- 
 vour to secrete it. 
 
 Some of the Arabs would imagine that they 
 had their caravans with them ; and it was a diffi- 
 cult task to convince them that they had left the 
 body, and were in a spiritual state. 
 
 They spoke in terms of adoration of the great 
 Mahomet, and some of them gave a descrip- 
 tion of his tomb at Medina. 
 
 There were various tribes of the Arabs in the 
 liabit of visiting; some of them being more civi- 
 
/ 40 
 
 lised than others. Some had seen and wor- 
 shipped the living Mahomet, while there were 
 others who had never heard of him ; the latter, 
 as a matter of course, having lived prior to the 
 birth of the celebrated impostor. 
 
 ABYSSINIANS. 
 
 The Abyssinians introduced themselves in a 
 boisterous manner, jumping about and exercising 
 their lungs to such an extent that they seemed 
 almost frantic. Dancing they enjoyed very 
 much. They exhibited a great depravity of 
 manners, and, for a time, would not listen to 
 counsel nor advice of any kind, 
 
 HOTTENTOTS. 
 
 The Hottentots exhibited all the ignorance and 
 disgusting habits characteristic of them, and were 
 slow to receive instruction. 
 
 WALES. 
 
 Only three individuals came from Wales. 
 They were members of one family. They 
 seemed pleased when they recognised one 
 another, for they had been separated a long 
 time. The family consisted of the father, 
 mother, and one daughter. 
 
4i 
 
 SCOTLAND. 
 
 A family from Scotland came ; but from what 
 part of the country we did not ascertain. They 
 said there were a great many of their nation 
 preparing to come, among them several of the 
 kings, chiefs, and nobles of Scotland. It was 
 said that King Macbeth was there, endeavouring 
 to "get in," but he did not succeed, 
 
 Ireland: 
 
 But the nation which has eclipsed all others, 
 as far as regards numbers, and the frequency of 
 visits, is the Irish nation. They have repeatedly 
 appeared at the meetings, and not unfrequently 
 remained in the bodies they inhabited pro tem- 
 pore^ for a period of two or three days. 
 
 We have already given some account of the 
 visitation of Irish priests and bishops. 
 
 There were several Irish families that made 
 themselves known, and recounted their histories. 
 Several who had been drowned and killed in 
 different ways, told interesting stories about 
 themselves. Some of them spoke their native 
 Gaelic, and others discoursed in the real Irish 
 brogue. 
 
42 
 
 FRANCE. 
 
 Besides Lafayette, Napoleon, and others which 
 we have mentioned, there arrived numerous 
 ladies and gentlemen of France. A French 
 gentleman, of the name of Monsieur Guishong, 
 came in, strutted about with an air of importance, 
 and flourished his snufF box, of the contents of 
 which his lady, who was present, partook ; and 
 they seemed a happy couple, indeed. ■■ 
 
 One of the queens of England, being present 
 on the occasion, was bewailing her wretched 
 condition. She excited the sympathetic feelings 
 of the French lady so powerfully, that, " sans 
 ceremonie,^^ she walked up to her husband, in- 
 serted her hand into his pocket, drew forth his 
 purse, and tendered a portion of the contents to 
 the poor, disconsolate queen. The proffered 
 present was, however, refused by that illustrious 
 personage, who averred that money could avail 
 nothing toward relieving her mind of the bur- 
 den which weighed upon it. 
 
 SPAIN. 
 
 It is our conviction that there has been but a 
 very few of this nation called among the Shakers 
 as yet. We recollect, however, one female 
 
43 
 
 spirit, who came, stating that she had received 
 information from her spiritual associates that 
 some of the popes were in hell. 
 
 GRECIANS. 
 
 A party of Grecians, among them being the 
 Emperor, arrived, and, by their manners, gave 
 assurance that in civilisation and refinement they 
 could not be excelled. They lived during the 
 most flourishing period of that nation's existence, 
 when the arts and sciences were at the highest 
 state of improvement. 
 
 It seemed to them that they had been in a 
 lethargic and unconscious state since the period 
 of their leaving the world ; until awakened by 
 the sound of a '* mighty trumpet," which at- 
 tracted them to Watervliet. They seemed de- 
 sirous of eliciting all the information they could 
 obtain in relation to their future conduct. 
 
 PERSIANS. 
 
 The Persians were similar to the Grecians in 
 refinement of manners, and, like them, eagerly 
 embraced the Gospel, as they said it seemed as 
 though something was lacking necessary to the 
 completion of their happiness. 
 4 
 
T4 
 
 TURKS- 
 
 Some of thepe people seemed very ferotiotss 
 and disagreeable in their actions. The femalesj 
 when they appeared, invariably covered their 
 faces with veils. 
 
 MOORS; 
 
 There came six Moorish spirits, who had been 
 drowned from a boat in which they were sailing. 
 But for the recollection of having drowned, they 
 believed they were still alive, until positively 
 assured of the contrary. 
 
 CHINESE. 
 
 The Emperor and Empress of China, with 
 several princes, mandarins, and officers of state, 
 were conducted to Zion, and there displayed 
 their characteristics. They conversed but little. 
 
 AFRICANS. 
 
 Numerous classes and grades of the African 
 race have, at various times, visited at Watervliet. 
 They exhibited all the qualities appertaining to 
 the natural character of the negro; dancing and 
 singing with wild delight, and imitating every 
 
45 
 
 movement which they observed among the 
 whites. 
 
 There were several who had been slaves in 
 the Southern States of North America. They 
 described their sufferinors in such a manner that 
 
 o 
 
 tears were actually drawn from their hearers* 
 From the tenor of their stories it would seem 
 that the most cruel manner of toiture which 
 could be devised, had been inflicted upon some 
 i of these slaves, as a punishment for the most 
 trivial offences. 
 
 LOO-CHOO ISLANDERS, 
 
 ' The Loo-Choo Islanders made a favourable 
 
 j impression by their quiet and solemn demeanour. 
 
 They appeared desirous of advancing in the 
 
 true faith; and apparently enjoyed much pleasure 
 
 by worshipping God in the dance. One of ihem 
 
 sang a very pretty song which was justly ad- 
 
 j mired by all who heard it. 
 
 JEWS. 
 
 j The ancient Jews, who crucified our Lord and 
 Saviour, Jesus Christ, came in great numbers; 
 , many of them succeeding in getting into the 
 ^ bodies of the brethren. 
 I They stated that since leaving the body, about 
 
46 
 
 eighteen centuries ago, they had been wandering 
 about the earth, during which time they had re- 
 ceived the conviction that he whom they had 
 reviled and crucified, was, in verity, the Son of 
 God. 
 
 They asserted that the cause of their unbelief 
 was the fact of Jesus being of obscure birth ; 
 while, in the person of the Messiah, they ex- 
 pected a descendant from the line of kings. 
 
 They gave a very interesting account of the 
 manner of the Crucifixion, and of the disappear- 
 ance of the body on the " third day." This 
 corresponded with the Scriptural account of the 
 Crucifixion and the Ascension. 
 
 The Jews conducted themselves with great 
 propriety upon this occasion, and all of them, 
 together with the High Priest, evinced considera- 
 ble interest in relation to the progress of Christi- 
 anity in this day. 
 
 Joseph of Arimathea, who received from the 
 governor the body of Jesus, and laid it in the 
 sepulchre, was said to be present on this occa- 
 sion. He did not succeed, however, in "getting 
 in," and making himself known, as some of the 
 others did. 
 
 These sons and daughters of the tribe of Judah 
 expressed much concern respecting their descend- 
 
47 
 
 snts in the world ; upon which they were inform- 
 ed that the poor Jews were scattered far and 
 wide throughout the earth; and that a large ma- 
 jority of them remained in the same state of 
 imbelief in regard to the fulfilled prophecy re- 
 specting the first advent of the Messiah, not- 
 withstanding many had been converted to Chris* 
 tianity. They manifested a strong desire that 
 those who were now living in the world 
 should be convinced of their error, and receive 
 the true faith into their souls, whereupon they 
 were encouraged by the expressed hope and 
 opinion of the elders, that the Almighty Father 
 would infuse his holy spirit into their souls, so 
 that, in due time, they would be called into the 
 path which leads to everlasting glory. 
 
 i* 
 
48 
 
 NOTE: 
 
 HAVING REFERENCE TO MILLERISM. 
 
 On one occasion, during divine service at Water- 
 vliet, the word of the Lord came unto one of the 
 females, urging upon the inhabitants of Zion to 
 refrain from questioning the correctness of, or 
 exercising judgment in relation to the work 
 which had been given to the world in the name 
 of Miller, such being the work of God, intro- 
 duced for the purpose of carrying out his all- 
 wise and mysterious plans. 
 
 This, our readers will readily observe, has 
 reference to the remarkable revival and religious 
 excitement which has followed Mr. Miller's in- 
 terpretation and understanding of the Scriptures 
 in relation to the termination of the world, and 
 the establishment of Christ's kingdom upon 
 earth. 
 
CONCLUSION. 
 
 Having thus endeavoured to give a brief 
 account of this marvellous work of the latter 
 day, we shall proceed to sum up the whole 
 matter. 
 
 We have adverted to the return of a large 
 number of spirits, that have existed at different 
 periods since the creation of the world ; yet it 
 is evident, to every reader, that there are still 
 numbers to return, ere the work can be said to 
 approximate toward its completion. As it is our 
 impression that the work is still in course of 
 progression among the Shakers, or *' Society of 
 Believers," the probability is, that a vast multi- 
 tude of spirits have arrived since the author left 
 the Society. Respecting this, however, he is in 
 
6(S 
 
 210 possession of no intelligence to communicate 
 to hi? readers. 
 
 As ihis is the first intimation of this subject 
 which has been made to the world, various 
 ©pinions, in regard to the matter, will doubtless 
 be entertained. Those who are acquainted with 
 the character of the Shakers, knowing them to 
 be, in every respect, an exemplary and truly 
 religious people, will, we think, be inclined to 
 entertain a doubting spirit in regard to the truth 
 of our statement. For we feel sensible, that 
 they can scarcely persuade themselves to believe 
 that such a people, who profess to act in accord- 
 ance with the divine precepts of the *'meek and 
 lowly Saviour," and hold him up as a bright 
 example for all to follow, could be guilty of an 
 assumption of power such as the Almighty^ 
 alone, can confer upon mortal man. 
 
 If confirmation of the facts herein recited may 
 be required, it is only necessary for us to refer 
 the inquirer to the members of the "United 
 Society," either at Watervliet or New Lebanon j 
 none of whom will feel a disposition to deny the 
 
51 
 
 truth of our statement, disinclined as they may 
 be to the inhabitants of a lost world receiving a 
 knowledge of that which they are incapable of 
 understanding. The object which has caused 
 the matter to be held in privacy, and confined to 
 the society alone, is, that it was deemed inex- 
 pedient to apprise '*the world " of these things, 
 for the alleged reason that the people, not under- 
 standing spiritual matters, would hesitate to 
 believe, and it would be, therefore, *' throwing 
 pearls to swine;" for *'the natural man receiv- 
 eth not the things of the spirit, for they are 
 darkness to him." 
 
 We have avoided entering into a minute detail 
 of the actions and conversations of the indis- 
 criminate spirits of the several nations, as such 
 a course would, doubtless, prove uninteresting 
 to the reader. We believe that we proceeded 
 far enough with our description to show, that, if 
 the work is not a reality, it is a most faithful 
 representation of character, and such as would 
 do honour to eminent stage performers. 
 
6Z 
 
 We desire to state, in conclusion, that, should 
 an interest be manifested in relation to this pub- 
 lication sufficient to warrant the issue of a 
 second edition, any additional facts which may 
 come within the scope of our knowledge, shall 
 be added to the work, and such errors as may be 
 delected in this, will be corrected in the next 
 edition ; our object being to give as full and 
 accurate a description of the subject as possible. 
 
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