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HPB-SB-3-146: Difference between revisions
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{{HPB-SB-header | {{HPB-SB-header | ||
| volume = 3 | | volume = 3 | ||
| page =146 | | page = 146 | ||
| image = SB-03-146.jpg | | image = SB-03-146.jpg | ||
| notes = | | notes = | ||
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{{Style P-HPB SB. Title continued |Disorganization Among American Spiritualists|3-145}} | {{Style P-HPB SB. Title continued |Disorganization Among American Spiritualists|3-145}} | ||
... | The Prince and company were utterly horrified, and, losing all self-possession, called on Heaven for help, and besought Schrepfer to dismiss the apparition; but this be was unable or pretended to be unable to do, and those present declared that nearly ''an hour ''elapsed before it could be compelled to retreat And when at length it had gone, and the company were recovering, the door burst open again, and the same hideous form again presented itself! The boldest were not proof again it this, and a scene of utter horror sad dismay trotted, till Schrepfer at length contrived finally to dismiss me apparition. | ||
Of the nineteen persons who witnessed this fearful sight, three afterwards published some account, though none liked to make it a subject of conversation, and the horror impressed upon them was never forgotten throughout life. The story was once well known throughout Europe. Byron alludes to it at the end of the last canto of ''Don Juan. ''Schrepfer afterwards became a celebrated medium, and was surrounded by crowds of followers and inquirers, and rumors survive of astounding manifestations made through him. The present writer once, in Egypt, met a Russian, who since has “passed the river," who related some details respecting him not then appreciated, and now indistinctly remembered. What is recollected would seem to argue him endowed with prodigious materializing force. | |||
Schrepfer lived a strange life, and a strange death he died. He had promised three gentlemen, whom he had in some method initated. to show them something more wonderful than ail before; and in the summer, before sunrise, between three and four o’clock, he took them to the wood of Rosendaal, a little beyond the gates of Leipsic. Here he desired them to remain awhile, and went apart amongst the trees. Presently they heard the report of a pistol, and, going up, found he had shot himself. He was senseless, and soon died. Those who knew him best declared that he was so perpetually beset and tormented by spirits, and his life made so miserable, as to drive him to have resource to a pistol. He does not appear to have been distinguished for any other qualities, and, as in many other instances when it is asked why the spiritual world favors persons otherwise not at all noteworthy, and why powers so extraordinary are conferred apparently with so little discrimination, one can only say, as Charles Lamb said of Spencer’s ''Faery Land, ''“We do not know the laws of that country.” | |||