“A Prophecy and its Fulfillment.

On my recruiting tour to my friends in New York State, about two years and a-half before my incarceration, I then and there saw for the first time in my life a manifestation of modern Spiritualism.

One evening, at the house of my cousin, Dr. Fordice Rice, of Gazenovia, N. Y., while sitting withhis family around the table, sewing and listening to his reading, one of our party, a very intelligent minister’s wife, interrupted us by suddenly dropping her needle, and with a very perceptible shiver of her whole frame, exclaiming:

”There is a spirit .here wishing to communicate some message!’

This announcement not only astonished, but frightened me to such a degree as led me to exclaim with a trembling voice and deep emotion:

‘What does this mean?’

My cousin, Mrs. Laura P. Rice, replied:

‘There is nothing to fear, cousin Elizabeth, this is nothing new to us. I will get aunt Sophronia a pencil and paper and she will write out the message sent to us.’

While getting the stationery, the table around which we were sitting, commenced tipping towards me, and in the gentlest manner actually tipped so far as to rest lightly upon my lap. At this point my fears so triumphed, I burst into tears. The table quietly assumed its former position, when the medium wrote the following sentence:

‘Don’t be frightened! My Daughter! We are your friends, come to communicate with you, and help you.’

Said I, ‘ Please carry out your programme. I have no desire or wish to interrupt you.’

A silence ensued, while the medium proceeded to write, as follows:

‘My Daughter, you did right to come this journey. You needed the rest of body and refreshment of spirit it is to impart. I accompanied you here—was with you on your journey. And I approve of your seeking council of Hon. Gerrit Smith, as is your intention to do next Saturday. Your purpose and spirit will be strengthened by communion with his capacious soul. And, my Daughter, you need all these helps to fit and prepare you for the great work God in his providence has assigned you.

You are living in a very dark, benighted community. You are to become a light to this community and a blessing to many others.

But my child, prepare for Persecution! Persecution! Persecution!!

For it must come. No power can prevent it. But, fear not! We stand by you. You will be sustained by these unseen powers, who are using you as their chosen instrument for great good to humanity. Be careful to “try the spirits” —’ Prove all things—hold fast that which is good.’

Lucy Strong Parsons Ware.’

Not a person in the room knew my mother’s name, except myself, and although I recollected always seeing her signature, ” Lucy S. Ware,” I could not have told what the ” S” meant. Parsons was her family name before marriage. …”

Reference Data:

Modern Persecution or Married Woman's Liabilities, by Elizabeth Parsons Ware Packard, 1873, pages 151-2