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 '*• BIOGRAPHY 
 
 MRS. SEMANTHA METTLE R, 
 
 THE CLAIRVOYANT; 
 
 BEING A 
 
 CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT OF THE WONDERFUL CURES PERFORMED 
 THROUGH HER AGENCY. 
 
 BY FRANCES H. GREEN. fT| 6 0)«uea\\ 
 
 "Goodness is only greatness; in itself 
 
 It rests not on externals, nor its worth 
 Derives from gorgeous pomp, or glittering pelf, 
 
 Or chance of arms, or accident of birth ; 
 It lays its deep foundations in the soul, 
 
 And piles a tower of virtues to the skies, 
 Around whose pinnacle, majestic, roll 
 
 The clouds of glory, starred with angel-eyes." 
 
 fttogwfc: 
 
 PUBLISHED BY THE HARMONIAL ASSOCIATION, 
 
 100 NASSAU-STREET. 
 
 1853 
 

 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the yea 
 
 By FRANCES H. GREEN, 
 
 In the Gerk's office of the District Court of the United States, tor the Southern Dis 
 trict of New- York. 
 
-THJS VOLUME 
 
 IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED 
 
 &o tfje WiztustXi anti buffering; 
 
 MAY IT GO FORTH 
 
 %& a Jeraftr jjf §1$ ®&rojjs, 
 
 TO PROCIAIM 
 
 That Angels stir the Waters 
 IN WHICH 
 
 Jije §icl{ aire Jfe^led. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 It is a general custom with writers, in the foreshadowing of this 
 primal chapter, to set forth a variety of reasons, whether good or 
 otherwise, why the book should have been written ; but, in the 
 present instance, if these are not to be found in the book itself, they 
 would scarcely be recognized here. The simple truth is, that the 
 facts herein recorded, from the illustration which they furnish of 
 psychological phenomena, and the relation which they bear to the 
 most important developments of the present age, are, in fact, the 
 property of the world, and should be disposed of accordingly. 
 
 If the events here narrated are not of a brilliant order in a merely 
 exterior point of view, they yet exhibit in a moral sense some of the 
 most beautiful principles which could be embodied in any human life. 
 The truly great things of the spirit come not in the gorgeous splen- 
 dor of worldly pomp, to be unfolded in the broad glare of noonday ; 
 but softly and silently as the evening dew their ministry is imparted, 
 and we see it only in its energizing results. 
 
 This Biography belongs not more to the Individual than to the 
 proper history of the age. When, as is sometimes the case, the inte- 
 rior powers and tendencies of Humanity are brought forth, and as it 
 were expressed in one personality, it seems proper that the life of the 
 one should be held up as an index and example for the many. With 
 regard to the peculiar psychological powers of Mrs. Mettler, it is not 
 encessary to speak in this connection, since these are sufficiently dis- 
 
YL ; ACE. 
 
 closed in the work itself; but from an intimate personal acquaint- 
 ance with this lady, I ean confidently refer to them as a beautiful 
 manifestation of the divine and immortal energies which have long 
 slumbered in the human soul, but which are destined at last to be- 
 come universally unfolded. The work therefore is presented to the 
 public not merely as a private history of an individual, but rather as 
 B record of spiritual development, and as an index pointing to the 
 pathway of progress in which the race is now rapidly advancing. 
 That it may fulfill the purpose for which it is sent forth and do good 
 to the world by elevating its conceptions of the true life, is the ear- 
 nest desire of The Author. 
 New-York, May 30, 1853. 
 
BIOGRAPHY 
 
 OF 
 
 MRS, SEMANTHA METTLER, 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 THE BIRTH AND NAME. 
 
 There are some lives which, from the beginning, present so 
 strong a determination to certain results, that their develop- 
 ment seems to be obviously governed by the fixed laws of Des- 
 tiny ; while others exhibit only occasional glimpses of the 
 interior processes, which are forever working out the great 
 Life-problem — silently and secretly, it may be, but none the 
 less truly and powerfully. • The first may be followed through- 
 out their whole progress by every eye ; but the latter can only 
 be traced by the clear-seeing, and deep-seeing, spiritual vision, 
 which can penetrate surfaces, and enter, and pervade, and 
 interpret, the hidden and mysterious soul of things. To the 
 latter class preeminently belongs the subject of this Narrative. 
 The beautiful Life-Gem lay so deep in its little casket, that no 
 common eye could discover its interior beams ; and the spirit- 
 wings were furled so closely in the young form, that no human 
 
8 BIOGRAPHY OF MRS. KETTLER. 
 
 breath might ever stir their ethereal plumage — until the time 
 hud come ; and then the whole character became opallescent 
 with the long-hidden rays ; and the waking wings, having grown 
 large and strung in the severe discipline which had slowly [in- 
 folded them, suddenly burst forth, with a power and splendor 
 which have been but seldom witnessed in this, the first stage 
 oi' Human Progress. 
 
 Skmantha Beers was born at Black Rock, in the County 
 of Fairfield, and State of Connecticut, May 20, 1818. Her 
 native place, which to this day maintains its mysterious attrac- 
 tion for her sensitive spirit, is a beautiful little village border- 
 ing on Long Island Sound, and about two miles from the City 
 of Bridgeport. 
 
 Mrs. Mettler's father, Samuel Beers, was noted for his great 
 benevolence and kindness of heart ; and in all the relations of 
 life — his public business capacity, and his domestic and social 
 connections — he well sustained this character. Her mother, 
 whose maiden name was Hannah Judd, was an impersonation 
 of Charity — a universal friend of the poor and suffering ; and 
 of these excellent parents, Mrs. Mettler was the seventh child. 
 
 She w r as so very lovely and beautiful a babe, that her mother 
 felt a high degree of anxiety in regard to her name. But after 
 a long search, and much thought on the subject, she could find 
 nothing that seemed worthy of the fair little doveling, who, 
 from the very first, had seemed to nestle in her bosom with 
 such unusual presentiment of a peculiar sanctity. While exer- 
 cised in this w r ay, Mrs. Beers one night dreamed that several 
 persons surrounded her, one of whom relieved her of the pecul- 
 iar cause of her anxiety, by saying in a sweet and solemn voice, 
 
EARLY HABITS. 9 
 
 which accorded well with the serene majesty of the figure : 
 " Call thy babe Semantha 1 " 
 
 Mrs. Beers, on waking, woke her husband also, and informed 
 him of the dream, saying at the same time : " It is the most 
 beautiful name I have ever heard ; and I will accept it for my 
 child." 
 
 Now, when the subsequent life is taken in connection with 
 the subject of the vision, and the meaning of the name itself, 
 we can not doubt that it was given by the Guardian Spirits of 
 the child, as a prophetic earnest of her beautiful Future. The 
 name Semantha, in its general sense, is said to signify, pure 
 Benevolence; and how truly this idea has been unfolded, 
 it is my present purpose to show. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 EARLY HABITS. 
 
 The little Semantha grew in the interest of her strange and 
 almost unearthly beauty, until the close of her first year, when 
 her parents removed to Fairfield, a neighboring village, yet 
 belonging to the same township. Here soon began to develop 
 a thoughtful turn of mind, and a disposition to solitude. Her 
 father, during a period of twelve years, kept the Jail of Fair- 
 field County. This building is situated in the midst of a beau- 
 tiful green lawn sloping toward the South ; and when but an 
 infant of five or six years, she would steal away into some 
 shadowy noook, and throwing herself down among the fresh 
 
10 BIOGRAPHY OF MRS. KETTLER. 
 
 gr&88, look up into the sky, or Off over the Sound, for hours 
 together, gazing, and listening, and wondering, until a g 
 sense of awe overwhelmed her with the fastness which 
 
 could neither find a line to measure, nor a thought to reach. 
 And in this way was first called forth that sentiment of Ven- 
 eration, which afterward made her religions affections so strong 
 and active. 
 
 At the end of the green stood the school-house ; but this 
 was by no means an agreeable feature, in the mind of the young 
 Seeress. She early exhibited a most confirmed dislike to the 
 restraint, both of school and study. No kind of reading pleased 
 her except History, or Narratives of fact : and even the best 
 of these would be thrown aside for a ramble in some.shadowy 
 dell, where, the great influences that were silently operating on 
 her character, might come freely, and the process of her spirit- 
 ual development be undisturbed. 
 
 We next see her, a child of nine or ten, couched among the 
 sunny grass, almost hushing her small breath to look and listen ; 
 for there were forms in the light, and voices in the wind, that 
 were forever attracting her away — away — away ! — out in the 
 distance — beyond the reach of human eye, or voice. 
 
 Following this impulse, the moment she was freed from 
 school — if indeed she did not free herself by desertion — she 
 would wander off alone for the indulgence of this predetermined 
 love, of what on the surface appears like solitude, but which 
 must have been really a spiritual companionship, whether its 
 affinities were called forth by the Essence pervading Xature, 
 or concentrated in the presence of unseen angels. Her favor- 
 ite haunt was the beach, w T hich in that region is of beautiful 
 
EARLY HABITS. 11 
 
 white sand, with one of the loveliest sea views in the world. 
 After getting tired of gathering shells and ocean-flowers, she 
 would sit down on the shelving slope, and look over the great 
 profound, and listen to the booming tide, until her young spirit 
 grew into the freedom and the strength, the grandeur and sub- 
 limity, of the scenes she witnessed. 
 
 Sometimes, with a sudden impulse, she would rise, and ex- 
 tend her steps still further, by the two old mills, and over the 
 two old bridges, that lay between Fairfield and Black Rock. 
 Ascending the ruins of an old Fort, she would survey the scene 
 of her birth with the most intense delight. " And sometimes, 
 unable to resist the attraction, she would hastily throw on her 
 little sun-bonnet, which had been flung aside for the better 
 view, run down the walls of the Fort ; and bounding away 
 over the beautiful shore, make a flying visit to the dear old 
 place. 
 
 In other moods she would retire to the seclusion of an ancient 
 cedar grove that lay back of the village, and throwing herself 
 into the deepest shadow, lie there, until her whole being was 
 penetrated, and pervaded, by the somber majesty that filled 
 her with a vague sense of grandeur and of awe. 
 
 And thus, through all these ministries of Nature, her Spirit- 
 guardians were ever holding converse with the young Soul, 
 that yielded itself to the attraction, without ever dreaming of 
 the secret of its beautiful love. And thus were inlaid, in the 
 very basis of her character, not only her wonderful intuitions, 
 but the strength, and power of endurance, which would be 
 required to develop and sustain them. 
 
 Then again there were periods, when the exuberant gaiety 
 
12 BIOGRAPHY OF Mlis. METTLBR. 
 
 and happiness in the life of the child, broke forth in very differ- 
 ent directions, indeed, the predisposition to silence, solitude. 
 
 and melancholic impressions, were but the reaction of an e.\< 
 
 ive vitality under peculiar Circumstances ; and hence what may 
 properly be termed the normal condition of the vital system, 
 would often assert its preeminence, and reassume its preroga- 
 tive. On these occasions, there was nothing that seemed to 
 appease the almost too ardent flow of life, like exercises on 
 horseback. She would make a picture of some quaint old 
 costume of forty years ago, if we could see her, as she was 
 arrayed for these equestrian expeditions, in some antiquated 
 remains of her mother's wardrobe, the masquerading effect of 
 which delighted her extremely. Among these, her favorite 
 dress w T as a blue cloth pelisse, with the line of the waist hover- 
 ing lightly over the tips of the shoulder blades, the effect being 
 increased by a belt about an inch wide, and a kind of habit- 
 frill just behind. This garment which, on a rather delicate 
 child of eleven or twelve years, would lap from side to side, 
 and trail far on the ground, had all the dangerous encumbrance 
 of the limbs, and restraint of motion, if not the gracefulness 
 and picturesque beauty, of a modern riding-dress. But little 
 did Semantha care, when on pleasurable thoughts intent, she 
 thus arrayed herself, with some kind of a fancy article in the 
 way of head-dress, which hightened the effect, to surmount the 
 wdiole. When moved in this way she would take the horse 
 from the stable, saddle him herself, mount, and scour the coun- 
 try for miles around. 
 
 Then again, if her father drove up to the door in a sleigh, 
 or a wagon, she w r ould take possession of the vehicle,' gather 
 
EARLY HABITS. 13 
 
 together, at short notice, as many of her young companions as 
 possible, and drive off with all the pride and spirit of a young 
 Phaeton ; and almost strange it is, that she did not meet with 
 as disastrous an end, — only that she was reserved for quite 
 other purposes. 
 
 There is no doubt that these exercises were not only a result 
 of large vitality, but that they, in their turn, contributed to 
 nourish, and form a strong basis for the very large vital appa- 
 ratus, which Mrs. Mettler constitutionally possesses, and with- 
 out which, she could not, by any means, sustain the demands 
 which are continually made on the physical, as well as the spir- 
 itual powers. We can see by this one fact, which a superficial 
 observer might pass by as a point not worth regarding, while 
 others of higher notions might even think it mars the beauty 
 of the story to mention it, a direct training for certain and im- 
 portant ends. But we shall find that in any truly natural 
 development there is not a single phenomenon, however trifling 
 it may appear, but has its specific end and use ; and often, too, 
 what appears the most trifling, may, in reality, be the most 
 valuable and important. 
 
 But these principles, in their general sense, were a dead let- 
 ter to those who were most intimately associated with Seman- 
 tha ; and in their particular application, few would have been 
 so prophetic as to discover in these erratic habits of the way- 
 ward little being, any for esh ado wings of the remarkable char- 
 acter which a few years have already projected on her yet 
 young life. It is not strange, then, that she had obtained at 
 home, and among her acquaintances generally, the name of a 
 romping truant, who had the ill taste to prefer her own soci- 
 
14 BIOGRAPHY OF IfRS. MKITLER. 
 
 ety, or that of Nature, to the common-place chatter of her 
 young associates ; or, If she admitted any company, to select 
 the children of* the poor, or colored children — one of whom, a 
 
 little girl belonging to the latter class, was the only one who 
 was ever freely admitted to her sacred haunts. 
 
 They did not know that a BUpersensuous influence had first 
 set those little active feet in motion, and then staid them in 
 some spot, where, through the beauty or grandeur of its exter- 
 nal features, the speech of angels might best be enwrought 
 with the unfolding soul. They did not know that the very 
 choice of her associates, was inspired by that sweet charity, 
 which, in the due order of development, was to reabsorb her 
 activities, and send them forth in acts of love so wonderful, 
 they may well take the name of miracles. 
 
 CHAPTER- III. 
 
 RELIGIOUS IMPRESSIONS-. 
 
 The religious sentiment, which, in a mind thus constituted, 
 would have been so beautiful in its true and natural unfolding, 
 was partially warped by the old doctrines of Malevolence and 
 Selfishness, which have so long bound a halter round the neck 
 of Christendom, that the bondage has become habitual ; and 
 the chains are not only worn unconsciously, but they are often 
 sported as ornaments, and made the ministers of a poor and 
 miserable vanity. This mal-inspiration began early to make its 
 impressions on her peculiarly reverent and sensitive nature. 
 
RELIGIOUS IMPRESSIONS. 15 
 
 Yet the original stamina of her mind could not be entirely sub- 
 dued by these false, and utterly groundless, convictions ; for 
 there was at the basis of her character a pretty substantial 
 stratum of reasoning power. This, without being at all able 
 to express its thoughts intelligibly, demanded consistency — in 
 short, demanded that for every effect there should be an ade- 
 quate cause. Otherwise there would be a sense of fallacy, of 
 injustice, of wrong, in some form or other. 
 
 Such were the impressions which -she received from the then 
 popular doctrine of endless punishment. From her exceeding 
 large benevolent affections, the mind became early excited in 
 regard to this momentous subject. There was a disagreement 
 among the witnesses, which, with all the mental effort she 
 could bring to bear upon it, would not be reconciled. Poor, 
 simple child ! She did not know then, that even with all the 
 concentrated power of those who assume to be the world's 
 wisest and highest teachers, they can only reconcile these diffi- 
 culties by creating greater. And in her true and simple 
 thought, she went on wondering, how it could be that God had 
 made all inferior beings so happy in their several conditions, 
 and the exterior world so beautiful, while, at the same time, 
 Man, his highest and greatest work — unless he attained to cer- 
 tain conditions, which very few, or a very small portion of the 
 human family could reach — should be punished eternally for 
 sins which he had been led to commit, through the errors of 
 a man and woman, who lived and died more than five thousand 
 years ago ! And the question would continually recur : " Why 
 has God made the birds so happy, without care or trouble, and 
 me, a little child, that has a living soul, and knows more tha 1 
 
16 BIOGRAPHY of MRS. BOTTLER. 
 
 a thousand birds, with this terrible fear, like a hideous phan- 
 tom coming between me and the beautiful earth, stealing into 
 my dreams with its horrible grimaces, and easting its black 
 shadow athwart the cheering sunshine '.'" The mind was con- 
 tinually putting forth questions like these. .But no answer 
 came. 
 
 These impressions, at times, would entirely overpower the 
 keen joyousness of her nature ; and then would come periods 
 of intense mental suffering. O ! who knows — who understands 
 — that profouudest of all mysteries, the mind of such a child ; 
 for in its abnormal, or premature unfolding, it is like conscious- 
 ness aroused in the bosom of Chaos — a world of crude and 
 fragmentary hopes, feelings, thoughts, yearnings, and impres- 
 sions, which can only be evolved in their true proportions, by 
 much preternatural feeling, thought, and suffering. And often 
 all these processes are silently hidden away ; and the child 
 may be chidden, or even punished, for some negligence of ex- 
 ternal duty, which has grow r n out of these very struggles. Let 
 those wdio watch over the development of young Immortals be 
 very careful how they exercise their prerogative, lest by undue 
 severity they crush the folded wing of angels, even wmile it 
 is expanding in the tender mind. And especially is this to 
 be guarded against with the sensitive, and those who are retir- 
 ing in their habits. 
 
 One of the greatest misfortunes of childhood fell to the lot 
 of Semantha ; that of not being comprehended, or understood 
 — or rather of being msunderstood by those about her. Could 
 any person have entered into the confidence of that young 
 bosom, how much suffering might have been prevented ! But 
 
RELIGIOUS IMPRESSIONS. It 
 
 how much strength would also have remained undeveloped, we 
 are not permitted to know. The inner portals of her mind 
 inclosed a holy of holies, where only angels entered ; and in 
 looking back from this point, as over a long and painful 
 journey in the distance, we can not forbear exclaiming ; how 
 lovingly and wisely have they led the Spirit which they thus 
 early consecrated ! 
 
 jSemantha in these sorrowful moods had no recognized friend 
 b4 Nature ; and always, in their first appearance, she yearned 
 anjl, if possible, sought for solitude. Often as she sat on the 
 beach, or in the cedar grove, she yielded to the sad effects of 
 hei early indoctrination. And there, where the thought was 
 peculiarly at war with every thing around her — so serene and 
 peaceful — she felt a sense of utter depravity, which could no 
 more rightfully be associated with such a child, than with a 
 biri, or a star, or a flower. And as she looked around, in her 
 simplicity of thought, she would wonder again, how God could 
 ha^e made every thing else so beautiful, and herself alone, of 
 all she saw, so very wicked and miserable ! Yet while these 
 solitary scenes favored the growth of a morbid and unnatural 
 consciousness, they also, under all these coverts, unfolded a 
 deep and truthful religious character. 
 
 The mind of the child became very much affected by this 
 precocious development of the religious sensibilities ; and an 
 unnatural gloom hung out a heavy cloud between her and the 
 spiritual sun, which, could it have shone freely into the inno- 
 cent bosom, how serenely would the days and nights have been 
 i flowing onward, while the young heart kept time with its joy- 
 .ous and loving pulses. But hers was to be the true calm that 
 
18 BIOORAPHY of MRS. mk'iti.kk. 
 
 is brought out of the tempest — the positive harmony that is 
 extracted from discord — the absolute strength and power that 
 are won from straggle ; and therefore she must suffer. 
 
 Every strongly marked character must be unfolded by crises, 
 when there seems to be a concentration of energy to a given 
 point, producing results which, after thej are recognized, create 
 land-marks on the life-road, ever showing how the path of [he 
 Future was marked by their appearance. Yet these epochs 
 may come and go unconsciously for the present, to the subject 
 and all around him. Of this character was the incident lam 
 going to relate. 
 
 When about eleven years old Semantha was very much 
 interested in her Sabbath-school Teacher's account of the .Mil- 
 lennium. And, doubtless, much to the surprise, if not disnay 
 of the latter, the following question was propounded by our 
 young heroine. 
 
 • ■ You say that all the people who are converted wfll be 
 saved, and no others ; and all who are living at the time of the 
 Millennium will be converted, and be saved. If I am firing 
 when the Millennium comes, shall I be saved ?" 
 
 The Teacher could not answer. And thus the poor child 
 w r as cut off from the miserable possibility of salvation ! But 
 the etfect of that unanswered question never wore olf. An un- 
 conscious distrust of orthodoxy, so-called, was then awakened ; 
 and though it was partially paralyzed, it lay in the young mind 
 still latent ; nor could all the pressure of unnatural burdens — 
 the weight of Creed and Dogma — crush the life out of it. 
 
RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 1£ 
 
 CHAPTER IY. 
 
 RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. 
 
 About a year after the circumstances alluded to in the last 
 chapter, a protracted meeting was held at Fairfield, and great 
 interest was manifested by old and young. This could not pass 
 by without leaving its effects on a mind naturally thoughtful, 
 and predisposed to venerative feeling, though as yet it had 
 never been awakened to a strong and continued sense of relig- 
 ious obligation. Semantha attended the meetings regularly, 
 and became much exercised. Her feelings continually deepened 
 in tone and strength, until at length she was greatly excited 
 and distressed in mind ; but finally this state subsided into one 
 of a sweet spiritual rest and peace, which was exactly suited to 
 that early period of development. A little while before her 
 conversion, she attended a prayer-meeting, where she was 
 requested to pray ; but the sense of veneration was so strong, 
 and her emotions altogether were so intense, that she lost all 
 power of speech. She felt such a sense of unworthiness to 
 address her Maker, that the words seemed crushed in her 
 mouth ; and she could not utter a sound ; but was not that 
 feeling, whether it was so accepted or not, the very concen- 
 trated essence of all prayer ? 
 
 After she was brought out into a happy conversion, she, in 
 connection with -several children about her own age, used fre- 
 
20 BIuokai'HV Off MRS. MWBPf.lB 
 
 quen tly to appoint meetings for reading and prayer ; and in 
 those little gatherings she often experienced a sense of delight, 
 which she now believes to have been a true spiritual illumina- 
 tion. She eontinued in these religious exereises about one 
 year, and then united with the Presbyterian Church of Fair- 
 field. 
 
 Each candidate for membership was taken into a room with 
 the Minister and two Deacons, to undergo a spiritual examina- 
 tion, before being admitted. As the father of Seinantha kept 
 a public house, wherein she was open to many temptations, her 
 preparatory discipline seems to have been rather more strict 
 and rigid than that of the others. Mr. Beers, her father, also 
 played the violin ; and frequently his professional services were 
 called for to assist on convivial occasions, at balls and parties ; 
 and he thus, as it were, brought the voice of the Tempter into 
 his own dwelling. The child was closely questioned in regard 
 to this point, whether she loved God so truly, that she could 
 resist all this temptation of the domesticated Syren, and if she 
 did not think parties and balls, and every thing of that kind, 
 very wicked. In the simplicity of- her heart she answered, that 
 she thought she could resist them all, and that she believed 
 such amusements as were mentioned, very wicked, indeed — 
 whereupon she was accepted, as a true and hopeful light of the 
 Christian Church alluded to above. 
 
 In the summer of 1832, when the cholera made its appear- 
 ance in Xew-York, many persons will remember what a general 
 panic pervaded the whole country. During all that summer 
 Mr. Beers was very melancholy ; and a sense of gloom hung 
 over the whole family. ' He could not bear to hear a single 
 
REMOVAL TO BRIDGEPORT. 21 
 
 word said of it, affecting to think the accounts were greatly 
 exaggerated. But the forebodings proved to be too true, 
 indeed. One Sabbath day in the month of August, three sat 
 at table together ; and before the next Sabbath they w r ere all 
 buried — Mr. Beers and two men who boarded at the house. 
 
 This melancholy event uprooted all previously existing family 
 arrangements. Mr. Beers had been a very liberal man in vari- 
 ous ways ; and as a result of this, rather than any mismanage- 
 ment, his estate was rendered insolvent. Yet he left behind 
 the sweet savor of a good name, unstained by any greater indig- 
 nity than that of cherishing a spirit whose liberality had rather 
 too far outgrown his creed ; and also of having been set aside 
 from the Presbyterian Church, for playing the violin at balls. 
 After this happened Mrs. Beers, manifesting a very proper 
 feeling and spirit, never again entered the church doors ; but 
 she and her husband both attended the Episcopal Church, 
 which they afterwards joined, 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 REMOVAL TO BRIDGEPORT MARRIAGE LIFE IN BUFFALO. 
 
 In the Autumn of the same year, Mrs. Beers, with her fam- 
 ily, removed to Bridgeport ; and Semantha, then but a little 
 way in her thirteenth year, continued to reside with her. The 
 young convert carried with her a letter from the Church at 
 Fairfield to the North Congregational Church at Bridgeport, 
 to which she was thus formally transferred. 
 
 As a means of livelihood, Mrs. Beers took a large number of 
 
22 BIOGRAPHY OF MRS. BOTTLER. 
 
 boarders. She kepi no servant and all the assistance she had 
 
 from the child who had, until then, been almost wild and 
 
 free as the breezes Of her native hills. Some idea of the actual 
 
 amount of labor to which she was, by her nee mbjected, 
 
 may be gathered from the tact that in addition to all the run- 
 ning, waiting and tending, and the multiform household exer- 
 
 3 which would naturally i'all to the share of the youn. 
 worker, Semantha had a great deal of hard work to do. How 
 her little hands, and feet, and hack, and heart, too, must have 
 ached sometimes, not only from the severity of the labor, but 
 from the effect of contrast between the Past and Present ! 
 But still she kept on, with a strong will, and a true heart ; 
 and no lasting ill effects seem to have been produced by the 
 hardships she endured at that early and tender period. With 
 all this, she was a regular and zealous attendant on all the 
 external ordinances of religion ; she sang in the choir, and was 
 much beloved in the church. 
 
 In the Spring of 1835, just after having completed her sev- 
 enteenth year, Semantha, was married to Mr. J. It. Mettler, of 
 Alexandria, Hunterdon County, Xew-Jersey ; and very soon 
 she went to live with her husband in New- York, where having 
 remained a few r months, she returned to Bridgeport, and staid 
 with her mother, while Mr. Mettler was establishing a business 
 in Buffalo. In the following Spring, 1836, he came on after 
 her ; and she went with him to Buffalo, where they lived about 
 live years. 
 
 And now began to be exhibited trials and sufferings, which 
 were not only to unfold her wonderful powers, but the heroic 
 energy and strong determination of Will, which were required 
 
LIFE IN BUFFALO. 23 
 
 for their development. The young couple begun life in Buffalo 
 with the most nattering hopes ; but misfortunes, one after an- 
 other, blighted the fair prospect, in the first freshness of its 
 budding flower. 
 
 The first year of her residence in Buffalo, Semantha was 
 extremely homesick, though surrounded by many agreeable 
 acquaintances and friends. In the Spring of 1837, she went 
 home for a visit, and spent the Summer with her mother in 
 Bridgeport. After she went back to Buffalo, she was perfectly 
 contented, until the last year and a half of her life there. In 
 the second year of their residence in Buffalo, Mr. Mettler lost 
 much property by the great flood which occurred in the autumn 
 of 1837. By a sudden rise of the lake, in a single night, goods 
 to a very large amount were completely destroyed. These 
 losses caused great trouble and embarrassment, and finally 
 broke up his business. 
 
 In the Spring of 1840, Mr. Mettler, having in the course of 
 business taken a good deal of stock, and not meeting with ready 
 sales in his immediate vicinity, finally concluded to take it to 
 Philadelphia. He experienced a great deal of trouble ; and 
 quite unexpectedly his stay was protracted to about four months. 
 Mrs. Mettler was in a state of extreme anxiety, in regard to 
 her husband, during all this long period ; and toward the latter 
 part of the time she was really desperate. At last she made 
 up her mind that if he did not return soon, she would pack up 
 her goods and go home ; but fortunately he appeared before 
 she could put this scheme in execution. On his return she 
 learned that he had been locked up in the debtors' prison by 
 a cousin of his, for a debt which it was impossible for him to 
 
24 BIOGRAPHY Of UBS. METTLER, 
 
 pay. This cousin was reputedly a wry pious young man, and 
 a member of Dr. Spring's church. W he had not imagined 
 that he had more than an ordinary share of religion, or if he 
 had been possessed of a true religious spirit and principle, he 
 
 might have looked on the poor man and his helpless family 
 with sympathy instead of inflicting, as he did, a most cruel 
 punishment on the guiltless. 
 
 It appeared on his return home, that there was little encour- 
 agement came with him. LLis whole expedition had been a 
 most disastrous one ; and he had unwisely neglected writing, 
 fearing to distress her, and hoping for better times. The pres- 
 ent was dark ; and the future loomed up in the cold distance, 
 with the infinite gloom of an eternal midnight. But dark as 
 it was, a far darker period was close at hand — a time of suffer- 
 ing so terrible that Imagination was vanquished by the fearful 
 reality. About three weeks after Mr. Mettler got home he 
 was attacked by a bilious fever, which kept him ill for six 
 weeks. The second week after, the little boy was attacked, and 
 on the fourth week Mrs. Mettler herself, when they all lay 
 sick together. For about twelve weeks the house was a per- 
 fect hospital. After Mrs. Mettler's recovery, her husband was 
 seized with the fever and ague, which lasted nearly a year. In 
 the mean time he had settled with his creditors, and removed to 
 another part of the city. During the Winter Mr. Mettler, 
 though still very feeble, worked, whenever he could, in a livery 
 stable, for fifteen dollars a month. This, with one hundred 
 dollars worth of goods from a store, was all the support they 
 had ; and they were often brought to extreme w T ant. Think 
 how much that poor wife must have suffered during that4ong 
 
RETURN HOMEWARD. 25 
 
 and tedious Winter I Often she would sit down by the window 
 to watch for her husband's return from work, to see if she 
 could gather from his countenance, or manner, any hope ; but 
 as often was she obliged to turn away, with a sick heart. At 
 this time the general distress of the family was greatly increased 
 by the sickness of the oldest boy, which continued nearly all 
 winter, and toward Spring the second boy was attacked with a 
 paralysis of one whole lower limb, from which he has never yet 
 recovered. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 RETURN HOMEWARD. 
 
 Early in the spring Mrs. Mettler's third child, a daughter, 
 was born — as it then appeared — to nothing but a full inherit- 
 ance of suffering, and sorrow. Mr. Mettler then sold off all 
 he possessed, in order to obtain the means of conveying his 
 family back to Bridgeport, or the vicinity of their friends ; and 
 when her babe was only six weeks old, Mrs. Mettler, with her 
 three little children, set off alone, Mr. Mettler going by land, 
 in order to transact some business for a friend. At that time 
 he was very feeble ; for he had not yet recovered from the fever 
 and ague. He could scarcely drag himself along. This was 
 another cause of anxiety to Mrs. Mettler ; but she had no lack 
 of these. John, the oldest boy, still remained very feeble ; 
 and the lame one required almost as much care and attention 
 
 as the babe in her arms. It would seem as if all these would 
 
 2 
 
26 BIOGRAPHY OF MRS. MKHLKR. 
 
 have been trial enough for one poor broken-hearted woman ; 
 but the carts and trials of Mrs. Mettler did not stop here. 
 She also took charge of an old man, who, having lost all his 
 property, had fallen into a state of ill health, and hopeless im- 
 becility. If he had been of a cheerful turn of mind he might 
 have given back now and then a ray of comfort, in return for 
 the attention he received, liut instead of this, he was daily 
 troubled with that most uncomfortable of all Imaginations, both 
 to its subject and those about him — a fear of immediate death, 
 and in addition to every thing else, she had him to care for and 
 comfort ; but he was very grateful, and daily pronounced his 
 blessing for her kindness. 
 
 It does really seem true that misfortunes are gregarious, and 
 fly in large flocks ; for the old adage that they never come sin- 
 gly, may be sustained by a multitude of facts. Owing to the 
 great number of boats which were at that time in motion, caus- 
 ing much delay in passing through the locks, they were three 
 weeks on the way to Schenectady ; and hereby hung another, 
 and a very great trial. Mr. Mettler had agreed with the Cap- 
 tain of the boat for the passage of the family ; but when the 
 latter found how much longer it was taking than he had anti- 
 cipated, he demanded double pay. 2s ot being supplied with 
 any extra funds, Mrs. Mettler, instead of getting her meals on 
 board as had been arranged, when she would have had at least 
 comfortable fare, was obliged to give up the board, and get 
 provisions, and cook for herself by the way. And this not only 
 added to her labor, but also many times deprived her of meals 
 at the right season, and of the proper nourishment which her 
 system required. 
 
RETURN HOMEWARD. 27 
 
 Just before reaching Schenectady a young man and his sister 
 came on board, who appeared very kind, and manifested a 
 great deal of interest and sympathy. They were going to New- 
 York ; and the brother took it upon himself to attend to Mrs. 
 Mettler's baggage in changing from the canal to the cars, and 
 then again to the steamboat on the river. On arriving at Al- 
 bany she asked him if her baggage was all safe ; and being 
 answered in the affirmative, she went on board the steamer 
 with a happy heart, confiding in his care, and rejoicing that she 
 had found so good a friend. 
 
 But when she arrived in New- York, on calling for her bag- 
 gage, she found that a large band-box which contained all her 
 babe's clothing, and many other useful articles, was gone. 
 Here was a fresh trial which it is difficult really to appreciate. 
 She not only lost some really valuable things ; but she was 
 left without even a change of clothing for her babe, and with- 
 out the means of getting more. Thus was her appearance 
 among her friends, which was already sufficiently mortifying to 
 an ambitious and high heart, rendered more forlorn and pov- 
 erty-stricken. 
 
 Success is the great god of Earth ; and in our zeal for the 
 worship we sometimes forget, or leave out of our reckoning, the 
 elements which contributed to produce it, or the means by 
 which the substance of the great Golden Calf has been gath- 
 ered together, and molten into the imposing form it wears. So, 
 on the other hand, Failure is the great crime — the universal 
 curse of the world — and no matter wiiat powers may have been 
 called forth in the struggle. The unfortunate one may have 
 fought with the heroism of a niartyr — may have suffered with 
 
28 BIOGRAPHY OF MRS. METTLER. 
 
 the divine sweetness of an angel — but with a very large por- 
 tion of the world the exterior fact, and its attendant curse, 
 remain the same, and are imputed to the Sufferer as the one 
 unpardonable sin, for which there is no mercy. We must, 
 some time, gel the better of this great injustice, and come out 
 into a truer estimate of things. 
 
 But to return to our travellers ; it was a cold damp morn- 
 ing which, in the last of Spring, always looks bo heart-sickening 
 and discouraging, when Mrs. Mettler arrived in >>'ew-York ; 
 and almost every person knows how much dismal weather 
 affects one who is very miserable. The young mother was 
 oppressed with a deadly sinking of the heart when the last 
 blow was struck, and she came really to comprehend her loss. 
 
 Her ill-disguised agony of mind attracted the attention of a 
 gentleman who w r as walking the dock ; for it was so very early 
 in the morning that whatever happened was conspicuous. On 
 learning her pitiable condition he came forward, addressed her 
 very kindly, and offered his services for the recovery of the 
 baggage, and also to assist her to the place where she was 
 going. 
 
 Mrs. Mettler was still obliged to take her protege, the old 
 man, along with her to* the house of her husband's brother, 
 where she was received very coolly. Her sister-in-law^ did not 
 make her appearance until two hours after her arrival ; and 
 the next day she left her dejected and miserable guest, alto- 
 gether. 
 
 Mrs. Mettler remained there till the next day in the after- 
 noon, and then went to her own brother's, where she was very 
 cordially received ; and in a week after that Mr. Mettler 
 
LIFE IN NEW-JERSEY. 29 
 
 arrived. His sufferings during that long and lonely journey, 
 over mountain and through valley, had been intense ; and only 
 by a struggle for life had he been able to endure them. But 
 his health was so broken down, that after having reached his 
 father's house, he sunk under a renewed attack of his disease 
 — chills and fever — which he had in as terrible a form as one 
 could pass through and live. Mrs. Mettler then went to her 
 mother's where she remained through the summer. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 LIFE IN NEW-JERSEY. 
 
 Besides the whole care of her three little children, two of 
 them helpless — Semantha assisted her mother in household 
 affairs, and had to work very hard. Mr. Mettler was entirely 
 without business, or any means of dependence, whatever. 
 There was nothing bright in the present, and no hope in the 
 future. During this visit at her mother's, after having been neg- 
 lected by the Church at Bridgeport, of which she was a member, 
 for the space of five years, she received a call from one of the 
 laiety, who offered her a letter to some other church ; and 
 though it came at rather a late hour, after having been per- 
 mitted to wander so long, she accepted it, supposing it would 
 obtain admittance for her into any church with which she 
 might choose to unite herself. At that time, however, she had 
 not the least idea of ever wishing to leave the denomination to 
 which she had been so long attached. 
 
30 BIOGRAPHY OK MRS. MKTTLER. 
 
 Iii the following Autumn, ls4 1, Mr. Mettlertook his family 
 out to liis father's in New-Jersey, where they remained through 
 the Winter, or about six months. It was a very lonely place ; 
 and Mrs. Met tier, mingling but little in society, had much time 
 lei*t#n her hands for indulging the sad thoughts their mislor- 
 tunes had awakened ; and, to use her own words, being com- 
 pletely bowed down with trouble and anxiety, her heart was 
 very much humbled 
 
 During this Winter Mr. Mettler was in Philadelphia on busi- 
 ness for his lather, which proved to be not merely unlucrative, 
 but a bill of expense ; and, strange to say, once more, from a 
 mistaken kindness, he left his wife to another long period of 
 intense anxiety concerning his fate — a condition which many a 
 true woman's heart will appreciate, when told that for more 
 than two months she expected him every hour — almost every 
 minute ; and all that time heard nothing. Every carriage that 
 passed she imagined must have brought him — until at length, 
 the continually disappointed hope fell upon her with all the 
 heaviness of accumulated- sorrows ; and the heart-sickness she 
 felt was sadder than that of death. But I will not anticipate. 
 
 Little Joseph, the lame boy, suffered a great deal during 
 this time ; and as her father's family was large, and her chil- 
 dren troublesome, Mrs. Met tiers situation was trying in the 
 extreme, not only for the severe labor, but for the anxiety, and 
 sense of dependence, which it involved. The scenery around 
 this place was very beautiful, if she could only have been free 
 to enjoy it ; and under all disadvantages her never-dying love 
 of Nature sometimes carried a balm to the heart, which else, 
 might have broken, whenever she could steal out for a few 
 
LIFE IN NEW-JERSEY. 31 
 
 minutes, to look in the face of her old Friend, and inhale the 
 free breath of Heaven. 
 
 In the month of January she went to a place called Head- 
 Quarters to visit a sister of Mr. Mettler. Here the scenery 
 was characterized by a kind of savage gloom. In a small val- 
 ley about half a dozen houses, which, together with the grounds, 
 had been left in a rough condition, were surrounded on all sides 
 by a cluster of high hills. Just in front of the house where 
 Mrs. Mettler stopped was a large frog-pond. Beyond that 
 was a road between it and a rickety old grist-mill, which 
 always had to work ; though its excruciating groans seemed 
 to say that it was far from being able. It was at this time 
 that Mrs. Mettler was expecting her husband so anxiously. 
 For a while she found amusement during the week-days, see- 
 ing the neighboring farmers and their wives drive up to the 
 country store, which was, kept by her brother-in-law, in order 
 to exchange the home, or farm products for goods — technically 
 so called. 
 
 At one time a group of these women surrounded a hogshead 
 containing the granular deposite of molasses, or molasses-sugar, 
 and gave themselves a treat. One of them would thrust a 
 long stick into the semi-fluid substance, and draw it horizon- 
 tally through her mouth, until she was satisfied with sweetness, 
 then pass it to the next, and so on ; until some of them became 
 so excited by the keen relish, that they could not wait for the 
 stick to come round, and so dipped in their fingers. Does not 
 this fact show that a certain taste is not strictly confined to 
 Yankee-land ? But though there were other scenes quite as 
 ludicrous, and some, indeed, really spicy, yet the novelty soon 
 
32 BIOGRAPHY OF Mies. MBTTLER. 
 
 wore off. She was still a prey to the most corroding cares ; 
 and the croaking Grogs, and the clanking old mill, made but a 
 sorry accompaniment to her sad reflections. 
 
 During the Sabbath, the loneliness seemed intolerable ; for 
 from the character of the scenery, the quietness was not that 
 of repose ; but the lea tares of the landscape were so harsh and 
 rigid, that the stillness seemed rather to have been induced by 
 some galvanic process, or paralytic influence, which had sub- 
 dued without softening, and had left a haggard expression on 
 the face of Nature, than the sweet calm of natural rest — there 
 was an entire absence of all amenity, which, without grandeur, 
 conveyed to the mind a savage impression. 
 
 There was but one religious society at this place. A people 
 called Dunkers, who in some respects resemble the Quakers, 
 monopolized all the theological teaching of that small commu- 
 nity, and the country for some distance around. Mrs. Mettler, 
 on one occasion, attended a meeting of this kind. The congre- 
 gation sat in silence ; for on that day no one was impressed to 
 speak ; yet she felt that the Spirit they waited for, descended 
 in the midst ; and there seemed a truer feeling of devotion than 
 in any other church she had ever attended. It was so to her, 
 doubtless, because her own spiritual affections were getting 
 deeper and truer. The spiritual aspect of the external world — 
 or the sentiment which it conveys to the soul — is but a reflex 
 of our own minds. If heaven is wdthin us, its image will be 
 projected on whatever we behold. 
 
 And so the time wore heavily on. The gentle sufferer, dur- 
 ing the day, dismissed, as far as possible, all the agonizing 
 cares that w r ere already wearing out her young life, with the 
 
LIFE IN NEW-JERSEY. 33 
 
 corrosive action of unalloyed suffering and disappointment ; but 
 the long, cold, and dreary night claimed a fearful retribution 
 from the quivering nerves and aching heart. 
 
 She finished, at length, her visit of six weeks — which seemed 
 more like six years — and returned to the house of her father- 
 in-law ; but still no husband, and no tidings came. The Spring 
 was now beginning to open ; and sometimes, oppressed with 
 anguish which made the presence of any human being intoler- 
 able, she would go out to a hill back of the house, where she 
 could see the River Delaware, and hear the roaring of its wa- 
 ters, that came softened through the distance. Many times in 
 the night, when all was quiet, she would steal out to this favor- 
 ite haunt, and, sitting down, think, and listen, until it seemed 
 as if her soul would really take wings, and fiy away over the 
 rippling waves, seeking if geradvent'ure rest or peace might be 
 found any where - t but the darkly brooding raven gathered no 
 sign of promise — the o'er-wearied dove brought back no olive- 
 branch. 
 
 Mr. Mettler did not return in several weeks after she went 
 back to Alexandria ; and when at last he arrived, the event 
 added to her sorrows, instead of diminishing them. She was 
 indeed informed of his safety, and so far she was relieved ; but 
 he had incurred the displeasure of both parents, by failing to 
 negotiate satisfactorily the business with which he had been 
 intrusted ; and they treated him with great coolness. If par- 
 ticulars could be given, they would show that this alone was 
 enough almost to break the heart of a true and affectionate 
 wife ; for what is so trying as to see those we love treated 
 unkindly — especially by those who, in the common course of 
 
34 BIOGRAPHY OF Mils. HETTLER. 
 
 nature, should love and cherish them ! A generous woman 
 can bear Suffering aud ill treatment in almost any decree, when 
 Offered to herself alone ; but she feels the keenest anguish when 
 ^\w witnesses the Bufferings of clear ones, which she yet can 
 not alleviate. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 CONVERSION TO UNIVERSALIS*!. 
 
 They remained in New-Jersey about six weeks after this, 
 when, with the very meager pittance which Mr. Alettler had 
 earned, as he could, in small services about the farm, they again 
 turned homeward. Mrs. Mettler went to her mother's in 
 Bridgeport, while Mr. Mettler remained with his brother in 
 New- York, hoping to get business. The poor afflicted wife and 
 mother returned to her servile labor ; and for many weeks 
 there appeared not a single ray of comfort any where, beyond 
 what the simple consciousness of trying to do the best she 
 could under the most trying circumstances, might afford All 
 her reflections were of the most painful and discouraging kind. 
 Her dependent position and the situation of her husband, with- 
 out business for the present, or any assurance for the coming 
 days, was a continual source of trouble. There was no depth 
 of sorrow and anguish which did not seem to be hovering in 
 the darkness of that miserable Future. The poor watcher 
 could not yet see the angel wings, which, even then, were cleav- 
 ing the serene atmosphere of the far distance ; for the rainbow, 
 
C0XYK.KS10N TO UNIVERSALIS*!. 35 
 
 if it could have been visible, would have rested on mountains 
 of sorrow and suffering, which yet lay between her weeping 
 eyes and the clear sulishine. Often after her poor little babes 
 were asleep, and the house was quite still, she would rise and 
 walk the floor of the attic room where she slept, and weep 
 until it would seem as if her heart must be stone, or it would 
 all have dissolved itself in tears. In this way she passed many 
 whole nights. Whichever way she looked for help, it was 
 hedged up against her. She could not expect much, if any 
 assistance from their immediate friends, because Mr. Mettler 
 had received assistance from one of his, and one of her brothers, 
 before going to Buffalo ; and as he had never been able entirely 
 to discharge the bills, he could not ask for any further help 
 from either of them. But finally his brother did let him have 
 goods ; and in the following Autumn he opened a little store 
 in Bridgeport. 
 
 They took apartments in the house of Mrs. Beers ; and 
 , though one room and a bedroom constituted their whole do- 
 main, yet Mrs. Mettler felt, as she has told me, independent as 
 a queen in her palace ; for she could walk her own floor, and 
 again be at rest. 
 
 They got along through the Winter very comfortably, Mr. 
 Mettler's business, meanwhile, doing rather more than support 
 the family in the humble way in which they lived. This state 
 of peace continued until the latter part of Winter ; and then 
 troubles were excited on account of Mr. Mettler's liberal relig- 
 ious views. It had been agreed between him and his wife, that 
 she should go to church with him a part of the time, and he a 
 part of the time with her ; but as soon as she b gan to go to 
 
36 BIOGRAPHY OF MRS. METTLKK. 
 
 the Universalis^ place of worship, her friends felt so bitterly 
 in regard to it, that the spirit which they manifested not only 
 disturbed her peace, but also affected her husband's business 
 very unfavorably. Notwithstanding he kept a temperance 
 store, many good temperance men were persuaded to go to 
 other places in preference ; for it seems that in spite of all their 
 zeal, they liked the smell of rum-holes better than the odor of 
 a liberal Christianity. 
 
 In September, 1842, and soon after being installed in her 
 own apartments, Mrs. Mettler gave birth to a fourth child, 
 another little daughter ; and thus her family was gradually 
 enlarging its boundaries, and her cares were steadily multiply- 
 ing ; but there was a great relief at hand. And though it 
 was to come out of the direst struggle, yet as the subject now 
 looks back on the pathway of time, she can see the foot-prints 
 that once were stained with her heart's blood, now bear only 
 the sweet impressions of mercy and loving kindness. At this 
 period the mind of Mrs. Mettler began to acquire a greater 
 expansion of its religious views. 
 
 Some time in the month of December, 1842, there was a 
 certain Sabbath, which, though its precise date is forgotten, 
 will always be remembered as one of the great eras in her life ; 
 for then she heard the first liberal sermon she had ever really 
 listened to. It was delivered by the Rev. S. B. Brittan ; and 
 its subject was the great and terrible Day of the Lord. This 
 gave all her preconceived opinions such a thorough shaking, 
 that the old Orthodoxy, from that day forward, never recov- 
 ered its equilibrium. A new crisis was here projected on her 
 interior life ; but the conflict wrought itself out with the sin- 
 
ALIENATION OF FRIENDS. 31 
 
 gular determination and truthfulness of her character. She 
 read all the evidence she could obtain on both sides of the 
 question — studied, thought, and reasoned with her convictions, 
 for three months ; and then, when her duty became apparent, 
 she dared the terrors of an offended Church, the disapprobation 
 of friends, and the desertion of her family, and united herself 
 with the First Universalist Society of Bridgeport. But all 
 these will come in at their due time and place. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 ALIENATION OF FRIENDS. 
 
 In the latter part of this Winter, Mrs. Mettler had much 
 sickness in her family, her oldest daughter, Catharine, being 
 for a long time ill ; and her sufferings and difficulties from this 
 cause, were greatly enhanced by the coolness of her friends, and 
 their decided disapprobation of her new religious views. 
 
 In the Spring of 1843 they took a larger house ; while Mr. 
 Mettler managed to make his business somewhat more produc- 
 tive. The estrangement of her friends continued to increase ; 
 and even her mother did not visit her in several months after 
 she removed from her house. But in the following August, 
 when the little lame boy, Joseph, was kicked by a horse, and 
 it was feared that the better leg would be lamed for life, Mrs. 
 Beers became so far softened as to visit her daughter ; but at 
 the same time she gave her the exceedingly cold comfort of 
 reflecting that the accident was a just judgment of God for her 
 
38 BIOGRAPHY OF MRS. MOTTLER. 
 
 wicked heresy. However, it Beemfl that the judgment was 
 revoked ; for by strict care and attention the poor little suf- 
 ferer recovered. 
 
 In the course of the Summer, Mrs. Mettler had quite a con- 
 troversy with her friends in regard to the theological points 
 which were at issue between them. This was maintained in a 
 scries of letters between Mrs. Mettler and a sister. The stric- 
 tures on the young heretic and her faith are very severe, though 
 the blame was chiefly laid to the husband. Mrs. Mettler, in 
 spite of all the abuses she met, sustained herself and her 
 opinions very calmly, and very clearly. 
 
 But it seems to. me that the worst features of the old Ortho- 
 doxy never appeared so hideous and revolting, as they now do 
 in these letters of the sister, which lie before me. And yet I 
 can catch some faint gleams of a true kindness. They appear 
 to have been called forth by a feeling of sincere love ; but the 
 whole sphere, both of thought and affection, is so very circum- 
 scribed, that, aside from the spirit and meaning of the text, 
 there is a want of scope — a want of freedom — that absolutely 
 pains me on the reading. It has reflected back the deformi- 
 ties of the worn-out Faith in so glaring a light, invested with 
 such hideous deformities, which are rendered grotesque by the 
 most ridiculous absurdities, that I lay the letters down with 
 astonishment, and ask if it can be possible that sane men and 
 women — benevolent and kind-hearted men and women — living 
 in a Christian country, could have believed such wrongful ab- 
 surdities, or have invested their God with such a character ? 
 These doctrines must inevitably either crush and destroy all 
 true love, all natural affection, all free worship — or else they 
 
ALIENATION OF FRIENDS. 39 
 
 must falsify themselves. And it has been the blessing of the 
 world that they were not believed — that the faith in them was 
 always shallow and unsound, and never, to any very considerable 
 extent, sincere and radical. This might be shown by numer- 
 ous facts ; but one is sufficient. In the momentous subject of 
 everlasting punishment the orthodox Calvinisms own immediate 
 personal friends almost always give some evidence of escape. 
 It may be but a word, at the last moment, and after a vicious 
 life — it may be but the lifting of a hand — a look — or even 
 implication ; yet the devout Mends accept the evidence, and 
 appear satisfied. Now they must either have become so unfeel- 
 ing as to be utterly regardless of the most horrible conse- 
 quences, or else they do not believe in the danger ; for no 
 human heart, or mind, could be satisfied with so little to justify 
 a reasonable hope. If the tortures of a year, a month, or even 
 of one single hour, hung on such slender threads, would not the 
 remotest possibility of the danger be sufficient to disturb one's 
 peace ? Most certainly it would. It is in vain to plead one's 
 piety, as a reason of submission and quietude under such cir- 
 cumstances. There is no piety that can abrogate a law of Na- 
 ture. Yes ; the doctrine is unsound to the core. It can not 
 be believed. 
 
 I can easily see how ignorant men should worship the moon, 
 the sun, the stars, or any of the beautiful and benignant natu- 
 ral forms. A tree would be an emblem of majesty and over- 
 shadowing love ; and fire would be an embodiment of that 
 divine energy, with which we naturally invest the great Parent 
 of Life. I ban even see how men should bow themselves 
 down to worship stocks and stones, and the work of their 
 
40 BIOGRAPHY OF MRS. MKTTLER. 
 
 own hands, because they might believe that some principle 
 of Good had entered into their idol, and thus deified it. But 
 I can not conceive how such a being as the Orthodox God 
 ■ — such a miserable compound of weakness and malignity — 
 should elicit any other feelings in a mind naturally clear and 
 liberal, than those of hatred and contempt. 
 
 The Selfish Principle is the very basis of the old Dogma- 
 tism. The whole machinery of the religion is marked by this 
 trait. Look at the preaching. Repent ; and be saved. Be 
 converted ; not because Goodness is good and lovely in itself 
 — and should be loved for its own sake — but because if you do 
 not, you will be Damned. A truly generous sentiment is sel- 
 dom awakened ; and so long as the world remains selfish as it 
 is, will it have its Incarnation of Almighty Selfishness, that 
 claims to be worshiped as a God, in the character of a Demon. 
 
 By this light we can see very clearly the point of the Infi- 
 del's frequent charge against Christianity — that the benevo- 
 lence and moral purity of its professors, bears an inverse pro- 
 portion to their piety. But thank God this is not Christian- 
 ity ; and the New will come out of the Old, and the True out 
 of the False ; and all will yet be well. 
 
 But to return to the letters. In Mrs. Mettler's reply I am 
 struck, not only with the spirited tone of the response, but 
 also with the ardroitness and capacity of the reasoning pow- 
 ers, by which she maintained her ascendancy. She is never at 
 a loss ; and her means of defense seem the best that could pos- 
 sibly be chosen. And as this reflection comes upon me, I can 
 see how a mind that accepts of a liberal doctrine — even though 
 it may not be entirely true — becomes expanded and exalted by 
 
EXPULSION FROM THE CHURCH. 41 
 
 the generous idea. Mrs. Mettler, in embracing Universalisni, 
 had not, as she then believed, reached the highest ideal of a 
 Christian Faith ; nor would some of its dogmas which she so 
 ingeniously defended, be at the present time endorsed by her. 
 Let it here be distinctly understood that we do not reject the 
 fundamental idea of Universalism— the Benevolence of God ; 
 we only establish this great principle on a broader and firmer 
 basis. The essential relations between Cause and Effect must 
 always be preserved ; and therefore no man can be saved from 
 his own sins — or from their effects — except through a radical 
 change of heart and life — of affection, will, and deed, by devel- 
 opment and progress. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 EXPULSION FROM THE CHURCH. 
 
 As time passed on, although Mrs. Mettler found herself en- 
 tirely forsaken by her friends, yet she occasionally visited them. 
 But whenever she did so, she was invariably assailed on the 
 ground of her religious opinions ; and often both herself and- 
 her faith were treated in the most abusive manner. Doubt- 
 less these good friends were moved by a spirit of real kindness, 
 hoping by their abundant chastising, not only to correct the 
 offender, but to bring the wanderer back to the true fold. So 
 strong was Semantha's affection for her friends that she bore 
 these castigations for a long time. But often on her return 
 from these visits, it was with a sickness of heart which bore 
 
42 BIOGBAPHI Of MRS. Mi iti.kk. 
 
 down Dpon her with an irresistible conviction, that if aha would 
 maintain any peace of life, she" must finally be compelled to 
 forsake them, as they had forsaken her. Yet she found much 
 comfort, not only in the new and beautiful hopes with which 
 her loving spirit had been truly inspired, but in the society of 
 friends of more liberal and congenial minds. 
 
 The house into which they had removed was a double one ; 
 and after haying lived in the north part two years they 
 removed into the south part, which brings us to the Spring of 
 1845. 
 
 The leading tendencies of Mrs. Mettler were now soon to 
 receive an entirely new impulse. Having heard much of the 
 clear-seeing of Mr. Davis, who was then with Dr. Lyon at 
 Bridgeport, she resolved, as a dernier resort, to take her little 
 lame boy to him for an examination ; and accordingly, some time 
 in the course of the Spring, this w T as done. She was impressed 
 with the wonderful truthfulness of his delineation, but at the 
 same time, being unable to account for it on any known prin- 
 ciples, she, like many others, thought it was" very mysterious, 
 but ascribed the power to an evil origin ; and this shows that 
 she had not then come out of the slough of Orthodoxy so 
 entirely as she thought. But while she presented the case in 
 this milder form, her mother who accompanied her, boldly 
 declared it was the work of the Devil. Yet this ill opinion 
 did not hinder Mrs. Mettler from investigation. She was still 
 impelled to inquire — to know. But how little did she imagine, 
 while studying into these principles, that her mission upon 
 Earth was chiefly to unfold and illustrate them. And yet, who 
 can tell but it was the stirring of the angel, which yet lay so 
 
EXPULSION FROM THE CHURCH. 43 
 
 deeply hidden, that inspired the interest, suggested the inquiry, 
 and prompted the study ? T)ur interior impressions are, as 
 yet, full of mystery, and we can not clearly trace themj but 
 often, I believe, when apparently accidental or trivial causes 
 lead to great and important results, if we would analyze our- 
 selves more carefully, we should discover a predetermination 
 of thought, feeling, or interest in the given direction, which 
 clearly indicates an over-presiding Intelligence, Will, or De- 
 sign. 
 
 About this time the Church, which had entirely neg- 
 lected Mrs. Mettler ever since her return from the West — not 
 one of its members having visited her for a period of three 
 years — began to look after the stray lamb. Toward the last 
 of May, however, she received a visit from Mr. Hunter, the 
 Pastor, and Deacon Sherwood ; when the conversation occurred 
 which is given below, as it was originally published in the New- 
 York Christian Messenger : 
 
 Deacon Sherwood. — We have called, Mrs. Mettler, to see why you 
 absent yourself from public worship with us. 
 
 Mrs. Mettler. — I have not considered myself a member of your 
 Church, from a letter received from you some three years since. 
 
 Mr. Hunter. — You could not consider yourself freed from our 
 church by such a letter as that. 
 
 M. — I think the letter read something like holding me under your 
 care and keeping for either six or nine months ; but I have unfortu- 
 nately lost it. 
 
 H. — It could not have read thus, because we never give a letter in 
 that way. 
 
 M. — I thought the letter freed me from your church, or I should 
 have tendered my resignation long before this. 
 
44 BIOGRAPHY 01 MRS. MKTTI.KR. 
 
 II. — You might just as well talk of sending a letter of resignation 
 to your husband. 
 
 M. — Do you eonsider me as closely bound to the ehureh as to my 
 husband? 
 
 II. — Certainly you are. 
 
 M. — If such is the case, it is a new doctrine to me. 
 
 II. — When you united with the church, you was bound to it until 
 death separated you from it. 
 
 S. — If you had considered yourself a member, you could not have 
 united with us in public worship, for 1 believe you have embraced 
 the Universal doctrine. 
 
 31. — I have, believing it to be the truth of the Bible. 
 
 H. — I know not how you could embrace Universalism, believing 
 it to be the truth of the Bible, for I have studied the Bible for many 
 years, and could not see the shadow of it there. 
 
 M. — We are not all constituted alike. I find nothing but Univer- 
 salism there. 
 
 H. — Universalists have no rules and regulations — no creed ; and 
 do not believe in the Divinity of Christ ; and they also deny the true 
 character of God. 
 
 M— If such is the case, it is news to me ! We do not, it is true, 
 believe in the creeds of men, but we take the Scriptures for our creed 
 — the best and surest of all creeds. 
 
 H. — I, also, take the Bible for my creed. 
 
 M. — Sir, do you find all the articles of your faith in the Bible ? 
 
 H.— Yes, I do. 
 
 M. — If they are in the Bible, I have not yet been able to discover 
 them. 
 
 H.— Perhaps you read your Bible as all other Universalists do — 
 with a wrong understanding. 
 
 M. — If such is the case, it is my misfortune, and I am rather to be 
 pitied than condemned. 
 
EXPULSION FROM THE CHURCH. 45 
 
 H. — We have not called to condemn you for your faith, but 
 through the appointment of a committee, to see if you wished to be 
 considered a member of our church any longer. 
 
 M. — If I am regarded by you as a member, I wish to be considered 
 bo no longer, for I do not believe your doctrine. 
 
 H. — Does your faith comfort you ? 
 
 M. — It truly has done, thus far in life, and I am sure it will in my 
 dying hour. 
 
 H. — I hope it will, but I am afraid you will wake up in eternity 
 with disappointed hopes. 
 
 M. — I have all faith to believe that my doctrine will prove itself 
 true, as to myself, and also all the rest of mankind. 
 
 S. — I have a few words to say, Mr. Hunter, although it is going 
 to clash a little with what you have just uttered. If I understood 
 you, you said you hoped Mrs. Mettler's doctrine would sustain her in 
 her dying hour ; but I don't, nor can't hope so, for I believe it to be 
 a lie ! 
 
 M. — If the hope of meeting all our dear friends and connections, 
 together with the whole human family, in heaven, will not sustain us 
 in the dying hour, I know of no hope that will. 
 
 H. — St. Paul tells us, that if in this life only we have hope, we are 
 of all men most miserable. 
 
 M. — We should be, indeed, if in this life only, we had hope. But 
 St. Paul also tells us to have hope in God, of the resurrection, both 
 of the just and unjust. 
 
 H. — Do you believe that we receive our full reward of punishment 
 in this life? There appears to be a great difference of opinion 
 among Universalists on this point. 
 
 M. — I believe we shall be fully punished for the deeds done in the 
 body. As to what takes place between death and the resurrection, I 
 know not ; and I think it will be difficult for you to inform me. St. 
 Paul, however, tells us that in the resurrection, we shall be raised 
 
46 blOOKAl'HV OF UB&. MWTl.hK. 
 
 incorruptible, pure, holy and happy beings; t liuL we shall all be 
 changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. 
 
 11. — iiut the idea of the Univcrsalisi IS — the reward of all men i3 
 the same in heaveu. Fur instanee, here is a uiuu who has led a 
 righteous and sober life, aud bore all the persecutions of a Christian ; 
 and here is another who has passed through life in ali the pleasures 
 and wickedness of this world— the reward, in eternity, is the same. 
 
 31. — 1 believe, sir, that we are amply rewarded for our good, as 
 well as evil deeds through life. And now, allow me a single question 
 — would you, sir, as a minister of the gospel (if sueh you preach) 
 with all the comfort and consolation w r hich that gospel atlbrds, would 
 you, sir, exchange situations with the poor, degraded sinner who 
 walks the streets ? 
 
 H. — No, I would not. 
 
 M. — Do you not think you are amply rewarded from the hand of 
 our Father, for all the good deeds of your life ? 
 
 H. — I do, for we can not, of ourselves, merit any thing — it is" all 
 the gilt of God. 
 
 M. — Then, sir, why do you preachy doctrine, that through repent- 
 ance we merit heaven ? If I understand you right, you consider sin 
 as a pleasure. I wish to know, sir, if sin is really a pleasure ? 
 
 H. — It is no pleasure to the righteous man, but many enter into it 
 as though it were a very great pleasure. 
 
 M. — I have often heard the remark that we could " roll sin under 
 the tongue as a sweet morsel ; " but I believe that in the depths of 
 sin, we are certain to hud a canker worm, and that it is sure to 
 poison. 
 
 S. — An idea has just come into my head, which I must now tell, 
 for fear I may forget it ; for I am an old man and rather forgetful. 
 It is this — w T hen I was first married I had a brother, or rather a half 
 brother it was. And it so happened that Mrs. Sherwood had a 
 brother, too ; and they were both Universal ists. We used to visit 
 
EXPULSION FROM THE CHUKCH. 4t 
 
 them often, and talk with them, and pray for them ; we used to feel 
 very anxious about them, although they were both nice men — there 
 was no fault in them. But finally on conversing with them we found 
 they were becoming infidels, and finally they became confirmed infi- 
 dels. And I believe they all will finally become infidels, atheists or 
 deists. 
 
 M. — I do not believe that any person who seriously believes the 
 doctrine, and fully enters into its enjoyments, and is faithful to it, 
 can ever become an infidel. 
 
 S. — I believe they can, for we have an instance here before us ! 
 
 M. — I thank you, sir, for your good opinion ; but desire you to 
 understand that I do not consider myself an " infidel, atheist or deist." 
 
 S. — If you are not now, you soon will be. 
 
 M. — When I become one, I can call and let you know, sir." 
 
 S. — But I may be dead and in my grave. 
 
 M. — Then, sir, you will not care to know it. But I have em- 
 braced the doctrine of Universalism, believing in, and loving God, 
 because he first loved me, and I am daily led to rejoice in the conso- 
 lation and comfort which this love affords ; and I can truly say, that 
 since I have been old enough to know what religion was, I have not 
 enjoyed such peace of mind as since I have embraced Universalism ; 
 and I believe it will ever comfort me, and all who are so fortunate as 
 to- embrace it. 
 
 H. — I am happy to see that you appear to have a devotion and 
 love for God, and have so many very good ideas of the Scriptures ; 
 and I hope you will continue faithful in your duty to God. If you 
 believe in Universalism, it is your privilege to enjoy it. But I can 
 not help but fear that you are in a great error. 
 
 S. — I do not really think she enjoys herself so much in her relig- 
 ious views, as she pretends. 
 
 M. — You are at perfect liberty to think so, but that does not alter 
 the fact. 
 
48 BIOGKAPHY Of MRS. MKTTLER. 
 
 S. — You seem to have become very wise in the short time you 
 have embraced the doctrine! 
 
 M. — What wisdom 1 have, I am thankful to Uod for, and I pray 
 daily to my Heavenly Father that 1 may become more wia 
 
 H. — 1 am of opinion that you will soon cease to pray, and become 
 careless and neglectful of your duty ; or else you will return again to 
 your old belief. 
 
 M. — With the assistance of my Heavenly Father, I do not think I 
 shall ever forget him, while 1 have lips to praise his holy name. 
 My religion comforts me, and 1 am therefore happy. And I believe 
 I shall ever remain in my present belief, firm and steadfast. 
 
 H. — Speaking- of the joy and peace which your present belief 
 affords you, reminds me of an incident in my own life, and which I 
 should probably never have thought of again. It occurred when I 
 was a student. I was nearly worn out with latigue through my 
 studies and concluded to make a visit home. On reaching it, 1 found 
 my father and mother both sick. 1, also, was taken down, and 
 remained quite sick for a w 7 eek or more. When I began to recover, 
 I commenced reading the 4th chapter of Romans, and there I thought 
 I saw the doctrine of Universalism. I read the 5th chapter, and 
 then I thought I saw it still plainer ; and I continued on reading, 
 through the whole epistle, and rose from it convinced that Universal- 
 ism w r as the truth of the Bible. I was the happiest person in exist- 
 ence. I went out of doors, and all nature was changed ; everything 
 seemed to speak of joy and happiness ; and I thought to myself 
 what a happy result it will be when mankind are raised from the 
 dead, pure, holy and happy ! It was the happiest hour of my life ! 
 But I finally concluded it was the vain delusion of the devil ! 
 
 M. — That, sir, was your true conversion from darkness to light. 
 
 H. — Well, I believe the controversy is now r ended. You seem de- 
 termined to continue in your present belief, and we shall have to pro- 
 ceed according to the rules and regulations of the church. 
 
EXPULSION FROM THE CHUKOH. 49 
 
 M. — If you still consider me a member, I am willing you should 
 proceed as soon as you see fit. 
 
 H. — (On rising to leave,) I hope you will not think we are the only 
 denomination who oppose Universalism in this way ; but that all 
 denominations do the same. 
 
 M. — Mr. Hunter, there's where you lack charity. We have ever 
 been persecuted, since the Savior came upon earth to preach his gos- 
 pel. But the time is not far distant, when we shall cease to be per- 
 secuted, for the whole world is embracing the doctrine as fast as 
 time can roll it on ! 
 
 The visitors hereupon withdrew. Mrs. Mettler finding that 
 they considered her new faith a heresy, and might excommuni- 
 cate her on that ground, but hoping still to obtain a letter of 
 dismissal, through which she might join any other church, 
 presented her views in the following letter. 
 
 To the Pastor, Brothers and Sisters, of the North Congregational 
 
 Church, Bridgeport, Ct. : 
 
 Having received a visit from your Pastor and deacon Sherwood, I 
 was informed by them that I was still considered as a member of 
 your church, and under its care and protection, and they had called 
 to see why I had absented myself from public worship with them. 
 I informed them that I did not agree with them in their belief, but 
 that I had embraced the doctrine of Universalism, believing it to be 
 the gospel, also the true doctrine of the Bible. I was then informed 
 that the church considered it as a pernicious error, and that they 
 should have to abide by the rules and regulations of the church, 
 which I suppose will be to excommunicate me for what they term 
 heresy. But before being dismissed by you, as an heretic, I wish to 
 express to you my firm belief, and also to appeal to your own hearts 
 and consciences to answer me, whether the doctrine I have embraced 
 is so strongly tainted with heresy as you may have imagined, I 
 
 3 
 
50 BIOGRAPHY OF UBS. MSTTLEB. 
 
 have embraced the doctrine pf Universalism because my Bible, my 
 conscience, and all nature declare it to be true. J disbelieve your 
 doctrine because L believe it to be erroneous, unscriptura] and incon- 
 sistent, both with revelation and with the character of God. I 
 believe Him to be, as he is declared, the Savior of all men, and the 
 Redeemer of this lost and ruined world. I believe he is good unto 
 all, and his tender mercies are over all his works ; and he also sends 
 his rain upon the just and the unjust. And if he is an unchangeable 
 being he will ever remain the same good and merciful being. And I 
 believe that he, according to his purpose, will finally bring all men 
 in humble subjection unto him ; and 1 am daily led to rejoice that he 
 has so far made known unto us the mystery of his will, that in the 
 dispensation of the fullness of limes, he will gather together in one 
 all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and on earth, even in 
 him. Therefore to gather all in Christ, is to make them new crea- 
 tures, to save them from sin and render them pure, holy and happy, 
 I believe that he is an impartial God, and to manifest his love for us, 
 he sent his only Son into the world ; and that while we were yet sin- 
 ners Christ died for us. Yes, God loved us while we were yet sin- 
 ners, and, as a manifestation of his love, he sent his Son to die that all 
 might live. • 
 
 Oh ! how different is the love of God from that of erring man. 
 Man loves a part, and is good unto a part, but God loves all and is 
 the Father of all, and is good unto all, and will save all. He has 
 freely given up his only begotten and well beloved Son to die for our 
 j ust i heat ion, so that being now justified by his blood, we shall be 
 saved from wrath through him ; for if when we were enemies w r e 
 were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being 
 reconciled we shall be saved by his life. And we may most truly 
 exclaim, oh ! the depths of the riches, and goodness, and love of God ; 
 thanks be to him for the exceeding riches of his grace and his kind- 
 ness toward us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
 
EXPULSION FROM THE CHURCH. 51 
 
 You believe me to be in error because I believe him to be the 
 Savior of my poor fellow beings as well as myself. Such is my firm 
 hope in God, and the assurance I have in him that I can look for- 
 ward to that blessed state of immortality where all shall be freed 
 from sin, sorrow and trouble. And with St. Paul, I have a firm hope 
 in God, that there shall be a resurrection of the just and the unjust. 
 Believing, as I do, in the attributes, that all Christians and his holy 
 word ascribe to Him, it is impossible for me to believe in any other 
 result of the divine government, than the universal bliss, joy and hap- 
 piness of the whole human family. 
 
 If the views which I have here set forth are considered heresy, 
 and inconsistent with the character of God, and his revelation, then 
 it will perhaps be thought just by you to expel me as a heretic. 
 But blessed be the hope and consolation, that we have a wise, just 
 and merciful Father to rule over us, who will not judge us unright- 
 eously. And if I am condemned and persecuted by those whom I 
 consider my brothers and sisters, it will hurt me not in the eyes of 
 Him who is ever mindful and watchful over us. When you pray, 
 remember to say " Our Father ! " I still love you all as christian 
 friends ; and if we can not be united in sentiment While in this mortal 
 existence, I can most firmly look forward to that blessed state of im- 
 mortality where we shall all unite in one hymn of praise to God the 
 Father of all ! 
 
 I remain yours, in the fraternal bonds of the Gospel, 
 
 Semantha Mettler. 
 
 After considerable discussion the lettef was refused a read- 
 ing, and shortly after, Mrs. Mettler received the following cita- 
 tion to appear before the church. 
 
 Bridgeport, July 1, 1844. 
 Mrs. Semantha Mettler : Madam — You are hereby requested to 
 appear before the Church, under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Hun- 
 
52 BIOGRAPHY OF MKS. ICfiTTLEB. 
 
 tor, l-Uli of July instant, at the close of public worship, P. M., in the 
 meeting house of said church, to answer to the charge of absence 
 
 from public worship and the communion of said church, all of which 
 
 arc contrary to covenant obligations, and require our immediate 
 
 investigation. By order of the church, 
 
 Samuel Beach, Clerk. 
 
 The proceedings of the church are given as they were dic- 
 tated from memory, by Mrs. Mettler, and afterward published 
 in the Christian Messenger : 
 
 I appeared there at the appointed time, and was very politely 
 asked to take a seat, by Deacon Sterling. After a goodly number 
 of members had assembled and taken their seats, Mr. Hunter the 
 Moderator, arose and said, " As Mrs. Mettler has appeared, we will 
 now proceed to trial." Mr. Backus was then appointed clerk pro 
 tern. 
 
 Deacon Sterling arose and called for the reading of the citation. 
 Deacon Sherwood said he believed that they had no copy of it there, 
 and it made no difference. Deacou Sterling insisted that it made a 
 very great difference. He wanted to know what she was cited there 
 for. She might be cited under a great many charges, for all he 
 knew ; and for one, he wanted to know what they were. Deacon 
 Sherwood said he had given the Clerk instructions what to write 
 and it was all correct. But Deacon Sterling still insisted that it was 
 not all right, because he wanted to know what Mrs. Mettler was 
 cited there for, and it was of very great importance to* him. Turning 
 to me he asked if I had the citation with me. I replied in the 
 affirmative. He then observed to the rest, perhaps I would let them 
 take it ; but Mr. Hunter arose and said it made no very great differ- 
 ence whether they had a copy or not, as they well knew what they 
 had instructed the clerk to write ; and it was for non-attendance on 
 public worship with them, and that Mr. Sterling was out of order in 
 
EXPULSION FROM THE CHURCH. 53 
 
 urging it to be read. They now desired to know whether I was 
 guilty of that charge, to which I answered yes. Deacon Sterling 
 said it was my privilege to have counsel if I chose ; and they voted 
 me counsel, but I declined it. 
 
 I was then asked my reasons for absenting myself from their pub- 
 lic worship. I replied that I had once given my reasons to Mr. 
 Hunter and Deacon Sherwood, and since then had written a letter, 
 requesting Mr. Hunter to read it before the church and congrega- 
 tion, that they might know what my views were, before dismissing 
 me as a heretic ; and as the letter had not been read, it was my 
 request that it should be read now, for the satisfaction of those 
 present. 
 
 Mr. Hunter said they had examined my letter, and that they could 
 not, nor did not wish to excommunicate me as a heretic, for that 
 was not the charge. 
 
 Deacon Sterling also observed that the charge was simply absent- 
 ing myself from public worship with them, and he saw no cause for 
 excommunication ; there was no charge brought against my charac- 
 ter, and I had committed no crime against the church, but had sim- 
 ply followed the dictates of my own conscience which was the privi- 
 lege of all in this free country. And, continued Deacon S., I thank 
 God that it is so ; I see no reason why she should not simply be dis- 
 missed from the church, honorably, if she does not wish to be consid- 
 ered a member of it any longer. 
 
 Mr. Hunter then asked if I wished to be considered a member any 
 longer. I told him I did not ; but as I had committed no crime, and 
 as my character, according to their representation was unimpeacha- 
 ble, they ought to give me a letter of dismissal from the church. 
 This, said Mr. H., could not be granted, for if they gave a letter, it 
 must be accompanied with a recommendation, and that they could 
 not do, because they did not consider themselves in fellowship with 
 the denomination of Universalists. 
 
54 BIOGRAPHY OF KR& mkiti.KK. 
 
 Deacon Sherwood said he had just been reading over the old rule 
 and understood il perfectly well — to excommunicate the old way, 
 
 and he should go lor that, and there was no use of Baying so much 
 about it, for that was just the way to do it, lor 1 had embraced the 
 Universal faith. 
 
 Deacon Sterling observed that St. Paul tells us without charity 
 we are nothing, and he should not vote for excommunication, for he 
 did not like the term, but would simply erase my name from the 
 church record — that is, withdraw our watch and care over her as a 
 church member. 
 
 Deacon Sherwood thought that Deacon Sterling seemed to express 
 a great deal of charity and a great deal more love for me than he had 
 ever done belore. 
 
 Deacon Sherwood thought it was right to excommunicate. In 
 days of yore, when he was a boy, they used to excommunicate, and 
 did not think of using any other term, but now-a-days it is not 
 thought quite nice enough to excommunicate, but they must employ 
 the term " withdraw- their watch and care." 
 
 Deacon Sterling moved that they give a Letter of Dismissal, which 
 was seconded by one of the members, which immediately threw every 
 thing into controversy and discord. 
 
 Mr. Keppin got up and said there seemed to be a great deal of 
 unnecessary time spent in this matter. I had committed one of the 
 greatest crimes against the church, that I could commit, and if it 
 was one of his children, he would think it just and right to excom- 
 municate it. He should not hesitate to declare that J had committed 
 one of the grossest crimes by embracing the doctrine of Universalis!!) ; 
 as also in not living up to the rules of the church covenant. It was 
 high time, said he, that the church took these things in hand, for I 
 entered into full church covenant before God and man. and now had 
 violated that obligation. And further, said Mr. K., by their fruits ye 
 shall know them. It is one of the greatest trials this church has 
 
EXPULSION FROM THE CHURCH. 55 
 
 ever been called to witness, and he thought it no more than just and 
 right to excommunicate me. 
 
 Daniel Sterling arose, and said he wished only to detain them a 
 few moments to express his opinion in the matter ; said he was an 
 old man, and had traveled and seen a good deal of the world, and Mr. 
 Kippen had just said, " by their fruits ye shall know them." He 
 thought this all wrong, for he had been in Universalist churches in 
 Boston, and Catholics, and all kinds, and found among them all, as 
 good Christians as will any where be-found ; and for us to stand 
 here, said he, and think that we are so much better than they, is all 
 wrong, for we are indebted for our religion to the Catholics, which 
 the Moderator well knows ; and for us to talk about withdrawing 
 our watch and care from any one is absurd. We must not do it. 
 You might just as well talk about your son, if he did not obey you, 
 or think as you did, that you must not look after him any more. It 
 is perfectly ridiculous for us to talk so. If we see a man down in the 
 street, drunk, it is our first duty to help him up, and watch over him, 
 instead of withdrawing our watch and care from him. We are no 
 better than we should be. We must try and do better, and do right ; 
 that is the way. As for the term Excommunicate, he should not vote 
 for it. He never had, nor never would. 
 
 Mr. Kippen replied that it was the duty of the church to watch 
 over their members, but I had violated the covenant with the church, 
 and the proper course was to excommunicate. 
 
 I arose and remarked, that I had been in the place since my return, 
 nearly three years, and during that time had not received a visit from 
 any of the deacons, nor the pastor until recently. 
 
 Deacon Sterling said he, for one, plead guilty to the charge — he 
 had not done his duty. 
 
 Legrand Sterling followed, and said he could not see any reason 
 why I should not go out of the same door I came in at. 
 
 Deacon Sterling remarked that when a minister was installed there 
 
&Q BIOGRAPHY OF MRS. KETTLES. 
 
 was a great time over it — oftentimes a great feast was prepared. 
 Bat on a discharge for misconduct, iy ever heard of it. He 
 
 could not see why the rule Bhould not work as well with a church 
 member, as a minister, add for bis part be should insist that my 
 name should simply be erased from the church record, and lie should 
 never vote for excommunication, as be had Btated before. 
 
 Deacon Sherwood jumped.- up again apparently in a great rage — 
 Sir, here is Capt. Daniel Sterling, be has a son who is a disobedient, 
 unruly fellow, and he feels in bis own mind determined to get rid of 
 him, and turn him out of his house ; that he will no longer take care 
 of him or watch over him. It does not matter which way he goes 
 out, whether out of the front door, or back door, or window, he must 
 go out some way or other ; and that is just the case with the cul- 
 prit before us, (myself,) she has gone contrary to the rules of the 
 church, and she has got to leave it. 
 
 Deacon Sterling replied, that they had no power to turn me out, 
 for I had already turned myself out ; and he, as a neighbor, thought 
 much of my husband and myself, and ever should m h and also as 
 brothers and sisters, for we have all one Father, and were all aiming 
 for one home, which home he hoped I should obtain, in the faith 1 
 had embraced. 
 
 Mr. Sellick was astonished that there was so much ignorance man- 
 ifested upon the terms they should employ in my case. As for the 
 friendship of neighbors, that should ever be sustained, and the help- 
 ing hand should ever be reached out ; and for his part he felt much 
 for the beloved sister now before them, and he had often prayed and 
 wept with an aching heart, that I might be brought back to the fold 
 again. When I entered into the church, he said, I entered into its 
 full obligation, and w r as to abide by its rules, and to sustain its creed ; 
 and I once believed that those that believe shall be saved, and those 
 that believe not shall be damned. I now denied that doctrine, and 
 they in accordance with their covenant obligations to me had called 
 
EXPULSION FROM THE CHURCH. 5*1 
 
 me before them to perform their duty with me, and it was just and 
 right that I should be excommunicated according to the rules of the 
 church. 
 
 Mr. Hunter then arose and called them to order, and stated that I 
 was not cited before them to answer to any particular doctrine I had 
 embraced, but that I was arraigned before them for violating the 
 covenant obligations, and they must proceed with their business or 
 they would not get through by night. 
 
 I arose and said there seemed to be a great contention concerning 
 the term which they should employ in my case, but it mattered not 
 to me which term they employed. Some smart young man, back by 
 the door, bellowed out — " Excommunicate her I" They put the ques- 
 tion, and I was excommunicated by a vote of four or live, but it was 
 not stated for what. 
 
 I was then desired to withdraw, as they had some further business to 
 bring up. On rising to go, they were about asking some further 
 questions, when Mr. Mettler said, " I believe, sir, you have no further 
 claim on my wife, as you have just finished voting, and excommuni- 
 cated her." 
 
 After Mr. Mettler and myself had left, they arraigned Capt. Ster- 
 ling, and also Deacon Sterling, for trial, because of their liberality in 
 advocating my cause, as I learned from Capt. Sterling a short time 
 afterward. p • . 
 
 I shall ever feel under great obligations to Deacon Sterling, as also 
 Capt. Daniel Sterling, for their gentlemanly conduct towards me, 
 and the liberality with which they defended the great and impartial 
 goodness of our Heavenly Father. Semantha Mettler. 
 
 I have inserted the papers entire, that they may be preserved 
 as a matter of history ; for will it be credible a few years 
 hence, that the Christ ian Church, as a body, are now but just 
 beginning to emerge from such gross darkness ? I trust not. 
 
58 BIOGRAPHY OF MRS. METTI.KR. 
 
 This trial affected Mrs. Mettler's mother to such a degree that 
 she not only left the Church, bul renounced its principles; 
 though she would never acknowledge it was for that cause. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 THE MISSION FORESHADOWED. 
 
 Some time in the month of August or September following, 
 Mrs. Mettler attended a pic nic of the Universalist Society, 
 and from over exertion, or some other cause, on her return ^\\e 
 became quite ill. She sent for Dr. Lyon, who came, accompa- 
 nied by Mr. Davis. After examining the patient Mr. Davis 
 announced the fact that she was possessed of very remarkable 
 clairvoyant powers for the discernment and cure of disease, 
 saying in the same connection, that it would require a great 
 length of time to magnetize her. He also said that there were 
 other faculties to be developed by magnetism, which would be 
 of great benefit to the world. Here was a prophecy that 
 moved at once all the great springs of her character ; and to 
 this hope of usefulness she surrendered herself, with all the 
 ardor and determination which had hitherto distinguished her, 
 but which were now to have their severest trial. 
 
 Long and painful was the process ; vet she was sustained 
 by the bare possibility of achieving good, for no less a term 
 than three years — during which she must have been magnet- 
 ized at least five hundred times ! What wonderful faith and 
 
MISSION FORESHADOWED. 59 
 
 perseverance. Only think of it ! What a sublime determina- 
 tion to achieve the unwilling victory ! Think of all the diffi- 
 culties she must have had to encounter — the spirit of the times, 
 when very few r persons would countenance any faith in magnetic 
 clairvoyance, even if they accepted the minor phenomena — the 
 many and bitter disappointments continually repeated — the 
 inability to defend her own positions by one encouraging fact 
 — the objection of friends — the cavil of neighbors and acquaint- 
 ances — the scorn of brethren and sisters in the church — and, 
 through all these, the heart-sickness which must often have 
 nearly overcome her. In this light her determination becomes 
 one of the most wonderful phenomena, ever wrought out by 
 human Will and Conscience, in their closest and most power- 
 ful conjunction. The Seven Labors of Hercules shrink into 
 insignificance, compared with this One great work of Love, in 
 the purity, beauty, and strength of its most subtile essence. 
 
 Nor is this all mere empty speculation ; for it is sustained 
 by the most startling facts. In addition to the alienation of 
 friends, and the loss of her former social influence and position, 
 Mrs. Mettler could only look forw r ard to the disheartening pros- 
 pect of almost hopeless poverty, which w r as too truly shadowed 
 forth in the bitter sufferings of the present. When we look at 
 the mother surrounded by her five children, whose very hunger 
 she could not always have the means of appeasing, and see her 
 devoting herself so determinedly to a remote, and at best, un- 
 certain good, her resolution becomes in itself truly miraculous ; 
 and we can only believe that she was continually inspired, and 
 sustained, by a super-sensuous Spirit, Will, and Power. 
 
 Toward the latter part of the year 1845 Mr. Mettler's busi- 
 
60 BIOGRAPHY OF MRS. MKITLKR. 
 
 ness began to suffer very seriously* Many were so conscien- 
 tious that they could not trade with a [Jiiiversalist ; and this 
 spirit finally ruined it. Once more he became unable to pay 
 his creditors, as he desired ; and he was driven to means of 
 extricating himself, which were to his wile a great source of 
 trouble. By his solicitation several friends came forward, and 
 endorsed for him. As yet he has been unable to discharge all 
 these debts ; yet he does not seek to invalidate them ; and he 
 is looking forward to the time when they may all be honestly 
 paid. 
 
 After leaving this business, in the Spring of 1846, Mr. Met- 
 tier was once more destitute of employment and as the land- 
 lords knew his situation, it was with extreme difficulty that 
 they could obtain a tenement to live in ; but after a long and 
 anxious search they had the good fortune to obtain a humble 
 dwelling on Water-street. Soon after, Mr. Mettler obtained 
 the situation of clerk in a foundry with a salary of four hun- 
 dred dollars to support a wife and five children. But by a rigid 
 economy, aided by what little Mrs. Mettler herself could do, 
 they got through the year with tolerable comfort. It should 
 be here remembered that with all her cares, anxieties, and 
 troubles, Mrs. Mettler attended strictly to the process of unfold- 
 ing her powers, being magnetized daily, though still without 
 any apparent progress. 
 
 The house on Water-street was so very miserable that they 
 could not have endured to live there in very cold weather ; and 
 after having remained there three months, they once more 
 removed to a house on Main-street. And here were to be 
 unfolded the most severe trials. 
 
MISSION FORESHADOWED. 61 
 
 At the end of six months after the last remove, Mr. Mettler 
 was again thrown out of business, his employer having obtained 
 a man to do for three hundred a year, the work for which he 
 had received four hundred. 
 
 The landlord was not only a penurious man but exceedingly 
 small and mean in all his dealings ; and wiien Mr. Mettler was 
 deprived of business, he warned them out — not because he had 
 not received his pay, but because he was afraid he should not 
 for the future be so fortunate. But the warning came too late ; 
 and finally, with a very ill grace, he consented to let them 
 remain another year. This was the darkest period of Mrs. 
 Mettler's life. The winter of 1846 and 7 opened on this deso- 
 late and long-suffering family, without business, hope of busi- 
 ness, or any resources whatever ; and they would not have 
 been able to live at all, had not the Fraternity of Odd 
 Fellows, to which Mr. Mettler belonged, given him employ- 
 ment as a watcher, and nurse for the sick. He watched when- 
 ever he could find employment of that kind— sometimes for one 
 dollar — at others a dollar and twenty-five cents a night. Mrs. 
 Mettler also turned herself to various kinds of work ; and with 
 her five little children to take care of, took in washing, and 
 whatever other work she might find to do. But in spite of all 
 the exertions that could be made, they sometimes were so 
 reduced as to be without even a crust of bread, or a coal. 
 One morning which Mrs. Mettler remembers well, she divided 
 what little bread she had in shares, reserving none for herself. 
 Mr. Mettler, who did not know this, had taken his, and gone 
 out, and the children also had eaten their pittance, and gone 
 to school. Go now, in idea, if you can, to that poor famished 
 
62 BIOGRAPHY OF MRS. MKTTLER. 
 
 mother, as she sat with her little babe, alone, shivering and 
 hungry ! What must hare been her reflections for the present 
 
 — her prospect for the future ! What agonizing- thoughts ! 
 what bitter feelings must have oppressed her ! what sad com- 
 parisons between the days oi free and happy girlhood, or the first 
 bright and hopeful years of her early married life, and the ter- 
 rible truth of the present I What hights — what depths — what 
 a wide expansion of unmitigated darkness. Thus she brooded 
 over her misfortunes in the cold silence, 
 
 " Until it seemed 
 That there was less of utter misery 
 In the wide world, than in her single heart." 
 
 But they who walk thus the thorny paths of poverty, some- 
 times are permitted to gather the sweetest blossoms of that 
 rare human charity, whose essence is universal love. Beauti- 
 ful is the sympathy — wonderful the generosity — which the 
 poor often manifest toward each other ! Such an instance was 
 found in the coal-man, who, when Priest and Levite passed by 
 on the other side, although this poor family were nearly perish- 
 ing with cold, purchased a small quantity of coal on his own 
 responsibility, and thus preserved them from suffering, until 
 other sources of relief were opened. 
 
 In the month of May of this year, Mrs. Mettler received a 
 letter from one of her brothers, urging her to separate from 
 her husband, and promising to provide for herself and her little 
 girls. It is almost unnecessary to say, that so true and loving 
 a heart rejected the proposition, with a strong will to suffer 
 with, and for her dear companion, but never voluntarily to sep- 
 
CLAIRVOYANCE DEVELOPED. 63 
 
 arate herself from him. Yolumes of agonizing thought, feel- 
 ing, and absolute physical suffering, could be wrought out of 
 the trials of that one year ; but the seeds that were sown in 
 darkness are now unfolding their rich fruits of beauty and love ; 
 and how much fairer is her spirit for having known them. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 CLAIRVOYANCE DEVELOPED. 
 
 At the end of the year, or in the Spring of 1848, Mr. Met- 
 tler was again warned out ; but he could not find a house until 
 some time in June ; and then he removed to a very comfort- 
 able dwelling in Division-street. The next week after, a note 
 was received from one of Mrs. Met tier's brothors, saying that 
 Mr. Mettler's old employer had a place for him in New- York. 
 
 He remained in this clerkship nearly a year, and was look- 
 ing forward to a still more lucrative position, when he met 
 with an accident which, for the time, frustrated all his hopes ; 
 though it brought forward the exciting cause of Mrs. Mettler's 
 final development. 
 
 When about to visit home, on coming to the steamer, a 
 plank being put out for him to £et on board, he stepped on the 
 corner of it, fell, and split his ankle bone, which laid him up 
 for three months. Mrs. Mettler was expecting him, and had 
 been all the morning very happy, making preparations for his 
 return. Judge of her feelings when she saw her husband 
 
64 BIOGRAPHY OF MRS. METTLER. 
 
 brought into the yard, and knew that some dreadful accident 
 had befallen him 1 
 
 At this time, again, the family must have suffered, had it 
 not been for the kindness of his employer, who, by the contri- 
 bution of friends, made out a considerable sum, which was 
 kindly presented, and applied to his relief. 
 
 But with all this trouble flowed in an unexpected blessing. 
 Mr. Henry Gordon, a since quite celebrated clairvoyant prac- 
 titioner, was called in to attend Mr. Mettler ; and while in 
 the abnormal state Mrs. Mettler asked him if there were any 
 means of inducing a deeper sleep than she had yet been 
 able to attain. He immediately replied, " Yes ; and I can 
 do it." 
 
 This declaration was rather startling ; for although in the 
 early part of the time Mrs. Mettler had followed up the mag- 
 netism with a great deal of faith and perseverance ; yet after 
 trying so long, without making any apparent progress, she had 
 become discouraged. For a considerable period immediately 
 preceding this, she had not made any efforts to become what 
 she must still have had a fixed presentiment of yet being. 
 Joyfully, then, she submitted herself to the spiritual direction 
 of Mr. Gordon. 
 
 As he spoke he took her hand ; and in the space of a few 
 minutes, affected her more than she had been in the whole 
 three years. 
 
 Mr. Gordon's visit continued for three weeks ; and each 
 time when, he had finished with her husband, he would magnet- 
 ize Mrs. Mettler, being himself in the magnetic state. She 
 soon began to see what her magnetizer saw ; but the external 
 
CLAIRVOYANCE DEVELOPED. 65 
 
 senses not being entirely closed, she was partially conscious of 
 what was going on around her. 
 
 When Mr. Gordon left her, he gave directions for the mag- 
 netizing process to be continued ; and, as Mr. Mettler's health 
 would not then permit him to take charge of her, he appointed 
 Mr. Mallory, of Bridgeport, as his successor ; who, kindly 
 accepting the appointment, visited her daily for that purpose. 
 After Mr. Mallory had magnetized her about three times, a 
 friend of the family, Mr. Harvey Haight, whom she had not 
 seen for a number of months, came in, Dr. Lyon being present. 
 
 Mrs. Mettler, being in the magnetic state, was immediately 
 attracted to the condition of Mr. Haight, who was then suffer- 
 ing very much from a distress in the back, caused by a difficulty 
 of the kidneys. This she described so accurately as to astonish 
 every one present. After this she would describe, daily, the 
 various conditions of persons about her, and among them that 
 of her magnetizer. In fact, any person who came in for amuse- 
 ment, was pretty sure to have a revelation of his ailments, 
 whether he sought for it, or not. 
 
 By another remove she began examining her neighbors' 
 complaints ; and in this way she was attracted to a Mr. Mid- 
 dlebrooks, who was sick at the time. She gave a very partic- 
 ular description of his disease, and prescribed remedies. Soon 
 after she began giving the names of herbs and plants of which 
 she knew nothing. From this she went to prescribing and 
 compounding remedies, though, in the normal state, she had 
 not the most distant idea of the ingredients or proportions of 
 any medicinal compound ; and 'she was but a miserable nurse. 
 
 She had but little faith in her own prescriptions, and laughed 
 
66 BIOGtUPHY OF MRS. MKlTl.KK. 
 
 at the idea of people's following them. But there were many 
 who had 80 much faith thai they look her medicines, and found 
 them very beneficial This induced them to recommend her 
 
 to otln PS. 
 
 She was greatly troubled about adopting this new treatment 
 of disease as a PROFESSION ; and at first only consented to 
 make examinations in order to gratify those who came to her. 
 But the work was plainly marked out for her, although at the 
 time she could not perceive it. The quite remarkable cures 
 she made, even in the beginning, soon spread her name abroad; 
 and by that same over-mastering spirit of love, which is the 
 ruling power in her character, she was induced to leave home, 
 and commence visiting the neighboring towns ; and in all these 
 ministering visits her success was very good. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 APPARENT CONVERSION OF MRS. BEERS 
 
 Mrs. Mettler's mother had been at first very much opposed 
 to her being magnetized ; but in the year 1849, when Mrs. 
 Mettler was being developed, Mrs. Beers was spending the 
 winter with her son in New- York. In the following summer 
 she made a visit of three weeks to Mrs. Mettler ; and during 
 that time, beiug present at several examinations, she became 
 much interested. She knew that the persons examined were 
 perfect strangers to the seeress ; and yet she heard them ac- 
 
MRS. BEERS. 67 
 
 knowledge the correctness of her statements. During the 
 Winter previous she herself had had a very severe attack of the 
 malady which finally caused her death ; and she was moved to 
 ask for an examination of her case, also. During the Summer she 
 took the medicines ordered, and was much benefitted by them. 
 
 In the Autumn she came to make another visit ; but on 
 going home one of her sons having lost a little child, she went 
 to his house to assist in preparing for the funeral. On this 
 occasion she over-exerted herself, and became prostrated again, 
 from which she never recovered. One of her sons, hearing of 
 her illness, and fearing that Mrs. Mettler might be called, gave 
 orders for the old family physician to attend her. Mrs. Mettler, 
 however, visited her often, although she was at that time neces- 
 sarily away from home a great deal. On these occasions, Mrs. 
 Beers was very much interested in the subjects connected with 
 the specific differences in their religious views, often requesting 
 Mrs. Mettler to give her ideas of death — or rather those of 
 Mr. Davis, on which her own were founded. At one time a 
 sister-in-law of Mrs. Mettler's came in weeping. She had been 
 to the grave of her little child, lately buried. She said she 
 loved to go to his grave, it was such a comfort. It seemed as 
 if she could see him there. 
 
 " Why, my dear child," said the elder Mrs. Beers, " I could 
 get no comfort by visiting the grave. He is not there. His 
 spirit has flown to its resting-place in the bosom of God. That 
 is what makes death appear to me beautiful." 
 
 After a few minutes she added : "I long for the time to 
 come ; for I feel that it is but passing into a higher and more 
 •beautiful condition." 
 
68 BIOGRAPHY Of MRS. METTLER. 
 
 Through these and similar remarks, Mrs. Mettler perceived 
 
 a remarkable change in her mother's views and feelings. The 
 only thing in the great transition which she seemed to dread, 
 was a long and lingering struggle. Her continued prayer 
 that it might not be protracted, was mercifully granted. On 
 the morning of her death, she had risen, and dressed a> usual. 
 Soon after this she sat down in her chair, and passed away 
 without a groan. 
 
 About three weeks previous to her death, having become 
 dissatisfied with her physician's treatment, she had desired Mrs. 
 Mettler to examine her and administer something that would 
 merely soothe her sufferings ; for she well knew she could not 
 recover. Mrs Mettler, knowing her brother's and sisters' feel- 
 ings, hesitated for some time ; but finally consented — the result 
 of which was that the patient was made able to sit up, walk 
 about the room, and read sometimes. 
 
 The last week previous to her death Mrs. Mettler was called 
 away to Stamford. Before leaving she spent nearly the whole 
 day with her mother. She had been reading several pages in 
 the Life of Christ ; and when she spoke of it she remarked that 
 it seemed as if she had never seen his character so beautifully 
 portrayed as at that time. They conversed together much on 
 the subject of death, which seemed to interest her more than 
 all other things ; and Mrs. Mettler then more clearly perceived 
 that her spirit had acquired a much higher degree of freedom 
 than had ever before been exhibited. She had always been 
 possessed of a true Christian feeling, though it was cramped 
 by the superstition, bigotry and errors of the church to which 
 she belonged. «* 
 
THE MOST CRUEL BLOW. 69 
 
 When Mrs. Mettler left her that morning, she was very 
 strong in her desire that she might return soon, observing in 
 the same connection, that she as weli as herself knew that her 
 time must be near at hand. 
 
 On taking leave Mrs. Mettler desired her brother's family to 
 send for her if there should be any change. This idea was 
 received with derision, and was repeated to the Doctor, with 
 the remark, that if she was clairvoyant, she might see for her- 
 self ; and that he should not trouble himself to send for her ; 
 a kind resolution which, as we shall presently see, he actually 
 put in practice. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 THE MOST CRUEL BLOW. 
 
 Mrs. Mettler was detained longer in Stamford than she had 
 anticipated. The day before leaving she was impressed with a 
 melancholy presentiment of some unpleasant news. Her mind 
 was continually recurring to her mother ; and she wished very 
 much to return that night, but could not, because of the exam- 
 ination she was engaged to make in the afternoon. She could 
 not rest through the night ; and she was strongly impressed 
 that her mother desired to see her. But in the abnormal state 
 it was all dark around her mother. She could see nothing of 
 her. This, doubtless, was mercifully ordered, that she might 
 
70 BIOG&APOT Of MRS. ICETTLER. 
 
 be able to do the good works that lay immediately before her, 
 which otherwise she could not have accomplished. 
 
 In the morning, before it was time forthe early train, which 
 she was expected to take, two person- came who strongly 
 urged her to wait until the next day, as they wished to have 
 another patient examined ; and this she most reluctantly com- 
 plied with. 
 
 They took the two o'clock train, and had ridden about half 
 the distance from Stamford to Bridgeport, Mrs. Mettler still 
 remaining in a very melancholy mood, thinking of her mother, 
 when suddenly the thought came into her mind, as if some one 
 had spoken to her ; " You do not know but your brothers are 
 in the cars ! " 
 
 She turned her head instantly, and saw one of her brothers, 
 who had just come from a lower part of the car to speak to 
 her ; and as she looked up, he was tapping Mr. Mettler on 
 the shoulder. He appeared very grave, asked where his sister 
 had been ; and the instant that she informed him, the truth 
 came to her mind, that he was on his way to attend their 
 mother's funeral. Under all these cruel circumstances did she 
 receive the sad intelligence, her brother saying very coolly, 
 " Did you know Mother is dead V } 
 
 He appeared somewhat surprised that they had not informed 
 her of the event ; but made no comments. He stood a mo- 
 ment, then went back to the seat where his brother was sit- 
 ting, little knowing the anguish of his neglected and ill-used sis- 
 ter, who in that desolate moment stood entirely alone ; for her 
 loss w r as doubly painful from the reflection, that she was so 
 entirely severed from all her family, that even as a common 
 
THE MOST CRUEL BLOW. 11 
 
 mourner she could find no sympathy with them — and that her 
 mother was taken away, at the very time when she had just 
 begun to enjoy her society and conversation. 
 
 The two brothers remained in their seat until they had 
 arrived in Bridgeport, when the elder came forward, spoke to 
 Mrs. Mettler in a commonplace kind of way, and coolly 
 asked if she was going to Mother's. On being answered in the 
 affirmative, the two brothers went on some distance ahead, 
 leaving Mrs. Mettler and her husband to follow alone. 
 
 On the way they met one of the sisters, who was more 
 friendly. She said that her mother had expressed a great 
 desire to see Semantha, but that none of them saw her de- 
 parture. 
 
 Mrs. Mettler passed into the house and stood beside the ven- 
 erated Form. There she felt the comforting influences of the 
 Spirit ; and she was relieved of the feeling of loneliness which 
 had before oppressed her. Mrs. Mettler stood there with her 
 brothers and sisters, for the space of half an hour, and not a 
 single word was exchanged between them. 
 
 Soon after Mrs. Mettler went home to make preparations 
 for the funeral the next day. She was afterward informed 
 that her mother had wished mnch through the whole day 
 before her departure to see Semantha, though she said she 
 could not understand why it was. She also, in her late con- 
 versations, had often spoken of her sons, wishing them to 
 investigate, saying they would not be so bitter if they could 
 understand what they condemned. 
 
 They bore their mother's body to the grave in Fairfield, a 
 distance of four miles ; and on their return Mrs. Mettler bade 
 
72 BIOGRAPHY OF MRS. METTLER. 
 
 adieu to her brothers from New -York, as they would return 
 early in the morning ; and she went home, feeling that though 
 she was an outcast from the external bonds of family relation- 
 ship, the interior blessing of communion with the dear Spirit 
 was hers, alone ; for they could make no monopoly of that. 
 
 The next evening Mrs. Mettler, thinking her sister-iu-law, 
 with whom her mother had of late resided, would be lonely, 
 went to pass the evening w r ith her, when, of course, they con- 
 versed much of the departed. On her rising to leave, her sis- 
 ter-in-law handed her a letter purporting to come from her 
 brother H., though she thinks it was the joint production of 
 the three, the two brothers and the sister-in-law, as it partook 
 of the character and feeling which had been manifested by them 
 all. The writer demanded that she should renounce her pro- 
 fession and her principles, declaring that if she would not do 
 so, he should never again be able to call her what he wished 
 t — a sister. In short, the letter seemed to be written in that 
 cold, cruel, heartless spirit of dogmatism, which can have no 
 affection — no sense of respect but for some grand embodyment 
 of physical force — such as the Incarnation of Supreme Cruelty 
 on whose bloody altars is sacrificed every thing that is tender 
 and truthful in nature ; and they, too, were coldly immolating, 
 in that austere and unnatural worship, the heart of an innocent 
 and loving sister ! 
 
 Is not this the same spirit which, of old sent young maidens 
 to be devoured by unknown monsters — which, in modern 
 times has lighted the fires, and refined the tortures of the 
 Inquisition — hung Baptists and Quakers — which still binds the 
 Hindoo widow to the burning stake, and sacrifices young chit 
 
A NEW POWER DEVELOPED. % 13 
 
 dren, or crushes thousands beneath the car of Juggernaut? 
 The j are all one — the outgrowth of a rank heathenism ; and 
 if any of them appear in a christian land they gather no 
 defense from their position, but only seem the blacker — the 
 more deformed. If our intense compassion for all these 
 benighted ones could only carry light with it, they would 
 surely soon be brought to see — to believe — to know, and be 
 happy in their new light, knowledge, faith, and liberty. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 A NEW POWER DEVELOPED. 
 
 By advice of her friend, S. B. Brittan, Mrs. Mettler was 
 induced to visit several places where he was lecturing on Psy- 
 chology. During this tour she examined many patients in 
 Sandy Hook and Southington, Connecticut, and in Springfield, 
 Massachusetts. 
 
 Her fame soon reached Cabottville, a small village in the 
 neighborhood of Springfield ; and there was first developed 
 her power of healing by the hand. In the month of January, 
 1851, she was called to visit Miss Mary Mosman, a young 
 lady, daughter of Deacon Silas Mosman of Cabottville. 
 
 The details of this wonderful case can best be given in the 
 words of Mr. Mosman himself. 
 
 " Cabottville, Jan. 9, 1850. 
 " Be it known that my daughter, Mary, now twenty-two years old, 
 has, for about three years past, been mostly confined to her bed, and 
 
74 - BIOGRAPHY OF MRS. METTLES. 
 
 unable to walk alone. About the middle of July last she lost all 
 power of the organs of speeeh, and a tew days after was deprived of her 
 eyesight, becoming entirely blind, with no power to even raise her eye- 
 lids. All possible means have been used lor her relief. She has 
 been attended by twelve or thiilcen different physicians, some of them 
 being of the highest order and skill. She eontinued in about the 
 same condition, changing only for the worse ; and was finally told 
 that she eould never be any better. 
 
 " By this time we had almost despaired of obtaining any relief. 
 But through a kind Providence, we noticed a letter in one of the 
 Springfield papers respecting the claims and powers of Mrs. Mettler, 
 the claire-voyaHte, in healing and restoring the sick. We immediately 
 applied to her, and after several attempts we were fortunate in get- 
 ting her to make us a visit. On the evening of the above date she 
 called, made a clairvoyant examination of Mary's case, and prescribed 
 for her. The next day Mrs, M. called again ; and by manipulations 
 quieted her a good deal. 
 
 " On the next Wednesday she called a third time to see her ; and 
 in about half an hour, with nothing but her own hands, she suc- 
 ceeded, to the joy of all, in opening her eyes, and restoring her 
 sight and speech ! The next day Mrs. Mettler called again ; and to 
 our astonishment she triumphantly put the case beyond all question, 
 by making my daughter walk entirely alone, which she had not done 
 for three years. 
 
 " Such are the facts in this most remarkable cure. Mary continues 
 to see, talk, and walk ; and for all we know she must soon be restored 
 to her former good health." 
 
 And perhaps one of the most remarkable features in this 
 case, is, that the good work was done without the least faith 
 on the part of the patient. It may be asked here of what 
 good faith could be in such a matter ; and it may be answered, 
 
A NEW POWER DEVELOPED. ' T5 
 
 that some degree of trust is necessary, in order to induce the 
 reposeful, or passive condition, which throws the subject com- 
 pletely under the influence of the operator. It is probable 
 that in this instance indifference, itself, favored the receptive, 
 or passive state. 
 
 This wonderful cure produced a great excitement in the 
 vicinity where it occurred, and was spread, more or less, 
 through the public papers of the country. 
 
 To give a history of even the most remarkable cures would 
 swell this volume quite too much. I will merely throw in the 
 outline of a few. In February, 1850, Mrs. Mettler was called 
 to see Mrs. Climena Burt, of Chicopee, Mass., who had been 
 afflicted with a Spinal disease and Inflammatory Rheumatism. 
 She had not been able to walk for more than a year and a 
 half ; and for seven months she could not lie in bed. During 
 that long period she was confined to a rocking chair, and could 
 not be moved without the most intense pain. Her muscular 
 system had become so powerless that the head would fall 
 back ; and she was unable to raise it without help. The joints 
 of her limbs and other parts of the body, were much swollen, 
 and attended by acute pains. One limb was so contracted as 
 to become about four inches shorter than the other. She had 
 several eminent physicians ; but the case was declared hopeless. 
 
 On the first application of Mrs. Mettler's wonderful power,, 
 and in the short space of twenty minutes, the contracted limb 
 was straightened to its full length ; and the patient was made 
 to stand on her feet, and walk five 'times round the room, unas- 
 sisted by any one. She continued to improve ; and the cure 
 became permanent. 
 
16 BIOGRAPHY OF MRS. MKTTI.KR. 
 
 Mrs. Sophia Taylor, of Granby, Muss., had been suffering 
 six years from a complete prostration of the nervous system. 
 She had employed several of the most skillful physicians, but 
 gradually grew worse for four years, during most of which 
 time she had been unable to walk, without taking hold of 
 whatever she could reach for support — and then only for a few 
 steps. 
 
 After having examined, and prescribed for the patient, Mrs. 
 Mettler quieted her for the night, by making passes ; and in 
 the morning the magnetic treatment was renewed. In Less 
 than half an hour Mrs. Taylor was able to walk, erect and 
 strong, when she went into another room and took breakfast, 
 sat a long time, and walked round the house. The next day 
 she w r ent up stairs, and came down again, without the least 
 help, which she had not done before throughout her whole 
 sickness. On the third day she went all over the house, then 
 went out, and walked the whole length of the piazza ; and a 
 few days after she rode out to visit her sister, who was also 
 under the treatment of Mrs. Mettler for similar complaints, 
 and whom she had not seen for five years, though only a mile 
 distant. 
 
 In April, 1850, Mrs. Mettler was called to visit Mrs. Ren- 
 aude of Stamford, Ct. This lady had been sick three years, 
 most of which time she had been confined to her bed, and was 
 unable to walk without assistance. During the previous year 
 she had been kept constantly in bed, and was unable to sit 
 erect. She had the most scientific physicians of the various 
 schools, and took a great deal of medicine, without relief. On 
 Mrs. Mettler's first visit the distress of the patient was greatly 
 
A NEW POWER DEVELOPED. 71 
 
 mitigated, and she was made to walk alone, with a firm and 
 strong step, from one room to another. The next day, after 
 a renewal of the same treatment, Mrs. Renaude went into the 
 street, and returned without being tired. 
 
 Mrs. Rowley, wife of Harmon Rowley, of Chicopee Falls, 
 Mass., had been sick fourteen years, of a general debility. For 
 two years she could not rise from her bed, or walk without 
 assistance. In a very few minutes she was made to rise, and 
 walk across the room without help ; and after a few applica- 
 tions of the same power, she could walk, and run briskly. 
 
 Mrs. Mary M. Ferry, of Granby Center, Mass., was sick 
 between three and four years, and during the last year had 
 been mostly confined to the bed, and was wholly unable to walk 
 alone. She continued to grow worse ; and the case was con- 
 sidered nearly, if not quite hopeless. When Mrs. Mettler first 
 visited her, which was March 7, 1850, she found the patient in 
 bed, scarcely able to move. 
 
 After making the clairvoyant examination, and giving the 
 prescription, Mrs. Mettler was restored to the natural state, 
 when she magnetized the patient so powerfully, that she soon 
 had her on her feet. Mrs. Ferry walked through several 
 rooms, returned to her chamber, and after sitting awhile, rose 
 and went out into the dining room, sat at table, ate dinner, and 
 walked to her room again. The patient continued to walk, 
 and to advance generally into a rapid recovery of her former 
 health. 
 
 And what, I now ask, would such acts as these once have 
 been called ? What could they have been called but miracles ? 
 By almost instantaneous results the weak are strengthened, the 
 
18 BIOGRAPHY of MBS. UKTTLKk. 
 
 lame walk, and the blind see. All these works are exhibited 
 before our own eyes, in open daylight, as substantial realities. 
 But we now understand that, these things, marvelous as they 
 appear, involve no suspension of any principle, or operation of 
 .Nature. The great law of Equilibrium sustains the Universe. 
 It not only balances the spheres, and sends them to describe, 
 with inconceivable force, and unerring certainty, their several 
 paths amid the trackless depths of ether ; but it spreads out 
 the water — it diffuses light — it inspires the atmosphere ; and 
 while it condenses the solid granite bosom of the mountain, it 
 wings the ethereal perfume, and tinges the delicate petals in the 
 bosom of a rose. 
 
 As disease is an interruption of this law, so all true remedial 
 agency must consist in the best means of its restoration. Tos- 
 itive and negative forces, throughout all Nature, continually 
 attract and neutralize each other. When there is a concentra- 
 tion of vital energy to any given part, the disease is positive ; 
 when there is a deficiency of vital energy it is negative. The 
 hand of the magnetizer, being negative, on its application 
 to the head of the patient, the brain being in too positive a 
 state, abstracts the excess of vital fluid ; while the general 
 action of the magnetic power has a tendency to equalize and 
 diffuse the vital forces. 
 
 All human beings possess more or less of this power : while 
 in a few it is concentrated and exalted. Others become media 
 of superhuman influence ; or, in other words, transmit the 
 healing power of spirits. Such a medium, beyond a doubt, was 
 Jesus ; and such are Mrs. Mcttler, John M. Spear, and others 
 of modern times. 
 
VISIT TO NEW-YORK, 19 
 
 CHAPTER XYI. 
 
 VISIT TO NEW-YORK PSYCHOMETRY CURE OF MR. DAVIS. 
 
 Mrs. Mettler remained in Springfield, as her central quarters, 
 for about fifteen weeks, during which time she visited many of 
 the neighboring towns, and examined a large number of 
 patients. 
 
 Even so early as this she had a great many spiritual warn- 
 ings and directions, which evinced the never-ceasing watchful- 
 ness of guardian care. While in Northampton, being about to 
 visit a patient, she became oppressed with the most boding 
 fears in regard to the case. The night before her intended 
 visit, she dreamed that her mother came to her, and said : 
 
 " Do not go there, Semantha ! If you do you will fail, and 
 feel very sadly about it." She then told her to go home, and 
 at the same time informed her of a family misfortune that 
 would render such a step abvisable, if not necessary. 
 
 Mrs. Mettler told her husband of this dream, and expressed 
 an unwillingness to go ; but he, thinking it might be the effect 
 of a rather morbid sensitiveness, sought to reassure her, in 
 which he succeeded so far that she consented to go. But on 
 the first attempt to see the patient, her sight failed her, and 
 she could perceive nothing for the space of a few minutes, when 
 her mind was attracted home, by the unhappy circumstance 
 which was then transpiring in her family ; and while in the 
 
80 BIOGRAPHY OF MRS. MKTTI.ER. 
 
 clairvoyant state she wept, and was greatly grieved. This was 
 her first failure ; and if her own true intuitions bad been fol- 
 lowed, it could not have occurred. A trery remarkable feature 
 
 in the case was this, that on waking her mind was much agi- 
 tated, although she never carries the impressions of the abnor- 
 mal into the normal state. 
 
 When told of her want of success, it rendered her for a time 
 very unhappy ; and in this state she returned to the house of 
 Mr. Wells, of Northampton, where she was stopping. While 
 sitting with a patient there, for the first time in her life, she 
 was thrown into the magnetic state without a magnetizer. As 
 soon as this occurred, she saw the condition of the persons she 
 had tried to get into sympathy with in the morning, and gave 
 a very minute description of all their difficulties — they not 
 being present at the time ; and through the medium of friends, 
 their correctness was afterward recognized, and acknowledged. 
 
 In May, Mrs. Mettler went to New- York. At this time, 
 among other wonderful cures, was one of a Mrs. Wilkie, of 
 Brooklyn. Mrs. Mettler found her in a state of entire debility, 
 and prostration of the nervous system, in which she had 
 remained without help for several months. I extract the fol- 
 lowing account of this very remarkable case from the New- 
 York Tribune. Some very interesting papers concerning it 
 were also published in the Philadelphia Inquirer. 
 
 REMARKABLE CASE OF CLAIRVOYANCE. 
 
 Brooklyn, Saturday, July 6, 1850. 
 Sir — Knowing your praiseworthy liberality in admitting to the 
 columns of your journal whatever you conceive likely to prove inter- 
 esting, useful, or instructive to your readers, permit me to call your 
 
VISIT TO NEW-YORK. 81 
 
 attention to a letter that appears in the Philadelphia Inquirer of the 
 2d inst. It is a simple statement of facts, addressed by me to a 
 friend in New-York, the morning subsequent to the application of 
 the experiment by Mrs. Mettler of Mental Electricity in the case of 
 my wife, to which means alone I attribute her almost miraculous 
 restoration to health and strength. Should you see fit to take notice 
 of that communication, I would wish to mention, in addition to 
 what is therein stated, and in justice to the excellent lady, (Mrs. 
 Mettler,) through whose instrumentality alone the astonishing result 
 has been brought about, that my wife, Mrs. W., continues now (the 
 10th day only since Mrs. W. first saw her) not only fairly convales- 
 cent, but is recovering strength amazingly fast — is able to walk 
 about the house and take her meals with her family — take short 
 walks out morning and evening ; and in short leaving us no reason 
 to doubt but that in a week or two her health and strength will be 
 once more fairly reestablished and as good as it was previous to the 
 commencement of her sickness, now about eleven months ago. 
 
 I would further add, that it is my firm conviction that no one 
 similarly affected as Mrs. W. was by nervous and physical prostra- 
 tion, need dispair of being rapidly restored to health, provided the 
 same means are made use of as were so happily resorted to in her 
 case. It certainly is a most distressing ailment, but one which 
 seems readily to yield to the wonderful, but salutary influence exer- 
 cised and practiced so successfully by Mrs. Mettler. g. w. 
 
 New-York, June 26, 1850. 
 My Dear H. : Despairing of a successful termination of my wife's 
 ailments by the ordinary mode of practice of the regular physicians, 
 I informed you I was about to try the skill of a lady (a Mrs. Met- 
 tler) from Bridgeport, Conn., at present resident of this City, who, I 
 understood, professed to be able to ascertain the nature and cause 
 of disease, and also, in a great many cases, not only to relieve, but 
 
82 BIOGRAPHY OF IBIS. MKITI.F.K. N 
 
 effectually to raise ap and cure, patients who have been sick for a 
 great length of time. You arc aware that since last August, Mrs. 
 \V. has been in a very distressing state of nervous and physical de- 
 bility. Our medical attendant termed it a case of nervous prostra- 
 tion. She has not been able to see any but the members of OUT own 
 family, the doctor, and a lady, (our next neighbor] whose frequent 
 and kind attention had rendered her (ace familiar. 1 believe it is 
 conceded by all our friends that more skillful medical attendance and 
 advice could not have been obtained, but all seemingly, in her i 
 to be without any decided effect for the better — not improving' in 
 strength or flesh, considerably emaciated, totally unable to raise her- 
 self up in bed without help, and only capable of sustaining the fa- 
 tigue of walking across or round the room once, twice, or, at most, 
 three times a day, by being supported by two persons, one on either 
 side. She had got on so far toward recovery, from being about ten 
 mouths in a helpless, prostrated condition, and the most distressing 
 feature in her case up to yesterday, perhaps, was the fact, that siie 
 was subject to a relapse, to total weakness and inability to bear to 
 be raised up from the veriest trifle. For instance, so extremely weak 
 and tender had her system become, that the slightest jar or unequal 
 movement on the part of the persons supporting her round the 
 room, or raising her from the bed or sofa, was attended with serious 
 consequences, so much so as to throw her back perhaps a fortnight, 
 so as to be unable to support being moved from the bed. Under 
 these circumstances of course she has frequently felt much dis- 
 couraged and disposed to entertain but faint hope of ultimate recovery. 
 I had Mrs. Mettler to see her last evening. Mrs. M. was accom- 
 panied by her husband. She examined Mrs. W. in a " Clairvoyant " 
 state, that is, she was magnetized by her husband, and while in that 
 state she examined and ascertained the nature of the ailment, gave a 
 full description of the causes of the sickness, and what was necessary 
 to be done to effect a cure, and prescribed what she deemed was 
 
VISIT TO NEW-YORK. 83 
 
 necessary, which was taken down at her dictation. &c. She was 
 anxious, while in this sleeping condition, to give us all the informa- 
 tion we desired, and to answer all questions we might put to her in 
 relation to Mrs. W.'s complaint. Before being awoke out of the 
 magnetic sleep, she intimated that in some measure Mrs. W. that 
 evening would be susceptible of being influenced psychologically 
 but that owing to her timidity and nervous agitation, it would be in 
 a much less degree than on her two next visits, but that on the pres- 
 ent occasion she should be able to strengthen her considerably, and 
 forthwith restore the power of voice to its natural tone. I should 
 have mentioned that for some six months my wife had been unable 
 to articulate above a whisper, and by great exertion only was she 
 able to make herself heard so as to be understood. Shortly alter 
 being awake, Mrs. Mettler desired to be left entirely alone with Mrs. 
 W., in order that Mrs. W.'s attention shouid not be diverted trom 
 being solely concentrated on herself (Mrs. M.) in about twenty 
 minutes she called me to come and see my wife, and sure enough, 
 there, in the middle of the floor, she stood erect, expressing, in a loud 
 and natural voice, her fears that she would fall. Mrs. M. told her to 
 walk toward her, which she did with ease, evidently charmed and de- 
 lighted at her novel situation. She repeated her walk three or four 
 times across the room, entirely by herself, seated herself, by Mrs, M 'a 
 directions, in an arm-chair by herself, put her hands on the arms of 
 the chair, and raised herself out of it, and walked across the room to 
 Mrs. M., all the time talking in a delighted way, in quite a loud voice. 
 She then walked into her room and lay down in bed, without any as- 
 sistance—for the first time since she was taken sick, ten months since. 
 Of course, the children and servants, that is, the whole household, 
 looked on it as nothing less than a miracle. Her power of voice and 
 limb were suddenly restored, in the most agreeable way, and as if by 
 magic. Nothing, in my opinion, can be more absurd than for medi- 
 cal men and others to affect to sneer at Mrs. Mettler s art. Facts 
 
84 BIOGRAPHY OF MRS. METTLEK. 
 
 are stubborn things. Here is the case of my wife, who has been ten 
 months in the hands of the regular medical practitioners, and not 
 unlikely, under the same course of treatment, to continue many 
 months more, suddenly raised from her bed of weakness and Buffer- 
 ing, and made to walk and speak ! Your-, truly, g. w. 
 
 In this same month, May, 1850, was first developed the 
 psychometrical power, or the faculty of delineating' character 
 by a piece of the writing of any person being applied to the 
 forehead. But Mrs. Mettler did not, at the time, attach any 
 importance to the gift and very few persons knew that she was 
 in possession of it, until nearly two years after. 
 
 In the month of September following, A. J. Davis, being 
 ill, Mrs. Mettler went to attend him. Her kindness in visiting 
 him, and her signal success in the cure, called for the following 
 tribute from the patient, which was published in the Spirit 
 itfessenger : 
 
 ACHIEVEMENTS OF HUMAN MAGNETISM. 
 
 Brethren : The spirit moves me to write you this morning, and 
 to give you, and the many friends of the Harmonial Philosophy, an 
 account of my recent illness. And here let me express my gratitude 
 for the many exhibitions of fraternal Love which my late condition 
 excited in the bosoms of the friends of truth and harmony. 
 
 The question has been often asked — " How could you have been 
 so ill ? " And I have noticed with considerable interest the various 
 speculations which the question has developed. My illness was oc- 
 casioned by a Typhoid fever — the concentration oi all fever diseases. 
 A nd among all the theories as to the origin of such a fever in my 
 organism, I have noticed but one which approach any where near the 
 real causes of the physical disturbance in question. In truth, friends, 
 it is impossible for me to ever have any other fever, except for a few 
 
CURE OF MR. DAVIS. 85 
 
 days, while my spiritual or mental exercises continue so excessive 
 and exalted. 
 
 Previous to my illness, for six weeks, I was constantly engaged in 
 writing upon the most stupendous subject that ever incited human 
 thought ; and my whole mental organization was exercised ex- 
 tremely ; for my subject is " God — -the Ruler of the Universe." This 
 extreme exercise of the spiritual faculties pressed my entire system 
 into the extreme positive state, which inevitably develops the fever 
 that caused my exceeding prostration. Those friends who have fa- 
 miliarized their minds with the Philosophy of disease, as unfolded in 
 " The Great Harmonia," Yol. 1, will readily understand the causes 
 and nature of my illness. But enough of this. 
 
 My principal object in writing is to relate the wonders of my resto- 
 ration. In the early stages of my fever, I was daily visited by an 
 allopathic physician of acknowledged skill and ability ; but, as my 
 complaint became more positive, his faith in my ultimate restoration 
 to health subsided, and it was generally believed, by those who wit- 
 nessed my condition, that I should soon become a permanent resident 
 in the Spirit-Land. But Mrs. Mettler, of Bridgeport, Conn., hearing, 
 through a notice in the Messenger, of my condition, came immedi- 
 ately to Cambridge, where I was temporarily residing. My case 
 was submitted to her inspection, and her diagnosis of the symptoms 
 was exceedingly accurate. Out of several millions of medicines 
 which exist in the world, her discriminating perceptions selected, for 
 my case, two simple vegetable remedies. Of these a tea was made 
 and administered according to her directions. Through the agency 
 of this simple tea, the applicability of which to my complaint the 
 wisdom of a clairvoyant only could discover, my fever was subsided. 
 
 Now I put this down to the credit of clairvoyance ; for the Ty- 
 phoid Fever is the most obstinate of all positive disturbances ; and, 
 under the treatment of the most skillful physicians, it is known as a 
 fever which exhausts itself or the patient — one or the other must die. 
 
80 BIOGRAPHY OF MRS. MKTTI.KR. 
 
 Bat clairvoyance accomplishes in a few hours what the medical sci- 
 ence of modern days classes among the impossibilities. 
 
 Combined with the tea, in the removal of this fever, was Iranian 
 magnetism, sometimes called psychology. I can never forget the 
 morning when the following miracle was wrought upon me. The 
 physician who had seen me but two days previous, gave it as his 
 opinion that 1 should be obliged to remain in bed six weeks, and ab- 
 stain from food twenty days longer. I had already sunk so low in 
 physical strength that I could not turn in bed, nor assist myself with 
 my hands. And my food and medicine, for nearly three weeks, with 
 but few exceptions, had been confined to Congress Water, which I 
 drank freely. Such was my condition when Mrs. Mettler, in accordance 
 with her interior directions while in the clairvoyant state, came to my 
 bedside, and, taking my hand in her own, and gazing a few moments 
 steadily in my eyes, said — " Now you can raise up in your bed.'' The 
 requisite strength and confidence to do so flowed throughout m\ 
 tern in an instant ; and I forthwith raised up with ease. Now she 
 made passes down my spine, and over my entire body, and bade me 
 walk from my bed to a chair, which had been prepared for the pur- 
 pose, about four yards from the bed I was occupying. This I did 
 with astonishing ease ; and I rested in my chair that day nearly four 
 hours. Thus I substantially took up my bed and walked. 
 
 Every morning, about the same hour, I was magnetized (or psy- 
 chologized) by the lady whose name and fame you have frequently 
 heard of ; and in ten days I could drive out and enjoy the sunlight 
 and air. But here let me acknowledge the careful nursing which I 
 received at the hands of Mr. Mettler, to whose prompt attention 
 and fraternal watchfulness I owe much of the health I so rapidly re- 
 ceived. And I trust he will always thus cooperate with his com- 
 panion in her visits to. and treatment of, the sick and distressed. 
 
 The harmonizing and tranquilizing influence of this illness upon 
 my body and mind was deep and thorough. I am more healthy now 
 
PSYCHOMETRICAL READINGS. 8*1 
 
 than I have been for years. My entire system has experienced a species 
 of regeneration or purification ; and my mind is vastly more free to 
 explore the infinite ramifications of those great anc^ lofty subjects 
 which will constitute the vital system of my future volumes — The 
 Great Harmonia. While I continue on the earth my life shall be 
 devoted to the work of human happiness and progression ; and, 
 brethren, my prayer is that you, and all who see the Truth as it is in 
 Nature and God, may lovingly and zealously cooperate in the full 
 and complete accomplishment of the same ends. 
 
 Yours, in the bonds of affection, 
 
 Andrew J. Davis. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 PS YCH OM ETRI C AL READINGS. 
 
 Not long after this, or in the month of October, Mrs. Met- 
 tler went to visit her friends and patients in Springfield and its 
 vicinity. Taking Cabottville in her way, she there received an 
 application from a young man ; and the cure of his very difficult 
 case is thus established on- the strength of his own testimony. 
 
 CLAIRVOYANCE. 
 
 This is to certify that I have been suffering from an extreme weak- 
 ness of the lungs and chest ; a great shortness of breath, produced 
 from what one physician termed an adhesion of the lungs, though 
 others were not able to determine what the real difficulty was. Al- 
 though under medical skill and treatment, my difficulties seemed to 
 
88 BIOGRAPHY OF MRS. METTLER 
 
 increase; my case continued to grow alarming, as I had already been 
 suffering for over two years, and unable to do scarcely any thing, nor 
 gef any relief. 
 
 At this stage of my difficulties, I had made up my mind that there 
 was no help for me. This was the opinion also of the physicians. I 
 then made up my mind to try the last of all remedies, that of Clair- 
 voyance and Psychology. 
 
 Accordingly I embarked for Cabottville, to the residence of Cap- 
 tain Strong, where Mrs. Mettler was then temporarily residing-. 
 "Without the least faith, I ventured to have her in her Clairvoyant 
 state, explore my then hopeless condition, which she did with the 
 most perfect accuracy, pointing out facts almost impossible to be- 
 lieve without a previous knowledge of them. To me it was truly 
 astonishing, and too miraculous almost to believe. She then gave 
 me a prescription, after she was brought out of her superior state. 
 She soon succeeded in affecting me Psychologically, and in a few mo- 
 ments caused me to breathe almost as free as any one. My lungs 
 felt strong and easy — hope revived. I then commenced taking her 
 prescriptions, and following her directions. Soon after I commenced 
 her treatment, I took the worst and most prostrating cold that man 
 could ever be afflicted with, yet under her treatment, with the cold 
 upon my lungs, felt better and stronger than before, though all the 
 neighbors thought it impossible for me to live. 
 
 But here I am, in less than four months, under her treatment, re- 
 stored. I am now able to do any kind of work, and can walk as far 
 in a day as any other person 
 
 I know of a great many in this and other neighborhoods that have 
 been under Mrs. Mettler's treatment — cases that seemed to baffle all 
 ordinary skill by the regular physicians, have been restored by this 
 lady's wonderful and mysterious power. 
 
 The result in my case gives me unbounded confidence in hei Clair- 
 voyant powers, and 1 most cheerfully recommend the sick to give her 
 
PSYCHOMETRICAL READINGS. 89 
 
 a trial, particularly when her system of operation is perfectly safe 
 and free from risk. 
 
 N. B. — This testimony is given of my own free will, unsolicited 
 on her part. I give it as a duty I owe Mrs. Mettler, as well as the 
 public. M. S. Pease. 
 
 Granby, Mass., Oct., 1850. 
 
 It will readily be seen by these instances, that not only is 
 Mrs. Mettler the medium of an astonishing power, but she is 
 possessed of a clairvoyance truly wonderful. In the period of 
 three years she has examined between two and three thousand 
 persons ; and when we consider that the most of these were the 
 worst cases — such as had no hope from any other system — her 
 success appears incredible. 
 
 She is equally happy in describing cases at a distance — get- 
 ting into sympathy with the patient by a lock of hair — as hun- 
 dreds of testimonials might be brought forward to show. 
 
 These wonderful cures, among many other expressions of 
 astonishment and gratitude called forth the following, which 
 appeared in the Spirit Messenger' of October, 1851. 
 
 THE MIRACLES OF THE PRESENT. 
 
 It will appear evident to every observing individual that there 
 are wonders unfolded in the present age, fully equal, it would seem, 
 to those which were regarded in ancient times as the operations of 
 supernatural power. These wonders which call forth" so many ex- 
 pressions of astonishment, should be subjected to the closest intel- 
 lectual scrutiny. We may read with lingering reverence of the mira- 
 cles of the olden time ; we may see in imagination the man of Naza- 
 reth relieving the sufferings of humanity — healing the sick, opening 
 the eyes of the blind, and causing the lame to walk, but when we 
 discover these things as present and living realities — when, by the 
 
90 BI0O&JLPHT OF MUS. MKTTLKR. 
 
 operation of the same laws, wv see similar miracles performed before 
 our ryes, it la proper, while we gaze with wonder at the effects pro- 
 duced, to investigate such phenomena in a philosophical spirit, and 
 obtain a more expanded perception of the principles operating in 
 
 Nature. It is important that the public mind should be impn 
 with the fact, that the mysterious developments which are being 
 made in the science of mind, do not involve any suspension or vio- 
 lation of the laws of the Universe, but rather result from the natu- 
 ral and inevitable operation of those laws, which, though now imper- 
 fectly understood, are established in the very constitution of things. 
 How much better will it be, therefore, to patiently investigate the 
 principles of nature, by which all visible effects are produced, than 
 to arrogantly assume a knowledge of all these principles, and then 
 to judge facts by this imperfect standard. 
 
 The foregoing reflections have been induced by witnessing the 
 manifestations of clairvoyance in connection with medical treatment, 
 as preseuted in the case of Mrs. Mettler, of Bridgeport, Conn., who 
 is now spending a short time in this place. The success of this lady 
 in the examination and treatment of disease, is truly remarkable. It 
 would seem, from the many cures performed through her agency, that 
 she has been endowed with a portion of that divine virtue and the 
 gift of that healing power which was manifested by the acient apos- 
 tles. Persons suffering with the most aggravated and dangerous dis- 
 eases, have been in a brief space of time entirely relieved by her 
 treatment, and the multitude who have been placed under her care, 
 will testify to the correctness of her examinations, and the wonder- 
 ful effects of her therapeutic practice. The world may little realize 
 the blessings which one such instrument is enabled to bestow, but 
 the consciousness of having aided in the relief of human suffering, 
 and the approbation of the good angels that smile on every benevo- 
 lent effort, will be a richer reward than the fleeting wealth of earth. 
 
 R. P. A. 
 
PSYCHOMETRIC AL READINGS. 91 
 
 But from all these triumphs there was ever one drawback. 
 The relatives of Mrs. Mettler were universally opposed to the 
 course she had taken, in being developed as a clairvoyant sub- 
 ject, and especially to her adopting the healing of the sick by 
 spiritual means as a profession. They consider her avocation 
 as not only unchristian, but also, what is probably worse in their 
 opinion, as unpopular and ungenteel. And though her loving 
 heart would, for a long time, cling to them with the utmost 
 tenacity, yet she has found herself cut off from most of her own 
 family. Only two brothers and one sister will now visit her at 
 all, while three brothers and one sister have cast her off entirely. 
 But with these trials, bitter and severe as they were in passing, 
 Mrs. Mettler gained one signal advantage. All barriers to 
 future progress were effectually removed. 
 
 The power of psychometrizing, to which allusion has already 
 been made, is, perhaps, one of the most wonderful of all those 
 phenomena which have yet been given us to illustrate the phi- 
 losophy of electrical or spiritual sympathy. It seems to be, in 
 fact, a condition of pure sympathy. The mind of the Reader, 
 for the time being, enters into, and takes possession of, the mind 
 and character of the subject, and is affected by all the sensa- 
 tions, thoughts, feelings, and desires of the sphere, as if they 
 were inherent in the mind of the observer ; and it is the reflected 
 image which is thus portrayed. 
 
 Mrs. Mettler's first efforts of this kind were triumphs ; but 
 not perceiving that much good could be done in this way, she 
 did not consider the possession of this wonderful power was 
 even worth speaking of ; and finally it was brought before the 
 world by a seeming accident. 
 
VV BIOGRAPHY OF MRS. METTLER. 
 
 S. B. Brittan, having inquired of Mrs. Mettler if liis wife 
 could be thrown into the superior condition, at a certain time, 
 wa> asked why he wished to know. Mr. Brittan replied that 
 lie wanted to get the character of a person at the West, with 
 whom he had souk? idea of going into business. Mr. Mettler 
 then told him if that was all he wanted, Mrs. Mettler could 
 read a character in the normal state, by the application of a 
 piece of the person's writing to the forehead. A specimen was 
 produced, and the character read. A subsequent comparison 
 with facts showed that it was remarkably correct. Mr. Brittan 
 was delighted and astonished, he never having heard before that 
 she was in possession of such a faculty. 
 
 Mrs. Mettler then commenced reading characters ; and some 
 of her sketches have been published in the Shehinah, and other 
 periodicals. We find in them not only a graphic truthfulness 
 in the general scope and mold of character, but the finest lines, 
 and the most delicate shades of individuality, such as would 
 only be noticed by the deeply discriminating eye, and therefore 
 might escape the observation of one's most intimate friends. 
 
 The following admirable portrait of a distinguished literary 
 lady which we give below, is borrowed from the Shekinah. I 
 can testify to its truth from actual personal knowledge of con- 
 siderable intimacy, and especially to her wonderful sensibility 
 to the Beautiful, which is at once so intense, delicate, and fine, 
 that it pervades every action, and seems to be diffused through 
 her whole being. 
 
 PSYCHOMETRICAL SKETCH OF SARAH HELEN* WHITMAN. 
 
 The subject seems to be a lady, with a delicate nervous or mental 
 temperament. She is aspiring, in a good sense, and possesses great 
 
PSYCHCTMETRICAL READINGS. 93 
 
 elevation of mind and character. Her extreme sensibility renders it 
 impossible for her to be indifferent to praise or censure. This is a 
 person of fine taste, displayed in all she does ; in her language, hab- 
 its, and whole manner of life. She is kind in her disposition, benev- 
 olent and sympathetic, and refined in character and manners. 
 
 This is a beautiful spirit, and so intuitive that many bright and 
 truthful impressions will come to her from the Spirit-world. She 
 has an intense love of sublimity and beauty — is fond of paintings 
 and other artistic objects. With this great imaginative power, she 
 could construct a good story. She can write and speak very point- 
 edly — and can say severe things mildly. The most beautiful pictures 
 of the imaginatioL come up before me. She is charmed in her med- 
 itations — possesses great originality — and I am sure can write exqui- 
 site poetry. She must be brilliant in conversation. Her thoughts 
 are expressed in an easy and graceful style. My mind is clear and 
 my impressions are vivid. Images of beauty surround me and blend 
 with my spirit. I am happy in this sphere. 
 
 Nor is the following fine picture of the gifted author of Phil- 
 othea, which is taken from the Spirit Messenger, considered by 
 those who best know her, as less truthful and perfect. 
 
 LYDIA MARIA CHILD. 
 
 This person's sphere affects me very agreeably, and indicates quite 
 an intuitive mind. The reflective faculties seem to predominate over 
 the perceptives, for the reason that they have been exercised much 
 more. I should also think that this person has large Ideality, and a 
 most happy way of expressing ideas, both by writing and in conver- 
 sation. 
 
 This person possesses large Benevolence, and seems to have a uni- 
 versal charity ; would love to see more equality in the condition of 
 men ; seems also to possess a good share of Sublimity. This, in con- 
 
94 BIOGRAPHY OF MRS. MKTTI.KK. 
 
 nection with Ideality, would help her to form or imagine a beautiful 
 picture in her own mind — I say her, because as I proceed the char- 
 acter appears quite feminine; she possesses a good deal of Venera- 
 tion. It does not seem a veneration that would lead her into any 
 worship restricted by seetarian forms ; hut it is a religious sentiment 
 that would teach her to venerate every thing which God has created. 
 
 There Seems to be a tolerable share of Firmness, and a great deal 
 of Conscientiousness. When she becomes firm, she is as firm as a 
 rock. She has a good share of Causality and Comparison, which 
 would prevent her from receiving any new idea,, or science, without a 
 thorough investigation, and comparison with her own original, intui- 
 tive idea, or conception of right. 
 
 I should think she possesses a great deal of Cautiousness ; and 
 hence the fear of mixing up Error with Truth sometimes prevents 
 he*' progress from being so rapid as it would otherwise be. What 
 she perceives intuitively is correct, She has considerable Combat- 
 iveness, and might sustain herself well if called into argument. If 
 she possessed a little more Hope, it would relieve her from a dejected 
 or melancholy state, into which the mind seems liable to fall. Con- 
 eentrativeness being large, when engaged in reading, thought, or con- 
 versation, or interested in subjects pertaining to the progression and 
 elevation of the Human Kace, on which her mind particularly loves 
 to dwell, she can not easily be called off ; and it is difficult to disen- 
 gage her attention. 
 
 She has some love of Home, and Adhesiveness tolerably fair, 
 though she would like occasionally to roam abroad. She would re- 
 member well the locality and surrounding scenery of places, so as to 
 give a very minute account of her journeys. She is fond of children 
 and pets, and would treat them with a great deal of kindness and 
 affection, though she would like to take her own particular time for 
 this devotion. She is fond of the society of gentlemen, but more 
 fond of her own sex ; and her friendship would be true and lasting. 
 
REMOVAL TO HARTFORD. 95 
 
 I should think this person could best express the true beauty of 
 her ideas in writing ; and if her writing takes the form of prose, it 
 would still be highly imaginative and poetical. 
 
 She must be somewhat eccentric in her manners, and in many of 
 her habits and ways. In conversation she would be distinguished by 
 individual peculiarity of manner ; and having a way of her own, 
 would not care to imitate those of other people. She would be fond 
 of music, and a critical judge of its merits, or demerits. She would 
 love to see order — time and place for every thing ; though her mind 
 being a great deal occupied, would depend more upon others to exe- 
 cute or establish order. The derangement of things would seem to 
 worry her much, and especially if her own sanctum was not kept in 
 order. This, upon the whole, seems to be a person who would 
 rather choose a few than many friends, and therefore might be called 
 exclusive ; for she does require a particular quality as well as quan- 
 tity of mind with which to associate. 
 
 The Moral and Spiritual power seems to predominate over the 
 sensual or selfish developments in her nature. 
 
 CHAPTER XT 1 1 1. 
 
 REMOVAL TO HARTFORD. 
 
 Since the discovery of these powers, Mrs. Mettler has been 
 constantly engaged in ministering to the sick and in psycho- 
 metrical readings ; and though she has alienated her own imme- 
 diate friends she has formed other friendships, which are, at the 
 least, as valuable. 
 
96 BIOGRAPHY OF liKS. Ml/ni.KR. 
 
 Some time in the Autumn of 1850, a little son of Mr. Ward 
 Cheney of South Manchester, Connecticut, then in the Spirit- 
 world, having obtained communication through the Fox family, 
 
 direeted his mother, who was Buffering from disease, to apply 
 to Mrs. Mettler. She did so* and found relief. Through the 
 influence of this good family, who .seem to have become her 
 constant and abiding friends, Mrs. Mettler was induced to 
 change her residence ; and by their assistance she attained her 
 present very desirable situation. 
 
 Just after the birth of her last child Mrs. Mettler became 
 very desponding, and fearful of being deceived in regard to her 
 own powers. Up to the fifth week of the child's age, she had 
 not been put to sleep. At this time a friend called with a lock 
 of hair, wishing her to examine a person in Brooklyn. She 
 feared to attempt the case ; but the lady being urgent, she con- 
 sented to make the effort in the course of three or four days, 
 though she had a feeling of extreme repugnance to ever being 
 magnetized again. 
 
 During the following night she dreamed of the patient, exam- 
 ined the case, and prescribed. It had seemed to be a child, 
 although in the normal state she had supposed it to be an adult. 
 In the morning she mentioned this seeming disagreement of the 
 testimony, saying at the same time that she could not compre- 
 hend it. 
 
 But in the event, the patient proved to be a child ; and 
 when she saw it, she recognized the image which had been pre- 
 sented to her in her dream. Afterward, in a clairvoyant state, 
 she told Mr. Mettler that she had been given to know 7 that this 
 was shown to her, for the purpose of strengthening her faith in 
 
REMOVAL TO HARTFORD. 97 
 
 the assurance that spirits are always hovering around, assisting, 
 and protecting her. 
 
 Mrs. Mettler continued going from place to place, on her 
 professional visits, until April, 1852, when she removed with 
 her family to Hartford, Connecticut, where her house has be- 
 come a center, not only to attract the sick and suffering, but 
 also the Enlightened and Progressive. She feels now as if 
 breathing the free air of Heaven ; and it seems as if there 
 could be nothing that would effectually prevent her happiness, 
 and progress for the future. 
 
 We can see by the following account of a remarkable cure, 
 that Mrs. Mettler has lost nothing of her power.. I extract it 
 from the Hartford Times: 
 
 MEDICAL CLAIRVOYANCE. 
 
 Permit me, through your columns, to present to the public the fol- 
 lowing facts and the wonderful powers of Clairvoyance, a perfect 
 test of which I have experienced in my own family, through the 
 powers of Mrs. Mettler. The facts are these : My daughter, some 
 three years since, became afflicted with inflammation in her eyes, pro- 
 duced at first, as we suppose, by getting a piece of lime in one of 
 them. This inflammation continued to increase until both eyes be- 
 came greatly inflamed, depriving her almost entirely of her sight. 
 She then took cold, and this increased the inflammation with re- 
 newed distress and sufferings. At this time we called in a physician 
 of known skill ; he treated her case for three months. At first, under 
 his treatment, there were indications of a little improvement. This, 
 however, was only temporary — for in a few days they became worse 
 again, and I have no doubt had the treatment been continued, she 
 would have lost her eyes entirely. We then called in the second 
 
 physician, and under his treatment, for some length of time, there 
 
 5 
 
98 BIOttRAPHV 01 I1KS. URTTLER. 
 
 waa no perceivable change for the better. We then hud about given 
 up the ease Bfl hopeless. Still feeling it oiii- duty to try further, we 
 called in the third physician, who. after treating the case some time, 
 left it without any improvement lor the better. Our faith, by this 
 time, in the regular faculty, was of coarse quite exhausted, as well as 
 the hope of her ever becoming any better. During the attendance 
 of these physicians, there wras a sp >t or felon upon the eye, which 
 was continually increasing, and the inflammation became so extreme 
 that it was with great difficulty that she could distinguish one person 
 from another. She could scarcely open her eyelids, and that only in 
 the dark. Of course, now all hope for her restoration was at an end, 
 and thus she remained suffering intensely. 
 
 Finally, through the persuasion of a kind friend, as a last resort, 
 we took her to Mrs. Mettler on the 21st of May last. Mrs. Mettler, 
 while in the clairvoyant state, gave a perfect and minute detail of 
 the causes of her complaint, and then prescribed for her ; and, to our 
 utter astonishment, after the application of her prescription, 
 than two weeks, she could see quite well, improving almost as if by 
 magic or miracle ; and in less than four weeks she could see to read, 
 and has continued so ever since. Will the Medical Faculty or any 
 other Faculty explain this ? After giving up all hope, the physi- 
 cians exhausting their skill, to have a child so suddenly snatched from 
 hopeless midnight darkness, calls forth my heartfelt gratitude to Mrs. 
 Mettler. May her extraordinary powers continue, as she moves on 
 in her mission, relieving suffering humanity of the most difficult forms 
 of disease. Her system seems perfectly safe and without risk. Al- 
 most daily do I hear of some poor sufferer relieved or restored by 
 this lady's powers. She seems to have all the worse cases to attend, 
 after they have passed through the physician's hands. Experiment- 
 ally, sufferers, as a last resort, call upon her, and with the most aston- 
 ishing success. 
 
 The cry of humbug is a miserable substitute for facts, especially 
 
REMOVAL TO HARTFORD. 99 
 
 when facts are daily multiplying in our own city, to say nothing of 
 what is occurring all over the wide world. George Staples. 
 
 Hartford, Dec. 13, 1852. 
 
 In another number of the same paper, we find the following 
 very interesting account of Mrs. Mettler's Psychometrical 
 Readings : 
 
 PSYCHOMETRICAL READINGS. 
 
 Among the new developments of the age, (and you can not deny, 
 Mr. Editor, that new and startling principles are rapidly developing 
 themselves to the human mind,) is that of Psychometrical Beading. 
 I have given much attention to it, and am fully satisfied that there is 
 a true principle connected with it ; but it appears as yet remarkably 
 subtile, and as delicate, though as far-reaching, as thought itself. I 
 will state the method of reading psychometrically. It is very simple. 
 An individual writes a letter, a name or the alphabet merely, will an- 
 swer the purpose. This is inclosed in a wrapper, but no mark must 
 be made by any other person, either upon the letter or wrapper. This 
 enveloped and sealed paper is carried to the psychometer, who places 
 it upon her forehead, (I say " her," because it is a lady who has read 
 in this way in my presence,) and, after remaining silent a few mo- 
 ments, she commences a sort of phrenological exposition of the char- 
 acter of the writer. She knows nothing of the person — has not the 
 slightest indication whether it is a good or bad man, or whether he 
 whose writing she is about to press upon her forehead, is talented or 
 weak-minded ; and still this lady has not, to my knowledge, failed in 
 any instance to give the leading characteristics of those who are thus 
 examined by her, and I know personally of five cases, and have 
 heard of twenty or thirty others from responsible persons. The lady 
 who reads psychometrically in this city is Mrs. Mettler ; her family 
 reside at No. 8 College-street, and she is a very worthy lady. She 
 
100 BIOGKAl'HY OF MRS. M KITLKR. 
 
 can not explain the power which she po ind merely gives the 
 
 ideas as they are vividly impressed apon her mind while the letter is 
 held upon her forehead, 
 
 A few days since, 1 carried to her an envelop of a letter, the direc- 
 tion of which was written by Lord Brougham of England, so con- 
 spicuous for his oratory and high order of talents. Mrs. Mcttler had 
 not the remotest idea as to the name or position of the individual she 
 was about to describe, as the writing was sealed closely in au envelop, 
 and she was merely requested to read the character. She remarked 
 as follows, all the time holding the envelop upon her forehead : 
 
 " This is a person of strong and powerful intellect, and is marked 
 for his positive character. He perceives quickly, and expresses his 
 ideas freely, indeed, copiously. He possesses much refinement of 
 thought ; is not confined to self, but has much universal feeling and 
 benevolence of heart. He can not be a sectarian. He reasons much, 
 and reason is a guiding principle with him. He entertains no prin- 
 ciple save that which appeals to his idea of right. He receives 
 nothing without a reason. He has much firmness and self-com- 
 mand. But an appeal to his sympathies would affect him. He 
 possesses manly deportment, is pleasing in his conversation, is often 
 inclined to deep meditation. He would enjoy domestic comforts, 
 though I should think circumstances have deprived him of this. He 
 sighs at times for retirement, where he may enjoy every thing in a sim- 
 ple manner, acting out his true nature. Children are very pleasing 
 to him ; he likes them for their innocence. He is pleased with an 
 intelligent lady, likes her for her goodness, is ardent in his friend- 
 ships, and can not be easily turned against one whom he considers his 
 friend. Order and punctuality are large with him. Music hath 
 many charms for him, and a plaintive kind would affect him to tears. 
 He has a good idea of color, is a good judge of a picture, has a good 
 memory of past events. He enjoys a good joke or pun. He can be 
 or is an Orator, and a marked character. He has very, very great 
 
REMOVAL TO HARTFORD. 101 
 
 gifts of Oratory — very great. His intellectual and moral faculties 
 predominate." 
 
 Here the leading characteristics are truly told, and the gentleman 
 from whom I obtained Lord Brougham's writing informs me that he 
 knows the allusion to his extreme love of music to be true ; and we 
 should judge that he sighs for retirement sometimes, for he has a 
 country residence in France, where he goes evidently to get away 
 from the cares of public life. 
 
 I gave her three more autographs, closely sealed, but did not inti- 
 mate in the least as to the character of either of the writers. The 
 first was by Lord Ashburton, the second by D 'Israeli, both promi- 
 nent men in England and the world. I would give you the complete 
 description she made of each, but have already made this too lengthy. 
 I will remark, however, that so accurate was the description, that 
 the gentleman who favored me with the autographs at once recog- 
 nized each character by reading the three — " this is Lord Brougham," 
 "this is Ashburton, and this, D 'Israeli," said he, " and there are re- 
 markable points in each." 
 
 The other letter was written by a convict in our State Prison, on 
 Thanksgiving day, and was directed to his mother. At once she re- 
 marked, " the sphere of this writer is unpleasant ; he has a double 
 character ; that is, he has much secretiveness, and is not just what 
 he appears to be ; he has conscientiousness, but can not control it ; he 
 loves to read poetry, can write poetry tolerably well, and dwells a 
 great deal upon home and scenes of his childhood — indeed, more 
 than upon any other subject ; he has a great love for order, is odd 
 in his expressions, but his general character is not pleasant." 
 
 I had not read the letter, but had liberty to do so. In it was a re- 
 quest that his mother would send him a volume of poems, and some 
 worsted shirts of a certain color ; then followed four well-written stan- 
 zas on the " home of his childhood." The letter was written with an 
 extraordinary regard for order — every comma, period, semi-colon. 
 
102 BIOGRAPHY OP MRS. METTLER. 
 
 dash, apostrophe, and hyphen, was in its place, and some of his ideas 
 were oddly enough expressed. He is in imprisonment for the crime 
 of burglary and attempt to kill. 
 
 The wrappers, inclosing the writings of the three Englishmen, 
 were all precisely alike, and as they had got mixed, I did not myself 
 know one from the other as she was reading them, but marked them 
 when she had concluded the reading of each. She is not in the Clair- 
 voyant state when she reads psychometrically, and this renders the 
 whole thing more astonishing. Let those who take any interest in 
 this matter test it to their own satisfaction. 
 
 A Citizen of Hartford. 
 
 The reading of the convict's character was, perhaps, a more 
 wonderful delineation than either of the others, because it 
 revealed powers, capabilities, and tastes, one would not be look- 
 ing for in such a subject, and which could not be generally 
 known. Of coruse she had no preconceived idea of any differ- 
 ence in position between her subjects ; but this fact shows that 
 the mind in such cases goes down into the depths, entirely 
 below the ken of ordinary acquaintances. 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATIONS. 
 
 During the last year Mrs. Mettler has had many interesting 
 spiritual exercises and impressions, which are greatly varied in 
 character. While in a circle she never knows what will be done 
 with her. At some times she lectures, then again she dances, 
 
SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATIONS 103 
 
 while at other times she acts dramatic scenes, and pantomimes. 
 The dancing is very fine, full of an exquisite piquancy and 
 gracefulness — it is, in truth, " the poetry of motion ;" and what 
 is very remarkable, she never danced a step in her life in the 
 normal state, and is incapable of achieving the simplest figure. 
 
 The spiritual acting of the dramatic scene, in which she is 
 usually assisted by some other persons, is a perfect representa- 
 tion of nature ; for it is natural, the sentiments being inspired, 
 spoken, and represented by appropriate action, at the same time. 
 Such acting on the stage would carry every thing before it. 
 Some great moral or spiritual truth is made the basis of the 
 drama. As there is no programme of the performances, and 
 therefore the spectators do not know what is coming till it is 
 nearly or quite past, and at the same time the actors, them- 
 selves, do not remember any thing of what has happened, when 
 they return to the normal state, these representations seem to 
 go by with a kind of meteoric splendor, which arrests the atten- 
 tion, and thrills the heart for a little while ; and then it is 
 extremely difficult to give any thing of a definite idea of what 
 has passed ; and even if the scenes and language could be cor- 
 rectly remembered by the observers in their original form and 
 spirit, no merely verbal description could present them to other 
 minds so that they could obtain the faintest notion of the effect 
 produced. 
 
 The passage of the soul into another sphere, and its introduc- 
 tion to the scenes of the Spirit-world, is a favorite subject in 
 these delineations ; and many of the scenes thus represented 
 are indescribably beautiful. The actors, themselves, are, as it 
 were, transfigured by the spiritual impressions which they 
 
104 BIOGRAPHY OF MRS. METTLER. 
 
 receive ; and thus they rise naturally into a representation of 
 character in the spiritual' and angelic spheres. The sequel to 
 the Norwalk tragedy has been produced in this way by Mrs. 
 Mettler and another lady ; and they who saw it say that it was 
 given with such wonderful power, that there was not a dry eye 
 present. The transition of a beautiful spirit, that of a lady who 
 was involved in the catastrophe, was represented and also the 
 introduction of a person of a very gross mind and character 
 into the Spirit-world. The contrast was vivid and affecting in 
 the extreme. 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 THE CONSECRATION. 
 
 On Saturday, January 29, 1853, John M. Spear, of Boston, 
 received a communication purporting to be from the spirit of 
 Benjamin Rush, commanding him to go to Hartford, saying at 
 the same time he would find a most important work to do there. 
 At this time he had concluded not to accept an invitation of 
 the Harmonial Brotherhood to spend the next day, (Saturday,) 
 with them. But obedient to the heavenly dictation, he set off 
 immediately ; and by half past eight arrived in Hartford. He 
 was hardly seated, however, at the hospitable fire-side of the 
 friend who had written him, when he received a distinct im- 
 pression to visit the house of J. R. Mettler. Following this 
 impression, while at the house of Mr. Mettler he passed into 
 
THE CONSECRATION. 105 
 
 the superior condition ; and soon after addressed Mrs. Mettler 
 as follows : 
 
 " How fondly, how constantly, how widely, is this one beloved ! 
 How beautiful is the influence which this woman exerts ! Wherever 
 she is she attracts. In this particular she possesses a most remark- 
 able character. Her friends know no bounds to their affections to 
 this one ; and there is nothing which they would leave undone to 
 gratify her. There passes from this woman a very marked influence. 
 It is not precisely the religious influence ; it is not precisely the 
 moral ; it is not precisely the practical ; but it is, so to speak, a 
 compost of all ; and these are charmingly intermingled — imparting 
 a most adhesive influence. * * * 
 
 " This medium has been commissioned to wisely instruct this wo- 
 man, for a high purpose. There is to open before this woman a new 
 and beautiful labor. At 10 o'clock to-morrow the purpose of his 
 mission to this place will be unfolded. Let this woman be in the 
 region of the Tranquilities at that hour. 
 
 At the appointed time Mr. Spear made the following ad- 
 dress : 
 
 " Father of Fathers, and Deity of Deities, thy wills be done on the 
 earths, as they are done in the Heaven of Heavens. 
 
 "This fondly loved one shall be consecrated to the Charities. 
 Thou henceforth shalt be called Charity. That shall be thy denom- 
 ination. 
 
 " T*iou shalt say to the sufferer on his couch, arise, and it shall be 
 so ; thou shalt say to the maimed, be thou whole, and it shall be so ; 
 thou shalt say to the blind, open thou thy closed eyes, and this also 
 shall be ; thou shalt say to the dead, arise, and it shall come to pass. 
 Thou shalt pass through the humble vale, over the lofty mountain, 
 over rivers and seas ; and the elements shall be at thy command. 
 
106 BIOGRAPHY OF MILS. METTLER. 
 
 Nought shall disturb thy sweet placidity. No want shalt thou 
 know. 
 
 " This open hand shall bless others ; and thou shalt thyself be blest. 
 This foot shall go and come. Thou shalt mount up like the bird of 
 loftiest flight, and thou shalt never be wearied. Thou shalt ' go and 
 come, nor ever fear to die, till thou art called home. 1 Happy shall 
 they be who behold thy sweet countenance. Blessed are they on 
 whom thy hand rests. Receive now this blessed power. [Here Mrs. 
 Ms hand was closed and breathed an — when it opened it was said:] 
 " This hand shall be unfolded to dispense blessings far and wide. 
 Blessings shall descend upon thee. In blessing others thou, thyself, 
 shalt be blest. Thou shalt go on in thy mysterious way, dispensing 
 blessings. It is done." 
 
 Thus closed this remarkable and solemn communication, the 
 Speaker being all the time upon his bended knees. 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 LATER CURES. 
 
 The following certificates were, as I believe, presented vol- 
 untarily for insertion in this book, by the parties most con- 
 cerned : 
 
 REMARKABLE CURE BY CLAIRVOYANCE. 
 
 Bridgeport, April, 1852. 
 I hereby certify that I had been troubled for several years with 
 ulcerations in my throat, caused at first by slight colds, inducing a 
 
LATER CURES. 10t 
 
 disease which is generally called quinsy. The ulcers became so bad 
 that the physicians were obliged to resort to the lancet, blistering, 
 and steaming, all of which not only failed to afford any permanent 
 relief, but even seemed to increase the difficulty, until at length it 
 became a seated bronchial affection, and continued in a constant 
 state of ulceration for several months, baffling all the skill of the phy- 
 sicians, and almost the last power of endurance in the sufferer. The 
 irritation and cough were very severe ; and during the paroxysms, it 
 seemed as if my head would burst with the pressure. At this time I 
 became so reduced, that my friends and neighbors thought I was 
 going into a decline. 
 
 Finally, as a last resort, by the desire of my friends, I was per- 
 suaded to consult Mrs. Mettler. Unfortunate is it, indeed, for that 
 excellent lady, that she seldom, if ever, has even a tolerably good 
 case presented to her ; but she is generally called to administer for the 
 help of old chronic difficulties where the patient's constitution has 
 been killed out with mercury, bleeding, and blistering, and then res- 
 urrectionized for further experiment with blue pills. In fact, Mrs. 
 Mettler, for the most part, has but a shadow of hope to work upon ; 
 and it would seem that the many hundred cures she has made were 
 almost, and in fact many of them quite, as miraculous as any that 
 were made in the Apostolic age. 
 
 In the Spring of 1850 I called upon Mrs. Mettler, who, in the supe- 
 rior condition, examined my case ; and for the first time during all 
 my sufferings, were my feelings most perfectly described. She dis- 
 covered that there was still a little hope for me. My spirits revived. 
 I commenced her treatment, and obtained immediate relief, though 
 it took some time to effect a cure. This delay was protracted by 
 several causes. My disease was very malignant in its character, and 
 of long standing ; but the greatest difficulty arose from negligence 
 in following the directions. At one time I was taken with unusual 
 severity, when a physician was sent for ; and on examination he 
 
108 BIOGRABHY OF UBS. KETTLER. 
 
 thought it might be the whooping-cough. Knowing myself that 
 this was, in all probability, incorrect, I sent for Mrs. Mettler, who, 
 
 In her examination, discovered the actual cause— which was that I 
 had taken cold such a night, in a lecture room. 1 soon obtained 
 relief iV<>m her prescription ; and my throat has never ulcerated once 
 since the first application of the remedies proposed by her. 
 
 1 am now happy in declaring myself in the full enjoyment of phys- 
 ical health, and mental harmony, with the fullest assurance that the 
 supposed weak things of Earth do sometimes confound the wise. 
 May the life of this good woman long be preserved, as her work is 
 an exemplification of the Angels' mission to suffering Humanity. 
 Yours for truth and harmony, 
 
 Eliza C. Leeds. 
 
 WONDERFUL DISrATCIl. 
 
 It is well known to my friends and acquaintances generally, that I 
 am subject to a disease which may properly be termed an inflamma- 
 tory action of the heart. These attacks have been so severe that 
 many times I have longed for that release of the soul, which is com- 
 monly termed death. All applications of medical skill have only 
 seemed to aggravate the difficulty ; and for several years past my 
 complaint has bid defiance to all strictly professional means of relief. 
 
 After having sunk so low as to be almost beyond the reach of 
 hope, I then called to my aid the powers of clairvoyance. I ap- 
 plied to Mrs. Mettler, whose powers and sympathies are so widely 
 known, and obtained from her the relief I had long despaired of 
 finding. The remedies and directions prescribed by her while in 
 the superior state of clairvoyance, have several times been the means 
 of raising me from the lowest stage of physical and mental suffering. 
 
 On the 19th of March last, I had one of these attacks, which 
 threatened to be more severe than any previous one. A telegraphic 
 dispatch was immediately forwarded to Mrs. Mettler, requesting that 
 
LATER CURES. 109 
 
 an examination and prescription might be made out, and, if possi- 
 ble, returned immediately. After having sent the dispatch, fearing 
 that I should get no return till Monday, as it was then Saturday 
 night, a physician was called in, who belonged to the old school 
 practice. He pronounced my case to be of a very critical nature, as 
 there was great danger of a congestion of the heart. He left a pre- 
 scription, which, however, I did not take, for I had in the mean time 
 received an answer from Mrs. Mettler. 
 
 As I have been subsequently informed, Mr. Mettler on receiving 
 the dispatch, thought it would be impossible to look at the case 
 before Monday, as Mrs. Mettler was quite exhausted from a long sit- 
 ting that day. While they were thus conversing, Mrs. Mettler was 
 thrown into the superior condition by spirits, examined the case, 
 made out a prescription, and requested her husband to send it imme- 
 diately. In less than half an hour after Mrs. Mettler received the 
 message, I had the result of her impressions before me. 
 
 A more wonderful event than this, perhaps, is not found recorded 
 in the annals of medicine. The prescription was soon applied, and 
 the relief from my intense sufferings appeared truly miraculous ; even 
 as the dispatch and the examination itself. 
 
 The singular accuracy with which Mrs Mettler described my case 
 was truly remarkable, even mentioning a cold which had hastened 
 the attack. Finally, I say that those who are willing to lay aside 
 their prejudices and ignorance, may find relief from their sufferings, 
 by applying to Mrs. Mettler, who is truly a most worthy and remark- 
 able woman. Joseph Haight. 
 
 Bridgeport, April 2, 1853. 
 
 ANOTHER REMARKABLE CURE. 
 
 In the month of January last, while on business in New- York, I 
 was taken violently sick. ' I sent for a physician of acknowledged 
 skill, who, on examination, discovered that the attack was an acute 
 
110 BIO0BAPHY OK MRS. METTLER. 
 
 and dangerous one. It consisted in an almost entire suspension of 
 activity in the right lung, combined with an inflamed state of the 
 liver, and other difficult* 
 
 After having remained under the treatment of the physician for 
 about two weeks, he informed me that he could not cure me. I then 
 resolved t<> reach home, though at the risk of my life, as I was then 
 told. On arriving home, I called in a physician, and requested him 
 to blister me, and give blue pills, which, however, did not seem 
 adapted to my case. It was then thought by different persons who 
 called to see me, that I could not live ; while some even supposed I 
 could not continue forty-eight hours. 
 
 I then dispatched a messenger for Mrs. Mettler. She could not 
 leave, to come and examine my case, but sent me a little prescrip- 
 tion, which I took for a day or two, until she could come in person, 
 and examine me. On the following Sunday, February 13th, she 
 came, and made the examination. AVhile in her exalted condition of 
 clairvoyance, she saw my case in a very discouraging point of view. 
 She first described the state I had been in before the attack, then the 
 present state of things, which was as follows : 
 
 " I perceive that now there is extreme inflammation of the liver and 
 the lower portion of the right lung, with lung and bilious fever." 
 
 The respiration was extremely short so that it was impossible to 
 pronounce a whole sentence, without a constant catching in attempting 
 to speak. What little mucus I raised was considerably streaked with 
 blood ; and there seemed no chance for my recovery. The eyes were 
 much sunken, and I looked as though death had commenced its work. 
 
 After the examination, Mrs. Mettler, still in the clairvoyant state, 
 began making manipulations over the chest and side ; and in less 
 than half an hour, with nothing but the power of her own hands, she 
 succeeded in relieving me so much, that the inflammation was quite 
 subdued, and respiration much freer, so that I could draw in quite a 
 long breath. 
 
LATER CURES. Ill 
 
 After this she gave me a prescription, which I followed ; and in a 
 few days I was 'able to go down stairs. I continued to improve, so 
 that in a few weeks I could use my lungs quite freely, by speaking 
 in public. 
 
 Thus it is. That which is too often called humbug proves to be 
 the good Samaritan, in relieving human suffering — and often, too, in . 
 such cases as are classed among impossibilities. 
 
 This good lady's powers are felt far and wide ; and my strong 
 desire is that Heaven's blessings may continue to flow down through 
 her, to relieve the sick and distressed, wherever her benign ministry 
 may be permitted to reach. Thine in the Truth, 
 
 Hartford, April, 1853. Charles Shepard. 
 
 POWER OF CLAIRVOYANCE OVER PHYSICAL SUFFERING. 
 
 I hereby certify that my little boy met with a very serious acci- 
 dent in the month of June, 1851. His clothes took fire by a lighted 
 match, and before we could get to him he was most severely burned 
 on his face, arms, and sides. We had two physicians in attendance ; 
 and every possible means of relief was resorted to, but without much 
 effects, though after the physicians commenced treating his case he 
 seemed better for a little while. He, soon, however, began to grow 
 worse. The arm was much contracted, and quite stiff; and by this 
 time the physicians had begun to despair of his ever being any bet- 
 ter. The case had become one of long standing ; and his sufferings 
 were approaching a fearful crisis. I was very anxious ; for so far 
 were we from being able to cure him, that we could not even heal 
 the deep and malignant sores, of which he had suffered so long and 
 terribly. 
 
 So he remained until the month of October, when I was persuaded 
 fry some of my neighbors to apply to Mrs. Mettler. I accordingly 
 took him to Bridgeport, when Mrs. Mettler without the least knowl- 
 
112 BIOGRAPHY OF MRS. MKTTLER. 
 
 edge of the circumstances before the examination, gave a most perfect 
 description of his case even to the first cause of bis sufferings. She then 
 gave a prescription, and we persevered with her directions, as she gave 
 them from time to time, with most happy results. Directly after we 
 commenced this treatment, the little patient began improving quite 
 rapidly. In a few months he was perfectly restored ; and the con- 
 traction in the arm relaxed, so that he can now use it nearly or quite 
 as well as before. 
 
 We are grateful to Mrs. Mettler for her kindness in restoring our 
 little boy ; for we know that she has been the instrument of saving 
 his life. Should some poor sufferer be prompted to obtain relief by 
 reading this, then I have not given it in vain. 
 
 In sympathy I remain, yours, 
 
 Darien, Ct., May, 1852. William Dibble. 
 
 The bare facts in the foregoing cases are so truly wonderful that 
 comment seems unnecessary. We have every reason to believe 
 that Mrs. Mettler has not yet reached the maximum of her 
 spiritual power. While she lives she must progress ; and we 
 may confidently look forward to yet more remarkable works. 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 PORTRAIT OF KOSSUTH CONCLUSION. 
 
 As a final illustration of the spiritual gifts of Mrs. Mettler, 
 the reader is presented with the following admirable portrait of 
 Kossuth, as psychometrically delineated : 
 
 [Directly after placing the letter to her forehead, she says :] This 
 person must feel exhausted, for I feel so. I feel like sighing, and 
 
TORTRAIT OF KOSSUTH. 113 
 
 oppressed for want of breath, like one fainting from exhaustion. 
 Must I give way to my feelings ? Then my hand and arm must rise, 
 and extend themselves. There must be a waving and gesture, of 
 first one hand and then the other, as of one speaking to a crowd. Who 
 is it ; and what does it mean ? I feel a wonderful nervous action 
 after these exertions. 
 
 [The above were passing remarks, before she got fairly into the 
 sphere of the writer. Again she says :] This must be a gentleman 
 possessing the most wonderful gifts of oratory and intelligence, with a 
 most massive brain and intellect. The head at times seems almost 
 ready to burst with the accumulation of ideas. 
 
 Intuition is the great governing principle with this individual. 
 The spiritual element predominates in the character. There are no 
 bounds to his calculations — there is no one thing too great for him 
 to undertake. His perceptive powers seem to lead him almost, if 
 not entirely, beyond every other mind, calculating, with almost a 
 certainty, the end from the beginning. 
 
 This must be a person whose knowledge is truly astonishing. His 
 mind must be naturally educated, and not governed by books, or the 
 opinions of others. He forms his own conclusions — is extremely 
 firm and fixed in his own opinions, and never seems to waver, or turn 
 from what he conceives to be right. 
 
 This person seems to possess unbounded benevolence. He can not 
 rest contented by being blest himself ; but his great aim and desire 
 appear to be the redemption of the world. His fellow beings must 
 all partake of the great bounty, and blessings of liberty. So strong 
 is this feeling, that if he had but one morsel, it would be shared with 
 others. 
 
 His powers of concentration are truly remarkable. He has also 
 large cautiousness, but no timidity, with very large combativeness, 
 which he would be likely to exercise in defense of Self, Family, and 
 Country. 
 
114 BIOGRAPHY OF MRS. METTLER. 
 
 Ho is one that would win all hearts to himself ; and no one could 
 see him, or become acquainted with him in the least, without feeling 
 an attachment which can not be severed. 1 never came into the 
 Sphere of such a mind. 1 feel at times as though 1 was almost lifted 
 from the Earth — that I could not be else than spirit, as words flow 
 into my mind in such a manner — with such wonderful rapidity, that 
 the tongue is scarcely able to utter what I feel, and desire to express. 
 I feel at times as though appealing to the sympathies of those 
 around me, and then again such boldness and consciousness of right, 
 that I could face a whole nation — and they would sink into insignifi- 
 cance before the principle for which I contend. I seem to be sup- 
 ported and sustained by a constant influx of spiritual strength, which 
 enables me to speak in such a manner, that not only astonishes my- 
 self, but all who hear me. 
 
 This must be a great Statesman. All the common affairs of life 
 appear to be nothing, compared with the great end which this indi- 
 vidual seems to have in view. He can not be bound by either sect 
 or party. He seems determined to throw off all shackles from him- 
 self and country. Freedom of thought, speech, and action, is his 
 motto. He is untiring in his exertions, and must be self-forgetful. 
 He appears to be spending his life for a cause most dear to his heart 
 — and that must be Liberty. But by his exertions he is fast ex- 
 hausting his physical strength ; and were he not sustained by spirit- 
 ual influence, he could not last long. I should never tire in contem- 
 plating and sympathizing with this remarkable man ; and his sphere 
 is most delightful to me ! 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 In reviewing the whole testimony of her life, we find the 
 character of Mrs. Mettler a very harmonious and beautiful one. 
 Boldness of conception, strength, truthfulness, indomitable per- 
 
CONCLUSION. 115 
 
 severance and will, with a power of endurance perfectly heroic, 
 are softened and etherealized by tenderness, fidelity, patience and 
 conscientiousness, wrought into the most gentle and delicate 
 inspirations of a truly feminine nature. Her mental manifesta- 
 tions are distinguished by a singular fineness of taste and feel- 
 ing ; while overspreading, softening, beautifying all, is a rare 
 and sweet modesty, which, like a transparent vail, enhances the 
 beauty it yet feels itself made to conceal. Indeed, no one 
 could be acquainted with her, without feeling how truly, and 
 wisely, she has been consecrated to the Charities. 
 

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