The Healing of the Nations

The Healing of the Nations is an 1855 work by Charles Linton (1828-1886), a 22-year-old blacksmith.[1] The work is a "340-page religious rhapsody" written in the style of the King James Bible.[2] A work of Spiritualism, the work claims Linton merely served as medium, creating the book by automatic writing.[2][3] The book features an endorsement by Nathaniel P. Tallmadge, formerly a U.S. Senator from New York and a governor of the Wisconsin Territory.[4]

Creation and publication

Charles Linton had worked as a blacksmith, a clerk in Philadelphia, and later, a bookkeeper. He became a "writing medium", creating writings purportedly by Daniel Webster and William Shakespeare.[5][6] The work was published by The Society for the Diffusion of Spiritual Knowledge, an American spiritualist group that had been organized in 1844 by Tallmadge and others.[7][8]

Contents
Gov. Tallmadge

The main text is written by Charles Linton in the style of the King James Bible. Beginning with the second edition, The Healing of the Nations includes an introduction and appendix by Gov. Tallmadge.

Main text

The text is formatted into chapter and verse, in fitting with its emulation of the King James Bible. The text begins:

1. God the Father reigneth. His are the heavens and the earth. His is space, and its nnmberless inhabitants are but fruits of his will.
2. All his creation enjoyeth each one its own perfected happiness.
3. He giveth joy unto all ; for he being the center of goodness, his effects are purely happy.

Introduction and Appendix by Gov. Tallmadge

Tallmadge gives a biographical sketch of Charles Linton, and then describes personal witness to the work's creation:

A large portion of the book has been written in my presence. I have, therefore, had the very best opportunity of judging of the manner of the writer. During the time I was with liim ho wrote from five to ten pages a day. He wrote rapidly whilst the influence was on him, and when it left he would cease writing, and generally not resume it till the next day. I have frequently interrupted him in the middle of a sentence, and engaged him in conversation. As soon as the conversation ceased he would go on and finish the sentence without a moment's hesitation.

Reception

Author David Linton listed The Healing of Nations as among the four most important books on religious subjects, observing: "The fact that an un-learned farmer's boy of Pennsylvania should have written so wonderful a book as the 'Healing of the Nations' is to me one of the most wonderful facts of this wonderful age."[9][10] English researcher Frank Podmore opined that The Healing of Nations "represents inspirational writing at its best".[11]

References
  1. "The healing of the nations : Linton, Charles, 1828-1886 : Free Download & Streaming : Internet Archive". Archive.org. 2001-03-10. Retrieved 2014-01-02.
  2. Thayer, Stevan J (2009-09-30). "Interview with an Angel". ISBN 9780307567789. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. Gale, quoted in http://www.answers.com/topic/charles-linton
  4. Podmore, Frank (2011-01-20). Modern Spiritualism: A History and a Criticism. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781108072571.
  5. Podmore, Frank (1902). "Modern Spiritualism, a History and a Criticism". Methuen: 272. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. Willburn, Sarah A (2012-01-01). "The Ashgate Research Companion to Nineteenth-century Spiritualism and the Occult". ISBN 9781409456346. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  7. http://spirithistory.iapsop.com/1854_society_for_diffusion_of_spiritual_knowledge.html
  8. Britten, Emma Hardinge (1870). "Modern American Spiritualism: A Twenty Years' Record of the Communion Between Earth and the World of Spirits". Published by the author.: 150. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  9. https://archive.org/stream/cu31924084550064
  10. Friends Intelligencer. 1886-01-01.
  11. Podmore, Frank (1902-01-01). Modern Spiritualism: A History and a Criticism. Methuen & Company.
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