In August, 1847, great excitement at Rochester, N. Y., and surrounding country was caused by mysterious knocks, noises, and peculiar and strange demonstrations. The first appearance of these knockings was at Arcadia, Wayne County, N. Y. The family where they first made their appearance fled from the house, and it was afterward occupied by Mr. John Fox. His daughters were the first mediums through which this mysterious agency professed to communicate. The family removed to the city of Rochester, and the strange manifestations accompanied them. Very soon these strange proceedings were characterized by the name of "Spirit rappings," and numerous "mediums" were soon developed, and public lectures and private seances, where table-tipping and writing were introduced, were held. The subject attracted universal interest and attention, and within three years the followers of this new sensation numbered hundreds of thousands, with a force of 30,000 mediums. Several prominent persons publicly advocated the manifestations as communications from the "Spirit Land." Books were written, and hundreds of lecturers thronged the public platforms; private and dark circles and seances were held, to which, chiefly, the "demonstrations" were confined. From this origin has sprung the great and world-wide doctrine known as Modern Spiritualism. The sect claims millions of converts, scattered through all parts of the world.