ASPR Journal, V14 - Iapsop.com

120 Joumal of the American Society for Psychical.Research.
by mere death. It is even possible that, in some cases at least,
greater limitations exist than when living. There is much evidence
to suggest or to show that many are in what has been called
an " earth-bound " condition. Exactly what this means we have
not yet been able to determine. But there is some evidence that
it involves lingering in our earthly memories and interests with
a dream like state in which our own mental states are taken for
realities, just as in ordinary hallucinations. This may be only a
temporary state and it may not long affect those who have led
a spiritual life. But while it does last it certainly disqualifies
the individual for giving advice on the basis of any increased
powers or knowledge immediately after death.
All this will come up for discussion later when I have given
the facts which will serve as a text for comments. It is the
first instance in which I have had any opportunity for studying
the matter at first hand. The work that I have done has always
been for the proof of personal identity. I was never interested
personally in consulting spirits for the direction of my personal
affairs and usually sitters preferred to be convinced of survival
rather than consult the psychic for advice. But a few sitters
were desirous of making inquiries regarding personal affairs and
some interesting results came about. It is one of those cases that
is a most instructive one for our purpose. It involved the question
of matrimony.
A lady lost her husband and in her doubts about survival
sought my help to ascertain if her husband survived. I conducted
the experiments in the usual way with precautions that
shut out any possible knowledge of the sitter from Mrs. Chenoweth.
The deceased husband gave most excellent evidence of
his identity. He told the exact manner of his death which was
very different from what would be supposed in the circumstances,
gave the pet names of his children, the names of several
of his intimate friends, none of which did I know, and mentioned
a number of important incidents in his life. One incident,
tho not evidence of his personal identity from memory, is one
of the best I ever received from a communicator. It cannot
be detailed here because it would lead to the discovery of his
identity here when the detailed record is published. But it is
not necessary to dwell on the matter of his identity and the
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