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Experimental investigation of the spirit manifestations, [electronic ...

Experimental investigation of the spirit manifestations, [electronic ...

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SQ COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE SPIRIT WORLD.not arising solely from <strong>the</strong> <strong>spirit</strong>s, but from <strong>the</strong> inquirers also. The greatmotive in <strong>the</strong> firstinstance for witnessing <strong>spirit</strong>ual <strong>manifestations</strong> was <strong>the</strong>love <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> marvellous, or <strong>the</strong> desire to expose what was deemed jugglery.The mere movements <strong>of</strong> tables,without any reference to <strong>spirit</strong>ual agency,was <strong>the</strong> great object <strong>of</strong> attention. Though I was present where tableturning was discussed, if I ever heard <strong>the</strong> idea <strong>of</strong> <strong>spirit</strong>s being <strong>the</strong>cause,it left no impression on my memory, as has already been stated. (134.)403. But after alphabetical communication commenced, it was performedso slowly, that tho replies were <strong>of</strong>ten brief, and made with a view toestablish identity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>spirit</strong>s with <strong>the</strong> individual whom it pr<strong>of</strong>esses topersonate; or to test <strong>the</strong> existence <strong>of</strong> a <strong>spirit</strong> by <strong>the</strong> replies given to inquirersrespecting facts which could not be known to <strong>the</strong> medium. At<strong>the</strong> first recognition, <strong>the</strong> <strong>spirit</strong> would occupy <strong>the</strong> time mainly with statementsvery natural and amiable, but not instructivebeyond <strong>the</strong> degree <strong>of</strong>confirmation thus afibrded <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> great fact <strong>of</strong> such intercourse being possibleon <strong>the</strong> part <strong>of</strong> friends who have quitted this stage <strong>of</strong> existence.404. Communications through spelling and writing media very muchfell short <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> expectations which <strong>the</strong> name assumed by <strong>the</strong> <strong>spirit</strong> wouldawaken.405. As soon as convinced that <strong>the</strong> phenomena were due to <strong>the</strong> shades<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> dead, I looked with eagerness for some consistent information <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong>ir abodes, modes <strong>of</strong> existence, <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>ological doctrines entertained bj<strong>the</strong>m, and <strong>the</strong> actual diversities <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir situation consequent to variousdegrees <strong>of</strong> moral and intellectual merit.406. It was with regret that I found in <strong>the</strong> published accounts, nothingsatisfactory, nothing precise, nothing connected. In no publication did Ifind any satisfactory statements <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> location <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>spirit</strong> world, or <strong>of</strong>itssubdivision into spheres.407. Urging this deficiency <strong>of</strong> information upon those <strong>spirit</strong> friendswho seemed to have selected me as an instrument in promulgating <strong>the</strong> invaluabletruths <strong>of</strong> Spiritualism, I obtained information, as early as May,1854, respecting <strong>the</strong> situation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>spirit</strong>ual spheres, or country <strong>of</strong><strong>spirit</strong>s, relatively to <strong>the</strong> earth ; but about <strong>the</strong> latter part <strong>of</strong> October myfa<strong>the</strong>r commenced writing on <strong>the</strong> subject through a medium <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rsex, but <strong>the</strong> ideas furnished were too much blended with her own prepossessions,with which her mind was replete. Hence, although manypages had been written, <strong>the</strong>y wererejected, and resort was had to ano<strong>the</strong>rmedium—Mrs. Gourlay.The result thus obtained was afterwards read to<strong>the</strong> author, at <strong>the</strong> disk, so as to have every paragraph scrutinized.408. Under <strong>the</strong> following head will be found my fa<strong>the</strong>r's communication.

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