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

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE SPTRTT WORLD. 101OF THE SPIRTTUAL lUTlTIT,* CALLED DEATIF, OF HUMAN BEINGS,CALLED MORTALS, ALTHOUGH LMMORTAL.Of Spiritual Birth.488. IlAVlNa obtained from several of my most valued spirit, friends orrelatives, narratives of their translation from this sphere to the world ofspirits, it appears, from their concurrent testimony, that on the death ofthe body, the soul finds itself soon afterward awaking from a profoundsleep,—but so much more like dreaming than being awake, as for a shorttime to create a doubt whether it be not dreaming. Meanwhile, brightshadowy forms become more and more distinguishable; and the bodywhich it has left being perceived apart on its bed, or in whatever positionits death occurred, the conviction is induced that another state of existencehas been attained. As the forms, at first shadowy, become distinct,they are usually found to be those of the nearest or dearest previously departedfriends. These meet the nascent spirit with every possible manifestationof aff"ection,while the most ecstatic emotions are awakened.489. Forthwith the spirit is conducted to his celestial abode : of whichthe elevation is greater as the morality of the individual concerned ishigher.Narrative given hy Spirits of their translation to the Spirit World, theabode of human souls in a future state490. The following narrative is from an excellent spirit philanthropist,who, though a stranger to me in this world, introduced himself to me atthe session of a small circle, by the communication alleged to be intendedfor me, which has already been quoted. (147.)491. He has since reported himself as the author of those sentiments,and has held many conversations with me."}*••Apotheosis from apo, among, and theos, god, having been used to signify translationto a place among gods, might not apo-angelosis be used to signify translation to aplace among angels, from ap)o, among, and angdos, an angel?j" " Praise undeserved is satire in disguise."This being manifestly true, it follows that whatever applause may be bestowed upon anauthor by his spiritual advisers, as he may consider them, will be so inverted in the mind'seye of an unbeliever as to have all the efficacy of satire. Under these circumstances Ishould be terribly satirized were I here to give the whole of a communication made bythis benevolent philanthropic spirit, of which the following is a part. Were I to give hissentiments in full, it would be rather from the motive of showing how vivacious is the interesttaken in the progress of Spiritualism by certain worthies of the spirit world, and togive another exemplification of the ardour of the spirit mind after emerging from itsmundane tenement. But the main motive for publishing so much of the communicationin question as subjoined, is the confirmation thus afi'orded of the account previously givenby my angel sister, of the attendance of high spirits upon my lectures at Boston.This account was also confirmed by independent communications from two other sources.