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

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122 EXPOSITION OF INFORMATION RECEIVEDfirst-mentioned attributes; but cannot go up on account <strong>of</strong> wisdom alone.A knave, however wise, cannot advance in <strong>the</strong> spheres. There are, infact, two modes <strong>of</strong> ascent—love, so called, and love and wisdom united.Those who go up in love are called ^oyc-<strong>spirit</strong>s; those who unite bothqualifications are called wisdom-<strong>spirit</strong>s. A feminine <strong>spirit</strong>, who had beenremarkable for her disinterested devotion to her relatives and friends,ascended almost forthwith to <strong>the</strong> fifth sphere. My friend W. W. had anascent equally rapid to <strong>the</strong> same sphere. Yet ano<strong>the</strong>r <strong>spirit</strong>, who wasfully as free from vice as ei<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong> those above alluded to,took many yearsto ascend in lohdom to <strong>the</strong> fifth sphere, not being satisfied to rise unlessaccompanied by <strong>the</strong> attributes <strong>of</strong> wisdom, as well as love. Spirit B.alleged that because he was a free-thinker lie went up more quickly thanano<strong>the</strong>r <strong>spirit</strong>, A. A., being questioned, admitted that B. had got onmore speedily, in consequence <strong>of</strong> superior liberality.637. Washington is in <strong>the</strong> seventh sphere.638. In <strong>the</strong> spheres, diversity <strong>of</strong> creed has no influence, excepting s<strong>of</strong>ar as its adoption indicates badness <strong>of</strong> heart and narrowness <strong>of</strong> mind, andhas been <strong>of</strong> a nature to injure <strong>the</strong> moral and intellectual character.639. Degradation ensues as an inevitable consequence <strong>of</strong> vice, and as<strong>the</strong> means <strong>of</strong> reform, not as vindictive piinisJiment. God is representedas all love, and is never named without <strong>the</strong> most zealous devotion. Spiritsin any sphere can descend into any sphere below that to which <strong>the</strong>y belong,but cannot ascend above this sphere. They are surrounded by ahalo, which is brighter in proportion as <strong>the</strong>ir sphere is higher. They havean intuitive power <strong>of</strong> judging <strong>of</strong> each o<strong>the</strong>r and <strong>of</strong> mortals. Attachmentsoriginating in this life are streng<strong>the</strong>ned, while hatred passes away. The<strong>spirit</strong>s in <strong>the</strong> upper spheres have '^ineffable' happiness. The suiferings<strong>of</strong> those below are negative, ra<strong>the</strong>r than positive. They are made t<strong>of</strong>eel shame at a degradation which is rendered intuitively evident to<strong>the</strong>mselves and all o<strong>the</strong>r <strong>spirit</strong>s. But all are capable <strong>of</strong> improvement,so as to have elevation and happiness within <strong>the</strong>ir reach sooner orlater. The higher <strong>spirit</strong>s are always ready to assist sinners by kindadmonition. (02.)640. My bro<strong>the</strong>r alleges himself to hold <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>fice <strong>of</strong> a teacher. Byteachers, <strong>spirit</strong>s fresh from this world, called <strong>the</strong> ^^rudimental sphere," areexamined to determine <strong>the</strong>ir rank.641. Spirits are carried along with our globe by <strong>the</strong>ir moral afiectionsand affinity, which upon <strong>the</strong>m acts as gravitation upon material bodies.They are just where <strong>the</strong>y wish <strong>the</strong>mselves to be, as <strong>the</strong>y move in obedienceto <strong>the</strong>ir moral impulses or aspirations, not having a gross, material bodyto carry along with <strong>the</strong>m.642. Spirits <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> higher spheres control more or less those below<strong>the</strong>m in station, who are sent by <strong>the</strong>m to impress mortals virtuously.Spii'its are not allowed to interpose directly, so as to alter <strong>the</strong> course <strong>of</strong>

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