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

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

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166 or COUNTER-MEDIUMSIIIP.ON THE INFLUENCE OF THE ILL-TREATMENT OF MEDIA, ON SPI-IIITUAL MANIFESTATIONS.—OF COUNTEIl-MEDIUMSHIP.847. Allusion has been above made to <strong>the</strong> unfavourable influenceupon <strong>manifestations</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> demeanour and incredulity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> investigator,disphiycd in suspicious, cold, scrutinizingonly by a cheat or pickpocket.mcdiumship, and likewise repels <strong>the</strong> <strong>spirit</strong>s.looks, such as would be meritedAll this has a deteriorating influence uponWhile communicating througha medium, a near blood relative, much beloved by <strong>the</strong> communicating<strong>spirit</strong> while in this world, coming into <strong>the</strong> circle, an immediate departure<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>spirit</strong> was <strong>the</strong> consequence.It was subsequently alleged in explanationthat <strong>the</strong>re existed a repulsiveness between him and <strong>the</strong> <strong>spirit</strong>,foundedon <strong>the</strong> idea that his opinions were under <strong>the</strong> influence <strong>of</strong> worldly considerations,whence a predetermination to disbelieve, as far as possible, byan unfavourable view <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> evidence.848. An incredulity liable to be overcome by <strong>the</strong> reason by which it hasbeen created does not form a bar ; but where an impregnable bigotry hasbeen introduced merely by education, so that <strong>the</strong> person under itsinfluencewould have been a Catholic, Calvinist, Unitarian, Jew, or Mohammedanby a change <strong>of</strong> parentage, cannot usually be changed by any evidence orargument. Spirits will not spend <strong>the</strong>ir time subjecting <strong>the</strong>ir <strong>manifestations</strong>to such impregnable bigotry, or to predetermined malevolence.849. On this account such persons find it hard to obtain <strong>the</strong> <strong>manifestations</strong>which <strong>the</strong>y seek with ill-willridicule and pervert it.to Spiritualism, and a predisposition to850. Besides this difficulty, <strong>the</strong>re is no doubt a constitutional state,<strong>the</strong> inverse <strong>of</strong> that which creates a medium.The atmosphere <strong>of</strong> personsso constituted, neutralizes that <strong>of</strong> those who arc endowed with that <strong>of</strong>mediumship.851. It were impossible for any one to be more incredulous than I waswhen I commenced my <strong>investigation</strong>s ;but in <strong>the</strong> first place, my recordedreligious impressions, founded on more than a half century <strong>of</strong> intensereflection, in no respect conflicted with <strong>the</strong> belief which Spiritualismrequired. As I said to a clergyman, I wish I knew as well what I oughtto believe, as I can perceive what I ought not to believe. I was ardentlydesirous that <strong>the</strong> existence <strong>of</strong> a future state should be established in a wayto conform to positive science, so that <strong>the</strong>y might start toge<strong>the</strong>r. Thiswas perceived by my <strong>spirit</strong> friends, and that <strong>the</strong>y had only to give mesufficient evidence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> existence <strong>of</strong> <strong>spirit</strong>s and <strong>the</strong>ir world, to make melay down in <strong>the</strong> cause my comparatively worthless mortal life, could I bemore useful to truth in dying than in living.852. My fiithcr and sister, bro<strong>the</strong>r and friend Blodgot, were <strong>the</strong>reforenot deterred by my sneers or denunciations. Moreover, I was never pre-

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