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

OP COUNTER-MEDIUMSIIIP. 107disposed to suspect any medium of trcaclicry, and therefore never disgustedthem by the display of any such impressions. To the aid of these trulyangelic spirits who were nearly allied with me, came another angel, (whomI will designate by his initials W. W.,) who, from philanthropic motives,seems to have selected me to serve in this invaluable dispensation. Hence,his first annunciation of my destined course, in language which so far, howeverit niiiy imply an overestimate of my capacity to serve, shows the morethe partiality with which it seems to have been estimated by him. (47.)The AutJior's Discover?/ of his poiuers as a Medium.853. It occurred to me to try how far the interposition of my handwould interfere with the powers of the medium to whom I resorted. Tomy surprise, it seemed very little to impair the actuation of the index bythe officiating spirit.It next occurred to me to ascertain how far a diminutionof contact, between the hand of the medium and mine, would impairthe power exercised under these conditions. In pursuance of myrequest, the contact was diminished by successively lifting the fingers ofthe medium and the rest of the hand from mine, until only one fingerwas left. Finally, this finger was removed, and yet the power of actuationstill continued to exist, though enfeebled. The officiating spirit, myfriend W. W., now was made a party to this investigation, being requestedto estimate the efi'ectsas well as myself.854. I requested the medium to pick up a pair of scissors which lay onthe table,and, while holding the blades between the finger and thumb, tolay the rings upon the back of my hand. An increase of power wasmanifested to my observation and that of W. W.855. At a subsequent sitting, having made due preparation, a strip ofsheet tin about two inches wide, and about fifteeninches in length, beinoappliedto the back of my hand while resting on the base board of thespiritoscope,(Plate 4, Fig. 2,) the medium held it successively at variousdistances. Under these circumstances, the facilitation was greater as thedistance between her hand and mine was diminished.856. A plate of glass of about four inches square, interposed betweenthe palm of the hand of the medium and theback of mine, interruptedthe power entirely ; but neither cork nor a metallic plate of a similar sizemuch reduced the power.857. The frame (Fig. 3, Plate 4) being in situ, as described, paragraphkJc of the description, under these circumstances the removal of theserrated strips diminished the power more and more as removed.858. Thus it appears that there is a mesmeric electricity, or spiritualelectricity, which may be considered as appropriate to the spirit world astheir vital air is ;but which like that air, may influence our spiritual bodieswhile in their mundane tenement. It may, as well as the vital air of thespirit world, belong in common to the inhabitants of that world and to us-