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

168 ON PSYCHOLOGICAL EXPLANATIONSas spirits, being a polarizing affection of tlic spiritual ethereal medium,of which the undulations constitute the peculiar rays of their spiritual sun.859. That this spiritual or mesmeric electricity should be auxiliary tothe efficacy of the magic will-power, of spirits, is of course one of thosemysteries which, like that of gravitation, may be ascertained to prevail,and yet be to spirits as well as mortals inexplicable.860. We live in a wonder-working universe, which becomes more andmore wonderful as we learn more of it, instead of being brought morewithin our comprehension. When we compare what we know with theknowledge of savages, it may appear a mountain of learning and science;but this very learning and science only makes us see still more how greatON PSYCHOLOGICAL EXPLANATIONS OF SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATIONS.80 1. This, for the third time, brings under discussion the report ofDr. Bell, of Somerville, near Boston, on spiritual manifestations.862. It is not in refe;:ence to this distinguished physician in his individualcapacity that I name him thus often, but in reference to the hypothesiswhich his allegations must oblige him to sustain, and of which hema}'^ be considered a most respectable advocate. Dr. Bell not only admits,but confirms by his own testimony, the important fact of the movementof heavy bodies without contact. His experience, in this respect, is morestrikingthan mine, since he has not only seen this phenomena take placerepeatedly, but on one occasion, as before stated, saw tables moxof/tj/ feet,intelligently obedient to his directions. He also admits the reception ofsuch communications from pretended spirits, as spiritualists would consideras coming from real spirits. Yet on the negative ground, thatagrccahltj to his experience^ notliing icas found to he communicahle butwhat pre-existed in the mind of some mortal present, he infers that theideas received are not derived from spirits, but from the minds of thoseimortals who are parties to the process.863. Of course our distinguished friend thus involves himself in thetask of explaining not only the intellectual, but also the mechanical move-;ments, by the mental agency of the media who participate in the conditionsunder which the manifestations occur.864. I have already adduced manifestations irreconcilable with the:assumption on which the whole of Dr. Bell's inference is built, (111 to 288.)But were his observations verified, in order to make them justify the ab-^uegation of spirits, it should be shown that any spirit could tell him ant/ilhing which must be known to him, whether known to the spirits or not.