11.07.2015 Views

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

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

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

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS
  • No tags were found...

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

170 ON PSYCHOLOGICAL EXPLANATIONS870. By <strong>the</strong>ir existence in <strong>the</strong> spheres, it seems to me that <strong>spirit</strong>s improveas to <strong>the</strong>ir talents, not as to <strong>the</strong>ir reasoning powers. They have asuperior knowledge to that which we possess <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir own world, but not<strong>of</strong> our sciences, as far as I have had means <strong>of</strong> judi^ing. Having no greatobjects to effect, <strong>the</strong>y have no great incentive to thought or contrivance.It is by learning, more than by invention, that thoy rise in <strong>the</strong> spheres.871. These inferences arc not, however, admitted by tlic <strong>spirit</strong>s. Theyallege that as <strong>the</strong>ir medial instruments improve, <strong>the</strong>y will give me reasonto change my opinion. They assume to go deeper and far<strong>the</strong>r into <strong>the</strong>nature <strong>of</strong> things than mortals.872. To me it seems that <strong>the</strong>ir happiness is due in part to self-felicitationand seeing every thing under a rosy hue. They <strong>of</strong>ten advert to <strong>the</strong>superior height upon which <strong>the</strong>y stand, without showing that <strong>the</strong>y see morein consequence.873. So far as I can judge, in some branches <strong>of</strong> knowledge, <strong>the</strong> <strong>spirit</strong>swill improve by discussion with mortals. They will be cured <strong>of</strong> some <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong>ir '^sky scraping!"874. They seem to be mainly improved by <strong>the</strong>ir reciprocal intercourse.Thus honest bigots <strong>of</strong> all sects, find when <strong>the</strong>y get toge<strong>the</strong>r that in point<strong>of</strong> fact none <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir records are true !875. It is by getting rid <strong>of</strong> error, more than acquiring knowledge, that<strong>the</strong>y rise in reciprocal estimation.876. A^ery soon after my fii<strong>the</strong>r began to communicate with me, nearly'^fourteen months ago, he said We know little more in religion than you."877. They all agree that good works are solely <strong>of</strong> importance, creedsonly being good or bad as <strong>the</strong>y induce good or bad deeds.878. A good man cannot accept a creed which sanctions wickedness;that, for instance, which authorizes, under certain sophistical pretences,spoliation, massacre, rape, fraud, &c. AVhenever any man brings himselfto believe that his God ever authorized such crimes, or patronizedthose who were guilty <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m, he becomes more or less immoral. Dr. Bergtruly alleged that " a devotee is assimilated to tlie God icliom lie icorsliips.'"879. To assist me, as it were, in exposing <strong>the</strong> errors <strong>of</strong> those who withDr. Bell admit, for <strong>the</strong> most part, <strong>the</strong> facts <strong>of</strong> Spiritualism, yet ascribe <strong>the</strong>whole to <strong>the</strong> minds <strong>of</strong> mortals acting as media or inquirers, an advocate<strong>of</strong> tliat side <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> question gives this explanation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> fact <strong>of</strong> my havingsent a message to Mrs. Gourlay by my <strong>spirit</strong> sister880. He alleged it as a fact, that if two snails be placed in proximity,and afterward apart to a considerable distance, that <strong>the</strong> contact <strong>of</strong> one, willaffect <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r perceptibly.881. That Mrs. Gourlay and myself being frequently in each o<strong>the</strong>r'ssociety, it followed that if at <strong>the</strong> distance <strong>of</strong> about a hundred miles I wishedber to induce Dr. Gourlay to apply at <strong>the</strong> bank, Mrs. Gourlay, althoughat <strong>the</strong> time engaged in receiving a most interesting communication from

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!