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

MRS. gourlay's narrative. 170or science, or from the ob.scrviition and investigation of nature's beautiesand miracles, in order to get, throiujli localth, the power, and honest rightto indiilnrc. ]5ut while pursuing this great object, in the first instanceonly as the means of attaining other o))jccts, good or bad, they grow oldin the chase; their passions burn out, while avarice originates as it werefrom their ashes, not, phocnix-likc, to replace one parental being, but a horridmonster, having nothing in common with a plurality of progenitors,but the selfish, ardent love of money, unmitigated by any redeeming aspiration.A being so actuated—or, in other words, a miser—would certainlyfind it as difficult to reach a higher sphere in the spirit world, as it werefor a camel to get through the needle's eye.919. As swine accumulate fat to bequeath to those to whom they leavetheir carcasses, so the avaricious accumulate wealth, to hoard until it canno longer be retained.They die with an immense amount of negative sin;since all their omissions to do good, which is within their power, is carriedto their debit in the spirit world. Their poverty in the spirit world willbe proportioned to their ill-used wealth in this temporal abode.920. When this is well brought home to mankind, there \vill be lessavarice, and fewer of those crimes which arise from selfish cupidity, or ambition.MRS. GOURLAY'SNARRATIVE.921. The following is a narrative of the circumstances which led to theconversion to a belief in Spiritualism, of my esteemed friend, Mrs. M. B.Gourlay, through whose high attributes as an intellectual medium, I am ina great measure indebted for mi/ conversion. I do most devoutly believethat the information received from my spirit father, through her mediumship,would, if duly credited, be of more value to true religion and morality,than the forty millions of dollars annually expended upon the Church ofEngland.To Professor Robert JIareriiiLADELPHiA, May 20, 1855.922. J7y Dear Sir: Pursuant to your request, I have the pleasure topresent you the following particulars of my experience and observation inrelation to the phenomena of spiritual intercourse,—phenomena whichengage, at the present time, the serious and profound attention of thousandsof intelligent minds; manifestations that are rapidly and steadilyspreading their influence over the entire continent, and carrying with themthe evidence of their spiritual origin, while impressing receptive mindswith the truth of their sacred importance to an extent unexampled in thehistory of any other movement.