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

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MRS. GOURLAY's NARRATfVK. 181at tho house <strong>of</strong> a highly respectable fainil}^, ineinber.s <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> UnitarianChurch, and much esteemed by a large circle <strong>of</strong> friends for <strong>the</strong>ir manyvirtues.081. The invitation was gladly accepted, and <strong>the</strong> ensuing evening foundus seated at a table in <strong>the</strong> domicile <strong>of</strong> our worthy friends, Mr. and Mrs.T ,with some six or eight intelligent persons <strong>of</strong> both sexes.932. Having, agreeably to request, placed our hands on <strong>the</strong> table, wesilently raised our thoughts in solemnand sincere aspirations to <strong>the</strong> greatFa<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong> <strong>spirit</strong>s, and desired to be brought into more harmonious relationwith <strong>the</strong> <strong>spirit</strong>s <strong>of</strong> our dear departed friends, and hoping that<strong>the</strong>semight <strong>the</strong>reby be better able to manifest <strong>the</strong>mselves to <strong>the</strong>ir friends still in<strong>the</strong> earthly habiliments <strong>of</strong> humanity.933. We had not remained long in this position, before we heard distinctsounds like <strong>the</strong> falling <strong>of</strong> drops <strong>of</strong> water on <strong>the</strong> table. Imagine oursurprise and inexpressible delight, when firstaroused to a vital consciousness<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> presence <strong>of</strong> celestial visitants in our midst ! I shall neverforget <strong>the</strong> glorious expression <strong>of</strong> pleasure which illumined <strong>the</strong> countenances<strong>of</strong> that little band <strong>of</strong> seekers for truth, nor <strong>the</strong> electric thrill <strong>of</strong>joy which I experienced on this happy occasion.934. The sounds continued to respond to our inquiries; three expressing<strong>the</strong> affirmative, and one <strong>the</strong> negative.It was suggested by a member<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> circle to use <strong>the</strong> alphabet as a means <strong>of</strong> communication ; and thaton passing a pencil slowly over <strong>the</strong> card, <strong>the</strong> <strong>spirit</strong>s would indicate, by <strong>the</strong>sounds, <strong>the</strong> letters required to convey <strong>the</strong>ir thoughts.received many convincing evidences <strong>of</strong> <strong>spirit</strong> intercourse ;In this manner wesuch as getting<strong>the</strong> names <strong>of</strong> our <strong>spirit</strong> friends, <strong>the</strong> particular localities <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir birth anddeath, and <strong>the</strong> precise time <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir departure from this world, with manyo<strong>the</strong>r pro<strong>of</strong>s <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir presence and identity.935. We were soon informed by <strong>the</strong> communicating intelligence that amuch more rapid mode <strong>of</strong> communication would now be established betweenus. On inquiring its nature, it was spelt out—Let Wel<strong>the</strong>a (referringto my friend) take <strong>the</strong> pen, and we will write through her hand.*To all <strong>of</strong> us this was a new and unexpected revelation. My friend, beingvery timid and retiring in her nature, was evidently confused by this announcement.At our very earnest solicitation, however, she lifted <strong>the</strong> penfrom <strong>the</strong> table.Her hand was now seized by an invisible and intelligentpower, and being in a normal state, several beautiful stanzas,f touching* To meet <strong>the</strong> curiosity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> reader, it may be well to say that communications by<strong>the</strong> pen arc ei<strong>the</strong>r impresaional—that is, resulting from <strong>the</strong> volition <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> writer, aidedin <strong>the</strong> matter by <strong>the</strong> influence <strong>of</strong> a <strong>spirit</strong>—or <strong>the</strong>y are automatic; that is, produced by <strong>the</strong>mechanical action <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>spirit</strong>s on <strong>the</strong> hand <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> medium, entirely independent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>medium's volition.f I would state, on <strong>the</strong> authority <strong>of</strong> this lady and her relatives, many <strong>of</strong> whom wereopposed to Spiritualism, that this was <strong>the</strong> first time that she had ever produced a poeticaleffusion; though it has not been an uncommon circumstance for her, since <strong>the</strong>n, when

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