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

isius. gourlay's narrative. 183943. The coiniuuuicatioii being finished, my friend lumded it to mc,saying, ''lam not acquainted with this name.'' I said, on ghincing attlic signature, that I never knew any one of the name of Hanly. It wasimmediately written, "Let Margaret look again, and she will find thatshe is mistaken in the name; it is Mdnljy, not Jfan/^." Imagine myastonif^hmcnt on recognising the name of a schoolmate whom I had notseen, heard, nor thought of, for many years.This was to me, and might beto any one, a full and satisfactory confirmation of spiritual communion.944. On a subsequent occasion, it was written, through my friend, by myspirit sister, ''Do you want instruction? I will talk to you of friendshipthis time. Let the basis of your friendship be esteem, and by all meansseek to have this sure foundation. Friendship is a source of the greatestpleasure, and when begun in a right manner, endsnot on earth, but continuesto increase with unabated interest throughout eternity. Yours hasthus far been characterized by firmness and sincerity. Oh ! if you knewwith what interest I look upon you, my dear sisters, watching the progressof your afiections, and seeking a close intimacy with your spirits, itwould awaken in both of your minds a lively interest for heavenly objects,and incite you to the pursuit of solid happiness. Friendship should beginin time to continue in eternity. Oh ! could I convey to you the worthof time when viewed in this light945. " I am watching your silent communings. The lofty aspirationsof your souls are not of an earthly nature. Your minds are being enlightenedand seeking communion with God. Be encouraged, my dearsisters ; we shall all be united in love. Be well grounded in the spiritualfaith, and let your motto be— Onward in the divine life.Mary.^'946. Again, it was written, " Sing with the spirit ! Sister, let thyheart make tuneful melody with an angel choir who now surround youSing a song to immortality ; how the dear departed, clothed in robes ofvictory, now stand on heavenly hills, enwrapt in glorious visions of theGreat Eternal, bowing before the throne ! Sing, ' Death, where is thysting ? oh ! grave, where is thy victory V947. "While here you meet, guardian angels are in attendance. Hereis a gray-haired sire, a mother, and a sweet-lipped babe. All have come,with noiseless wing, to listen to thee. Precious moments ! Improve themin converse sweet of heaven, and blessings, richer far than earthly treasures,we will pour upon you.''948. The reminiscences of the hours devoted with my friend to the investigationof this sublime subject are among the happiest of my life.Theyserve to awaken the purest, holiest, and most afiectionate sentiments andsympathies of my nature, and thereby lead me into closer communion withthe loved ones who have gone before me.949. But in reference to my family, I was for a season destined to bealonein my happy belief. It is true, my husband did not reject the sub-