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

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186 MRS. gourlay's narrative.after an illness <strong>of</strong> three days her cnfrancliised <strong>spirit</strong> passed from earth toheaven.961. Notwithstanding <strong>the</strong> ridicule heaped, at that time, by its opposersupon <strong>the</strong> believers in Spiritualism, and <strong>the</strong> affected contempt in which <strong>the</strong>votaries <strong>of</strong> this much-abused doctrine were<strong>the</strong>n held, we pursued <strong>the</strong> <strong>investigation</strong><strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> subject, and became daily more imbued v/ith a sense <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> truth and harmony <strong>of</strong> its divine teachings. Wc had <strong>the</strong> pleasure <strong>of</strong>seeing nmny persons, who had once denounced it as an idle dream, as ahumbug, and a delusion, now converted to a fullfaith in its glorious realities.A change came over <strong>the</strong> <strong>spirit</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir dream, and <strong>the</strong>y are nowblessed in <strong>the</strong> enjoyment <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> richest feast fur mind and soul ever bestowedby a munificent God upon his grateful children. And many donot hesitate to proclaim <strong>the</strong> fact to <strong>the</strong> world ;for, thank heaven, <strong>the</strong> days<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Inquisition are numbered, and a brighter and more glorious day isdawning on benighted humanity.9G2. The following extracts from a letter <strong>of</strong> my bro<strong>the</strong>r. Dr. North, <strong>of</strong>\Yatcrville, Maine, in reply to my husband, may serve to show <strong>the</strong> mind<strong>of</strong> one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> skeptics referred to, in regard to <strong>the</strong> subject <strong>of</strong> Spiritualism,both before and after <strong>investigation</strong>.your readers, I give <strong>the</strong>m to you, as follows :As <strong>the</strong>y may not be uninteresting to963. "Dear Doctor —Your letter <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 17th instant is before me,and its remarhahle contents noticed. Had a great man or men, for instance,Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, or Millard Fillmore, advised a friendto a certain course, if I thought that course improper, I should have felt atliberty to dissent from him or <strong>the</strong>m; but when <strong>the</strong> adviser is <strong>the</strong> qnrit <strong>of</strong>my departed mo<strong>the</strong>r, or<strong>the</strong> soul <strong>of</strong> your departed hro<strong>the</strong>r, I cannot dissent,or give an opinion that would conflict with <strong>the</strong>m. It seems to me,dear doctor, that you cannot have better advisers unless you call<strong>the</strong> <strong>spirit</strong><strong>of</strong> Gabriel to your assistance, and you can do no less than consult <strong>the</strong> dictates<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> rappers.964. " To be serious, I am surprised at your easy conversion to Spiritualism.I had supposed you <strong>spirit</strong>-pro<strong>of</strong>, <strong>the</strong> greatest skeptic in <strong>the</strong>land; but I find you are completely tdken in and done for! I do notplace <strong>the</strong> least reliance on your superhuman communications, and wouldadviseyou to look upon <strong>the</strong>m as phenomena <strong>of</strong> Mesmerism or mind-reading.The medium is in a mesmeric state, and consequently is capable <strong>of</strong>reading <strong>the</strong> thoughts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> inquirer, and answering questions correctly.The sounds are easily accounted for. The subject is alarmed and suj^crstit ions, and <strong>the</strong>refore easily imposed upon. The creaking <strong>of</strong> a boot is<strong>of</strong>ten taken by such persons in this state <strong>of</strong> mind as a <strong>spirit</strong>ual rap. Donot be imposedby good sound sense.upon by such superstition, but choose ra<strong>the</strong>r to be guided965. " You might consult <strong>the</strong> <strong>spirit</strong> <strong>of</strong> Lorenzo Dow. He was a goodold soul, and one that always safely advised his friends.

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