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

PRACTICAL BENEFIT OF SPIRITUALISM. 103* duce in the mintls of those who are not satisfied with tliat of revelation, Iwill subjoin the account of his conversion indited by one of myesteemed friends, Doctor AV. Geib, who preceded me in spiritual investigation,and has longer enjoyed the influence which Spiritualism exercisesover itsvotaries.1001. The author was a member of the circle under v/hose auspices myvery occasion when my own apparatuSy ichtchexperimental tests were for the most part applied, and was present on thehad been contrived to disproveapiritual agency ydemonstrated its existence.1002. '' The verdure and warblings of fifty springs had elevated the soulsof the writer of the present sketch in wonder, admiration, and gratitude, tothe great Omnipotent Father of the Universe, without opening to hislonging view a world beyond the grave.1003. " There was pain in the thought, that scenes so enchanting, feelingsso susceptible to their charms, a mind constituted to appreciatemiraculous wonders and pervading fascinations, and to do homage totheirgreat Intelligence which gave them existence, should in a few short yearsbe destined, like the foliage of the forest, to death and decay1004. ^' Still, to his mind their was arrogance in the thought that mancould ever be the recipient of joys beyond those provided for him in commonwith all animal creation 5 and he chased from his mind the sombrethought of death, as a dreaded incubus upon life and the enemy of his fewremaining joys.1005. ^'But how changed the scene ! Death, once so disturbing to hispeace, so discordant with the moral attributes of his nature, which ^ puzzlesthe will,' and leads the mind to seek in wonder and discouragement the motivefor human life, is now but a ^ consummation devoutly to be wished,'when this race of earthly life shall have been duly run ; when we mayhave filled the measure of our destined usefulness, and secured by ourmoral affinities a joyful reception in the spheres above.1006. '^ And why this change in thought and feeling ? How are thehorrors of the grave, the dread of dissolution into the primordial elementsof creation, exchanged for the blissful assurance of immortal life for thesoul of man, in all its associate identity, after it shall have departed fromits earthly tenement of flesh ?1007. ^'The answer to this all-absorbing question, which sheds lightinto the gloomy recesses of the skeptic's mind, and gives joy to his despairingheart—which supplied evidence where none had been sought, convictionwhere it had been sought in vain, and imparts to the accepted hopeand faith of the professional believer, thetheconfirmation of a demonstratedfact—is to be found in the irrefutable evidence of Spiritual Pliilosopliy1008. " How invaluable is this dispensation of an Almighty Providence,which has made his despairing creature, a believer in the immortality ofthe soul of man ; has cleared from his mental vision the clouds of doubt13