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

196 PRACTICAL BENEFIT OF SPIRITUALISM.accomplished— 'and your hands in your lap/ was added. As her handsdropped, the lady left my side, passed about two feet backward; and immediatelyreturned to her former position at the table.1024. ''My astonishment was naturally raised to the highest pitch,demanding of Dr. P., who sat on her opposite side, if I could believe myown eyes, and that Mrs. D. had really been moved from my side.' Oh,certainly,' he replied ; ' that is nothing. I have seen far more wonderfulmanifestations than that.'1025. '•' The idea of collusion was too ridiculous to be entertained for amoment; every consideration condemned it. The carpet on which thechair stood on its slender legs, with at least one hundred and fifty poundsadded to its gravity, must have been extensively injured had the chairremained in contact with it. But not even a sound was audible, and mymind was left to contemplate an invisihle poiuer that had effected themovement of a 2^ondcrous body in mid air.it1026. " Showing the interest of my own dear invisible guardian friends,was spelt out by the card, the primitive mode of communication at thattime, that I should change my seat to the side of the medium; and it wasonly after this change had been made that my mind was impressed to askfor a demonstration.1027. " By this demonstration of supernal agency I was delighted,humbled, and convinced. As the octogenarian Robert Owen, of London,proclaimed to the world in a published letter, in relating his own case, Ibecame a convert to spiritual life and intercourse by the force of thisevidence, because I should have considered any man a fool, who, with amind free from the curse of a bigoted education, and whose thoughts andfeelings were not mortgaged to the world, could reject such palpable andconvincing proof, and entertain a different conclusion.1028. " Being subsequently in the city of New York, I visited thepublic circles of Mrs. C, a medium for automatic writingand the sounds.Being requested, as the rest had been, but without response, to ask ifof my spirit friends were present, my interrogation was answered by threedistinct raps on the table. 'Now ask who it is; a father, mother, and soon;' and I was informed it was a son. ' Is your sister with you ?' 'Yes.''Will you spell her name ?' ' Yes ;' and it was correctly given.' Is herlittle son with her r 'Yes.' 'Will you spell his name ?' 'Yes;' and aname of seventeen letters was correctly spelt out by the card, the lettersbeing indicated, when pointed to, by three raps.1029. " My spirit son also informed me when he had died and of whatdisease. I asked if they were happy. It will be observed that myson's name had not been mentioned, reserving it for a test. Three rapshad replied in the affirmative to my question, when the medium spasmodicallyseized a pencil, extended a sheet of paper toward me, and wroteupside down,'so that I might read it as written : We are looking forwardany