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

PRACTICAL BENEFIT OF SPIRITUALISM. 201mc ou Cliristnias-Jay. I perceive with pleasure that my friend 3Irs, G.is now suditieutly under my control to answer your aflectionate epistle.The proposed correspondence between us affords mc much pliasurc, andcauses mc to feel as if I were really to live over again the days of rayearthly existence, when I was blessed with the oft-rcpcatcd manifestationsof your parental love and affection.I flatter myself, my dear father, thatthis revival of loving association will tend much to your happiness as wellas mine. I will be a friendly star to guide you in your course over thetroubled sea of life, that you may not become submerged in its surgingbillows, but arrive safely at the haven of eternal joy and felicity. I willlift your soul by degrees to the source of loveand wisdom, and cause youto feel sensations of pleasure such as you have never before experienced.You have a mind which delights in the beauties of nature and art. Letme tell you, then, that no scene of earthly grandeur which you have everwitnessed, nor the sublimest flight of fancy of the wildest enthusiast inthe cause of Spiritualism, can compare with the beauties and joys of thespirit home.lOGl. '' ' I regret that the members of my loved family are so muchblinded by prejudice, as to debar themselves the holy privilege of spiritualintercourse—a communion which would serve to connect them indissolublywith us, and teach them of a world beyond death and the grave. Ohfather, how my heart rejoices that I can come to you with cheering words,and pour into your willing ear the tidings of the gospel of peace, whichwill prove a balm of consolation to your drooping spirit I The ordinarytrials of lifeare but as dew on the eagle's wing, when the proud bird soarsaloft to court the rays of the rising sun. Father, I have already presentedyou with a view of the beautiful realities of my spirit home. The pictureI have drawn isno ideal one, but a real and substantial scene of enduringpleasures. Now let me ask. How will your joys compare with ours ? Oh !that the minds of my darling children might become imbued withan understandingof this most holy religion, for I am conscious that it wouldadd largely to their present and future blissif10G2. " Dear father, I perceive the emotions of your inmost heart, andthe love of a devoted child can in any wise conduce to your happiness,it is most freely thine. Oh ! that dear mother could feel as you do, howhappy her declining years on earth might become ! When she is disposedto listen to the voices of her spirit children, it will be our pleasure to cometo her '^ with glad tidings of great joy.'^ Wishing you both, my dearparents, all the happiness which earth can afford, I subscribe myself yourever loving daughter.Maria.' ''10G3. The following letter was placed in a sealed envelope, addressedand handed to Mrs. Gourlay for an imprcssional reply. A few days afterwardthe answer to it, here annexed, was handed to me by my esteemedfriend; the lady named, with the original letter still in the sealed envelope