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

OF THE EXISTENCE OF SPIRITS. 273ADDITIONAL CORROBORATIVE EVIDENCE OF THE EXISTENCE OFSPIRITS.1391. Subsequently to tlie printing of the articles under tlio head ofCorroborative Evidence, a pamphlet was received from which the subjoinedpages are translated, by my friend. Dr. Geib. It serves to show the impressionmade by spirit manifestations in another part of Christendom,upon one who belongs to the church.The Opinions of MM. de Mirville and Gasjmrin, on Tahle Turningand MediumsJ(considered in relation to theology and 'physics) examincdjhy the Ahhot Almignana, Doctor of the Canon LaWj TJieologian,&c.Introduction.1392. '^ Mesmerism, table turning, and mediumship being phenomenawhich, in my estimation, demand serious investigationbefore pronouncingjudgment on them, as soon as this became known to me, as an ocular witness,far from judging of them, ex ahrvpto, as so many have done underthe same circumstances, I confined myself to make numerous experiments,with the hope that they might in time furnish me with some very usefulfacts,in searching for the cause of these wonderful phenomena.1393. ^^ Being in possession of some of these facts, I thought the presentan opportune time for their publication, when two savans of the elite,such as the Marquis de Mirville and the Count de Gasparin, are engagedin a scientific contest on this subject.1394. '^ I consider the present moment the more opportune, that thefacts furnished by my investigation, being at variance with certain leadingpoints in the doctrines contained in the Pneumatology of M. de Mirville,and the Supernatural in General of M. de Gasparin, may induce thosewriters to give a new complexion to their doctrines, by taking counsel frommy facts. These, shedding a new light on the triple phenomena, wouldpowerfully aid in the solution of a problem which, up to the present time,does not appear to have been solved in a manner as clear and positive, asthe interests of truth, science, and religion demand. Such has been andis now my belief, as well as that of many others whom I thought properto consult before undertaking the task in which I have engaged.1395. "Simple as my language is, it will be seen to have issued fromthe pen of a man who boldly seeks the truth, and is not to be arrested inhis course by any worldly interests. Persuaded that in view of myposition, my readers will grant me the indulgence which in a similar caseI could not refuse them, I will proceed to the main question without furtherpreliminaries. I divide my monograph into two parts; facts opposed tothe Pneumatology of M. de Mirville, and theM. de Gasparin.18Supernatural in General of