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

324 ADDITIONAL CORROBORATIVE EVIDENCEvictions of truth and duty. Thus he should examine the Bible and allbooks. Thus all human governments, authorities, powers, constitutions,laws, customs, and usages, in church and state. Thus try all spirits, andtheir communications—all pretended prophets, philosophers, and teachersall professions and assumptions whatsoever. No one should imperiouslydictate, or cower down be Cure another. But truth, rectitude, reason, andthe suasion of wisdom, should alone sway the minds of moral agents.1G18. ^'Such is a fair digest and summary of the principal doctrinesput forth in ninety-nine one hundredths of the communications of reliablespirits throughout the country. I have stated them in my own language,as I have understood them. It will be seen that they differ in some respectsfrom every sectarian view of theology, religion, and morality nowpopular in the world.''Tlie Hon. J. W. Edmonds* s Testimony.1G19. To those who have not seen the original statement of the benevolentand distinguished Judge Edmonds, respecting his conversion, the subjoinedaccount, taken from the introduction to his work on " Spiritualism,"may prove interesting.1G20. ^' It was in January, 1851, that my attention was first called tothe subject of ^spiritual intercourse.' I had, in the course of my life,read and heard from the pulpit so many contradictory and conflictingdoctrineson the subject (of man's future existence) that I hardly knew whatto believe.1G21. '' For about four months I devoted at least two evenings in aweek, and sometimes more, to witnessing the phenomenon in all its phases.I kept careful records of allI witnessed, and, from time to time, comparedthem with each other, to detect inconsistencies and contradictions.I readall I could lay my hands upon, on the subject, and especially all theprofessed ^ exposures of the humbug.' In fine, I availed myself of everyopportunity that was affordedthoroughly to sift the matter to the bottom.I was all this time an unbeliever.At length the evidence came, and withsuch force that no sane man could withhold his faith.1G22. ^^ To detail what I witnessed for those four months, and recorded,would fill, at least, one hundred and thirty closely-written pages. I will,however, mention a few things, which will give a general idea of thatwhich characterized interviews now numbering several hundred.Most ofthem have occurred in the presence of others. I have preserved theirnames in my records. » * * -i^ « These considerations grow out ofthis fact :1G23. ''First. That I have thus very many witnesses whom I caninvoke to establish the truth of my statements.1G24. '' Second. That if I have been deluded, and have not seen andheard what I think I have, my delusion has been shared by many as