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

16 SUPPLEMENTAL PREFACE.SUPPLEMENTAL PREFACE.The most precise and laborious experiments "wliich I have made in my investigationof Spiritualism, have been assailed by the most disparaging suggestions, as respectsmy capacity to avoid being the dupe of any medium employed.Had my conclusionsbeen of the opposite kind, how much fulsome exaggeration had there been,founded on my experience as an investigator of science for more than half a century !And now, in a case when my own direct evidence is adduced, the most ridiculoussurmises asto my probable oversight or indiscretion arc suggested, as the means ofescape from the only fair conclusion.Having despatched a spirit friend from Capo Island, at one o'clock on the third ofJuly, to request Mrs. Gourlay, in Philadelphia, to send her husband to the bank tomake an inquiry, and to report the result to me at half-past 3 o'clock, the reportwas made to me as desired. The subject was not mentioned until after my returnto Philadelphia, when, being at the residence of Mrs. Gourlay, I inquired of her,whether she had received any message from me during my absence ?In reply, it wasstated that while a communication from her spirit mother was being made to herbrother, who was present, my spirit messenger interrupted it to request her tosend her husband to the bank to make the desired inquiry: that, in consequence,the application was made at the bank. The note-clerk recollected the application tohim, but appeared to have considered it as too irregular to merit much attention.Hence the impression received by the applicants, and communicated to me, was notcorrect But as it did not accord with that existing in my memory, it could not havebeen learned from my mind.Wishing to make this transaction a test, I was particularly careful to manage sothat I might honourably insist upon it as a test ; and, until I learned the fact fromMrs. Gourlay and from the note-clerk that the inquiry was made, it did not amountto a test manifestation.But, if I had been ever so indiscreet, would it not be absurdto imagine a conspiracy between any person at Cape Island with Dr. and Mrs. Gourlay,her brother, and the note-clerk at the bank, to deceive me on my return byconcurrent falsehoods ?I submit these facts to the public, as proving that there must have been an invisible,intelligent being with whom I communicated at Cape Island, who, bearing mymessage to this city, conmiunicated it to Mrs. Gourlay, so as to induce the applicationat the bank.Otherwise, what imaginable cause could have produced the result,especially within the time occupied—of two and a half hours ?The existence of spirit agency being thus demonstrated, I am justified in solemnlycalling on my contemporaries to give credence to the important information which Ihave received from spirits, respecting the destiny of the human soul after death.They may be assured that every other object of consideration sinks into insignificancein comparison with this information and the bearing it must have upon morals, religionand politics, whenever it can be known and be believed by society in general, asit is by me.