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

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

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OP MATTER, MINI), AND SPIRIT. 393ism, Avhicli coexists with <strong>the</strong> niortul body, during- inundauc lil'e,are liabhi;bcini>- iineonsciously under itsinfluence.1911. Tlie plienomena <strong>of</strong> mundane light being ascribed to <strong>the</strong> unduhitions<strong>of</strong> an e<strong>the</strong>real fluid pervading <strong>the</strong> visible universe, (1831,) and electricitybeing ascribed to <strong>the</strong> polarization <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> same fluid, so <strong>the</strong> <strong>spirit</strong>sascribe <strong>the</strong>ir (Irctru-iti/ and tliciv liylit to <strong>the</strong> undulation and polarization<strong>of</strong> an analogous e<strong>the</strong>real fluid. It is to this e<strong>the</strong>real fluid <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>spirit</strong>ualworld, that <strong>the</strong> phenomena called odic belong, as I conceive. We mayspeak <strong>of</strong> that e<strong>the</strong>r as <strong>the</strong> odic fluid, and we may designate <strong>the</strong> light andelectricity which it produces as odic light,and odic electricity.1912. But <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> term force, as applied ei<strong>the</strong>r to <strong>the</strong> e<strong>the</strong>rappropriate to this mundane sphere, or to that which belongs more especiallyto <strong>the</strong> <strong>spirit</strong> world, seems to me erroneous. Imponderable fluids may beinstrumental to forces, but, per sc, cannot have force. No imponderablematerial fluid can j;cr sc have any force, unless that <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> reciprocal repulsion<strong>of</strong> particles, which causes<strong>the</strong>ir equable difi"usion and resistance tocondensation.Electricity has less force in proportion as it is more isolated,lu vacuo it passes more difi"usely and with less noise in proportion as <strong>the</strong>vacuum is more perfect. The violence <strong>of</strong> electrical phenomena is alwaysdependent upon <strong>the</strong> reaction <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ponderable masses upon or betweenwhich it acts. In proportion as <strong>the</strong> matter on which it operates is morefavourable to its condensation <strong>the</strong>rein, or <strong>the</strong>reupon, <strong>the</strong> more violent is<strong>the</strong> deflagration or explosion which results. But in all <strong>the</strong> phenomenawhich have hi<strong>the</strong>rto beenrecognised as <strong>the</strong> objects <strong>of</strong> strict physical examination,vis inertide has been indispensable to <strong>the</strong> exhibition <strong>of</strong> force." Give me but where to stand, and I will move <strong>the</strong> world,'' was <strong>the</strong> exclamation<strong>of</strong> Archimedes ;but <strong>the</strong> conviction thus expressed, <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> necessity<strong>of</strong> a resisting basis, is universally recognised. In o<strong>the</strong>r words, <strong>the</strong>recan be no action without reaction, whe<strong>the</strong>r chemical, mechanical, or muscularforce be applied. Of course, it is preposterous to speak <strong>of</strong> an isolatedimponderable physical fluid, as possessing force per se. When left toitself it would remain inert, like any o<strong>the</strong>r inanimate matter. Clearly,isolated action on <strong>the</strong> part <strong>of</strong> such a fluid cannot be shown in any casewhatever.1913. Beichenbach alleged <strong>the</strong> substance or principle to which <strong>the</strong> nameodic has been given to be visible, but he did not adduce any instance <strong>of</strong>its acting as a moving power so as to justify its being designated as <strong>the</strong>odic force.1914. It is, however, unnecessary that those who admit <strong>the</strong> existence<strong>of</strong> an invisible e<strong>the</strong>real medium through which, loithout muscular contact,or agency, effects are produced by will, should concur in <strong>the</strong>ir opinionsrespecting <strong>the</strong> nature <strong>of</strong> that imponderable principle. The question betweenthose agreeing in <strong>the</strong> preceding principles, is whe<strong>the</strong>r it is to <strong>the</strong>will <strong>of</strong> mortals or to <strong>the</strong> will <strong>of</strong> disembodied <strong>spirit</strong>s that such manifesta-

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