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

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6GFOREIGN CORROBORATIVE EVIDENCE OF298. After giving much evidence, showing tliat physical movementstake place without contact, and that communications were made to himwhich could not have ensued without controlling reason, Dr. Bell findsthat in certain instances which have come to his knowledge <strong>spirit</strong>s couldnot communicate information nor ideas which did not exist in his mindor that <strong>of</strong> some mortals present. Yet it appears that during a manifestationwhich my learned friend witnessed, a request to lift <strong>the</strong> legs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>table was given which did not occur to any mortal present.299. I have already given a brief reply to <strong>the</strong>se objections <strong>of</strong> Dr. Bell.Under this head I will only add my regret that my letter to <strong>the</strong> Episcopalclergy, with a sketch <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> information derived from my <strong>spirit</strong> friends,had not fallen under Dr. Bell's notice before his conclusions were published.It Avill be seen that <strong>the</strong> information thus alluded to is irreconcilablewith Dr. Bell's inferences. I shall, however, postpone this discussionuntil facts have been more fully presented to <strong>the</strong> reader.(8G6)FOREIGN CORROBORATIVE EVIDENCE.Some quotations frotn a work on Spiritual Philosopliy, addressed toAcademy <strong>of</strong> Sciences at Parisj hy James C. De Mirvillc.—ThirdEdition.Manifestations wliicJi occuri^d in France, in 1851.300. There is a great resemblance between <strong>the</strong> <strong>manifestations</strong> whichhave been described by Capron and o<strong>the</strong>rs as having taken place at <strong>the</strong>mansion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Rev. Dr. Phelps, at Stratford, Connecticut, and those whichoccurred in <strong>the</strong> Presbytery <strong>of</strong> Cideville in France, so as to be verified beforea court. The facts in this last-mentioned case were verified by <strong>the</strong> testimonytaken during a trial which grew out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> circumstances. Some <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> witnesses were persons distinguished by <strong>the</strong>ir high character and positionin society. None had any interested motives for stating <strong>the</strong>m ; but,on <strong>the</strong> contrary, had to meet <strong>the</strong> odium which falls upon all who telltlietruthsconflicting with <strong>the</strong> prejudices <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> community within which <strong>the</strong>y reside.E/Ochefoucault correctly urged that it is more politic, to tell a probableliethan an improbable truth.oOl. This impression I have seen to operate in making people backwardto admit <strong>the</strong>ir belief in <strong>spirit</strong>ual communication.302. It is remarkable that in <strong>the</strong> case at Cideville, signals as <strong>the</strong> means<strong>of</strong> intellectual communication were employed, independently <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>iremploymentmade between two and three years before in New York. Ofcourse, those who resorted to this expedient, might have heard previously<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ciTort in <strong>the</strong> same way which had been successful in this country

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