Lights and shadows of spiritualism

302 MODERN SPIRITUALISM.he derived from our spliere somewhat subdued his despair and reconciledhim to existence. He relinquished control -wdth thanks for what hadbeen done for liim." 'Judge Edmonds ' now spoke in a hearty, friendly manner, statingthat he had brought the spirit there, kno-ning that liis effort to aid himwould be seconded, and thanking me frjr the assistance I had rendered.He said ' was an ' intelligent and mediumistic spfrit, and Avouldin time become very usefril in the work of himian progress. Hispersonal condition was not due to grossness, but to moral influences,from which he would rapidly emerge after that inter^^.ew ""The conversation was at last rather abruptly terminated, as the' Judge ' stated he had exhausted so much power in bringing ' 'that he hiid none left whereby to enable him to express his views, but hepromised fiu'ther intercourse on a more suitable occasion."Whether the further intercourse did or did not take place I havenot been able to discover.Some months later, however, a lengthycommunication was published which purported to have beenreceived from the same assassin. Looking at the various facts ofthe case, I think I am justified in calling it one of the mostrevolting things ever seen in print.Our murderer commences by remarking that when the drophe " seemed to rise above the fog and smoke of London into somebrighter and purer atmosphere." He goes on to tell us that manythings have become plain to him which were dim and obscurebefore. " I woiild endeavour, for the instruction and benefit ofmy fellow-countrymen," says he, " to make known my matureconclusions and convictions as to the murder, and my own executionfor it."The first conclusion he arrives at is thatfellhe committed the deedin question. " I confess the murder. I confess that, driven tothe last extreme of difficulty by theimportunities of the poor girl,I was led to shoot her. This I confess—and it is with the deepestsorrow that I confess it."Scarcely has he saidthis before it appears to him too sweeping.The world may be led to entertain the absurd idea that he repents.Repent, indeed ! of such a trifle as deliberately taking the life of afellow-creature. The spirit energetically hastens to prevent thenotion, or dissipate it if it be already formed. " My sorrow is, in