PREFACE.—Letter from J. F. Lanning, Esq.—Spiritual communication,
through the mediumship of Mr. Lanning, to the author—Author’s
Reply—Communication from an assembly of eminent spirits, sanctioning,
under test conditions, the credentials transmitted through Mr.
Lanning—Postscript by the author—Supplemental Preface 3
INTRODUCTION.—The evidence of the existence of a Deity, by the
author—Theological Axioms 17
INTUITIVE EVIDENCE OF THE EXISTENCE OF SPIRITS.—Narrative of the
author’s experimental investigation of Spiritualism—Letter in reply to
an inquiry respecting the Influence of Electricity in Table-Turning—Of
Manifestations founded on Movements without contact, or such contact
as cannot be sufficient to cause the result—Hymn chanted, and reply 35
CORROBORATIVE EVIDENCE OF THE EXISTENCE OF SPIRITS.—Evidence afforded
by the Rev. Allen Putnam, of Roxbury, Mass.—Evidence of Dr. Bell, of
Somerville, near Boston—His errors, arising from ignorance of facts,
(110, 283, 864.) 55
FOREIGN CORROBORATIVE EVIDENCE OF THE EXISTENCE OF
SPIRITS.—Manifestations which occurred in France in 1851—Letter
from T. R. P. Ventura—Letter of Dr. Coze—Letter of M. F. De
Saulcy—Spiritualism in Paris—Spiritual Manifestations in France and
Germany—Spiritualism in Great Britain—Letter of Robert Owen, Esq. 66
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE SPIRIT WORLD.—Remarks introductory to my
spirit father’s communication—My father’s communication—Communication
from a spirit son of the author—Additional communications from spirits
who died while infants—Communication from a very young spirit child to
its parents 85
OF SPIRITUAL BIRTH.—Narratives given by spirits of their translation
to the spirit world—Narrative of his spiritual birth, by W. W., a most
benevolent spirit—The spirit Maria’s narrative—My sister’s account
of her translation to the spirit world—My brother’s account of his
spiritual birth, &c. 101
CONVOCATION OF SPIRITS.—Sixty-four queries addressed to a convocation
of worthies from the spirit world; also their replies to the same,
(through the mediumship of Mrs. Gourlay,) confirmed under conditions
which no mortal could pervert 113