The most precise and laborious experiments which I have made in
my investigation of Spiritualism, have been assailed by the most
disparaging suggestions, as respects my capacity to avoid being the
dupe of any medium employed. Had my conclusions been 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
ridiculous surmises as to my probable oversight or indiscretion are
suggested, as the means of escape from the only fair conclusion.
Having despatched a spirit friend from Cape Island, at one o’clock on
the third of July, to request Mrs. Gourlay, in Philadelphia, to send
her husband to the bank to make an inquiry, and to report the result
to me at half-past 3 o’clock, the report was made to me as desired.
The subject was not mentioned until after my return to 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 was stated that while a communication from her spirit mother
was being made to her brother, who was present, my spirit messenger
interrupted it to request her to send 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 to him,
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 not correct. But as it did not accord with
that existing in my memory, it could not have been learned from MY
mind.
Wishing to make this transaction a test, I was particularly careful to
manage so that I might honourably insist upon it as a test; and, until
I learned the fact from Mrs. Gourlay and from the note-clerk that the
inquiry was made, it did not amount to a test manifestation. But,
if I had been ever so indiscreet, would it not be absurd to 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 by concurrent 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 my message to this city, communicated it to Mrs.
Gourlay, so as to induce the application at 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 solemnly calling on my contemporaries to give credence to the
important information which I have received from spirits, respecting
the destiny of the human soul after death. They may be assured that
every other object of consideration sinks into insignificance in
comparison with this information and the bearing it must have upon
morals, religion and politics, whenever it can be known and be
believed by society in general, as it is by me.