< The Impending Difficulties in New Zealand (continued from page 8-335) >
reporters who were present taking notes of what he was saying, thus:—
“When I speak of land, the survey, the ploughing, and such matters of little consequence, the reporters’ pencils fly with the speed of wind; but when I speak of the word of the spirit, they say this is the dream of a madman. They are so intent in accumulating wealth that nothing appears to interest them except what is in some way connected with the acquisition of wealth. The storekeeper who has succeeded in acquiring wealth by short weight and inferior articles, and the numerous ways of picking and stealing known only to the initiated, who steal the land of the Maoris, and acquire flocks of sheep and herds of cattle; the men who would take the bread out of. the mouths of the widows and fatherless, and acquire riches by so doing— are all looked upon as gentlemen of property, while the humble seekers after truth are passed by unknown and unheeded. The time is at hand when their goods will rot; their ships will rot in their harbours for want of sailors to work them; the merchants will wring their hands in despair, when they and all their accumulations will melt away like the morning mist before the rising sun.”
Psychical Experiences During a Period of Apparent Death
Mrs. Diana Powellson, widow of the late Thomas Powellson, resides upon land rented from Mr. William Chick, seven or eight miles south-west of Kansas City. She is forty-one years of age, and the mother of nine children. Up to three years ago she had been a remarkably vigorous woman. On the 1st of August, 1876, a premature labour induced the disease which culminated in what was supposed to be death. At one time, Dr. Thorne, supposing his patient would soon die, remained with her. The pulse was then ranging at 110; the I respiration 16 per minute. Cold, clammy perspiration H all over the body, eyeballs thrown backward and upward; no action whatever of the diaphragm; she had been blind for several days; things continued in this course without much change until one o’clock in the morning, when she died. The spasms of the neck and hands now relaxed, the head dropped forward upon the breast, the eyelids opened, the eyeballs resumed their normal position, the pupils were dilated, and the film gathered upon the eyes. The woman was dead. A current of electricity passed from the base of the brain to the lower portion of the back failed to revive her. She did, however, finally revive, only to pass through another change called death, finally reviving again.
Our reporter visited the bedside of the lady, in company with Dr. Thorne. Her story is as follows:—
“I have been a professed Christian for many years, Some time in 18771 joined the Methodist Church South. I am a full believer in Christianity. The statement that I am about to make is stranger to me than it can be to you.
“On the night of my first dying, the more I died the less pain I felt. I was so happy at going (oh! sir, I suffered so much); felt no misery of any kind; pain in the head all gone; it seemed that I lost all consciousness but for a moment; when I came to my senses again I knew I was dead, but everything was very dark to me. I thought I was still blind. I became filled with terror, anticipating the worst. My husband (who died in 1866) soon, however, took hold of me. He told me I was on the wrong road. Others of my departed friends and family did the same. The darkness suddenly vanished. I saw all my friends and millions of others. I saw hills and valleys, trees and flowers, rivers, seas, lakes, and birds, and heard such music as I cannot describe. The people were not what I expected to see. They were ordinary men and women. Some were bright and beautiful, and others were lean and miserable-looking. I saw their homes. They lived in communities. All were much more beautiful than any we have, but some were not so beautiful as others. I saw many bright spirits, but was very much surprised that they had no wings. My friends led me from the dark place into the light. I did not come through this dark place any more, either in coming back or returning at any time. I saw many meetings or congregations, but did not learn what they were doing. I thought I was at home, but was told that I must return to my body again. My husband told me this. I cried and was very much angered at him, and still am for sending me back. I long to be in that beautiful home that they told me was mine. My husband sent a message to his son and to my cluldren by me.
“Messages were also sent by many others. I was afraid of some spirits, who looked dark and forbidding, while others were so bright, beautiful, and kind. When I was there a large concourse gathered around me. I did not know I should return to earth till I was told so by my husband. He was sixty-seven when he died, though he now looks in the prime of life. My two children were with their father. I was very surprised at this; I had known only one; one child was born dead, prematurely, in August, 1876; it was very rejoiced to see me. I cannot compare it to any age; it differs from earth, but still a small child. I felt all a mother’s love for that child, which I did not think I possessed. My boy, one year old, died fifteen years ago; he is now a young man and know me.
“Spirits do not sing like we do; much nicer. I saw some spirits who looked repulsive and dark. The clothing of all was of the flowing or robe kind. No voice is used by spirits. I understood them more perfectly without words. I read their thoughts; it is more perfect language than ours. They told me to come back to earth for three or four years with my little children who are here, unless I was dissatisfied. I promised to do so.
“I expected to meet Christ, but did not do so. They told me this was why I was in the dark. I know now that I must depend- upon myself. We are over there as we are hero. We make our own happiness. I did not find any heaven or hell, only life, more perfect and beautiful than this. This is not life at all. What I now relate is as clear to my memory as anything in life can be.
“In dying, after the first time I did not lose consciousness. I seemed to fade from one life into another. I now often see spirits around me, but cannot speak to them or they to me. They show me flowers, which are more beautiful than ours. Spirits told me they had to repent of their sins over there before they could advance. Till they did this they were unhappy. I was much surprised when I first went there at seeing a spirit which I took to be God. And I afterwards supposed it was Jesus Christ, but who was only a bright spirit teaching the others. I saw many such afterwards; they don’t seem to belong to the rest at all. Everybody is engaged in learning and growing brighter, so they told me.”
The facts and particulars of this strange death were verified by the people of Rosedale generally, Moro particularly was the account substantiated by Mrs. Kittie Powellson, sister-in-law to the lady, and Miss R, Powellson, the daughter, Mrs. John Haddock, Mrs. Jas. Willson, Mrs. Callenbnrger, Mr. Baird, practicing pliysieian in Rosedale, and many others who have been constantly attending her.
Dr. Thorne called in consultation Dr. Halley, of Kansas City, who made a thorough investigation of the case. Dr. Baird has also been a witness of many of the phenomena.
Philadelphia, Pa., July 9, 1879.
Editor's notes
- ↑ Psychical Experiences During a Period of Apparent Death by unknown author, London Spiritualist, No. 364, August 15, 1879, pp. 82-3
Sources
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London Spiritualist, No. 364, August 15, 1879, pp. 82-3