Legend
< Address by Mr. W.Y. Colville (continued from page 7-298) >
questions of mere curiosity for the marvellous, and not of any practical public utility, very few indeed appear to me here, from what I know to have as yet been asked, tending to the alleviation of human misery. Amongst these I would first ask of the spirits of some departed eminent physicians, when the living ones on our globe fail to tell, concerning the nature of, and the infallible remedies for, the various kinds of epidemics, such as the plague and the Indian cholera, which carry off thousands and thousands of human beings every year?
A.—It is comparatively easy for the spirit-world to find remedies for your sicknesses, but it is not so easy to make you use them. How many of you, on receiving a spirit prescription, would exclaim, “Oh! that is contrary to reason and science, and I will not run the risk of letting my child die by listening to such nonsense, and by not calling in a proper medical adviser.” Spirits never waste time, and when you are ready to attend to us, we shall be ready to help you. Disease is the result of some foreign element being introduced into the body. The use of drugs will be finally abolished, and all cures will be wrought by spiritural means. By living purely, and according to the laws of health, you will gradually lessen the possibilities of disease and the necessity for medical remedies.
Q. 11.—There is a person here who, in his ordinary normal condition, for he has never experienced a trance, or has never been under the influence of what is called animal magnetism, when he shuts his eyes actually sees before him beautiful handwritings in different characters—Indian, Persian, and English, the Persian predominating, though he very seldom reads in it—all flying and evanescent in appearance, but each clear enough to be distinctly made out; beautiful and ugly human faces, sometimes most brilliant and shining in the dark, sometimes single pictures, and sometimes a gallery of pictures; architectural buildings and structures of the most beautiful, grand, and magnificent description, such as he has never seen anywhere in his life; in short, all that nature and art can show him; and though not quite vivid and bright, all vivid enough to engage his attention and admiration for minutes and hours together. Now, I ask, what does all this mean? Is it the work of some spirit or spirits, or is it a mere phantom or phantasmagoria? I can hardly incline myself to believe the latter, because of the great skill and intelligence apparent in the nature of the scene before the eyes of the beholder. Can this condition be improved so as to inspire the beholder with a hope that he may one day fall into a full spiritual trance, and turn his present unintelligible and imperfect vision to some beneficial purposes? If so, by what means?
A.—The individual is evidently a strong natural clairvoyant, and will eventually be able to see with his eyes open, as Swedenborg and other seers are said to have done. Some clairvoyants do not really travel or see actual things, but pictorial representations of these things are shown them by spirits. The gentleman in question should endeavour to assist his development by living as simply as possible, eating chiefly fruit, and living much in the sunlight; he should never wear black, but dress in blue or some other bright colour.
The questions sent for explanation being exhausted, and a few others put by the company present having been answered, the guides of the medium stated that they wished it known that they were not withdrawing him from England because he had not been appreciated here. On the contrary, they felt he had been everywhere received with great kindness and cordiality, but that his journey to America would materially assist in perfecting his mediumship, and that, in the space of about two years, they hoped he would be again speaking in these rooms with increased knowledge and power. A cordial vote of thanks to Mr. Colville and his guides, for the trouble they had taken on this and on many previous occasions, was moved by Mr. D. Fitz-Gerald, seconded by Dr. Carter Blake, and carried unanimously.
It was announced that Mr. Colville would speak for the last time in London at Langham Hall, Great Portland Street, on Friday evening, the 20th inst., at eight o’clock.
Is Suicide Compatible with Sanity
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Editor's notes
- ↑ Is Suicide Compatible with Sanity by unknown author, Illustrated Newspaper, New York October 5, 1878