Glimpses Of The Next State.Pdf - Spiritualists' National Union

185the Pacific Ocean, Australia, China, and on the coasts of Scotland and England. The life of anautical surveyor is one long training of the powers of observation; there is no profession where somuch is required of the eyes— very few where so much is demanded of the ears. The human eyes,looking straight in front of an observer, take in with more or less precision all objects within an arcof one hundred and sixty degrees. Those within eighty degrees can be seen with considerableaccuracy. It is the business of the explorer to note what he can see at a glance within this arc; it ishe who achieves skill in this line who succeeds in the art of chart-making and the collection of noteswhich go to make up the information required for the navigation of ships which follow him. If hehas not good sight for long distances as well as short, good natural powers of observation, and ofnoting what he sees with accuracy, he will fail in this particular profession. I did not fail.I do not claim that, in walking about the street, the nautical surveyor or explorer takes intohis cognisance more than the average man; but I claim that in any special quest he does do so. Mymain object, when on active service, was to get as much as possible charted in the shortest availabletime, in order that full advantage should be taken of intervals of fine weather: my quest, since Iretired, has been to ascertain whether or not there is a field of consciousness around us inhabitedby intelligent beings who think as we think, talk as we talk, who have memories and terreneknowledge; who can identify themselves as people we have known, and consequently can bereasonably termed the discarnate spirits of those who were once dwellers upon this earth. Thisquest requires all the powers of observation which an investigator can muster: it is a difficult study,often very baffling, full of disappointments and apparent inconsistencies. Careful records, criticalanalysis, and acumen are needed; much the same qualities as are demanded of the naval surveyor.The one occupation is not a bad introduction to the other.My natural powers of seeing and hearing are now much the same as those of the averageman of my age, but I am of opinion that the occupation of my life afforded me the sort of trainingwhich is required for psychic investigation. I started in with no desire for consolation and nopreconceived views on the subject of occult study. In short, I believe my records are as much to betrusted as those of any of my predecessors who have devoted much time to this most fascinatingbranch of research.I am aware that if I had published this book sixty years ago, possibly even at a more recentdate, it could have been successfully used against me as evidence that I was insane, and if anybodywas sufficiently interested in my small property to wish to wrest it from me, he could have done sowith the assistance of three physicians. Probably I should have been incarcerated in an asylum. Inthe United States such would be my fate to-day. Happily for me, I do not live in that benightedcountry, and am able to publish my notes in a land which is really free and not hide-bound byignorant dogmatism. America has produced some fine poets and spiritists, but the generalmaterialism of the masses prevents even these men from having the influence they would have hadif they had lived in this country. One of the greatest souls of the nineteenth century, if not indeedthe greatest— Abraham Lincoln—was a spiritualist at heart; but even the knowledge of this facthas not caused the shallow scoffers to pause in their contemptible scepticism. I do not think thatthere are a quarter of a million people, all told, in North America who are professed spiritists.The following story has been published by a girl medium for whose gifts the great Presidenthad a sincere respect:—Mrs. Lincoln received us graciously, and introduced us to a gentleman and lady present,whose names I have forgotten. Mr. Lincoln was not then present. While all were conversingpleasantly on general subjects, Mrs. Miller (Mr. Laurie’s daughter) seated herself, under control, atthe double grand piano at one side of the room, seemingly awaiting someone. Mrs. Lincoln wastalking with us in a pleasant strain when suddenly Mrs. Miller’s hands fell upon the keys with aforce that betokened a master hand, and the strains of a grand march filled the room. As themeasured notes rose and fell we became silent. The heavy end of the piano began rising and fallingin perfect time to the music. All at once it ceased, and Mr. Lincoln stood upon the threshold of theroom. (He afterwards informed us that the first notes of the music fell upon his ears as he reachedthe head of the grand staircase to descend, and that he kept step to the music until he reached thedoorway.) Mr. and Mrs. Laurie and Mrs. Miller were duly presented. Then I was led forward and