The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-06
SPIRITUALIsM.
A sComm un alton" from Judge Peck
ham.

NEW YORK, March s. 1874.
To THE EDITOR or THK HERALD
Dare you publish the enclOsedf Yous, &C.,
j. W. EDMONDS.
From the Boston Banner Of Light, Feb. rs, lS74]
WHAT IL DEATHy
The erroneous ideas on thus subject which have
for so long time Deen incucated by the theology
sne sae M
require much time and many teachings to correct.
euch teachings however, are now and ior guar.
teF OF century have been coming WITH Increasing
frequency and It seems to me to be the manifest
aaty 81 those who receive them to give them to
Acting under that impression have already
made public much on the subject, and now add to
sne humber the following which have lately re.
British sailing vessel.
Judge Peckham was . member OF the Court OF
Appeals OF New YOrk-the highest Court IN the
Ssa!e-and had acquired high reputation as q
sssme and aed tSs I Coom ms Of s
anc N the full vigor OF his intellect, SO that be
WAS iuly competent to comprehend and relate all
lately, and. Identifying himself to my satisfaction.
gave me the following communication, winch /
now raHscfiDe IN the precise language IN when
NEW YORK, Feb. IL 1874
THE SPIRIT LETTER.
ny DEAh FRlEND-l shall waive all ceremony
with you and enter upon this, our interview, not
assuming but knowing that You are aware ofmy
presence almost as tangibly as when last met
had listened and tried to be stil, out of respect
to the majesty OF the law You left the court room
you left that evening We meet again here under
different circumstances. will not say am rom
the Higher Court to-day, for as yet have found no
represent your spirit, do not come. Hence there
are No severed links In our friendship, when we
still Sill IN council with those we knew and loved.
Had have chosen the manner OF my departure
from the BODY should not have selected the one
to which ! was obliged to succumb: However,
. ha - vhi an haa
opened before me 80 suddenly, so strangely.
In the dying moments lived my lie all over.
as II written on my brain with living light Not a
lriend that had known in early or later lie was
forgotten, saw, as l sank; with my wife folded
lifted me out OF the wave with strength which
can at tins moment feel, and have no recollection
From the moment that knew the waves would
enguli rs ! had no sensation lear, OF cold or
of sufrocation. l did not hear the waves break.
parted with that which was my body, and, with
whittier she led me- ~
The nrst sad thought was for my dear brother.
This my mother saw and Ielt and a. once said,
"Your brother Will soon be with you p From that
down to look about upon the scene through which
had so recently passed. felt solicltude Tor my
fellow passengers; looked for them and saw them
being lifted out VI the waves in precisely the same
manner that your strong arm, nerved by love,
would lit your drowning child from the great
waves which would swallow him up.
For a time this appeared so real tnat, had II not
have been Tor the presence OF those whom knew
10 he dead, l should have believed myself acting
as rescuer with the spirits.
write plainly to you. hoping that you will send
words Oh comfort to those who imagine that their
was iulfiment OF that glorious triumph Of laith,
and the shadow OF death became an iumina ton.
were swallowed up in the Victory which love hath
brought to light IN the ministry OF angels and
spirits.
/ need not tell you the greetings which awaited
me when the many whom you and knew and
loved welcomed me to the realms OF the lie i'm
mortal Not having been SICK or suffering,
was ready at once to accept facts and to move
forward to the attractions which, II on earth's
plane have the power to charm away sorrow, how
mucl more enchanting here, where the scene has
changed 50 quickly, 20 giOriousiy that do not
murmur at the haste, nor think that it is disap-
polntment or accident that summoned us uncefe-
mOniOusy hltherl
am aware that many will ask, If we could be
helped to pass out OF tine body without pain, why
could not the accident have been preVentedf In
our Investigations we have learned this fact
namely, that the off1cer in charge was SO entrely
deceived in regard to the distance between the
Loeb Earn and his own vessel that no power on
earth, or that which the spirit world could
bring to bear, could have prevented 1t. Hence the
OF sight particularly on the water, when the water
VIII seem to possess power 81 deception almost
are liable to these conditions particularly at just
the position that these vessels must have been in
Hence there should be no blame arsached to thas
man. IL Is done, and the survivors most need
sympathy and l know OF no way to give 1t more
direct than to assure them That their loved friends
are not sumbering In the caverns OF the Deep
awaiting the final trump TO sound; but That at all
tlmes they await and look for the proper channels
through which TO echo the unmlstakabe evidence
Of lie immortal.
My thanks are due to our mutual friends Tall
madge Van Buren,, Hills ana many others, for
this delightful reunion with you; nor can end 1t
without thanking you iOr faith which, although
silent between US, made me to respect you the
more. have come now INTO that nearer circle Of
friendship which | shall cherish as ! know you
wsacred as the love which Elakes us TO rejoice In
our Great and All wise Father, who dOeth all things
well.
Craving pardon for the length OF my letter
promise you and myself still further intercourse
with your lriend RUFUS w. PECKHAM.
The alusion here Is to n Tallmadge, United States
Senator; President Van Buren,. and Nicholas Hill Tor
merry eminent lawyer at Albany. all Vi whom have
frequently c0mmuned with me. j. W. 4.