Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-05-23
A NEW ARGUMENT TOR IMuORrAlITL

A NEW ARGUMENT TOR IiIHARFALIF1
We remember that, some years ago, Miss
Frances Power Cobba hal an article III an
English magazine on The subject of death
bed manifestations, In which she advanced th,
fruitful suggestion that II systematic obscr-
Walton could be made Of the phenomenon Of
death aud the mental or spiritual symptoms
attending it, some trustworthy testimony
might he gained with regard to the immo.-
tali!y of the soul. 81 flras we have aiy
evidence Of this nature, l. 10 confined to SIC
last words OF eminent mon, as these arr"
the only death bed manifestations a.
which any permanent record is kept
Or which are acccss)l. to the genera
student But all eminent men aru not en-
iuently spiritual aud tn evidence of this
nature which we most desire and
which we should consider most con
| elusive, would naturally come from the
dcath.bed manifestations Of those whose
spiritual natures are most susceptible ard
most highly developed. If we could have
a comp etc and authentic record of the last
words, or the last intelligent actions. O.
those whose whole lives have been devoted
to the development of the spiritual nature :
whose sight has become insight, and whose
| faith has almost rpeucl into revelation, we
might have mass Of nttesled evidence
which would startle scicrce and convict
scepticism.
The only difficulty in the way of obtaining
evidence of this nature, ut the present time,
is the tendency to exayCerltion aud msin-
depreciation fostercd by 81 h insane SUPER
stiliOns as spiritualism. We could no, he at
all certain whether the testimony outside Of
personal observation, was authentic or man
ufac,urcd. When We hear such ridiculous
communications" from departed spirits. us
are gotten up by irresponsible mediums, end
swallowed as eagerly by the credulous ard
nnthinking as if they came FROM
the visible lips Of the departed then.
selves, how are we to I've certain that the
same crcdulity and superstition may not
Nervert the simplest uttcrlnccs or the most
unmcanlng actions of In; dying into mar
vellOus testimony from he spirit land? II
perfectly calm and even scientific study
could be made OF the actual symptoms a.
tending dissolution, there might 3e some
value in evidence Of this kind. Physicians
we should think, might furnish testimony Of
the greatest moment 10 students Of such
phenomena. II we care to have as clear and
circumstantial an account of the last
moments OF those whom The world counts
sanity as we have, for Instance, Of the recent
death of Charles O'Conor what convincing
confirmation of the great doctrine Of immor-
talitY would We be able to furnish those VIII,
will be satisfied by nothing bat visible proofs :.
Says the attending physician Of the last mo-
ments ct The great lawyer after a long
period, during which Mr. O'Congr made no
answer TO questioning, lac opened bic owes.
and with extended arma, ~ houIh seeing
something or sOme one, l4iuly said NV
God' and fell back and died with.
out struggle in few moncn,s ="
Mr.. O'C1nor was a religious, II rot Ii
sanity man q man who never rufercl his
faith 10 he disturbed by any ia,cl,ac,u.
DOUBT lie was T. mcmhcr of the r uqr
Catholic church, aud thoroughly imauel
with ia spirit and dochi5e'. HIS las. woods
are valuable testimony, added to those We
already have OF great men ut the A14r %.
death, in favor Of the .uipas'.on Tia. Va.
soul has essur4oceo % Immortality before
leaving the body. Il Would be an interest
ing stHdy-for which We have not at ires,nD
spacc-to collect the hs words of eminent
persons, and see in how many instances the
departing soul refecta this radiance of tire
opening heaven.