The morning news., 1894-10-15
TOLD BY A DOCTOR.
An Experience That Set q Materialist
Thinking on Spiritualism.

From the Pittsburg Dispatch
1T is no uncommon thing in these days
in which psychical matters are exciting so
much interest" said well-known ply
sician yesterday, ito have extraordinary
stories related to you about messages
claiming to have come direct from spirit
land. To me, a hard-headed materalist
these seemed like fairy tales, it for the
amusement of those who chose to so en-
ploy their time, but lacking any informa-
ton which could be considered of the
least value. I was always pleased to note
that the senders of the messages invari-
ably expressed themselves as being happy
and looked upon this as some little con-
ISOLATION for those who believed in it, AS
for myself, l was content with troubles
which the cares of this earthly life i'm
posed upon me. and was not willing to
take any responsibility for those who had
gone before. But I had something hap
pen to me not long ago which. If ii did not
Danish the doubts from my mind certain
ly did make me do great deal Of think
nc.
Il was attending professionally daugh-
! ter of a well-known spiritualist in this
city. The case was a serious one, and I
watched 1t closely. One morning when I
entered the sick room | saw immedi-
ately that change had taken place for
the worse. The fever had increased and
grave symptoms had developed. | thought
1t my duty to inform the mother of the Sc
rious turn, so I called her aside I am
sorry said I to her, that your daughter
has not gained | thought she would I
find this morning her case most serious; in
fact madam felt at liberty to proceed
seeing she did not take 1t hard-I am
fearful Of her recovery
This did not seem to effect the woman
in the least She went about the room
n Mt emil
Thinking she had not heard me, | again
said: Madam. | said your daughter can
not live. At this she turned to me smil-
ingly and said: i heard you; but | know
better, she will live But madam I per
sisted, you are saying great deal more
than l as physician can. / don't think
she will survive the day She turned TO
| me and said, with a little laugh: Now
doctor, you physicians surely cannot pre-
tend to know all things. Her Indifference
at such q serious question aggravated me.
so, saying l would call again in the even
/ ing, at the same time again telling her
that l expected she would be dying bv
that time, l left Well, l called again that
| evening"
Il found my patient sitting up in bed.
the fever having entirely left her. and
her condition was such that l was dunn
rounded. had nothing to say, for there
was nothing that could be said so | only
prescribed again and was about to go
when the lady asked me if I-would like
10 join small circle that was holding a
seance in the parlor l laughingly said:
None of that for me, thank YOU. | don't
believe in it, and don't care to see any
thing of it and picked up nv hat and
started for the door. She persisted. how
ever, naming over some prominent peopla
VINO We're in the circle, so l at last con-
/ cluded to go. I had hardly sat down be
| iore the medium announced in writing
certain name, which I at once recognized
as a patient of mine who had died a year
before, I never pretended to know the
name but 1t came persistently, until f.
/ nally the medium announced il was for
/ the doctor. l controlled my expression so
/ that l would give no clue that knew the
man. When l was dumbfounded by hav-
ms slip OF paper handed me in the hand
writing OF my former friend and naticnt
| which read: i am very sorry. doctor. I
/ dld not take your advice the last time I
/ saw you. Don't let others follow this mis-
cradle, unhappy wretch | pretended NOT
/ TO understand, but the truth was l was
/ cmlled TO the marrow. The man whose
name was signed to the message was
. patient and dear friend. who was so mis-
guided as TO doubt the existence of a God
/ lie had a lingering illness and when I
saw this was going to be fatal. / be-
/ seeched him to consider his condition as
I ne approached the awful valley I to'd
+ him he could not live more than n vyeeL
+ ana tried 10 induce him 20 make his peace
/ with ms Maker. He resolutely refused to
. argue the question until one day, when
saw the end fast approaching l tried
/ with an my power 10 make him see the
error OF his way. I remmember he raised
hlmselt upon his elbow and, pointing his
/ shrivelled finger at me, he said in tones
/ provoked by anger:
Doctor, it's no use OF your talking
/ As / have lived so will / die and as he
sank back on his pillow / gave up AN
. hope. left him TO attend another serious
/ case. and was detained longer than 1 ex.
/ pected, but when I returned 10 my Office
found note asking me to come to the
house Immediately. / hurried but when /
arrived he was dead. / don't know what
. ne wanted 10 say 20 me- but here I'm n
strange company came a message to me
horrible message, FUN Of regret and re-
. pentance-ahout q subject which I am
certain no person but my friend and my
. self knew about as / never mentioned IL