Evening star., 1920-02-29

spirit. In the Hebrew writings 1t IL
said that God is the Father of Spirits.
In mathematical language. l suggest
that as God Is the locus OF spirits, the
shortest route Of communication from
one soul to another is not by way Of
table, but by way Of God.
$50 then" he said. my conclusions.
while awaiting the conclusions OF
spiritualism to become concluded
opinions and the world at largo come
to believe in survival as it believes
in springtime and sunrise. we can
develop ourselves the spiritual life
and Protestant piety and live more
with our beloved departed ones. as do
the Roman Catholics"
Later. by exquisite scruples and
considering the vast Importance OF
these matters. he wrote me the fol-
lowing letter which he requests to be
published with the interview. And
10 promised.
LOratoire du Louvre.
Paris. so January. 1920.
Dear Monsieur: To avoid any mis-
understanding in regard to the deli
cate questions which I treated for
you in the course of our conversa-
ton on spiritualism. 1 think that
ought to give my exact thought on
After numberless experiments, su-
pervised by the most competent men,
the following conclusions may be
formulated:
/. A secret energy which we call
the soul exists and asserts itself. in
certain conditions. as a being inde-
pendent of the body.
g This soul Is endowed with fac
ulties unknown to science. For ex-
ample, it can act and see at a dis
tance without the aid of the senses
and sometimes it foresees the future.
3. 1t has been proved that dying
have manifested themselves to friends
or relatives separated from them by
thousands Of miles.
4. In particular conditions living
persons have received, through inter-
mediary Of a medium. communica. a.
attributed to the spirits Of the dead
Such are the facts which seem to
be settled. 1t remains to explain
them.
Certain extraordinary phenomena
can probably be attributed to the
psychic force hitherto unknown
capable Of exteriorizing itself and
working veritable dislocation in
the habitual relations Of body and
spirit.
Other phenomena are attributable
perhaps. to influences arising from
without-whether angelic or de-
monaic intelligences Go speak will
Christian tradition) or human intel
1igences disincarnated (to speak with
cotemporary spiritualism).
In this last case it will be verified
that the living can communicate
+ Is it a great surprise to Chris
tians? At the communion table, be.
lievers assert. that they commune
with One who was dead and showed
Himself living after the crucifixion
OF His body on Calvary. Outside OF
the church all the religions of. the
world. by admitting the efficacy OF
communications between our human
spirit and spirits superior to our own
II spiritual relations with the dead
should seem possible. why should we
forbid ourselves to intercede in their
favor? And, on the other hand, who
would dare to assert that the dead
disinterest themselves of their loved
ones on earth? 1t happens to us in
stinctively to invoke the influence
and counsel Of one who has disap-
peared. and this attitude is equfva-
lent to praying to dead person.
After all. we pray daily. all around
But q practical question arises.
Assuredly it is permitted to mortal
creatures to seek for proof Of their
own survival in the measure in which
such proof exists and on condition
that such proofs are really accessible
capital Importance.
Just as much as am persuaded that
derthin very disconcerting nervous
states make possible unexpected ex.
changes between the visible world and
the invisible realm, so am equally
convinced that it is a question Of phe-
nomena which we grasp. SO to speak
by smuggling. in contraband, or, al
comparable to those accidental fiasifes
which shoot forth from an electric
wire which Is developed to furnish
motive force and not light When we
try to set up artificial communication.
with the dead we force the bodily
machine; we pretend to capture by
surprise manifestations, which are re-
served and not destined to be revealed
In the present normal surroundings
of our earthly condition.
In short, as said, We risk forcing
our talent. And We risk ending in a
mental and moral lack of equilibrium
by which we pay dearly for the fugitive
vision of a few supernatural CLEANS
Definitely, we expose ourselves to
grave dangers. by trying to penetrate
into the beyond burslariously, by Gu
AAScASJS W uLdS ~ 4SS0A0SO OI "k6&0IlH4.
istic processes
To enlarge our piety on the side Of
the invisible we must Arst set in
movement our spiritual energies, our
moral capacities of tenderness, re-
nouncement and pardon. our divine
homesickness for publication and
holiness and the perfect life!
There are serene souls who, in the
victorious assurance that "for God, ali
live" hand over forever and ever their
spirit and the spirits Of their loved
ones to tho faithful Creator" with
out seeking any other direct communi-
cation with those who are invisible
than the radiant communion which
makes itself felt in the holy COM
munion with Jesus Christ. "the frst
born from among the dead"
Is not this the surest means and the
directest way to draw near to our
dead ones, wherever they may be? So
I repeat what said to you in our con-
versation, God is the locus Of spirits.
.anda 1t II by Him and not by a table
that passes atha directest ,fouts be-
tween one soul and another!
(Signed WILFRED MONOD.