Chapter XVIII

THE PHENOMENA OF SPIRITISM (_continued_).

The Planchette.--Modifications.--Easily operated.--Automatic
Writing.--Governed by the Universal Law.--The Planchette without
Spirits.--The Planchette and Telepathy.--Trance.--Ancient and
Modern Superstitions relating to Trance.--Religious Systems
founded on Trance.--Visions.--Swedenborg.--Oriental
Philosophy.--Its Slow Growth and Stupendous Proportions.--Spiritistic
Philosophy.--Its Evolution.--All founded on Trance Visions, in
Ignorance of the Law of Suggestion.--Cahagnet's Mesmeric
Seers.--Their Revelations.--Objective and Subjective
Visions.--Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy.--Visions of the Holy
Virgin.--The Physical and Mental Attitude of Prayer.--The Prayer of
Faith.--Obsession.--Possession.--Casting out Devils.--Devils out
of Fashion.--The Influence of Suggestion.--The Element of
Telepathy.--Dual Personality.--Loss of Identity.--Characteristics.--The
Case of Ansel Bourne.--Possible Explanation.--A Proof of the Dual
Hypothesis.--Multiple Personality 251

CHAPTER XIX.

THE PHYSICAL PHENOMENA OF SPIRITISM.

The Intelligence manifested.--It is a Human Intelligence.--Inherent
Probabilities.--Conditions requisite.--The Best
Conditions.--A Living Organism necessary.--The Laws of Telepathy
and Suggestion prevail.--Slate-Writing.--A Wonderful Slate-Writing
Séance.--Telepathic and Psycho-Physical Power displayed in
Perfection.--Demonstration of its Mundane Origin.--An Unexpected
Phenomenon.--Summary of Results.--Syllogism.--General
Conclusions.--Spiritistic Phenomena do not constitute Valid
Evidence of a Life beyond the Grave.--An Argument for Immortality 271