with the total number of deaths. In most cases I
imagine that the dead man is too preoccupied with his
own amazing experience to have much thought for others.
He soon finds, to his surprise, that though he
endeavours to communicate with those whom he sees, his
ethereal voice and his ethereal touch are equally
unable to make any impression upon those human organs
which are only attuned to coarser stimuli. It is a
fair subject for speculation, whether a fuller
knowledge of those light rays which we know to exist on
either side of the spectrum, or of those sounds which
we can prove by the vibrations of a diaphragm to exist,
although they are too high for mortal ear, may not
bring us some further psychical knowledge. Setting
that aside, however, let us follow the fortunes of the
departing spirit. He is presently aware that there are
others in the room besides those who were there in
life, and among these others, who seem to him as
substantial as the living, there appear familiar faces,
and he finds his hand grasped or his lips kissed by
those whom he had loved and lost. Then in their
company, and with the help and guidance of some more
radiant being who has stood by and waited for the
newcomer, he drifts to his own surprise through all
solid obstacles and out upon his new life.

This is a definite statement, and this is the story
told by one after the other with a consistency which
impels belief. It is already very different from any
old theology. The Spirit is not a glorified angel or