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bodies； what words can express their stupidity and want of all proportion
in not running halfway and more to meet the greatest ally who has ever
intervened to change their defeat into victory？ What gifts this all…powerful
ally brings with him； and what are the terms of his alliance； will now be
considered。
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THE VITAL MESSAGE
CHAPTER III
THE GREAT ARGUMENTTHE GREAT ARGUMENT
THE GREAT ARGUMENTTHE GREAT ARGUMENT
The physical basis of all psychic belief is that the soul is a complete
duplicate of the body； resembling it in the smallest particular； although
constructed in some far more tenuous material。 In ordinary conditions
these two bodies are intermingled so that the identity of the finer one is
entirely obscured。 At death； however； and under certain conditions in the
course of life； the two divide and can be seen separately。 Death differs
from the conditions of separation before death in that there is a complete
break between the two bodies； and life is carried on entirely by the lighter
of the two； while the heavier； like a cocoon from which the living
occupant has escaped； degenerates and disappears； the world burying the
cocoon with much solemnity by taking little pains to ascertain what has
become of its nobler contents。 It is a vain thing to urge that science has not
admitted this contention； and that the statement is pure dogmatism。 The
science which has not examined the facts has； it is true； not admitted the
contention； but its opinion is manifestly worthless； or at the best of less
weight than that of the humblest student of psychic phenomena。 The real
science which has examined the facts is the only valid authority； and it is
practically unanimous。 I have made personal appeals to at least one great
leader of science to examine the facts； however superficially； without any
success； while Sir William Crookes appealed to Sir George Stokes； the
Secretary of the Royal Society； one of the most bitter opponents of the
movement； to come down to his laboratory and see the psychic force at
work； but he took no notice。 What weight has science of that sort？ It can
only be compared to that theological prejudice which caused the
Ecclesiastics in the days of Galileo to refuse to look through the telescope
which he held out to them。 It is possible to write down the names of fifty
professors in great seats of learning who have examined and endorsed
these facts； and the list would include many of the greatest intellects which
the world has produced in our timeFlammarion and Lombroso； Charles
Richet and Russel Wallace； Willie Reichel； Myers； Zollner； James； Lodge；
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THE VITAL MESSAGE
and Crookes。 Therefore the facts HAVE been endorsed by the only science
that has the right to express an opinion。 I have never； in my thirty years of
experience； known one single scientific man who went thoroughly into
this matter and did not end by accepting the Spiritual solution。 Such may
exist； but I repeat that I have never heard of him。 Let us； then； with
confidence examine this matter of the 〃spiritual body；〃 to use the term
made classical by Saint Paul。 There are many signs in his writings that
Paul was deeply versed in psychic matters； and one of these is his exact
definition of the natural and spiritual bodies in the service which is the
final farewell to life of every Christian。 Paul picked his words； and if he
had meant that man consisted of a natural body and a spirit he would have
said so。 When he said 〃a spiritual body〃 he meant a body which contained
the spirit and yet was distinct from the ordinary natural body。 That is
exactly what psychic science has now shown to be true。 When a man has
taken hashish or certain other drugs； he not infrequently has the experience
that he is standing or floating beside his own body； which he can see
stretched senseless upon the couch。 So also under anaesthetics；
particularly under laughing gas； many people are conscious of a
detachment from their bodies； and of experiences at a distance。 I have
myself seen very clearly my wife and children inside a cab while I was
senseless in the dentist's chair。 Again； when a man is fainting or dying； and
his system in an unstable condition； it is asserted in very many definite
instances that he can； and does； manifest himself to others at a distance。
These phantasms of the living； which have been so carefully explored and
docketed by Messrs。 Myers and Gurney； ran into hundreds of cases。 Some
people claim that by an effort of will they can； after going to sleep； propel
their own doubles in the direction which they desire； and visit those whom
they wish to see。 Thus there is a great volume of evidencehow great no
man can say who has not spent diligent years in exploring itwhich
vouches for the existence of this finer body containing the precious jewels
of the mind and spirit； and leaving only gross confused animal functions in
its heavier companion。 Mr。 Funk； who is a critical student of psychic
phenomena； and also the joint compiler of the standard American
dictionary； narrates a story in point which could be matched from other
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THE VITAL MESSAGE
sources。 He tells of an American doctor of his acquaintance； and he
vouches personally for the truth of the incident。 This doctor； in the course
of a cataleptic seizure in Florida； was aware that he had left his body；
which he saw lying beside him。 He had none the less preserved his figure
and his identity。 The thought of some friend at a distance came into his
mind； and after an appreciable interval he found himself in that friend's
room； half way across the continent。 He saw his friend； and was conscious
that his friend saw him。 He afterwards returned to his own room； stood
beside his own senseless body