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Published in 1855 | 545 pages | PDF reader required
PREFACE
The mode in which the papers which constitute this volume were given, having varied somewhat from that mentioned in the preface to the first volume, it is incumbent on us to describe the change.
During the preparation of the whole of that volume the Doctor was used as a writing medium only. After its publication he was developed as a speaking medium, being thrown, for the occasion, into a trance so deep as to be unconscious alike of what he was saying and of what was occurring around him. "What he said at such times was carefully recorded by the Judge, and as carefully revised by us afterward in connection with our unseen friends. Most of the communications in this volume given through him were received in this way.
Late in the year 1853 the Judge's daughter, Laura, and his niece, Jane Keyes, were developed as mediums, and were received as members of the circle—the circle from that time consisting of us two, Mr. "Warren, Mr. and Mrs. Sweet, and those two young ladies.
"We had occasional assistance also, of great value, from another source. In December, 1853, we became acquainted with Mrs. A. T. Hall and Mrs. Helen Leeds, of Boston, the former a medium for writing by impression, and the latter a seeing and speaking medium, and occasionally writing mechanically.
Laura Edmonds' medial powers were very similar to those of Mrs. Leeds, the only difference being, that when speaking, seeing, or writing, she was never unconscious, while Mrs. Leeds most generally was so. The same difference was noticeable in the manifestations through the Judge and the Doctor, the former never being unconscious, while the latter most frequently was.
In the meantime Mr. Warren began to be developed as a seeing medium.
And in all the circle a marked improvement in the ease and accuracy of communicating has been very apparent, thus holding out to all the prospect of still greater usefulness in the future.
J. W. EDMONDS,
GEO. T. DEXTER.
New York, December 18, 1854.