Messages from the superior state : communicated by John Murray, through John M. Spear, in the summer of 1852 ; containing important instruction to the inhabitants of the earth ; carefully prepared for publication, with a sketch of the author's earthly life, and a brief description of the spiritual experience of the medium

Front matter

BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

MESSAGES THE SUPERIOR STATE;

COMMUNICATED BY

Introduction

THE SOURCE OF THESE MESSAGES.

Free communication with the upper world. — Doubt, and scientific inquiry. — Religionists and scepticism. — The new way of Spiritual communication. — Variety, a law of nature. — Sameness and stagnation. — The three ages of human progress: — Age of power — age of love — age of wisdom. — Moses. — Jesus. . — Man. — Geological illustrations. — Nature's first grand crisis and history. — The Second Epoch and the Flood. — Third great change and its results. — The lesser crises and personal human nature. — The delight of nature in variety. — Precedent, and .new modes of communicating with superior beings. — A scientific age, and its demands. — Why do not the spirits speak to us 1 — Ventriloquism. — Imagination. — Electricity and Magnetism. — Their office in this work. — Spiritual science and materiality. — Mistake of the schools. — Spirits and the movement of furniture. — Spirits are men. — Law of change. — Saul and Paul. — God and his permissions. — The object of spiritual communication. — Its demonstrations. — Faith and knowledge. — The Pharisee and the "day of small things." — These wonders and the olden times. — The Bible and its messages. — The origin of these productions. — John Murray and their authorship. — The question of their character. — Prophecies and their fulfilment 15-

10 CONTENTS.

THE SPIKITUAL EXPERIENCE OF JOHN M.

SPEAR.

John M. Spear and the prisoner. — The Howard of America.

— His new work. — A Medium of Spirit-manifestations. — Writing, speaking, healing and moving. — Reliability. — The •various orders of Spirit-manifestations. — Beginning of Mr. Spear's mediumship. — Mysterious letters. — Case of healing •at Abington. — Cause of these wonders. — Is it mesmeric 1 — An extraordinary case. — Passiveness of the operator. — Hand finds the seat of disease. — Case of dropsy. — Difference between acute and chronic diseases. — Angels have not all power.

— Case of cure at Georgetown, Massachusetts . — Medium takes the pain himself. — Incidental cures. — Results when sent by superior direction. — Case of A. J. Grover. — Case of Rev. Mr. W 26

DRAWINGS.

Diagram of the body. — Mottoes. — Singular and mysterious pictures. — But slightly explained. — Power of the spirit after death. — Written communications . — Organic nature of the manifestations 42

PUBLIC SPEAKING.

Discourse at Essex, Massachusetts. — Portsmouth, N. H. — At Hopedale and other places. — John Murray's Introduction and Teachings. — Method of beginning. — A series of Sermons just finished. — Their object and importance 45

A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE MORTAL LIFE OF JOHN MURRAY.

BIRTH AND BAPTISM.

When born. — Baptized. — The first word he uttered 49

EARLY RELIGIOUS CULTURE.

Anxiety of his parents concerning his immortal interests. — Agony of his own mind. — Rigid discipline in early life. — Its influence on his subsequent character 50

CONTENTS. 11

ENLARGEMENT OF FAITH.

First circumstance which introduced his mind to a more expansive religion. — Second shock in the same direction. — Mason, and Kelly's Union. — Murray's Investigation. — Becomes a joyful believer in the Reconciliation. — Is urged to preach, but resists all entreaties 57

LEAVES HIS NATIVE LAND.

Meets with a gentleman from America. — Captivated with his delineation of the New World. — Difficulty of parting with loved objects at home. — Sets sail for America 69

ARRIVAL IN AMERICA, EXTRAORDINARY INSTANCE OF

DIVINE GUIDANCE.

First lands on the banks of the Delaware. — Next reaches Philadelphia. — Starts for New York, but is driven nearly on shore at Cranberry Inlet, and compelled to anchor there some days.

— Goes on shore. — Meets with Potter. — Singular and wonderful history of the latter. — Recognizes Murray as a preacher sent from God. — Murray preaches in Potter's meeting-house.

— Results 63

OPPOSITION OF THE PRIESTHOOD.

The hypocrisy and craft of the priests. — Murray goes to Philadelphia.— His treatment there. — Preaches glad tidings in that city. — The calumnies of his enemies. — Finds one friend, at least, among the clergy. — Preaches in Boston. — His treatment by the Rev. Mr. Croswell. — Meets his enemy face to face, and exposes him before the people. — Preaches in Rev. Mr. Croswell's house. — Is insulted, and even stoned, but not harmed. — Has great faith in God. — Is stoned a second time by the mob, and saved from its fury by a phalanx of friends. 82