The reason why : or, Spiritual experiences of Mrs. Julia Crafts Smith, physician, assisted by her spirit guides

Front matter

SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES

OF

MRS. JULIA CRAFTS SMITH,

Chapter I

It is not all of life to live, simply; but all that is given to every child of earth, must be sown, like seed, to spring up among the children of men.

Thus and always, there will be those who are Phrenologically organized, to transmit, through the law of inspiration, truths to benefit the human race. But as long as Destiny rules the children of earth, and a Planetary Law in many ways govern them, just so long will it be necessary for Spirits to assist them to understand why they are here, and for what purpose ; and while so many truths are hidden in the hearts of those God has seen fit to elect from the many, and they continue to hide their “lights under a bushel,” just so long will Spirits come and throw their positive influence upon Mediums, to bring that truth to light, by acting upon every one who keeps from the world, that which a loving God sends through them, to those who are denied by nature inspirational knowledge ; | and it is time that they should have encouragement, by reading the experience of others from our realm, 7 that it may be a guide to them, after Mediums like this, with many others, have passed to us to receive the “ Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” Oh! the precious experiences of earth-life. Gems, hidden from the gaze of the many, locked up in the human soul, that should be brought out of the dark cells of your lives, to open the eyes and ears of those that live on the earth, to strengthen them, and teach them that the great vein of sympathy that runs through human life, cannot be broken by any Jaw, that can possibly be made by man. Children of earth, why struggle against the God-given light that comes to you in your lonely hours, when unseen loved ones are hovering near, trying to give you light in the darkness which surrounds your spiritual vision. Remember, that as you spiritualize yourself by doing good to others, so you attract the loved ones, who are not dead but gone before.

Lingering upon, or near the earth in anxiety concerning my wife and children, and especially this child, whose mediumistic powers attracted me to her, and gave me the power of progressing more rapidly in my spirit home, by bringing those missionaries in spirit life to me, whose great desire was to do good to those in the earth life, —and feeling that my influence over my darling child would open the gateway through her mental faculties much easier than any influence that was strange to her, as she might ~ repulse them at any time:—for be assured that the will of a mental medium can always prevent her being controlled or entranced.

It seems but yesterday that I left Boston, and wife and children, to wander after gain in a strange land. My last night in Boston was passed in this child’s home, and the vision of her trials and cares came up before me. But in the same vision I beheld her triumphantly putting all her troubles behind her, and moving on with a band of bright spirits bearing three flags, —Spiritual Strength, Mental Activity, and Intellectual “Growth. Many other scenes came up before me. My sister, also, (who had appeared to me years before), assuring me of her care and love, but telling me that I would never return to my home again ; as my home in the spirit world was most ready for me. Oh! the mental agony of that day in the A.D. 1850. I did not dare to tell my wife, as she did not believe in any of the so-called superstitions which I entertained; her physical health being poor, I tried to believe it was a dream occasioned by my sad feelings at leaving home and family.

I had in years gone by seen my sister many times, and she had proven to me beyond a doubt, of the existence of our loved ones, in a future life. But owing to my wife’s bigotry and orthodox views, I was obliged to keep in my inner life, many things which might have hastened the coming light that earth’s children now enjoy. It was my sister Belle coming to me, and what she said, that made me take up the bodies of my brothers and sisters, sometime buried, and burn them to stay the ravages of consumption in my family, which was a success, no one having died of that disease for forty-five years. I think now that her first visit to me, and her free conversation with me occurred in A.D. 1829, also in 1831; and again in 1833. But receiving opposition from those who did not have the power to see what I saw, and desiring peace instead of war, I sometimes rushed into anything to keep me from seeing or thinking of the many wonderful things which were open to my spiritual vision. But when the Bible was brought into consideration by those of a different belief, it was then that my very soul was stirred within me, and I felt that if there was more love and truth, there would be less discord in earth life; and I have not changed my mind in that respect, though a sojourner in spirit life thirty years. Many years before I had promised my wife that if I died first, I would come and tell her if my belief in Universal Salvation was true or false. And if she passed away first she also was to come af permitted to return, which she did not believe), and tell me if there was a Hell for unfortunate spirits. But it was my destiny to open the gateway of spirit communion between her spirit and mine, by passing away first. |

Away from home and friends in a strange land, where civilization had not her laws enforced, men were more like vampires or demons, than men; heeding not the Christian precepts of “loving your neighbor as yourself,” or of “ministering unto him when he is sick,” as God has commanded in His record.

When will Spirituality so far overcome the evil in men’s natures, that they will not be forgetful of the spirit within the casket of clay, and contribute to its — needs rather than looking only to see how much they may be enriched, by what little wordly goods they may die possessed of.

Believe me, I have no desire to dwell upon my sufferings or mental agony in my dying moments; suffice it to say, that all the gold in the mines of California, if within my control, I would have freely given, to have felt the hand of my beloved wife or children, and to hear words of love and kindness, from those who were dearer to me than life. And let me say, dear reader, to all: cherish the love of relations and friends on earth, remembering it is only love and spirituality that can be taken from this material abode. And the spirit is poor indeed, when entering spirit life, if poverty of spirit exist within them ; and still worse if they have so lived, that no loving soul sends up from earth, that longing and loving telegram to bring us to them. Oh! man and woman, seek to cover the faults of your friends, and search diligently for all the good, that it may bring out of them all the good, and help to overcome all that is evil in their natures; that by-and-by when they or you have passed on, the connecting link of love may be the railroad on which the spirit can return, and that it was well that you had lived, and also well, that you passed over, according to a law in nature.

But God in His goodness never gave any one a cup of sorrow unmixed with joy. Oh! no; and my agony at being separated from my loved ones, was, as soon as I had passed from my body, and become emancipated from pain and suffering, well repaid by meeting my darling children, brothers and sisters; and that sister who had many times stood at my side while I was in the form, was there to give me welcome, and assure me that I. could fulfill my promise to those I had left in the flesh.

Oh! heavenly thought; out of the darkness of despair and suffering, into the light of love and happiness. Spiritual light. But those greetings and thoughts were of short duration, as love being the stronger element in my nature, I began to ask myself, what my family would say, when not receiving a letter or word from me; and I only thought it, when Belle, who read my inner life best, said to me, “ Jesse, you remember how I came to you? Go to them in the same way, and relieve their anxiety concerning your silence. I can assist you.” And amidst all the beauties of my spirit entrance, I had not changed my mind, but still had a desire to return and fulfill my promise. I did not find it hard to do, as my longing was so great, and with my sister I journeyed homeward. It seemed a long time; but to my astonishment I was told I had only been out of the body thirteen hours, before I was striving to make them understand that I was there, bereft of all that belonged to my physical life, endeavoring, by every faculty I could put forth, to arrest their attention. I had also the carefulness to not wish to frighten those I wanted to reach. I have since learned from Willie, who has come to me, (but was then in the physical body,) that he beheld me by his medium powers, and that my wife was truly convinced I was there, by my attempts to use a drum, which was mine, and that I used to use, before leaving home for California, — which she acknowledged by changing her views for a more rational theological belief.

I was then informed by my brother James, that my daughter Julia was destined to become an avenue for spiritual manifestation, through her mental faculties, and that I was called home to assist in the work, as being nearer and dearer to her. I might, through my death, bring her nearer to light and life; and I, with others, stood beside her, letting into her life the words of inspiration, and a new growth, for twelve years, before we could herald forth that a new worker was in the vineyard, declaring God’s goodness to his children. But still I assure you, we are cognizant of the fact, that all development comes through suffering, and many years of this medium’s life, physically, were used up to sustain her brain. But out of the discipline of her suffering, we knew would come a benefit, not only to herself, spiritually, — but by her election for her work; we, her guides, well knew we could assist suffering humanity. For, my dear reader, let me here say to you, that whotsoever is elected by the Celestial Spheres, to serve as servants to the spirit world, are elected from their infancy, and. will accomplish the work assigned to them. They may suffer in mind and body, but the work they are fitted for is an especial work, and must be done; we must have avenues laid out, through which to communicate, (or to travel;) sacrifices must be made; and if through the peril of life, the chosen one gets disheartened, there must another tie be broken, another chair be vacant, or another cradle be empty, to bring the medium’s spirit heavenward. So you can see link after link was broken, that my darling child might look up, and health fail her, that she might loose her hold on earthly things, and come up higher in thought and feeling; and when life became irksome to her, and sadness and sorrow seem to surround her, and the physical was weakened with disease, and de ception and the false-heartedness of those whom she had loved best, came up before her, then, and not till then, did we get her to yield to our influence, and to do the work as it must be done. I think that was about A.D. 1863, that we felt we had accomplished a work we could praise God for; she being then about thirty-one years old. Now, let me say here, that all true mediums, are chosen, because they have organizations adapted to the use of those workers who desire to accomplish a gobd work on your plaja. ;

And I would here say to those readers of this, that no one, either high.or low, learned or unlearned, should in anywise condemn, or abuse one of these chosen ones, no matter whatsoever your opinion of the case may be, unless you can first understand the working of God’s mighty law in spirit life. You have not any right to judge, lest you bring upon yourself a mighty judgment for your unbelief.

How can you believe in a God you have not seen, if you do not render justice to his chosen ones, who take up the crosses of life, and bear them patiently, meeting with scoff and scorn, knowing that they are sustained by the light you know nothing of. At this time, my daughter’s health was so frail, that we desired her to recover, to begin the great work before her. And I, being chosen to manifest myself in such manner as to encourage her, and also to give her physical health and strength, and such information cerning what was desired of her, and to get from her a promise to dedicate her life to our work, which she did, and has done, regardless of opposition, or lack of encouragement or material aid. But as one of God’s

” so in due laws is, “as you sow so shall ye also reap, time she shall reap more abundantly than she has sown; and the many of God’s children she has in no wise turned away, so shall it be meted out to her and hers, as she has measured to others.

About the time we began to control her, and use her brain, and encourage her to stand at the post of duty, she was communicating with me. One evening I told her her brother William should not go to California, that he would never return if he did; but he, like all who hear the word and do not believe, went to California; any other country would have been better. As his planetary law gave him Jupiter as a metal in his composition, the coming to a country where metal was then a condition in the elements, he, also, in accordance with the laws of accident, came to spirit life. Finding a work begun, he, with all his strength of youth and manhood, swung wide open the door between the physical and spiritual world. He, having a surplus of vitality to use, having passed out of the body in full strength, and mother, sisters and friends, became interested in the work we had begun ; and it has ever been his end and aim to assist in the duties assigned her.

How little is known of the connection, or links, that bind the spirit world to this! How many false theories are advanced by the theological world, and the workers who advance their ideas. If they were only obliged to bring proof of what they put forth, there would not be so much that is not reasonable, or so many false ideas advanced; but every one would be obliged to give a reason for the faith that is in them; and it would give mediums an opportunity to give more explanation concerning the mediumistic life, which they do not choose .themselves, but who are chosen by unseen ones. And instead of being treated as if it was something to their discredit, their friends should rejoice that they have even one who is God’s chosen disciple; —for most any medium can prove that spirits do return to the earth. But I deny the power of any theologian, to prove by his theology, that spirits ever leave the earth.

Ah! reader, remember that God’s laws are unchangeable; and you or yours may be called for some especial work, in due time, and there is no power on earth to prevent, when it is once decided on our-plain. :

Those dear guardian angels, who have walked side by side from their earliest infancy, know best who is fitted for the work. And it is their report to the angelic hosts that makes the chosen ones of Ged. Acts, x.: 84, 35. And what God has chosen, say thou is not fit to fill the place that he has assigned them, and must be filled. Read what the voice said to Peter and be silent. Acts, xi.: 5—9.

After my son William came to us, his desire was to be in rapport with his sister; and for three years, long and faithful, did he traverse earth-plain by her side, interesting her in all good works which he was interested in while on earth.

But those guides that formed her medical band, held her to her promise, to relieve the sick and suffering everywhere; and also to bear testimony to the truth of spirit communion, and God’s universal love, to the children of men, and taught her to fear not the inquisition of public opinion; for any one who interests themselves in any good work, must expect the lash of censure, as long as there is so much ignorance and sensualism on your earth. Men, until they are pure themselves, can never see purity in others; they believe what they see and hear, and realize, by their perverted senses; never suspecting that the diseases of the physical body, so affect the mental and moral nature, that correct judgment, or unbiased, is an impossibility. 7

When we see the greatest blessings perverted by those who should be instructors for good, instead of feeding the lower faculties of man, it makes me ask, what of the coming future? And who has the moral courage, to weed out from the press and pulpit, those evils that are undermining and corrupting society? Is it to be wondered at, that falsehood and deception, scandal and sensualism, hypocrisy and deceit are running riot in your midst, when your daily and weekly papers are filled with rottenness and slime, fed out without stint to the masses at two and three cents a day? Great heavens! will men never understand the great principle of life: that a lie is a lie! told for nothing or money, it makes no difference. A thief is a thief! no matter whether he steals millions of money, or the reputation of his fellow man or woman. It is not what he takes from his earthly possessions; that all comes out of God’s bounteous stores ; but the eternal principle of truth is perverted.

There would be no need of so much unnecessary material used to build lofty edifices, to stand out as a sign of a wicked and immoral race. It is not expensive churches that come up to spirit life, but the true and sincere souls that worship within their walls. Beautiful edifices, transplanted on your plain, sent forth to the mighty and noble intellects of earth, through receptive inspiration from our world!

But why not make the worshippers true and earnest men and women, by giving them the truthful assurance, that there are unseen intelligences recording the spirituality of their lives? What man or woman was ever any worse, for believing in a good or loving God, and the ministrations of their unseen friends? If we are honest with ourselves, and have no sins to hide, we have nothing to fear.

What man was ever any better for a belief in annihilation, or that ignored the cause that produces the effects that you see around you in earth-life? What mother feels happier to know that her babe has gone into some vegetable life, or to perdition for the lack of baptism ?

When the mighty truth of spiritualism gives comfort to a lonely heart, and assures the mother of a meeting with her loved ones by-and-by, why cling to theories that degrade the true principle of life. All theories which represent God as an angry father, or revengeful, not only degrade the believer, but the God whom they worship; and all those who desire annihilation, or try to build up a belief that there is no life beyond this earth of yours, must lose sight of that astronomical phenomenon, which the starry world proclaims nightly to earth’s children’s short vision.

Better believe in your transit to other and larger planets, that are swinging in space, than to doubt the goodness of God, or his ability to care for his children, without sending them to perdition; with no chance of progressing. Man did not come here of his own accord, and in consequence, is not responsible for the place he shall occupy hereafter.

Why do men study so hard to believe anything but the simple truth, because they are striving to “climb up some other way,” than by learning one great truth, simple as it is, that there is no death, all is life, nothing is lost, but all is changing and going on through all eternity under a law of evolution.

But I stray from my purpose in writing this. It is to show why my child or any other is obliged to walk in a way peculiar to a mediumistic life, amidst thorns and thistles, bearing many crosses, meeting opposition that must arise in such a life; but by-and-by they will learn, that where roses grow, thorns must abide, and both will be found growing side by side.

But, fond mother, though there is no consolation given you by others, we come to tell you that your darling child will be well cared for, nourished and fed by loving ones in the summer land. And if your love is the true mother’s love, and you miss its loving smile and tiny form —by that law you hold him or her, in your atmospheric surroundings, until such time as it can leave you, without giving you loneliness of spirit. Still, if you feel that those little ones are a burden to you, they will not stay with you, but will wing their way where they are not an unwelcome guest.

Would you behold the real mourners in the spirit life? They are those whose friends have draped themselves in black to show to an indifferent world what aloss they have met with, and forgetful of the link of affection, which is the only chain that can unite them on earth or in spirit life. To die and be forgotten by your friends is enough to make sad any sensitive soul. Think of your loved and lost ones, and the telegraph you send out from your spirit, will not only benefit you, but those who have passed on, to realize the quickening of the love element, in their spirit home.

Oh! to mourn and miss a loved one!

*Tis a right that God has given;

And it is a chain that links us To a home, that’s ours, in Heaven.

Chapter II

It may seem strange, at a time like the present, when the human race are laboring under so many changes, and strife and discord seem to rule the hour, and perfect confidence seems to be a principle of the past, that we should desire to bring our mite into existence, to assist and encourage those who are disheartened, and who are in the depths of doubt, and fast verging into the channels of despair. There never was a time, when so many souls were sending up their spirits, asking the whys and wherefores of life.

In the past ages, dark ignorance made them submit to the higher authorities; but to-day every one thinks for themselves, and fast travel out from under the old superstitions and terrible creeds that bound them. The old tortures of the past are fast going out on both continents, for a new era to come in, to bless the children of God. And why not? Have there not been blood shed enough? Has there not been crimes enough committed? Has there not been suffering enough? Have not the innocent and the poor been crushed enough to satisfy this monster, “ The Established Church,” that would take away the liberties” from the people, and compel them to think and act according to its dogmas ?

Who gave them all knowledge? Not God, to be sure! for the diversity of opinion is necessary to mental growth; and not any of them have ever been to the spirit world, to gain knowledge which they can positively affirm is true.

How dare they presume that God has given them any more spiritual knowledge than he has the humblest of his creatures? Jesus was chosen from the lowly. And why? Because false knowledge gained, would have been an impediment to the inspiration of God’s truth.

If it was not for your liberal government of to-day, your religions, based upon the atonement, would be no better than in the past. Keep God out of the constitution of state and nation, if you do not wish the inquisition of the past. He belongs, not in the constitution of nations, but in your souls.

It is those liberal minds who have revered God most, and loved the children of earth best, that have permeated your religious systems, until they are as tolerant as we find them to-day.

So, give yourselves no credit for your liberality; it was the law of force, — not that of love, as it should have been ; and believe me, you will reap your reward.

In bringing this simple offering before her friends, I must take up many links of her life, and try to arrange a chain of circumstances and truths, that will encourage all the chosen mediums of God, that they may not fall by the wayside of life, but persevere unto the end; for out of the darkness of the past, comes a great light for the future.

No man or woman can rise above the masses, spiritually or mentally, but must expect to be a mark to be shot at continually, by those who do not, and those who will not understand them. For, until the bands of ignorance are broken, those laboring under its galling chains, will cry fraud, as their souls are in the prison of unbelief. Inspiration now, as in olden times, gives a mortal being precedence in your world ; and that very precedence will create enemies among the ignorant and malicious. Men and women should learn the lesson well taught by one who suffered persecution from his fellow men. That knaves or fools were not troubled with enemies, so to meet obstacles and overcome them, shows spiritual growth, as it strengthens the mental and moral nature. Opposition is a natural growth, and walks side by side with Progression. All experience teaches us, that knowledge is the only key that can unlock for you the Kingdom of Heaven; and, as it is, nearly two thousand years have passed, and you are still groping in darkness concerning the spirit world; for ignorance still flaunts her banner, regardless of the fact, that struggling up out of the darkness is a mighty truth. The science of spirit communion, saying to the people of earth, try to understand the law of your physical bodies, for they are the temple of the spirit, and the mistakes of the past have been from a lack of information concerning the relation that exists between the mental, spiritual and physical bodies. Reason has been dethroned, to give way to selfishness and hypocrisy, until your nation seems to be a nation of hypocrites, who have lost faith in themselves and also in their fellow men. |

Why this terrible dilemma of to-day? Itis because mammon, and injustice, and a lack of spirituality in mortals, and want of possession where there is so much profession, is filling the world with woe. And if it was not for some of your silent and unobtrusive workers that are always sending up to the spirit world, their thanksgiving and praise, and throwing their magnetic influence into your life for good, you might realize a Sodom and Gomorrah as in olden times.

Why not understand this? That the law that unites the electric and magnetic forces on your earth, is a harmonic law, and well studied, will bring happiness to all who desire to promote the happiness of their fellows. Would it not be well to understand that the book of nature, united with the eternal book. of

THE REASON WHY. Ut intuition, solves more scientific problems, than all the congresses of scientists in the world ?

Away back in tne past, how boldly men advocated, suffered, and died, to promulgate a truth; and those truths lived. But behold the numberless errors that were sent forth by men who considered themselves and their doctrines infallible, which present experience teaches were not only false, but worthless; and earth’s children, to-day, are suffering from their ignorance and wicked willfulness. For instance, the treatment of the sick; by administering poisons, burning and bleeding, cauterizing, blistering, cupping, salviating and torturing to make the sick well. And to-day another extreme comes before you; not so much suffering attending, but equally as dangerous, — bromides, morphine, hydrate of chloral, arsenicum, iron and minerals of any kind, — ignoring mother nature’s ever soothing balm, the herbal creation, which was intended to affect and cure the diseases of mankind.