Than this world dreams of.”
Those who know anything of Methodism, will know this. The Methodists have a profound faith in prayer, and also there is a very close relationship between a class-leader and his members. Dr. Smith was, therefore, all the more likely to be the percipient of the woman’s earnest and intense prayer to God to feed her hungry children. The Infinite must have an infinite variety of ways of fulfilling His own purposes. Is it unreasonable to suppose that prayer to Him may not be answered indirectly “through means”? and that thought-transference, as in this instance, may be one of the means? If not, why not?
Charitable institutions are maintained; orphans saved, reared, and educated; missions of mercy organised, and the necessary means found by the agency of prayer. Beside “the angels,” in That Sphere just beyond the ken of the physical, may not our waves of thought, projected by prayer, be impinged upon, and directly affect susceptible minds in this world, by directing their attention to those works of faith and goodness? Prayer is the language of love, and the outcome of true helplessness and need. A praying man is an earnest man. In prayer thoughts are things—bread upon the waters.
THOUGHT TRANSFERENCE IN DISTRESS.
I withhold the names for family reasons. Mr. —— had been in business in Glasgow for nearly thirty years, and, from comparatively small beginnings, had been very successful. Latterly, he and his family resided in ——, a suburb of Glasgow. Both in the city and in this district Mr. —— was very much respected, being a church member and holding office in —— Free Church. For some time Mr. —— had been ailing, and his medical attendant advised him to take a sea voyage—a thorough change, etc. In compliance with this advice, he took a trip up the Mediterranean. Miss ——, a distant relative of his, had been visiting Glasgow, and, being on terms of intimacy with the family, knew of his departure from Glasgow. About two weeks after he left, she also left Glasgow for Edinburgh. While in the train for Edinburgh, she was overcome with great anxiety for Mrs. ——, his wife. Unable to shake the feeling off, instead of going to Edinburgh, she actually got out of the train halfway, at Falkirk, and took the next train back to Glasgow, and went to her friend’s house, whom she found in great distress. Mrs. —— had, about the time Miss —— became distressed in the train, received word that her husband was found dead (having committed suicide) in his berth on the steamer at Constantinople. The state of mind of the newly-made widow re-acted on that of Miss ——. As Miss —— was not only a dear friend, but was noted for her earnest piety, the widow at once earnestly desired to see her. When last these two friends saw each other, everything seemed to contribute to happiness and comfort. Mrs. —— was looking forward hopefully for the return of her husband, restored in health, to herself and children.
THOUGHT TRANSFERENCE IN ORDINARY EXPERIENCE.
Whether thought-transference is a “relic of a decaying faculty,” or the “germ of a new and fruitful sense,” daily experience in the lives of most furnish abundant evidence of the existence of such a power. My own life has supplied me with abundant evidence of the fact. It is a common occurrence with us for either my wife or I to utter or give expression to the thoughts which, for the time being, occupied the conscious plane in the other. It is possible there may have been, as there has been in some instances, some half phrase uttered or manner shown, which in the one have aroused the thoughts expressed by the other.
It has been our habit for several years to stay at Rothesay during the summer season. As an instance of thought-transference quite common in our experience;—On Saturday, 1st October, 1892, I went to the Revision Court at the Town Hall to hear registration disputes settled between Tory and Gladstonian lawyers. Finding nothing to interest me, I entered into conversation with Mr. Thompson, jeweller and hardware merchant, whom I met in the Court, and went with him to his shop in Montague Street, Rothesay. Standing at his door a short time, I noticed a solitary pair of shamrock earrings, composed of crystal brilliants and gold, lying on a tray, with a number of other earrings, in one of the windows. I inquired the price, as I felt sure Mrs. Coates would be pleased with them. They were packed up in a neat box, and I took them home. At dinner, I gave the box to my wife, who said, “What is this, papa?”
“Open and see,” I replied.
Animated with a little curiosity, she did, and, as soon as she saw the earrings, said, “Thompson’s! Well, papa, that is funny. James (my little son) and I stood at Thompson’s window last night, and I admired these earrings. I thought them so neat, and that they would match my brooch. I thought I would like to have them, and then I thought to myself, no; I will not spend the money. I pointed them out to James, and said to him, I am sure if papa saw them, he would buy them—and here you have brought them home. I cannot tell you how much I prize them.”