Let me give you an illustration of how spirits work; but this instance is by no means an example of all the methods that spirits take to accomplish their labors. Oh, no; these methods are varied, even as individuals vary in their natures and constitutions.
A SPIRIT MOTHER REFORMS HER WAYWARD SON.
In a certain city of this fair land dwells an individual who is at our present writing universally respected and beloved by all who know him; but such was not always the case. Twenty years ago this individual was a young man given to dissipation in its various forms; his mother, then in the body, wept and besought him in vain to abandon his evil course, and turn to a better life. Finally, the mother entered spirit life, and for a time that young man plunged into the wildest of dissipations. In the meantime, the mother, awakened in the spirit world, found that she could return to the side of her son, and to a certain extent exert an influence upon him. She began to follow him wherever he went, steadily bending her will-power upon his mind. Into places of low and evil resort went that spirit mother with her erring son; scenes that made her soul grow sick within her met her pure vision. Yet she faltered not; her work lay before her, and accomplish it she would, whatsoever obstacles might interpose.
It would make an interesting volume to describe the experiences and incidents that befell the spirit. For a time the case seemed hopeless, but still the spirit despaired not. Occasionally thoughts of his mother’s teachings, and remembrances of her devotion and love for him, would flit across the mind of the dissolute youth, and for the moment his heart would seem to melt; but the force of habit and association had such a hold upon him that these brief moments of remorse would pass away and seem to leave no trace. But all such experiences do leave their impress upon the spirit for good, and in this instance they afforded means of encouragement and power to the angel mother, whose mission was to accomplish the reformation of the immortal soul of a well-loved son.
Three, five, eight years passed; the youth, now grown to manhood’s estate, but in all appearance a perfect wreck of humanity, drifted away from the home of his boyhood among strangers, homeless and alone. Of course he fell among evil associates, but still memories of long ago, and occasionally remorseful thoughts of his own impure life, continued to haunt him.
Still the spirit mother exerted her influence upon him, and it finally became manifest in a singular manner. Groping through the city streets one dark night, he stumbled and fell, striking his head upon the pavement, which caused him to lose consciousness for a few moments; when he beheld the face of that mother gazing upon him with sorrowful eyes.
He started up, confused and alarmed; but the ringing pain in his head refused to leave, and he seated himself upon the curb-stone, holding his bowed head in his hands.
All at once a scene opened before him: he saw his boyhood’s home, and his mother standing in the door to meet him as he came from school; he heard her gentle, earnest words: “My son, whatever you do in life, seek to keep a pure heart and a clean hand.”
That was all. Then a calmness fell upon his spirit, as though the peace of heaven had descended there. He felt an angel’s touch upon his aching head, and tears of anguish fell from his tired eyes. In this condition he was found and taken to a hospital, where his wounds were dressed, and he was cared for until he recovered from the blow he had received. In the meantime the spirit mother, who had followed her son, succeeded in influencing one of the physicians in charge of the hospital, in her son’s favor; so much so, that he offered to obtain manual employment for him if he would work, which offer was accepted.
I cannot go into details; suffice it to say that the hitherto wretched man seemed to have changed his nature completely; and why? Because the mother’s influence had gained the ascendency over him. He worked early and late, at first at rough toil, afterward at more congenial labor. Time passed; he became respectable and manly in appearance; he shunned the haunts of evil and followed the good. Finally, he succeeded in gaining a competence; until now he is beloved and honored by all. And what do you think his present work is? He is the superintendent and guide of a mission for the suppression of crime and the development of good in the street urchins and unfortunate youth of the city.