beyond the
possible knowledge of the medium after every deduction has been made
for telepathy or for unconscious memory. The third is, that they have
a remarkable, though not a complete, similarity from whatever source
they come.

It may be noted that the differences of opinion become most marked when
they deal with their own future, which may well be a matter of
speculation to them as to us. Thus, upon the question of reincarnation
there is a distinct cleavage, and though I am myself of opinion that
the general evidence is against this oriental doctrine, it is none the
less an undeniable fact that it has been maintained by some messages
which appear in other ways to be authentic, and, therefore, it is
necessary to keep one's mind open on the subject.

Before entering upon the substance of the messages I should wish to
emphasize the second of these two points, so as to reinforce the
reader's confidence in the authenticity of these assertions. To this
end I will give a detailed example, with names almost exact. The
medium was Mr. Phoenix, of Glasgow, with whom I have myself had some
remarkable experiences. The sitter was Mr. Ernest Oaten, the President
of the Northern Spiritual Union, a man of the utmost veracity and
precision of statement. The dialogue, which came by the direct voice,
a trumpet acting as megaphone, ran like this:--

The Voice: Good evening, Mr. Oaten.
Mr. O.: Good evening. Who are you?
The Voice: My name is Mill. You know my father.
Mr. O.: No, I don't remember anyone of the name.
The Voice: Yes, you were speaking to him the other day.
Mr. O.: To be sure. I remember now. I only met him casually.
The Voice: I want you to give him a message from me.
Mr. O.: What is it?
The Voice: Tell him that he was not mistaken at midnight on
Tuesday last.
Mr. O.: Very good. I will say so. Have you passed long?
The Voice: Some time. But our time is different from yours.
Mr. O.: What were you?
The Voice: A Surgeon.
Mr. O.: How did you pass?
The Voice: Blown up in a battleship during the war.
Mr. O.: Anything more?

The answer was the Gipsy song from "Il Trovatore," very accurately
whistled, and then a quick-step. After the latter, the voice said:
"That is a test for father."

This reproduction of conversation is not quite verbatim, but gives the
condensed essence. Mr. Oaten at once visited Mr