ciass D r / 4 6 / Book -i -J -3 OopyiigMl COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. WE NEVER DIE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE FUTURE LIFE OF MAN BY EDWARD JAMES PRINTED AT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 1921 \o 5* COPTRIGHT. 1921 By MATTHIAS e. hearn All Bights Reserved §>C!.A627753 OCT 26 1921 *\ I I ; PREFACE *T*HE views expressed in this book, upon the subject * of our future life in the spiritual world, and the relationship our present life bears to that period of time, are submitted as the result of what I believe to be, an impartial investigation of the phenomena here presented. I do not expect my readers to believe all this de- scription, or rather report, on my part, of the findings of this investigation, for it is a new and intricate sub- ject; dealing with great fundamental principles. As I have myself, spent over twenty years in a careful study of this subject, I can appreciate how unlikely it is, that anyone can grasp an immediate understanding of it, as here given. Believing these writings to be practically all true, and feeling the obligation upon my part to publish this book I respectfully submit it to public investigation. This work does not raise any question concerning the Scriptures or religious beliefs of any kind, but is simply a report of a personal investigation along the lines of spiritual phenomena. The Author. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from The Library of Congress http://www.archive.org/details/weneverdieinvestOOjame WE NEVER DIE "AH thoughts of .ill; all evil deeds, That have their root in thoughts of ill; Whatever hinders or impedes The action of the nobler will; — All these must first be trampled down Beneath our feet, if we zvould gain In the bright fields of fair renown The right of eminent domain." —Longfellozv, "The Ladder of St. Augustine." t^OR centuries, in all civilized countries and among all ** civilized people, the question has been asked: What becomes of us after we die? This question, has probably engaged the thoughtful human mind, more than any other known to our lan- guage. Is there a continuity of intelligent human life, beyond the grave? To this question, there is a general belief among all existing people in the affirmative, and this accepted principle forms the corner stone ; upon which all existing' creeds and religious teachings stand. In many ways, a clear understanding of this theory, is wrapped in mystery ; and it is accepted as a belief, founded upon the traditional records which have been left by our ancestors, dating* back into the many centuries. Those records, in their many forms and translations from extinct languages, form the basis of the religions, prac- ticed by a very large proportion of the people of today. Another question, in conformity to that of a future life is: If there is a future state of life, in what form does it exist? Another question : Is intelligence of the earth life of the individual, retained in a future state? Another question : Is communication, between the future and present earth life of man possible? Or put- ting this question in a more concise form; Can man, after his earth life has terminated, come back to earth conditions, and tell in plain and understandable language, of his experience in the celestial life? To these questions, and also such others that may sug-gest, to complete this theme, this work is dedicated. Owing to the extreme delicate nature of this subject, and the fact that it is a pioneer trail, written entirely from memory, the writer respectfully hopes for a reason- able indulgence for errors which may occur, and trusts, that those who may read this book, will accept this pledge : In every way possible, I will endeavor to tell the truth, as it has appeared to come to me, after those long and painstaking years of honest effort to reach the facts of this subject. MY FIRST EXPERIENCE IN PSYCHIC PHENOMENA 1V/T Y first experience in psychic phenomena, was in ±1 the year 1885. It took place at my own home in Chicago, where I lived with my parents and three brothers, my sister having married in the spring of that year. This experience occurred along in the late summer or early fall, and came about in rather a peculiar way. A cousin, was visiting that evening and stayed over night at our house. After supper, my sister and her husband came in. We spent an enjoyable evening, play- ing on the piano and singing songs. My cousin and my younger brother, furnished the instrumental music ; and my brother-in-law sang several songs, in a very deep, rich bass voice, in which others of us joined. We played several games of cinch at cards, after which, other games were played and enjoyed by all of us, for as I remember back to that evening, we all had a very enjoyable time. My mother, father and sister, laughed with the rest of us, at the jokes and capers we played, and altogether the evening passed very pleasantly. We sat up till quite late, probably something after mid- night. When our general amusements began to wane, my cousin finally proposed that all we boys would join with him in an experiment of rocking the table. This experi- ment he had a few evenings before witnessed and joined in, at a party given by some young friends of his. It was performed in this way : My cousin, brother- in-law, three brothers and myself, seated ourselves around a small sewing table, which my mother used. It was a light ash table, about three feet long and eighteen inches wide, with folding legs in order that the table coufd be put out of the way wnen not in use. It was quite new at that time, and stood firmly on the floor. It did not wobble in its own frame, from any loose joints, and as after developments proved, I am certain that any defects of this nature would have had nothing to do with the results we received ; for as it rocked from the position it rested in, while on its four legs on the floor, to that of two legs, and then back to the other two legs, its movement was firm and without w7 obble or squeak, or defect of any kind. When we had taken our respective seats around that little table, my cousin explained to us all, the mode of procedure ; which was in this form : Our parlor where we were seated, was about twelve by fourteen feet square, with a gas chandelier hanging from the center of the ceiling; our table was placed under this, and all the lights turned off, also the second parlor lights adjoining. One light where we were, sitting was turned very low, leaving the room and all of us as we sat around the table, dimly visible. We each placed both of our hands on the top of the table, in just a light and natural way, not pressing down on it, but just sitting naturally in that position. We sat in a passive way, with the thought prevailing among us that we were about to receive a call, through the rocking of the table, from someone in the spiritual world. We sang a hymn or two, in a low harmonious tone, which was for the purpose of taking our minds off any set thought, and to create a general harmonious and neutral condition. Manifestations soon became apparent. An electric current, running through our fingers, and felt even up to the arms, was noted by my cousin and myself, and as I remember, some, if not all the other four boys felt a like sensation. This current grew stronger and stronger, after having been seated for five to seven minutes. The table then showed signs of movement ; straining and creaking under our hands. This movement was v quite distinct, and lasted about a minute; and then the table tipped right up sideways on two legs, and con- tinued this positive movement, from one side to the other, until it fell into my cousin's lap, who sat on the opposite side to where I sat, with my brother-in-law. One of my brothers sat beside my cousin, and my other two brothers were seated at each end. When the table had rested a few seconds in my cousin's and brother's laps, it moved back to its original standing position, and then commenced to rock, from one side to the other, in a strong and positive way, carrying all our hands with it. It did this five or six times, and then rested on its four feet, trembling quite violently. My cousin then asked the question: "Is there any spirit present who wishes to speak with us?" The table rocked strongly again, to both sides, three or four times, and rested again upon its four legs. My cousin then asked: "Can you express to us, which one you wish to communicate with ?" Another strong movement of the table indicated it could. My cousin then mentioned most, if not all our names sitting, ending with his own. The table remained per- fectly still on its four legs, during the calling of our names, until he spoke his own; whereupon, it fairly leaped from the floor and plunged into my cousin's and brother's laps ; surged back halfway and plunged again, and did this two or three times, returning to its natural position. My cousin then asked if the spirit's name could be ascertained by calling over the alphabet, in consecutive order of the letters.