A Meeting of the Minds: 19th Century Poet-Philosophers Explore Spirituality [Kindle Edition]

Linda Pendleton

Poetry is a bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds. The 19th century was an age of artistic renewal, rich in philosophy, poetry, and literature and it was at mid-19th century when Spiritualism came into the forefront and flourished in America and worldwide. Varied beliefs and practices grew from the conviction that the living and the dead could communicate. Although much of the literature of ancient days spoke to the idea that there is an afterlife—a continuing life-cycle—during this period of the 19th century the belief became more pronounced and was very much a part of the writings and social activities of many in literary circles.

Dr. James Martin Peebles (1822-1922) was a leading American Spiritualist, prolific author, poet, clergyman, and physician. His literary endeavors and world travels allowed him an opportunity to meet many people within prestigious literary, political, and religious/spiritualists circles. He authored many books on Spiritualism and on his world travels throughout his long lifetime. Within his books not only did he present his own prose and poetry but the poetry of others, especially poetry with a spiritual theme of eternal life, of reincarnation, and communication with those on the other side, including angels.

Dr. Peebles wrote of the spiritual expressions of his friends and colleagues such as Walt Whitman, Emerson, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Longfellow, and a number of other well known gifted men and women. Within A Meeting of the Minds, we have the words of those who have enriched us with their sensitive understanding of the mystical wonders and beauty of life.

~Linda