Spiritualism Exposed.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 157, 12 November 1872, Page 7

Spiritualism Exposed.

The following letter, under the above heading appears in a late Dunedin Evening Star :— Sir, —As many of your readers as are interested in what is now called “Spiritualism,” will no doubt be glad to learn facts that bear upon it, no matter whence they come. That the following little incident is fairly reported 1 may assure you, since it was directly communicated to me by my friend, Mr W. Comment I make none, but leave the history to speak for itself. The children referred to are those of a gentleman who not long ago Visited Dunedin, startling all the parsons, and giving rise to a furious paper war, by making known his peculiar views—not long ago adopted—of the soul, its pre-existence, and its repeated embodiment. Public rumour has long had much to say about the education of these children, which is being conducted by the spirits through a medium ; and since very contradictory results have been reported, a definite statement from somebody competent to judge was much desired by many people.

Messrs W. and Z. are barristers, intimately acquainted with each other, but knowing nothing, until the occurrence now to be related, of mediums or their ghostly prompters. Walking through the town one day, they met a friend, who invited them to a seance at Mrs J.’s, the medium who educates children. They went ; found Mrs J. seated at the head of a table, and several other persons surrounding it; were introduced, made themselves as agreeable as they could, and were soon in animated conversation. Presently Mrs J. requested those who sat between herself and Mr W. to move a little, so that she could see and speak to him more conveniently, and matters became a little more interesting because a little more personal. The medium informed him that his soul had existed lung ago, and that in very ancient times he had been a Greek. He replied that he had met with something very like that doctrine before, and asked if the lady had ever heard of the metempsy-chosis-adding that if he had been an ancient Greek he might, not improbably, have held that very doctrine himself, and it seemed very strange he should have it to learn over again without benefiting by past experience. As to metempsychosis, nobody acknowledged acquaintance with it - r but as to the latter question, somebody suggested (I wonder whether it was aloud and in earnest—it haidly seems possible to have been either) that a recollection of things that occurred in the past states may not always be nice— e.g., if you had been in the habit of eating your ancestors After further conversation on the Spiritualist doctrines in general, which failed altogether to convince a mind trained by legal business, the practice in particular instance was proceeded with. It was time for the children to have their lessons. And this wis the manner of it:—

Boy No, 1 was brought up, and stood before tin medium. , That lady solemnly knocked him on the head—that is, she rapped on his foreheai with her knuckles, much as if she were paring a morning call to his brains, and found tie front door deficient as to a knocker. Then sin solemnly rapped on one side of his head ; tien she solemnly rapped on the other ; fistly, she very solemnly rapped him on the to) of his head, and sent him to his place. Hi t 10k his slate and began to write. Airs J. (to the company at large): Now that child is under the direct influence of the spirit cf Cicero., Air W.: Cicero, eh ? Poor old fellow ! I didn t knot he had turned schoolmaster. What a cone-down for him 1 (Silent reflection. ) They’ll be turning me out! Boy No. 2?alled up, solemnly rapped, sent to his seat, aid set to work. Similar audible sarcasms fron the unbelievers, and silent astonishment Cat the “ spirits,” and, much more, the “ spiritists,” would stand it. But at last it appeared that they were a great deal too high to be ouched by fun, however hard it might be p>kcd. The critics were told that “ they hao the fruit set before them, and if they woud not eat they must take the consequences,” aid so on.

Presently thepiritof Cicero got through his work, and hu pupil presented his slate. It was passed romd for general inspection, and great wonderjent and admiration were expressed. Of corse, it was shown to Mr W. The exercise Tofessed to he a latin verb conjugated, and th spirit of Cicero had made a blunder in it.

“Well, if that’s Cicero’s work either lie has forgotten his gammar, or they used to conjugate their vens differently from the way we are taught thy did.” “ How so—what’s he matter ?” “ Why, here’s a mitake.” “Oh, surely not!—it can’t he !—is Air W. quite certain V’

“ Sure enough. Hee, Mr Z., is not that wrong ?” “ Yes—no doubt ahoif, it.”

Still the general feeing was dissatisfied with the verdict; one imperceptible Cicero seemed more to be trusted than two tangible barristers, so the slate was handed over° the table to Mr M. Nov Mr M. is a worthy gentleman of some sientiSc attainments, who has just astonished people by a Government post, vhere he could gain scientific laurels by foests at a time, and by giving as his reason tlat he desired to “investigate” Spiritism. 1 man who had made such sacrifices for sue? a cause, was deservedly somewhat lookedip to by the medium’s court. Due care in soil tiny and dire deliberation in decision produced another proof of the error. IVas palpable—indisputable. What was t-be done—or rather, what was to be thotjht? It seemed as though for the momst the tuition of the spirits was not to be illicitly trusted. But

Spiritism was equal tp the occasion. A theory was broached which at once exonerated Cicero, and put the blame of blunderin' 7 on other shoulders.

“You see the correct, but then it comes so fast , that the boy got confused in writing it down, and so he made the mistake.”

No sooner said than believed—except by the barristers. The leader of one section of the Bar in Victoria was too old a bird to be caught with chaff, and had disentangled too many a webb, much more puzzling than this one, to be beaten at the first attempt. He renewed it by another method. “ My boy, have you ever been at school?”, (i Oh—yes—a good while ago.” 11 Did you learn Latin there ?” - » “ Well— yes—a little.” “ Any grammar ?” ‘ ‘ A—ah—er—yes— some. ” “ Well, how far did you get in the grammar V

“ Oh—not very far.” ' “ Did you le'arn to conjugate verbs ?” “ Er er—y_ e ~es.” A few similar questions to the other pupils revealed similar facts: each had been at school; each had there learned something of the particular subject in whicli he had that evening been getting a “spirit” lesson ; eacli had at school gone further in that subject than the exercise just written required him to have gone.

Mr W. made some rather strong remarks about the moral eflects of such proceedings upon the unfortunate children, but was merely met with the former remark about “ setting fruit before you,” Ac. No secrecy having been imposed, but on the contrary his presence having been invited as a spectator, my friend related his experience pretty freely, and avowed his belief that the only result of this “ spirit” teaching in this case would be to make thorough little hypocrites of the poor children. The Spiritists remonstrated, but he holds himself justilied, by what they themselves showed him, in speaking plainly on the subiect. Whether he' is so, and whether their desire that he should keep silence proves it, is a matter on which, as I said, I shall not comment, but, leaving each reader to judge for himself, remain—Yours, Ac., An Occasional Correspondent, Melbourne, October 21.