LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 80, 29 December 1920, Page 5

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

' SPIRITISM Sir,—l have been reading with » good deal of interest and not a littlo amusement the various letiters and articles that have been appearing in tho newspapers throughout New Zealand since the visit—all too brief—of Sir Arthur Couan Doyle. Had the distinguished creator of a famous fictional investittator of crime stayed with us a little longer it might have been possible to have examined him more closely—and ee.irchingly—as lo tho foundations of his [ Iwlief. All.that ho has been able to do in (lie course of his New Zealand t'our' lias been to revive the ages-old controversy regarding the possibility of a hereafter. It is possible that he has mado a few converts. I personally am prepared to bo told that ho has made many. Sir Arthur did noJ make a convert of me. although he had a very special opportunity of doing'so at a private interview I had with him here in Wellington. Like a great many others, I have, all mv life, been.profoundly impressed with, the wonders and beauties of Nature. To me, as to others, the logic of the situation in Nature appears to reflect the intelligent operation of a master mind. To me. as to others, it has always seemed a pity that what we call death in world should be the end of all things, ' and that it would add very greatly to ennobling of the earth earthly if mankind' in general wore to be supplied with convincing, irrefutable proof of: (1) The existence aud identity of an architect of the universe. (2) Tho existence - and nature of the Hereafter. On i(io6e two points, all creeds since the beginning of history - ! include Spiritualism, of course—have consistently begged the fundamental question, which is simply this: , If such is so, why is there not a universal manifestation of its influence? To me, a Doubting Thomas, ono and all have said at various times: "Ah—but you must have, faith—then all things will be revealed to you." On every other matter save the supreme question of our spirituality, we all of us demand exact information, evidence, proof. Yet on that supremo matter, we are informed by the privileged cognoscentis, we are, in. tho plainest of plain English, asked to buy our pig in a poke! I 6aid to Sir Arthur: "Ton bay this thing is a part of our existenco. Why, then, is it not universally manifest? What right have you, and others of your cult, to spiritual intercourse with tho dead while I, and millions of others, are denied it?" His reply was to beg the question. "Because there are telegraphs, does everyone receive telegrams? The obvious retort—that everyone could send' and Teceivo telegrams if one chose—l withheld, for it was plain to be seen that the good Doctor was not only deep in his belief, but an unconscious convert to the logical methods of all defenders of a Faith which insists lipou credulity in advance of proof. It is nothing to me that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his company of mystics have seen, felt, analysed, that peculiar emanation which under the influence of a magnetic woman and a dim religious light —or occult blackness, if you prefer itpermits the transit of spirit people to and from the "earth plane." If the thing is a fact it should be above this hole-and-corner business, a thing to bd felt by Tom, Dick, and Harry. I'he amusing aspect of the whole controversy is the delightful unanimity with which the churches have arisen in their vested might in a zealous' attempt to scotch tho spirits! The devotees of spiritism in their own occult circles, are able or say they are able, to oblain manifestations; that they have tangible evidence which at least -satisfies them. Can tho churches 6ay as much ? For the present, aud until someone comes along with an unassailable "sign," I am persuaded that the best thing we can all of us do is to work out our owv salvation. If a human being has it in' him to livo and act decently in this vale of profiteers and creditors, then it trill not matter very much whether he bo a Presbyterian or a Roman Catholic, or a nak&l "pagan. If he finds that his creed can help him that way, then good luck to him. But intelligent people will continue to ask of all protagonists, of whatever creed, that tho influences of spiritual powxtf' 1 shall be as universal and impressive as the physical effect of a bucket of water i on a man's bare back—be ho English, Chinese, Malayan, Paraguayan, or Es- ' kimo; as the psychological effect produced by the unexpected appearance of any' poliwmau at any suburban 'back door.— I am, etc., C. J. M'KINNON.