SPIRITUALISM.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1826, 6 August 1906, Page 3

SPIRITUALISM.

(To the Editor Gisborne Times.)

But, —tn Tnuraday morning's paper I sco a oballenge to prove my remarks re General Booth as a spiritualist. Iu doing bo I shall only report from artiolea published in the Eaglisb War Cry and All the World, both published by the Army. Jast before parsing to the great beyond, Mrs Booth had several ejeeu lotions with no* only the Booth family, but some of its leading officers, end' at one of those councils abo uttered these words; “If itfs po’siblo for me to return from tl e spirit world and help the General and officers in the good work that wo 6tart<d I shall co bo.” And she did return, which I shall prove by their own wotds. The fi at rroord that I find of her return was published in a book called “A 1! 'be Woild.” One of the daughiers of tbo Bo th family was taken ill—l thii kii was in India—nd tbo di ctors gave no bop» of r. c .very. When told this she wished ■ o die in England, and they had carry her aboard tbo steamer more deed than al.vo. Sh* had been »br.ad a few nights, when one night her mo*.h:r appeared to hot at her bedside (true to bsr promise) just as piaiu as in the fi sh Sho then tells her readers that she was wide awoke and her mind dear. Then her mother, clear as possible, spoke to hir, and called her by name, saying, ''Your time has not come ; yon have more work to do before you come to this side,” and from that night she gradually improved, so that when she arrived io London sbo walked from the steamer without help.

■That was as far as I know tho first knowledge of spirit return in the Booth family. Now, I take you to tho English War Cry for October 2od, 1897. In the course of a beautiful tribute to tho memory of his wf'i General Booth lake 3 bis readers imo confidence re bis spiritual oxperier cee thus : 11 Through ail my history my personal inle coureo with the spirit world has been but limited. I have not bton favored with mauy visions, and it is seldom that I dream dreams that impart either pleasure or p-ofi; ; and yet I have a spiritual communion with the departed saints that is not without both satisfaction and service. And thpeoially of late* the memories of tbore with whom my hoarl has had the choicest pommubiob in the past—-if not the very beings themsolveß have come in upon me as I have sat at my desk or lain wakeful in the night season. Amongst those one form (true to her miseiorj) comes more frequently than all besides, assuring me of her continued partnership in my struggle for the temporal and eternal salvation of the multitude, and that is my bleiaid, my beautiful wife.” I think I have g'v> quite enough to prove my remark, ” Ye shall know them by their fruits.” —I am, ©to., JOHN W. MACKBELL.