CORRESPONDENCE

Horowhenua Chronicle, 29 April 1916, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE

[Out correspondents' opinions aie thou own ; tntr i i«,ponau>ility ol editorial onea it &kos suincieiii, ballast tor the editor s shoulder* . A MAGISTRATE'S VIEW. (To tho Editor.) Sir, —I have just returned. from Chri.stchurcli and lind tnat you have espied the remarks made by Mr Bishop, S.M., on the Bench, when dealing with a man out of employment. The inspector said he was a Spiritualist, and Mr Bishop went out of nis way to speak disparagingly of Spiritualism. The man in question is not known as a Spiritualist by anyone connected with the ism, and' I- wrote the following letter to the Star taking .Vir Bishop to task. As you have published his remarks will you be good enough to publish my reply't (To the Editor of the Star). ,Sir, —In a civil case heard at Ohristcbuii'h last week, before Mr H. vv. Bishop, S.M., his AVorsiup threw a boomerang at the Spiritualists, according to the report given in your paper. He said, "1 don't call .Spiritualism a ! religion." "It is .something I have not heard much about, and don t call fcjp'iitualitff a man who has tads and fancies either of a religious or otbei nature." If his Worship is in ignorance oil tlu> subject how docs he know it is not a religion? Spiritualists, it is estimated, number seventy millions to-day, and they have gained this position without the shedding of a drop of blood nnd the judicial mind of our cstcemcdi Magistrate was off the heaten track when he talked i>i fads and fancies. "Spiritualism is not a religion, he sny.s. Archdeacon Wilberioree says: "The strength of Spiritualism lies in the knowledge, partial and lnrpcrfjct thought it be, of the future life, while the weakness of churches, as opposed to the strength of modern Spiritualism is in the ignorance of that life, anil m the misapprehension of Scripture concerning it. Sir Oliver Lodge, a foremost scientist says: "1 say it on distinct scientific Grounds. . . 1 that we do persist, tnat people continue to take an interest 'n what is going on, and that they know far more nbout things oil this e:ir!,) than wo do, nnd are able from time to time to communicate with us. I know this is a 'tremendous statement—a e, o. mendous conclusion." Dr Alfred Itussel Wallace says: "Spiritualistic phenomena in their entiret.v do not require further confirmation." Spiritualism is the science or art of communion with spirits, and 1 could quote a hundred names of prominent men connected with the church and science who are firm Believers. Mr. Bishop is behind the times in scientific nsvohical research.--I am, otc., ' W. C. NATTOW. Pres. National Association of Spiritulaists.