Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, JUNE 5, 1894. Spiritualism.

Manawatu Herald, 5 June 1894, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, JUNE 5, 1894. Spiritualism.

Gowm : " I can call spirits from the vasly d. up." Hot: "Why, so can I ; or so can any man ; but will t'aoy come, when you do call them ? " Our correspondent " Anti-Hum-bug " has called attention to the fact that in this town and district many persons are endeavouring to imitate Gwendower and summon spirits to do their bidding. " There is no new thing under the sun " we are told, and it may be possible that what has occurred in the past may take place again, but even if so what assurance have we that it will be a success. We may summons spirits from the vasty deep, and should they come, of what good will they be or have they been ? It is probable that an impetus has beeu given to investigation on this subject by the publication of " Real Ghost Stories " by Mr W. T. Stead, who urges, in the preface, increased examination. He asserts "Either these tbing3 exist or they do not. If they do not exist, then obviously there can be no harm in a searching examination of the delusion which possessed the mind of almost every worthy in the Old Testament, and which was constantly affirmed by the authors of the New. If, on the other hand they do exist, and are perceptible uuder certain conditions to our senses, it will be difficult to affir.m the impiety of endeavouring to ascertain what is their nature, and what light they are able to throw i upon the kingdom of the Unseen," In England we know that there is a Physical Research Society, of which Professor Hen^y Sidgwick is the President. It may be that those persons in this district holding seances may consider they are doing great and good work in the cause of science, but the chances are very much against their success. It is folly on the part of anyone to declare the non-existence of anything they know not of, and it is far lrom our thoughts to asfeert that these are not spirits, but seeing the record of many years contained in the history of the Bible, and also in secular works, it ha 3 not as yet been made apparent that much success has attended a conference with those summoned from another world, if they actually did appear. Saul made the attempt and was thoroughly unnerved, he sought the witch of En-dor and ordered her to " Bring me up Samuel " and was thoroughly astonished to find Samuel appear,

Who informed him of his coming misfortunes* Ml' Stead admits that the churches discourage the movement, and Moses forbade the Hebrews to allow Witches to iiVe. The best of writers have cautioned persons from too minute inquiries into the unknown realm, and Milton thus expresses it : — For spirits, when they please Can either sex assume, or both ; so soft And uncompounded is their essence pure ; Not tied or manacled with joint or limb, Nor founded on the brittle strength of bones, Like cumbrous flesh ; but in what shape they choose, Dilated or condensed, bright or obscure, Can execute their aery purposes, And by works of love or enmity fnlfil. For those the race of Israel oft forsook Their living strebgtli, and unfrequented left His righteous altar, bowing lowly down To bestial gods ; for which their heads as low Bow'd down in battle, sunk before the spear Of despicable foes. It is evident that in all ages there has been a belief in the existence of something yet unexplained, and upon which much time and inquiry has been expended to elucidate the suspicion. What has been the result ? In this age there is a general belief that we are a superior people and some advanced minds hope that that which lias been withheld so long may now be made clear. We doubt it, and on the other hani feel certain that much misery will be the out* come of any frivolous attempts to search into the realms of the great Unknown. The work attaching to the elucidation of any problem, the consideration of the surroundings, the recording of each minutiae, i 3 not to be lightly attempted by one and all, and therefore the absurdity of supposing that science ia advanced by a number of persons sitting round a table listening to idiotic raps, becomes apparent. If this thing simply sufficed to pass a pleasant evening the matter had no need of being discussed, but unfortunately instead of the proceedings being looked upon as a joke the originators of the seances import the spirit of inquiry and assume that the results are direct replies from some shadowy and may be " shady " character they have secured the presence of. By the way, having, many years ago witnessed some of these peculiar gatherings, it has struck us that supposing a shade from the dead was permitted to attend at the bidding of the meeting, the chances are that its sins must have been many to cause it to listen and reply to the many idiotic questious put to it. The " spirit " could not have been good during its earthly days, and it? communications are not' likely to improve the manners of its conveeners. We have another view of the great objection we hold to these amateur incursions into the spirit world, and that is the gieat danger arising from the mistaken interpretation given of messages received, or the generation of the belief in the presence of such a shadow when none may have been there. Mr Stead in the preface to the " Stories " admits " That it has its dangers those who have studied it most closely are most aware, but these dangers will exist in any case, and if those who ought to guide are silent these perils will be encountered without the safeguards which experience would dictate and prudence suggest." It is however, most impressive to record that on the first page of the Christmas Number of " Real Ghost Stories " this caution is printed which would be made even stronger to a participator in investigations to what it is to a mere reader of a record of supposed facts. It is headed " Caution to the Reader. Before reading the contents of this Christmas Number, please note — 1. That the narratives printed in these pages had better not be read by anyone of tender years, of morbid excitability, or of excessively nervous temperament. — 2. That the latest students of the subject concur in the solemn warning addressed in the Sacred Writings to those who have dealings with familiar spirits, or who expose themselves to the horrible consequences of possession. — 3. That as the latent possibilities of our complex personality are so imperfectly understood, all experimenting ir> hypnotism, spiritualism, &c, excepting in the most careful and reverent spirit, by the most level-headed persons, had much better be avoided." It is further stated " This caution is printed here at the suggestion of Catholics, Theosophiste, and Spiritualists, who declare themselves to be profoundly convinced of its neces sity." Under these circumstances without laying oui'3tlves open to the charge of an unbeliever, we hold we are right and but doing our duty, to caution both young and old to discontinue such practices. It is better to leave the investigation of such an important inquiry in the hands of strong and experienced members of the Physical Research Society.