THE MYSTERY MONGERS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 202, 6 May 1912, Page 7

THE MYSTERY MONGERS.

To the Editors. I Sir, —Your article of the -29 th ult. is no doubt full of interest to the materi-1 ally minded, and it goes without saying that there are none among that class that are waiting in some God-forbidden manner to do their share of half-crown getting. Perhaps you are not aware that the New Zealand National Association of' Spiritualists have a rule inserted that no medium trading under ''Madame" or any other nom de plume, is recognised by that body. It's amazing that one in your station in life has not read some works of the most brightened intellects of the age on the subject of spiritualism, thus enabling you to comprehend a much deeper and nobler aim than what appears on the surface. If it comes to gullibility—what about any theology, or religion? What outward proof have we of their genuineness ? For instance, what of the poor deluded creature that subscribes his threepenny piece every Sunday to what may mean (in your manner of judgment) simply a delusion. Tell j me where there is one medium in New Zealand that has professionalised mediumship of any kind as to comfortably retire at any early or even old age. No; they are all more or less paupers, from the point of capital. It certainly shows that it is not the money-making concern it is cracked up to be. You speak of mystery. There is no mystery to the diligent. Mystery is born of ignorance. When any art of any kind is discovered and learned, it no longer is a mystery to mankind. Your reference to 2000 years ago may even encroach the mystical action of the Christ, w ! hich even at this age of scepticism would not be safe ( ground for you to walk on. Surely an "ism" that something like <50,000,000 of the known world's populace, including a list of the best minds of the day, are concerned in, has no longer need to go begging for any advantage that the less informed may see fit to object to. If Spiritualism and its mediums are the humbug and scourge that your article hints, why do not the wise in the community put a stop to it? Many attempts have been made, and many have failed, with the result that the abominable "ism" goes marching on, despite the. prostitution of its truths as are admitted by the N.Z.N.A.S. It is the sole intention of their seeking legislation that they may raise the standard of the movement, and thus assist its progress. If this body arc not qualified in respect of knowing. who is fit to hold a certificate who is qualified? Certainly not the police, when such terms as "insanity" are applied to many master Spiritualistic minds, found in all degrees of science and education throughout the civilised world. Bailey, eh? What about the gullibility in his case? Certainly not the "Driver" at no time entered a seance of Bailey's. In consequence, he never, as he professed, "exposed Bailey," but, on the other hand, did a lot of conjuring tricks that he assigned to Bailey, thus deluding credulous audiences that he was exposing him. Bailey is at the present time in"Melbourne, being visited and investigated by. scores of scientific men from all parts of the" world, and in all cases has met with the keenest sympathy and interest. Are these "insane"? There are certain laws to be applied in ! obtaining evidence in things so called mysterious, that the average wayfaring man has yet to discover, and in his blissful ignorance of these laws such articles as the leader referred to are the result. The result of this has the effect of producing interest and enquiry into Spiritualism that would not otherwise be. Sir Oliver Lodge says that we are so much on the way that the pickaxes of those from the other side can be heard digging down the walls of materialism. Thus, means of communication are being established—l am, etc.. "NEW TRUTH."