TREATMENT OF SPIRITUALISTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 November 1917, Page 2

TREATMENT OF SPIRITUALISTS.

To the Editor. Sir.—l was glad to read A. T. Thompson's letter in the News to-day concerning Piekford, the Waihi case. Much more can in justice be said. Piekford is not a fortune teller, and does not practise the art, he is licensed by our Government as a Spiritualist missioner, his work is giving pToof of the continuity of life and the fact of spirit return. This is partly done by spirit messages, and this is a science and philisophy ably demonstrated and well proven by such eminent men as Sir Oliver Lodge and Sir William Crooks, to say nothing of the thousands in this Dominion who daily prove this philosophy for themselves. Now, Sir, does the Magistrate who passod judgment understand anything of this subject? If not is he any more capable to judge than any lay mind is to express judgment in any other science of philo=ophy? The difference between Spiritualism and fortune telling is wide, and the former has no sympathy with the latter. Possibly th» Magistrate docs not understand the difference. Thtere are black sheep in every flock, the fortune teller is the black sheep and does not belong to this flock. Concerning the agents who procure these cases, what do they know of the philosophy? They evidently cannot differentiate between these two phases of work. They are out to get cases to justify their position. How many people know the thousands in this Dominion who follow this thnuaht, nr realise the comfort and consolation that have been brought from the spirit side of life to those bereaved by this war through Spiritualist missioned, or of the vast numbers of Spritualists that to-day ara lighting in the trenches, or thp fact that New Zealand Spiritualists have provided a motor ambulance which has done splendid service it the front? In conclusion, Sir, I sav Spiritualism is a power in this land. Spiritualists niv a force and they claim tlie ri«ht of free thought and action and will not longer meekly submit to persecution. Every church has had its day of persecution. This is ours, but it will need to pas= speedily. Thanking von. Sir.—l am, etc., A. H. HERBERT. ITiwera.