LIFE AFTER DEATH

New Zealand Listener, Volume 26, Issue 662, 14 March 1952, Page 5

LIFE AFTER DEATH

Sir,-I beg to differ with your correspondent "Under the Table," who says that I am wrong in stating survival has been scientifically proved. I would ask your correspondent :f he has seen a substance called ectoplasm, the agent for materialisations. Has he heard the direct voice, or seen a person entranced speaking in an entirely different voice giving proof of spirit return, or heard an evolved spirit giving teaching and wisdom? I have experienced these things. There is an article by Canon W. H. Elliott in The Church of England Newspaper of April 20, 1951, entitled, "The Near Unseen." An extract is "I have always been sorry that Archbishop Lang suppressed a report submitted by a Commission appointed by himself composed of eminent scientists with Bishop Underhill in the chair. After a long investigation the Commission issued a majority report, seven votes to three, affirming that communication with the Unseen had been scientifically established." Canon Elliott was Chaplain to our late King and is noted for his broadcasting and books. The knowledge of the after-life banishes all fear of death.

THE STUDENT

( Wellington).

Sir-The controversy on life after death has been interesting. Since "soul" and "spirit" are commonly considered synonymous most people believe that man consists of two parts, body and soul. However, a careful study of the New Testament, aided by a translation such as Dr. Weymouth’s, teaches that man’s.nature is threefold — spirit, soul and body. The idea of a twofold nature has become so deeply rooted that in English we have no adjective from "soul." Professor Wall says we should be preoccupied exclusively with the interests and duties of this world. But surely our threefold nature calls for threefold activities. Our intellectual and emotional activities belong to the soul. Our apprehension of God is possible only through the spirit, which in many of us is so dormant that it may almost be said not to exist. Our dormant spirit can be vivified only by the Spirit of God as explained by Jesus in His interview with Nicodemus. Thus do men and women everywhere who obey the law of the spirit receive in their spirits proof of God and a continuing life. ’

WAYFARER

(Auckland).

Sir,-I think your correspondent "Under the Table" should give some proof that there is no scientific proof that human beings survive the "change called death." In passing, how that word "death" has a power for mass hypnotism: it is like a blow on the head, stupefying. For the a wae of whom I am one, who have had incontestable evidence of

the continued existence of those who have died, in intelligent and progressive activity, those bald statements denying the truth of our knowledge seem quite senseless. We have not come by our knowledge, most of us, without long investigation and patient sifting of evidence, both first-hand, and by report. Perhaps "Under the Table’ would tell us where and how he has investigated the matter, which of the authoritative books on it he has read from the pens of scientific investigators, and how much evidence from thoughtful, sincere and well balanced people in ordinary walks of life, he has studied. Or is he one of those mindless people who believe they think with their brains? I saw a brain once. It had been isolated and prepared, and it was lying in a container, to be used in demonstration. Something fatal had happened, and the mind that had used it had been withdrawn. There was no scientific proof that it had ever lived. When "Under the Table" can demonstrate the seat and origin of thought power, he may be in a better position to say what survives death and what is laid aside as perishable,

SPOOK

(Ahititi).

Sir,-Only the ignorant these days condemn spiritualism out of hand. If Professor Wall had honestly investigated this vast subject, as many great scientists have done, he, like them, would have accepted the wonderful truth that man survives death. To your correspondent D. Martin, I would point out that spiritualism has been practised throughout the ages in all parts of the world, and in England the old Witchcraft Act was last year replaced by the Fraudulent Mediums’ Act. This bill was piloted through the House of Lords by wartime Air Chief Marshal Lord Dowding, a champion of modern spiritualism. The word "fraudulent" impliés that there must be "genuine" and if Mr. Martin cares to look into the matter he will find that is so, Since God is omnipotent, omniscient, ‘and omnipresent, nothing goes on without God’s knowledge and God’s permission, even spiritualism. But Mr. Martin need not take my word for it. Let him read his Bible in which he will find many references to "familiar spirits,’ not all of them evil by any means, May I also draw attention to St. Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians, Chapter 12, in which he says quite clearly, "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant." He was, of course, addressing us all, including Mr, Martin and Professor Wall. St. Paul then describes these gifts as they appeared then, as they appear now and as they will always appear. St. Paul did not say spiritual gifts were restricted to Jesus, but that the same power which operated through Jesus also operates through all men. Jesus Himself confirmed this when He said, "Greater things than these shall ye do." In verse 10 St. Paul says, "To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits, etc." St. Paul not only states, as spiritualists do today, that there are such things as spirits, but emphasises that certain people in the flesh can see them. Would Mr. Martin dare suggest that St. Paul was not telling the truth or Professor Wall that St. Paul was of "remarkably low mentality?" . A spiritualist’s faith is built on sure knowledge. Spiritualism is not a matter of opinion, it is fact, just as factual as radio, and just as scientific. We spiritu-

alists are indeed privileged that Great Souls-familiar spirits-take the trouble to visit us still, as they have always done, to teach us things that would astound even Professor Wall, Once this great truth is accepted universally, it will bring unity to the world, by ending all creeds, class consciousness, racial hatred, false patriotism, war, and most of the scientists, medical men and clergy will be forced to change their restricted ideas.

ROY

ESCOTT

White Dawn Psychic Youth Movement, (Henderson).