Part 7

Some thoughts expressed by “Imperator” to Mr. Stainton Moses, relating to this imaginary prince of evil, are so excellent that no apology is required for appending a few of them: “Cease to be perplexed by thoughts of an imagined Devil. For the honest, pure, and truthful soul there is no Devil nor Prince of Evil such as theology has feigned. Evil comes not nigh him, the adversaries flee from his presence, and the powers of evil are powerless before him. He is guarded around by angel guards, ministered to by bright spirits, who watch over him and direct his footsteps. For him there waits a career of progressive increase in knowledge, and in all that elevates and ennobles the intelligence. He need fear no Devil, unless he creates one for himself. His affinity for good draws around him influences for good. He is fenced around by guardians; nor can he, save by voluntary surrender, fall a victim to the foe.”[16]

* * * * *

In narrating his experiments, Mr. Taylor confined himself to a statement of facts; he did not set forth the spiritualistic hypothesis, nor did he say that any other would account for the results. Some members of the Association before whom he read his paper were angry because Spiritualists claimed the results as an argument in support of Spiritualism. But why be angry? Any explanation must cover the whole ground. And the explanation offered by Spiritualists is the only one which covers the whole ground. After all, the facts are only one department of the wonders of modern Spiritualism. What is the good of the latter? is asked by those who have not come within the range of its beneficent teachings. The good of it? It has freed the mind from the bondage of dogma, it has swept away the fear of death and the gloom of the grave, it has purified the affections, it has brought much-needed consolation in some of the hours of earth’s bitterest sorrows, it has brought us into communion with those we love and whom we are wont to call dead—given us the knowledge that they live, and given us a reason which appeals to our personal experience that as they live in a higher state of existence, we also shall live after the change we call death.

Our grandest triumphs of science are but trifles compared with what is before us to be realised in the higher life. Yet men and women of education and refinement can content themselves with referring the most mysterious spirit phenomena to conjuring and delusion, and can descend to the inanity of trying to shelve the whole matter by attacking the characters of those whom they ought rather to thank—to bless as the instruments through whom the death-blow must be given to the doctrine which denies the existence of the spirit world, and of our after-life.

At the Photographic Congress held at the World’s Fair, Judge Bradwell, of Chicago, was chairman of the opening meeting. In his introductory remarks, after summarising the work done by photographers, he said: “I have no doubt there are those within the sound of my voice who will live to see the time when photographic reproductions will be sent from country to country as quickly as are telegraphic messages to-day. In conclusion, may I not ask, who shall say that the camera, adjusted by the hand that feels, and focussed by the sensitive eye that sees beyond, with the aid of the intensely sensitive dry plates, _shall not bring to light and view the forms of our departed friends, and solve the problem of immortality and life_?”

JUDGE BRADWELL IS ANSWERED. THE VEIL IS LIFTED.

FOOTNOTES

[1] In a recent patent case the judge referred to Mr. Taylor as “the eminent witness.”

[2] Published at the office of _The Two Worlds_, Corporation Street, Manchester. Price 6_d._

[3] Reprinted from the _British Journal of Photography_, March 17th, 1893.

[4] On taking the chair, Mr. Brown said he did not know why they had chosen him to preside that evening, unless it was because he knew nothing whatever of the subject.

[5] This sensible proposal has been entirely set aside by subsequent insinuations of the Association, directed against those who were witnesses to the experiments, and by the passing a resolution of such a character as to lead to dissension within the Association.

[6] See note, page 50.

[7] _The Practical Photographer._ Monthly, 1_d._ Double number containing copies of Photographic Views, &c., on fine plate paper, 2_d._ Published by Percy Lund & Co., Memorial Hall, Ludgate Circus, E.C.; also by L. N. Fowler, and by John Heywood.

[8] The _Review of Reviews_, monthly, 6_d._ 125 Fleet Street, London; Editorial Office, Mowbray House, Norfolk Street, Strand, W.C.

[9] This experiment has since been tried with a different medium, and _successful results_ obtained. The plates used were Ilford make, special rapid, and were purchased from Mr. Doublet, Moorgate Street.

[10] The _Medium and Daybreak_, weekly, 1½_d._ James Burne, 15 Southampton Row, W.C.

[11] _Light_, weekly, 2_d._ Published at 2 Duke Street, Adelphi, London, W.C.

[12] _The Two Worlds_, weekly 1_d._, published by _The Two Worlds_ Publishing Company, Limited, 73A Corporation Street, Manchester.

[13] Reprinted from the _Daily Graphic_, June 23rd, 1892, by permission of the Rev. Mr. Haweis and of the Editor.

[14] Published by James Burns, 15 Southampton Row.

[15] See pages 149 and 153.

[16] _Spirit Teachings_, page 98.