Glimpses Of The Next State.Pdf - Spiritualists' National Union

178Now, if such a book is in circulation, its usefulness is very doubtful even among thecitizens of the United States, for the reason that the mediums, as a rule, do not know the names ofthose who sit with them, nor when they are likely to come; there is no time after people are seatedto make a study of any volume so comprehensive as its alleged purpose implies. In the case of casualvisitors from foreign countries such a book is hopelessly impotent. Take my own case. In 1904 noone in America knew that I was about to pay a visit to that country, or, indeed, that I was interestedin psychic investigation at all. In 1908—9 only two or three trusty friends were made aware of myintended journey, which was to places not visited in 1904—5. As investigators, it was not in the leastprobable that they would take the trouble— even if they had the inclination and had not beenwarned—to go round the corner and assist mediums by gratuitously furnishing them withinformation concerning myself, of whom, by-the-by, they knew but very little. In 1910—11 strictprecautions were observed. It is true that on this visit I went to the same cities as in 1908—9; but noprofessional mediums knew I was coming, and no incidents occurred that indicated accurateknowledge or recollection of my previous visit.Of the private psychics, such as Mrs. Georgia and Miss Ada Besinnet, it may be said that itis quite out of the question that they pay the least attention to any “Dope Book,” if such exists. Itcannot be proved with mathematical precision, but I am equally sure that the Jonsons, the BangsSisters, Mrs. Wriedt, and Mr. Kaiser obtained no information about me in any underhand way.The phenomena that occurred negative such a supposition.Mediums of large practice and high psychic power are proverbially forgetful of what hasoccurred in their presence; even if they wished to do so, they would find it impossible to recall thepersonalities of the thousand or so spirits which manifest to their clients in one year; and, if this betrue in the case of people in their own country, how much more difficult must it be to recall whathas happened to casual tourists. They are, moreover, indolent people, who never write a letter orsend a telegram if they can avoid it; as to telegrams, the cost is equal to their fee for a sitting.Knowing that I was in the country only for a short time, and not likely to return, why, in the nameof common-sense, should they communicate my movements, or the intricate particulars of mysittings with them, to other mediums whom they might suspect I was going to visit? If they did so,how would it forward their interests on my next visit years after?In each city there is a small group of ladies and gentlemen who investigate on proper lines.The group in one city do not know those in the next. So offensive is the attitude of the averageAmerican to the subject of spiritism that, as a rule, the real investigator keeps his studies secret—not so much that he fears ridicule, but because he knows that an open avowal of his belief in thesupernormal would weaken his influence in public affairs. It was owing to the kindness of theseAmerican investigators that I saw none but the best mediums.Some wit has said: “There are three stages in the evolution of every new discovery :—(1) ‘Itis all lies’; (2) ‘It is the work of the devil ‘; (3) ‘We knew all about it all along.”’ America is in stage(1), Great Britain in stage (2). And the curious part of the business is this—the secret lies inAmerica. Only those psychics born in the States, and brought up in that electrical atmosphere, areendowed with sufficient psychic power to induce discarnate spirits to make the effort to manifestclearly and efficiently. They may be able, as in the case of Dan Home and Mrs. Wriedt, to exercisetheir gift in England, but it generally does not last as in their own country.But, to return to the subject of collusion between mediums, let me illustrate my point. Howcould the Bangs Sisters know I was going to put them through tests? How could they know whatsort of picture I required? They knew it was my guide, but nothing more. I had not even a photo inmy pocket, as I had in 1909. The whole arrangement of the sitting for the picture—the attitude,locket, chain, and dress— had been settled between Iola and myself at Detroit by means of thedirect voice. The sceptic of the S. P. R. type would say: “Oh, yes; but, of course, Mrs. Wriedt wrotethese particulars to the Bangs Sisters the day before.” Did she? Listen to the following episode. Onthe afternoon of the first day, January 28, the face of Dr. Sharp appeared for a short time on themottling canvas, as stated in incident (99). Lizzie Bangs then said: “I am impressed by Dr. Sharp”(pause); “he says he wants to straighten out something”(pause). “It is about the money paid for hispicture. We are to let you know that we told Mrs. Wriedt to say, if anyone asked her, that she paidus thirty dollars for that portrait. We sat for nothing, but we were so pestered by mediums asking