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

33had observed trousers under Abdullah’s robe and other details which appeared to him to justifythe belief that all the phenomena were genuine.The correlation between the communications in my room at Southsea (through A) by table,and the séances is pointed out as indicative of supernormal knowledge, and the consequent realityof the existence of the familiar spirits, which necessarily, would imply genuine mediumship on thepart of Craddock. I have listened to these familiars through twenty-five séances, and I have notbeen able to detect a false note. Each has his or her idiosyncrasy of voice and manner. Even if thevoices of Graem and Red Crow could be assumed, it would be impossible to repeat constantly thevoices and special modes of speech of Alder, Sister Amy, Joey Grimaldi, and, least of all the Frenchgirl Cerise.Craddock has no confederate, and whatever accessories he makes use of are carried on hisperson. His wife has never sat in the circle when I have been at Pinner; she did not accompanyhim to the private house mentioned in these notes. Anybody was free to make such examination ashe pleased at Pinner, or at the house referred to. In the latter a bead of gas in a red lamp was theonly permanent light; at Pinner the red light was stronger.On November 16 th 1904. At a private house. Circle of thirteen people. Husk was themedium and Craddock one of the guests. Sister Amy, one of the controls of Craddock, stoodbehind him (a form being visible to the clairvoyantes in the room, and talked to his neighboursthroughout the séance. The voice said “good night” audibly enough for me to hear it some feetaway, in the middle of a hymn. During the evening she asserted that she could not hear thesinging. There were three people between Husk and Craddock, and two between Craddock andme.(16) At the above séance a face showed to me which I did not know. I described it in mynotes this: “A firm and well-set face…. the impression of a military man who had seen activeservice.” This same face appeared to me twice afterwards in another private room, when Huskwas the medium; but I was never able to identify it. ON February 6, 1905, A. accompanied me to aséance in the same room as mentioned above (November 16). The medium was Craddock. A faceresembling that of my puzzle appeared to me. I could not identify it. It then swept swiftly acrossto A., who instantly called “D.,” the name of a messmate who had died in China. The spirit tappedthe slate three times and patted A. on the head. D. has a thin face and light moustache; hisgestures are those of a military man, bright and most active. I do not see how Craddock couldpersonate this face and figure. He appeared subsequently at every séance attendee by A. or myself,and has communicated through the table at Southsea, once giving an address we wanted, whichturned out to be quite correct.Joseph Grimaldi (Joey) called out “That is Captain D., (the name given by A.), “and he hasbeen impressing the Admiral to bring you, Mr. A.” shortly after this another face presented itselfto A. He recognised it. Joey said “I think that spirit was for you Mr. A., but he had a Frenchname” (correct). The curious point about the spirit was this. A. had only known him cleanshaved; but he had appeared with a beard and moustache: A. had not seen him for a month beforehis death. ON inquiry it transpired that during his illness (enteric) his hair had been allowed togrow.In the course of this séance I made a remark to a sitter respecting a certain Admiral,mentioning him by his nickname, not by his rank. Joey instantly called out, “Oh! We know allabout him and his renown.” HMS Renown is the name of the ship which a few years ago carriedthe flag of the officer in question.A cardinal materialised in his robes. The face was distinct as he was holding theilluminated slate, and resembled that with which we are all familiar in the pictures of Newman.On March 13, 1905. At a private house. Circle of eleven people. A. present. Joey said tohim: “We cannot all be violinists can we?” This little joke showed intimate knowledge of a mostpersevering but futile attempt made by A., as a boy, to learn the violin.Joey materialised. The face was about half life-size and very dark. When he came round to myneighbour in the circle, who is a distinguished author, he put out his tongue.