Spiritualism

Auckland Star, Volume x, Issue 2781, 2 April 1879, Page 2

Spiritualism

Dr Slado in Auckland.

There was some excitement yesterday in* spiritualistic circles in Auckland on its becoming known that Mr Slade, the famous spiritualistic aiodimu, who obtained so muck notoriety by the Lancaster prosecution in London, was a pasr-CDger from' Sydney by the Australia, en route for San Francisco. Though thoro was little time for any formal reception, Messrs J. McLeod atii! J. C. Wilkos waited upon Mr Slade about noon, and learned that lie had been prostrated by fever in Sydney, and though he had partly recovered on the passage he was still iv a weak condition. It was too late in the day to hold a public seance but at about one o'clock Mr Slade met a few friends for the purpose of holdin™ A PRIVATE SEANCE, ° which took place iv an upstairs room over the business premises of Mr Coombes where a few investigators of the phenomena of spiritualism are in the habit of holding weekly meetings. The gentlemen present were Messrs J. C. Wilk'es, J. McLeod Coombes, Mason, Porter, and Fori! The liev. S. Edger arrived at a later' stage. One of the gentlemen present at the seance has been kind enough to furnish us with particulars of what took place on the occasion, and some of the occurrences are certainly very startling, la consequence of the feeble state of Mr Slade's health the " writing test" was not as good as usual, but it was sufficient to astonish the gentlemen present, all of whom have, we believe, had considerable experience of the phenomenon of spiritualism. ■ The seance was opened with a conversation the [substance of which will be narrated further on. A large slate was produced, and handed to the medium, but he declined it, as it was too heavy for him to hold with comfort. Two smaller slates were then obtained, and the seance began in earnest? Mr Slade placed a small crumb of s\ata pencil between the slates, and held ten close together under Mr Coombes' arm; A grating noise was then heard between the slates, resembling the sound made by a pencil in passiug over a slate, and when the slates were opened and placed in view of the company on the table,

THE SPIRIT COMMUNICATION, which was short, but is described by ourJ informant as very eloquent, was shewn. The message was a greeting to the '■circle," aud expressed great pleasure at mectiug the gentlemen present. '

Four gentlemen then placed their hands on the tables, as directed by Mr Slade, when an extraordinary result was produced.; The table rose fairly upwards perpendicularly from the iloor about two feet, and after remaining tor a brief space in that position, gently subsided into its normal position. Tins was repeated several times, aud was accompanied by ' EXTRAORDINARY NOISES. Numerous loud rappings were heard behind ; the chair iv which Mr Slade was seated and ou the table. The rappings are described as very loud and distinct, and our informant is confident from tho position of the sitters that the noises could not have ' been made by Mr Slade or any of those present iv the flesh. Considerable surpriiig was expressed at those phenomena, which were unanimously ascribed to supcrnatui&l agencies. ■ '/ iri A TRANCE.—A SPANISH SPIRIT. Ou the conclusion of the table manifestations Mr Sladu tell into a trance, and became the medium of ooininuuieation of a departed spirit, who gave his Bain o as "' ssowar." The spirit spoke in. v a very deep, rough voice, and on being asked by Mr \Viikcs if he had beer, an Indian when on cartbi replied that he was a Spaniard. The spirit then entered into au eloquent and impressive discourse, containing instructions t£> persons acting as heads of circles. The address was listened to with great attention, aud produced a great impression on the audience. . .<•■

REV. S. EDGER TRIES THE SPIRIT^. The Rev. S. Edger, who had arrived late, was then permitted td witness the table movements. Again the piece of furniture rose np perpendicu> larly as before to the rev, gentleman's intense astonishment, Mr Edger (then entered into a conversation with, Mr Sladc on the subject of the unreliability of the communications sometimes received from the spirits. Mr Slade explained that sitters too frequently interrupt the cobjniunieatious volunteered by the spirits, and thus confuse tho replies to questions. He also said that no spirits would hold communication with mortals fiom a "higher plane" than that of tho persons composing the circle, and that however imperfect the revelations might be they alforded one convincingproof of the immortality of the soul, illustrating his (statement by the simile that the finding of bread crumbs on a table would indicnte that a loaf of bread had been present. In the course of conversation Mr Slade promised to return to Auckland in about a year, wheu he will remain in the city foi a few weeks, and will given series of manifestations; and he prophesied that on his arrival he would find that such rapid progress will have been made in the interval that the believers in spiritualism will have increased three-fold. He stated also that he woulS have given a public seance had his friends* made preparations early in the day. THE LANCASTER C4.SE. The conversation turned on the subject of Mr Slade's prosecution for imposture by Dr Lancaster, with reference to which Mr Slade said he.had learned that the Doctor had since .seen reason to bitterly regret his former action. He (Mr Slade) had written several times (o Dr Luucaster, but had received no reply. Mr Blade said that the prosecution had, however, done him much j.;ood. hs it had secured him sympathy from influential quarters whence he had least ex1/ected it. The medium showed seveial valuable presents which he had received from these sympathising fricuds, and amongst others a diamond piu and gold watch. THE MEDIUM. NOT MERCENARY. Mr Slade, however, strongly denied the charge that he was influenced by mercenary motives, and declared that he was fighting for the cause of spiritualum. U» to the time he vent to London his luediumship was a great success, from a moral point of view, but though he had suffered from the Lancaster prosecution he was resolved to light it out. The medium also related the cinnv-Astanoes of the conversion to spiritualism of a wealthy squatter in. Melbourne who presented him two valuable rings on his departure. ■{ ', TEE BALDWIN EXPOSE, ■Referring .to the alleged expose by'Mr Baldwin Mr Slade said when the former ~; , ~;■.■..,., ■y.'.vi'v.ii., '■■■■ ■i■■ .■ ■ai ,

came from New York ami "rtjl » seame, the spirits revealed the object of his visit. On another occasion Mr Slade detected a gentleman who cndovoiirod to imitate spint-rappig .it * tabl., and compelled him to admit it to the connany. MR THOMAS WALKER. M- Sladc informed the circle that 1 lunmu Walker, the trance medium, who visited Aucdaml some time a«o, is engaged to be »«riod to a French in Awtralk. T>. Shule's stay was necessarily short w he hid to return to his niece, who wan out boaid the mail steamer. Eb remains in San Francisco tor some ""toinformant describes Mr D. Slade as a sinplc-mindcd gentleman of unassuming manners, who professes to be entivelyguided in lis travels by a band of spirits.