CONSOLATION

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21809, 15 June 1936, Page 7

CONSOLATION

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS. Sir,—The questien raised in the letter signed in to-day s issue “The Press” is a striking illustration of the unsatisfying dogmas and creeds of orthodox religion to those who are seeking real comfort and consolation after suffering the bereavement of their loved ones. Poetic imagery about heaven and eternal life puts no ice with millions of people. It is up a septic wound with, sticking Pljs ter and hoping for the best. In the poignancy of their grief, people want something more than the.meaningless platitudes of the Church about rest and peace. They want something more deMnite about survival than to be told to have faith; that the Church teaches this or that, and that it is wrong for us to try to probe into the secrets of the hereafter Knowledge is better than faith in these matters, and that is where spiritualism has filled a gap which should have been filled by the Church. That is why spirihiallsm is making such a wide appeal all over the world, not because of,its religious aspect, but because it offers tangible and demonstrable proof of the continued existence of those who have passed on. Life is progressive both here ana hereafter. We do not cease to exist for one moment. Death is merely an incident, a tragic one naturally to those left behind, but actually, a great awakening / to the soul casting off the physical body. The cessation of physical life is therefore not necessarily a religious. matter, any more than is the discarding of an old overcoat for a new one. The individual is the same immediately after so-called death as he was immediately before it, as the Bishop of London recently declared. He is not transformed into an angel or a devil by such a change. He is merely shorn of physical encumbrances which are no longer necessary m the new spiritual environment into which he is reborn. It is the operation of God’s natural laws, and the religious aspect, although of great importance, is merely incidental. If the churches were to present death in that true light instead of investing it with a panoply of misery and uncertainty, spiritualism would never have found it necessary to open churches of its own. to spread the truth and rob death of its sting. “R.M.” is quite right in saying that if anyone claims and knows that there is an after life, it should be possible for him to demonstrate it to any other reasonable person. Fortunately, there are such people in Christchurch, as there are in all parts of the world, and I personally would be very happy to put him in touch with one whom I have myself tested on hundreds of occasions and found to be genuine and above suspicion. In addition, I would suggest that his friend should read one or two good books on the subject of survival, written by men like Sir Oliver Lodge, Sir A. Conan Doyle, the Rev. Vale Owen, and hundreds of other eminent writers. I would be very pleased to lend him sorne of my books, or he can find a good selection in the Christchurch Public Library. One. called “The Great Problem," is a particularly good book, which should convince any but the hardened sceptic who refuses to look facts in the face. My address is available to your correspondent, if he cares to apply lor it. —Yours, etc'., i w. r. Thompson. June 14. 1936.

TO THE EDITOR OE THE PRESS. Sir,—“R.M.” says, “I know that the churches, through ministers, maintain that it is simply a question of having faith in God or Christ and any person can get the demonstration.” Yes, one of the malefactors who were hanged said, “Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.” And Jesus said unto him, "Verily, I say unto thee, to-day shalt thou be with Me in Paradise." It is quite true that demon spirits can and do personate departed loved ones, "and no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light,” (2 Cor., 11: 14.) Of Israel, it is written that they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils; they mingled among the heathen, and served their idols, and went a whoring with their own inventions. (Psalm 106.) I have my Bible and all the joy it contains, “and the Kingdom of God is righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.”—Yours, etc., EGLON SERCOMBE. June 14, 1936.