CHARLES BAILEY

Evening Star, Issue 14162, 11 September 1909, Page 11

CHARLES BAILEY

SPIRIT MEDIUM. [Special to the Star.] CHRISTCHURCH, September 11. After having been singed and seared by the scorching tongues of adverse criticism in Wellington, Mr Charles E. Bailey, spook raiser and apport merchant, came to Christchurch yesterday, seeking rest of mind and mollification of spirit. It was arranged, however, that his arrival here should bo signalised by a demonstration of his powers before a small and select gathering of seekers after spiritist light and leading, and most elaborate precautions were taken to assure that none but the faithful should view the proceedings. Almost as soon as it was ascertained that Bailey intended coming south seventy tickets at three shillings each were distributed among members of the local Spiritualists Association. The names of the holders and the numbers of the tickets were carefully recorded, and all but those lucky enough to possess such passports were promptly banished to outer darkness. Representatives of the Press were regarded with unaffected detestation by the authorities, and were sent packing as soon as the nature of their business was ascertained. The patrons were chiefly ladies. Many came tendering good, honest coin of the realm, but, not possessing the renuisite wedding garment (otherwise a ticket), were ruthlessly turned away. Some were disposed to'argue that the'ir three shillings- were as good as anyone else s, but the nervous little gentleman with the rustling slip of paper standing sentry over the portal was as adamant, and all but the elect, had to abandon hope of entering there. The seance was given in the Spiritualists 1 Church, and members of the strictly limited audience commenced to arrive fully an hour before the occult forces were announced to commence operations, on the well-known theatrical principle, no doubt, that the early bird catcheth the host scat. Representatives of the Press were compelled to view the arrangements from afar—that is, over the shoulders of the nervous doorkeeper as ho tallied the flock in. A small platform, furnished with a single chair, had been sot aside for the occupation of Mr Bailey, while a couple of determinedlooking ladiee had posted themselves in the aisle near the rostrum, evidently with the intention of preventing ardent searchers after light and truth from approaching too closely to the business end of the demonstration. Undismayed by the uncompromising attitude of the vigilant warden of the wicket, the Press representatives made their way to the rear of the temple, and rapped mystically and loud upon the vestry door. In the fulness of time it was opened unto them, but the spiritualists 1 secretary proved even more adamantine than the nervous doorkeeper. He intimated firmly and without superfluous gentleness that the presence of the Press was not desired, and that Mr Bailey would appear again on' Sunday, when the public would be afforded an opportunity of tasting his quality. Nothing remained to be done but to retire, but ere doing so one could not fail to notice, through the half-opened door, upon the vestry table, a bird cage heavily swathed in brown paper. This, however, played no part'in the proceedings, so far as could be judged. Shortly before eight o clock the severely discreet spiritualists had all assembled and been ushered into their pews. The doors were then locked with an ostentatious click of keys and rasping of bolts, etc. A subdued murmuring was to bo heard for a moment or so, and then the lights went down to a pin’s point, suffusing the building with palhd blue. Bailey was subjected to a perfunctory search, among his possessions being a purse, which one of the Seachers desired to open, but which pleasure Bailey vehemently denied him. After the singing of a verse of a hyfim the first appoci in the shape of a bird-nest flopped softly down on to the table. The lights were turned up, and the materialisation wonderingly examined. Next followed a spattering of gravel, said to bo silver ore, and after more singing a receptacle of the peggy-bag type materialised. At the conclusion of the manifestations the argument between one of the searchers and Bailey as to the former’s right to examine the latter was resumed, and the audience gradually dematorialised into the night without any satisfactory decision upon the rights and wrongs of the pursc-cxamina-tiou proposak ktviog been aniyed UL,