LECTURE

Evening Star, Issue 16661, 18 February 1918, Page 1

LECTURE

Mr J. M. Kitto gave the ninth of a series of addresses under the auspices of the Dunedin Spiritualist Church, to a fairly good audience in Smith's Hall last night. The subject was ' Magical Ceremonies and Superstitions,' and it was illustrated by a number of colored pictures. He said that modern science told us that the true origin of superstition was to be found in the effort of every man to explain Nature and his own existence, in the de-sire to propitiate fate and invito fortune, in sie wish to avoid evils ho could not understand, and in the unavoidable attempt, to pry into the secrets of the future. From these sources, no doubt, sprung that system of crude beliefs, notions, and practices still found among the savage nations throughout the woTld. Occult science told us that superstition was not only found among- savage nations, but right throughout the whole of the civilised world, and the first note in all superstitions undoubtedly was that of ignorance. If a people studied Nature's mysteries there would be no need for superstition.. Plato had truly said "there is no darkness but ignorance." Mr Kitto went on to say that practically all the religions of the world taught the same fundamental truths, the same moral principles, and used practically the same methods in order that men might come into touch with' the other worlds. Mr Kito recited 'The Better Land,' which was greatly appreciated. Mr Waters occupied the chair', and Mr M'Kay manipulated the lantern.