SPIRITUALISM IN CANTERBURY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3740, 16 January 1873, Page 3

SPIRITUALISM IN CANTERBURY.

The following letter appears in The Medium and Daybreak, a journal devoted to “the history, phenomena, philosophy, and teachings of Spiritualism.” The journal is published in London, and the number from which the letter is extracted is dated Aug. 9,1872: — To Mr and Mrs Bums.—My very dear friends, —The longer I live the more I am convinced that our destinies are more or less under the control of an intelligence outside of and superior to ourselves, both in knowledge and power, and for the last two-months I do verily believe that I have been under spiritcontrol, as in the early part of February we were all anticipating our journey back to dear old England within a month, when a few days afterwards I was induced to take a journey to Christchurch, and when there to enter into partnership with an old-established linendraper of that town, and so, instead of returning to my native land—the land I Jove so well, with all its friendships and associations of the happy past—l have sold off my home in Dunedin and brought my dear wife and olive branches a three hundred miles’ journey by water to Christchurch, and here I am one of .the principals of the firm of Brass, Meers, and Co., linendrapers, clothiers, &c., &c., Waterloo House, Christchurch. No doubt you noticed our advertisement in the newspaper sent by last mail; and now, my dear friends, believe me that we came here entirely under spirit advice and control, and were distinctly told not to return to England at present, as that during the ensuing summer England would be visited with a terrible epidemic, that provisions would be scarce and dear, and we were to remain here and complete our work in this hemisphere ; so, like obedient children, here we are, and God and his agents above know if it will ever be our good fortune to behold our beloved English friends again. You cannot think how much this troubles me at times, but we are simply doing our duty and acting under the directions of our spirit friends, who appear to be almost always with me. On leaving Dunedin we experienced much kindness from a large circle of friends, who entertained' us at a public soiree, and presented me with an address, beautifully written and illuminated, and framed in native wood, and presented my dear wife with a sterling silver salver; the particulars of the meeting were fully reported in the JEcho paper I sent by last mail. My late employers also presented me with a very valuable timepiece, accompanied with a written testimonial, which I much value; and now here we are in a land of strangers, told to come and do our work and duty. I suppose it is for the best, but when not under influence, I am sometimes almost tempted to think our lot in life is o’er a thorny road, but if it add a jewel to our crown in spirit-land, how thankful we shall be! We have a very comfortable eight-roomed dwelling-house ■ for our own occupation within five minutes’ walk from our warehouse; in the front we have a large flower-garden, asd an orchard and vege-table-garden at the ■ back. We have several peach, apple, pear, cherry, and walnut-trees, &c., &c.; also raspberry canes, strawberry plants, currant and gooseberry bushes of endless variety; and our little pets have had. a great treat in the fruit line since we have been here. We have the'advantage of a most delightful climate and an abundance, of provisions, As an illustration I need only tell you that we purchase a=beautiful leg mid loin of a fine sheep for one shilling, and as fine meat as can be eaten. We are living in a lovely country, well wooded and watered, and in all respects far superior to Dunedin in scenery, climate, provisions; and in everything. We are expecting a visit from Mr Peebles in a few weeks- from America, and a Mr Smith, lecturer-on Spiritualism, from Australia, is, I believe,.now on his way to New Zealand ; the spirits have told hkn to come here, and he is one efr the most talented men in the southern hemisphere. The spirits have given him the following subjects lor his lectures, viz.!—“ On the Laws of Nature—of God;” “ On the Brotherhood of Man and the Command, ‘Love Thy Neighbour;’” “On Original an;” “On the Resurrection of Mem’s Spiritual Nature put of the Grave of Animalism of this Life.” Now, I think those are four excellent subjects, and in the hands of a man of education and talent they cannot fail to make a deep impression upon the audience, no matter what weir creed or belief may be. Xam glad to hear there are several Spiritualists in the town, but up to the present have only had the pleasure of an introduction to Captain Wilson and family, all of whom are Spiritualists, and both his sons are mediums —one for writing and the other for raps, so we are not quite alone in the world, even in our new home.

Please giro my kind regards to Mr and Mrs Everitt, Mr and Mrs Childs, and other friends, and accept the some yourselves, from your affectionate brother worker. W. D. Mebbs. New Zealand, April 10,1872. .