LECTURE AND CONCERT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 7270, 12 September 1884, Page 7

LECTURE AND CONCERT.

TheTheatre Royal was well filled on Monday night on the occasion of an entertainment in aid of the College of St. Patrick, the foundation stone of which was recently laid in Wellington. The chair was occupied by Sir William Fitzberbert, K.C.M.G. After several vocal and instiumental selections performed in a very creditable manner by the baud and several lady and gentlemen amateurs, the chairman opened the meeting, remarking that be had great pleasure in performing that duty, and pointed out that the proceeds were to be devoted to the aid of those who were endeavoring constantly in this country to educate in the highest manner their youth without any aid from the public exchequer. It was a good came aud truly a phenomenon in this country. Not only was the object a praiseworthy cne, but the subject of the lecture was one full of interest to the investigating mind. The Rev. T. Le Menant Des Chesnais, then began his lecture on “Animal Magnetism and Spirit Mediums,’’ by tracing the origin of animal magnetism to Anthony Meaner, a German doctor. This gentleman bad affirmed that there existed throughout the universe a fluid which united together all the heavenly bodies and had a wonderful influence over human organisations. The lodestone or magnet, according to bis theory, was a condensation of that mysterious power. According to Mesmer, a doctor might ascertain the health of a patient by means of animal magnetism, and diagnose the origin, nature and progress of most complicated cases. He could also stop the growth of evil in any case. Artificial sonnambnliem had been discovered by the Marquis of Fuysegur, a disciple of Mesmer. The lecturer then proceeded to explain minutely the mode of Mesmer’* operations, as well as those of spirit mediums and mesmerists. In reference to magnetism, be pointed oat that it had been violently opposed by the scientific world. Ho enlarged at great length upon the dangers of magnetism and spirit mediums, citing numerous instances of the serious consequences which had been brought about by them. The rev. gentleman said it

wa? absurd to compare tho erfVcta of magnetism, whether real or apparent, willi tho miracles o£ the New Te-Nmt-nt or of those of the old saints. Wiit-n, ho a?-k~d, did spirit medinms ivst'-TJ tight to the blind, ln--»ri:.g to the deaf, or raise the .load to Ihe ? Ho c- a'eadod that- magnetism was a fantavd.: art pr-'ducis-g extraordinary plit-nonieu.q p: incipalSy tho agency of sickly and wtakiv-mindi-l p< r-

fwn?. It would be ridlculom to say that God, who was infinitely wise, would enable a man to see at a distance when asleep. Yet this was the way mediums affirmed they perceived distant objects. The phenomena «»i spirit mediums were either more trickery, or as as they c,u!d not be attributed to G kl, or any heavenly spirit strife by Him, they miwt, like un-dent oracles and wonders, bo brought about by the agency the Kvil Spirit. In respect to Spiritualism, he said it was undeniable, from hbtory and saoied writings, that the spirits of the dead could be evoked ; aud, K-aviug a margin for sleight-of-hand tricks and imposition#, it would be unwise to deny the marvellous phenomena heard of so frtqjently, la Ids opinion, spiritmediums were evidently as much under the influence of the demon (as represented by fallen angels) as the ancient Bagao privets and the ministers of Buddha and Brahma. For that the evocation of t-pirita was an effect of magic produced by the cU-mou no one could deny. “In conciudon,” said the rev. gentleman, u I boldly say, from sincere conviction and scientific investigation, that BpiiiLism is one of the most dangerous engines of the demon to ruin Christianity and morality, and bring back in a new form idolatry or demon* worship,’’ At the conclusion of the lecture, Mr H, S. Warded, K M., proposed a vote of thanks to the lecturer, and asked the audience to recognise in him one of those who had d> ne a great deal to forward the cause of education free from State aid. Mr Devine seconded the vote, which was carried unanimously. The reverend father responded suitably, and proposed the usual vote of thanks to the chair* man, which concluded the proceedings.