"SPIRIT CO-WORKING."

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18340, 2 September 1921, Page 8

"SPIRIT CO-WORKING."

SIR A. CONAN DOYLE IN DUNEDIN. In the course of an article in the Weekly Dispatch of July 3, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle writes; I met in Dunedin (New Zealand) one of the most powerful clairvoyantos and trance mediums whom I have tested. Her name is Mrs Roberts, and though her worldly circumstances are modest, she has never accepted any money for her wonderful psychic gilts. For this I honour her, but, as I told her, we all sell the gifts which God has given us, and I cannot see why and within reason psychic gifts should not also be placed within the reach of the public, instead of being confined to a favoured fow. How can the hulk of the people ever get into touch with a good medium if they are debarred from doing so in the ordinary way of business? Mrs Roberts is 'a stout, kindly woman, witli a motherly manner and a sensitive, expressive face. When in touch with my conditions she at once gave the names of several relatives and friends who have passed over, without any slurring or mistakes. She th<pi cried: “1 see an elderly lady here —she is d beautifully high spirit—her name is Selina.' 1 , Tills rather unusual name belonged to'my wife's mother, who died nearly two years ago. Then, suddenly, becoming slightly' convulsed, as a medium does when her mechanism is controlled by another, olio cried with an indescribable intensity of feeling: ■"Thank God! Thank God to get in touch again! Jean! Jean! Give my dear love to Jean!"

Bolh names, therefore, had been got correctly—that of tho mother and the daughter. Is it not an affront to reason to explain away such results by wild| theories of telepathy, or by anything save the perfectly plain and obvious feet that spirit communion is indeed true, and that X was really in touch with tha,t dead lady who was, even upon earth, a beautifully high and unselfish spirit? , I had a number of other communications through Mrs Roberts that night and at a second interview two days later, not one of which erred so far as name was concerned. Among others was one who professed to be Dr Russel Wallace. I should be honoured indeed to think that it was so, but I was unable to hit on anything which would bo evidential. I asked him if his further experience had taught him anything more about re-incarnation, which he disputed in his lifetime. He answered that he now accepted it, though I am not clear whether he meant for all oases.

I .thanked him for any spiritual help I had from him. His answer was: “Me! Don’t thank me! You would be surprised if you knew who your real helpers arc.” He added: “By your work I rise. We are co-workers!” I pray that it be so, for few men have lived for whom I have greater respect, wise and bravo, and mellow and good. His autobiography was a favourite book of mine long before I understood the full significance of Spiritualism, which was to him an evolution of the on parallel lines to that evolution of the body which he did so milch to establish.