LOVE PERSISTS

Taranaki Daily News, 10 September 1935, Page 3

LOVE PERSISTS

DEFENCE OF SPIRITUALISM. SIR OLIVER LODGE'S REPLY. Sir Oliver Lodge, the eminent scientist and spiritualist, recently made . a forcible reply to the attacks which have been made on spiritualism by Dr. Ingram, the Bishop of London, says the Daily Express. “The dead are not extinct or utterly beyond our reach,” he said. “Love persists and can bridge the gap. Spiritualism is not a waste of time for the living. “Nor is it, as the Bishop suggests, dishonouring to have any communication with the dead. It is not dishonouring to anybody to give them an opportunity of talking to their friends. Those who have died retain their feelings of affection. Their memory and character persist—that we know full well.” Sir Ofiver made these statements as his lovely old-world home at Lake, in the Avon Valley, the house in which

he, now in his 85th year, lives quietly and simply. Though he is still active and writes and works daily in his study, he no longer takes a vigorous part in outside affairs. But the Bishop of London’s remarks are a challenge which he has taken up with vigour. “The Bishop states that communication is dangerous, and that those who practise it admit its dangers. A genuine medium knows that communication is dangerous if entered upon frivolously,” said Sir Oliver, “but there is no danger—only help and comfort, if it is seriously and prayerfully undertaken.” Sir Oliver dismissed the Bishop’s view that, consciously or unconsciously, the mediums read the thoughts of those who came to them. “It is a view which is often held by the bereaved before they have had actual experience of communication with their dear departed. But it is not the view of those who have studied the subject. I have no doubts on the matter at all. “The Bishop naturally extends his views to the clergy under his charge,” said Sir Oliver. “He does not forbid all intercourse with the spiritual world. He has forbidden any church or church buildings to be used for seances—a step with which I agree.”