RETURN OF CONAN DOYLE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18619, 15 July 1930, Page 9

RETURN OF CONAN DOYLE.

Present At Memorial Service. CLAIM OF MEDIUM AND WIF*. United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received July 14, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 14. Ten thousand people attended th« Albert Hall for the spiritualist memorial service, and listened to tributes to Sir Conan Doyle, and sang his favourite hymns, after which a medium, Mrs Estelle Roberts, standing in the rostrum claimed she saw’ Conan Doyle cross the platform and sit down In the vacant chair. Mrs Roberts subsequently exclaimed: “I have a message from him.” She walked across and engaged in whispered and cheerful conversation with Conan Doyle’s family. Lady Doyle afterwards told the reporters she was perfectly convinced the message came from her husband. “It is a happy cheering message.” Lady Doyle said. “I am sure he has been with us to-night.” NAPIER WOMAN’S CLAIM. “WELCOME BEYOND THE VEIL.'* The full text of the communication w r hich Mrs H. S. Cottrell, of Napier, alleges she received from the late Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, is as follows: “I am feeling rather sad at leaving all my dear ones,-even though I know that I will be able to get in touch with them presently. Separation Is hard on both sides of the veil, I am learning, but I must not repine or sadden you with my longing for a heart to heart chat with my own folk . In the meantime I am very glad and very grateful to you for affording me this opportunity of getting some of my thoughts through. “I am thankful, indeed, that I knew as I did before passing, of the conditions here, for what knowledge I possess has helped me considerably. You are doing a great w ? ork, they tell me, in spreading such helpful know-

ledge far and wide. I can only wish you the best possible success in this worthy undertaking. I can assure you, also, that the need for the broadcasting of information concerning conditions in the next stage of existence is very great indeed. I am having to adjust myself to the changed conditions.

“After having been such an active worker in the cause of spiritualism, I w’ill have to stand by now and watch others carry on the good work. I am afraid I do not seem very cheerful to you, but I am very unsettled as yet. I will be very happy soon, I know, and as busy and useful as ever, but in the meantime it is nice to have a chat with an understanding person still in the flesh. “I have already received an astonishingly warm welcome from immenst numbers of spirit folk w r ho were complete strangers to me. They knew of me through my work for the cause of truth, and had been helped at various times through my lectures and writing, just as your work helps thousands of people whom you have never heard of. You were wondering lately whether it really does help anyone. Well, you need have no doubts on that score, for your work is immensely productive of good, I am told, and that fact is already clearly apparent to me also.

“I am most happy to meet my beloved son face to face once more, and

many other relatives and friends also. These reunions are far more wonderful and soul satisfying than I can possibly describe. Words are totally inadequate to convey the true happiness and great joy that one feels on beholding loved ones long lost sight of and friends long removed from physical ken.

“As hand-clasp follows hand-clasp I am overwhelmed with gladness and my heart overflows with thankfulness be-

cause now I know, from wonderful personal experience, that that which I so firmly believed myself and expounded to others for so long is an actual, marvellous fact. It is true—gloriously true —that there is no death, only transition from one state of being to another.

“I am thankful that I was spared much of the physical suffering that might easily have fallen to my lot as a result of my heart trouble. My family are thankful for thfs also, for though they are grieved at my going and wdll miss me sorely from the home circle, which is a very united and harmonious one, they are glad that the end came as easily and painlessly as it did. I slept, or so it seemed to me, and w T akened to somewhat new conditions. That is all. “There is no need to fear death, for it is not at all the horror that it is so often represented as being. It is merely a sleep and an awakening, the separation it entails being the hardest part for all concerned. That is where i honest, sincere mediums can be so I helpful in bringing comfort and assur- | ance to sorrowing folk.

“My own people will be able to get into touch w r ith me very easily pre- | sently, as my wife is mediumistic, and j besides, we have been much associated with mediums of repute both in England and abroad, but it is a help and a comfort to me at this stage to be allowed to write through you. Your guides assure me that it wrill prove i helpful to you also and beneficial to i the movement that is so very dear to me. I thank you most sincerely for allowing me the privilege of using your mind and hand in this way. “Yours is a marvellous gift. It has been suggested to me by your guides that I prepare a book—a popular tale —embodying psychic teachings for you to record. I will be most happy to do so, for by this means I will be able to help you and also the cause that is so • dear to me stilL”