“IN TOUCH WITH THE DEAD."

Star (Christchurch), Issue 20073, 9 October 1920, Page 1 (Supplement)

“IN TOUCH WITH THE DEAD."

SPIRITUALISTS’ PLEDGES.

SIR A. CONAN DOYLE’S MISSION.

f those who swear they have been in direct touch with the dead stand up?” In a moment all but a few of the 250 spiritualists who heard this appeal by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle were on their feet. ‘‘That’s the most wonderful demonstration I have ever seen in London,” was Sir Arthur’s fervent comment. This expression of faith look place at a farewell luncheon given to the novelist and his wife at'the Holborn Restaurant before tlicir departure to Xcw Zealand and Australia, on a mission of spiritualistic hope. .It was an assemblage of mystics, says the “ Daily Mail.” Passionate sincerity was stamped on every face. There were few whoso dress or appearance was edd nr peculiar; rather were those present conspicuous for their high, broad foreheads and rather deep, sunken eyes. The women were vigorous in type; the wraith-like dreamer was missing. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, one of the most striking personalities, was all that a “wanderer in the middle mist” would not he expected to be. He was English almost to an incredible degran He spoke with, slow, powerful conviction. ““Wherever I go,” he said in a ringing voice, “T meet with opposition- It is nearly always the same. ’lhero art two great types ot critics. One is the materialistic gentleman who insists on his right to eternal putridity. The other Is a gentleman with such a. deep respect for the Bible that he has never looked at It.

"I am going to devote tho rest of my life (o this work. I was counting with my wife yesterday the number of frjehdn with whom we havo' spoken rtfico their death. There aro eleven, imd wc have spoken to them direct—ns we did when they were in this world. “The whole world needs comfort-, and all of us here have got comfort to give. it. Wo arc tho only people who have, ns far ns I can pro. This is the real now revelation, which oasts a searchlight from Heaven on the dark toads of tho’earth.” • Speaking of Sir Arthur, to whom ho presented an illuminated address from tho spiritualists of the United Kingdom, Mr Harry Engholm said observing tho careful and critical way in which tio examined spirit phntoprnnhs. “ I Imre realised that Sherlock Holmes is still with ns—a more spiritual Sherlock Holmes.”