< The Theosophical Society (continued from page 12-11) >
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<Untitled> (The last number...)
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<Untitled> (The life of a reformer...)
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Vegetarianism and the "Messengers"
To the Editor.—Dear Sir,—The letter published in your last number under the title “Vegetarianism Questioned” is the fac-simile of one bearing the signature “Charles W. Hillyear” which was sent to me some weeks ago, and of another forwarded from the same quarter to a friend.
I have therefore no difficulty in knowing that I am “the celebrated lady-doctor” so impertinently referred to in that letter.
In reply, I have three statements to make.
First. I do not recognise as in any sense correct, Mr. Hillyear’s categorical enumeration of “Messengers,” and should certainly never dream of assuming for myself or for Dr. Kenealy, a dignity approaching that of the personages he cites as the “Ninth,” or even as the “Third” “Messengers.”
Second. I have never asserted that “Dr. Kenealy’s mantle has fallen on me.” Much as I admire that gentleman's writings in many respects, I think he was often distinctly in error, and never more so than when he. made the observation quoted about the “meat-dinners,”—if indeed he made it.
Third. If Mr. Hillyear really writes for information, (apart from his absurd vagaries about “Messengers”) he will find his questions answered in my “Letters on pure Diet,” in the October and January numbers of the Food Reform Magazine, to be obtained of Mr. F. P. Doremus, 30, Rochester Road, N.W.—I am Sir, Faithfully Yours, Anna Kingsford, M.D.
Jan. 15, 1882.
The Spiritual Element in Food
To the Editor.—Sir,—Permit me, through the medium of your columns, to thank Miss Chandos Leigh Hunt for her description of the mode of making griddle cakes.
I do not propose to criticise the crude assertions contained in the remainder of Miss Hunt's letter, even if you would grant me space; but I cannot help thinking that if she were to give more attention to the spiritual side of things—food amongst the number—she might possibly be enabled to use her undoubted talents to still greater advantage for the welfare of mankind.
Wolverhampton, Jan. 17th, 1882.
Mr.Firman's Exposure of Himself
To the Editor.—Dear Sir,—Thanks for your note. Mr. Firman gave his “Exposure of Spiritualism” as advertised, and was introduced to the company by a Rev. gentleman.
Mr. Firmin led off by telling us, that from the age of fifteen he had been engaged in working tricks, which he had passed off as spirit manifestations. He then gave some of his history in deceiving his audiences, and finished by a cabinet seance, and the impersonation of “John King,” whose spirit lamp he made by filling a flat-sided spirit bottle with water and phosphorus, I suppose. The whole affair was so contemptible that the Rev. gentleman left his protégé to fend for himself, and retired before the close of the Meeting.
Mr. Firman had retired behind the screens when I got up on my feet, and proposed a vote of thanks for the great help the lecturer had been to Spiritualism, by showing how despicable ex-mediums were, etc.
As soon as Mr. Firman heard a vote of thanks mentioned, he stepped before the audience; but what he received was only a recapitulation of his own base life.
This morning the Rev. gentleman came to offer me and others the money we had paid for the lecture, sixpence each. We refused it—only too glad to have a chance to smite the Philistine. The clergyman says that if Mr. F. again shows his face in that neighbourhood, he will meet with a hot reception—
“God moves in a mysterious way, |
—Yours respectfully,
63, Manchester Road, Bradford, Jan. 12,1882.
<Untitled> (Poor Firman! a most extraordinary medium...)
[Poor Firman! a most extraordinary medium, but a wholly unreliable man. have known him from his youth. Before his mediumship was recognised at all, we held his hands one evening in our family circle, while his waistcoat was taken off—his coat remaining on—and the waistcoat and contents of the pockets were handed to the sitters by the controlling power. This, and many greater manifestations, can be vouched for by sitters, after dozens of experiments conducted under conditions imposed by themselves. According to his own confession, his word is not worth a straw. He was always a great promiser, and a poor performer. Some dozen years ago, when first a
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Editor's notes
- ↑ The last number... by unknown author
- ↑ The life of a reformer... by unknown author
- ↑ Vegetarianism and the "Messengers" by Kingsford, Anna, Medium and Daybreak, v. 13, No. 616, January 20, 1881, p. 46
- ↑ The Spiritual Element in Food by Baker, A., Medium and Daybreak, v. 13, No. 616, January 20, 1881, p. 46
- ↑ Mr.Firman's Exposure of Himself by Clayton, Jos., Medium and Daybreak, v. 13, No. 616, January 20, 1881, p. 46
- ↑ Poor Firman! a most extraordinary medium... by unknown author, Medium and Daybreak, v. 13, No. 616, January 20, 1881, p. 46
Sources
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Medium and Daybreak, v. 13, No. 616, January 20, 1881, p. 46