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vol. title: vol. period: 1882 pages in vol.: 229 |
< A Hull Team of Frauds (continued from page 13-86) >
er, Mrs. Richmond’s efforts would be more successful than when in Chicago, where she was subject to the “antagonistic magnetism” of “that young feller out West” as Bro. Colby is in the habit of “harmoniously” designating the editor of the Journal. Mrs. Richmond and her attendant William, or “Sapphire” according to spirit Ouina’s nomenclature, were installed in the Hull home, where the “magnetisms” were evidently congenial and Ouina’s muse was at her best, as witness the following extract from a “poem” given by Mrs. Richmond under the alleged control of the aforesaid Indian maiden, Ouina. The “poem” consisting of nine stanzas was published in D. M. Fox’s paper, the western organ of frauds. The obscurity and limited circulation of that sheet will prevent the poem from being read by many and hence we the more cheerfully save from oblivion the following choice bit:
We live (Water Lily and Sapphire I mean) |
Shade of Longfellow! isn’t that ravishing poetry? The music of its rythm is only equalled by the truthfulness of its sentiments. After this authoritative statement through a medium, who is the instrument used by Swedenborg, Edmonds, Franklin, Jefferson, Garfield, & Co., that, “This medium called Hull, is the true golden grain,” how could Spiritualists have the audacity to doubt, or to attempt to investigate still further for the truth? Yet it seems that most of them still did doubt; probably because they had not been made aware of the versified views of the “high spirits.”
These doubts were solved however quite unexpectedly and very conclusively at a séance held in New York City on Sunday evening, the 19th. The exhibition was given at the house of a firm friend of Mrs. Hull, who so far as is known believed implicitly in the manifestations. The company consisted of three gentlemen and eleven ladies, we believe; Mr. and Mrs. J. H. McVicker of Chicago, being present. In order to please the spirits and produce those harmonious conditions so much loved by brother Colby and fraudulent mediums, the usual amount of singing was done and probably in the usual excruciating manner. While Mrs. Hull was taking off her boots and dress, carefully placing her ear rings in a box, and making up the dummy on the sofa to be afterwards pointed out to the observers as the medium, the noise of her work was drowned by the music of the following words:
Make us prayerful, make us prayerful, just now. |
The “spirits” could not resist this appeal and soon showed up. After several forms had appeared, one was embraced by a Dr. Collins, who may be for aught we know the mysterious “Tom Collins,” but whoever he is he did his work well and was ably assisted by others. For further particulars we refer the reader to the account of Mr. Sammis as published in another column.
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Theosophy in Calcutta.
If we may judge from the great demand in Bengal for the new work, called “Esoteric Theosophy,” we see promising signs that the science is likely to gain some footing, and make some progress among the educated classes of the Bengali community. It is to be hoped that the interest created in the movement by the recent visit of Madame Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott to Calcutta will not die away with their departure for the Southern Presidency. Whether it be called Theosophy or after any other name, what we want to see is that the study of our ancient science, philosophy, and shastras should be earnestly taken up, and diligently pursued by our educated countrymen in every part of India. Unfortunately, and certainly not to the credit of our patriotism, these studies, which would have unearthed and revealed to the world the hidden wisdom and lore of our ancestors, have been generally neglected and cultivated to a very limited extent. Madame Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott neither teach, nor profess to teach us anything new. What entitles them to our respect and confidence, is that they have devoted themselves to the disinterested duty of awakening in us an intelligent curiosity to explore our ancient literature, to study our neglected shastras, and to make researches into our old systems of science and philosophy. It is evidently their impression, which we are disposed to share, that the germs of many modern discoveries and inventions, which are taking the world with surprise, and are likely still to take it with greater surprise, are to be found in the many works, which our forefathers have left behind for the benefit of an ungrateful posterity.
Even from the isolated and spasmodic investigations, which have been made by individual scholars into particular branches of our ancient learning, we have observed that many mysteries of nature, which have appeared inexplicable to modern acuteness, were ages ago traced to their very causes by the wisdom of the ancient Hindus. It is our belief that a more systematic and profound study of our shastras will show that many phenomena which are now generally held to be supernatural, are attributable to purely natural causes. We are standing on the threshold of a new world, and are merely catching a dim glimpse of unexplored mysteries, still lying beyond. It is to be regretted that our countrymen, educated in the learning of the West, should evince an indifference, amounting almost to contempt, for the stored wisdom of their own ancient country. It is idle to pronounce judgment on questions of which we possess no knowledge, and into which we have never taken the trouble to make the least enquiry. Such has been the course generally followed by our educated classes with regard to Sanskrit literature and science. As if denationalised by their Western education, they cannot conceive that the literary and scientific works, which have been bequeathed to them by their great forefathers, can be of any value when compared to the products of Western literature and Western science. Accordingly, they reject the shastras, without enquiring or putting to the test the numerous truths, which those shastras have crystallised in a language, not to be surpassed for its grandeur, its richness, and its flexibility by any tongue that has ever been, or still is spoken among the children of men. Our chief object in urging a more earnest and systematic study of our ancient science and literature is that this study, if prosecuted in a proper spirit, will open the eyes of our countrymen to the value of religion, and help in making them truly religious. Such of our ancient scriptures as have been brought within the comprehension of the reading world by the labors of Sanskrit scholars, show, notwithstanding the interpolations foisted into them for the interest of particular classes during subsequent ages, that the ancient Hindus followed a pure religion, and cultivated a high morality, such as are conformable to the genius of the present times.
In utter ignorance of the truths contained in our shastras, and with only a knowledge of English science and literature, which is imparted under the present system of education in India, we have become perfectly indifferent to religion. Believing neither in our own ancient religion, nor in Christianity, nor in any other form of faith, our state is deplorable, indeed. Without giving a thought to religion, or to the spiritual interests which religion alone can promote, we apply the whole mind to the consideration of political questions, the satisfactory settlement of which can only subserve our temporal welfare. Until we are thoroughly imbued with the spirit of religion, and animated by those high principles which religion inculcates, we cannot hope to be a really great nation. A life of political aspirations without religious impressions, whether in the case of a man or of a nation, fails of the great purpose for which mankind was created. We must be strong in religion, before we can expect to be strong in other parts of our character. It is quite indifferent to us whether a man be a Christian, a Hindu, a Brahmo, a Buddhist, or a Mussulman. What we do care for is, that every man should faithfully practise the religion which he professes. A man without any religion at all, is the saddest spectacle that can be beheld even in this world. It is because Madame Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott are exerting themselves to rouse and kindle the spirit of religion among us that we so highly value their labors, and take so much interest in their movements. And they have taken the right course by inducing our countrymen to take to the study of their ancient science and literature, which hold the key to their religion.
Madame Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott
<... continues on page 13-88 >
Editor's notes
Sources
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The Religio-Philosophical Journal, v. 32, No. 5, April 1, 1882