Mr. J. Simmons on Dr. Wyld`s Theory
Though agreeing myself, generally, with the views advanced by Dr. Wyld and Miss Kislingbury, I think it may be interesting to your readers to see some remarks on the other side of the question, from one of the most intelligent Spiritualists it has been my fortune to know—I mean my friend Mr. J. Simmons, the agent or associate of Dr. Slade. I quote the following from letters I have recently received from this gentleman.
“I must say that, during all the years in which I have been engaged in the investigation and promulgation of Spiritualism, things are constantly being advanced which I am unable to accept (comprehend, may better express it). One of these theories is the possibility of one’s own spirit, or the spirit of the medium, producing phenomena of which the medium may or may not be conscious. I cannot assent to this proposition for many reasons. I will only give you a few of them. As far back as 1851 or 52 I became developed as a medium for answering questions, &c., through the tilting of the table. This very question of my own spirit taking part in and assisting the movements forced itself upon my mind so strongly, that my scepticism was keenly aroused. There being no one to whom I could appeal, I kept my thoughts to myself, and continued my observations as quietly as the circumstances would permit. What first began to raise doubts in my mind was, that when a question was asked verbally, I could many times have given a correct verbal answer instantly; and then in waiting for the same answer to be given through the tilting of the table—as it was sure to follow—I fancied that I unconsciously moved the table. Often, to reassure myself that I did not, I would ask for the movement to be changed in such a manner as to preclude the possibility of my having anything to do with it; which I am happy to say was always accorded me. I may add, that mental questions were responded to as readily as if spoken. In mentioning this to Dr. Gray, the intimate friend of Judge Edmonds, only a few years ago, he answered me by saying that what had caused doubt with me, was the strongest evidence of the influence of spirits. His theory was, that on a question being asked, the answer was immediately formed and projected from the spirit addressed” (I suppose Mr. Simmons means the spirit present, the questions being, as I understand, addressed to himself); “that I being the medium through which the influence passed, my own mind or spirit caught the impression, and I could have answered the question inspirationally as well.”
Upon this it may be remarked, that the necessity of resorting to Dr. Gray’s theory depends much upon the nature of the questions, and whether they could have been answered by thought-reading.
“During the summer and autumn of 1860 I furnished a home for a very remarkable medium. He was then practicing with good success as a clairvoyant physician. If possible, he was more unlearned than myself. His controls, however, were able to defend themselves in discussing the causes and treatment of diseases with an able physician and surgeon, a neighbour of mine, to which discussions it was interesting to listen. This young man always carried a pencil and paper in his pocket. He would often be entranced when walking alone, or in company, along the country roads. On coming out of the trance, he would immediately feel in his pocket, where he would find written on the paper what he was required to do. Sometimes he Would be directed where to go and find a certain root, plant, or flower, and having obtained them, how to preserve or prepare them for future use. At one time his stock of medicines became quite reduced. He passed into the trance, and gave me the names of a long list of articles, and the quantity of each which he required. The list was sent to Detroit, and in a few days the goods were received. I am quite sure that I was unacquainted with their names and properties; the same may also be said of him. If this was his unconscious spirit, I can only say he did the young man great injustice by keeping himself in the background, and allowing the youngster to plod his way through life as he did.
“I am quite satisfied that what I have said about my case is often applicable to Slade, when questions are answered on the slate. He, being much more sensitive, often hears the answer spoken. This hearing often comes when sitting quietly; he will tell me what is being said to him, which I have every reason to believe, because so many times has it been verified. Again I say, if Slade’s unconscious spirit possesses all the ability that it sometimes manifested through him, I think it high time that he should assume the individuality, and allow the conscious Slade to retire for the balance of his earthly life, at least.”
The same may be said of the exalted powers evinced in certain mesmeric states. The powers of the human spirit are like a heritage, of which the permanent enjoyment is deferred. Nothing is better established than that the normal consciousness does not exhaust or exhibit either the knowledge or the power that is latent in us. In a later letter, Mr. Simmon’s says:—
“A few words about Miss Kislingbury’s experiments in will-power with Watkins. That, by interposing our will, we may, and often do, give shape to the intelligent communications, I admit, but there we stop. What moves the pencil? In regard to the independent writing, I think the will of the medium, and of that of any other person, would affect the manifestations. In all such experiments we see a direct violation of necessary conditions, viz., passiveness on the part of both medium and sitters. One would hardly claim that either Miss Kislingbury or Watkins was passive on the occasion to which she refers. What was the result? the individual spirit who moved the pencil, finding, on meeting with these opposing or cross currents which interfered to prevent his doing what he otherwise might, is compelled to fall in with one or the other, and in that groove he has no difficulty in moving the pencil in accordance with their will. Here is one of the greatest drawbacks in the investigation of the subject. So few persons are able to sit down and bring the mind to a passive condition. May not this explain why committees seldom obtain any remarkable phenomena compared to what takes place in private circles, where confidence is established, and all are satisfied to wait for what may come? Every member of a committee feels it incumbent on him or her to observe strictly every move that is made, in order to be able to give intelligent reports, therefore it follows that not one of them is passive mentally. On some occasions, in order to overcome these forces of will, the influences have found it necessary to entrance Slade during the time the writing was taking place.”
Would it not be more to the purpose if they entranced the sitters, whose active wills contribute the disturbance?
“In that condition they seem to be able to increase their power, so as to overcome the obstacles that otherwise prevented their writing.”
These obstacles must be in the mind of the medium. This is rather a confirmation of Dr. Wyld’s view, for otherwise the writing could be produced as well under disturbed conditions, although what is written would be affected. Is it not that the spirit or soul force of the medium must be active for the production of the phenomenon, and for this purpose its activity must not be drawn down and exhausted in the conscious sphere?
“On Slade’s return to consciousness, he is much reduced in vitality, and we have to resort to stimulants to prevent entire prostration, which sometimes, however, is unavoidable.”
This is not, I believe, in accordance with mesmeric experience.
As it is now nearly certain that the duplicated limbs of the medium are instrumental in many physical phenomena, little difficulty need be felt in accepting the view that the pencil is so moved. And as we find the most intimate connection between the course of physical phenomena, and the wishes, habits, and expectation of the medium, we are almost driven to put the two things together, and thus to account for the great majority of phenomena familiar to investigators, And many more are drawn into the same category, which, from the nature of the intelligence shown, seem at first inconsistent with it, by the recorded observations of the mesmeric state, from which it appears that “thought-reading” is not confined to the present context of consciousness, but extends to past and forgotten impressions, stamped upon, or floating around the psychic element, or, as the <... continues on page 4-114 >
Inlay
<Untitled> (There is a Sudra girl in my native town)
There is a Sudra girl in my native town of ***, who had studied Raja Yog under an ascetic of Northern India. She appeared to be about seventeen years old. I had been so often deceived by pretended yogis that prudence dictated the necessity of learning some unfailing tests for discovering a true Raja Yogi. I went to her and before I could ask her permission to apply the tests, she read my mind and graciously consented. As advanced Raja Yogis alone can smoke ganja and let out the smoke through the nine outlets of their body successively, I asked her to do so. She not only did it but smoked again and passed the smoke through all the pores of her head and body, so that she seemed, for a time, enveloped, as it were, in one dense cloud. A few days after she took me to the river which was overflowing its banks. She walked barefooted on the surface of the water up and down the river for about an hour and then sank into a dangerous eddy. For an hour, her head alone was partially seen. In vain did the alarmed spectators and policemen try their utmost to save her. Then she suddenly emerged and for four hours she swam now up against the stream current tide, now down with it and now right across. At last she rose high in the air and disappeared. I soon soon hastened to her house but found her not there. She was not seen in the town for five years more. In 1876 she returned with a stern resolve to show no phenomena whatever. She is a good ...[3]
Editor's notes
- ↑ Mr. J. Simmons on Dr. Wyld`s Theory by Massey C.C., London Spiritualist, No. 279, December 28, 1877, pp. 308-9
- ↑ There is a Sudra girl in my native town by unknown author. Story about Raja Yogi 17 years old girl in Northern India. Handwriting resembles HPB, but not quite. The ending of the story is not found yet.
- ↑ The ending of the story in not found yet.
London Spiritualist, No. 279, December 28, 1877, pp. 308-9