HPB-SB-7-297

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vol. 7, p. 297

H. P. Blavatsky Scrapbooks

from Adyar archives of the International Theosophical Society

vol. 7 (March-September 1878)

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Address by Mr. W.Y. Colville On Saturday afternoon, September 14th, Mr. W. J. Colville gave a farewell address at 38, Great Russell-street, to the members of the National Association of Spiritualists, previous to his expected departure for the United States. There was a good attendance of members and friends. Among those present were Captain R. F. Burton, H.M. Consul at Trieste, Mrs. Burton, Captain James, Mrs. Fitz-Gerald, Mr. D. G. Fitz-Gerald, Mrs. D. G. Fitz-Gerald, Mr. J. F. Collingwood, F.G.S., Rev. W. W. Newbould, M.A., F.L.S., Rev. C. Maurice Davies, D.D., Dr. Carter Blake, Mr. C. C. Massey, Madame de Steiger, Mrs. Ellis, Mr. Luke Burke, Mr. R. P. Thomas, Miss Mackay, and Mr. M. J. Walhouse. The Secretary stated that a number of questions on spiritual matters had lately been handed to her by a member of the Council, which had been sent to him by a Hindoo student of Spiritualism, with a request that they might be publicly answered. It had been suggested that the present was a favourable opportunity for obtaining information on the subjects indicated, and, therefore, the permission of the audience was requested that these questions should be put seriatim to Mr. Colville’s guides. No one but the secretary and gentleman mentioned had seen the questions. (The answers, some of which were given at considerable length, are here much abbreviated, the chief points only being noted.) Ques 1.—Is it in the power of spirits who are said to keep a constant watch over us, and to guide us, to improve the temporal conditions of the man seeking their aid? Ans.—As to the question of the interference of spirits in our temporal affairs, knowing as we do how temporal conditions affect either for good or evil the nature of every man, it is natural to suppose that spirits will endeavour to rule our lives in such a way as to develop most readily the spiritual part of our nature. If you desire to attract high and noble spirits, you must see that your physical life is such as will conduce to your highest spiritual development; that is, that all your surroundings are, as far as possible, in accordance with natural law, and that the harmony of your whole being is maintained. The lower spirits will then have but little power, as they can only control persons through the degraded side of their nature; they cannot touch a good man, and the higher spirits will come to you as your life grows pure and holy. Spirits have a much clearer vision than mortals, and can more easily discern the workings of the laws of cause and effect; they know what is before and after better than you; consequently they can sometimes give you valuable advice with regard to material matter. It is well to listen to it without, of course, resigning your common sense, treating it as you would do the counsel of a dear friend, older and wiser than yourself. Q. 2.—What is the state of the wicked persons who form by far the bulk of the tenants of our globe in the spirit world, and how are they treated and dealt with there? Must they suffer no punishment for their wicked actions whilst in the flesh? A.—In the spirit world, as here, the laws of cause and effect are always at work. Your earthly life will decide what your heavenly life will be; according to the efforts you have made to resist temptation and to live a pure inner life, you will be rewarded or punished. You will not be judged by what man has thought to be your life, but by what it has been in the eyes of the angels. Every hour you are preparing your future home—“laying up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” Your destiny there will be the result of your life here. The wicked will then see clearly the results of their evil acts, and their remorse will be their sufficient punishment. Q. 3.—Are the mediums conscious of their own separate identity while fully under the influence of spirits? A.—The degree of consciousness when in the trance state differs with different mediums. In the case of our own medium, for instance, sometimes he is quite unconscious, sometimes only partially so, hearing his own speech as in a dream. In deep trance, the spirit of the medium occasionally leaves the body and travels in spiritual realms of which he remembers nothing on his return. But we believe that the soul is always active, and that consciousness is <... continues on page 7-298 > Editor's notes Sources London Spiritualist, No. 317, September 20, 1878, pp. 139-41