HPB-SB-7-9: Difference between revisions

{{Style S-Small capitals|Sir}},— During my stay of one month in Glasgow, I had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with many of the leading Spiritualists of the place, as well as having the privilege of attending a few private ''seances.'' I thought, when in Belfast, that it was the most bigoted, sectarian town I ever had visited, but I must apologise, confess ignorance, and give Glasgow that honour.

The Spiritualists are not a large body here, but seem to be well united, quality, not quantity, being the order of the day. I attended four public meetings of the Spiritualist’s Society, and had the privilege of hearing two carefully compiled papers read; one by Mr. Walker, a veteran Spiritualist, on “Mesmerism,” and one by Mr. Robertson, on the “Advantages of Spiritualism;” and last, though not least, two able and eloquent lectures by the guides of Mr. J. J. Morse. The lectures of Mr. Morse were given in the Albion Hall. The Spiritualists have, in addition to the public Sunday evening services, two semi-private meetings every week, on Wednesday and Saturday nights, at their hall in the Trongate. Strangers are admitted to these meetings by the introduction of members of the society. On Saturday nights a ''seance ''is held for trance-speaking and physical manifestations, Mr. David Duguid being the principal medium, but while Mr. J. J. Morse was here his guides occupied the time.

Not the least interesting event of my stay was the opportunity of attending a ''seance ''by invitation of Mr. D. Duguid. I have frequently come in contact with mediums, of nearly all classes, descriptions, and pretensions, but I have seldom been in the society of one so unassuming and unpretentious as Mr. David Duguid. Mr. Duguid was formerly a cabinet-maker, but is now in the employ of Mr. J. Bowman, photographer, of Jamaica-street, Glasgow, and appears to me to be about forty-five years of age; married; has a pretty large family; all his children are medial, but not to the extent of their father. In company of Mr. Bowman, I went to Mr. Duguid’s house on Tuesday evening, the 25th, to attend the ''seance, ''and as soon as I entered the house, became conscious of the presence of the unseen ones by the strong aural surroundings, which are much better felt than described. There was much to cheer and please in the presence of the medium’s wife and children; a quiet happiness seemed to pervade the place. To say I felt at home is the highest compliment I can pay these worthy people. After a chat in the kitchen we all retired to the parlour at eight o’clock, to hold the ''seance. ''The circle consisted of Mr. Nesbit, printer and publisher; Mr. Garrivale, secretary of the circle; Mr. Simpson, honorary secretary of the Glasgow Spiritualists’ Society; the medium, Mr. Duguid, and myself. The medium was soon controlled, like one simply passing into a gentle sleep. His spirit friends answered a number of questions put by members of the circle; the questions were chiefly of a theological character, and indicated to my mind the status of the questioners. The answers were of an advanced and progressive nature. Two hours were consumed in this way, during which advice as to the best method of conducting the public service was given, as well as a promise that if the friends wished it, the guides of the medium would materialise at the Saturday night meetings in the Trongate. The spirits controlling claimed to be Hermes, Hafed, and Steen, to which I sincerely accord my belief, and I am led to do so from three considerations: 1st. From all I have read in connection with these controls, and—2nd. Hear from persons of undoubted veracity who have attended the ''stances ''from time to time. 3rd. From what was observed myself at this ''stance, ''and shall now record as plainly as possible. At the conclusion of the first part of the ''seance, ''already mentioned, Mr. Bowman asked “Steen”—who was then in possession of the medium—if he would kindly do a “wee bit of a pictur” for the stranger. The control kindly consented. Mr. Duguid, while in the trance state, opened the large paint box placed upon the table, prepared his paints and pallet; he then took a small ''carte, ''and tore off a small piece of the corner, and gave to me to hold, so as to be able to identify the card again. This all took place in the light, and under our strict scrutiny. Now, singular to state, I had no sooner got the small piece of card (the torn piece) in my hand, and was just in the act of placing it in my purse, when it was taken out of my fingers by some invisible power. Two gentlemen sitting next to me saw it disappear, nor could it be found for over five minutes, although the small room was carefully searched. It was found under my chair at last. “Steen” desired the medium to be thoroughly secured, and that every test I could suggest should be employed. The medium was then thoroughly fastened to his chair, which was placed about two feet from the small table, upon which the pallet and paint box were. His hands were crossed and secured with a handkerchief, his arms were made fast to the back of the chair, and his legs secured to the legs of the chair. ''All ''the fastenings were made doubly secure, by covering them with gummed paper. Having satisfied myself that the medium was thoroughly secured, so much so, that it would have made any “test-maniac” blush to have seen him, the lights were put out, and Mr. Bowman commenced to sing “Auld Lang Syne,” in which the rest of the company joined. At the conclusion of the fourth verse, raps were given to “light up,” which was done. A beautiful miniature landscape was found, “the paint still wet,” upon the table. Upon comparing the card with the tom corner, it was found to fit exactly. I shall forward the painting for the inspection of visitors to 38, Great Russell-street. Although a “trifle” in itself, it is a link in the mighty chain of evidence which binds the visible to the invisible. During the painting of the picture I had an unasked for test of the painting of it by super-human powers, and of its hot being touched by mortal hands at all. When the gas was put out, the fitful gleams from the fire, ever and anon brightened up the room, and it was found necessary before anything could be done to cover the fire. This was done, still there was enough light (to my eyes) to make darkness visible. I saw that the medium never moved from the position in which he was at first placed, as there was light enough to discern the slightest movement on his part; had he moved, it would have been detected at once. The painting, although in several colours, was done with two brushes only. ''I also saw the brushes rise untouched by human'' ''hands, ''and silently and rapidly accomplish the work, as it were, of painting a picture by themselves.