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{{Style P-Title|MEDIUMS, BEWARE!}}

{{Style P-Title|MEDIUMS, BEWARE!}}

 

To the Editor of the Banner of Light:

To the Editor of the Banner of Light:

The unfairness of the University Commission has, it seems, produced a reaction. I translate the following from a paper which Mr. Aksakoff has sent me:

The unfairness of the University Commission has, it seems, produced a reaction. I translate the following from a paper which Mr. Aksakoff has sent me:

<center>FROM THE ST. PETERSBURG “BIRZHEVIYA VEDOMOSTY”</center>

<center>FROM THE ST. PETERSBURG “BIRZHEVIYA VEDOMOSTY”</center>

We hear that the Commission for the investigation of mediumism, which was formed by the Society of Physical Sciences attached to the University, is preparing to issue a report of its labors [?!]. It will appear as an appendix to the monthly periodical of the Chemical and Physical Societies. Meanwhile, another Commission is being formed, but this time its members will not be supplied from the “Physical Science Society,” but from the Medical Society. Nevertheless, several members of the former will be invited to join, as well as the friends of mediumism, and others who would be able to offer important suggestions pro or con. We hear that the formation of this new Commission is warmly advocated, its necessity having been shown in the breach of faith by the “Physical Science Society,” its failure to hold the promised forty séances, its premature adoption of unfair conclusions, and the strong prejudices of the members.

We hear that the Commission for the investigation of mediumism, which was formed by the Society of Physical Sciences attached to the University, is preparing to issue a report of its labors [?!]. It will appear as an appendix to the monthly periodical of the Chemical and Physical Societies. Meanwhile, another Commission is being formed, but this time its members will not be supplied from the “Physical Science Society,” but from the Medical Society. Nevertheless, several members of the former will be invited to join, as well as the friends of mediumism, and others who would be able to offer important suggestions pro or con. We hear that the formation of this new Commission is warmly advocated, its necessity having been shown in the breach of faith by the “Physical Science Society,” its failure to hold the promised forty séances, its premature adoption of unfair conclusions, and the strong prejudices of the members.

Let us hope that this new organization may prove more honorable than its predecessor (peace to its ashes!).

Let us hope that this new organization may prove more honorable than its predecessor (peace to its ashes!).

{{Style P-Signature|H.P. BLAVATSKY.}}

{{Style P-Signature|H.P. BLAVATSKY.}}

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{{Page aside|214}}

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{{HPB-CW-comment|[In H.P.B.’s Scrapbook, Vol. I, pp. 143-154, there are a number of cuttings from various papers in connection with the burial of Baron de Palm which took place May 28, 1876. This ceremony and the subsequent cremation of the body are fully described by Col. Olcott in his Old Diary Leaves, Vol. I, pp. 147-184.]}}

{{HPB-CW-comment|[In H.P.B.’s Scrapbook, Vol. I, pp. 143-154, there are a number of cuttings from various papers in connection with the burial of Baron de Palm which took place May 28, 1876. This ceremony and the subsequent cremation of the body are fully described by Col. Olcott in his Old Diary Leaves, Vol. I, pp. 147-184.}}

 

 

{{HPB-CW-comment|[There is in the Scrapbook, Vol. I, p. 154, a much faded photograph of the Baron; on both sides of the picture, H.P.B. wrote in pen and ink as follows:]}}

Baron Henry de Palm “Principally famous as a corpse” Buried May 28, 1876 Joseph

Baron Henry de Palm “Principally famous as a corpse” Buried May 28, 1876 Joseph

Louis Member and Fellow of theTheos. Society Cremated December 6, 76

Louis Member and Fellow of theTheos. Society Cremated December 6, 76

{{HPB-CW-comment|[In connection with an exaggerated newspaper account of the Baron’s alleged estate, H.P.B. marked certain passages in blue pencil and wrote:]}}

{{HPB-CW-comment|[In connection with an exaggerated newspaper account of the Baron’s alleged estate, H.P.B. marked certain passages in blue pencil and wrote:]}}

The Society paid for the funeral.

The Society paid for the funeral.

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{{HPB-CW-comment|[In her Scrapbook, Vol. I, pp. 155-56, H.P.B. pasted a cutting from the Newark Daily Journal of June 2, 1876. The Editor calls the special attention of the readers to an exposition of Spiritualism by Frederic Thomas of the Theosophical Society of New York. He says that “it will be found full of interest,” to which H.P.B. added in pen and ink:]}}

{{HPB-CW-comment|[In her Scrapbook, Vol. I, pp. 155-56, H.P.B. pasted a cutting from the Newark Daily Journal of June 2, 1876. The Editor calls the special attention of the readers to an exposition of Spiritualism by Frederic Thomas of the Theosophical Society of New York. He says that “it will be found full of interest,” to which H.P.B. added in pen and ink:]}}

and of prejudiced statements, unverified hypotheses and deliberate lies. Mr. Fred Thomas, once a member of the Theosophical Society, was made to resign after this article. Sergeant Cox of London to whom he sent it, treated its author with the utmost contempt.

and of prejudiced statements, unverified hypotheses and deliberate lies. Mr. Fred Thomas, once a member of the Theosophical Society, was made to resign after this article. Sergeant Cox of London to whom he sent it, treated its author with the utmost contempt.