HPB-SB-10-285

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vol. 10, p. 285

H. P. Blavatsky Scrapbooks

from Adyar archives of the International Theosophical Society

vol. 10

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eng • рус

The Efficacy of Prayer

By C. C. Massey

An interesting meeting was held on Monday the 9th Feb., at the studio of Mr. E. Clifford, 52, Wigmore Street, London, for the discussion of the relative “power over evil,” of such influences as “Philanthropy, Art, Spiritualism, Conversion, Roman Catholicism, Temperance.” The speakers were confined to facts, and were listened to with deep attention by a large company. Mr. Clifford himself related to us the following fact, which I am able to give in his own words, as he has kindly repeated it to me in a letter.

“A young man named—about 30, came into an Evangelistic Hall, at the East end of London, nearly a year ago. He was in such a state of disease from drink that he could not even wash his face, and was unfit for human society. He had signed the pledge (he said) nearly a hundred times. He believed in the Power of God, to forgive and convert him, and getting alone he prayed God to convert him, but he said, ‘It is no use my being converted unless Thou takest away the appetite, for I am so weak and unable to resist the temptation.’ From that hour he has had no appetite for drink, and his happy and healthy appearance testifies to the result of the change. He earns nearly £2 a week. I can easily let you question him if you like.”

That strong religious excitement should for a short time overpower an evil tendency, without supposing any superhuman agency, is of course easily conceivable. But that this influence should permanently eradicate such an appetite as that for drink in a confirmed drunkard, thus not only enabling him to overcome the temptation, but removing the temptation itself, appears to me out of the question. We need not, however, suppose what no doubt would be the belief of the man himself, and probably of most religious communities, that there was here a direct interposition of the power of the Most High.

Spiritualism enables us to dispense with these anthropomorphic conceptions which are also so displeasing to philosophy. But it is probable that intense faith and enthusiasm give spirits power even over our very organisation, and thus effect permanent results which these transient emotions—transient, that is, in effective intensity,—are unable of themselves to produce.

Temple, February 14th, 1880.

<Untitled> (A fortnight ago Mrs. Murray...)

...

The Mesmerising of Animals

Strange stories reach us from India of the feats performed by a native mesmeriser, named Buni, whose mesmeric power would appear to be found quite irresistible by the lower animals, upon which he exclusively exerts it. He gives seances, to which the public are invited to bring all manner of ferocious and untamable wild beasts, and, like the Ancient Mariner, holds them with his glittering eye. In a few seconds they subside into a condition of cataleptic stiffness, from which they can only be revived by certain “passes” which he solemnly executes with his right hand. An account of one of these seances states that a snake in a state of violent irritation was brought to Buni by a menagerie proprietor, enclosed in a wooden cage. When desposited on the platform it was writhing and hissing fiercely. Buni bent over the cage, and fixed his eye upon its occupant, gently waving his hand over the serpent’s restless head. In less than a minute the snake stretched itself out, stiffened, and lay apparently dead. Buni took it up, and thrust several needles into its body, but it gave no sign of life. A few “passes” then restored it to its former angry activity. Subsequently a savage dog, held in a leash by its owner, was brought in, and, at Buni’s command, let loose upon him. As it was rushing towards him, bristling with fury, he raised his hand, and in a second the fierce brute dropped upon its belly as though stricken by lightning. It seemed absolutely paralysed by some unknown agency, and was unable to move a muscle until released from the mesmerist’s spell by a majestic wave of his hand.—Daily Telegraph, July 20th.

<Untitled> (The Hon J. L. O'Sullivan...)

The Hon. J. L. O’Sullivan informs us he is writing a book to be entitled “Experiences in Spiritualism.”

An extraordinary prize of 3000 francs has been awarded by the French Academic des Sciences to Mr. Crookes, F.R.S., in recognition of his recent discoveries in Molecular Physics and Radiant Matter.

Mrs. Woodforde desires us to announce that she and Mr. J. C. Husk are now holding their Wednesday evening seances for physical manifestations, at 4, Keppel Street, Russell Square, London.

Mr. W Eglinton, the medium, will leave London next Monday for Leipzig, where he will give stances to some of the Professors at the university. Afterwards he will visit other cities on the continent. It is to be hoped that he will refuse altogether to give cabinet stances, and will sit only under test conditions.

Mrs. Hollis Billing.—Mrs. Hollis Billing, the medium, left this country last week for America, bearing with her the good wishes of all who knew her. Her mediumship was of a remarkable character, and of especial interest to those who are studying the problem of spirit identity. A little testimonial was given to her before she left, and for Mrs. Billing’s sake it is to be regretted that the one or two persons who got it up, did not send a single word of information about it for the readers of this journal, among whom Mrs. Billing has so many friends.

Mr. Rajendralala Mitra on the Ajanta Paintings

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Editor's notes

Sources

• 

  London Spiritualist, No. 392, February 27, 1880, pp. 97-8

• 

  London Spiritualist, No. 392, February 27, 1880, p. 101