Blavatsky H.P. - Mediums, Beware: Difference between revisions

Let me give mediums a bit of friendly caution. If this Russian Professor should turn up at a séance, keep a sharp eye upon him, and let everyone do the same; give him no private séances at which there is not present at least one truthful and impartial Spiritualist. Some scientists are not to be trusted. My correspondent writes that the Professor “goes to America to create a great scandal, burst up Spiritualism and turn the laugh on Prof. Wagner, Messrs. Aksakoff {{Page aside|213}} and Butleroff.” The plot is very ingeniously contrived: he is coming here under the pretext of the Centennial, and will attract as little attention as possible among the mediums.

But, Mr. Editor, what if he should meet the fate of Hare and become a Spiritualist! What a wailing would there not be in the Society of Physical Sciences! I shudder at the mortification which should await my poor countrymen.

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:

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.

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{{HPB-CW-comment|[In H.P.B.’s {{SB-page|v=1|p=143|text=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 {{SB-page|v=1|p=154|text=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:]}}

{{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:]}}

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{{HPB-CW-comment|[In her {{SB-page|v=1|p=155|text=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:]}}