1933
Jan 4 - Feb 6
January 4, 1933.
Mrs. Poole; W. B. Cooper; Dawn; Mr. Reed; the Haywards; Ewan; L. H.; T. G. H.; Mercedes.
E.M. trance controls, usual scripts and visions.
Walter states that he desires that his mediums sit with no other group.
If they go (Victor and Mercedes), he will not go. "They may draw a semblance of me, but it is not me." Like the preceding one, the coming Katie materialization would require a lot of energy from his sensitives.
January 5, 1933
[Letter from Dr. Crandon of Boston - discusses critics including Prince - February number of journal of S. P. R.]
January 8, 1933.
Mrs. Poole; T. G. H.; Dr. A. M. Campbell; the Haywards; Gordon Chown; L. H.; Ada Turner; J. A. Hamilton; W. B. Cooper; Ewan; Dawn; Mr. Reed; Mercedes.
John/Ewan says Katie's work is complete, picture next night. Katie also says her work is finished. Victor sees Katie and her robes, sees her step into a box-like contrivance.
Statement:
Lucy/Ewan
The full materialization will not be given but instead a representation of the Katie form that can be photographed. (See Katie Shell of April)
Re Feathery Teleplasm
Victor reports seeing Katie in a sort of an enclosed box.
Dawn's control calls for the red ceiling light to be turned on, but nothing is visible. Mercedes remains in trance for some time after the sitting had closed.
January 8, 1933.
Katie's main work is finished.
All are ordered out of the room except Ewan and L. H. Ewan, speaking as John King, drops on his knees beside Mercedes, who is entranced on the couch. He says: "My daughter, speak to us!"
Katie speaks. In moving tones, and with sadness, she tells L. H. that her work is completed; that she has taken all that her medium Mercedes has to give. She will not leave the group entirely; but says that her work is done. L. H. thanks her for all that she has done, and tells her how much her coming has meant to all. Katie says it is now Walter's work "to set the machine in motion." She asks that the doctor be brought in to release her medium, who has been taken a very long, long way, and does not want to return.
T. G. H. enters the room and commands Mercedes to return.
Mercedes: "No! I won't come back! No! Please let me stay!"
T. G. H. again commands her to return; and Mercedes slowly regains normal consciousness. Later she describes what she has seen: a place where the light is dim, like the early Dawn; and the lake in which she dipped her hand, but in which there was no water. The substance had the appearance of molten glass. The peace was wonderful - indescribable. She would gladly have remained.
January 9, 1933.
Mrs. Poole; Haywards; W. B. Cooper; Mercedes; T. G. H.; Mr. Reed; J. A. Hamilton; Ewan; L. H.
Full group, except Chowns.
Medium in trance almost at once. Usual E.M. controls manifest. Walter asks us to sing heartily. We sing his usual songs with as much zest as possible.
Third Katie face and veil phenomenon. Signal given by Victor. Directions through Mercedes, Dawn, and Ewan.
Statement:
Walter/Dawn
"We have got Katie's face and veil again." (Face resembling Katie at November 12, 1930 - also veil - dark and long hair.)
Third Katie face and veil
Mercedes in trance on her couch for some time.
Then T. G. H. is asked by Ewan-control to raise her and place her on her chair beside Dawn in the cabinet. T. G. H. does so.
More singing; controls speak of occasionally.
Ewan under much stress. Victor brought forward from his seat at the back part of the circle, and at Walter's command, put in his former seat to the left of Mercedes - adjacent to the cabinet. He is in trance.
We are asked to be perfectly quiet. Walter/Dawn calls for red light to be turned on; we see nothing.
In a few minutes he calls for it again; still we can see nothing.
The third time, one of the sitters thinks that he sees a whitish mass high in the cabinet behind Mercedes. Others are not sure. Walter is very disappointed that he cannot make the Katie form fully visible.
We sit quietly waiting.
Victor suddenly calls out: "One, two, three, fire!"
Flash is taken on signal given for the first time by Victor.
Walter/Dawn says we have Katie's face again, also her veil. He will not discuss further, and seems very disappointed.
[Photo of the "Third Katie King Materialization" - January 9, 1933.]
[Three photos: One of "Katie King" , taken by Sir William Crookes in 1873. Two of Katie King faces with what appear to be strands of material]
[ Photo of third Katie King - face and veil materialization ]
[ Photo ]
[ Photo ]
[ Photo ]
[ Photo ]
[ Photo ]
[ Photo ]
January 10, 1933.
Stevenson tells of Dimmit who was always late.
Stevenson stops and Sterge comes back. Then the personality changes again. A German apparently - some attempt at speaking German of which the instrument knows only a few words. Control addresses T. G. H. as "Herr" and "Doktor". He calls himself Baron and the recorder hears something like Schrenck-Notzing pronounced. By use of sign language and one or two English words the control shows that he was sick. He rubs his side to indicate the region, opens his hand to show "opening" - an operation probably. He falls forward to show subsequent death. A very forceful personality.
Sterge returns and asked that we have the small group as before. The meeting closes with a few remarks of an impersonal nature.
After coming downstairs, John relates his visions, which recorder notes as follows:
Sterge comes. Says Robert Burns is present and R. L. Stevenson - attracted by the anniversary doings. (See sitting notes of previous evening).
Jack Tells of His Vision.
"I'm sure I saw a donkey. I went walking with one. It was in the hills and I can remember it trotting along.
"Then I remember seeing what reminded me of Treasure Island. Saw a parrot and one man. The parrot was jabbering away. The man was talking to it and it was jabbering away. I remember seeing a barrel, a boy was sitting inside the barrel. He was sticking his head out every few minutes. The men did not know he was there. A man came in and put something in my hand - very disturbing - or did I put it in his hand - dashed if I can remember. Like a piece of black oilcloth. I remember now - I put it in his hand."
[The above is in reference to Treasure Island. Flint. John Silver. The Black Spot.]
January 13, 1933.
Stevenson continues with Dimmit.
Then Jack continues:
"In a boy's bedroom. Got impression of nose flattened against the pane. Though I was out then, came in and watched from inside. Kiddies marching up and down and playing soldiers. About eight perhaps. I remember it getting dark and seeing the lights coming on one by one down the street. A man coming down. Students - a young man about twnety-two years. I seemed to ..."
January 16, 1933.
Usual E.M. controls.
Walter explains the mechanism of the Katie materializations:
"Dawn supplies the material to build up the material to be photographed; the etherealization comes from Mercedes; the transparency come from Mercedes.
"In your material existence you have two forms: the material matter, visible, and the other, invisible. Do not confuse these with actual spirit.
"You are threefold, and when living, possess all three. But when you are liberated (non-corporeal) you must have a medium to supply etherealization. Ewan supplies a great deal of energy for this?
[Victor (W. B. Cooper) leaves the circle for good. This is the last Hamilton sitting at which he was present. His contribution had been very great and we missed him very much. L. H.]
[See reference to Victor's leaving, in Doyle Cross-correspondence experiments with mediums in England, carried out during winter of 1935. Not yet reported. L. H. ]
January 17, 1933
Letter from Dr. Hamilton to Dr. L. R. G. Crandon - Boston:
"... Many thanks for your note explanatory of the fingerprint mixup. Although we had not had any information we were all convinced that there was some feature in the background to account for the unwarranted attitude of those who attempted to precipitate a general attack.
"... Our work in Winnipeg is still at odds and ends, partly through the intrusion of parties who have over-balanced our group, and apparently made success almost impossible from the photographic standpoint, and partly because we have been worried since some of our popular addresses (talks) have "violently interested" certain parties, and they have attempted to buy and to coerce mediumistic members in our group into sittings of their own. This has resulted in fatiguing mediums and contaminating them by contact outside, and it has also created somewhat of disruption and unrest which is very hard to overcome since we are not as free to deal with and to control the actions of people in the manner you are so fortunately able to do, to say nothing of the splendid cooperation you otherwise enjoy.
"... We have, nevertheless, a matter of six or seven mediums of the deep trance type who have done marvelous work and to whom we look for splendid cooperation in the future. If we could but get our members reduced without creating hard feelings ..."
"...I am sending under separate covers copies of out last photograph which, by the way, was published in the Psychic Science Quarterly for October last. We were told before this picture came that it would contain Doyle's face and that it would contain another face which was to be a copy from a portrait of some person whose identity was not disclosed. The picture of Doyle above is, of course, unmistakable. The lower group is an allegorical presentation, the skull depicting Death and the girl's face disclosing the attitude of misunderstanding and terror as she looks at death. The face between these is that of young Spurgeon, the Boy Preacher, as he is termed, and pictured in some biographies. The problem which here concerns the world and the evangelist relative to death is not a problem to Doyle as he appears above.
"... I am enclosing several copies of this picture so that you may give one to Dr. Richardson, Dr. Brown and Mr. Litzleman; to all of whom and their wives as well as to 'Margery', let me extend ..."
January 18, 1933.
Mercedes; Dawn; Haywards; L. H.; Gordon Chown; Bruce Chown.
Talk at Church:
(1) Gordon United Church.
Introductory
This world a remarkable going concern
Composed of matter in many forms
Matter acted upon by energy of many types.
Life is present in many forms
Plants
Insects
Animals
Man
Man is distinguished from animals by his intelligence
Our Species
(1) Man has the urge to learn.
He has also the fear for the unknown
It is a safety guard of his life.
Religious fear of incurring enmity of the divine powers or perhaps of the evil powers.
Of creation it was said "It is good".
Why then not reverently get an acquaintance?
We do not use all of nature:
Light
Heat
Electricity
Radium
Magnetism
Change and decay going on all around.
But we must not make this a morbid subject. We must, However, look the facts straightly in the face and realize that it is a matter of universal interest if not of universal concern.
That is the reason that when questions are asked about Psychical Research, they almost invariably centralize around Religion and Survival.
We cannot lead the public - we can direct them into right channels of thought, and such is our duty.
The old order changeth, giving place to new This is true in this world more apparently, too, than ever before.
January 19, 1933.
[The confusion resulting from the Haywards is apparent in the fractured results for January 19, 1933]
John MacDonald; Glen Hamilton; Lillian Hamilton; Margaret Hamilton (note taker)
In the room about thirty seconds when John shows a restlessness which shows onset of trance. In about one minute Sterge comes through:
"Good evening. I will have him much better in a moment or two. You do not need to worry about music - the less fuss the better. S-s-simple surroundings - simple sitters - it is an "S" circle - Sterge, Stevenson, Stead, Spurgeon, Stinson - we will have to spell psychics with an "s".
Please let no one else come except the two boys (Jim and Glen) unless you ask me. The little boys are always welcome. Your premier control (Walter) is here. Whether he will say anything I do not know. Yes the capital "S"
The control changes. Roberts speaks (Scotch dialect). "I'm here to speak to ye and get on with the work. I'm getting good control of your instrument. I feel concurrently as you are able to speak. I have to do it with the help of Sterge. I feel I may at times have to be colored with him. I will retract and go back over the material I have given. Always at the beginning I shall be coming through on his impulse. Perchance a little of my speech may be colored of him. I will retract and go carefully over any such speech I feel so colored. I may, when dictating, drop any accent I have. It is, of course, easier to get through with a little country quirk, but it is difficult for those listening. I shall revert to my dialect when I find it necessary. I am happy to announce, especially to you (Lillian Hamilton) my lady of many explorations and investigations, that I think I have conquered myself temperamentally, that is, speaking of my psychical temperament. I think I am able to control my flighty and oft-times excitable communications. I regret ever so much the fact that many of my former attempts and communications were heaved around on a sea of temperament. I hope to duplicate many of them here but most of all to do some creative work. I hope also to send back roots into the past and give you pictures that will re-create unforgettable scenes in, at least my life, unforgettable to me. Perchance I shall go back to the child at first and find my way to manhood with you. I think no better way it could be taken. Fortunately, my memories of childhood are as vivid to me now, if not more so, than when I lived, laughed, and wrote in your plane of action. I hope to make it easier for you and tell you where to look for verification. If you think this is not after the approved scientific manner I'll make them so hard that you cannot verify them easily."
[L. H. suggested that he give both types.]
The Magic carpet
Robert dictating: "Did you ever hear of the Magic carpet? Well, we're sitting on it now and it's going to wrap all round ye. Your names are Maggie, Willie, and Jenny. I'm Robert, and we're going away a bit the night.
"Willie was an unco' young fool, always playing wi' sojers and sic' trash. He likes goin' ahead of the others like the drum major, the cock o' the walk. And along comes Maggie and Jenny sort of following him around. They are just at the age when they shoot a man down - they're little brigands. Willie's got a whistle and can play "Did ye ken John Peel". He's pretty musical and can play sojer tunes and we march around and we stick a feather in our bonnets, and we all go out. I can no' go; my war wounds bother me a lot and so I have to be content to sit in bed and watch the others parading. Of course, they like to parade, and then I'm the only audience they've got because other people chase them away. Of course, we got other sojers - Peter, Mary Jane. You see we were afraid the army would be taken by surprise, so we put Peter behind to watch against the savages. Willie goes ahead to play the whistle; Mary Jane, Jenny and Maggie are going to be the rank and file.
"Do you remember Larry? Most of our parading was done from tea time up to the time Larry came around. The bravest sojer gets a wee bit scared to go out in the dark. The Indians might murder one of the party. Dreadful people - Indians! Of course, when Larry comes they scamper away, but you know they're there on the edge, and when you're alone they creep in beside you. (But that's not all - we are going to shift the scene. The "Magic carpet" does not stay long in one place.)
[This probably refers to 'The Lamplighter']
Sterge Rachmaninoff
To the General Manager of the Triad with love.
Referring to the last séance in which there were two lady visitors, Sterge said: "I was nothing going nowhere; and I got there".
"And if the conditions outlined above had been followed R. L. Stevenson would have been able to be present at most sittings and speak in person instead of through the bars. They think they have got something worthwhile occasionally, but it is not a patch on what might have been. It was like him talking in a mist. Tell Madame Hamilton. (A pinch of what might have been). Ham is better away sleeping. Goes to his own sittings with the idea "to mark well and inwardly digest". He is not so interested in the mental phenomena and goes to the Stevenson sittings "to mark well and inwardly digress."
[The above is reminiscent of the CGV and 'The Lamplighter']
"Then I saw a man of Joseph Conrad's appearance - elderly with whiskers."
January 20, 1933.
[From LIGHT magazine - January 20, 1933]
Dr. Hamilton's Psychic Experiments
Animistic Theory Insufficient
January 22, 1933.
Mrs. Poole; Ada Turner; Dawn; L. H.; Ewan; J. Hamilton; Haywards; Gordon Chown; Mr. Reed; T. G. H.; Dr. Bruce Chown.
Message from Doyle
Doyle cross-correspondence work ahead
Usual introductory routine followed; Dawn speaks in trance, followed by Mercedes, who speaks in a very loud and forceful voice:
Mercedes control (recognized as Conan Doyle). "Good evening, my brothers and sisters. I am very desirous that you should know that I am making progress. The obstacles I first encountered are one by one disappearing. Don't think of the spiritual plane as something far beyond your reach. Those who have passed over are walking and talking with you. I am endeavoring to put through some work that would establish my identity across the sea. I will not preach Spiritualism to you, but it is too great a cause to shirk."
Later Dawn speaks as Walter. Dr. Hamilton is to remove the couch and rebuild the cabinet. Dawn presently shows signs of distress - is sobbing and gasping.
Voice through Ewan: "As I was going by I perceived a light and I heard talk of things. All truth is truth. You have your own narrow way of looking at things, but there are many aspects of light. Yet there is but one Light that binds us all: the Light of God the Father of all men, of all beings, of all spirits, of all religions, of all worlds."
Mercedes control: "These people are hungry for the word."
Ewan: "You look not broadly on the truth. I say to you, welcome truth wherever you find it; and wherever you perceive beauty, seek it out and learn from it. Don't think that in this room is gathered the wisdom of the generations. Truth is booming and blossoming all over the world; and this world is only a particle. That man spoke truly that the temple should be undefiled, and yet the temple is but the first step."
Mercedes: "What a beautiful place! It is all strange to me! Who are those people? I am in a new state of existence.
January 25, 1933
[Letter from W. Madeley Crichton - confirming a lantern address at Woodhaven School, Sturgeon Creek - February 9 - lecture.]
January 26, 1933.
[Sitting with Jock Burnside]
Lillian Hamilton; Jack MacDonald; Jim Hamilton, Jr.; Margaret L. Hamilton (recorder)
Sterge came through in fifteen seconds. Robert comes: "I got my wee beastie here the night and my lad and me are going for a walk with it."
Travels with a Donkey
"Down in the southern part of Europe there is a group of mountains ages old, beaten by the winds, rocky, dangerous, and picturesque. They run through France, Spain, Portugal, but little of Portugal. Going through these passes is one of the greatest experiences the continental traveler may have if one is accompanied by a backward beast, in the abstract one of the most lamentable and most humorous.
"The passes of the Pyrenees are glamorous and beautiful; their crags wild and windswept; but the air is keen and the sun bright and bracing, and the mind is lifted above the common pitfalls that beset the traveler's happiness on other occasions. The most beautiful, hateful, gray and gay, stubborn and willing companion in the world is a donkey - Hee Haw! Hee Haw! Make him gay with trappings and he looks like a bishop. Strip him of them and he looks like a monk. Try to move him and he's as stubborn as your diehard churchman. He is clergy and laity rolled into one.
"Bound up in the tiniest of bodies with the quaintest of heads and the most useless looking feet, look back at him and perceive what a philosopher he is, how unmoved he is by the common emoluments of life and the uncommon persuasions of the living. He potters along beside you like an overgrown dog. He's as temperamental as a princess and as self erasive as a bigamist. He does not seem to belong to the earth perhaps because he has been consigned so often to the other world." (Speaks of Treasure Island)
Robert leaves.
Sterge comes. Says Robert is present and R. L. Stevenson - attracted by the anniversary doings. (See sitting notes of previous evening).
Jack Tells of His Vision.
"I'm sure I saw a donkey. I went walking with one. It was in the hills and I can remember it trotting along.
"Then I remember seeing what reminded me of Treasure Island. Saw a parrot and one man. The parrot was jabbering away. The man was talking to it and it was jabbering away.
"I remember seeing a barrel, a boy was sitting inside the barrel. He was sticking his head out every few minutes. The men did not know he was there. A man came in and put something in my hand - very disturbing - where did I put it in his hand - dashed if I can remember. Like a piece of black oilcloth. I remember now - I put it in his hand."
R. L. Stevenson in dialect: "It's no' good. It's fraught wi' meaning but it's no' good. I attempted to make it a direct reference but it did not mark."
Appears to change control: "Priscilla! Priscilla! Day past, Day past away. Tomba."
R. L. Stevenson returns: "Dinna fash yoursel' about that." He sings "Fairin' doon the Firth O' Forth." Dramatic reference to "Jim" - dramatic representation of scenes from Treasure Island.
R. L. Stevenson returns to the island: "The white sand in the moonlight; the turtles on their backs; the natives killing the turtles with their spears. The beauty of the scene."
February 1, 1933.
Dawn; Mercedes; Haywards; Mr. Reed; Mrs. Poole; L. H.; T. G. H.
Dawn control: "Not one moment of your time given here is wasted. There is a register kept; and not one moment is wasted. You will understand that by and by ... I will perhaps turn the paper over on the back to draw some things. The drawings are not going to be perfect, but they will be the best I can do. I don't think the medium has ever drawn anything in her life!"
E.M. trance and visions:
Walter/Dawn: "There is important news coming to you; it carries a blue and purple light - from a long distance across two waters ... at any rate a large expanse of water ... Our friend (Crookes) has almost completed his experiment. I want you to know that it can appear on a plate. You will use a few cameras facing the interior of the cabinet. Crookes will tell you. He has been here and adjusted two cords in the cabinet ... There are many colored globes ... There are many wonderful workers you know not of. This is only the kindergarten. There is much to be done. But a beginning has to be made ... The old world looks to you. In the days to come when your grandchildren take up this work; then, and not till then, will this be thoroughly established. It is the medium we require to get open channels. There are dozens of mediums in the world; if they could be engaged in this work! Only by miracles will we establish the love on our side. Selfishness and greed are things unknown to us ... It is the meeting of conditions between our plane and yours that enables us to get through. We must be adjusted to obtain the light. I see William coming forward ..."
Crookes/Mercedes: "I only want to say, conditions are very suitable to me ... If my friend, Charles, (Steinmetz?) can accomplish what we wish, it is very important. We want to fulfill the promises made to you over the sea." (Reference to T. G. H. and L. H. trip in 1932.)
Speaking of the writing to come, Walter says: "One is to give the drawings. Tell them ! (To Lucy)"
Lucy: "Yes, he was at one time a well-known artist ... There may be a little mental phenomena. I know you do not place much (value) upon mental phenomena; but your physical phenomena are dependent upon those who produce the mental. It hastens the physical manifestations. We are all cogs in the wheel. Much mental phenomena are drivel; it is necessary for you to select the good from the bad in presenting it to the world."
February 2, 1934.
Jack MacDonald (medium); Lillian Hamilton; Margaret Hamilton (recorder).
8:00 p.m. sitting commences.
8:40 p.m. approximately, sitting ends.
Sterge speaks first, then Robert.
Robert: (coughing); "Ah, my, the weather's bad for my cough!"
" ... I'm getting material together slowly for a play. It's to do things like that I'm trying for. It will require more and truer work on my part through this medium; as I'll have to do a great many more things than the wee bit of composing for an essay. I'll start soon, perhaps next time.
"... It's most strange that in less than two hours per month we do what we do ..."
"I think of all the things that should concern us in our earthly lives, our main concern should be our attitude toward our fellow man. When I say that I don't mean our abstract philosophical attitude toward men in general; that is very easy to granulate in a few pertinent easily created phrases; anyone can have these - most everyone does. What I particularly refer to is our working attitude toward our fellow-men with whom we mingle and counter-mingle. A general philosophical expression of our feelings toward, and our relationships with our fellow men is too easily tied up with flowery rhetoric, for the researcher after sincerity to even bother examining. But he who searches for genuineness, for practical sincere expressions of the feelings and attitudes of man to man will find that in the little things ( there is) is a sort of smoke which shows there is fire, things or odors which indicate definite things. These things can we detect from the speech; additional evidence of one's attitude can be definitely located in how we work with and work for, not working against, those whose lives are bound up with ours. In this manner it would seem that although the skin be fair and features mild and godlike, yet the true condition of the body can only be discerned by the action and cooperation between the heart and the lungs or similar internal organs. This is simply an old truth garnished up and served again.
"Let us mind not so much what our enemies say against us as what our friends say for us. We will have a far more noble outlook.
[R. L. Stevenson.]
Control seemed to become confused and stopped as though searching for words to express himself.
"...Prayer is a focusing of the highest and finest in us in a search for the highest and finest in others.
"That's what I wanted to get through, now! (Slaps chair to emphasize words).
"Teacher, can I play now?"
Robert stops dictating and we chat and joke and tease for two or three minutes. He then says:
"If some fairy godmother should appear beside me in a puff of smoke and a flash and a rending of many sounds, and ask of me what one wish I desired; one wish only; I would ask for understanding friends, mutually understanding friends. There is nothing that I know of which provides such a constant source of inspiration, delight, strength and a sense of consecration as ... no ... I'm afraid I can't finish that ... There, I'm off my serious track and I'm just back to weak feeble me."
"I couldna get him (the medium) very well the night, but I'll do better and you can lay to that. He doesna seem quite as easy to handle. I guess I'm never satisfied ... Being never satisfied is one of the things that in this world you can say most positively is right: it's sort of the secret on which the whole world is based, that we should be continually seeking for betterment ... Well, I'm going now. Goodbye."
Sterge returns; he tells us how difficult it seems to be to control the instrument: "I suppose it is just that he (the medium) is not as easily made malleable tonight. I devoted most of my energy to helping Stevenson, and have little left for myself. His mind is not easy to use; he seems to be stolid."
After a moment or two more of conversation, Sterge takes his leave.
[Letter from Reverend Wood to Margaret Hamilton - No date given:]
Austin, Manitoba.
Miss Margaret Hamilton,
Kelvin Street, Winnipeg.
My dear fellow scribe:
"I am taking the liberty of enclosing herewith a copy of my notes taken on Wednesday evening. It was a memorable evening for me - one I shall not forget. Not that it was in a special way 'evidential', for I suppose one skeptically inclined might argue the whole procedure away. But not being that way inclined, it gave me an acquaintance with the technique of psychic work which I value highly. I am profoundly grateful to you all for permitting me to 'sit in'.
"I found my notes more fragmentary and in every sense worse than I had anticipated. I seem to have got most of the jokes and quips and 'wise-cracks' and to have failed to get the more serious parts. I have indicated by the mark (Cross-Hatch) on the manuscript the places where I am most conscious of having left things out. I am thinking most particularly of:
1) What Lucy said immediately after I was introduced to her. (foot of page 3 or page 4)
2) Conan Doyle's two messages; first in general and then in particular to myself. (page 5)
3) Walter's more serious talk on page 6.
4) Lucy's prayer at the close, page 7.
"I am wondering if you would be good enough to look up your notes and see whether from them I might get mine reasonably complete - not as a whole, but in the places I have suggested.
"A point which rather interested me was Walter's reference to "I would if I could, etc.." The whole, of which he gave only half, was "I would if I could - if I couldn't, how could I - you couldn't do what you couldn't, could you?" It was something I had heard said by one person and one person only - my sister, who passed over many years ago. There was nothing to indicate her presence; but it struck me as peculiar to hear that these words which I have always associated with her should come to me from 'Walter' in the unseen. I am more than ever inclined to pursue the study.
Very truly yours,
W. R. Wood.
February 3, 1933
Eastern Star Lodge
All are interested in human life
Man is especially interested in man - his history - his development or evolution - his ultimate goal.
Man's greatest activity to acquaint himself with the world about him.
Science constitutes the bulk of what he has learned in that acquaintance. Its facts are arranged in order and correlated
From Applied Science we enjoy the utilities due to discoveries made.
Conclusions:
These things are true.
There are other intelligences than we.
They have proved themselves through many channels.
The claim to be people who have once lived.
They are truth telling
Their truth has been established by miraculous or supernormal doings.
They give us much more information that we can at this time disclose.
Information as to their life where they are
Information as to the bearing of this life upon that which lies ahead.
Information as to prevision or prophecies
Information as to the plan of creation and man's place therein.
Science has proved survival and some of its conditions.
Beware of the false, misleading, who would for a price pretend to show you these very rare things.
February 4, 1934.
L. H.; J. A. Hamilton; W. Barrie; T. G. H.; Ewan; Mr. Reed; G. Snyder; Ada Turner; Harold Turner; Ethel Muir; Dawn; Mercedes.
8:55 p.m. Group in place, all hands joined. Singing is commenced. Dawn becomes hysterical with laughter.
8:58 p.m. Ewan breathes deeply and gaspingly, apparently under great stress. He rubs hands violently and says:
"Come on!" Heavy breathing continues.
9:01 p.m. L. H.: "Gordon is on the floor." Ewan mutters to himself. Gordon breathes very heavily. Dawn starts to laugh.
9:02 p.m. Norman and Dawn are in a fit of uncontrollable laughter. Soon all mediums and one or two sitters are laughing uproariously.
9:05 p.m. Group numbers, and laughing stops. All sing "Jingle Bells". Then laughing starts up again.
Mercedes: "I have a feeling that if Dawn and the doctor change places for about five minutes this laughing will stop. If someone would go into the cabinet, that could not be influenced, we would get rid of it."
9:07 p.m. Dawn and T. G. H. change places. We started singing from the first hymn
9:13 p.m. Dawn (normal): "A very tall gentleman came into the room - about six feet - his hair was parted on the side and was silvery gray - he had a grey mustache and large blue eyes - rather square-featured, long nose, drooping at the point a little. He was very erect - about 75 years of age. He put a book on the table, looked at the cabinet, and then left. He was a very fine looking gentleman."
9:14 p.m. Dawn moves to the cabinet. T. G. H. states that the hand connection has been established.
Dawn: "I think he laid a pen beside it - there was something on the book, but what it was I couldn't tell you. It was like papers, not like a regular book. He was a very fine man - his face shone with a silver light."
9:16 p.m. Group numbers, and sings "Jingle Bells."
Florence exclaims that she sees the room flooded with light.
9:17 p.m. Dawn: "There is someone here with Mercedes."
T. G. H.: "Good evening."
Mercedes (entranced, speaking in a very deep voice): "Good evening. You don't know who I am. ( Ewan interrupts with "Go on, said teasingly). You'd better tell them who I am. I didn't come here to be made a fool of. (Ewan continues to interrupt.)
T. G. H.: "Have you anything to tell us?"
Mercedes control: "I have plenty to tell you if you will listen. I have the work of proclaiming to the universe that I can come back and speak to you. You have heard me speak before: I am Power. Yes, you came to hear my medium in that large assembly. Were you not impressed? I have to say that I am not finished, that my voice will carry throughout the world. I am still working, and making greater progress than I have ever done; and the powers that would like to sit on me will never win out because I will win through ... Yes, through that frail body that I used I have converted millions; and she will be given strength to carry on. The persecution that she has suffered will always be with her but we will do our best to compensate her."
Ewan commands Power to arise and take his hand. Mercedes arises, and Power continues to speak through her:
"I tell you, you have material here in this room that will set the world on fire if it is properly used; and your name will be in all mouths. One thing I give you to go with: there is more than one power, there is a force of powers; there are many powers behind me, and many more will be added."
T. G. H.: "Does this apply in the other case?"
Power: "Not always. I am telling you this as a part of evidence that you will hear in the near future ..."
"I have been trying to come for a long time. I will leave this body now, as it is being used for other purposes."
Ewan: "Give them that other sentence of your message."
Power: "No, I prefer to keep it for another time. (The medium is silent for about twenty seconds. While we wait for him to speak further we sing softly. He then speaks:)
"Power shall be made manifest through more than one instrument. Do not forget that I give these words to you ... I spoke last night to many people ..."
Ewan (new control): " ... I am going into the wilderness. Give me your light ... I cannot see my way. So many come here and have naught to nourish their souls; they are grown dry and withered like things that grow upon the desert sands. Everywhere you go these souls are growing around this desolate place. Oh, if you could go among them as I go! I cannot tell you what it is like to go among this confusion of sands! They cannot do aught but go where the wind blows them . Can they find no place to hide from the heat of the sun, where these glad tidings can nourish them like the dew? Come to this great city where these people are ... Oh, if you could give them a part of this knowledge - they are not meant to be thus! Oh, if we could help them ! They are parts of the source of all things. Come, give me your hand, friends, and I will give you some glimpse of these people who do not know what their souls are ..."
"I have gained some refreshment and gladness from coming among you. You have much knowledge, and are not working in vain; you, who have recognized that we are gone a little way ahead of you."
"I will go now back to the wilderness, but I will come again to gain refreshment for my soul ..." (given stutteringly but quickly, infinitely sadly.)
9:33 p.m. Mercedes leads in singing "Showers of Blessing."
L. H.: "Ewan is in very deep trance."
9:36 p.m. Sing "Gems For His Kingdom".
Dawn: "When we started to sing "Showers of Blessing", Norrie massaged my head ... I seem to have lost my pain. I had a headache when I came in, and it stopped when he massaged it."
9:39 p.m. Ewan is given a drink of water.
9:40 p.m. We sing "Jingle Bells" for Walter. Dawn says she sees Walter standing at the table.
9:42 p.m. Dawn: "Walter says he is going to let someone else come through tonight. He is working just the same. He says he wants to know if you have the infra-red ready yet."
T. G. H.: "Yes."
Dawn: "He says there's an awful lot of crossed wires here ... my goodness, he shoved a light right in my face, just like two big eyes. He says he's not going to use me tonight ... He is putting wires up in the cabinet, like threads, or strings, across the cabinet from the front. I just see those things there and I see him there ... Oh, they are all gathered together; they seem as if ... There is no beam across the front of the cabinet, is there, doctor?"
T. G. H.: "No."
Dawn: "Well, it's as if there was a beam, and they were all gathered from the front to the back. There is a form which seems to be hanging down. It's right at the top, and it's hanging down. It's above Mercedes' head, but it's not touching it. It's a large form; I don't see any face. It looks like the ribs of an umbrella open with no cloth over it, and the form hanging down from the center."
9:51 p.m. Florence attempts to speak and finally says: "Good."
Mercedes (entranced): "I think you should turn up the red light and I will count to ten slowly."
T. G. H. does so; and we all looked intently at the cabinet, but nothing is visible.
Mercedes: "Did anyone see it? Speak up." No one answers.
When the red light is on full there is good visibility. All can be seen seated quietly in the circle.
9:53 p.m. Dawn: "Walter is making a cover on the form and then you'll see it and take a picture of it. The form will be inside and you'll see it. He says you are not to use so bright a light at first."
L. H.: "I've been touched on the lip."
Dawn: "I've been touched on my leg and my foot. (Continuing to describe Walter's activities). Now the cords are being extended, three of them , to Mercedes' side of the cabinet.
9:55 p.m. "My, there is an awful cold breeze in the cabinet! (shivers).
L. H. says she feels it, also, on the floor.
Mercedes control: "You must tell the mediums to be in very good condition when you come next time. With the balance of time left tonight we should be able to finish. There will be a lot of power taken from the instruments. Although Dawn is not under control, there is a purpose in this. Ewan and Mercedes are being used, and Florence will be in very deep trance next time. There is an urgent call from the controls that you to be prepared; but do not be tense. Be casual, and be well rested and on your guard. These are instructions from Walter. Dawn, especially, must be in perfect condition because it is all being stored in her."
Dawn: "Who started me laughing?"
Mercedes control: "Someone we had to get rid of."
Dawn: "Well, they left their throat condition with me ... You can close to your circle. Walter says as far as he's concerned he's finished."
Mercedes control: "Walter has gone; his work is finished. He has built the case around the form. If you wish other entities to come and speak to you, you may keep your circle open; if not, close it."
T. G. H.: "Who is this speaking?"
Mercedes control: "It is one of Walter's assistants."
T. G. H.: "Is it Mark?"
Mercedes control: "Yes. My, but you are getting quite psychic. How did you guess? Everything is in very good condition. I'm giving you instructions for the big boss. Lucy isn't coming tonight. She's in the movies now; she's taking a screen test."
10:01 p.m. Benediction spoken. Circle is broken, and members leave the room. It is some minutes before all are out, as Mercedes, Norrie, Gordon, Dawn and Ewan are in very deep trance."
February 5, 1933.
Mrs. Poole; Mr. Reed; Gordon Chown; Ewan; Haywards; L. H.; Ada Turner; J. A. Hamilton; Dawn; Dr. Bruce Chown.
Usual E.M. phenomena. Stevie appears and gives her a picture of Long John Silver.
Dawn passes into trance and begins to sob: "Take me back, please! Take me back! Can nothing be done? Eternal sorrow! All is dark! And the lake and the angel! Oh, so nice to be on the other side of the lake where all is beautiful!"
Mercedes (in trance): "He wants me to go in that globe. I am afraid! (T. G. H. encourages her). Oh, I can't! (She gasps and seems ill). I can't breathe! I can't breathe! Oh, now it is better! He turned that fourth screw!"
Dawn (unknown control): "No one jest. I have been through a terrible pit. It is well for you that you congregate in your little circles, so you will know what to expect. One hears on the earth of a place called hell. Oh, I am glad I did not have to stay in that place of horror! I have visited a place I did not know existed! The friend who took me wanted me to see some of the things he will write to you about. Pray for those who have passed on, that they in time may be able to pray for themselves. I think to write is a great work. I will help and will bring to your circle all the best that I can come in touch with, so that the message may ring from the material plane to the very edge of the spiritual! We must commence to write without delay. It is more important than I had any knowledge of! ... You who are of the medical profession little know of the wonderful opportunities which are yours, to relieve both mind and body as you go on your daily rounds. While attending the body, do not forget to speak the word of help and relief for suffering of the mind. The cup of cold water given in the name of the Master, builds for you precious memories when you journey to your own home.
Not long ago I was journeying through a pleasant land, and I came upon a soul in trouble, sitting upon what appeared to be the peak of a great rock. I recognize the form as being that of a man I had known upon the earth plane, but had not seen. I was not associated with him and was not his social equal. There he sat in misery, looking with eyes that could not see the brightness. Many about him were praying. He, on earth, had lived a life of enjoyment. He had had all good things, and did not think of suffering humanity. He gave subscriptions from his great wealth; but it was just like so much sauce upon the pudding, to make it taste better. It gave him satisfaction, and he enjoyed to the full the praise of men for what he had done. There he sat on that huge rock, seeing nothing of the brightness, wondering why he sat there alone.
"The God who judges justly will judge him also; and by and by he will see that he did not build for himself a home eternal. I try to speak to him, to get him to return to Earth; but he said he did not wish to return where there was so much sickness and sadness. But he will have to return, for only so may he build a home for himself in the glorious heavens. There he was, in heaven, seeing nothing; and wondering why no man came to speak and praise him for the good work he had done for himself on earth."
Walter/Dawn: "Good evening, everybody. I don't know who the control was. He was very bright. I had hoped by now to have a photograph of the chemical gases (said to be the work of Crookes); we will try for two more sittings; and if it is not visible by that time, we will desist for the present. This is a chemical problem , and I am not altogether familiar with it. Even to William (Crookes) the material is new."
Ewan speaks of a glass tube Crookes is building.
T. G. H.: "Will the present focus of the cameras be all right, Walter? It is directed on the medium's face."
Walter/Dawn: "Yes, that's all right, though the gas will not be on her face; it may be a little higher. It will not be lower."
Mercedes control: "You will get your final instructions next time. If this experiment is not successful in two more sittings, we will continue with our other work. We cannot keep back the other important work any longer."
Walter/Dawn: "You must have the room at a lower temperature to photograph this gas. The cameras are all right, except for the one in the center, which should be raised about one and one-half inches. There will be no face. It (the mass) will be entirely different from the others. It will be just as a reflection."
Mercedes, now in trance, says she has entered a beautiful garden. She says that now she is in a temple, and all must stand. The group stands.
Ewan (unknown control): "Come, O Great Spirit Priest! Hast Thou no word for Thy people? They wait patiently for the sound of Thy voice. Give ear! Give ear to the tidings of great joy! ... "My friends, I will tell you that these tidings which shall come to you, are the tidings that you and others, and yet others, shall bring, till the King of Peace is crowned! When truth is fulfilled, then they show know themselves as brothers; and when that day comes wars shall cease; and it shall only come when they know these truths. Therefore I say unto you, give ear unto these tidings of great joy, and spread them among all men, that they show know, that they shall come into this light which is everlasting. Give ear, and give speech to the people! What is revealed to you, they are hungry for! Men are eager for good tidings! Give them these truths! Now is the time to reach them! Men shall be at peace when they know as they know; and that time cometh more quickly than you realize. The work is given to you that you may make it known to all people, as others before you have done; and as yet others after you shall do. This is the reason that you have been selected; that you may give the truth to others unstintingly, giving with your heart and with your voice. Let not your lips be backward! Let your voice speak with resonance! The time will come when your work will be asked of you; and you will account for all you have done. It is not given to you only; but all shall know the truth! We are at the living!
You are dead! As the dead rise and become the living, so shall it be!"
Mercedes control: "He has given to you to reestablish the truth which has existed throughout the ages!"
L. H.: "I just want to report that I have felt a hand patting my arm, and also Dawn's arm. It must be a supernormal hand, for all other hands are held."
Mercedes: "That is right. It is Little Sunshine."
Circle closes.
February 6, 1933
[Letter from Dr. Hamilton to Mr. Crichton - Winnipeg:]
"... In reference to the lecture next Thursday evening I would say that as roads have been made rather uncertain by the recent snow I would prefer to go out from my office (210 Somerset Bldg.) with somebody who knows the best route. This will make me more certain to avoid calamity or delay.
"... If this suits I will be at my office at 7:30pm, Thursday evening, and will have a lantern and screen available to take along ...
Sitting:
L. H.; W. Barrie; T. G. H.; Ethel Muir; Ada Turner; Harold Turner; Dawn; Mercedes; Ewan; Gordon Chown; Dr. Bruce Chown; J. A. Hamilton; G. Snyder; Mary McLean, Secretary.
8:40 p.m. Sitting commences. Singing. Mercedes speaks:
"He is coming up the street,
He has got his little stick in his hand,
He has got Leary (?) with him.
He is going to light them all up
There he is just in front of my window,
He gave a little click - and up it goes, ( R. L. S.?)
I am going to the Post Office.
Yes, I will go this evening,
I am going to try it again. I have sent it before
but they have sent it back in again.
Do it with your own hands this time.
T. G. H.: "Yes, that is my book. Post it to myself? My letter telling them about my book."
Mercedes: "Yes, post it to yourself."
T. G. H.: "That is the man that I am writing to about my book."
Mercedes: "They well maybe take it this time."
L. H.: "Norman is on the floor in trance."
Mercedes: "It is nice to see the Lamplighter come up the street. I like when he lights the lamps up at night. In the gloaming is the nicest time. They tell us there are countries where there is no gloaming; I don't think I would like to be there - Oh, you go home. He is whistling up his dog; that fellow is always whistling up his dog - I will put up my top-coat and go down to the Post Office. The dog knows me; it is Jimmy's dog."
Dawn: "I don't see any dog."
Mercedes: "There are now; it is gone, it is down that little slit."
T. G. H.: "What is this?"
Mercedes: "My letter; it is away now; just have to wait and see what results come."
Dawn: "There isn't any dog; I just see the lights; that's all I see ..."
Singing.
Walter/Ewan: "Did I tell you to come up there?"
Mercedes: "I don't mind his face. I am sweating now. Harold's sweater is around my neck.
Walter: "She says she doesn't mind your face.(Laughs) there you sit, there ... (he is shifting somebody)
9:05 p.m. T. G. H.: "Ewan takes my hand; he is holding it high; both standing."
Ewan: "Go on, go on." (Mr. Barrie has collapsed against Gordon.)
T. G. H.: "Ewan is standing, facing the mediums, facing the cabinet."
Mercedes: "There is someone; they are trying to raise Harold off the floor; Is there a chair at the table?"
9:15 p.m. Ewan: "Come, come, come, (keeps repeating).
Mercedes: "I am trying, but I cannot."
T. G. H.: "Mercedes standing; the hands are lifted."
Mercedes: "Yes, come in, come on, come in."
T. G. H.: "Ewan stands in front of Mercedes. What is it, Mercedes?"
Mercedes: "Oh, well; there is a great big man is here. Walter is on the other side, and I don't know whether he means to let him come, or what he means; there are so many trying to get in there."
Ewan: "Tell Dawn to take a seat; I can take care of him."
T. G. H.: "Ewan and Mercedes standing hand in hand."
Walter: "Come with me. (to one of the other sitters.) You will just keep quite quiet."
Mercedes: "Great, great, great - Goodie evening. I have got through - great is the universe - great is my mission - great is the army of the unseen who walk among you - great is the multitudes of unseen who walk - great is their power for good, great is their power - they will come to you; they will paint the pictures to you; they will paint them as clear as daylight so that you cannot mistake that they are from the Spheres. Yes, it is all right if I have got a good footing (to Ewan) - We must go away; it will take too long, Walter. I will only say that I have been ..."
Walter: "Give him the message."
Mercedes: "Yes, I have given my message - that I will make known to all around the Power ..."
Walter: "Well, write it clearly."
Mercedes: "When your work is finished here, my work shall begin; but my voice must reach to more than sit around this little space."
Walter: "Take heed, take heed."
Mercedes: "My message must go to all quarters of the globe."
Walter: "Take heed; you are not doing your work as you ought; Power has come to you with a message to give to the world; you have got part of your message, can you not make use of it?"
T. G. H.: "Yes, yes."
Walter: "No, don't say, yes."
T. G. H.: "What do you mean?"
Walter: "When you have got no intention of doing what you have been given instructions to do."
T. G. H.: "To what do you refer?"
Walter: "I refer to the instructions that have been given to proclaim to all the world the messages that have come to you."
T. G. H.: "Well, we do. We do our best to spread ..."
Walter: "How can you expect that these ones will talk to you and deign to give you these messages if you lock them up in the secrets of your heart ..."
T. G. H.: "Oh, but we don't lock them up ..."
Walter: "You scatter them like a few grains of seed before the birds ... give the message to all the world, scatter it all over - man, can you not take instructions?"
T. G. H.: "They are scattered all over the world."
Walter: "They are not ..."
T. G. H.: "They are in print, yes."
Walter: "They have gone to a few places."
T. G. H.: "How else shall be scatter them?"
Walter: "Power is not the same as the other controls; you are being guided by them, you are following."
Mercedes: "You are doing your duty; you are following instructions."
Walter: "But Power's voice must reach further than that; and we leave it in your hands as to whether you wish to make use of him or not ..."
Mercedes: "That is my message to this group who are assembled here ..."
Walter: "Take it or leave it as you will ... These things which are given to you ... they are like precious pearls or grains of sand, which you, fortunate or unfortunate to get these things, and you lock them up in your heart, and keep them secret where no man ..."
Mercedes: "The others, they wish us to leave you now."
T. G. H.: "Well, thank you very much, Power."
Walter: "Thanked us, oh man, if you take heed of these words; but do not thank us if you disobey them ."
Singing.
9:25 p.m. Walter: "Take care of Power when he comes to you, my friend; encourage him, and he will give you some clear truths. (But I say to you, take care of him; you will get some marvelous good tidings; your friend is come."
T. G. H.: "The palms of my hands are in Ewan's; they are laid on the top of his hands."
Dawn: "His hands have quite a lot of power going right through his hands; I can feel it."
Mercedes: "There is a lovely face."
T. G. H.: "Where is the face?"
Mercedes: "Right above you."
T. G. H.: "Do you know the face?"
Mercedes: "I don't think I have ever seen it before: a most beautiful face; a woman's face, it is shining so bright, it is smiling at you."
T. G. H.: "Could you get her name?"
Walter (to some of the other sitters): "please, keep quiet; sit quiet ... Come, come."
Mercedes: "Have you got everything ready?"
T. G. H.: "I have."
Walter: "Could you take a photograph? A photograph of the bell ringing?"
T. G. H.: "Yes, I can."
