On the subject of Lady
Burton's attitude towards spiritualism we shall have something to say
later; but it is better to interpolate here a speech which she made at
this meeting, as it explains her views in her own words:
"It appears to me that spiritualism, as practised in England, is quite a
different matter to that practised in the East, as spoken of by Captain
Burton. Easterns are organized for such manifestations, especially the
Arabs. It causes them no surprise; they take it as a natural thing, as
a matter of course; in short, it is no religion to them. Easterns of
this organization exhale the force; it seems to be an atmosphere
surrounding the individual; and I have frequently in common conversation
had so strong a perception of it as to withdraw to a distance on any
pretext, allowing a current of air to pass from door or window between
them and myself. There is no doubt that some strange force or power is
at work, trying to thrust itself up in the world, and is well worthy of
attention. When I say 'new,' I mean in our hemisphere. I believe it
to be as old as time in Eastern countries. I think we are receiving it
wrongly. When handled by science, and when it shall become stronger
and clearer, it will rank very high. Hailed in our matter-of-fact
England as a new religion by people who are not organized for it, by
people who are wildly, earnestly seeking for the truth, when they have
it at home--some on their domestic hearth, and others next door waiting
for them--it can only act as a decoy to a crowd of sensation-seekers,
who yearn to see a ghost as they would go to a pantomime; and this can
only weaken and degrade it, and distract attention from its possible
true object--science.
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