Chapter 5 AN UNEXPECTED SéANCE.

At an interview with Mr. W. C. Tallman, Mr. W. A. Hovey, and Rev. M. J. Savage, the question of obtaining private séances, in the interest of the Committee on Psychical Research, was discussed, and it was considered desirable to make arrangements with Mrs. H. B. Fay for that purpose. I was selected to consult with her, and, if possible, obtain her consent.

As several gentlemen who intended to join us were not present, Mr. Savage was requested to see and inform them of the conditions agreed upon; the result of his interview to be forwarded to me by letter at Mrs. Fay's, on Thursday, before the séance held on that day. These conditions were very simple, and ought to have been satisfactory to any reasonable person. They were the result of the long experience of Mr. Tallman, Mr. Hovey, and myself, made heartily in the interest of the Committee. There was no difference of opinion, Mr. Savage fully endorsing them.

The letter was duly received, and, without stopping to read it, I informed Mrs. Fay that I was ready to talk with her. She replied that she should leave the matter entirely with her control, and if I would lay the letter on the mantel, near the cabinet, Auntie, the control, would probably speak about it. This letter was a long one,-some four pages, written by a member of the Psychological Society, in reply to Mr. Savage. I placed it under a heavy music-box, within a few inches of my head, where I am certain it remained undisturbed until I took it away. Its contents, which reversed the arrangements agreed upon, were not made known to Mrs. Fay until after the decision of her control. As I did not then know what it contained, and in my subsequent interview with Mrs. F. made no allusion to it, Auntie's knowledge of it seemed very remarkable.

As the séance drew near the end, a spirit to whom I am greatly attached called me up to the cabinet; and while I was conversing with her, Auntie's voice broke in, saying, "Mr. Brackett?" I said, "What is it, Auntie?" She replied, "I will see you to-morrow."

I called on Mrs. Fay the next day, and, after talking with her on other matters, and finding that she did not seem disposed to allude to the appointment, I reminded her that I came on business. She asked, "What is it?" I replied that Auntie had requested me to meet her. She rose without a moment's hesitation, saying, "We will go to the cabinet." This was a surprise to me, for I fully expected that Auntie would take control of her medium, and talk to me through her, as she had often done before.

As Mrs. Fay stepped behind the curtain, Auntie came out, fully materialized, greeting me cordially, shaking hands with me, and expressing pleasure at meeting me; then, in a clear and forcible manner, discussed the question of the proposed séance, going freely into detail, showing conclusively that she understood both sides, and closed by saying that she did not propose to submit her medium to such conditions as were required by the letter, at the same time expressing a willingness to do all she could for Mr. Savage personally. Bidding me Good-bye, she dematerialized directly in front of me, so near that I could have laid my hand upon her as she went down. The curtains were apart, and I could see Mrs. Fay standing just beside the cabinet; but, in order to make me more certain, if possible, of that fact, she reached out her right hand, which I took in my left, preventing the curtains from closing; and while thus standing, no less than six fully materialized forms came out and greeted me.

During all this time Mrs. Fay may have been under partial control, but was not entranced, and talked freely with me about the forms, often describing them before they were visible to me.

These forms were substantial, varying in height and shape, and distinct from each other. Most of them conversed freely, showing quite as much individuality and intelligence as some of my acquaintances to whom forms sometimes appear,-persons who think they are wise in treating these forms with coldness and distrust, all of which is reflected back to them.

It is easy to understand why such persons are disappointed in what comes to them; but it is not easy to understand how any intelligent investigator, who has given the subject any considerable attention, should come to the conclusion that the forms are automatons, and that our friends from the other side never take possession, or control them, as they would a trance-medium; that they are merely effigies,[B] or lay figures, built up to mock us, and play with the most sacred feelings of our natures; and, what is more diabolical, that our spirit-friends are near by, enjoying the base deception! If this view is correct, what a fearful amount of lying there must be in every séance! Such a conclusion would be impossible from what passed before me at this sitting.

As I gazed with delight upon this sudden and unexpected manifestation, bathed in a mellow light which made all the surroundings perfectly visible, I could not help feeling a regret that my Psychical friends had shut themselves out from such evidence by requiring arrangements to which no intelligent control would submit. Here, under strictly test conditions, which precluded any possible doubt, was crowded into a small space just the information which I am sure that some of them are honestly endeavoring to obtain.

These things may be nothing but a mere phantasy of the mind; what is claimed as exact science, a humbug; and life itself only a delusion; but those whose lives are rounded into a full consciousness of an individual existence may prefer to consider them in a different light. The same perception which enables us to recognize one must be conceded to the other.

If, in the search after facts relating to the more subtle forms of life, the testimonies of thousands of honest and intelligent persons are to be disregarded, we might as well abolish our courts. Judge, jury, and witness become nothing but ridiculous actors in a farce played in the name of Justice.

[B] In an essay written by "Shadows," intended to enlighten the public on this subject, he puts forth the theory of effigies. In the same article he relates a séance with the Berry Sisters, in which he says that "a young female spirit came to him." The word spirit must have been a slip of the pen; he should have said, a young female effigy. It was possibly in anticipation of his theory that the young effigy called him "father!"

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