The End of the World According to Science

Memory in the Afterlife

Spirits That Watch the Rescues - We are Criticised

My Experience of Mediumship

Florence Nightingale

From Ancient Egypt. An Unusual Rescue

The Scientist's Dilemma

Dead Indian Leaders Still Work for Humanity

The Future of Spiritualism

The Loss of a Child

Have Spiritualists Done Anything For Society?

Is There A Hell?

Learning with The Spiritual Hierarchy

The Church of England Report on Spiritualism

Thrilling Spiritualism

Why Rescue Work?

But What Happened to the Victims of the Holocaust?

A Doctor Asks for Help

A Haunted Church

Alfred Russel Wallace

Arthur Conan Doyle

Compensation and Retribution

Ghost Busting at KFC

Helping Letitia

Journey of Souls

Valerie was entranced and sat with an aristocratic pose which yet revealed an inner tension.

Michael: "Would you like to talk to us?

No answer

Can you hear my words?

Medium nods slightly.

Are you happy?"

Sp. "No!"

M. "We can help people who are unhappy. Tell me, is it light or dark where you are?"

Sp. (Slowly) "Dark. I need some kind, I don't know the word in your language, but I need forgiveness for the many terrible things I did in a position of great authority when there was so much - so very much - chance to do something."

M. "We understand your feelings"

Sp. "This is not easy."

M. "We understand."

Sp. "I lived many years ago in Egypt. I was, I think one would say, a High Priest in one of the Councils. I abused my position of power, not so much by what I did, but what I failed to do.

I did not want to come tonight, but I was told it was the only way that I would gain some measure of peace and move forward."

M. "I am sure this is true. Telling us about it is your first step and there is hope for everyone. Would you like to tell us a little more or is that enough?"

Sp. "There was so much bloodshed, so much misery and loss of life among the slaves and workers who were building the temples and the pyramids which people now, I understand, wish to see. What they do not see, is the horror that took place, much of it I am ashamed of. To say it was not just me, does not make it any easier. I could have done so much more."

M. "Have you had this burden ever since you passed?"

Sp. "Yes, it has been this darkness, and yet reliving all these horrific scenes. No chance to put it right and the great feeling of sorrow and sadness because I have had to live through the anguish and pain that went on."

M. "Now everyone can achieve peace eventually. All will progress eventually. Being willing to repent, to regret, to confess are the steps which will lead you on to peace. You have made a start.

Do you have anybody who has already passed who you would like to see again, who could come and talk to you to help you and advise you?"

Sp. "I had great respect and love for my father who was a good man. If he could help me and forgive me, it would help."

M. "Now, what we want to suggest is that we all make a wish, all of us here, for your father to come. But you will have to make the biggest wish, 'Please, father, come to me', and I think we may be successful. You may find it will start to become lighter and somebody will come to you out of the light. Let us all make the wish now, 'Dear father,come!'

Now I will keep quiet and ask you to tell us if something changes, it gets lighter, you hear something or you see something. We will now wait to see what happens."

A pause occurs.

Sp. "I can see the sky!"

M. "Good, it has started."

Sp. "The night sky, with all the stars.

It fills my heart with joy!"

M. "Think of your father - what he looked like, what he sounded like."

Sp. "There is light up in the air - and voices! I feel as if I am moving up. The voices are crying, 'Come, come forward, you have paid the price - now you can come into the light!"'

M. "Your ordeal is over."

Sp. "Thank you!"

M. "We give you our love and our blessing."

Sp. "I feel I did not deserve to feel such joy again."

M. "God's love is infinite, infinite. Be happy now."

THE END

(The medium was feeling the speaker as a large strong man with an elaborate headdress, looking something like a dog. The medium,Valerie, said "I think he must have been reliving a lot of the scenes that were going on. I could see men hauling stones and being whipped and things like that.")

Michael Evans

One can sympathise with the dilemma that scientists find themselves in with regard to Spiritualism, a dilemma that has existed since the 19th century. If the fact was admitted that even one person had genuinely received a message from a dead person via a medium then the scientific world-view would have to be greatly enlarged. The matter and energy which science says makes up the known universe can not be all there is. There must be another realm outside it, inhabited by conscious beings that were once humans on earth.

When in the 19th century, scientists of the top rank, such as Sir William Crookes, Sir Oliver Lodge and Alfred Russel Wallace, proclaimed their conviction of the truth of the phenomena of Spiritualism, they were widely abused for their ridiculous claims. Spiritualist phenomena, like miracles, were obviously contrary to the known laws of science and could not possibly be true, and every effort was made to prevent them publishing their views in scientific journals. The same objections were made to Mesmerism but hypnotism is widely accepted now and was recently demonstrated on 'The One Show'.

Wallace, the discoverer, with Darwin, of the theory of 'Evolution Through Natural Selection', replied that all facts and theories should be looked at impartially and with out prejudice. If the phenomena occurred, as they had satisfied themselves they did, then a theory should be sought which best explained them, and Spiritualism appeared to be such a theory.

He quoted Humbolt who said, "A presumptuous scepticism that rejects facts without an examination of their truth, is, in some respects, more injurious than unquestioning credulity".

The acceptance of this theory of spiritualism appeared to have such startling implications that many could not face them and every possible argument was put forward against the truth of the phenomena; these included deliberate fraud, imposture, gullibility of the observers, mental aberration of the said scientists and, in Sir William Crookes' case, alleged infatuation with the female medium.

After centuries of fear of persecution by the church, scientists had at last got rid of God as creator of the whole completed range of living things with this theory of 'Evolution by Natural Selection', put forward jointly by Darwin and Wallace, and they had no desire to reintroduce the Deity, yet these invisible, intangible Spirits of the dead said there was a divine being at the head of a Hierarchy of ever wiser and wiser Spirits.

No agreement was reached; the believers never retracted their views; William Crookes insisted to the end he had seen his dead wife and had held her materialised, living, body in his arms long after her death.

Many new discoveries have had to face the criticism that they conflicted with the known laws of nature, or the edicts of God, but in the end they have won general acceptance. Why then has Spiritualism completely failed to win the acceptance of the scientific community when, from my own experience many of the facts on which it is based are true.

It took nothing but fact after fact to convince me, a hardened agnostic, but after conversing with over seven hundred separate spirits, all recorded on tape, and having a book dictated to me by a former principal of a university college, and having speech with Alfred Russel Wallace himself, I have to declare myself a knower, rather than a believer, until contrary evidence appears that this is all a gigantic world - wide conspiracy specially arranged to deceive me, a simple soul, who desires nothing but to discover truth.

At least the Victorian detractors did attack these leading thinkers for their ridiculous credulity, although they devoted little time to checking the facts for themselves, considering the momentous implications of a life after death in an unknown realm. May I suggest that modern scientists have a better way of dealing with this awkward evidence - they simply do not look at it! There are good reasons for this, I feel. They have no desire to attract similar abuse; there is no professional advancement to be obtained from research into such a subject and no grants are available. A student doing a Ph.D in anthropology by studying the work of my group had to face innumerable hurdles before she finished her work. But, above all this, there is the question of repeatability, and the experimenter effect. Wallace found, and others have confirmed, that the entrance of a determined sceptic can affect both the sensitive medium and the subtle energies involved in the experiment; also the experimenter is not dealing with animals or inanimate matter which can be manhandled into position, but with living spirits of various degrees of intelligence, who may or may not wish to be the subject of experiments. If they chose not to perform on time, the sceptic can satisfy himself that the phenomena does not exist and make no more trials.

The interest among the public in this subject supports several TV shows each week, such as '6ixth Sense,' and the site about the medium Helen Duncan, imprisoned in WWII for revealing that HMS Barham was sunk before the news was released or even known to the War Office, has had 60,000,000 hits. One can ignore programmes on TV where editing may be going on, but when such effects occur in ones own living room among a group friends over a period of eighteen years, one cannot doubt the evidence of ones senses.

Michael Evans.

DEAD INDIAN LEADERS STILL WORK FOR HUMANITY

MAHATMA GANDHI BROUGHT HIS MESSAGE TO THE WORLD

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi achieved a legal qualification in England and then a contract to work for an Indian merchant in South Africa. Here he found intense discrimination against the Indian community who were not allowed to walk on the pavements or enter hotels. For two decades the shy young man worked and organised opposition to the discriminatory legislation against Indians. After 21 years, with many of the oppressive laws repealed he returned to India.

Here his influence on the Independence Movement for India gave it a moral and religious power which swept all before it. Time and time again he started a 'fast to death' to bring peace between warring groups, and today his memory is revered by millions across the world. The great scientist, Einstein, said,

"Generations to come, it may be, will scarcely believe that such a one as this in flesh and blood ever walked upon earth".

When Gandhi was assassinated in 1948, the Indian Prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru addressed the nation through the radio.

"Friends and comrades, the light has gone out of our lives and there is darkness everywhere, and I do not quite know what to tell you or how to say it. Our beloved leader, Bapu, as we called him, the father of the nation, is no more. Perhaps I am wrong to say that; nevertheless, we will not see him as we have seen him for these many years, we will not run to him for advice or seek solace from him, and that is a terrible blow, not only for me, but for millions in this country."

In fact, Bapu, Mohandas Gandhi, did speak again after his death, although he was not seen. It happened in this way.

One of Britain's most famous mediums, Leslie Flint, had the rare gift of 'The Independent Direct Voice'. In his presence, scientists in the Spirit World could construct an artificial 'voice box' through which Spirit people could speak directly, and the sound of their voice would come clearly in the air, a short distance away from Leslie's head, without passing through his mind.

It was exciting for the listeners when, for the first time, the voice of Mahatma Gandhi was heard, giving his message from the Spirit World. That message was recorded and you can listen to it, or download it for free, on this site. Mohandas Gandhi can be heard, at first, accustoming himself to this rather strange method of talking by using the artificial voice box. He becomes more fluent and earnest as he warms to his subject. He now sees into men's hearts and knows how powerful leaders manipulate mankind for their own private ends, and how men foolishly claim that theirs is the only true religion, or that their nation should dictate to others, not realising that the people on planet earth are one people and the only religion is one of love and service. He says that this communication between people on earth and people in Spirit is essential if the human race is to learn the truth about human life and its purpose and destiny for everyone.

In these recordings we hear from the pioneers most concerned with gaining self-rule for India and founding the influential modern state. Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Nehru and Indira Gandhi, speak from the Spirit World.

INDIRA GANDHI (1917-84)

When Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, was assassinated in October 1984, she came through to a well known spiritualist group in Sidmouth, Devon, U.K.. Both she and her father Nehru had been to mediums before. Speaking through the trance medium, John Turner, she said,

'Where am I? Am I dead then? I seem to go everywhere!'

Iris Turner, who had heard the news and recognised her voice, said, 'Go to Nehru!' which apparently she did.

On November 26th 1986, she returned to the group to make a tape recording, speaking through John Turner. Indira then gave a detailed account of her experiences since dying, saying how important she now realised it was, for the messages from the Spirit World to be made available to people on earth, proving that there is no death. She describes how she, her father Jawaharlal Nehru, and Mahatma (Mohandas) Gandhi, were still working to try to aid the people of earth and prevent conflict and suffering, instead of enjoying the life of bliss and leisure available to them. Recorded post- mortem messages by Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi and Pandit Nehru can be listened to, or downloaded, from this website

PANDIT NEHRU'S ADVICE FROM THE SPIRIT WORLD

Jawaharlal Nehru had been sent to England to be educated. He went to Harrow and to Cambridge, where he took a science degree. He then trained as a barrister and returned to India where he practiced in the Supreme Court. He then came under the influence of the spiritual leader, Mahatma Gandhi.

He now took up the cause of Indian Independence and became the leader of the Congress Party. He spent eighteen of the next twenty-five years in prison for his beliefs, and emerged to become the first Prime Minister of modern India. He died in 1964, returning some twenty years later to give his messages and opinions through the medium John Turner in the Devon Group in Sidmouth.

THE FUTURE OF SPIRITUALISM

The hopes of the early pioneers of Spiritualism, that in a hundred years time, all intelligent people would accept its truths, have hardly been realised. The followers of the major religions still hold to their beliefs while materialists, who believe that life ends at death, have increased in numbers, lead by scientists like Dr Dawkins and philosophers like Satre and Camus.

With S.N.U. churches declining in number and attendances falling in some churches, one has to ask the reason, when we have such an amazing and provable truth that gives meaning and purpose to life.

Admittedly there have been some successes. Mediums may now legally demonstrate in theatres and on television, as well as in churches. Many people do not know the reason for the two little windows built into the back of some older churches, where a watch was kept to warn of the arrival of the police. When John Edward visited Australia, 30,000 people paid up to $100 each to see him but attendance at spiritualist churches did not notably increase as a result.

The general climate of opinion is not favourable to any religions and church attendances are falling world-wide but, I suggest we should look at the reasons affecting Spiritualism in particular if we wish to reverse the present trends.

Death in the family has always been a natural stimulus to facing the question,'Is there a life after death?' Such deaths are much less common nowadays. In 1950, the average expectation of life was 56 years - it now nudges 80 years and far fewer babies and children die young than previously.

There is said to be a shortage of first class mediums, and I can think of only three whose arrival will double our church attendance and whose private reading are booked long before they arrive. I think people are no longer willing to spend ten or twenty years 'developing' as they did years ago. Before the arrival of television and radio, life at home could be very dull in the evenings, and to go to a circle once a week gave an interest to life. Now TV holds many in its grip and we have to compete with 'East Enders', and, 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire?'

Do the 'Seven Principles' of Spiritualism need to be revised or updated? The most evolved teachers we have had, have emphasized that Love is the greatest power in the universe, yet the word does not even appear in our principles, or, indeed, in some practices I have seen.

I remember when we put on an evening for children who had escaped from Tibet by trekking through snow-bound mountains. Although people came to give and not to receive, the church was full and people stood at the back. I think they were motivated by unconditional love for children they would never meet.

New Age thinking is said to be more popular with the young than Spiritualism and New Age websites outnumber Spiritualist ones, although the 'Leslie Flint Foundation' site, the amazing Helen Duncan site, and my own site, where spirits can be heard speaking, do get steady visitor numbers.

There are other factors which spread the idea that there is a life after death and communication is possible between the two worlds. The same television which discourages some from sitting for years to develop has many programmes which takes mediumship as their basis. Last week I counted seven such programmes and this week Tony Robinson with 'The Blitz Watch', airs the story of Helen Duncan, the gifted physical medium, martyred because of her accuracy, in the interests of security before the opening of the Second Front in WW II.

In the January edition of Saga Magazine, which is the U.K.'s best seller, there is a most appreciative article about the Findhorn Community, which it admits was founded entirely as a result of Spirit communications through Eileen Caddy and Dorothy McClean. They praise it as a world authority and the world's number one eco-friendly community, with half the eco-footprint of any similar community in the developed world, with representation on the United Nations Values Committee and NGO Executive Committee.

What does the Spirit World think? The White Brotherhood say that we are making progress and are actually ahead of where they expected Spiritualism to be by now. When King George VI spoke through John Turner, he felt that our truth would be taught in schools eventually, but not for some centuries. (I was lucky enough to teach 'Life After Death', officially, to the 600 pupils in the Upper School of a Comprehensive School for five years before I retired.)

We have to remember the different branches of Spiritualism. We have the S.N.U. With its Seven Principles, The Greater World, with its Christian emphasis, the Spiritists who follow Allan Kardec and accept reincarnation as do the many Spiritists in Brazil. In Vietnam are millions who follow Caodaism, founded in 1926, which accepts spirit communication and reincarnation, with traces of Buddhism and Taoism, while millions across the globe practice ancestor worship which often includes spirit communication in some form.

Reverting to the U.K., the S.N.U. will push ahead with its new structure and its international Website, and many of the 32,000 Spiritualists registered at the last census will work to spread the truth. In spite of what some people feel, the great strength of the S.N.U., in my opinion, is its continuing central organisation and structure which provides expert education and experienced guidance in legal and financial matters. In America when Spiritualism blossomed and overtook the orthodox churches in numbers, under the onslaught of the press and the older churches, it all fell away, as the individual church founders retired or died and the churches closed. A continuing organisation is essential to keep the movement going until the present materialism wanes as we are assured it will.

There are many other factors working to educate the public. In London, the 'Spirit Release Foundation', founded by Dr Alan Sanderson, trains people to release patients from obsessing spirits . Details can be seen on their website which has excellent case studies of spirits released to move on to their proper place in the Spirit World. After Konstantin Raudive recorded 70,000 spirit voices speaking on the 'white noise' on radio, Sarah Estep recorded many more thousands in the USA. The Electronic Voice Phenomena has spread to 20 countries and can be heard on EVP on the Internet.

A powerful influence is Michael Newton, whose books, 'Journey of Souls' and 'Destiny of Souls' have sold world wide. As a master hypnotist and counsellor as well as a deep space astronomer, his techniques of regression have shown that in every human being there exists a memory of their previous life in the spirit world which his method can reveal and he is now teaching teachers across the world how to do this work. His studies confirm everything that spiritualism teaches without any use of the mediumistic gift.

Most people have heard about the Near Death Experience where people leave their bodies and experience blissful feelings, see a brilliant, loving light and meet deceased relatives. All these influences are gradually spreading the idea that there really is an existence following this one, so while churches may not be spreading at the moment, the truth is permeating slowly outside them. As the poet Arthur Clough wrote,

"For while the tired waves vainly beating,

Seem here no painful inch to gain,

Far back through creeks and inlets making,

Comes silent, flooding in the main.

And not by eastern windows only,

When daylight comes, come in the light,

In front the sun climbs slow, how slowly,

But westward look, the land is bright."

Some may say, 'Does it matter? After all, everyone finds out about Spiritualism after they die, no matter what they believed!' A White Brother said to our group,

'It is essential that a foothold, as it were, shall be gained among mankind, for his sight is blinded the glitter of his folly, and because he is so dazzled, he cannot see or recognise the guiding hand which is offered. Thus do we call you together who came for this purpose.'

I have a feeling that Spiritualism needs to be more profound if it is to spread world-wide. Can we answer such questions as,' Does the Universe have a purpose? And what is the ultimate destiny of mankind?' I believe we can and I do think we have evidence that we are destined to be co-creators with God and that we can extend the field of science to a point where it can blend with Spiritualism to provide the most satisfactory philosophy so far achieved by mankind.

HAVE SPIRITUALISTS DONE ANYTHING FOR SOCIETY?

Obviously the great gift of Spiritualism to the world is the evidence that we all survive death, and communication with those who have passed on is a provable fact.

However, to a materialist, this is not impressive or even interesting. Yet a materialist would be impressed if he knew even a little of the contribution that Spiritualists have made to many aspects of life in the past and also to our life today.

To take one example: during the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln, that most revered of American presidents, accepted mediumship and attended seances in the White House. The military situation in the civil war was desperate. His troops were demoralised and it looked as if the slave owning states of the south would win the war and the United States would be broken up. A spirit message through a medium told the President he must do two things: Firstly he must take an open carriage and with his wife and children in full view he must drive along the whole of the front line where his soldiers faced the enemy. This would give them the confidence to fight on. Secondly he must make a proclamation that if his armies were the victors then all slaves in America would be given their freedom. He carried out both of these instructions, the North won the war and the slaves were freed, ending the most cruel and barbarous treatment of human beings in western civilisation. Without that victory, General Colin Powell, commander of the Allied Forces in the Gulf War and later, American Secretary of State, could still be an uneducated slave labouring without pay under threat of an overseer's whip, as could Barack Obama, probable Democatic candidate for the Presidency of the United States in 2008.

In the scientific field, Sir William Crookes, who was president of most of the scientific societies of his day, as well as the Society for Psychic Research, made many tests with mediums and announced that he was fully convinced by the evidence that there was indeed a life after death. When his wife died he saw and held her fully materialised body. Sir William was a man who innovated in many fields. He developed the extreme vacuum which led to our present type of electric light bulb, later devised by Thomas Alva Edison, an American spiritualist, who also invented the phonograph, the forerunner of the record player, the mimeograph, the first office duplicator and a system for distributing the electric power on which our homes nowadays so generally depend. This distribution of electric power literally changed an entire civilisation, freeing mankind for the first time from endless backbreaking toil and bringing manufactured goods into the poorest homes. The modern factory producing millions of items from cars to aircraft, from refrigerators to vacuum cleaners, is entirely dependent on electric power which both drives and controls the sophisticated machinery which produces the goods. Millions of people now left the land to become factory workers, earning wages with which they could now buy the products of a vast modern economy.

William Crookes also invented the cathode ray tube, that vital part of our televisions and our computer monitors on which we see the images - the screen. He discovered the metal Thallium and perfected a method of obtaining silver and gold from the crude ores. He was an authority on sanitation, especially the disposal of sewage and he invented the Crookes lens which protects our eyes from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays - our sun glasses

Another famous scientific spiritualist was Sir Oliver Lodge. He was Professor of Physics at Liverpool University and then first Principal of Birmingham University. He was President of the Physical Society and the British Association for the Advancement of Science. He developed the first successful transmission and reception of radio signals and sold his patent to Signor Marconi for £50. Marconi, who was also a Spiritualist, went on to make a transmission across the Atlantic and found a vast world-wide industry.

Oliver Lodge and his son developed the spark plug on which our petrol engines still depend today, and he invented an early vacuum cleaner of a different pattern from the one we use nowadays. He investigated famous mediums and proclaimed himself converted to complete acceptance of the evidence for communication between the two worlds. When his son Raymond was killed in the Great War he wrote the book, 'Raymond', about the communications he received from him and the book was a best seller.

John Logie Baird., the Scottish inventor of television whose system was adopted in England and Germany in 1926, believed in communication from the Spirit World and stated that he had communication and advice through a medium from John Alva Edison the pioneer of electrical power. Interestingly enough, the messages came in Morse Code which was evidential because Edison started out in life as a telegraph operator on the American railroad system which used the Morse Code. Baird ~ invented black and white transmissions first, then colour and finally 3-D television which, so far, has never been successfully adopted on a large scale.

Nikola Tesla, who devised alternating current, which we use universally today in our houses, had psychic experiences all his life, His many inventions appeared visually in front of him, but he refused to ascribe them to the Spirit World, always seeking a scientific explanation for them until, after staying with William Crookes, whom he greatly admired, his mother died and appeared to him in a dream, when he began to say that 'perhaps it could be true'.

In the literary field, as most people know, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of the Sherlock Holmes stories, was a convinced believer and toured the world lecturing about the New Revelation of Spiritualism. He was also a doctor, an eye specialist, a champion boxer, played cricket for the M.C.C. and was the man who introduced skiing from Norway into Switzerland and founded a new tourist industry there. When my wife and I were staying in Switzerland one autumn, we found the hotel preparing to close with the staff moving to another hotel in the mountains for the skiing season. In this way they had a yearlong continuous season for their tourist trade.

Alfred Russel Wallace was a famous biologist who independently from Darwin conceived the idea of Evolution through Natural Selection as the 'Origin of Species. This opposed the Church's teaching that God created every single living creature from elephants to fleas in one act at the beginning of the world. He wrote to Darwin, who had already thought of the idea and they published a joint paper together which caused a terrific controversy in 1858. The Church denounced it, but Evolution is now generally accepted by modern churchmen and scientists. Wallace was a convinced Spiritualist who published a book, 'Miracles and Modern Spiritualism' in 1881 and lectured in Exeter on Spiritualism in 1886. In our circle we were thrilled when he came through to us with the most wonderful evidence which took 18 months to be proved conclusively by a programme on BBC 2. The first day he came through the medium George Pratt was the same day I had borrowed the above book from the Exeter City Library.

How was it then that a small group of Spiritualist had such an effect upon our modern world? I think the answer is that all the scientists and inventors of the past are still working and when we are judged fit to receive a new discovery without doing too much damage with it, it is passed down to us, sometimes telepathically, sometimes in dreams and sometimes through mediumistic communications. In my book, ‘Billy Grows up in Spirit', dictated by Billy himself, he says, "You talk about science fiction but it's science fact for us. You see it's with us before it's with you. Computers and Television were with us long before they were with you." Spiritualists have, therefore, been responsible for the development of much that is in daily use in work and homes across the world. The electric power that comes into our homes, the radio broadcasts that we listen to, with the recent development into portable and mobile phones, the electric light we switch on, the screens that we watch on our television sets and computer monitors, all based on the Cathode Ray Tube: the TV itself: the sewage and drainage system connected to our toilets, the spark plug which powers our cars and the sun glasses which protect our eyes were all developed or improved by Spiritualists - and the detective stories we read or watch on TV, all stem from the ground breaking, 'Adventures of Sherlock Holmes', which made Conan Doyle the highest paid writer in the world - in modern money equivalent to £20 a word.

Is this all then that Spiritualists have done which affects us all today? By no means! In World War II, Hitler was told by his generals and admirals that they could not guarantee a successful invasion of Britain unless they had complete control of the air. They planned five attacks between Lyme Bay and Brighton. Hermann Goering, head of the Luftwaffe, said this mastery of the air could be achieved in four days. So the whole fate of these islands rested on our air force. Two Spiritualists were in key positions and Winston Churchill was consulting the medium Bertha Harris regularly. Sir Archibald Sinclair was the Minister for Air - he later performed the ceremony at the opening of the new Exeter Spiritualist Church - and Air Vice Marshal Lord Dowding had developed Britain's Air Defences and was Commander-in-Chief of Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain. Both of these were Spiritualists and Hugh Dowding described circles which were giving help and counsel to those of his beloved aircrew who had passed over. He later wrote the book, 'Many Mansions', in which he described his beliefs. He recently returned through Colin Fry at the Noah's Ark circle and sounded in fine form and very good humour.

So, in addition to the literary, scientific and technical; advances that spiritualists have contributed to our life today, our very freedom to write, to read and to live our lives as we wish, we owe to brave clever and spiritual people who publicly braved the prejudice, scorn and opposition of their day to tell the world the truth - there is no death.

Can we do any less?

Michael Evans.

IS THERE A HELL?

Some ancients scriptures describe Heaven and Hell in great detail but there is little acceptance of these very different accounts by young people today. To sceptical modern young people it seems as though Priests and Kings found the promise of Heaven and the threat of Hell very useful in making people obedient to the rules of behaviour and belief laid down by authority from above.

The only modern evidence available on the subject comes from the accounts given by people, who are now in the afterlife, of what they have actually experienced since their death. These spirits report a wide range of good and bad existences, ranging from the delightful to the horrible.

The great majority say that they are delighted with their new life. Dr Raynor Johnson who was Principal of a University College was asked if he found anything unexpected in his new life, He said, “It is really more wonderful than I thought it could possibly be.”

A spiritualist friend I knew, Professor Wilson Knight, returned to say, “Michael, it is better than we thought”. An eleven-year old boy returned to say “It's lovely! I wouldn't go back now – I can do everything. Can you stand on top of the Eiffel Tower? I can!” There are literally thousands of similar accounts to these of people who thoroughly enjoy life in the next dimension - but what of the others who find themselves in something like a Hell? Let us look at some of these reports.

On 23rd of August 2001, at about 3.30p.m., a lady, speaking to us through the medium Sheila Gwillam, said she had been hanged.

What follows is a transcript of the recording I made at the time.

Michael: “Welcome friend. Would you like to speak to us?

Spirit: “I know I’m dead because the words, ’You will be hanged by the neck’ are embedded in my mind.’”

Michael: “We understand!”

Spirit: “The last moments of my death keep playing them, and I can’t seem to get a way from the thoughts”.

Michael: “We’ll see what we can do to help you”.

Spirit: I know I did not obey the law but I still feel resentment at the injustice”.

Michael; Now we are a group of people who—

Spirit: (interrupting) “It doesn’t make any difference. It still goes round in my head that if it is wrong to take a life, why was my life taken. It’s not justice, it’s revenge, and my thoughts are on a wheel of coping with the condemnation and resentment and guilt. I feel guilty for having destroyed someone’s life but if they’re not dead when you kill them, why does one have to be hanged by the neck if it is a wrong thing to do? How can it be wrong if they’re not dead? “I have no sense of time. It seems like an eternity but they tell me it isn’t that long.”

This lady found herself in the dark and it took us some time to free her and help her to move on in peace to a happier state. In earthly time she had been stuck in her situation for 46 years. Now let us listen to someone who had to wait in the dark for very much longer than that.

M. “Would you like to talk to us?

No answer

Can you hear my words?

Medium nods slightly.

Are you happy?”

Spirit: “No!”

M: “We can help people who are unhappy. Tell me, is it light or dark where you are?”

Spirit: (Slowly) “Dark. I need some kind, I don't know the word in your language, but I need forgiveness for the many terrible things I did in a position of great authority when there was so much – so very much - chance to do something.” M: “We understand your feelings”

Spirit: “This is not easy.”

M: “We understand.”

Spirit: “I lived many years ago in Egypt. I was, I think one would say, a High Priest in one of the Councils. I abused my position of power, not so much by what I did, but what I failed to do.

I did not want to come tonight, but I was told it was the only way that I would gain some measure of peace and move forward.

M: “I am sure this is true. Telling us about it is your first step and there is hope for everyone. Would you like to tell us a little more or is that enough?”

Spirit: “There was so much bloodshed, so much misery and loss of life among the slaves and workers who were building the temples and the pyramids which people now, I understand, wish to see. What they do not see, is the horror that took place, much of it I am ashamed of. To say it was not just me, does not make it any easier. I could have done so much more.”

M: “Have you had this burden ever since you passed?”

Spirit: “Yes, it has been this darkness, and yet reliving all these horrific scenes. No chance to put it right and the great feeling of sorrow and sadness because I have had to live through the anguish and pain that went on.”

M: “Now everyone can achieve peace eventually. All will progress eventually. Being willing to repent, to regret, to confess are the steps which will lead you on to peace. You have made a start.

Do you have anybody who has already passed who you would like to see again, who could come and talk to you to help you and advise you?”

Spirit: “I had great respect and love for my father who was a good man. If he could help me and forgive me, it would help.”

M: “Now, what we want to suggest is that we all make a wish, all of us here, for your father to come. But you will have to make the biggest wish, 'Please, father, come to me', and I think we may be successful. You may find it will start to become lighter and somebody will come to you out of the light. Let us all make the wish now, 'Dear father,come!'

Now I will keep quiet and ask you to tell us if something changes, it gets lighter, you hear something or you see something. We will now wait to see what happens.”

A pause occurs.

Spirit: “I can see the sky!”

M: “Good, it has started.”

Spirit: “The night sky, with all the stars. It fills my heart with joy!”

M: “Think of your father – what he looked like, what he sounded like.”

Spirit: “There is light up in the air – and voices! I feel as if I am moving up. The voices are crying, 'Come, come forward, you have paid the price – now you can come into the light!”'

M: “Your ordeal is over.”

Spirit: “Thank you!”

M: “We give you our love and our blessing.”

Spirit: “I feel I did not deserve to feel such joy again.”

M: “God's love is infinite, infinite. Be happy now.”

(The medium was feeling the speaker as a large strong man with an elaborate headdress, looking something like a dog's head. The medium,Valerie, said “I think he must have been reliving a lot of the scenes that were going on. I could see men hauling stones and being whipped and things like that.”)

There are some cases much worse than these which I will not quote here. The question of 'Is there a Hell?' I leave the reader to decide.

Michael Evans.

LEARNING WITH THE HIERARCHY (The Spiritual Guardians of Mankind) BY MICHAEL EVANS

To agnostics like myself, who believed completely in science, the scientific method and the supremacy of logic, the idea of a spiritual hierarchy was an outdated myth. From a slight knowledge of orthodox religion, one knew that such an idea existed. From common speech one knew that the words soul, saint and angel were still used, but these were dead metaphors, figures of speech, handed down to us by a more credulous age. How then did it come about then that I found myself one of a group in regular touch with the spiritual hierarchy, being trained slowly and surely for service in their plan for mankind?

My agnosticism received a first blow when, as a young RAF Officer, waiting between trains, I walked alone into Salisbury Cathedral. Walking towards the east window, I was temporarily blinded by a vision of a glorious blue and gold light while a magnificent voice, as from heaven, pealed out like an organ the words, "LOVE THEM"! I came to my normal senses some way from where I had lost them, to see the other visitors around me looking like angels, glowing with an internal light, while they looked at me with wondering concern. After this incident, my interest in the spiritual and inner life was aroused, and my subsequent starch took me through Buddhism, Gospel Churches, Confirmation in the Church of England and on to the Quakers. From the start my wife had joined me in the search, and we might well have stayed with the Quakers, who have so little dogmatism and such high principles, that we felt very much at home in their meditations. However, a severe injury to my upper spine threatened to end my teaching career, and orthodox medical services brought no relief. A highly respected osteopath could not help me either, and when early retirement seemed inevitable, my wife persuaded me to visit the Exeter Spiritualist Church, much against my inclinations.

Here I was completely cured in a ten minute session at the end of a service. To me the Spiritualist Service, and the messages passed on to members of the congregation, were unbelievable yet interesting. I took the trouble to investigate in some detail the message received by a lady on my left from her deceased three-year old daughter. She confirmed every detail of the message, had just arrived in Exeter and had never been to a Spiritualist Church before. It seemed a classic case of communication from the dead, which,according to my philosophy, was impossible. I could find no way of explaining it away as trickery. This occurred in October 1977. My wife and I began to attend the church regularly, and soon a series of convincing messages were given to us from relatives and close friends we had thought 'dead'.

By 'chance' at this time, I was asked to take charge of religious education for five hundred of the older pupils at the school where I taught, and I was able to introduce a course on "Life after Death" which became the most popular subject I had ever taught. On the twelfth of March 1978, a visiting medium to the church told us that we should be joining a meditation circle. A similar message came to another church member shortly afterwards, and at intervals, the same message came to others. On the fourteenth of September 1979, our circle gathered for the first time for meditation and the discussion of New Age and spiritual topics. As we continued with our weekly meditations, one member, Harry Smith, began to fall into trance. When he spoke, he described being with teachers in white monks' robes, who told him that he would be a healer and no harm would come to any of us. At this stage, we felt the need of an experienced teacher of meditation who could explain what was happening to us. We were fortunate in that a well- known medium, George Pratt, and his wife Louise, joined us and we made steady progress under his teachings.

It was on the twelfth of September 1980 that, to our surprise, George Pratt, in meditation, was transfigured by another face appearing over his, while an august and noble voice spoke through him saying: "We have long sought you. It is very difficult for man's finite mind to appreciate the infinite. Truth enlarges as man progresses. My brothers call me White Ray. I will come again". When we told George what had happened to him, he explained that many years before, the White Brotherhood, especially the Tibetan, had regularly taught through him, and he was delighted to think that he would be used again for this purpose. Since then, the circle has had regular visitations from members of the White Brotherhood, speaking through George, and we have recorded and transcribed hundreds of pages of guidance and instruction. Our visitors were exquisitely polite as this example from the Tibetan indicates:

"It is the Tibetan who speaks. With what affection are we able to approach you. With what hope within us do we look upon you and hear your own teachings of each other, whenever you meet together. When first I heard your comments, your discussion, and the words that emerged at these times, I came with more than a little trepidation for it seems as if you have said all in the comments which are offered around your group. But it may be that I may be able to enlarge, perhaps a little, on some of the things which you have said." White Ray too could be extraordinarily courteous in speaking to a very ordinary group of people, when speaking through George. He said: "My beloveds! Because of your accumulated efforts in meditation, you present as an oasis in the midst of a vast and empty desert - I who am known as White Ray am able to be present with you for a short time, and greet you with the joy of supreme consciousness. We of the White Brothers welcome you, as we hope and always pray that you will welcome us. I wonder if you are truly aware of the consciousness we call the White Brotherhood. It comprises much of those of past civilisations. It comprises also much of the experiences of other planetary influences, making a vast wealth of understanding through the experience of universal life. You surely must be aware that it is more than mere fantasy, and that necessarily it is more than the confines of the stone on which you stand, your Earth"!

The doubt as to whether all this could be fantasy came to us occasionally, and the Tibetan arranged a demonstration to show the reality of his power. He asked my wife to take the medium's pulse and, while we waited, he stopped the pulse. George's wife was in the group! My mind conjured up the headlines in the papers if the pulse did not start again. After what seemed an age, my wife said. "It has started", and we breathed a sigh of relief - and belief. In the early days, the Tibetan mentioned our having come together through Spiritualism, he said: "You have through a number of schools of thought, entered that which is known among you as Spiritualism, and this has contributed greatly to a furtherance of your knowledge; yet it is not intended that this 'ism', as such, shall contain your entirety, for there is much to be disclosed, much yet to be understood." He also said that while we had a 'rendezvous' to meet in this life, we were only at the beginning of our progress. He named us the Alpha Group, and made it clear that there was a great deal of preparatory work to be done in laying the foundations of our spiritual training.

We were told that each of us would reach a point where a decision would have to be made. In his words: "Your journey will take you to that which may be called the crossroads, and here is where your decision is made. If you decide to retrace your steps from this point, you are not held in any way in disrespect, for it is well known that man, the lower self, is but a child. But if you have grown to adulthood at the time you reach the crossroads, and you decide to go on, you will realise then that this is the point of 'no return', and your life will then be devoted to the service of GOD - knowing that GOD is life, and understanding this simple yet complex statement." The Brothers who came to teach us, appeared to be part of a vast group-mind and had no personal egotism. They were not at all anxious to be named, but they realised that we felt a need to know who was speaking to us. I often wondered if our Tibetan was THE Tibetan, who telepathically co-operated with Alice Bailey in writing the classic series of books published by the Lucis Trust between 1919 and 1949. It was several years before he mentioned that it was he who worked with Alice Bailey. When I obtained copies of the books he had dictated, such as 'The Externalisation of the Hierarchy', 'A Treatise on Cosmic Fire' and 'Letters on Occult Meditation,' I soon realised that the vast understanding and knowledge displayed in them was too great for the limited capacity of my brain. I could get incredible vistas of knowledge from them but I could not retain them and the teachings we were receiving in the Alpha Group were better adjusted to our joint capacity to grasp them.

Usually the Tibetan's talk would end with "Is there that that you would ask me?" Once I asked if there would be changes on the Earth in the near future. He answered quite sharply, "Changes? Political? Economic? What do you mean?" Self. "Spiritual." Tibetan: "My friend, you have yet to know a traumatic time before such a situation can come about. By that I do not think in terms of the destruction which some of your fellows appear to be concerned with (he meant atomic war), but prepare for a time round about the end of your present century when many of your people will turn, alas, from desperation, to things spiritual. This is why at this time we strive to inspire such as you to prepare. It is as though you were those in the forefront of the baffle, prepared and waiting for the casualties, that you may tend their wounds. Be of good cheer, be of good faith, for you will be needed." By now Harry's gift of healing was well established. When my sister, who had an old ski-ing injury, could get no help from Harley Street, I invited her to Exeter, and Harry's gift successfully cured what medical science had failed to alleviate.

We had an interesting confirmation of our teachings in the group, on one of the rare occasions when we were all together at a service in the Exeter Spiritualist Church. The visiting medium, a Mr. Donelly, picked us out, although we were not all sitting together. Amongst other things, he said, "For all of you, the search is now over, take your time. In your group, keep sitting. The Master will come. Listen to the voice. Put it on tape. You have alt known each other before. You had to come back. You will meet with majesty." The 'majesty' mentioned here turned out to be one of several visitors who overshadowed "George, and spoke to us occasionally. Three times, Rameses II of Egypt has come to our circle, as had Alfred Russell Wallace, the co-originator of the theory of evolution with Darwin, and Winston Churchill. In our teaching we have been told of the main idea mentioned in "The Externalisation of the Hierarchy." It confirms that our present worldwide human environmental problems are part of the disintegration of the Piscean Age, and herald the coming of the happier Aquarian Age. Part of our work is to prepare the world, helping to bring it to the point where the world teacher can come.

The Brothers said: "It is essential that a foothold, as it were, shall be gained among mankind, for his sight is blinded by the glitter of his folly, and because he is so dazzled he cannot see or recognise the guiding hand which is offered. Thus do we call you together who came for this purpose". Later, when we meditated, a voice of truly awesome magnificence and authority, spoke through George. I reproduce here the relevant portion of the words we heard: "I am told that in your conversation this evening, you spoke of a crisis year. To some extent, this is so. It is also true that because it is a crisis year, it does not follow that disaster will be the result. The life force moves in ebb and flow, and this you already realise. That which you spoke of as a crisis time will be the time of a low ebb. It is the folly of man which makes these disasters at these times. The time is on the ebb, and from that the flow will emerge in full blossom when great benefits are experienced. As far as you are able, Love, for this is the force, this is the undeniable power that underlies all things. First there was Love and last there will be Love, the power that will enable you to speak to your cousins, and to all things about you, which can enable you to touch and it will be so. This must be your target. You will hear some things in your crisis year that may appear to be inglorious, which may appear to be tragic. You will know even the overthrow of Governments. You will know natural catastrophes, but wait - from the ebb to the flow. You are power within yourselves, my friends, but be together, a force for good which even now can have an effect. Direct it to those in need, individually and collectively; but be together, together! One of us must have silently wondered who was speaking, for we did not know this voice. After quite an interval, the voice continued; Even now you ask, 'Who is this?' Know! Accept! I am the breath in the morning I am the lull in the night, I am that which comes as it was said I would come, And I will be known by those who know me. And I will not he known by strangers. Yet that which I give, I must give to all, I am the dawn, and the sunset. I am the sun, and the stars, I am Love! The feeling engendered among us by this beautiful voice can hardly be expressed in words. It was perhaps, the high point in our experiences so far.

WHO ARE THE WHITE BROTHERHOOD? The Alpha Group had been taught by the Brotherhood for some time before we came across a reference to them in literature. The following extract is from The 'Ancient Wisdom' by Annie Besant, first published in 1897. 'A whole volume might easily be filled with similarities between the religions of the world. All these similarities point to a single source, and that is the Brotherhood of the White Lodge, the Hierarchy of Adepts who watch over and guard the evolution of humanity, and who have preserved the truths unimpaired, from time to time, as necessity arose, reasserting them in the ears of men. From other worlds, from earlier humanities, they came to help our globe. They were evolved by a process comparable to that now going on with ourselves. Still they teach eager pupils, showing the path and guiding the disciple's steps still. They may be reached by all who seek them, bearing in their hands the sacrificial fuel of love, of devotion, of unselfish longing to know in order to serve." Later, we realised that the Tibetan had published a series of books through the mediumship of Alice Bailey, which are still in print, and are known by enthusiasts throughout the world. Here is a short extract from 'Discipleship in the New Age' Volume One: The Brotherhood is a community of Souls who are swept by the desire to serve, urged by a spontaneous impulse to Love, illumined by One Pure Light, devotedly fused and blended into groups of serving Minds and energised by One Life. Its members are organised to further the Plan which they consciously contact and with which they deliberately cooperate." Michael Evans

"BELOW IS AN EXTRACT FROM THE FULL TEXT OF THE MAJORITY REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE HOUSE OF BISHOPS BY THE COMMITTEE OF ANGLICANS APPOINTED BY THE ARCHBISHOPS OF CANTERBURY AND YORK TO INVESTIGATE SPIRITUALISM.

When every possible explanation of these communications has been given, and all doubtful evidence set aside, it is very generally agreed that there remains some element as yet unexplained. We think that it is probable that the hypothesis that they proceed in some cases from discarnate spirits is the true one. That so much can be said, even in so cautious a form, involves very important consequences, and makes necessary certain warnings. It is abundantly clear, as Spiritualists themselves admit, that an easy credulity in these matters opens the door to self-deception and to a very great amount of fraud. We are greatly impressed by the evidence of this which we received, and desire to place on record a most emphatic warning to those who might become interested in Spiritualism from motives of mere curiosity or as a way of escaping from the responsibility of making their own decisions as Christians under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is legitimate for Christians who are scientifically qualified to make these matters a subject of scientific enquiry, though, as we have already said, such enquiry has its necessary limitations. But it is not legitimate, and it is unquestionably dangerous, to allow an interest in Spiritualism, at a low level of spiritual value, to replace that deeper religion which rests fundamentally upon the right relation of the soul to God Himself. It is necessary to keep clearly in mine that none of the fundamental Christian obligations or values is in any way changed by our acceptance of the possibility of communication with discarnate spirits. Where these essential principles arc borne in mind, those who have the assurance that they have been in touch with their departed friends may rightly accept the sense of enlargement and of unbroken fellowship which it brings."

WHY RESCUE WORK?

Each week in England and Wales, more than eleven thousand people leave their physical bodies and move on to life in another dimension. We call this death. For most of them it is a wonderful release from the strains and limitations of earthly life. The new sense of well-being, the reunion with loved ones, friends and cherished pets, and the freedom of movement, have all been documented in thousands of messages from the departed. As Fred Olsen said to the Leslie Flint group, "I wouldn't come back for all the gold in China. 1 can't tell you how wonderful it is to be dead". A few, however, do get stuck. Their state of mind seems to make it impossible for the waiting helpers to contact and guide them. This is where an earthly Rescue Circle can help, I do not think, myself, that a group can decide, itself, to do Rescue Work. That decision will be made by the guiding spirits but if a group earnestly wishes to be of use in this way and has the potential to learn to do it, it will not be long before they will be asked by spirit, as we were, to undertake the work. Everyone has to start somewhere.

WHY IS SPIRIT RESCUE NECESSARY? Many ask, "Why is spirit rescue necessary? Surely every one is met on passing over at death". A scientist who dictated a book through our group explained to us that there are people waiting to meet each soul on passing but some spirits cannot see or hear them - they completely close themselves off with their minds. These are the ones who will be brought, when they are ready, to an earthly rescue circle for advice. The ones we help are the lost, the lonely, the suicides, the confused, the despairing and those who were evil on earth but now have repented and wish to progress. These are those who have not gone on to a world of light and beauty. They have not met again those they loved on earth. Some, like the aristocratic Mark, who died when skiing, did not believe there was any life after death. As a consequence he slept on and on, until he wakes, speaks to the group and is reunited with his mother. Some like Fortescue, a courtier of Queen Victoria, slept after death because they believed the church's teaching of those days that the dead will all sleep until the Day of Judgement. Once he was awakened, and aware of the beauty of the spirit world, he was angry that he had been deceived and had wasted so much time in sleeping.

Because of the kind of life they had led, some, like Wilf, found themselves in a realm of darkness and squalor, surrounded by antisocial and aggressive spirits. Because he thought the light he needed to pass through would take him to the hell he felt he deserved, it took all our powers of persuasion to get him to have the courage to pass into the light and out of the dreadful world he had been in for so long. Time is very different in the Spirit World and seems to mean little to those we wish to help but it still seems very sad that these souls can spend years and even centuries in the dark when they can so easily be lifted to a happier state by a successful rescue. One soldier, who had been a 'Chindit' in Burma, was captured and terribly ill-treated by his captors in a Japanese Prisoner of War Camp. He went blind in the camp and, after dying there, had remained in the dark himself, because of his hatred of his tormentors. When we reunited him with his friend from the camp, and he regained his sight, he wept for joy as he called out, "Have you ever seen two grown men hugging one another?" The spirits we rescue have created the conditions they find themselves in by their thought pattern - their state of mind. By getting them to alter their point of view or state of mind we can completely change their situation in quite a short time, often less than ten minutes, as has happened many times.

HAUNTINGS.
Not all our spirit clients are brought to us by the circle guides, but we still need the guides' help in achieving a rescue. Sometimes a spirit will remain earthbound and haunt a particular place or person. In 1999 we had an appeal from the staff of a Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet. The ladies on the staff would not go upstairs to the Rest Room provided for them, as several had seen a ghostly figure there. When we investigated, it turned out to be the spirit of a boy of thirteen who had died during the bombing of Exeter in 1943. Speaking through John, a trance medium, he explained that he used to live in rooms in the building during the war. The manageress was able to talk to him, herself, about the fear he was causing her staff. When we reunited him with his parents he went happily on his way. Some harmless earthbound spirits haunt a favourite place or building but they can be sensed by the occupants and they may switch on lights or the TV which can be very disconcerting to people in the room. One spirit who did this had been the owner of large house in Newton Abbot in Devon. He had stayed in the house after his death in the 1920's and, speaking through John, seemed sad and lonely. He did not like his house being turned into flats, nor modern motor traffic and diesel trains. His brother arrived to take him on and the house is now clear. Some who haunt buildings are not so peaceable. One household in Exeter was so terrorised by a spirit that the grown up son would not sleep in his parents' house when he returned to Exeter. When the daughter returned home she had the bedclothes pulled off her night after night. John's guide had warned us that this spirit would be difficult and so it proved. When, at last, the spirit spoke to us through John Greene. Ron, the other medium, received in his own mind, advice from his own guide, as to what to say to the spirit. This was that powerful spirits who were present would incarcerate the offender in the darkness if he did not move on voluntarily. He admitted that he had terrorised a whole row of houses for ten years. To our surprise, before moving on, he actually thanked us for saving his from his addiction to mischief and evil.

METHODS OF WORKING.
When we first started working with servicemen who had died in battle, we used to tell them to look for the light and join us in asking for help which would come from that light. After a while they reported that helpers had come and they went on with them but we never knew who the helpers were or what they said to them. Later, we had to deal with some spirits who could not see any light and we had to find another way. Most of the spirits realised that they had died but some did not and the first task was to gently persuade them that they have passed over. Billy, a young boy who died in a crash in a stolen car that an older boy had driven, had remained earth bound for years. He protested that he was not dead but that other people would not speak to him any more. For some years now we have used a quicker method, once spirits agree that they have died. This is to ask them who they would like to meet who has already passed over - a parent or grandparent or other person they loved. Once they have decided, this we ask them to make a very strong wish for this person to come to them, and we join in the wishing. With a little persuasion this will work - the person wished for will arrive, will be recognised and will welcome the lost soul and take them onwards. One touching case was of a boy who had been adopted when tiny. When he died in a young offenders' institution he could at first think of no one he loved until he suddenly said, "I want to see my real mother!" Eventually she came, timidly at first, and their reunion was wonderful to hear.

THOSE WHO HAVE NO ONE
More difficult are those who have no one they have loved who has gone over. Many of these have been very isolated souls when on earth but almost invariably they will have had a cat, dog or other pet at some time. They are incredulous when we tell them to wish to see the pet again but to their surprise the animal soon answers the call and appears. One such lady was in the dark, as many are - not seeing us but only hearing our voices - but she reported feeling the cat brushing against her ankles and purring. At this point we told her to make an effort to open her spirit eyes, and she then saw the cat's upright tail. With further encouragement she saw the whole cat, and then the pavement beneath the cat. This particular lady followed the cat up some concrete stairs to a sparsely furnished flat where she could make a home for herself and the cat. Many others have met their pets who have guided them to a person they know or to a home they can have. Some spirits were very opposed to Spiritualists when alive and are shocked to find they owe their rescue to a Spiritualist rescue group. Mediums go through a good deal of trauma, in some cases shedding copious tears and feeling the pain and loneliness of the client. They should never be subjected to any shock while in trance, and should always have a glass of water available when coming out of trance. After the session the usual tea and biscuits help to restore normality as the group discuss the events of the session. Mediums need to lead a fairly stable life without too much strain and should not work if in poor health. The other sitters need to be both strong and sympathetic. Their power and support are important for success. A serious attitude towards the work will not prevent a cheerful, optimistic, even light-hearted atmosphere. After a while, you just know you are going to succeed. Persistence and loving goodwill will win the day and fairly soon even the most awkward character will be moving upwards and onwards. Even the most difficult client has never failed to give thanks before leaving.

The number of people who are lost in a timeless blackness after death is considerable - and they desperately need help! What is the proportion of people who need this help after death? The answer is uncertain but it is probably much more than five per cent. With about 11400 people dying from natural causes every week in England and Wales, a figure of five per cent would mean that about 550 people a week, are lost, confused and distressed after death, and will remain so until help arrives. The figure in the USA might be 2,500 a week and globally up to 550,000. In fifteen years, our group has managed to carry out 297 rescues of individuals or groups, quite a lot - but a small number compared to the need. Fortunately the effect is magnified by the fact that quite large groups are assembled by the helpers to watch each rescue, and these baffled souls, whose minds are entirely fixed on earthy affairs, see that there really is a route to light, progress, happiness and reunion with those they have loved. Once they have grasped this fact, everything starts to improve, and before long they will be able to see and hear the helpers and accept their guidance.

PROTECTION No Rescue Work should be begun without a prayer for protection and guidance. Dark spirits do exist although we have never encountered a real problem so far. We feel safe under the loving protection of our guides who tell us that they will not bring anyone to be helped who we could not deal with. For one thing it would be a waste of spiritual energy on their part. We know of groups who have dealt with spirits from the lowest realms but they were very large and very highly organised. We are content to work at the level that the guides judge to be suitable for us. Similarly it is essential to give thanks when closing down at the end of the session, once again asking for protection and guidance in the days to come.

CONCLUSION. All over the world there are lost souls, earthbound or in the dark. Through ignorance, bad teaching or bad conscience there are spirits who desperately need help if they are to make their way to the happier realms of the Spirit World. Those who feel they can fulfil all the necessary requirements of sensitivity, love and self-discipline to enable them to do this work safely, are asked to let their guides know that - when they are thought to be ready - they are willing to attempt this essential work. No service could bring greater joy and satisfaction. It has been said, 'The emptying of Hell is the joy of Heaven,' and we can help in this work. But how can we help future generations from needing to be rescued after death? Arthur Conan Doyle's message from beyond death gave us the answer. He said, "We have a mighty task: to tell people the truth, so that they do not come over here to dwell in darkness!" This is the task of Spiritualism!
Michael Evans

But What Happened to the Victims of the Holocaust?
A Victim's Story.

Of all the recordings I have, I think the most moving one is one made by a Jewish victim of the Holocaust. When it was played over the sound system in a cinema, there was hardly a dry eye in the place. We now have a copy of the minutes of the actual meeting at which plans were drawn up and orders were given, for the killing of six million men, women and children in Europe. Although the media, especially the BBC, have annual stories and programs in memory of the Holocaust, no one ever questions what happened to the victims after death. It is as if the western world were certain that death meant oblivion, and even the question of a post mortem existence could not be raised.
The spirit who spoke, gave his name as Jakob Mankowitz. He and his family lived in Prague before World War II, where they had a hardware business. When the Germans invaded, in common with many other Jews, Jakob was taken away one night and eventually ended up in a quarry in Austria as a slave labourer. He was one of hundreds, carrying rocks from the base of the quarry to the top. His family never heard from him again.

After nine months of brutal treatment and insufficient food, Jakob dropped the rock he was to carry. A warder struck him on the head and he died a short while later. In all his troubles, he had had in his mind's eye, a picture of his wife's face, the beautiful Hannah with the curly hair. Knowing nothing of the afterlife, at first he found himself in the dark but still conscious. Then, drawn by the face he remembered, he found himself earthbound, looking at his wife, now in a tiny hovel, but he was unable to communicate with her.

Her hair was now grey, her face emaciated. Both her sons, David and Abel had been taken away and she was now utterly depressed and without hope. Day and night he watched her, until the day the Germans came for her, saying she must leave to go to a factory where she would have work, and good food and clothing. With many others she was taken to a railway siding where soldiers forced them all on to railway cattle wagons, until no more could be pushed into each wagon. Again he followed as the train slowly made its way for three days and nights to a place called Auschwitz. They had no food, drink or sanitation, and some went mad on the journey

On arrival, the survivors had to jump down, and in doing this, Hannah sprained her ankle. She was classed as unfit for work and directed into the shower rooms and told to shower. After the shower, the gas taps were turned on and Jakob saw the bodies fall down - and then, to his amazement - he saw their spirit bodies emerge and rise up. At that moment, he suddenly became aware of something incredible. All around, were spirit beings, some dressed as nurses and doctors, helping and encouraging the bewildered spirits whose bodies had so recently died. A spirit said to Jakob, "Go to her! Hold her!" and he was able to seize her hand, and together they soared upwards, following the guiding spirits who urged them on.

They arrived at an unbelievable place, a comfortable reception centre staffed by loving and welcoming compatriots. Here there were tables, beautifully laid, with delicacies and drinks such as they had not seen for years. They had been so traumatized by the hardships they had endured, that their fear had not left them, but gradually they realised that were safe at last, as they chatted to friends and relatives who came to greet them. Jakob found himself a young man again and Hannah a young woman. They were given a room to themselves and slept in each others arms. They were told that their sons would soon join them and they would never again be parted against their will. Classes were held to explain the new world they found themselves in, and it was made clear that they could if they wished make their way to even finer realms, if they could make spiritual progress.

The hardest thing they were asked to do, was to learn to forgive the Germans for what they had done to them. It was explained that the German warders were themselves only cogs in the machine, trapped in a situation from which they could not escape. This forgiveness was too much for Hannah to achieve, after her sufferings, but Jakob managed it, and with some others went to try to rescue Germans who were now in the lower astral realm. They also agreed to learn, so that they could try and communicate with an English group, in order to tell the world what their fate had been after their sufferings. They found themselves in a gloriously beautiful land with even more wonderful prospects ahead of them. Above all they said they wanted to tell Spiritualists that they did not really appreciate what a treasure they had in their teachings about the after life. "Our scriptures were not helpful!" they said, "They told us nothing about the real world we have here, where we have found peace and happiness. We say, ' Shalom' to all the world!" .

A Doctor ask for Help

In November 1999, I had a call from a lady doctor called Dr M________. She and her fiance were doing up a three storey house in Heavitree, Exeter.

Her fiancee D, had seen something so upsetting he could not bear to be in the house alone. I visited the house with John Greene, and we heard further details. The young man had looked in to a built-in cupboard on the third floor, when he saw the apparition, which so frightened him. In the cupboard were two forearms, joined at the wrist by a rope. They were just above waist height and there was no sign of the rest of the body. He was so terrified, he left the building and it was some time before he could enter it again.

We asked to be left alone in the room. John tuned in, and said there definitely was a presence. After contacting Ron Buckle, a very busy man, I made an appointment for the three of us to call and tackle the problem.

On the appropriate evening we called and settled ourselves in the room on the third floor. I arranged to record the proceedings while the other two 'tuned in'. The first sound we heard, speaking through John, was a husky breathing, and then, slowly:

Spirit: "Difficult to talk"

Michael: "Well done!"

Ron: "What is your name?"

Spirit: "Jac-cob."

Michael: "Welcome, Jacob."

Ron: "Do you know where you are?"

Jacob: (Slowly) "I have re-coll-ection of where I was."

Ron: "Where was that?"

Jacob: "Not very nice place, if you can understand."

Ron: "But it was not here?"

Jacob: "No, not here, but not very far away."

Ron: "I understand, and what was that place?"

Jacob: "It was a place of execution."

Michael: "We understand" (The old Heavitree Gallows had stood nearby).

Jacob: "Rope around neck, I think that is why I now find it so difficult to talk."

Ron: "We understand that. Why were you executed?"

Jacob: "In that time one was executed for minor things"

Ron: "And what did you do?"

Jacob: "In those days I stole horse. You understand? Stole to gain money to sell horse."

Ron: "Can you tell me what year that was?"

Michael: "Or who was on the throne? A Queen?"

Jacob: "It was in the reign of Queen Victoria, when she was in younger years ."

Ron: "Before she was queen, or after she was queen?"

Jacob: "Before. Before she was actually queen (1837?) I feel I am making it rather difficult for you"

Ron: "No, that's quite alright. Do you know, at this moment, where you are?"

Jacob: "I cannot say for certain, but all I can really try to explain to you, is that I want to get away from where I am."

Michael: "We can help you do that."

Ron: "Put your hands on your tummy, will you?

Jacob: "Here." (He puts them on John's tummy).

Ron: "Yes."

Jacob: "What is reason?"

Ron: "You were a very small man. You did not have big tummy. Can I suggest that is not your body?"

Jacob: "Yes, yes, I can understand that, it feels very strange."

Ron: "OK. Now, do you understand how you can be experiencing what you are experiencing in a body, which is not yours?"

Jacob: "Hmmm. That is rather difficult to explain."

Ron: "Yes, but you agree with me, that is not your body?"

Jacob: "I agree with you, Sir, that this body is not my body, it is someone else's body."

Ron: "Right."

Jacob: "So, if I come to conclusion, I am not of your world, as it is now, so therefore, if one has any brain, whatsoever, I must be somewhere else."

Ron: "In your day, they would say you were dead."

Jacob: "Yes - and that is what I believe."

Ron: "Now, when you are dead, you leave your body, but because you can think, you make a condition of your own. You said you want to get away from this place?"

Jacob: "That is very true Sir"

Ron: "But that place is creation of your memory."

Jacob: "But sir, forgive me, if I am dead, how is it that I can still talk to you?"

Ron: "That is what I am coming to now. Your body was destroyed, but nobody can destroy you! You are a soul. Have you heard that?"

Jacob: "I think I may have heard that in my younger years."

Ron: "Well you are a soul, and that lives for ever, but now we have to get you to see somebody who you know is dead - your older brother, you know he died before you did?"

Jacob: "Oh yes, he definitely did."

Ron: "Will you look slightly upwards, and to your right? What do you see?"

Jacob: "I see my brother, who is taller than I."

Ron: "You know he's dead. Do you notice something else? He's in a light."

Jacob: "Yes, he seems to be in a glow."

Ron: "Now, put your hand towards him, and take his hand. Will you go with him?"

Jacob: "I will go most happily with him."

Ron: "Because he will help you to create another reality."

Michael: "A different world."

Jacob: "And this is where I wish to go to. From many teachings ago, when one was young and there was religion, one was taught these things, but as one grows, one has thoughts of ones own and disbelief, but now I know I must go with my brother to meet my other brothers who are with him as well. I will go with him as he is now beginning to turn and wants me to go with him."

Ron: "Then go in peace and with our blessing."

Jacob: "I will go, as you say, in peace."

Ron: "Then go into that better world that's now yours."

Jacob: "May I please thank you, for all the trouble you have gone to, to help me on my pathway."

Ron: "Thank you."

Michael: "It is our pleasure, but we thank you."

Ron: "It is also our joy to do the work which we have."

Jacob: "My brother has just reminded me I must give my apology to the gentleman I upset."

Michael: "We will let him know that."

Jacob: "I will go with my brother."

Ron: "God bless you."

Jacob: "Before I go with my brother, I must thank also that Indian fellow who was here."

Ron: "No thanks are necessary. They do this for love."

Jacob: "It is only right we give them recognition." After this episode, the doctor and her fiancee visited Ron at home, as the young man needed counselling. Ron explained that, as he was a natural psychic, he would have further experiences of this kind, but this did not reflect on his sanity, only that he had a gift which he could develop if he chose, to be of help to humanity. The doctor sent us a card of thanks and a donation to church funds.

Michael Evans.

A HAUNTED CHURCH

It seems funny to think of a Spiritualist Church being haunted - but it has happened. In the seventeenth century this had been a Baptist Church, which later became a Spiritualist Church. Many mediums had seen or felt the presence of an old fashioned Baptist Minister dressed in the garb of long ago. They all felt the presence to be unpleasant - even menacing. In spite of every effort to clean and refurbish the church this powerful negative energy remained.

Two very experienced mediums wished to bring about a cleansing of the church by persuading this unwanted visitor to move on to his proper place in a higher dimension. Hearing that our group had been able to free a number of sites and homes of earthbound entities, we were asked to lend a hand with the effort to free this gentleman from his attachment to the earth.

Three of us joined the two mediums at the church, making a circle of five. I pinned a microphone to John's clothing. After an opening prayer for protection and guidance, John settled into trance as he has done so many times before. As usual the first person to speak through John was Grey Cloud, his guide. The following is a transcript of the recording I made at the time.

Michael: "Welcome, friend".

Grey Cloud: "You still use friend?"

Michael: "Grey Cloud!"

Grey Cloud; "Yes! We are brothers - altogether - although we have a sister with us tonight'

You are right - this gentleman who is upsetting things is a very disagreeable gentleman, although he wears his collar back to front. But I think he has met his match. It is not only I, but many other spirit friends who work with us, and if I cannot persuade him, he will be persuaded by all the rest. In a minute I will see if he wants to talk to you.

(To the spirit) And you can stop that right away. I'm not going to take any messing about from you! You can spout the Bible as much as you like - it was all right when you were on the earth plane, but you have passed to the world of Spirit. It is now time for you to take up a position in the world of Spirit where you can help people and not hinder them. You know the Bible inside out, I know - why don't you practice what you preached? You know it is right. It is not your church and even when you were on the earth plane, it was not your church".

Ron: "Let him come and speak to us".

Grey Cloud: "I will if he will come. We can only hope and open the space for him, but if he does not want to, we cannot force him at this time. So, I will see: (To spirit) It's no good you trying to tell me you are frightened! You are not frightened. The only thing you are frightened of is the truth - so come along!"

Ron: "Were you baptized?"

Spirit: "I was, and I baptized many others".

Ron: "You were baptized into the Spirit!"

Spirit: "That is perfectly true, as many others were,"

Ron: "Then, first and foremost, you are a Spirit".

Spirit: "Yes".

Ron: "You are here adhering to this place, but you have not followed the commandment of Jesus, 'Take up thy cross and follow me".

Spirit: "That is very true".

Ron: "And where did Jesus go?"

Spirit: "Hmm. Among the people".

Ron: "And after that, after the crucifixion - He ascended!"

Spirit: "Yes".

Ron: "As all people who leave this physical life must do. Why do you cling to the physical? You taught poverty - you taught chastity, but you do not follow your own teaching".

Spirit: "I must agree with you. I cannot do anything else but agree with you".

Ron: "Then it is time to realise that you must move to the next dimension! 'Today you will be with me in Paradise' - not some dim and distant future. Today! Paradise is there for you. Go with all your brothers who worked with you in this place when it was the Baptist Church. Have you not looked at the limestone building, just across from here? That is the Baptist Church now - it was not there when you were here".

Spirit: "No, it was not".

Ron: "Right! Do you cling to that building?"

Spirit: "No".

Ron: "Why not? That holds a license as a Baptist Church - this does not. You do not cling to the Baptist teaching - you cling to a material place."

Spirit: "Yes ".

Ron: "Yet you taught poverty - to cling to nothing material".

Spirit: "Exactly what I am doing".

Ron: "You remember Brother Hawkes?

Spirit: "Yes".

Ron: "Where is he?"

Spirit: "In a different place to me".

Ron: "He's looking at you now, waiting for you to look up and see him. Don't look at the past - look at the present!"

Spirit: "So, in other words, I must look forward to the future, not only for myself, but also for the building as it is now - still doing the work of the Spirit and our beliefs".

Ron: "You worked, as you thought, for the Spirit but you became too attached to position. You became too attached to the material panoply. You know that. You loved the respect that all the poor people around gave you. Be truthful in your own heart, and have compassion on yourself."

Spirit: "I think I was too much in feeling with the power which I had over other people".

Ron: "But look up! You know Brother Hawkes is here".

Spirit: "Not only Brother Hawkes!"

Ron: "But you respected his knowledge".

Spirit: "All right Now I have to - I am going to make myself do something which I have never done before - and that is to apologize to our two friends here for causing so much disturbance to you, Forgive my foolish ways." Ron: "You forgive your foolish ways and follow the behest of Brother Hawkes and the lady who has come to join him!"

Spirit: "Yes, yes!"

Ron: "I believe you now see Gwen".

Spirit: "Yes, they are both stood together, right in front of me with their arms waiting to enclose around me".

Ron: "They have not at any time criticised you or judged you".

Spirit: "I know - nor has the other. All this time he has been waiting so patiently".

Ron: "That is the true love - the love of Jesus which follows his teaching - ' Love ye one another!"

Spirit: "Love ye one another as I love you. All right, I will go with my dear friends. You will not hear from me again unless you wish the help of us in any matter concerning this place. I am so glad that that burden has been able to be lifted from me, through the help of our friends, and my friends in Spirit".

Ron: "Remember your own words: 'Love and serve the Lord'. Remember, Jesus taught, 'You can only serve by serving these, the least of my brethren.'"

Spirit: "I give you my thanks, my friends, for all your endeavours, your troubles; the troubles I have caused. Now go forth into your world and do the work of your beliefs. In many ways it has been difficult for me to realise that where I am is a true and wonderful place that few upon this earth can gaze upon. I have gazed and not seen the beauty, but now the light of our Lord is shining on you to come forth again to see the beauty that there is. I will leave you now in peace and love. Goodbye!"

Michael: "Goodbye, friend".

One day, in our circle, Harry, a trance medium, saw a vision of a three-masted sailing ship in full sail. As he watched, it caught fire and sank beneath the waves. We had no idea what this meant.

Sometime later, I borrowed a book from the Exeter City Library, 'Miracles of Modern Spiritualism,' by Alfred Russel Wallace, published in 1886. I already knew that Wallace had given a lecture on Spiritualism in Exeter in the 1880's. At our very next meeting, the great man spoke to us himself, saying,

"I used to try and interest people in this subject. Your healing is progressing very well but others are concerned with that." He said that he wanted to speak of the search for higher things, the consciousness of man, or as you would call it, the super -consciousness. He asked, "Why are you searching for these things? Is it for your own ego or is it to help? In your meditation do you get the upliftment from it, and a more caring attitude to mankind, or do you keep it to yourselves? The mind of man will develop and more and more will be revealed."

One lady, (not a medium), could always tell when he was with us, because she could smell his leather gaiters and Harris Tweed jacket.

Some months later, we watched a programme on BBC 2 about Alfred Russel Wallace. It explained, among other things, that when Wallace returned from exploring the natural history of Brazil, the sailing ship caught fire, his collection of rare specimens was lost, and that he and other survivors were only rescued after ten days adrift in a leaking lifeboat. We now saw the meaning of the vision that Harry had seen.

When he died in 1913, Wallace was, perhaps the most famous scientist alive, the last of the great Victorian thinkers - Huxley, Malthus, Darwin, Kelvin, Lister etc. He is forever associated with Charles Darwin, and the presentation of their joint papers to the Linnaean Society in 1858, on, 'Evolution through Natural Selection.' These papers, which were based on brilliant observations of nature, by two of the greatest students of Natural History ever known, exploded the Biblical account of everything having been created originally by God, never afterwards to be changed. They showed how living things had changed and evolved over time and that man's body, itself, was descended from an early branch of the ape family.

These epoch making discoveries outraged the Churches, but the ideas eventually won the acceptance of nearly all educated people, including many Churchmen.

Wallace was the founder of many later sub-branches of science, such as, evolutionary theory, ethnology, zoogeography, bio-diversity and ethology. He also started the use of statistics in medicine and the rational studies of the planets. He was a Spiritualist, a Socialist and a supporter of the emancipation of women - a very unpopular idea in a male dominated world.

In one important respect, Wallace's ideas differed from Darwin's theory of evolution. He felt there was something especially different about the evolution of mankind, compared to the evolution of plants and animals. He did not think that the blind forces of, 'Natural Selection,' and the 'Survival of the Fittest,' could have produced such traits as, the loss of protective hair and musical, artistic and mathematical ability and concepts such, 'Love your Neighbour as Yourself'. He felt that, in some way, an unseen force guided human evolution, and, being a convinced Spiritualist, he felt that this force might well be the Spirit World.

Nearly all Wallace's ideas won acceptance except this one, the idea of spirit influence in evolution. Materialist scientists, who had just removed God from their studies, shunned this idea like the plague, although they praised his groundbreaking research in Brazil and his sixty fact-finding expeditions to the Malay Archipelago.

Wallace's idea that that the Spirit World might be the guiding hand behind both the creation and evolution of Nature has received recent confirmation from the work of Dr Michael Newton, the author of two popular books, 'Journey of Souls' and, 'Destiny of Souls'. Having found a method of intense hypnotism which enables his clients to access memories of many past lives, both on earth and in the Spirit World, he has heard from people, who as spirits remember learning to create rocks and simple plants out of energy in special 'practice worlds'. When Dr Newton said, "I thought Nature did that", the spirit, Nenthum, said, "What do you think Nature is?" - one of the most momentous and meaningful remarks ever made! If accepted, this remark could revise our whole concept of nature and the universe! Nenthum also implied that the 'Big Bang' and all that followed from it, was caused by, "The Old Ones" who work with the "Source".

When the startled Dr Newton said to an advanced spirit, "Let me understand something. Do you just go to a physical world and build a mountain while someone like Hyanth concentrates on life forms, such as a tree?"

Spirit: "No we work with physical worlds which are forming and we set in motion the geologic forces which will build a mountain. My structural projects don't have to have life. Also Hyanth doesn't create a forest of adult trees on worlds suitable for life. Her people would design the cells which might eventually grow into the trees they want."

Some of Dr Newton's clients say there are billions of planets on millions of galaxies where life could exist.

Is there other testimony to the fact that there is a spiritual influence on evolution, and a spiritual cause of all existence? Even materialists who deny the existence of Spirit must admit that in the something called 'life' there appears to be a tremendous force to survive, multiply, vary and advance to more highly developed forms, yet they are still unable to say what this force is.

The writer, mystic, and friend of Dr Raynor Johnson, Ambrose Pratt, came back through the writing medium, Miss G. Cummins, to say, "I am one of many souls who work at the breath of life in regard to birds to be born each spring. The old pattern has to be conserved and there has to be a collective drive in regard to the launching of the young of each species every Spring. Another time I shall tell you of this creative work." Ambrose Pratt had been a prime mover in the movement to preserve Australian wildlife when he was on earth. He said that his aspiration was become, eventually, one of the Divine Hierarchy of souls who maintain and conserve the material universe.

On his return through the medium Grace Cooke, Conan Doyle commented on the nature spirits he could now see, who care for living things. He said, "How wonderful it is to see little fairy creatures, busily carrying life force and sustenance to the plants. Lacking this fairy aid your plants would soon wither and die. Without plant life, man would soon die, likewise. Without the major powers, controlled by lords of nature, by the devas, your physical world would fall into chaos!"

Perhaps the reader is disbelieving? I must admit that I, too, would have laughed at idea of 'fairies', out side of Shakespeare's plays, but, as often happens, one has to have ones own experience to be convinced. One afternoon in our rescue circle, we were helping a lost one who spoke sweetly through a trance medium. Incredibly, by her answers, we realised we were talking to the spirit of a 'dead' fairy, whose work had been to succour green plants, and who was still doing the same in her next dimension. She was saddened that humans were destroying so much that they had cared for, for so long. We reunited her with some of her old group who had passed and she thanked us in a sweet, gentle, voice for she had been lonely after passing. The medium did not believe in fairies and was surprised at what she had transmitted. About a week later, another medium told me that my deceased wife was "delighted that I had found out about the fairies". Perhaps some of our readers would like to write to Psychical Studies if they have had contact with the 'little people' that Sylvia Browne says inhabit the 'Underworld'.

Geraldine Cummins was perhaps the most distinguished 'writing medium' of her day. These extracts from her family scripts bear on the question of creation.

"Do you know what Hilda's and Harold's task will be at some far distant date? To look after the life behind all the flowers that spring up, grow and die on your earth! Guardian Angels of the flowers!"

Hilda later wrote herself, "Harold and I are making beautiful plants, shrubs and trees in this world after death, so that, sometime, we shall be fit to become Guardian Spirits of plants, shrubs and trees that grow on earth - as we advance into the Greater Life, we become more and more part of the Divine Creative Spirit. The Divine Creative Spirit is behind the birth and growth of everything on earth".

Our first major teacher, the Tibetan, said that, "Mankind, as a whole, are undergoing evolutionary development in order that they may become conscious creators in matter".

Two modern scientific theories seem to possibly relate to this question. One is the Anthropic Principle, which finds that of all possible universes, this one seems peculiarly designed to support life. The other one is the Gaia Hypothesis that the earth is a living spiritual, being and all life forms are its children. Many people like the Gaia idea but as a whole, the scientific community looks askance at such ideas. Hey still prefer the orthodox model, which holds that mind is a product of the brain, and when the body dies all consciousness ceases - there is no life after death. It will be a bit of a shock for most of them when the pass - not 'out' as they expect, but 'over', to a world they dismissed as fantasy.

To me, it looks as if Wallace was indeed correct, and modern scientists are exploring the hidden secrets of a universe, which was created, under God, by spiritual beings whose very existence scientists dismissed from their calculations. Once passed, however, they may eventually become part of that Divine Hierarchy themselves.

If scientists were to accept Wallace's idea, it would cause as big an upset in the scientific world as his original idea of 'Evolution through Natural Selection' did in the churches did in 1858.

Michael Evans

ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE (1859-1930)

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was born in Edinburgh in 1859. His father was a distinguished painter, but also a hopeless alcoholic, who was so unable to provide for his family that his beloved mother had to take a lodger to make ends meet. As she cooked and worked she told Arthur exciting tales of chivalry and noble deeds by valiant knights of long ago. The boy vowed that when he was a man he would buy her a velvet dress and a gold chain, and she should have a life of ease.

He was educated by the Jesuits at Stoneyhurst who believed in a sound beating for any offence, as the basis of school discipline, but gave him a good education. Both Arthur and his mother later joined the Anglican Church.

As a young doctor seeking his first employment, Arthur took post aboard an arctic whaler, which, he said turned him from a boy into a man.

As he grew up, he excelled at most sports; he played cricket for the M.C.C., and once bowled the famous batsman, Dr. W. G. Grace and took seven wickets for 61 runs against Leicestershire, as well as scoring a century at Lords. He was a first class boxer and put his knowledge of the ring into the book 'Rodney Stone'.

Having skied in Norway he joined a group of pioneers who hoped to scale a mountain on skis in Switzerland for the first time. They succeeded, and Arthur's articles about the joys of skiing were read widely and helped to found the Swiss Winter Sports Industry.

Both as a doctor and later as an eye specialist, he often had time on his hands waiting for patients, and he often wrote articles, which brought him a few pounds to supplement his fees. After many failures and a few successes, he wrote the first Sherlock Holmes story - 'A Study in Scarlet'. These stories succeeded beyond his wildest dreams. The public simply could not get enough of them. Crowds would collect at railway stations to meet the trains bringing the next instalment of The Strand Magazine, which serialised the stories. He wrote many stories and plays later but nothing was more popular that the Sherlock Holmes stories which made him the highest paid writer in the world, and a wealthy man, in spite of the financial support he was always giving to those in need.

After his first wife died of tuberculosis, which was sweeping across the western world, Arthur fell into a depression. He was roused from it by reading the story of a solicitor, George Edalji, who was wrongly imprisoned on a trumped up charge of mutilating cattle by night. On seeing him, Arthur said, 'I know you are innocent!' Being an eye specialist, he knew it would have been impossible for George to have committed the alleged crime at night, because of his myopia and sever astigmatism.

Arthur tore the police case to shreds in the daily and Sunday newspapers and helped raise such a clamour for justice that the government had to form a Cabinet Committee to look at the case, for there was no court of appeal in those days. The committee found George innocent and the Daily Mail raised a sum in compensation for the man which the government had refused to do. Later, another imprisoned man called Slater, was similarly innocent, and was helped by Conan Doyle to a pardon and later still the first Court of Appeal was created to guard against such injustices in the future.

When the Boer War broke out, Arthur volunteered to go as a doctor to the troops in South Africa at his own expense, where he worked in appalling conditions, although suffering from the fever that claimed many lives. Recovering, he interviewed all the senor commanders in the field and wrote the first history of the war, for which he was offered a knighthood by King George V. Waiting to be knighted by the king, he had a long conversation with the pioneer scientist, Oliver Lodge. He was also waiting to be knighted, and they had an important discussion about Spiritualism, in which they both firmly believed. Conan Doyle had carried out many tests with mediums. Some were successful and others less so. His disappointment was eased when his friend, the distinguished soldier, General Drayson, pointed out that there were a lot of silly weak people in this world and it was easy to contact such people in the next world, for they had not changed.

When the First World War came 1n 1914, with the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of young men in the trenches, Conan Doyle realised the importance of the vital truth that all men survive death. His second wife, Jean, at first suspicious of Spiritualism, developed into a brilliant writing medium, and in their own home circle they had regular messages from the young family members who had perished in the war.

Arthur now started his last and greatest campaign to tell the world the truth. When leading scientists said that death was the end - there was no afterlife! Arthur's compassion for the millions of bereaved families drove him to proclaim that they would see their loved ones again - death was not the end. Spiritualism was not just a new phenomenon beyond the understanding of science but a call of hope to suffering humanity, a breaking down of the walls between two worlds. As he said in a radio broadcast in South Africa, if there was no life after death, religions were worthless; for if there was no soul, man was born without purpose or destiny and parted lovers would never be united.

For eleven years he toured Australia, South Africa, America and Britain with his family, speaking to huge audiences to tell them the good news. His doctors warned him to stop but all his fame and fortune had to be sacrificed to this last and greatest campaign. His last act before he died was to lead a deputation to the Home Secretary, to protest against the law that made it a crime to act as a medium, punishable with three months' hard labour in prison.

At his funeral, a special train had to bring flowers from friends and admirers from all over the world and they covered an entire field. On his tombstone, his wife had had carved his name, his dates, and her judgement of him: "Steel True: Blade Straight".

It was after his death that his greatest message was received. Through the medium, Grace Cooke, he was heard to say, among other things:

"Thank God! God bless you! I am here. You must forgive my emotion. It is so marvellous to speak with you again. I have spoken before, but not with power…. I must work. I must go forward. The mission that we have to fulfil is shown to me. Survival of the human soul is a fact, is unquestionable, but before any true communication can take place, it is necessary for the spirit of the person left behind on earth to be raised to the consciousness of spiritual reality. The glorious truth of survival must be given to humanity in clear and perfect form".

He later said, "We must tell people the truth so that they do not come over here to dwell in darkness".

Conan Doyle's teachings from the afterlife can be found in the book, 'The Return of Arthur Conan Doyle' by Ivan Cooke, published by, The White Eagle Publicity Trust. They are very profound. Other books are, 'Arthur and George' by Julian Barnes, Vintage Books (Short listed for the Booker Prize in 2005), and 'Teller of Tales' by Daniel Stashower. Published by Allan Lane, The Penguin Press.

Michael Evans

COMPENSATION AND RETRIBUTION, HERE OR HEREAFTER, FOR ALL GOOD AND EVIL DEEDS DONE ON EARTH

The sixth of the seven principles of Spiritualism sounds rather forbidding, yet combined with the seventh principle of 'Eternal Progress Open to Every Human Soul', it contains a wonderful promise.

Some years ago I was asked to talk to a couple I did not know, about spirituality. The husband had, out of the blue, received a terminal diagnosis. The doctor had said to him, 'I should consider your spirituality'.

The couple were charming and intelligent and I felt they had lived good lives without feeling any interest in religion or the afterlife. We got on well in general conversation and then I outlined the Spiritualist view of death and living on and some of my own experiences of communication.

Feeling that the idea of Divine judgement after death might lie somewhere at the back of their minds, I said that I thought that the evidence showed that, in fact, we judge ourselves after death. There we see our past life totally objectively and feel the emotions we caused other people to feel by our thoughts and actions throughout our lives. This was, I felt, all I could say in a brief visit so I left them some reading material and a favourite tape recording in which a lady who died in a hospital in Bath gives a beautiful account of waking up in hospital in the next world and finding firstly that she has recovered and secondly that her pet dog and then her husband come to greet her.

It struck me afterwards that Judgement is not often mentioned in the Spiritualist churches I attend and it is surely a salutary fact for each one of us to face, as the Seven Principles remind us.

It was in their teachings of Heaven and Hell that the Christian priests found the power to control whole populations so that even kings would confess sins and wear sackcloth and ashes for fear of burning in hell for eternity if they were excommunicated by the Church.

By contrast, ideas of judgement after death in ancient Egypt were fairly mild. The heart of the departed soul was said to be weighed against the feather of truth. If found wanting, it would be devoured by the fierce beast Ammunt, but if it passed the test the owner could live for ever, mingling with the Gods and spirits of the dead in an ideal life with an ideal companion.

Even as late as Victorian England, people were terrified by dreadful descriptions of God's judgement; of fearful agony for eternity in the burning flames of hell for sinners and atheists. Even unbaptised infants were said to crawl about the red-hot floor of hell forever. Hence the panic to have babies baptised as soon as possible in those days.

A lady I knew had had a strict Catholic upbringing and when an inn, close by, caught fire in the night and she woke to hear the crackling of flames and cries for help, she thought she had woken up in hell, and in her intense fear had a heart attack which, fortunately, was not fatal.

Even Buddhism, that most humane and logical religion, has acquired vivid tales of hell for the wicked although not all Buddhists believe them. The amazing English woman, Diane Perry, became a famous Buddhist teacher after meditating alone in a cave for twelve years at a height of 13,200 feet in the Himalayas. When she was asked about the Buddhist hells she said,' They were tales made up to make people behave.'

In Islam the Koran teaches that the departed have to cross a sort of tight rope over the flames of hell and non-Muslims, and hypocrites will fall in and only the truly faithful will reach the gates of Paradise. The Paradise is clearly described; wonderful gardens with eight gates where beautiful girls, the 'Houris', meet and give every kind of pleasure and comfort to the faithful- especially to warriors who have died in battle for the faith. In the Gulf War we comforted an Iraqi who cried through our trance medium,' The Paradise, the Paradise, I cannot find the Paradise'

Where does the truth lie in all these mind-controlling stories? From hundreds of spirit communications a picture emerges of several stages of judgement which we, and all the other inhabitants of earth, will pass through in our progress onward and upward in the spirit world.

Firstly the level of our own spirituality seems to decide the type of people and surroundings we find immediately after death. For many ordinary people this is an improved version of the earthly life where they meet friends, family and pets again. However Rescue Work teaches us that a few folk find themselves in a very grim world of darkness, where people are selfish and cruel. 'Wilf' was the worst case my group has helped and he found himself in a semi-dark world, foul smelling and slimy, where there were only holes and ruins for shelter. The other inhabitants were rude and aggressive to everyone

These are a small minority. On the lighter side, Ted Olsen came back to the Leslie Flint group to say: I'm perfectly happy and I wouldn't come back if you offered me all the gold in China. I'm perfectly, well, perfectly happy and I can't tell you how marvellous it is to be dead!'

When I asked Dr. Raynor Johnson if he found anything unexpected about his new life in spirit, he said: 'The only thing unexpected is that it is more wonderful than I thought it could possibly be!' The Shakespearean scholar, Professor Wilson Knight, our Church's Honorary Vice-President, came back to say: 'Michael-it's better than we thought! This arriving at our proper level in the infinite word of Spirit is only the first part of Judgement. At some stage we shall review our past life as though we were re-living it. It depends on how we have lived whether we enjoy this bit of the afterlife. One rueful communicator through the medium A.H.Burbidge said: 'Suddenly to my startled gaze appeared a picture of my early childhood with my father and mother. Every little detail was there. I could hear the voices of my parents and my own voice answering them. I knew it was real and I was seeing the life I had lived many years ago. It continued moving as if it were an actual living thing. I saw all my early training and how I reacted to it. The whole length of my life was laid before me and I re-lived it within myself. It was all there, the good, the indifferent and, worst of all, the neglect; the neglect to use purposefully the responsibilities I should have undertaken. At the portrayal of many of the episodes I squirmed; at others I felt meaner that it is possible to describe - I had to see and re-live it all'.

The good religious lady, ex-nun, Sister Frances Banks, described two types of life review she had. In the first, she saw two blue prints. One the ideal she had set out to achieve: the other what she had actually achieved in life. She said,' It was a shock to me and a very salutary experience to find these differed so exceedingly... that you went wrong so often when you were sure you were right'.

The second review, when the soul is ready to face it, runs the other way, from death backwards to birth. This is very testing and detailed but one has a wise counsellor who guides one through and advises one. My first wife, Nancy, told me that she. 'looks at her life a bit at a time, not to regret but to learn!' She seems so gay and happy now that I think she has little to regret.

In 'The Barbanell Report', Maurice Barbanell tells how he had a slightly different review of his life. He said, 'I had never felt so good before, there was almost a state of ecstasy, a feeling of, 'I've made it', but a little later on he said,' At this point I found myself reviewing my life. This was not an easy period... I saw it as a pattern. It was like those railways you have as a child where you watch the trains going in and around all the different tracks, cutting back, going forwards, only it was me I was watching rather than a train.... Even now I feel there are certain things I have not got to the bottom of regarding my own temperament, my own weaknesses. During this period the state of ecstasy seemed to diminish. It was still there but not so paramount'.

The great difference between this real Judgement and the Christian version is that Judgement is a means to a wonderful end - the end of perfecting ourselves so that we can progress on to the glorious states of life which lie ahead. As we move higher and higher in our eternal life, this loving process will allow us to reach states of bliss which at the moment we cannot even imagine. And still we shall journey on, judging this higher life and progressing on to still higher states of existence,

You may ask me, if I am nervous of the Judgement after death. Yes, I am. I expect it will be humbling to find out what my life was really like, but also very interesting to see again in the life review all those scenes we can no longer remember - to see again ones parents when young and one self as a child. To see all those occasions which we only see glimpses of in old photographs and cannot now fully remember. For parents to see their children little again and watch them growing up. How fascinating - and we mustn't forget the good side. Every good and kind action will be there and we shall feel all the emotions we caused others to feel. And afterwards -the ecstasy will return again.

So Judgement is process leading to progress. Friend - not Foe - as we shall all know in time.

Michael Evans.

THE GHOST AT KFC

The popular press loves the expression, 'Ghost Busting' with its connotation of fighting the fearful unseen. As we know, this is a complete misunderstanding of the true position, which should really be seen as 'Spirit Rescue.'

Twenty staff work in shifts at a Kentucky Fried Chicken shop in Devon. For some time, the manageress had been puzzled as to why the female staff would not use the staff, 'rest room' upstairs. Then the fact came out that some of them had seen a ghostly, 'something,' and nothing would induce them to take their breaks there. The medium, John Greene, was asked for help and he visited the premises and confirmed that there was definitely 'something' there. Friends offered to help, an appointment was made to visit, and at 6 p.m. on 13th January 1999, John Greene, Ron Buckle and I, passed through the kitchens and upstairs to the rest room at KFC. Ron Buckle used a special instrument to test the area for electrical or geopathic stress. He found a fluorescent light malfunctioning under the stairs, and asked for it to be switched off.

I then arranged a recording microphone for John Greene, who was seated in a large unlighted room, leading off from the rest room. The manageress and a male assistant peered through the doorway, to watch the proceedings by the light which came through the doorway.

I then offered a prayer for help, guidance and protection, while both John and Ron Buckle tuned in to any spirit presence. After a short pause, John went in to trance and a voice began to speak through him. It was one of John's guides, Brother Peter, who in life was a monk at Buckfast Abbey. He assured us that no harm would come to John and said that the entity was a child of 13 or 14 years. Seeing that another spirit had arrived, I said:

"Would you like to talk to us?"

Speaking through John the spirit replied, "I've talked to so many, haven't I? When I come here there's people around; I talk to them and they run away."

"Do you think it's a bit naughty to make them run away?'

Spirit Boy: "I suppose it is, really. I notice you have one of the ladies here, and one gentleman. The gentleman is a bit skeptical. He thinks he's a big type of gentleman, and not afraid of anything. He! He! You see he has not seen me. He He! It is the ladies who have seen me. All I can say is I am deeply sorry but if you can understand that in this last war I was in rooms here. I lived here but I did not die here. I died when the bombs were falling and I suppose I lost my way. It is such a strange thing. Please, may I say to the lady, 'You can talk to me if you want to - you can you know, you can talk!'

Manageress: "I can speak to you?"

Boy: "Please do!"

Manageress: "Do you keep coming back to play with the people that are working here?"

Boy: "He! He! Which way do you mean play? Do you mean that I come back to frighten them?"

Manageress: "Yes!"

Boy: "No, I don't come back to frighten them. I just come back to have a look at where I was brought up', (turning to me). 'It is difficult for me to explain to this lady how things are in spirit."

M: "Perhaps we can do that afterwards. Now, have you met your mum or your dad?"

Boy: "No I haven't."

M: "Would you like to join them? They'd love to see you."

Boy: "I suppose that's why I keep coming back here in hopes that they would come back as well."

M: "Well, I think we should be able get you to meet your mum and dad! What we've got to do is wish! You've got to wish to yourself very, very, strongly, 'I wish I could see my Mum!' Then she'll get the call. We'll all wish together and then you can watch and see what you can see, and tell us it anybody comes. Will you do that?

Boy: "I will, but first I would like to explain to the lady that I am not English. I speak English, I was born in England, but of Polish parents.

Manageress: "Oh, yes."

Ron: "May I ask one question?"

Boy: "You can my friend."

Ron: "Do you know what year it is?"

Boy: "'This year now? Hmm. I know it is not the same year as the war was on. I believe that has been over some years.

Ron: "What I am trying to arrive at is, do you know what year you were buried?"

Boy: "Ah, it was the 40's, It was about then."

Ron : "Was it a bomb?"

Boy: "It was more than one bomb, it was a cluster - more than one….Ah, it was 1943!"

Ron: "Thank you."

M: "Can we return now and ask if your mum can come? She can explain things, and help you on to a lovely place where you will be happy. Will you think about it now? Think 'Please could I see my mother?' Then wait and see what happens. You may see somebody.'

There was then a long silent pause.

Boy: (Quietly) "Yes, it is her. It is my mother!"

M: "Good. Is she talking?"

Boy: "Yes, she is, in actual fact, saying that she has been looking for me as I have been looking for her."

M: "Will you go with her now?"

Boy: "I will go with her - Yes!'

Ron: "There is somebody else with her, isn't there?'

Boy: "Yes, there is, my friend - that is my father - - so that is proof to you my friend."

Ron: "Thank you."

Boy: "You see, before I do go, I would like to explain to the lady and gentleman that my other friend - he is what you would call clairvoyant. He sees other people round me at this moment, and he put me to the test when he said, 'Is there somebody else there?."

Ron: "It was not a test, my friend. Simply a matter of all the facts to be recorded."

Boy: "Perhaps I used the wrong word, - I give you my thanks."

M: "How do you feel, now?"

Boy: "I feel very much relieved, my friend, very much relief."

M: "Are they telling you what they're going to do?"

Boy: "Oh yes, we're going over to - Hmm - 'the other side."'

M: "Where you belong now. And you'll have plenty to do -people to play with -and enjoy yourself."

Boy: (Indicating John) "I think my friend has tried to explain to the lady what happens when people pass over but he did not have much success."

M: "It's difficult when people don't know."

Boy: "I will go now!'

M: "We give, you our blessing. We wish you happiness."

Boy: "Thank you so much for your help in putting me right after all this time. There are so many, in so many different places, that need the help. I must go. Goodbye! (turning to the manageress and almost shouting) You can tell your girls there will be no more shadows in the night. Goodbye!"

After the boy had gone, and John was back with us, we all sat down and Ron gave a talk to the two who had watched the proceedings. Neither was skeptical now, and both were interested as he explained that he had done this work for forty years.

"Was there any way of proving the identity of the spirit?" they asked. "Sometimes, yes, " Ron answered. After the last war many soldiers who were helped, were able to give their full names and army numbers, and these were confirmed by the War Office, as correct.

We asked to be contacted if the spirit returned, as sometimes happens, and with many thanks from the manageress and a good tape recording, we departed via the kitchens into the street.

On Thursday 2lst January I heard through one of the ladies that the, 'boy,' had not returned and all was now clear.

HELPING LETITIA

Although Rescue Work is one of the things that distinguishes Spiritualism from nearly all other religions and it is a great privilege to be able to do it, it does have its lighter side in the amazing characters we meet. This was particularly so where we have been called upon to advise spirits and try to persuade them to make progress.

In this account, although various group members will speak to the spirit, they will not be named individually but for simplicity's sake just be called Group.

One afternoon, at the Rescue Circle, a lady called Letitia burst into speech through the entranced medium, Sheila Gwillam Her voice rang out clearly:

"I didn't want to die so soon. I protested strongly against this. I thought I was entitled to live a complete length of life and I was whisked away so soon. This was not of my making, I did not agree to it. I understood you die eventually but certainly not at a young age. I was most indignant about this. I found myself on the other side, mixing with people of such a low, low nature, I was furious.

I intended to live in the type of place that I always expected myself to be in when my time came and I certainly did not expect to go at such an early time. I spoke to everyone around me and I demanded my rights. No one would listen. I was used to having servants and I was very, very angry. Why did I not have my servants with me? I should have someone to attend to me at all times, you understand, and I demanded this, but no one would listen and here I am, alone, with dreadful people around me all the time, at a distance you understand, at a distance. I would not let them come near me, such people of low mentality. Even now I am very cautious as to whom I speak with."

Group: It is nice that you will speak to us then.

Letitia: I have been brought here under protest, Madam. I don't see why I should be here.

Group: We would like to be able to give you some help.

Letitia: I don't need your help, Madam.

Group: Can you tell us how old you were when you passed over?

Letitia: I was a mere 50, which is just the twinkling of an eye.

Group: You see where you are, age does not matter. You can change your life and be happy whatever age.

Letitia: What is happy, what is happy? Happy is having my jewellery around me. Happy is living in the kind of house that I choose! I prefer to live in the manner to which I was accustomed, you understand.

Group: Yes, we understand all right.

Letitia: It's not fair. I have told everyone over and over again.

Group: Did you live in a house like that?

Letitia: Of course, my dear, of course.

Group. And did you help other people around you?

Letitia: Oh definitely not!

Group: Why not?

Letitia: They must help themselves.

Group: Don't you think that was rather selfish of you?

Letitia: You dare to tell me that I am selfish?

Group: Yes!

Letitia: Humph!

Group: Were you never aware of the suffering of people around you?

Letitia: That was their business; it was nothing to do with me.

Group: Why was it nothing to do with you?

Letitia; I did not put them in this situation.

Group: But how would you have felt if you were in an unhappy situation and nobody was prepared to help you?

Letitia: Nobody cared for me when I demanded it, you understand.

Group: No! I don't understand and I don't think you understand yourself. Perhaps your situation is because you did not show any compassion to others around you.

Letitia: It is, may be, because I do not understand what compassion is. No one has shown it to me.

Group: Have you never cared for anyone in your life?

Letitia: Definitely not.

Group: Did you not have a child or a husband?

Letitia: No.

Group: You were a single lady?

Letitia: I was a single lady. I did not think any male good enough.

Group: Did you have an animal, a dog?

Letitia No.

Group: What of your parents?

Letitia: They are dead.

Group: Did they show you compassion when they were alive?

Letitia: No. None whatsoever.

Group: But if they are dead, so are you. Perhaps they might come and help you if you called them and asked.

Letitia: I must say I had never thought of that.

Group: There are people waiting to help you when you want it. You just have to ask. The whole secret is to ask for help.

Letitia: I am in pain all the time!

Group: We are very sorry to hear that.

Letitia: I did have arthritis rather severely.

Group: Well that can be completely....

Letitia: It made me very irritable.

Group. That's quite understandable but you can be completely cured of your pain and can be brought to a situation where you will feel very happy...but you have to open your heart.

Letitia: I do not know how to open my heart.

Group: You have to wish the best for others so that they may be happy, seek to make others happy

Letitia: The problem is, dear sir, that when you are enfolded within, there is so much pain and so much darkness, it is very difficult to think of anything else but the pain. If someone could come along and direct me how to deal with the pain then maybe I would be able to consider other people.

Group: I think the first thing you have to do is to look for the light, wherever you can see a light. Look to the light and ask for help. In this way all the solutions to your problems can come and you will find yourself out of the difficulties of darkness and pain. There is indeed a paradise waiting, but you have to look for the light, you have to pray, you have to ask for help.

Letitia: But who do I pray to? Is there a God that they speak of?

Group: There is indeed a divine being beyond our comprehension, who understands everything that you think and feel.

Letitia: But will they understand me?

Group: Yes they understand everything about you.

Letitia: Me ,Me!

Group: Yes, they know everything about you and if you ask for that help it will be given in a way that will seem like a miracle to you. You will be amazed how quickly you will feel happy, how quickly your pain will go, how you will find yourself in lovely places with, kind compassionate people; but you have to make the first step, seeking the light and asking for help. You have the love of this group to go with you. While you are with us, ask for help now. Don't demand - ask.

Letitia: It will take a little time

Group: When you see someone, listen to what they say and don't reject it out of hand. You see you have a guardian angel, you have had one all your life.

Letitia: Have L? I've never seen him.

Group: No! I know you haven't but you could see him now if you wanted to.

Letitia: Do you think he could help me with my pain?

Group: Of course. Yes. He is waiting there. Waiting for you to ask.

Lctitia: I will consider what you have said. You seem to be a reasonable type of people and you sound most cultured. I will leave you. I have told them I am going to go now. I insist.

Group: We send you out love.

Letitia: I will consider your words. You have spoken most kindly to me. You are the first to speak so kindly to me for some time and if I have a guardian angel as you say I will speak to him in my mind and maybe he will help me with my pain. I give you' Good Afternoon'.

Group: Try to remember to say 'please'!

Letitia: This is very difficult. I will consider the matter.

Group: "Please!"

Letitia: Thank you. Goodbye.

The group's first comment was: "Was she real? Are there people like that?

A fortnight after the above visit, Letitia came back just as we were about to finish. This is what she said:

I thought I'd just pop in to thank you for the help you gave me. I have progressed and can now see flowers and grass and I just want to express my grateful thanks for all your kindness to me. I have been visited by a little child and she brought me a kitten and this helped me to take my mind off myself, and with that, the pain seemed to ease and 1 was able to go into a reverie, and when I came to, there was my little girl guardian again: and now I have two kittens, two little white kittens, I am only here for a brief moment and I am still not used to this sense of well-being.

I thought you would like to know that you had assisted me and I do thank you. Goodbye.

Michael Evans

JOURNEY OF SOULS by Michael Newton.

To me, this book, and the research it describes, is like a lightning flash which destroys yet illuminates with light, truth which has been long hidden from humanity.

The field of human knowledge about the purpose of human life has been full of conflicting and muddled claims. Many religions have claimed to be the only true path to follow in this life so that a happy life beyond death can be achieved. On the other hand, sceptics claim that there is no afterlife, no supreme power and no purpose in human life - all is delusion!

I see many trees of knowledge in this muddled and foggy field. Hindu, Buddhist, Christian - those of Islam, Confucius and The Tao, etc. etc.. Some parts of all of these are struck by this stroke of lightning and destroyed, yet all are shown to be accurate in some areas.

For those, like myself, who have long been active in this field of discovery, much of what we have gleaned is confirmed, yet the new knowledge outlined here vastly extends the perspective within which we view life in the Cosmos. Above all, the bliss, the companionship and the joy of the afterlife, when it is reached, is seen to be more wonderful than we had dared to hope - happiness beyond our wildest dreams. Never before have we had such detailed accounts about what happened to each of us before we were conceived and what happens, again and again, after we die.

Where has Dr. Newton gathered all this information? He has a doctorate in Counselling, is a skilled therapist with special ability as a hypnotherapist, and also is a deep space astronomer. After leaving aside the practice of regressing patients into previous lives for many years, regarding it as unorthodox, and unclinical, he ventured into it tentatively, in order to try to cure a patient's persistent pain. He then began to uncover from his patients, amazing accounts of their previous lives on earth. Later, he heard accounts of their experiences in the period between lives in the joyful spiritual world which some are understandably reluctant to leave, to undertake a fresh physical life on earth. Gradually refining his technique of hypnotism, he found that he could contact his patient's sub conscious mind, where memories of past lives are stored, and also contact their super-conscious mind, where memories of the spirit world life are available, and can be described by hypnotised patients. The detailed self-assessment faced, and the skilled counselling received from more advanced souls, on returning from earth to the spirit world, are graphically described, as is the joyous reunion with ones loving group of friends and companions.

All that I have learned from over 700 recorded spirit communications through mediums is confirmed by this book, yet none of it came through a medium, and it extends our knowledge even further than before, and gives great detail about each stage.

I cannot do justice to this book, which has sold well over 100,000 copies already. I feel you must read it for yourself to appreciate the scope of the revelations it contains. It was said of the great scientist, Isaac Newton,

Nature and Nature's laws were hid in night,
God said, 'Let Newton be!' and all was light.

I was worried when I was young, but it was a necessary training for the infiltration of the spirit.. At times when it was absolutely necessary to have a gathering of strength in the face of obstinate men, I knew that I was right. At the same time, with the training or development, it gave me discretion. There was a form of development as regards a closeness of teachers or guides; people who were working through me to formulate a great plan to bring compassion into the earth plane. It was necessary because they could see ahead almost a hundred years, to a great cataclysm created by man upon man. Something new, which I helped to develop, would save hundreds of thousands of lives. That was all foreseen from this side.

Question: "In view of the obstructive attitude you received from governments on earth, what is the attitude in your world?"

Answer: "Yes, because there was obstruction to the work I wished to implement, to alleviate the suffering of people, not only in Britain, but also in the East, in India, for instance. We lived in a time of a great establishment, and people who felt established in their authority, did not feel it was right that their motives should be questioned or a move made in any way to bring about changes in society. Many of these people felt they belonged to an established order of things that was almost God-given. I knew certain men who felt they were appointed by God, and it was an affront to their dignity and position, that a woman should dare to write and seek an audience to suggest changes in the established order of things. As a consequence I had battles for thirty to forty years, and people were most obdurate. One man in particular showed his way of fighting me by ignoring me, except in a social sense. I would receive most charming, flattering letters, but when read you found that nothing was conceded, nothing was ever done. I would say it was being done with individuals, rather than government, but of course, government is made up of individuals.

It is our memories that make us who we are. It is the communication of shared memories that can convince us that our loved ones still live, love and remember us in the Spirit World. But what happens to those with dementia who can no longer remember names or faces of those they knew. An incident in our circle sheds light on this.

A lady who had sat with us for over twenty years began to show signs of dementia. Our directing guide said I should ask her to leave the circle. I could not bring myself to do this after her years of service and I hoped she would leave of her own accord which, in fact, she did. As she was leaving on the last occasion she could not remember my wife's name.

When she passed I took her funeral and mentioned her long career in Spiritualism as well as the fact that she had worked with the Resistance in Europe in WW2. The lady returned to the circle within a month, saying that she was with her husband and daughter - and her favourite horse. She said she was at her funeral which was 'Very nice' and she said to my wife, 'I'm sorry, Lily, I could not remember your name the last time I was with you.' So she was fully recovered and could even remember what happened at a time when she could not remember.

I hope this may reassure those going through the great strain of caring for someone with dementia - it really is a temporary condition.

Michael Evans

When, in February1991, during the first Gulf War, our Chinese Guide invited us to do Rescue Work to help those dying in battle we were exhilarated to find that we could assist those the guides brought to us. Almost thirty British, American and Kuwaiti servicemen were helped on their way to the light of the Spirit World. We were asked to continue when the war ended and were pleased to rescue many more lost or confused souls.

Our guide, however, was not satisfied with us. He said,

"I want to take this opportunity to say something about the rescues you try to do. I say try, because I don't think, of late, you have been doing as much as you could. There is much potential in this group to help. You have probably noticed that Rescue is becoming more known about, and this means, in the Spirit World, there are more people pressing to have a chance to move forward. Those who do not manage to come through begin to know about it, and then they press to be one of the chosen few. Many people who are watching will be of a similar disposition to the one who is talking through the medium, and they will be helped by watching, because you know yourselves, if somebody says something to which you can relate in your own life, you say, 'Oh, that's a good idea, I could use it in my own life', or 'I hadn't thought about that one, myself, perhaps that could be for me.' This is a normal human thing, and it is the same in the Spirit World. They will say, 'But I have been lost like that', or, 'I feel like that', and we bring those that we know will relate to what the spirit is saying through the medium, and, hopefully, it will awaken their ideas as well.

There may be hundreds, if not thousands watching. Do not be worried by this. They are not as an audience is. They are mostly people who are thinking only of self, which is why they are in the predicament that they are in; they have only thought of self prior to coming over. Do not worry that they are all gawping at you.

Now you have many people who can do rescues of all kinds, some of one, some of another. You will find that the ones who come are those who in some way, relate to the way you feel about things, in the sense that you have empathy for their particular problems.

You have to train yourselves to deal with difficult ones, although we have not brought you too many that are difficult. The rest of you must train yourselves to speak up when the spirits come through. You must use all your knowledge, empathy and kindness with those coming through. Each spirit is individual, and you must find what will make them think. So if, say, a religious idea will help one, it will horrify another, and drive them off. So try and find what sort of a soul is speaking to you and find words that will help them.

Our Guide now said that we would have to be firm with the next person brought to us.

A SOUTH AFRICAN RESCUE 29.7.1993 This lady, who came through Katherine in trance, was weeping and hysterical. Apparently a band of coloured revolutionaries had burst into a white Protestant Church during a service in South Africa, and started to shoot the congregation. She had been killed but did not realize it, and the scene of the slaughter was repeating itself over and over again in front of her eyes. She said, in a clipped South African accent,

"My children, my husband! The Kaffirs have come in with guns - in a church. How could they come into a church and kill people where we pray to GOD?"

When Judy tried to explain to her that she was dead, she said,

"I can't be dead. What are you talking about you silly woman? When you are dead, you lie in your grave until the last trump. I'm not dead!"

Thinking to change tack, I said to her,

"Jesus said to the penitent thief on the cross, 'I say unto you, today, you shall be with me in Paradise'. That is where you can go now!"

She answered, "You talk of Jesus? I am Christian! I never treated the blacks badly. Why do they do this?"

It took us some ten minutes to calm her and get her to accept the spirit helper whom she had previously rejected. He had been waiting patiently for her to come with him into the light.

During all this, the medium, Katherine, had been experiencing all the emotions of this distressed lady and the tears poured down her face, until the spirit, herself, asked for a handkerchief to wipe her eyes with, saying,"I feel so silly". This is the sacrifice that trance mediums have to go through many times in order to help the sufferer to accept and understand the new world that can open for them when they open their spirit eyes.

(It was reported in the Daily Mail, that on 25th July, 1993, ten people died, and forty-one were wounded, when gunmen burst into a South African Church, sprayed the congregation with gunfire, and tossed in a hand grenade.)

Michael Evans

The belief that that people go to another world after death and that some gifted people called mediums can still contact them there, appears to be very ancient and widespread. It was a belief I totally rejected when I was young for to me death meant oblivion - the death of the brain meant conscious life was over for good.

It was a personal experience that first persuaded me that there were more things in heaven and earth than were contained in my philosophy. As a 23 year old, sceptical, RAF officer I wandered into Salisbury Cathedral to pass the time before my train departed. As I approached the altar I was suddenly struck blind. All was black except that high above my head there was a circle of golden light surrounded by deep blue and in the light was a face. I felt a very strong impulse to throw myself on the ground with my arms outspread in the form of a cross but I resisted it and stayed upright. I then heard a great voice peal out like an organ, two words: 'LOVE THEM!'

My sight eventually returned and I found myself surrounded by a group of concerned looking people who, to my amazement, were shining with an internal light. I was irreligious but into my mind came the word 'angels?' I wondered who had spoken to me and why? For the next three decades I studied all the major religions.

Aged 57 I injured my spine and faced early retirement from my work as Head of Department in a large Comprehensive School. As my G.P and the hospital could not help me my wife persuaded me, much against my will, to go to the Exeter Spiritualist Church where healing was available after the service. During the service a medium began to pass messages to people in the congregation. I was incredulous! I thought these people cannot be so gullible as to believe this nonsense! When you're dead you're dead!

A lady on my left had a detailed message from her deceased three year old daughter. I questioned her after the service and she confirmed to me the complete accuracy of the message, had just moved to Exeter, and had never been to a Spiritualist Church before. I could find no way of explaining it by trickery. After the service I was completely healed of my injury which has never returned and I was able to return to work.

This occurred in October 1977. My wife and I began to attend the church regularly, and soon a series of convincing messages were given to us from relatives and close friends we had thought 'dead'. My father, a Cambridge University mathematician, said,

'I would not have had this in the house, but I find it to be true.'

I tried to find many explanations other than that these really were messages from dead people but when a medium brought back a perfect description of my two favourite dogs I admitted to my wife that she was right - Spiritualism was true and mediumship could be genuine.

By 'chance', at this time, I was asked to take charge of religious education for six hundred of the older pupils at the school where I taught, and I was able to introduce a course on "Life after Death" which became the most popular subject I had ever taught in school. Pupils would ask in other lessons, "Can't we talk about Life after Death? That's interesting!"

On the twelfth of March 1978, a visiting medium to the church told us that we should be joining a meditation circle. On the fourteenth of September 1979, our circle gathered for the first time for meditation. At this stage, we felt the need of an experienced teacher of meditation. We were fortunate in that a well-known medium, George Pratt, and his wife Louise, joined us and we made steady progress under his teachings.

It was on the twelfth of September 1980 that, to our surprise, George Pratt in meditation, was transfigured by another face appearing over his, while an august and noble voice spoke through him saying,

"We have long sought you. It is very difficult for man's finite mind to appreciate the infinite. Truth enlarges as man progresses ... My brothers call me White Ray. I will come again."

When we told George what had happened to him, he explained that many years before, the White Brotherhood, especially one called The Tibetan, had regularly taught through him, and he was delighted to think that he would be used again for this purpose.

The circle then began to have regular visitations from members of the White Brotherhood, speaking through George, and we recorded, and transcribed, hundreds of pages of guidance and instruction.

In the early days, the Tibetan mentioned our having come together through Spiritualism, he said:

"You have, through a number of schools of thought, entered that which is known among you as Spiritualism, and this has contributed greatly to a furtherance of your knowledge; yet it is not intended that this 'ism', as such, shall contain your entirety, for there is much to be disclosed, much yet to be understood." We found that the Tibetan had dictated a series of books published by The Lucis Trust and that they had offices in Whitehall, London and The United Nations Building in New York.

After three years George moved away but during this period we were spoken to by several notables including Winston Churchill, Alfred Russel Wallace and Rameses II of ancient Egypt who overshadowed George in full regalia as a Pharaoh. My wife found a photo of Rameses' death mask and the likeness was remarkable.

On one occasion my wife was asked to take the medium's pulse. As she did so she said, 'It has stopped! My mind visualized the headlines in the national papers if it did not start again. After what seemed a long, long time, she said 'It has started again!' I breathed a sigh of relief - and belief.

I was now asked to become a member of the Spiritualist Church Committee and act as secretary, a job I carried out for seventeen years - staying on the committee for 25 years and regularly assessing mediums. The best were like concert pianists, brilliant and totally convincing. Their arrival filled the church and their private readings were booked up long before they arrived. The other mediums varied enormously in their gifts and their training as the congregation quickly realized. I felt that the advent of television had changed the time budding mediums were prepared to devote to training. Before radio and television people often trained for twenty years before venturing on to a public platform. I only met one dishonest medium in 25 years and it was because I exposed him to the committee that I was asked to join and serve as secretary. I found a few mediums trying hard but getting confused, occasionally reading the client rather than a spirit visitor. If there are two hundred good mediums in the country and five to six hundred churches many must make do with the less able ones. Most mediums serving the churches lose money as churches can only pay token expenses in many cases. Mediums who have appeared on television can become rich from public appearances.

In 1986 my wife invited mediumistic friends to a home circle in our house and the circle would move from house to house over the years. In 1991 a guide asked us to do Rescue Work to help servicemen dying in the First Gulf War who needed guidance after death. Before the war ended we had helped over thirty lost or confused souls to find their proper place in the Spirit World. We were then asked to continue rescue work and at times had seven brilliant trance mediums working in the group. It usually fell to me to talk to the spirits who spoke through the entranced medium and I tape recorded 789 conversations with spirits of whom 287 needed help and were classified as Rescues. We had a smaller team who answered appeals from distressed members of the public and we were able to bring peace to 31 shops and households in Devon, from two of which the occupants had fled in terror.

Rescue Work taught us that all people survive death but some do not move on to their proper place because they do not believe there is a life after death; others fear Hell Fire and some feel they must lie in their grave until the end of the word - we have helped several of these. We have rescued a Muslim suicide bomber who could not find Paradise.

My wife of 45 years passed in 1989. Would she be able to communicate? She returned before and at her funeral with clear instructions and advice about Christmas presents for the grandchildren and cutting back trees in the garden. Later she advised me to remarry and when I did she confirmed that I had made the right choice. My new wife, a Spiritualist, had lost her husband in 1989 and he had advised her to marry me. We have heard from them both many, many times and they usually come together no matter which church we may be at.

When on a speaking tour in Portugal we met a trance medium called Eileen Davey. We all were invited to a delightful restaurant in the mountains where the young lady proprietor had recently lost her husband and hoped to contact him. Through Eileen this was achieved to her great joy. We were then asked by Eileen's guide if we would like to see some physical phenomena to which we agreed. The heavy oak table around which we were seated then began to vibrate, lift off the ground and sway from side to side. I invited Mr. and Mrs. Davey to the Exeter Church for a demonstration and an invited audience saw a heavy church table travel at speed, lift off the ground and tip the flowers on it on to the lap of our Vice President. 'Words of Wisdom' is an excellent book of Eileen's teachings.

Members of our circle have published five spiritual books:

'Soul Trek' by Julie Gale, 'In Touch with Raynor C. Johnson', by Sheila Gwillam, 'Dead Rescue - the Techniques of Guiding Lost Souls' by Michael Evans, 'Billy Grows Up in Spirit' by Michael Evans and 'Through Bereavement to Happiness' by Lily and Michael Evans.

If you have a taste for 'end of the world' scenarios, modern science has plenty to offer, according to Focus, the BBC Science Magazine.

Most of us know that we have the certainty that the earth will eventually fall into the sun some millions of years hence; a fate which most of us feel is too remote for us to worry about at the moment.

Then there is the slight possibility of 'run away' global warming caused by unstoppable consequences of the future rises in temperature which are predicted by the Met. Office to start in 2011.

In the past volcanoes have produced the greatest threat and are believed to have caused the mass extinction of life some 250 million years ago while Mount Tabora's eruption in 1815 caused 90,000 deaths in the area and 200,000 deaths in Europe alone; the sun's rays were blocked out and crops failed from China to Canada. 1816 was known as the 'year without a summer'.

In 1991 Mount Pinatuba, in the Philippines, blasted ten billion tons of debris into the atmosphere where it attacked the ozone layer that protects us from the sun's UV radiation while the result of the recent eruption in Iceland and its effect on air travel is well known. The decay of seething radioactive elements trapped in the earth's core powers volcanoes which, at the moment, can neither be predicted nor prevented.

Another modern threat to life on earth is the impact of a large asteroid. It is thought that a large asteroid 10 kilometres wide landed in Mexico 65 million years ago and caused the extinction of the dinosaurs. In 1989 a 300 metre wide asteroid, Number 4581Asclepsis, missed the earth by six hours. This lead to the launch of NASA's Spaceguard Survey in 1989 charged with watching for 'Near Earth Objects'. Last January a 10 metre wide meteor, Number 2010 AL 30, came within 127,000 metres of earth. It is thought that smaller ones might be nudged on to another path by nuclear missiles but against larger ones we have no means of defence.

More recently, at the Paris Observatory, it has been discovered that the orbits of the inner planets in the solar system could be upset over time by 'gravitational resonance' so that earth might eventually collide with Venus, Mars or Mercury making earth uninhabitable.

Because of these possible dangers to human life on earth many scientists feel that only by leaving planet earth for a safer home on another planet can the human race avoid extinction. They need not worry to that extent. All of us are immortal beings incarnating on earth to aid our spiritual evolution and we shall still be progressing onwards when the earth and solar system are no more.

At our present level of understanding we can only glimpse the wonderful succession of divine levels that lie ahead of us after death but we know enough to cheer up any sad scientist who thinks that death is the end, and a human being is a foredoomed accident of nature, with no previous existence and no post mortem future. We say 'Cheer up!' to such scientists for, as the Quakers say, 'There is that of God in every man' and what He is may never be destroyed.

Michael Evans.