The herald., 1895-12-01

matinse girls to excitedly whisper, "An
| actor, l am sure He says he has tho
unusual faculty of making the occult
and mystical subjects connected with
psychical research clear to the common
mind. The Herald man started out to
investigate this latest importation in the
way of curios. In reply TO the personal
question, who and what are YOU?
II am an English born American citi-
zen," said Professor Bell. II haven't
labeled myself. so l can only truthfully
say am student IN GODS universe,
with the golden rule for my creed.
1T is hard to go over the backward
track of life, continued he, ''particular-.
ly when one grows into the knowledge OF
occult things, as when ore reallzes an
eternity behind as well rs before; but
will try. In Yorkshire, England,
wilfui, reckless boy was born OF sturdy,
weli-to-do parents. in March. 1910: y
boy who resisted all restraint, refused
home training and education, preferrlng
to run away from home and become an
acrobat IN circus at the age OF years.
After a nomadic life for hye or six years,
this gracecss Lad Skipped as common
sailor. While at sea he became addicted
to strong drink, being initiated by the
skipper OF his vessel, who gave him
whisky in return Tor his songs. Just
when complete ruin seemed inevitable
he came home and turned his attention
W dlDletlC thO WI
forced sooriety while in training as
professional athlete, he was saved. This
hoy tramp soon became one of the lead
ing competitors in that line in England.
That Yorkshire lad has grown trihe
stout with his 81 years continued Mr..
still enjoys friendly bout with the
gloves; being q pupil OF Bendigo, the
great English champion, he is somewhat
proficient in the art OF boxing. When
barely is he enlisted in the Eighth
Kings Royal Irish hussats, and soon
became rough-riding sergeant IN this
cavalry regiment, known as the Bengal
Tigers. This boys restless nature tired
OF serving in the army, and implored his
parents TO buy his discharge, as he
wished to marry and settle down, He
was bought out and duly married and
settled down (for three weeks. After
three weeks OF home life he started OIL as
the comic singer with company of
strolling players, who were glad to have
him, in spite of his drinking to excess,
as his voice at that time was remarkable.
A wild, reckless time followed, darker
and more degraded ,han L care to recall.
1t was worthless life, but not then.
or ever. crime-stained. When on the
verge of delirium tremens he heard
voice from the unseen call him. Know
ing nothing of religion, yet feeling the
presence OF higher power, be staggered
away from his drunken companions to
stable where he kneIt down and prayed.
After this he Immediately turned his face
to the distant town which held his DESERT
ed wife, by the efforts of grand man,
the town missionary, who was without
cant, and simply told this wreck, There
is a man in YOU" That drunken wretch
who at % years Of age could neither read
nor write was myself" said Professor
Bell. We'll, from that time on | enlisted
under what l called the banner of Jesus
and became missionary IN the slums
and ragged schools of tho larger English
cities. | came to America in 1871, where
nv first work was in the loves slum dis.
trict OF New York City. lived with my
amIly right in the worst part OF Water
street, in the Mission house. which was
called Kit Burns rat pit l claim to be |!
the pioneer in this rescue work, and the |
best work OF my life was done during !
three years midnight missionary work |
around the Five Points, Peck's Slip and !
Mulberry street. The Salvation army |
have my sympathy. They are doing Gods |
work. From the day of my conversion l |
became wild for knowledge and have I
never ceased striving for education. Self |
is possible 10 all who will ,
work. | WAS examined and ordained into
the Methodist ministry while In the mis- !
sion from which | was called tu a pastor
ate in Brooklyn. For six years, contin-
ued Mr.. Bell, Il spoke to 5000 people !
twice each Sunday in the academy OF
music. l returned to England and for
nine years had charge of the Church OF
the People in the largest hall in Noting
ham. Success, from worldly point OF
view, was mine, but [ was never inwardly
satisfied with orthodoxy. Since | have
thought at all l have been seeking light
and studying occult matters. Ny exper-
fences have been wonderful.
= After nine busy years in the Church |
of the People l gave up because of a
change in belief, and because of persecu.
tionS on account of my views and meth |
DDS. Nv second wife, an accom- pished |
English woman and preacher, refused to
come to America. | came alone. Sorrow
and divorce followed. Ont of long
winding way ! came to understand the
hidden laws and mysteries OF life. |
married my present wife," said Mr.. Bell
in a brighter tone. six years ago in the
east. She is an enthusiast along the same
line of thought, also as much of foe to
fraud and charIatanism as myself. We
both know that truth along the lines of
spiritual phenomena exist, and the true
should be lifted up.
How long was | in San Francisco?
Three years-tbree years of hard, sue
cessful work in behalf of humanity. The
way out for downtrodden humanity Is
through ledge-knowledge of self
and the occult laws of our being"