New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-10-28
DIR. HYsLoP's EVIDENCE.
II Has Not Convinced This Writer OF
the Truth of Spiritism.

tn thr Editor of The Tribune.
ST.. II there is any probability that DR..
rvslop is nwittinglv deluding thouSau".
Of men and women by the propagation VI
bir rriritIqiic Views would Il not he wen
% erhiect him 10 2 little adverse criticism
from time 70 time. criticism OF such cnd'
acter that II would open the eyes OF ihoSe
who now take him seriously? And go IONS
as we refrain from unpleasant personaH-
tics would he be justified I'm taking oHence
Several months ago he gave private
lecture at Chappaqua y. y. and has since
beon inyifed again to visit tho town. tins
time In a more pompous way. the town
hall being used and the receipts going to
the Horace Greeley memorial fund. He is
constantly lecturing, first here ana tnen
there. always leaving the impression upon
the minds OF many OF his hearers that ne
holds within his hands conclusive prool
that spiritism is true. l desire, therefore
n state a fev facts which. trust VIII ne
Of interest 70 your readers:
First-rhe use Of the word society IN
connection with his work IS misleading IL
sounds as though many persons were max
Ing a united effort 70 do something Such
Is not the case. 1t is Dr. Hyslop VINO
does the investigating. and the members
get only his printed reports. In some cases
! they are not even permitted 70 kno" t'e
! names Of the alleged mediums, dashes ana
pseudonymes being used. Their duty con-
slsts almost exclusively OF sending money
to the doctor.
Second-A great deal Of his evidence is so
exceedingly weak that he has 70 resort 70
the pitiful plea that his mediums are alb
soIutely honest In certain instances every
thing depends upon whether cheating has
been practised or not. So We see that II
is mere question Of veracity. There
fore instead Of scientific demonstrations
which should he given perfectly regardless
Of veraclty. VIC have only Or. Hyslop's
opinion He is simply guessing.
Third-He has never made It at all GER
tain that he IS n competent investigator
and If he were called upon 10 qualify II is
doubtful If he could do so. The question
Of deception Is fundamental one TN spirit
| ism, and he is certainly no expert IN sharp
practice.
| Fourth-Dr Hyslop tells us that his Work
is not receiving the financial support that
/ /. deserves But lot us remember that ne
began with gifts amounting 10 $4,000, and
that he has since collected vast sums IN
membership fees. etc. So great is the IN
terest I'm the probability OF a future life
however. that 100000 can be raised IN
! forty-eight hours for Gny person who can
throw one ray Of scientific light upon that
question The trouble with DR.. Hysiop
! is that he can't make good
Fifth-He deals considerably In second
hand ghost stories, sent In by persons who
are strangers 10 him. He believes also that
an accumulation Of such evidence VIII
/ amount TO something. This is only guam
tity, and not quality II IS practically I'M
possible 10 determine the extent 10 which
Illusion. delusion. insanity and deliberate
falsehood figure IN such evidence.
Slxth-As a final statement I want 10 i'm
press Il upon the minds Of your readers
who are interested I'm psychical research
| that under no circumstances could Dr.
Hyslop be induced TO so before IA commit
toe Of intelligent and unbiased men and
women and produce a medium who could
demonstrate the truth OF the spiritstic
hvpothesis. even in the smallest way He
/ cannot possibly demonstrate anything ana
were It not for the fact that he once held
university professorship he could not
get hearing.
! saw these things not TO disturb the
! peace Of Dr. Hysop or his friends, but
"a Their In the hope that honest truthseeA-
crs will not be led into error by fluent
taIker. skilled I'm the use OF technical poly
svIlabIes who manages TO keep his doc
trines before the public at all times.
ANTI-DELUSION.