New-York tribune., 1920-01-16
SirOliverLOdge
Here to Talk
On Spiritisn1
Famous British Psychist
Says He Brings No New
Religion Nor Has He Anv
Quarrel With the Church

SlT OllVer LOUEe, the famous British
scientist whose Endorsement of the be-
lief that the dead and the living can
communicate has strengthened more
than that Of any other individual a
universal interest in psychical re-
search, arrived here last night on the
Red Star liner Lapland after an ab-
sence of twentythree years.
He comes here to lecture on physics
and psychics and brings the message
that ~the survival Of man after death
can be proved. He said he had no
new religion to preach and that he had
no sympathy with denial of the mate
rial universe, although he conceded
that the spiritual universe is much
more important. His leanings toward
the spiritual side Of man, he explained,
might be pardoned if there CHANGED to
be little overemphasis on this par.
ticular side.
Sees Religion Strengthened
Sir Oliver said he was aware that
some Of the Christian churches. par
ticularly the Roman Catholic Church.
were unalterably opposed to study Of
the psychics and to psychical research
in communicating with the dead. New
ertheless he maintained that the essen
tial parts of the old religion are
strengthened and supported by new
evidence that has come to mankind in
psychlcal way. The result of accept
ing the facts under investigation, he
said, is to strengthen faith and over
throw purely materialistic contentious
on the negative side.
Sir Oliver is robust man, conspicu-
ously tall and broad Of shoulders. His
face is ruddy and his hair and beard
snow white. Because Of his unusual
height he has habit of STOPPING over
when talking to persons Of medium
height. He gives the impression Of be-
ing disturbed by nothing. He listens
attentively and is exacting in his efforts
to grasp precisely what the speaker
means. He then answers briefly and
much to the point
AS the Lapland came up the bay from
Quarantine yesterday he wore a heavy
coat with fur collar and soft hat and,
despite the cold wind, remained on
deck He was exceedingly cordial, but
little inclined to smile or laugh. The
observation of an interviewer that he
had come to a poor place for spirits
did not bring even the suggestion of \
smile.
Joke Has To Be Explained
Puzzled by the remark that there
we're no spirits available in America,
Sir Oliver asked for enlightenment. He
was then informed by the facetious
interviewer that sale of all alcoholic
spirits would stop at midnight Friday
because of national prohibition.
II see now what you mean," said Sir
Oliver seriously, but that is something
that does not affect me. l never use
spirits except once in a while in a
medicinal way. We were greatly sur
prised in England to learn that Amer
lea had become converted to prohibi-
tioh There is some talk of Scotland
adopting prohibition, but it is my opin-
ion that Scotland is not ripe for it
yet. Personally I believe that the in
diyidual should decide for himself
whether he does or does not wish to
drink alcohol"
When informed that j. Godfrey Rau-
pert, former member of the British
Society for Psychical Research. had re-
Gently attacked the evil of the ouija
board with the contention that it's use
destroyed mind and morals and made
mental wrecks of the users, Sir Oliver
said
There is no harm in the use of the
ouija board if used by strong minded
persons. 1t is folly to condemn an
agency or instrument for mental def
cciencies. If person has weak mind
ne should leave the ouija board alone.
II he has a strong mind it will not be
affected by the use of such an in
strument."
Concerning the pursuit of psychical
research and the use of mediums. the
great scientist said he had never en-
countered a dishonest medium and thas
he knew of no substantial reason for
disapproval Of psychic study. Re
search in this particular field" he said,
"has interested many clergymen.
Others of the cloth are skeptical. |
am told that the Roman Catholic
Church calls it deviltry. 7 have been
told that there are some dishonest st
mediums, but have run across none.
~ don't object to professional
mediums. All Of them who have taken
up the subject have some power. 1t is
Continual ON unUe f0u,.