The Washington times., 1922-05-31
SP|R|TUALISM
BRINGS CLASH
AMONG EXPERTS
Disagreement Among criti's
Follows Expression OF Views
by Or, Van Dyke.
BY wINIFRED VAN DUzER.
Universal service.

ny WINlFkED VAN DOLEN,
Universal service.
NEW YORK, May 31.-Leaders
Of thought here today expressed
approval of DIR. Henry Van
Dyke's theory that the conflict
between spiritualism and scepti-
eism is turning the world topsy-
turvy.
Thare was disagreement be-
tween critics of the illustrious
scholar and author, however, as
to whether or not 1t is q good
thing to have the upheaval at
present.
Sgn Of Progress,
1T 10 the sign Of progress. ~
all means let investigation 90 on.
Social unrest is only a rough place
In the road to knowledge"
This IL the statement of DIR.
Millicent Hart, lecturer on psychic
subjects, and student Of psychic
lhenomena.
Joseph +. Rim, who probably has
done mere than any other person in
the country toward exposing spook
fakes, believes otherwise.
Mr.. Rim gathered fame ten m
more years ago when he showed
up" Palladino at seance which was
being held at Columbia University.
Concerning the present NERVOUS
ness Of the age" he said.
1T 10 unthinkable- that II has to
afflict this nation because Of the
disposition on the part Of a certain
type of persons to exploit the Gre
dulous.
Progress? Why. no. Wouldn't
say It was that. 1t is more like "A
bit Of superstition lifted out of the
past and put down in this day and
age where II doesn't beiong'
In his address In Princeton Uni
versity chapel yesterday DR.. Van
Dyke characterized this as IAN age
OF exaggeration." He said:
There is too great a tendency on
the part of some toward superstition.
The reverse side of this false coin
is the scepticism toward which the
other part tends"
Mr.. Rim continues: over one
hundred thousand persons were ad-
mitted to insane asylums in Eng,
land last year after they had gone
insane through trying to eommuni
Cdlt WIN lnt utuu. IN all
forms of fortune telling, seances and
all other forms of spiritualism were
abolished by law because of their
try.
"Of course we legislate against
fortune telling but we have no legis-
lation to cover the coming to this
country of Sir oliver Lodge and the
evils his teachings may bring about.
Suicides, disrupted families. unbal.
anced mentalities follow the accep-
tanoe Of such theories as he teaches
for truth.
Education is the only force to
combat the harm"
DR., Hart added: There never In
a going ahead without many to stand
back and find fault. 1t In the natu-
raj elashing between progress and
retrogression. That is law old az
nature and much more ancient than
the materialism which criticizes
what It cannot see.
There must be some sacrifice for
human attainment. In the end in
vestigation will mean good to hu.
manity at large"
Endorses Statement.
DR.. s. Edward Young, Brooklyn
clergyman and close peTsonal friend
of DR.. Van Dyke, endorsed the state
ment Of the Princeton professor:
DIR. Van Dyke has put his finger
on the vital spot. Beyond question
there In more excitement over the
proposition of communication with
the departed than there has been
about anything for generation
past.
There could not possibly be any
thing to put our nerves on edge 80
much as does this transoendent issue
Of questioning and receiving answers
from those who were nearest and
dearest to us In this transitory life.
Always during the first few days
and months following the departure
Of any intimate friend l have en-.
deavored In every way to get into
touch with the departed. have
given assurance that would not bs
frightened, no matter what the
manner Of their approach might be,
Yet ! never have received any
communication.
medium, But for twenty-five years
I have made a serious study Of the
alleged facts. / have had scores Of
friends who believed in the claims
made by spiritualism. In almost
every case these friends later have
lost confidence in the medium and
In all alleged revelations.
The worst Of 1t Is they have lost
confidence in everything spiritual
In the best sense. They have lost
confidence in the Bible. The vio-
lence of their adoption Of spiritual.
ism has reacted In corresponding
scepticism concerning everything
religious. This Is the worse and
most common result Of spiritualistic
belief
II believe the present intensive
vogue OF spiritualism will Lessen bc.
fore long. The unrest caused by
clashing between it's adherents and.
anita gonists will cease as we'll"