Evening star., 1922-11-03
"Our American Adventure"
British Author Says He Does Not Expect His Vital
Truth to Have Immediate Effect in America,
But to Every Man There Comes a Time
for Its Recognition.
BY SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE.
for Its Recognition,

dim light, the wind and rain beating
on the window, our silent figures half
seen in the gloom. and then that deep,
steady. voice pouring out long ex-
lady's power or knowledge.
Says james, Spirit Talked.
The address was most academic and
professional. abounding with long
technical words which the medium
found the greatest possible difficulty
In pronouncing. 1t came clearly from
an American spiritualist or psychic
student of very high standing. and as
we had been talking of Hyslop at
dinner we naturally concluded that 1t
was he. When. therefore. he wrote
James we were prepared for the sec
ond name. Hyslop, to follow. He then
wrote. NO. / am not James Hyslop,
we were in contact with the famous
Harvard psychologist. He spoke with
great knowledge, and some scorn. of
the present state of official psychic
research in America. They are get
ting left entirely behind. We want
up-to-the- minute men, he said.
Then he lectured me very gravely as
to my methods.
Through no fault Of yours those
who come to your lectures, hearing
for the first time lecture on spirit
ism. find 1t difficult to relatively place
IeCOuSlTuCl IL "Nen lHSy "lSu
to talk 1t over afterward. They need
more tutoring. How Is this to be
done: 1 advise tracts. Immediately
preceding and following your visits
to cities. embodying all details In
precise statements. They must be
you in order to fan into fire the small
flame you may have started in each
individual. 1t Is worth the extra
labor which it will cause you and 1t
Will become second nature to you to
incorporate this work into your lee
lures. My dear sir. beseech you be-
fore you return to send these cities
literature which will satisfy the crav-
ings which you have brought to the
surface, cravings which some had no
idea they possessed. but which are
now gnawing to be fed"
Long and Good Advice.
So it went on. the deep, steady
voice, with one long sermon of good
advice as to my tactics. sometimes
impracticable, perhaps. but always
measured and reasoned. l appeal to
any reasonable mind whether such
messages are more likely to come
from young married woman with
ton, or from the entity who actually
claimed to send them. The professor
ended by imploring me to remain In
the country, as a crisis was ap-
preaching and my presence might be
Of use. Conditions are turning to
the cause for which you have been
working so long. They are just de-
veloping in a steady onward glow.
They should be directed and piloted.
yet who will be the pilot when you
have passed overseas? I have given
the matter serious consideration. as
together. / ask you. I beg you, to
give this most serious consideration.
VIII you desert when no sails are set
for the storm?' 1t was a long and
moving appeal, but what can l do
with all tickets taken and my family
waiting? Besides, shall find plenty
to do for the cause in England.
One very evidential touch occurred.
I had met. as narrated. Col. West OF
the United States Army In Chicago
and found him one of the elect. with
, every mark Of a leader. I therefore
asked the professor whether he might
not act as pilot. do you know him?'
/ asked. The answer was. Il know a
Col West of tall stature Il do not
mean to be unkind). Of beefiike ap.
! That is good. rough description Of
Col. West. who was quite unknown
to the lady. Surely this was a very
excellent test. There followed an
other test which / should like checked
by some leader of these lines. I knew
that James in his lifetime had sat
with Voss. the farmer medium. at
Concord. therefore asked about him.
The answer was. DO you mean the
fellow who used to get in such pecu-
liar positions and amuse all by his
queer stories and grimaces"' Il re-
fer" said I, "to Mr.. Voss of Concord"
YES. am referring to the same man.
He made terrible faces and contorted
himself into positions which con-
vulsed US ALL" I should be glad If
any one who knows Mr.. Voss would
tell me IL this is evidential.
The whole seance was most striking,
and 1 will tell a little later how I
again came into contact with this re-
markable group.
Copyrirht by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. 1922.
for United States and Great Britain.