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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 3a
Significant Press Comments
Significant Press Comments.
The Christian World, the leading Non-conformist organ of England, in a leading article displaying keen interest in the discussion evoked by the foregoing address, says: "Whatever may be the findings on this particular side of its inquiries, it is certain that the investigations of the Psychical Research Society have already more than justified its existence. . . Thanks to its inquiries and the stimulus they have given to psychological research, we are getting a new map of the human soul. The wonders they have reduced to a Science—such as Telepathy and Hypnotism—should leave us, at least with an open mind, for that more daring investigation which seeks to wring from Nature her so jealously-guarded secret of what lies on the farther side of death."
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"Only a few days ago Sir Oliver Lodge announced his definite belief that he had established communication with his departed friend Myers. When Sir Oliver publishes the evidence on which his belief reposes we may be compelled respectfully and reluctantly to contend that the evidence is insufficient to establish the conclusion. Meanwhile, we should like to point out that his announcement is not a fit subject for ignorant ridicule, and that he is not a man whose opinions as to observed facts and Scientific inferences can be lightly waved aside.
"The persons who are really foolish and incredulously credulous are those who fail to perceive the enormous importance of the investigation to which Sir Oliver Lodge has applied his powerful mind. He may fail to obtain any positive results, but there is certainly no other question to which a great man might devote his intellect and energy with a larger hope of serving mankind.
"If a man could lay him down on his deathbed with the same rational expectation of waking up as he has of rising in the morning when he goes to bed at night, the whole aspect of human life would be changed. We have, of course, now all the consolations of faith—reasonable and well-grounded faith; but—why deceive ourselves?—there is a great gulf between faith and knowledge.
"If men not only believed but knew that there was for them a life beyond the grave, the mystery of pain and sin would melt away, the decline of old age would be an interesting episode, the buoyant hopes of youth would gladden the whole human race, the sting of death would vanish, and sorrow and sighing would flee away.
"The greatest mystery of all is the indisposition of men to investigate the obstacles that bar the way to this blessed certitude, and their readiness to ridicule those who do have the courage to investigate them."