In a former number I gave an account of an unfinished letter having been received by
Mr. Meugens from a medium in London on January 15th, which was being written at
5 oclock on the same day, and which arrived here between 11 and 12 at night, that is
to say, at about the hour mentioned in the letter, allowing for the difference of time. I
have now the pleasure to put before your readers a corroborative case of the instantaneous
transmission of a letter to me, from Mr. Eglinton, now homeward bound on board the Vega,
dated March 24th, which letter arrived here at half-past 9 p.m. the same day.
Mr. Eglinton was our guest from February 2nd until the evening of the 14th
of March, when he left by the Vega. To make clear all the facts I wish to relate, I
must explain some matters concerning our connection with those who have assisted in the
present phenomenon. When Col. Gordon and myself returned to India three years ago, we were
fully convinced of the truth of the phenomena of Spiritualism. A friend writing to me from
England, advised me to make the acquaintance of Madame Blavatsky, so I commenced a
correspondence and eventually went to Allahabad to meet her. Col. Gordon and myself joined
the Theosophical Society, and we then heard that a certain group of Asiatic mystics were
in some way connected with the Society; they were spoken of as the adept
"Brothers." The stories told us of their powers were so wonderful that nothing
but our knowledge of Spiritualism could have led us to give a moments credence to
them. But by degrees, after being a good deal with Madame B. and Col. Olcott, we had proof
more or less conclusive, of the fact of the actual existence of these
"Brothers," and of their control over matter. But as mere physical phenomena are
regarded by them as of very secondary importance, and as only calculated to startle
without convincing a mind unprepared by prior teaching, they seldom can be induced to give
any experimental proof of their powers, or even of their existence. Therefore we who
profess a belief in both, have to meet with a good deal of scepticism even from
Spiritualists, who, strange to say, find a difficulty in believing that the embodied soul
can do as much as the disembodied one. Mr. Eglinton was a sceptic, and took the same
attitude towards this question as does the outside world towards Spiritualism; because he
did not know them, therefore the "Brothers" could not exist. I gave up arguing
on the subject, seeing its uselessness. About a fortnight before Mr. E. left, and before
he had decided on going, I received a letter from Madame Blavatsky telling me some of the
reasons why Mr. E. had not yet been made acquainted with the existence of our
"Brothers," but at the same time saying that his "guides" as they are
called, had now been made to know the fact. I questioned Mr. Eglinton, but found he knew
nothing, and a letter he wrote about this time to one of our "fellows" proved
him still a sceptic. Two or three evenings later we had a seance to ourselves, when to my
amusement one of his "guides" spoke about the "Illustrious" - a
pseudonym given by us to a certain "Brother," but quite unknown to Mr. Eglinton.
Mr. E. was entranced while I was conversing in the direct voice with his
"guides," and learning from them that some phenomena would be done by their
agency, with the help of Madame Blavatsky after Mr. Eglintons departure.
They said the "Brothers" had consented to this. When Mr. Eglinton returned to
his normal state, we told him what we had heard, and I afterwards gave him Madame
Blavatskys letter to read. He was not at all elated at having a belief in the
"Brothers" forced on him, their alleged superiority to mediums being
rather a sore point between us! However he had no alternative but to accept them, as a
communication was given him by his chief "guide" in direct writing to the same
effect. Mr. Eglinton in consequence of bad news from England suddenly resolved to go home
for two or three months, and I suggested to him to try while at sea and send me a letter
through Madame Blavatsky, as his "guides" had told me they were prepared to work
in connection with her. He seemed very doubtful whether it could be done, as he had never
met Madame B, and in all cases of such phenomena hitherto, both of the actors had been
mutually acquainted and in sympathy with each other. In this instance the situation was
the reverse, as Madame Blavatsky has shown a distrust of all mediums excepting only one or
two who were well known to her. Mr. Eglinton on the other hand was inclined to believe
that Madame B. was only a medium who pretended to be something higher. There seemed to me
just a possibility of reconciliation and mutual appreciation, when the eve of Mr.
Eglintons departure came. His baggage was already on board, and the steamer down the
river when a telegram came from Madame B. to me saying, that if he would stay a week
longer she had orders to come down and meet him. This was impossible. The next morning,
Wednesday 15th (he having gone on board the evening before) a telegram came for
him which I opened, saying the "Illustrious" wished him while the President of
the T. S. was at Howrah, to send letters in his handwriting from on board ship, and that
he would be helped. I advised him in case he should consent, to get some fellow passenger
to endorse the letter before sending it off to me. He wrote from Fishermans Point on
Wednesday at 4 oclock, saying, "Personally I am very doubtful whether these
letters can be managed, but I will do what I can in the matter. I shall send you a letter
from Suez if you dont receive one in the meantime by K. H. (1)" Col. Olcott the President of the Society came from
Berhampore on Sunday the 19th. He having left Bombay February 17th,
had heard nothing up till then of all this. We received letters from Madame Blavatsky
dated Bombay the 19th, telling us that something was going to be done, and
expressing the earnest hope that she would not be required to assist as she had had enough
abuse about phenomena. Before this letter was brought by the post peon, Colonel Olcott had
told me that he had had an intimation in the night from his Chohan (teacher) that
K. H. had been to the Vega and seen Eglinton. This was about eight oclock on
Thursday morning the 23rd. A few hours later a telegram, dated at Bombay 22nd
day, 21 hour 9 minutes, that is to say 9 minutes past 9 p.m., on Wednesday evening, came
to me from Madame Blavatsky, to this effect: "K. H. just gone to Vega."
This telegram came as a "delayed" message, and was posted to me from
Calcutta, which accounts for its not reaching me until midday on Thursday. It
corroborated, as will be seen, the message of the previous night to Colonel Olcott. We
then felt hopeful of getting the letter by occult means from Mr. Eglinton. A telegram
later on Thursday asked us to fix a time for a sitting, so we named 9 oclock Madras
time, on Friday 24th. At this hour we three - Colonel Olcott, Colonel Gordon,
and myself, - sat in the room which had been occupied by Mr. Eglinton. We had a good
light, and sat with our chairs placed to form a triangle of which the apex was to the
north. In a few minutes Colonel Olcott saw outside the open window the two
"Brothers" whose names are best known to us, and told us so; he saw them pass to
another window, the glass doors of which were closed. He saw one of them point his hand
towards the air over my head, and I felt something at the same moment fall straight down
from above on to my shoulder and saw it fall at my feet in the direction towards the
two gentlemen. I knew it would be the letter, but for the moment I was so anxious to see
the "Brothers" that I did not pick up what had fallen. Colonel Gordon and
Colonel Olcott both saw and heard the letter fall. Colonel Olcott had turned his head from
the window for a moment to see what the "Brother" was pointing at and so noticed
the letter falling from a point about two feet from the ceiling. When he looked again the
two "Brothers" had vanished.
There is no verandah outside, and the window is several feet from the ground.
I now turned and picked up what had fallen on me, and found a letter in Mr.
Eglintons handwriting dated on the Vega the 24th; a message from
Madame Blavatsky, dated at Bombay the 24th, written on the backs of three of
her visiting cards; also a larger card such as Mr. Eglinton had a packet of, and used at
his seances. On this latter card was the, to us, well-known handwriting of K. H.
and a few words in the handwriting of the other "Brother," who was with him
outside our windows, and who is Col. Olcotts Chief. All these cards and the letter
were threaded together with a piece of blue sewing-silk. We opened the letter carefully by
slitting up one side, as we saw that some one had made on the flap in pencil three latin
crosses, and so we kept them intact for identification. The letter is as follows: -
S. S. "Vega,"
Friday, 24th March 1882.
My dear Mrs. Gordon,
At last your hour of triumph has come! After the many battles we have had at the
breakfast table regarding K. H.s existence, and my stubborn scepticism as to the
wonderful powers possessed by the "Brothers", I have been forced to a complete
belief in their being living distinct persons, and just in proportion to my scepticism
will be my firm unalterable opinion respecting them. I am not allowed to tell
you all I know, but K. H. appeared to me in person two days ago, and what he told
me dumb-founded me. Perhaps Madame B. will have already communicated the fact of K.
H.s appearance to you. The "Illustrious" is uncertain whether this can be
taken to Madame, or not, but he will try, notwithstanding the many difficulties in the
way. If he does not I shall post it when I arrive at port. I shall read this to Mrs. B
----- and ask her to mark the envelope; but whatever happens, you are requested by
K. H. to keep this letter a profound secret until you hear from him through Madame. A
storm of opposition is certain to be raised, and she has had so much to bear that it is
hard she should have more."
Then follow some remarks about his health and the trouble which is taking him home, and
the letter ends.
In her note on the three visiting-cards Madame Blavatsky says: -
"Head-quarters, March 24th. These cards and contents to certify to my
doubters that the attached letter addressed to Mrs. Gordon by Mr. Eglinton was just
brought to me from the "Vega," with another letter from himself to me which I
keep. K. H. tells me, he saw Mr. Eglinton and had a talk with him, long and convincing
enough to make him a believer in the "Brothers" as actual living beings, for the
rest of his natural life. Mr. Eglinton writes to me; The letter which I enclose is
going to be taken to Mrs. G. through your influence. You will receive it wherever you are,
and will forward it to her in ordinary course. You will learn with satisfaction of my
complete conversion to a belief in the "Brothers" and I have no doubt K. H. has
already told you how he appeared to me two nights ago, "&c. &c." K. H. told
me all. He does not however, want me to forward the letter in "ordinary
course" as it would defeat the object, but commands me to write this and send it off
without delay so that it would reach you all at Howrah to-night, the 24th. I do
so * * * * H. P. Blavatsky."
The handwriting on these cards and signature are perfectly well-known to us. That on
the larger card (from Mr. Eglintons packet) attached was easily recognized as coming
from Koot Hoomi. Colonel Gordon and I know his writing as well as our own; it is so
distinctly different from any other I have ever seen that among thousands I could select
it. He says,
"William Eglinton thought the manifestation could only be produced through H. P.
B. as a medium, and that the power would become exhausted at Bombay. We
decided otherwise. Let this be a proof to all that the spirit of living man has as
much potentiality in it, and, often more, as a disembodied soul. He was anxious to
test her, he often doubted; two night ago he had the required proof and will doubt no
more. But he is a good young man, bright, honest and true as gold when once convinced. * *
*
This card was taken from his stock to-day. Let it be an additional proof of his
wonderful mediumship. * *"
K. H.
This is written in blue ink, and across it is written in red ink a few words from the
other "Brother" (Col. Olcotts Chohan or Chief). This interesting and
wonderful phenomenon is not published with the idea that any one who is unacquainted with
the phenomena of Spiritualism will accept it. But I write for the millions of
Spiritualists, and also that a record may be made of such an interesting experiment. Who
knows but that it may pass on to a generation which will be enlightened enough to accept
such wonders? I will mention before closing the salient features of this phenomenon.
(1) Mr. Eglinton was personally unknown to Madame Blavatsky and Col. Olcott, the former
having not even written to him once, the latter once only - in acknowledgement of a letter
of introduction from a London friend. Mr. E.s views and theirs respecting the
mediumistic phenomena were in conflict. Collusion, therefore, was out of the question. (2)
Mr. E.s personal "Spirit-guide," using the direct voice while the medium
was entranced, told me that he had now become acquainted with the "Brothers,"
and would try to do a phenomenon after Mr. Eglintons departure by steamer from
Calcutta. (3) A corroborative intimation came to me from the "Brothers" through
Madame Blavatsky, by telegram after Mr. E. had left Howrah, and while his vessel was in
the stream. (4) At 8 a.m., on the 23rd Col. Olcott informed us that during the
night his "Guru" had told him that K. H. had visited the Vega; a telegram
received later in the day from Bombay corroborates this statements. (5) By appointment we
sit in Mr. Eglintons late bed-chamber at a designated hour. Col. O. sees the doubles
or astral forms (the Hindu name is Linga Shar ira) of two brothers whom he names;
one extends his arm towards me and at the same instant a packet of papers falls vertically
upon my shoulder; (it falls not from, but towards Col. Olcott and Colonel Gordon,
therefore it was not thrown by either of them.) (6) A good light was burning and we could
see each others movements. (7) In the packet were a letter from Mr. E. dated the
same day on the Vega, and announcing that he should read the letter to a certain
lady on board, and ask her to mark the envelope; also a note from Madame B. dated at
Bombay the 24th, certifying to the reception of the letter from Mr. E.; and (on
one of Mr. E.s own blank cards,) messages from the two Brothers whom Col. O. saw
outside our windows. All these points the sceptic must dispose of; to account for any one
or two will not suffice. Though every other item were brushed away, the phenomenal
delivery of the papers would stand as a marvellous example of the power enjoyed by our
mystical Chiefs over the forces of Nature.
A. GORDON.
[Since the above was written a paper
has come from Bombay signed by 7 witnesses, who saw the letter arrive there from the Vega.
This will be published in the next number.]
A.G.
Note
(1) Koot Hoomi, one of the "Brothers."