The controversy about the " snper-normal " powers which the
theosophists attribute to their "Mahatmas," which strikes us, we must confess, as waste of words, but which interests a strange variety of persons, is about to be brought to a prac- tical test. Mr. Stuart Cumberland, the thought-reader, has offered, if the theosophists can show him any phenomena which he cannot explain, to pay £1,000 to any charity selected. The challenge was at first declined ; but it has now been taken up by Colonel Desmond, who avows his belief in the Mahatmas, and agrees, if the phenomena do not occur, to pay down an equal sum. We shall be curious to see the kind of test adopted. The one on which theosophists rely, the receipt of letters by unknown agency, proves nothing except that there are agencies capable of performing certain acts which are not yet comprehended. The best of all would be the appear. ance and disappearance of an "astral body" under circum- stances impossible to the material body; and the next best, the cure by other than usual means of a surgical injury. The cure of mere disease would be insufficient, as we none of- us really know to what extent disease may be under the control of the sufferer's will, when faith moves him to its efficient exertion.
Previous page
