Published in 1893 | 76 pages | PDF reader required
INTRODUCTION
I have written this pamphlet because I was asked to: but the necessity of a work of this kind is manifest. Had I wanted an excuse for giving a new work upon this subject to the investigators of Spiritualism, there would have been no difficulty in finding it.
For the past few years the peculiar happenings under the name of "Psychic Phenomena" have been brought to the notice of the world and many have taken up the study with an idea of determining the fundamental facts, while others have taken it up as a fashionable fad. I have no sympathy with those who attend a ''planchette party" as a fad, but wish to be counted as one who is interested in the true study of the subject.
Certain laws of nature give to the world all classes of phenomena, and I do not admit the supernatural in the investigation of psychic phenomena. We must study them in the light of scientific investigation. Many works upon this subject are now extant and possess merit, but many are from the pens of those whose entire knowledge of Spiritualism consists of an attendance at and investigation of a few professional mediums, where little opportunity is given for the real investigation of the subject, while others are so complex that a common mind cannot cope with it.
The peculiar powers of mediumship came to me unasked and not wanted when I was but seventeen years of age: since that time (thirteen years ago) I have passed through successive stages from table tipping to inspirational speaking and some of the physical phases.
Learning by accident that I was possessed of strong mesmeric powers, I commenced their use under the instruction of Prof. J. W. Cadwell, and soon learned that mesmerism and Spiritualism were very closely related. Acting upon this idea I commenced the use of the powers in conjunction, and soon saw the real benefit to be derived from their joint use, and have developed no less than thirty mediums by their use in one year.
My desire in bringing this little pamphlet before the public is to place the results of my experience in public and private mediumship in such a form that it can become the property of honest investigators of Spiritualism. I do not relate these incidents to call especial attention to my own work, but to show that my deductions are from practical experience and are not theories. I have tried to use as plain language as possible to explain the different parts and phases of mediumship, and in all ways to make it a pamphlet for the people. With these few words I launch this work upon the tide of public opinion with the hope that it may throw a few rays of light upon a very interesting subject.
W. H. Bach.
St. Paul. Minn., December 13th, 1893.
