August 1928
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kind that many people attributed his feats to peculiar psychic powers. The magician, however, repeatedly af-' firmed that he accomplished his tricks purely by physical, not psychical means. His methods, he declared, rested on natural laws of physics and could be understood by anyone. This man carried the details of his feats to the grave with him. His wife, the only person to whom he confided any o f his methods, was pledged to secrecy forever. On many occasions Houdini stated his purpose to let these secrets die with him, for, as he said, “ they are of no mate rial benefit to mankind, and if used dishonestly might become a serious menace.” As an illustration o f what it might mean in human society had he revealed his methods, take the following instance: “ In the office o f a friend once he was asked if it was really true that he could open any safe. He replied ves— that if everyone knew what he knew, safes wouldn’t be worth much. “ ‘Can you open our ^office safe?’ asked the friend. “ ‘I f you give me three minutes alone with it, I ’ll try,’ said Houdini. "The friend went out. Soon Houdini summoned him, and without hesitation walked to the safe, turned to the proper combination, and swung the door open. Then, on an impulse he took from his pocket a case that resembled a watch, with a single sensitive dial. ‘I made this myself,’ he said. ‘It is the only one in the world. If you had it, and knew how to use it, it would give you the combination of any safe anywhere.’ ” The existence, o f the race is being more and more menaced by reason o f the scientific discoveries passed on from one generation to another and used for evil purposes. Here was a man who saw what havoc might be wrought.^ should he make, known the secrets by which he had fur nished thousands o f people wholesome amusement. W e have often wondered how far the race would have progressed had God permitted men the longevity granted to the earliest human beings. Adam lived 930 years (Gen. 5 :5 ). Archeologists tell us that the earliest known human remains denote a much longer span of life than is now permitted to man. Out o f nine whose ages are recorded in Gen. 5, the average age was 912. It was logical that the first men should live long. It took time for the ground to develop .the effects o f the curse, and man’s per fect physical condition in Paradise would not have been exhausted. It was necessary to the worship o f God in the earth, for there was no written revelation and Adam lived long to tell the story o f Eden and repeat the promise he had heard from God. On the other hand, long life with a fallen nature, lent itself to evil purposes. The rare occurrence o f death would encourage men in evil. Long association o f evil men would foster the progress o f corruption. It is no wonder that we read of the whole earth being so soon corrupted and brought under judgment. Sin has continued to shorten the span o f human life. What a blessing it is that men who are just in the midst of new discoveries are again and again summoned to leave their work unfinished, carrying their secrets with them! Here is a splendid opportunity for Spiritualists to demonstrate the worth o f their claim that the dead com municate with the living. No information o f any value to' men has ever been sent across the border. W e cannot pick up the work where another has been compelled to leave it unless he has chosen to divulge his discoveries step by step. The printed page is in our day overcoming to a large extent the loss due to the fact that men are not permitted
to live long enough to realize their ambitions. In this way a man may leave on record for others, if he chooses, that which he believes will be of benefit to his successors. This accounts in large measure for the great progress of scientific invention in the last few generations. However, we are faced with the fact that all o f these inventions are being turned to purposes which may mean the extermina tion o f mankind. What will check these conditions? Nothing but the coming again of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us take time to breathe a word o f thanksgiving that Houdini did not put intej print, for the benefit of modern youth, his secrets for the opening o f vaults and prisons.
The Village Church C harles L. H. W agner In The Congregationalist
To the old village church I wended my way, The church that in childhood I knew, And the pages o f time turned back fo r the day ' I A s I sat in the hard oaken pew. The pulpit seemed bathed in a spiritual mist; It was peopled by ghosts o f the past, While the Spirit o f Youth my weary eyes kissed, TfAnd memories came thick and fast. The minister preached, but I did not hear; I was listening to sermons o f yore From the lips o f a saint I used to revere, Who had preached in that pulpit before. The young choir sang, but my ears heard no sound; I was hearing sweet music instead That was sung long ago, and the shrouds were ■unbound On the years that I thought gone and dead. Oh, that dear village church, with its mystical charms, ' Thrills the soul o f me yet with delight, For it holds yesteryears in its enfolding arms And the anguish o f time doth requite.
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