The Churches9 Fellowship for Psychical and Spiritual Studies

March

1972 The Churches’ Fellowship for Psychical and Spiritual Studies Temporary Address: 88 Newman Street, London, W1P 3LD (01-636 3469)

Founder—Lt.-Col. Reginald M. Lester, f.j.i. President—The Worshipful Chancellor The Rev. E. Garth Moore, m.a., j.p. Vice-Presidents—The , Lt.-Col. R. M. Lester, f.j.i. Chairman—Rev. Dr. K. G. Cuming, m.r.c.s., l.r.c.p. Vice-Chairmen—Dr. Martin Israel, m.b., The Rev. Canon J. D. Pearce-Higgins, m.a., hon. c.f. General Secretary—Maurice Frost Patrons: Bishop of California, U.S.A. Rev. Dr. Leslie Weatherhead Bishop of Bradwell Bishop of Pittsburgh, U.S.A. Rev. Lord Soper Bishop of Ibadan, Nigeria Rev. Dr. Leslie Newman Dean of St. Pauls E. J. Allsop, j.p. Rt. Rev. Dr. G. A. Chase George H. R. Rogers, c.b.e., m.p. The Rt. Rev. Gordon Savage Dr. R. Crookall Very Rev. Dr. W. R. Matthews Countess of Lichfield Ven. E. F. Carpenter Beverley Nichols, Esq. (of Westminster Abbey) Dr. Raynor Johnson Bishop of Portsmouth Very Rev. Lord Macleod Sir Victor Goddard, k.c.b., c.b.e., m.a. Bishop of Southwark Rev. Canon E. T. Davies Sir George Trevelyan, bart., m.a. Rev. Canon C. F. Harman Lady Kathleen Oldfield Rev. Dr. Maurice Barnett Lady Rowena Traherne And others prominent in the Church, Science and Public Life who have expressed their sympathy with the general purposes of the Fellowship, as set out in the prospectus, without thereby necessarily endorsing all the individual views put forth in this Review or at local meetings of the Fellowship. Members of Council— Chairman—Rev. Dr. K. G. Cuming, m.r.c.s., l.r.c.p.; Vice-Chairmen—Dr. Martin Israel, m.b.; The Rev. Canon J. D. Pearce-Higgins, m.a., c.f.; Miss M. Brice-Smith; Mrs. Helen Greaves; The Rev. Canon C. F. Harman; The Rev. Chas. Harrington; Lt.-Col. R. M. Lester, f.j.i.; Mrs. R. M. Lester; Mrs. Mary Joyce; Mr. Malcolm Myers; Mr. P. N. Pearson; The Rev. A. E. Reynolds; Dr. W. M. Ford Robertson; The Rev. J. S. Smith, m.a.; Mr. John Staples; Mrs. C. Toyne; Mrs. G. Vivian, b.a.; The Rev. G. S. Whitby, m.a., b.a., b.d.; and Regional Organisers ex-officio. Committees— Executive: Chairman—Rev. Dr. K. G. Cuming, m.r.c.s., l.r.c.p. Education: Chairman—Rev. G. S. Whitby, m.a., b.d. Healing Central Advisory: Chairman—Rev. Dr. K. G. Cuming, m.r.c.s., l.r.c.p. Hon. Secretary—Mrs. R. M. Lester Hon. Assistant Secretary—Miss H. Tutin Medical Section: Chairman—Rev. Dr. K. G. Cuming, m.r.c.s., l.r.c.p. Study of Mysticism: Chairman—Dr. Martin Israel Hon. Secretary—Miss V. Staff Study of Psychic Phenomena: Chairman—The Rev. Canon J. D. Pearce-Higgins, m.a. Hon. Secretary—The Rev. Allan Barham, b.d. Scientific Research: Chairman—The Rev. G. S. Whitby, m.a., b.d. Hon. Secretary—Mr. A. W. Rossiter AIMS AND OBJECTS The aims and objects of the Fellowship are summarised below, but can be read in fuller detail in the official prospectus. The Fellowship, founded in 1953, exists for the study of the wide reaches of the paranormal and extra sensory perception in their relation to the Christian faith. The field of study includes psychical phenomena, mysticism, creative meditation and spiritual healing. The psychical includes such phenomena as telepathy, clairvoyance, clairaudience, precognition and psychokinesis. There are two classes of membership: Members and Associates. Those eligible for membership must be members of churches affiliated to the World Council of Churches, the British Council of Churches, the Roman Catholic Church or a Church of the orthodox tradition which believes in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour of the World. Members of other Christian bodies not falling within these categories are eligible for Associate Membership as the Council may from time to time determine. The Fellowship is entirely, dependent for its funds on the generosity of its members. There is an Entrance Fee of £1. The minimum subscription is £1.50 per annum, or £2.10 for combined husband and wife subscription, which includes the Quarterly Review free. Those who can subscribe more are asked to do so, and Covenants are greatly appreciated. Pensioners and students, 75p. Copyright of all material in this Review is reserved to the authors and publishers. Nothing may be reproduced or translated without written permission: opinions do not necessarily express the views of anyone except the individual contributor. QUARTERLY REVIEW

MARCH, 1972 25p No. 71

From the Chairman

This year the London Conference and Annual General Meeting will be held at The Digby Stuart College, Roehampton from Friday, 1st September to Sunday, 3rd September. I would like to suggest to all members of our Fellowship that we make of this occasion each year an ANNUAL FELLOWSHIP CONFERENCE and A.G.M. at which there will be the best possible representation of members from Branches and Regions all over the country. I would suggest that Branches might like to get together to discuss with each other and with the Regional Organisers ways and means by which they can send Delegates to the Conference to represent them. In this way, all members will have not only an opportunity of sharing in the work of the Fellowship and of making their own contribution, but also an opportunity to share with each other what is being done in different parts of the country, as well as, one would hope, from members over­ seas if they are visiting this country.

Hitherto, the London Conference has been very much a local affair, since there are so many good conferences in other parts of the country. But now I feel that the time has come for the suggestion to be made that we should avail ourselves of an opportunity to make of this con­ ference an annual get-together that is as representative of the whole Fellowship as possible. I am sure that such a meeting of members from all over the country could do so much towards making us feel more united as a Fellowship and less scattered and isolated in small Groups and Branches. If delegates were sent to the Conference by Branches, they could then report back to the Branch meetings on their experiences at the Conference, and so help members who could not attend the Conference to feel that they were being kept in touch with the centre of things.

I hope that no-one will get the idea in their heads that only dele­ gates will be able to attend the conference. As with all our other con­ ferences, any member may apply to attend, and we hope for as full an attendance as possible from all parts of the country. But the idea of Branches and Regions sending their delegates is that they shall be able to represent and speak for those who send them to the Conference.

I hope that Regions and Branches will at least consider my sugges­ tion; and I shall be interested to note your reactions to it.

1 From the President As was to be expected, the response to our Appeal has been most encouraging. We have, at the time of going to press, received £2,037. I should like to thank all those who have so generously subscribed. I wish it were possible to thank them personally. I should like also to thank those who have written giving useful suggestions concerning the future of the Fellowship. These will all be fully considered. We still, of course, need more money and the further results of the Appeal will be duly reported in the “Quarterly” from time to time. While we were right to take the financial situation seriously and while we cannot go forward until we have got our financial affairs on an even keel, there is, given the present enthusiasm of our members, no need to be other than optimistic about the future. E. garth moore, President

C.F.P.S.S. Holy Land Pilgrimage As there have been very few enquiries for the Portugal Pilgrimage planned for this year, the Rev. John Smith has agreed to try and form a party for an eight day Pilgrimage to the Holy Land starting on Saturday, 16th September. The Pilgrimage will take in Jerusalem, Temple Area, Via Dolorosa, Garden Tomb, etc., also Gethsemane, Mt. of Olives, Bethlehem, Dead Sea, Jericho and Jordan River. After Jerusalem the latter part of the Pilgrimage is spent by Lake Galilee visiting Nazareth, Tiberias, Mt. Beatitudes and Capernaum, with optional excursions to Mt. Tabor and Caesaria Phillipi. The inclusive fare is £106, and early booking is advisable. Booking has commenced later than usual, and it will be necessary to make up a party of at least fifteen. Air travel will be from London by scheduled IATA International Air Lines. Please write to the Rev. John Smith, St. Mary’s Vicarage, Shire- hampton, Bristol, BS11 9RN (Telephone Avonmouth 2737) for book­ ing form and full details.

WILLIAM V. BLEWETT As we go to press a friend sends us the following tribute to one of our Members who went on to Higher Service on January 18th. WILLIAM V. BLEWETT—JOSEPH to the group of close friends with whom he worked—leaves us an outstanding example of Christian compassion. He was a successful healer; particularly gifted in the removal or alleviation of pain. No journey was too far or too trouble­ some for him to travel in his work up to his 87th year. He passed over about a month after his 87th birthday after six months’ illness. He was a Vice-President of the College of Psychic Studies as well as a member of C.F.P.S.S.; and his many friends, while missing him sorely, rejoice to think of his welcome on the Other Side and the eager interest with which he will join in expanded opportunities for service.

2 A Pilgrim Looks at (Ecumenism and at Taizê By Vera Staff Hon. Secretary, Mysticism Committee To join the OEcumenical Pilgrimage 1971 from Brittany to Lyon was to take part in a spiritual adventure. How many C.F.P.S.S. members, I wondered, had heard of the “Centre Oecuménique des Bords de la Rance”, or indeed of the whole French movement for Christian unity inspired and inaugurated by the late Abbé Couturier? It was through attending a conference held at Stepney in December 1970 (organized by Fr. Geoffrey Curtis of the Community of the Resurrection, Mir- field) that I met Mrs. Culwick and Miss Hannay, who make the arrangements for the annual pilgrimages of the OEcumenical Move­ ment and I was able to be one of the party which set out from Dinard towards the end of last August. English pilgrims flew across the Channel to Dinard where they were joined by French members. The pilgrims numbered a little over thirty and stayed usually in seminaries en route. There they had an oppor­ tunity of seeing women members of religious Orders who wore either a modified habit which was like a nurse’s uniform, or clothes indis­ tinguishable from those of lay people. In each seminary we were most hospitably entertained, and C.F.P.S.S. members who have been on a Holy Land pilgrimage would be interested to know that the one at Lyon is run by the Sisters of Sion, of the same Order as those in Jerusalem. Among the English pilgrims were Anglican nuns, members of the Community of the Resurrection, and Quakers, and with the French pilgrims were an Abbé and a Pasteur of the French Reformed Church. Other French clergy joined us on special occasions. All took part jointly in the religious services, some of which were specially arranged for the oecumenical purpose, and bilingual pilgrims helped with trans­ lating. A number of Anglican pilgrims were saddened by the fact that, though it was possible to attend mass at several famous shrines, inter­ communion is not yet permitted to them by the Roman Church. Others felt at times a togetherness which suggested that spiritual separation was already over. Before leaving Brittany the pilgrims visited the restored Abbaye of Boquen. This is a Cistercian foundation of 1137 which after years of decline became a total ruin at the time of the Revolution, on account of its decadence. To be restored to life, material and spiritual, it had to await the coming of Dom Alexis Presse in 1936. He was a pioneer in spirituality as well as the restorer of an ancient fabric. He was convinced of the need for monastic reform because the Rule of the Order was too rigid to admit of growth. Therefore he worked for a pure and simple return to the Benedictine rule. By renouncing his former Abbaye and electing to live at Boquen under his own respon­ sibility Dom Alexis placed himself on the rim of his Order, but the purity of his evangelical ideal gained respect for him and earned

3 recognition for his Community. Both the physical and the spiritual labour at Boquen were undertaken by only a very few monks. The pilgrims looked up at the enormous expanse of roof and wondered at the skill and patience with which so many thousands of soft blue slates had been hung with perfect precision. The character of Boquen has changed somewhat since the time of Alexis Presse. To-day it describes itself as a centre for research: it is seeking a new revelation of the spiritual life and has not yet fully attained its object. Its experimenting has had stormy reception by the Superiors of the Cistercian Order from time to time, but movements in the Roman Catholic Church to-day which are seen by some as dis­ turbances are hailed by others as the stirring of the Spirit. All the activities of Boquen as a House of Welcome are centred in the Eucharist, where the unity of mankind is revealed. The present Prior, Dom Bernard (temporarily in exile) tries to draw practical conclu­ sions for reforming the whole Church and the world at large. He sees the idea of communion (or Christian communal living) as the essen­ tial basis of the Church’s life. People ask: is Boquen still a monastery? Dom Bernard replies: that does not matter, for us what is essential is to be men and if possible Christians. They do not deny the need for some regimen, or form of expression; but the old must die to give life to the new. Temporary celibacy is spoken of: monks for a period. They may marry, and as a married couple the former monk and his wife will take part in the community life, work for it. They claim that Boquen works in a spirit of dialogue, not contention; their aim is that their Abbaye shall demonstrate Agape. Their faith in the power of the Holy Spirit remains; they wish to remain within the Church. But their Prior is banished. The difficulties of lay people faced with Church reforms call for sympathy. A mystic will readily understand the feeling of loss sus­ tained by those to whom Latin words and the wearing of the habit bear an inherited or symbolical and sacred quality. The loss of fthese aids not only to worship but to general holiness of living must now be balanced by the gain to lay people of sharing the full meaning of every word of devotion, and perhaps a feeling of nearness to those who can help them to face up to life in the present age. To a monk or a mm it must be a sacrifice and a challenge. Dom Alexis was a gentle soul, in spite of his determination; but some reformers can be fierce, even arrogant in their single-mindedness. Boquen is aware of the dangers of its quest, of being deflected from its aim by romanticism, idealism, or evading the issue. Although some of the pilgrims felt unable to identify their worship with the form of mass celebrated in this Abbaye, others felt a joyful power which almost lifted them off their feet. This was the first centre at which the number of young people present in the congregation was noticeable—silent and reverent. But wherever they went in France the pilgrims must have been aware that Christianity is still very much more a part of life there than it is in Britain to-day (where is our Taize, or our Lourdes?). Mass ended with the “kiss of peace”: a middle-aged French couple standing in front of some English pilgrims turned round and gravely clasped their hands.

4 The leaders of the pilgrimage lost no opportunity of taking us to visit any religious centre of significance, however brief the stop. We stayed one night in Bourges, the lovely art centre, where we were shown the cathedral’s glorious stained glass, second only to that of Chartres and the Sainte Chapelle. We saw Solêsmes, the music centre, where the Gregorian chant originated and where we heard the monks singing their office in the beautiful romanesque basilica. We stopped briefly at Paray le Monial, associated with S. François de Sales, and also at Toumus. From the coach windows the Abbey of Cluny was pointed out to us. At Clermont, where the ancient Abbey is being restored as was Boquen, by just a few monks, we were able to stay long enough to see how far the restoration had progressed. We swept through the heart of Burgundy at speed, travelling as far south as Lyon, the cradle of Christianity and home of the OEcumenical move­ ment, where we spent three days. Returning by another route we visited Vézelay, whose Abbey (now the parish church) was perhaps the most glorious among all the romanesque basilicas we were shown. Vézelay’s life is in the past: it stands high on a hill in the heart of France, at the junction of roads which lead to Jerusalem and to Compostella. Here St. Bernard preached the second Crusade, St. Thomas à Becket prayed here and Richard Coeur de Lion assembled his army here before setting out on the third Crusade. Our last stop­ ping place on the way home was at Le Mans, where we saw the magnificent cathedral with its almost incredible flying buttresses. It was during our stay in Lyon that Père Michalon, who supervises the headquarters of the OEcumenical Movement, took charge of the pilgrims and told us much of the lives and experiences of the two founders, the Abbé Couturier and Père Fernand Portal. Each was drawn to take up the work for Christian unity by a layman through whom he made contact with other denominations. In 1937 a week of prayer for this unity was first celebrated in France, followed by small gatherings of all denominations which were a kind of spiritual retreat, referred to as “Les Dombes”. These gatherings were a seeking together concerning all problems which have divided Christians—not a confrontation. The Abbé Couturier visited Taizé in 1941—indeed, he became its spiritual father, for it was his spirituality which influenced Roger Schutz. Paul Couturier asked God for Unity “As He wills, when He wills, by the means He wills”. The other part of his message is too often forgotten to-day: the divisions of the Church must wound the faithful as they wound Christ. We visited the grave of the Abbé Couturier at Lyon, and at Les Corbières, in the woods where stands the beautiful chapel of unity, Père Portal’s memorial, the pilgrims made a completely oecumenical communion together and spent a few peaceful hours of silence under a materially and spiritually cloudless sky. It remains to speak of Taizé. The Community of Taizé was founded in 1940 by its present Prior, Brother Roger (Schutz) in response to an inspiration which he received in the tiny parish church. This little building has been suitably

5 reverenced: there is a continual coming and going of visitors in com­ plete silence. Only a subdued light penetrates the beautiful stained glass windows of gold and orange; the whole place breathes devotion. Burgundy was the home of Brother Roger’s mother’s family, and at the beginning of the war he was occupied in giving hospitality to refugees, Jews and others. However the Gestapo invaded his house in 1942 during a temporary absence and he was only able to return to Taizé in 1944, after the liberation of France. Then he was accom­ panied by the first three brothers of the future Community. In 1949 they made a common life commitment to celibacy, community of goods and acceptance of an authority. Now there are more than seventy members of the Community from different Christian churches, and different European and American countries. Young Catholics are permitted to join. So to-day they are truly OEcumenical and linked to the World Council of Churches. The Rule of Taizé says: “Have passion for the unity of the body of Christ”. That is their first vocation, and “Love all who live under injustice”. To-day the life of the Community centres round its main building, the Church of Reconciliation, and its work round preparation for the Council of Youth. For Taizé is the young people’s place, and for older ones among the pilgrims there was nothing more moving than to see youth in crowds drawn to this spiritual centre. Ten years back they started to go to Taizé in ever growing numbers, and this influx was unexpected. Some are explicitly Christian, others are searching, or do not believe at all. They take part in the Community’s prayers three times a day. The first large international youth meeting was held in September 1966, with 1,400 looking for reconciliation between Christians. By 1967 an assembly of 1,700 young people was demanding of all who were responsible for churches daring gestures and meetings of a quite new style which would mark the beginning of reconciliation. Two years later a few young men set out to visit Biafra, Israel, and Arab countries, to listen, absorb and report on what they had been able to grasp. Many non-Christians come to Taizé, some to find out what motivates Christians: and some of them have been struck by the deep agreement on many important points between them and Christians. They discover what Christianity is by getting to know Christians and are struck by the renewed, purified spirit which they find at Taizé. At the present time all are engaged in preparation for a Council of Youth: this is like a modem crusade. Easter Day 1971 marked the beginning of the second year of preparation: from the Monday of Holy Week 1,500 young people had arrived, from 40 different coun­ tries, representing 35 nationalities: by Friday they numbered 4,500, from Saturday to Monday 6,500. As some left, others took their places at a week’s meetings. As the church of Reconciliation holds only 2,500 it was necessary to demolish the western façade and to add a vast tent amphitheatre. There was common prayer, a night of con­ tinuous prayer, culminating in the celebration of Easter morning.

6 Brother Roger and an international team met in Taize in 1970 for two weeks before Easter to map out the lines of reflection for the months’ ahead. Their theme was: The Risen Christ is going to prepare us to give our lives so that man be no longer victim of man, and this preparation is going to be an interior adventure. This is seen as com­ mitting our energies to breaking with situations where man is victim of man, rejecting privileges, refusing the hunt for success, furthering communion between man and man: finding freedom and securing the freedom of others. The team consisted of 20 young men and women from every continent, working around Brother Roger, from letters, ideas and suggestions sent in by young people of many countries. A thirst for God and for the service of man is recognized: they wish the Church to be a creative force, and they await a project which will commit them to Christ, set free their energy for a burst of creativity to make the world fit to live in. The violence of hatred, they say, can be changed into the violence of peace-makers. The Council of Youth has not yet been formed and Brother Roger has not set a limit to the time of preparation: each will “live from interior poverty, looking to Christ, the lamp at the heart of our dark­ ness”. In 1970 from Easter to Christmas 20,000 young people from 65 countries took part in the exploratory meetings. Together they are imagining concrete means of living out these realities, each according to his commitment, whether it be in the Church or in professional life or politics. In the first stage of prepara­ tion it had been discovered what a vast range of diverse aspirations there was among people: celebrating the Resurrection of Christ unites all. As yet they remain hidden in an underground movement. Brother Roger looking at the present crisis in the Church sees three essentials in the priestly vocation: first, the

7 the Spirit says to the Church through the new generations, to provide means for the intuitions of young people to be heard. For he sees youth as bearing an enormous responsibility on its shoulders: they demand authenticity from parents, teachers and pastors. They are demanding too with themselves, they thirst for justice, and they need to find true understanding. Therefore there is much talk of dialogue. The Council should give an example of understanding and of con­ fidence in youth. The idea of the Council came out of failure: many of the young were rejecting the Church. After the Community’s many years of oecumenical work young people see the Christian groups there as having settled down in a form of parallelism, with improved relations. As yet these have not led to concrete unity. “As we have been separated for centuries, so it will take centuries to come to unity”, say some of the new generation: some see even oecumenism as in danger of becoming an institution or another ideology. They turn away from anything wearing a mask, from mere cleverness, and from compromise. There is a belief that the great intuitions will come from the Southern hemisphere. The Council will be announced when Youth has lived the interior adventure and has a deeper sense of the joyful news. How wise a decision, for this is a revolutionary movement which asks for a sharing of material as well as spiritual gifts. A Latin American asks of Europeans: Are you ready to give up the privileges of being rich, so as to allow more inter­ national justice? The revolutionary point of view is a logical out­ come, after all, of real Christianity. To implement it with wisdom will need the continuous guidance of its Founder. Brother Roger therefore sees the first stage of preparation as a training in intériorisation. Taizé’s aim, before the Council is set up, is to teach the young people to deepen their living and to centre it upon Christ. In this way tensions will be loosened, frustrations released and unity in the self achieved. Instead of a situation of conflict between prayer and action, youth are to rediscover in their living a meaning in simple things like a smile, taking a meal together: allowing Christ to transform them. They will integrate themselves into the community in the kind of group which some call a “cell”. This kind of living can be a liberation among members of a militant group, and some see this entering upon an interior adventure as complementing their pursuit of political action to further justice. Yet others see the prayer that is lived at Taizé as continuing afterwards among other communities formed at a distance. The important thing is that it should be part of everyday life and, one must admit, this seems far more easy of achievement in France than it would be in England. This whole plan of preparation for a Youth Council is seen at Taizé as a cause for rejoicing and for a festival. The young people say the sense of their festal living is to be found in what they do about racialism, about exploitation and privilege. Brother Roger does not baulk answering important questions, such as “Is the community of Taizé involved politically?” He replied “If

8 political involvement means the commitment of a whole life in the service of man, having part in the building up of society, then yes, such has been our intention from the very start”. From 1940 political refugees were welcomed, and some of the brothers have gone to live as workers, in the fight for justice. They act in forming rural co­ operatives and unions, but their Prior sees it as important to distin­ guish between opting for greater justice and belonging to a political party. There remains the problem of the violence which revolution entails: is this Christian? Taize says, persuasion should be tried, but in cases of prolonged tyranny asks: “Does not violence impose itself?” Nevertheless Brother Roger also quotes “He who strikes with the sword will perish by the sword”. On the practical side, the way of living at Taize is simple. The young people bring their own tents or find a place in the big tents and sheds put up in the fields. Everyone is together: worker and student, farmer, seminarist, teen-ager: catholic, protestant, orthodox, agnostics, atheists. They take time to get used to one another, and they don’t find it easy. Small groups make each a synthesis of their exchanges. Larger general meetings are held in the Church of Reconciliation, and serious questions which recur are made the subject of special meet­ ings: they may be concerned with belief in the Resurrection, forgive­ ness, “Is God unnecessary”, and so on. Once or twice a week Brother Roger holds sessions for answering questions which have been pre­ pared beforehand and gives what he calls “the beginnings of a reply, carrying on a kind of interior dialogue spoken aloud”. He says also “The presence amongst us of our catholic brothers releases us from oecumenical dialogues that do not lead to unity”. On an average young people spend about 4 days at Taize: when they go home they continue their preparation for the Council. It is often hidden work. Their “cells” consist of from 3 to 7 members: their work includes prayer, sharing, mutual support, political and social activities. But the cells are considered as being temporary: they do not wish to be a new movement but to work within existing move­ ments. Small groups of young people travel over the world bearing news of the Council: they are financed from savings when working beforehand, or by help from other groups. Their preparations are simple, even poor. Emphasis is placed upon attending to the needs of the Southern Hemisphere, of Mexico, Peru, Brazil, the Argentine, and of the Congo and other African states, the Lebanon, India, Pakistan, and Indonesia. The same comings and goings of groups take place in N. America and in Europe—to South Italy, South Spain, and Yugoslavia. The pilgrims spent the best part of a day at Taize and could hardly tear themselves away. It is impossible to explain why this experience meant so much to us: the organ music while the Church of Reconcilia­ tion gradually filled with a constant stream of young people, obviously committed and sincere in devotion, the singing of the Office by a trained choir of Brothers, the extreme simplicity of the setting for the Eucharistic feast — the silences — it was unforgettable and almost overwhelming.

9 NEW DATE FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS

Please note that all subscriptions are due on April 1st each year

BANKER’S ORDERS. Will those Southern (E): who pay by Banker’s Order please (Berkshire, Surrey and , West notify their bank as soon as possible Sussex). Lt.-Col. L. Cromwell, and arrange for the date to be altered Daneswood, Dippenhall, Farnham, Surrey. to April 1st, and ask for the subscrip­ Bank: Barclays Bank Limited, 22 tion to be paid into the bank used by The Borough, Farnham, Surrey. their Region. A list is given below. Southern (W): COVENANTS. The date of Coven­ (Wiltshire, Hampshire, including ants should not be altered but pay­ the Isle of Wight and East Dor­ ment of the subscription should be set). Mr. Norman Pearson, 4 made on April 1st. If you pay by Hazel End, Wootton Bassett, Banker’s Order please ask your bank Swindon, Wilts. Bank: Midland Bank Ltd., 143 to make the alteration as soon as High Street, Wootton Bassett, possible. Swindon, Wilts. If you have any query please ask South West: your Regional Organiser or write to the General Secretary. Mrs. Alun Virgin, The Rectory, 21 Church Road, Huntspill, High- Your subscription should be paid bridge, Somerset. to: Bank: Barclays Bank Ltd., Corn­ hill, Highbridge, Somerset. London Area: C.F.P.S.S., 88 Newman Street, West Midlands: London, W1P 3LD. Miss J. M. Jordan, c9 Calthorpe Bank: Lloyds Bank Limited, 112 Mansions, Birmingham, Bl5 IQS. Victoria Street, London, S.W.l. Bank: Midland Bank Ltd., 4 Salop Home Islands: Street, Wolverhampton. (Channel Islands, Isle of Man, East Midlands: Northern Ireland and Eire). Head Office as above. Miss F. P. Harrold, “Sigil”, 1c Danes Terrace, Lincoln. Wales: Bank: National Westminster Head Office as above. Bank Ltd., Lincoln. Overseas: Northern: Head Office as above. SUBSCRIPTIONS AND BANKERS’ orders. The new regional treas­ Home Counties: urer is: Mr. Philip J. Heselton, Mrs D. Weston, 102 Westwood 9 Park Avenue, Hull, Yorks., Drive, Little Chalfont, Amersham, HU5 3EN, to whom all sub­ Bucks. scriptions should now be paid. Bank: Barclays Bank Ltd., 9 Bankers’ Order payments should Station Road, Harrow, Middx. now be made payable on 1st South East: April, and paid into Midland Mr. George Stoneman, Dormer Bank Ltd., 63 Market Place, Cottage, Coombe Road, Otford, Beverley, Yorks., HUI7 8AL. Sevenoaks, Kent. Bank: National Westminster East Anglia: Bank Ltd., 67 High Street, Major E. G. Lang, Three Wells Sevenoaks, Kent. Farm, Blo’Norton, Diss, Norfolk Norfolk. Bank: Lloyds Bank Ltd., Diss,

Please make all cheques payable to C.F.P.S.S. and not to individuals

10 In response to the President’s Appeal Owing to a confusion of dates, the a slip was returned, with a £5 note Chairman will not be speaking at the and the following contribution in Bournemouth Conference, but will be words taking part in the Scarborough Con­ What's in a name? ference, May 5th-7th. When the gift is the same. ♦ * * Why have a list? Our Chairman, Dr. Kenneth Cuming, In case some name is missed? Dr. Martin Israel and the General Secretary of C.F.P.S.S. (Scotland) Happy Christmas Rev. David Kennedy will be speaking A LIST OF DONORS IS NOT BEING at a one-day Seminar, arranged in PRINTED, MANY PREFERRING TO REMAIN London for members of the Spiritual ANONYMOUS. Frontiers Fellowship of America. They will be en route for a tour of The Chichester and Winchester bran­ Italy, Greece and the Ionian Islands. ches of the Fellowship are this year * * * combining to run an all-day confer­ Correction. The General Secretary is ence at CHICHESTER on SATURDAY, not the new Editor of the Quarterly 23rd September at the Newell Centre, Review. An Editorial Board is being Chichester. Speakers will include Helen set up and he will be co-ordinating its Greaves, Gordon Turner and Clarice work. All copy should be sent to Toyne amongst others, and full details Head Office. of the programme will be available * * * for the June Quarterly. Because of the loss sustained over * ♦ * the last three years in producing a A retreat will be held from Friday, Fellowship Diary, the Council has 24th to 26th March, 1972 (Palm Sun­ decided to discontinue it. day) at Graham Chiesman House, St. * * * Paul’s Cray Road, Chislehurst, con­ In connection with the booklet ducted by Rev. R. Hall, f.t.c.l., a.r.c.m„ on The Gospel According to “Guide Lines for Meditation”, one St. John. Cost approximately £5.20 section, section 5, on Forming a (50p deposit). Group, has been reprinted as a leaflet * ♦ ♦ and is available free on application to Head Office. Members will be glad to know that * * * the lecture, “The future of Religion* ’ printed in the December Quarterly Joint lecture with The College of Review, is now available in duplicated Psychic Studies. Tuesday, April 18th, form. It costs 12p including postage. at 7 p.m. Mrs. Ena Twigg. Also available in duplicated form, ♦ ♦ ♦ Rev. George Whitby’s Metropolitan Please note changes in Officers of Conference lecture, “Towards a New Branches as follows: Metaphysic”, at 12p including post­ BIRMINGHAM age. Chairman-. Dr. D. A. Blacketer- * * * Simmonds. A cheque for £10, part of the pro­ Treasurer-, Miss J. M. Jordan. ceeds of a “Bring and Buy” sale Speakers* Secretary: arranged by the Southampton Branch, Mrs. G. Madison. has been gratefully received towards N.B. Dr. Blacketer-Simmonds is re­ the Headquarter’s Fund. tiring in July and leaving Birming­ * ♦ ♦ ham. Two new Regional Organisers have STOURBRIDGE been appointed, Mrs. Diana Myers Chairman: Mr. M. B. Myers. to the West Midlands and the Rev. Secretary: Mrs. M. B. Myers. Alun Virgin to the South West. ♦ ♦ ♦ Treasurer: Mrs. G. Caswell. “Testimony of Light” by Helen WORCESTER Greaves continues to bring help and Chairman: Mrs. A. Dickens. comfort to many who write and say Secretary: Miss P. Smith. how much they appreciate what it has Treasurer: Miss M. Wilks. done for them. Over 5,000 copies BRISTOL have now been sold, and requests Chairman: Rev. G. Gibson. come from all over the world. Secretary: Miss F. Webber. 11 Kathleen Edwards Mrs. Kathleen Edwards who passed on in September was one of the earliest workers in the London Office having acted as part-time Short­ hand Typist to all the Secretaries until more than a year ago when she had to retire because of ill-health. She was appreciated because of the selfless service she gave to the Fellowship and liked because of her calm and helpful attitude at all times. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. J.A. The following tribute comes from Grace Lester: I think my husband and myself were among the first members that Kathleen met. Early in 1961 we went to address a meeting in a North London Church; we were rather early, and when a lady walked in 1 naturally spoke to her. I found she had recently lost her husband, and this was the first meeting she had come to. I talked to her of my own experiences in losing my first husband, and also of my present husband’s, and invited her to come to the London Conference to be held about 6 months’ later, telling her not to worry if she had to go alone, as there she would meet many people like herself. Unfortun­ ately I had to go into hospital for a serious operation in July, so I wrote a letter to Miss Alice White asking her to look out for her, with the result that she found happiness and serenity of mind in joyfully serving our Fellowship for many years.

C.F.P.S.S. Annual Conference

This Conference will try to provide a new image and a new approach. On Friday evening, September 1st, Sir Alister Hardy, F.R.S., an eminent marine biologist, will speak on “Researching into Religious Experience”, outlining the work of his Research Unit at Oxford. The response to his appeal of three years ago for personal records has been tremendous and new fields are opening up. On Saturday morning, there are to be discussion groups aided by the Unit’s I Senior Research Assistant, Mr. Edward Robinson. The evening will see a Brains’ Trust panel, assisted by the speakers, who will answer your questions. To open the Conference on Friday four of our members, each with special knowledge, will briefly put forward their ideas on new initiatives for the Fellowship’s work on such subjects as spiritual healing, mysticism, new psychological trends, counselling and group learning and thè role of higher education in the work of the Fellow­ ship. On the Saturday evening final session you are being invited to ask questions about the new initiatives for the future to a panel drawn from the four speakers. The Conference will close after lunch on Sunday, and the morning will begin with a dramatic reading of Clive Sansom’s “The Witnesses” by Peter Hearn. The service itself will be taken by our Chairman, the Reverend Kenneth Cuming.

12 A Tribute Only those members of our Fellowship who have ever produced a magazine can know what a lot of hard work is involved in it. Colonel Lester has carried this burden magnificently for many years. All honour and praise are thus due to him; for in a sense, our Quarterly Review is the flag of our Fellowship, and he has borne it high to spread our message far and wide. No words can adequately convey the measure of gratitude that all our members would wish to express to him for all he has done during his many years as Editor and for the professional experience he has brought to this task. It has been agreed that in order to bring some relief to the con­ siderable burden of work and correspondence that he still carries on behalf of our Fellowship, an Editorial Board shall be set up consisting of a General Editor and Sub-Editors, who will be responsible for the Quarterly Review, commencing with this issue. K.G.C.

Our life is a sleep

Our life is a sleep From which we wake At daily intervals. In sleep we keep A vigil that does make Demands more exigent than day; For then, in sleep, is consciousness more vital, Since it is deeper, wider than the thin ray Of rational consciousness, that, like a pall, Enwraps our waking life. In sleep, released, We tap potential types of consciousness, Live an expanded life where time and space have ceased, And our essential, central self does press Its claims and urgency for life’s completeness . . . One day, Death shall shatter these dark nights Of daily wakefulness, reveal our full potentiality Of Knowing, Being, that now, by fitful insights Only, we dimly, tantalizingly suspect or see. D. H. SOUTHGATE

List of Donors to the Headquarters Fund Amersham Branch. Mr. Olgilvie. Kensington Branch. Miss B. Godlee. East Anglia Region. Mr. W. E. Hope. Mr. Kingdom Mrs. B. H. Bunce. Southampton Branch. Mr. and Mrs. Hibbard.

13 Book Reviews

A FIELD OF ENQUIRY: THE COLLEGE OF PSYCHIC STUDIES, by Paul Beard. 20p. It is impossible to give an adequate review of this truly excellent booklet although its subject matter is contained within the brief space of 26 pages. So concise is the writing of the President of the College that at least one third of that number of pages would be required to do it justice. 1 The booklet has two halves. The first is concerned with the aims of the College, concluding with a terse account of the obstacles and difficulties in communication. Mr. Beard is extremely modest in his assessment of the status of the College, but apart from the fact that it sets no examinations and confers no degrees or diplomas, the reviewer cannot in any way distinguish between the aims of the College and the standards of objectivity and open-mindedness of a university. The second half leads the reader from the early stages of personal enquiry right through to the maximum knowledge and experience available to-day. Mr. Beard is particularly informative on the true function of guides. The reviewer is of the opinion that there are rare humans who do not have guides in the normal sense of that term, partly because of their personal development, and, linked with that, their powerful independence of judgment, but that even such folk are open to “impressions” that come from varying levels of life beyond the physical universe, and that these “impressions” they assess in terms of their content and quality. This is perfectly consistent with what Mr. Beard has to say about the function of guides, but, in the space at his disposal, he has to keep to generalities; he does make it crystal clear, however, that no true guide ever interferes with the private judgment of the individual. This booklet is the work of a first class mind with first class experience of what he is writing about; moreover, his power of exposition is lucid in the extreme, yet with every word and every sentence having the precision that makes misunderstanding impos­ sible. It is a “must”, not just for beginners, but for all concerned with matters psychical. Without the least sense of patronage whatever, were the reviewer marking this booklet as if it were a university essay, it would gain that most rare of all marks, a pure “alpha”. G.S.W.

VOICES IN THE DARK, by Leslie Flint. (MacMillan. £2.25.) This book must certainly be classed among the most entertaining of those written by mediums. Leslie Flint has a very lively sense of humour, as have all good mediums, and in addition has a consider­ able gift of expressing himself simply and clearly. ‘Voices in the Dark’

14 is an eminently readable book, and one which few people can fail to enjoy, even those who may not be particularly interested in its subject matter. For those who are engaged in the study of psychic phenomena, the book is something more. It is a fascinating glimpse of the life of one of the most remarkable men alive in England today, and certainly the chief exponent of that rare type of mediumship, Direct Voice. There is good evidence that the voices in question do not come from the vocal organs of Leslie Flint, certainly not on the occasions when he has been tested by competent psychical researchers. Where they do originate cannot be conclusively determined, I think most researchers would agree, by the scientific method. This is not at all to denigrate the mediumship of Mr. Flint, for the same might be said of all paranormal communication of this kind. But although scientists may not be able to prove that these voices of alleged discamate beings—most of them ‘ordinary’ people, but with a small proportion of well-known men and women among them—are indeed the expres­ sion of personalities no longer in this earthly life, yet many intelligent and sceptical people have been convinced that this is just what they are. The mechanics of the phenomenon of Direct Voice are little under­ stood, but there is no doubt at all that this type of mediumship has provided some of the most interesting and significant evidence for the persistence of personality beyond death. W.A.B.B. THE LIGHT IN BRITAIN, by Grace and Ivan Cooke. (The White Eagle Publishing Trust. £1.50.) Students of Grace Cooke’s remarkable seership, and of White Eagle Teachings, will find much of great interest in this record of insights received at such ancient megalithic sites as Stonehenge, Avebury, Sil- bury Hill and Dragon Hill on the Great Ridgeway along the Berkshire Downs. At each of these sites, Grace Cooke perceived by inner illumina­ tion great rituals and ceremonies of worship performed by the priests of a byegone age, at which there were manifestations of what she calls The Great White Light, in which the Angelic, Devic and Elemental orders played their part. The great theme of these insights is that Britain and the British people have a spiritual destiny to lead the world out of materialism into the Spirituality of the New Age of Christ Consciousness, and that this destiny has been prepared from before the dawn of history as we know it, perhaps in the days when, according to Genesis, “The Sons of God walked upon the earth”. Grace Cooke’s insights seldom accord with orthodox archaeological opinion, which is not surprising; so that the reader must form his own judgement as to their validity. Nevertheless this is a beautiful and inspiring book for those who are prepared to look deeper than the merely evidential. K.G.C.

15 THEY NEED NO CANDLE. The Psychic and Spiritual Experiences of an ordinary man from boyhood to manhood. By E. J. Cotton. (C.F.P.S.S. Publication. £1.25.) You may have heard of John Cotton and his wonderful work in the realm of Spiritual Healing. In this book you will feel you are meeting the man himself. So naturally does he ‘talk’ to us that we seem to become aware of his presence, sensing his genial kindly nature, homely humour, and the depth and sincerity of his faith in God and in the reality of the spirit world. Canon J. D. Pearce-Higgins, in his Introduction, speaks of the remarkable fact that John Cotton, a Lay Reader in the , has yet been evidently endowed with gifts of the Spirit, which have enabled him to become a witness to clergy and religious leaders concerning the mighty potential that lies in their calling, of which they are often quite unaware. And this is the emphasis which strikes us as having such a pointed application to our own attitude and work as a Churches’ Fellowship—that the authorj a natural sensi­ tive, experienced in trance mediumship and automatic writing, a psychic artist, exorcist and healer, is a committed Christian, a dedi­ cated Churchman, working for the release of the Church of Christ from its bondage to fear and hesitancy in implementing the full Gospel, in all its power and glory, which is there in its teaching. They need no candle has the freshness and vitality of a first book, and makes pleasant, stimulating reading. The author describes his early Irish home, the healing he had as a baby, and psychic incidents which came so naturally to him—meeting the jester monk on the stairs, and the Grey Lady who was with him in the first homesick nights at boarding school. Interspersed among his fascinating autobiographical stories of later years, such as the account of the scene in the Church at his son’s wedding, his spirit portraits, painted through him by the medieval artist, Perugino, his exorcism of persons and places, he gives us his views on many things, angels, spirit helpers and guides, why they are often Red Indians or Chinese, and what he feels about pathological and earth-bound souls. Then follows the story of his discovery of healing powers and his much-loved work in this field. “The ministry of healing”, he declares, “has been the most rewarding, the most soul satisfying and the greatest help in the purification and spiritual progression of my poor self”. This book is written in a clear, flowing style, with perhaps a slight tendency to repetition and a little crudity here and there in the forma­ tion of sentences. The absolute integrity of the author must be emphasized. It cannot fail to impress even those who, new to psychic phenomena, approach the subject with some scepticism. It must and will, strengthen the work of the Churches’ Fellowship in showing to Christian and non-Christian, the reality of the supernormal. I recommend this book to all. Read it and find in it a sane and sensible presentation from a Christian point of view, of psychic truth. E.V.R.

16 MEDIUM RARE, by Roy Steinman. (Psychic Press. 134 pp. 50p.) This admirable and cheap paperback, which tells the story of the life and work of Mrs. Ena Twigg, long, we hope, to be continued, seems to me a model of what an anecdotal and popular presentation should be. It seems clear, concise and basically accurate. Beginning with her early life, it tells of her awareness of ‘misty people’ and of how already at an early age Mrs. Twigg was conscious of two dimensions or worlds. We are told of many spontaneous experiences, including her remarkable healing by spirit people when recovery seemed hopeless, of her wartime awareness of her husband’s safety in the navy, and many other remarkable instances of E.S.P. The main part of the book contains chapters of interviews with or the experiences of people who have sat with and been helped by her, people like Malcolm Campbell, Rosamund Lehmann, Bishop Jim Pike and many others. It has also some chapters of critical appraisal of her work by the Bishop of Southwark, Paul Beard, and your reviewer (too much of me I fear because of my involvement with the Pike story!) and all this is well and competently done. It is however in the concluding chapters of the book when we are given an account of her spiritual approach and of her beliefs that the author really excels himself, inspired no doubt by his ‘heroine’—for the exercise of mediumship clearly requires heroic qualities. She indeed appears as a ‘medium rare’, and as a true ‘spiritualist’, that is a truly dedicated and spiritual person, something seldom found among so-called spiritualists, so few of whom really merit the name. Nothing is more valuable for the student than to read the lives of mediums—in varying degrees they all say more or less the same thing, that the visionary power has been with them from childhood—a charismatic, if exacting gift. It is so sad when ignorant bible-punchers, evangelicals, pentecostalists and the like accuse persons of the calibre of Mrs. Twigg of trafficking with the devil. If this is true, then she (and the others) were bom “damned”, a belief which some might cheerfully hold! Most of us would thankfully hold a very different view, of a wonderful gift received and consecrated to its proper use, the healing help and comfort of mankind. j.d.p.-h. LEGACY Members will be interested to know that the Fellowship will benefit from Mrs. Allcock’s Will. Full information is not yet available as there are a number of details which have to be settled before the amount which will come to the Fellowship is known. A fuller state­ ment should be possible by June. PORTUGAL, 1972 There has been very little response to the proposal for a pilgrimage to the healing centre at Fatima which appeared in the December issue, and it has been decided to abandon it—for this year, at any rate. The idea, or any similar idea, would be gladly reconsidered if the Pilgrimage Committee felt reasonably sure that support would be forthcoming.

17 Members' Silent Retreat, 1972 The Rev. Dr. Kenneth Cuming has undertaken to lead a silent retreat, open to ALL members, on the theme, “The Ascent of the Holy Mountain”, at the Old House, Cropthorne, Pershore, Worcs., from Friday evening, 29th September to Sunday afternoon, 1st October. (Kindly note changed dates.) The house is warm and comfortable with both single and double rooms. Apply NOW, stating if vegetarian, with £1 deposit (refund­ able only for cancellations received before 31st August) and stamped, addressed envelope to: Mrs. M. Gallimore, 222 Stourbridge Road, Holly Hall, Dudley, Worcs. It is hoped to keep the total cost under £7.00.

The South West Region Conference has been provisionally booked at the Trecam Hotel, Torquay, October 16th-19th. Full details in the June Quarterly Review. Fellowship Study Since the Churches’ Fellowship began the spiritual condition of man has radically changed, under pressure from the spiritual worlds—those Higher Powers who shape our ends, and above all from the waxing power of the Cosmic Christ, Who guides and impels our evolving consciousness. In the closing years of this century man is moving towards his greatest historical climax under this pressure to go spiritually “com­ prehensive”, and replace his selective intellect, with its technological inbreeding, by a thinking of heart and head which brings increasing limitations of that spiritual world which is opening its doors. We are a Fellowship of Do-It-Yourself individuals working together in branches. As has been said, we should pursue study and meditative discussion together under our own developing leadership. We are like students at a University and failure to advance in “psychical and spiritual study” disqualifies us from genuine Fellowship. It is not enough to go on proving survival and pondering casual phenomena —our task is to grow in perspective knowledge of man’s earthly development, the boomerang of historical consequence, and the growth of individual responsibility. A promising enterprise is for branches to organise “One-Day Con­ ferences”, relying as far as possible on their own resources. It is most obviously true that no insight into that self-knowledge of man which we seek will come from institutional religion—we do, indeed enjoy a common worship, but for the religious knowledge which our New Age demands we must look for guidance to those of Our time who have given proof of mystical insight, appropriate to a scientific age. Chief of these would be Rudolf Steiner, Alice Bailey, and in a devotional sense especially, Teilhard de Chardin. Steiner’s teachings of the Gospels, for example, open doors where Biblical scholarship is silent.

18 To keep ourselves in the swiftly flowing stream of Christian advance, which knows only “that of God in every man”, is a discipline whose demands grow daily. We do need to realise that in the depths of our unconscious will Higher Beings are at work to awaken us to walk consciously the pathway of true knowledge “from the spiritual in man to the spiritual in the Universe”. Sanderstead, Surrey. frank pottage

Council Meeting

The Council met in January and a number of items were discussed relative to the future of the Fellowship. The Committee dealing with the new Constitution is hoping to have the first draft ready very soon now. The new format of the Quarterly Review was approved, and the future work of the Fellowship was outlined by the Chairman, Dr. Kenneth Cuming. The extremely important educational side was high­ lighted by the establishment of a new committee under the Rev. G. Whitby, who writes about it elsewhere in this issue. The need for the development of the work to be shared by all mem­ bers was seen in the proposals for the Annual Conference in Septem­ ber, dealt with on another page by Dr. Ford Robertson, who is mainly responsible for the planning. It had been felt desirable that there should be a second Vice- Chairman, and Dr. Martin Israel was proposed and unanimously elected to this post. It was decided to introduce an Entrance Fee of £1. The General Secretary stressed the need to ensure that the expenditure was brought within the income. This step will help to do this and also enable the Fellowship to keep the Annual Subscription to £1.50 for a little longer. The heavy increases on just two items, printing and postage alone, present us with a continuous battle. The decision was also taken to in­ crease the price of the Quarterly Review, it now costs 25p, £1 per year for non-members, which includes postage. The Council welcomed Mrs. Diana Myers as the new Regional Organiser for the West Midlands. Altogether there were twenty-one items on the Agenda and the Council sat for three hours before ‘Any Other Business9 was reached. That it was infinitely worthwhile was the general comment, and proved by a large attendance, those unable to attend being kept away by other business or health reasons. The Council meets three times a year and more often if circum­ stances require it, while the Executive Committee meets regularly every few weeks to deal with current matters.

19 The Education Committee A new main Committee has been formed, the Education Committee, which is unique in its “modus operandi”. The Rev. George Whitby was appointed its Chairman, with power to appoint personnel, and to sectionalise its work as he considered best. The Secretary is Mr. George Blaker, immediate past permanent Under Secretary to the Ministry of Education and Science, and the man in charge of science. Dr. D. M. A. Leggett, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Surrey, is Liaison Officer to the universities. George Whitby is in charge of all university work and work with professional bodies such as the Insti­ tute of Mechanical Engineers, and possibly also teacher-training colleges. Individual inquiries and individual needs will be met by Mr. H. V. Bearman, with the help of Dr. W. M. Ford Robertson, and of Mr. Paul Beard, President of the College of Psychic Studies. Dr. Kenneth Cuming will be in charge of inquiries from the clergy and from orthodox ministers. Medical and surgical folk will be dealt with by Dr. Cuming and by Dr. Martin Israel. Inquiries re matters mystical will be handled by Dr. Martin Israel. The person to take charge of schools and possibly training colleges has not yet been appointed. All members of this Committee will be co-equal, with George Whitby simply as their democratic chairman. Each person in charge of a section of the Committee’s work will be empowered to form his own team or panel of helpers. Moreover, the actual members of the Com­ mittee will help each other whenever required. It is not envisaged that there need be many meetings of the Committee, as the work is so sec- tionalised. The members of the Council agreed that George Whitby should accept the invitation from the College of Psychic Studies to be its honorary Education Officer, and a member of its Council.

C.F.P.S S CROYDON BRANCH ANNUAL * CONFERENCE A ONE DAY CONFERENCE will To be held at the Digby Stuart Col­ be held on Saturday, 22nd April, lege, Roehampton Lane, S.E.15, from 1972, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. _at the Friday, September 1st, to Sunday, Adult School Hall, Park Lane, Croy­ September 3rd. Application forms are don. Theme of Conference “RELIGION available from Head Office and early IN THE NEW AGE THE ADVEN­ reservation is advised. The total cost TURE OF CONSCIOUSNESS”. of the Conference is £8. Non-residen- Speakers: Paul Beard, President, College tial tickets for members are 75p for of Psychic Studies, London, David the full course, and £1 for non-mem- Bromige, Anthroposophical Society bers. Separate sessions 25p, and 30p (Rudolph Steiner), Michael Eastcott, for non-members. Cost of meals, Author of “Med itation for the New Age’ ’; which must be booked in advance, Centre House Community, W. Ken­ will be: Lunch 65p, Tea 25p, Supper sington (Speaker), and Phyllis Taun­ 75p. ton Wood of Friends Fellowship of Healing. Hall open from 10 a.m. for East Anglican Conference, Pleshey coffee—first lecture at 10.45 a.m. Grange, near Chelmsford, July 1st and 2nd. Subject: “Communications”. Conference fee 60p including cof­ Speakers will include Dr. A. Guird- fees and afternoon tea. Bring picnic ham, Rosamond Lehmann, Cynthia, lunch. Enquiries to: Frank Pottage, Lady Sandys, Ursula Roberts and 42 Addington Road, Sanderstead, Norman Gregor. For full details CR2 8RB, Tel. 01-657 5392, or Lilian write to Mrs. M. Matthews, at Best, 24 Blake Road, E. Croydon, Pleshey Grange. Tel. 01-688 5934.

20 WEST MIDLAND REGION NORTHERN REGION Annual One Day Conference, Satur­ The 8th Annual Conference of the day, 13th May, Bishops Old Palace, Northern Region, will be held at Worcester. Coffee 10.30 a.m. Gibson’s Hotel, Scarborough, from Speakers: Friday, 5th May until Sunday, 7th 11.00 a.m. Mr. Theo Gimbel. May, 1972. Colour Therapy. The Programme at time of going to 2.30 p.m. Mr. Alan Toyne. press is as follows: Teilhard de Chardin. Conference Theme “REVELATION” 4.30 p.m. Mr. Keith Critchlow. Chartre Cathedral. Friday, 5th May Tickets for lunch can be obtained 6.15 p.m. Dinner. from: Mrs. P. Holgreaves, Yew Tree 7.15 p.m. Opening Service. Cottage, Bringsty, Worcs. on receipt 7.35 p.m. Rev. Dr. K. G. Cuming. of 65p and a stamped addressed 9.00 p.m. “The Silent Minute of envelope. Light”. 9.15 p.m. onwards Evening drinks 1972 SOUTHERN REGION and Discussion. CONFERENCE Saturday, 6th May This will take place at The Bourne Hall Hotel. Queen’s Road. Bourne­ 8.15 a.m. Meditation. mouth from 5th to 7th May, 1972. 9.00 a.m. Breakfast. Programme: 9.45 a.m. Rev. Douglas Nudds. 11.00 a.m. Coffee. Friday, 5th May 11.30 a.m. David Spangler—“Find­ 6.00 p.m. Opening Service by Rev. horn, Revelation in Canon J. Pearce- Action”. Higgins. 1.00 p.m. Lunch. 8.15 p.m. Dr. D. Leggett,: “The 2.30 p.m. Harry .^awards—-Healing need for a new Se/vicezmSpa'-Grahd metaphysic”. W/ 3» \ A 6.15 p.m. Dinner’. \O\ Saturday, 6th May 7.15 p.m. H^rryi Edwards and Olive, 10.00 a.m. Mr. R. Dutton Button, “Whjft Spin1’’1] “Eternal Verities”. t.ual. Healing ReveaMn 11.30 a.m. Mrs. D. Hughes 9.00 p.m, “TBe Silent^Minute .Hf’'/ “Spiritual Healing”. Li^ht’v^ y 5.30 p.m. Discussion. 9.15 p.^. onwards -. EvehiiTg prints 8.15 p.m. Mr. F. Moor anc “Psychical Develop­ Sunday, 7tii May ment Today”. 8.15 a.m. Meditation. Sunday, 7th May 9.00 a.m. Breakfast. 10.00 a.m. Dr. M. Stemp 9.45 a.m. Rosa Hards—Grand “Homoepathy and Councillor of AMORC. Natural Medicine”. 11.00 a.m. Coffee. 11.30 a.m. Rev. Canon J. Pearce- 11.30 a.m. David Spangler— Higgins “Looking over “Revelation, the Art the Fence—Our View of the New”. of the Hereafter”. 1.00 p.m. Lunch. 2.00 p.m. “Any Questions” Panel. SOUTHAMPTON BRANCH 3.15 p.m. Thanks-giving. The fourth Annual Conference will The inclusive charge for the Con­ be held on Sunday, 18th June in St. ference is £6.30; Single Lecture 25p, Peter’s Church, Commercial Road, or £1.25 to cover all lectures. commencing at 2.30 p.m. The speak­ ers will be Chancellor E. Garth Applications, with stamped ad­ Moore and Dr. Christopher Wood­ dressed envelope, and booking fee ard. This will be followed at 6.30 p.m. of £1 per person, made out to G. by the Annual Service conducted by Herriot-Hunter, should be sent to the Rev. John Sharpe, the Address Mrs. Ada Mackay, 16 Rochester Ter­ being given by the Bishop of Ports­ race, Leeds 6, Yorkshire, as soon as mouth. possible. S.W. REGION Carnatiki, Stoke Road, Henlade, Regional Magazine Distributor: we Taunton, from whom details of pro­ are deeply grateful to Mrs. D. grammes can be obtained. Richards, Flat 10, Caulston House, Bath. This branch has come to life Caulston Close, Exeter Road, Ex­ again thanks to the unsparing efforts mouth, Devon, EX8 3LY, for accep­ of Brigadier C. F. Spedding who ting this vital post. All enquiries organised the first Open Meeting of regarding magazines should be made the revived branch, when Dr. K. G. in the first instance to her. We should Cuming spoke on ‘Spiritual Healing’ also like to take this opportunity of to an audience of nearly a hundred recording our warmest thanks to Sq. in the Pump Room. Please note our Ldr. R. Jenkins of Exeter for so new Hon. Sec. is : Mrs. M. Coleman, many years of dedicated work in this 29 St. James’ Square, Bath, from sphere. whom details of the forthcoming pro­ Taunton. We are pleased to gramme can be obtained. announce the formation of a new Change of Office. Please note that branch here after a most successful Lady Geraldine Boyle, 38 Strand inaugural address by Dr. Ford Court, Topsham, Devon, has now Robertson on ‘Divided Man in Search taken over the leadership of the of Unity’. The branch now meets at Exmouth Branch from the Rev. Edna Bagborough House, near Taunton, Rowlingson and that Miss S. D. the home of the Chairman, Lady Heberden, 18 Hartley Road, Ex­ O. M. Brooke-Popham. Hon. Sec. mouth, Devon, EX8 25G, is now and Treasurer, Mr. E. W. Spiller, Secretary.

Available from Head Office FOUR STUDIES IN MYSTICISM THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT By Frances Banks, M.A. 25p IN EVERYDAY LIVING By Martin Israel, M.B. 20p “Frances Banks wrote nothing which she herself had not experienced SEVEN ENGLISH POETS AND at deep levels”. The Bishop of MYSTICISM Crediton. By V. S. Staff, B.A. 33p “Miss Staff brings to the study of AN APPROACH TO MYSTICISM each (poet) not only scholarship but By Martin Israel, M.B. 25p true discernment ... we most warmly “A collection of masterly exposi­ recommend this booklet”. Science of tions ... a synthesis of the often Thought Review, February 1971 misunderstood and confused aspects AN APPROACH TO of living . . . (Dr. Israel’s) lectures SPIRITUALITY cover a very wide field indeed ... a By Martin Israel, M.B. 33p thought-provoking book . . . bringing “With a deep awareness of Chris­ new illumination to the much dis­ tian spirituality which he illustrates cussed question of the spiritual life”. from personal experience Dr. Israel Beyond, January 1970 combines an appreciation of the rich treasures of other faiths, whilst re­ GUIDE LINES FOR maining rooted in his own Christian MEDITATION faith. To these is added a balanced By the Mysticism Committee 25p understanding of the psychological in­ sights into the human mind and the THEY NEED NO CANDLE workings of prayer”. The Franciscan, By John Cotton £1.25 December 1971 POSTAGE and PACKING EXTRA THE CHURCHES’ FELLOWSHIP FOR PSYCHICAL AND SPIRITUAL STUDIES Temporary address'. 88 NEWMAN STREET, LONDON, W1P 3LD Telephone: 01-636 3469

Published by The *Churches Fellowship for Psychical and Spiritual Studies, and printed at the Purley Press, 925 Brighton Road, Purley, Surrey, CR2 2BP