Science: Thurston v. Mediums

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To the First Spiritual Church of New York went Magician Howard Thurston. Magician Thurston had been quoted as saying that he could do anything with a watch-size instrument that mediums say they have done with supernatural power. One Arthur A. Ford was to contest the point in debate. Police had been called to prevent violent outbreaks.

They need not have come. Prof. Thurston, pleasant-spoken gentleman soon won over his audience, told how many a so-called medium had asked him for tricks to fool gullibles. "But," admitted Magician rhurston, "I was quoted incorrectly. All spiritualistic phenomena cannot be reproduced with a small watch. There is an intelligent psychic force which can manifest itself but everything done at a stated time and for money is likely to be trickery." Thus mollified, the spiritualists beamed kindly up at Mr. Thurston in the pulpit. A collection was about to be taken when a member of the magician's faction jumped to his feet, cried: "You invite us here and then take up a collection!" He was quelled.