Nor is a camera necessary in these days, according to Spiritualists. In fact, I am told that it is not necessary to even open a box of plates, but that they can be “magnetized” just as they come from the maker provided the box is in the possession of the medium a few days in advance of the sitting. This single condition fulfilled and the demonstration will follow if the sitters, including the nearest relative, pile their hands on top of the medium’s. Then to create a solemn atmosphere the sitters are usually asked to join in some form of religious devotion such as singing “Nearer, My God, To Thee,” or a fervent prayer.
This is the type of performance conducted by what is known as the “Crewe Photographers” and supported and defended by the present day leaders in Spiritualism. This Crewe combination of photographers is under the management of professional Spiritualists and is an organized effort to promulgate this particular phase of Spiritualistic phenomena. The group consists of Mr. William Hope and Mrs. Buxton, Crewe; Mrs. Deane of London; and Mr. Vearncombe of Bridgewater.
My friend, Harry Price, attended a sitting given by Hope and tells of the religious exercises as follows:
“Mrs. Buxton sang several verses of ‘Nearer, My God, to Thee,’ after which Mr. Hope made a long impromptu prayer in which he thanked God for all our many mercies, and hoped He would continue His blessings at the present moment. He also craved blessings on our fellow creatures and friends on the other side and asked assistance in the attempt to link up with them, etc. Then Mrs. Buxton sang another hymn, after which Mr. Hope picked up the package of dry plates, put them between the hands of Mrs. Buxton, placed her hands on his, and others in the party piled their hands on top. Then we had another impromptu prayer by Mrs. Buxton. Then the Lord’s Prayer was sung, and a short hymn concluded the service.”
Can one imagine a sacrilege more revolting than singing hymns, saying prayers, and calling on the Almighty for help in such fraudulent work?
The combination evaded detection and were doing a most successful business when in the spring of 1921, Mr. Edward Bush, of the Society of Psychical Research, laid a snare into which Hope walked with his eyes wide open. Mr. Bush wrote for an appointment under the assumed name of “D. Wood,” enclosing a photograph of a son-in-law who was alive. On the back of the photograph was written:
“Tell Dad, if anything happens to me, I will try and let him have a Spirit Photo. Tell him to shout up to let me know where he goes to.
“Jack Ackroyd.”
Hope arranged a time for a sitting but returned the photo, saying he regretted that it had been sent as it subjected him to suspicion. When the time for the sitting arrived Hope went under control and Mr. Bush manipulated the plates as he directed but no “extras” appeared. On the next day, however, when the plate was developed after another sitting, there was an “extra” which proved to be a likeness of the son-in-law. Mr. Bush published the details of this exposure in a pamphlet and the London Truth said editorially:
“But not only have William Hope and his sister medium, Mrs. Buxton, cause to kick themselves at Mr. Bush’s exposure, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle,[75] Lady Glenconner, the Rev. Walter Wynn, and many other leading lights of the movement have brought these products of faith and hope forward as conclusive proof of the continuation of existence and the possibility of communication with the next world.”