THE TORCH OF KNOWLEDGE by Arthur Findlay / 1966 / 445 pages.
Sir Arthur, having written his Trilogy, (The rock of
Truth, On the Edge of the Etheric and The Unfolding
Universe) wanted to introduce newcomers to the subject of
Spiritualism in a novel way. This is how the torch of
knowledge came to be written. There is a story to the
book whose characters are fictitious but throughout whose
story run many truths. Tales of psychic phenomena abound.
In his introduction to the 1936 book, the author writing
from his Stansted Hall, Essex home says "I present
The Torch of Knowledge to the public in the full
anticipation that the story I have to tell will be found
interesting, instructive and in places thrilling."
"One thing I would like to emphasize which is that
all the characters are in this story are fictitious and
are not portrayed to resemble anyone. Having said this I
wish to emphasize the fact that all the psychic
phenomena, which run through this story, have actually
happened. What I have done has been to change their
setting and details." Turning to the orthodox
church's view of Spiritualism to which the book draws
attention, Sir Arthur points out "Spiritualism and
Christianity have no connection whatsoever." He adds
"Spiritualism is a philosophy of life and claims
that life after death has been proved, that those who die
live on in a world much the same as this, with the same
characters as they had on earth, and that given suitable
conditions they can communicate with us on earth."
"Christianity, on the other hand, is a sacrificial
religion and the Christian Church is an organization, to
keep alive a belief in sacrifice for sins, and for the
performance of the rites and ceremonials connected with
this belief." "For this reason Spiritualism and
Christianity will never join, and no Spiritualist who
thinks deeply will desire such a fusion." The
reappearance in print of this publication is a very
welcome addition to the existing stable of classics by
one of the Movements staunchest supporters.
