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.