We copy the following curious advertisement from The Two Worlds, a spiritualistic paper.
“Mr. Joseph Blackburn, of Keighley, has taken a course of study in anatomy, physiology, the general principles of pathology, the science of fine forces, including the nature of electricity, magnetism (of various kinds), light, colour, mind, cure, magnetic massage, and other natural forces. Therefore, we, acting under the sanction of a charter granted by the State of New York, do hereby award this diploma, conferring upon the above named person the honourable title of Doctor of Magnetics, abbreviated by D.M., whereby it is signified that he is duly qualified to administer sun-baths, water-baths, massage, mental and psychological forces, electricity, suncharges, substances, and other refined natural agencies for upbuilding the system.—Signed E. D. Babbit, M.D.; F. G. Welch, M.D.—[Advt.]—From the current issue of The Two Worlds.
Modest young students of the mystic who may be tired of standing behind a counter have here a fine opportunity offered to them. To become suddenly, and without any transition, a “Magus” in possession of the universal panacea, one has but to apply for a diploma, signed by two well-known “M.D.”s of New York, conferring on one “the honourable title of Doctor of Magnetics.” But what is a “Doctor of Magnetics”? qualified to administer . . . “substances,” and what are these “substances”?
In a country where such quack advertisements are possible, and where people peck at them like sparrows at cherries, no one ought to laugh at Theosophists, who seem the only people, so far, who thoroughly see through them. And yet, it is such Doctors “Dulcamara,” who are the bitterest enemies and persecutors of Theosophy—sub rosa, of course. It is they who bring the true mystic science and philosophy into disrepute. In support of this, we append a queer letter out of two just received from a trustworthy correspondent, which form a suggestive commentary on advertisements of the type of the one quoted above. One is a private letter; therefore all we can say of it is, that the writer calls himself a Brother of “the Dew and Light,” and signs “Magus” (? We know several Maguses, “which is which?”). This one claims acquaintance with many illustrious personages from the “Astral plane,” with whom he holds councils; and he snubs the person whom he addresses as one whose presence has never been recorded therein, because, perhaps, as he adds, he is “not sufficiently developed to meet in council on the astral plane.” Forsooth, an illustrious correspondent this!
The other comes from a Victim, apparently.
[Here followed an account by “one who has been duped” by the above-mentioned group at Keightley]