PLAYING a leading part in promoting South Africa's Spiritualism is Harry E. Knowles, 61, a fire insurance surveyor. Spiritualist Union of Southern Africa president, he has been active in the Movement since 1948. "We try very much to put more spirit into our Spiritualism," he says. He is testing the atmosphere of British Spiritualism, and hopes to make stronger contact with our leading organisations. His union has 20churches operating under its banner. There are many associations, circles and healing groups. "We have a union congress next April to revitalise our organisation," Harry says. "Spiritualism's future in South Africa is finely balanced. We are short of capable mediums. The good ones are few and far between. "The problem is so many people rush into becoming mediums, not with the desire to serve but for egotism. "Once they qualify they tend to feel that's the end of the road. They are not interested in contiuing their spiritual development. "This is not only South Africa's problem. It is common throughout the world. The only way we can hope to remedy it is to try to create a more spiritual atmosphere and sense of purpose. "I fear that on the whole mediumistic standards are fairly low. We are encouraging more British mediums to serve our churches. Unfortunately we are a poor group. There are financial problems in bringing mediums over." Harry does not attempt to paint a rosy, optimistic picture of Spiritualism in this land of sunshine. As with all movements, "at times personalities destroy the equilibrium. Individuals often wield the power in an organisation or church to the detriment of others whose only aim is to serve the spirit world. "These litte dictators, who tend to create so much disharmony, do not wish to co-operate with the remainder. "We have suffered a rather disturbed period when conflicting personalities have unsettled our movement. Now I believe we are overcoming this weakness and beginning to look at spiritual needs." He stresses, "The individual is of no account except for the work he or she is doing." Harry lectures on Spiritualism. He credits much of his progress to Murdo MacDonald-Bayne, whom he describes as a "great teacher." Though Bayne was not a Spiritualist, "he was very spiritual." "In 1948 when I was giving my first lecures on our platforms, he said, 'Spiritualism is a wonderful religion and way of life, but it needs to be pulled up by its shoe strings.' "That was his advice to me. I have never forgotten it. I consider it well worth following today if we are to put the Movement into a leading position." His mother, who is 87, was also a keen student of Bayne's. Harry's first experience of spirit communication happened when he was in the Middle East desert during the war. His father had passed on. In some sand dunes he had "a perfectly natural conversation with him. This revealed exactly what was happening at home. I was told within two months I would be on my way back home. "This proved correct." ______________________________ [See original photocopied article below] |
[A newspaper in England, Psychic News, has kept a file on Murdo MacDonald-Bayne. This is retyped here and the original photocopied version appears at the end.] |
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PSYCHIC NEWS, September 20, 1975 Fire Surveyor shows burning zeal to direct new drive ______________________________________________________ |
PLAYING a leading part in promoting South Africa's Spiritualism is Harry E. Knowles, 61, a fire insurance surveyor. Spiritualist Union of Southern Africa president, he has been active in the Movement since 1948. "We try very much to put more spirit into our Spiritualism," he says. He is testing the atmosphere of British Spiritualism, and hopes to make stronger contact with our leading organisations. His union has 20churches operating under its banner. There are many associations, circles and healing groups. "We have a union congress next April to revitalise our organisation," Harry says. "Spiritualism's future in South Africa is finely balanced. We are short of capable mediums. The good ones are few and far between. "The problem is so many people rush into becoming mediums, not with the desire to serve but for egotism. "Once they qualify they tend to feel that's the end of the road. They are not interested in contiuing their spiritual development. "This is not only South Africa's problem. It is common throughout the world. The only way we can hope to remedy it is to try to create a more spiritual atmosphere and sense of purpose. "I fear that on the whole mediumistic standards are fairly low. We are encouraging more British mediums to serve our churches. Unfortunately we are a poor group. There are financial problems in bringing mediums over." Harry does not attempt to paint a rosy, optimistic picture of Spiritualism in this land of sunshine. As with all movements, "at times personalities destroy the equilibrium. Individuals often wield the power in an organisation or church to the detriment of others whose only aim is to serve the spirit world. "These litte dictators, who tend to create so much disharmony, do not wish to co-operate with the remainder. "We have suffered a rather disturbed period when conflicting personalities have unsettled our movement. Now I believe we are overcoming this weakness and beginning to look at spiritual needs." He stresses, "The individual is of no account except for the work he or she is doing." Harry lectures on Spiritualism. He credits much of his progress to Murdo MacDonald-Bayne, whom he describes as a "great teacher." Though Bayne was not a Spiritualist, "he was very spiritual." "In 1948 when I was giving my first lecures on our platforms, he said, 'Spiritualism is a wonderful religion and way of life, but it needs to be pulled up by its shoe strings.' "That was his advice to me. I have never forgotten it. I consider it well worth following today if we are to put the Movement into a leading position." His mother, who is 87, was also a keen student of Bayne's. Harry's first experience of spirit communication happened when he was in the Middle East desert during the war. His father had passed on. In some sand dunes he had "a perfectly natural conversation with him. This revealed exactly what was happening at home. I was told within two months I would be on my way back home. "This proved correct." ______________________________ [See original photocopied article below] |
