Mrs.
Henderson and her Ectoplasmic Manifestations.
The
Phenomena in a Clear Red Light.
By
Frank Hawken, Honorary Secretary of the
M.S.A.
Mrs.
Dorothy Henderson, one of the highly-gifted mediums of
the Marylebone Spiritualist Association, is a native
of Plymouth. She was born in 1896, and has two bonny
daughters, aged eleven and thirteen. She first became
interested in Spiritualism some five years ago. It was
whilst attending the developing circle of the local
Spiritualist society that she first experienced
trance. These circles were held in the dark, and
shortly afterwards physical phenomena commenced to
take place. There was some doubt at first as to who
was the medium, but this question was soon settled
when it was discovered that nothing happened on the
occasions when Mrs. Henderson was absent.
After
a few months, a private circle was formed for her
development, in which she remained until circumstances
forced her to remove to London. The necessity of
providing for her mother and two children brought
about the professional use of her remarkable gifts. A
tour of some of the North Country Spiritualist
societies followed. It was on her return from this
trip that, with Mrs. Hawken, I attended one of her
séances, having seen it announced in the
psychic press.
I
shall never forget that séance. In a small room
some twenty-two people were present, necessitating
some sitting against the door. After this was closed,
one lady fainted and had to be removed, just as the
séance commenced, and later another went into
hysterics. It was only on my insistence that the door
was not re-opened, while the phenomena were taking
place, in order to let this last disturber out. There
were hymns and more hymns sung; no one was apparently
in charge, and yet phenomena were taking place all the
while, which, if genuine, placed Mrs. Henderson in the
front rank as a powerful medium.
Shortly
afterwards, a series of test séances took place
at the M.S.A. rooms, which resulted in her eventually
joining the staff of the Association.
In
those days, dark séances were the rule;
everyone held hands, and hymns were sung. The medium,
however, was not contacted. She sat outside a cabinet,
formed of curtains across a corner of the room, and a
light table was placed inside, upon which were placed
a two-piece tin trumpet, mouth organ, zither, fairy
bells, and other small toys. Also face downwards on
the table were two phosphorescent slates.
The
medium was seated in a heavy arm-chair; a rope, placed
round her waist, was tied at the back, passed round
the centre rung of the chair, again tied, and the ends
brought round and held by the sitters on either side.
Separate bands of tape were fastened round each wrist,
elbow, and upper arm, and her ankles were fastened to
the legs of the chair.
Some
excellent results were secured under these stringent
conditions. There was levitation of various objects,
the mouth organ was played very nicely, and the table
was usually quickly brought into the centre of the
circle. The phosphorescent slates were sometimes
lifted, and by their light masses of ectoplasm could
be seen. I have seen one of these slates surround a
small materialised head, within eight inches of my
eyes. Again masses of ectoplasm would gather over one
of the slates, luminous side turned up on the table,
and gradually condense into a semi-transparent mass,
which would then form into hands before our eyes.
Concurrently with this phenomenon the direct voice of
one of her guides would be heard.
We
decided to endeavour to get these séances
gradually stabilized on a more scientific plan, so,
slowly but surely, conditions were changed, all with
the sanction and co-operation of the controls, among
whom the outstanding personality was a Cornish
fisherman of the name of Bill Turner, who is a great
friend of mine! First of all the musical instruments
were removed from the séance room, as they used
up valuable power, which might be more usefully
employed. Then personal contact with the medium was
commenced, her right hand always being held by the
official in charge of the séance. This for some
little time reduced the strength of the phenomena
produced, but gradually as the controls became
accustomed to this condition the same excellent
results were secured.
The
next step was to endeavour to secure results in the
light, and at the first séance held with a dim
red light results were secured. A small piece of
ectoplasm was then shown for about one second. It was
soon found that the best results were obtained when
the medium sat half in the cabinet. Then in a state of
trance she would pull the two curtains together in
front of her, thus shielding her body from the effects
of the light. When sufficient ectoplasm had been
produced the curtains would be opened and inspection
of the phenomena would take place. Rapid progress was
made, the medium was covered less and less by the
curtains, and the period at which one could view the
ectoplasm produced has increased from the few seconds
at first to as long as two or three minutes at the
present time. Several very good attempts have been
made towards the formation of faces, on two occasions
a large hand was distinctly seen, and on another
occasion a miniature figure.
A
special one-piece dress is kept in the séance
room for the use of Mrs. Henderson, and she is always
examined when changing into it by two of the ladies
who may be sitting. She then goes straight to the
séance chair, and her hands are held by the
sitter on either side before the light is reduced to
the good red light that is normally used. This is done
as it takes some little time, as in a picture house,
for one’s eyes to get accustomed to the reduced
light. The lighting now used is from a 60-volt lamp,
which is passed through a yellow and a purple
panchromatic screen, with the result that we have a
perfect spectrum red. The light is sufficiently
powerful to enable one to read the time from
one’s watch at a distance of eight
feet.
When
trance has been induced, Mrs. Henderson’s hands
are freed, and shortly afterwards the control will
tuck her thumbs into the edge of the curtain on either
side. Then with the other fingers of each hand
remaining distinctly in view she will draw the
curtains in front of her body. Often in recent
séances only one curtain has been used, and the
fortunate sitter who is in the right position may see
the gradual formation of the ectoplasm on the
medium’s person. Before the close of the
séance, the medium’s hands are again held
by the official in charge, and thus all opportunity
for any fraudulent manoeuvres on the part of the
medium are practically eliminated. But a greater test
of the genuineness of Mrs. Henderson’s work is
the fact that for eighteen months, twice a week, she
has been under the close observation of the officials
of the Society.
Obviously
the next step was to endeavour to secure records of
what was happening. With the hearty co-operation of
the controls, and making the first attempt only when
they authorized that being done, flashlight
photographic records have been taken. The shock to the
medium’s system is very great, and a matter of
six weeks elapsed between the first and second
photograph, a month between the second and third, and
now as she is being accustomed to these shocks
photographs can be taken fortnightly.
A
very good specimen, that of the second taken, is the
one used to illustrate this article. I have no doubt,
if we are able to continue these séances, that
very useful work will be accomplished, and it should
be possible by the aid of this medium to check the
work of Baron Schrenck-Notzing, Madame Lusson, and
verify the work of Dr. Crawford in the Goligher
Circle, as well as reproduce some of the wonderful
results being secured by Mrs. Crandon in New York at
the present time.
- I
must here express how much I admire the wonderful
pluck and fortitude of Mrs. Henderson, as the life
of a materialising medium is indeed a very hard
one. To secure the best results it is necessary
that she should abstain entirely from food on the
day that she holds her séances, and then
turn up bright and well before the séance.
It is usually an hour and a half to two hours after
the séance is over before she is fit to
travel under escort to her home, and during her
connection with the Marylebone Association, in
spite of ill-health at various periods, she has
never failed to keep her engagements.
-
- Source:
The International Psychic Gazette (London),
December 1928, pp. 37-38. Research and
transcription by John Buescher. With thanks to
Jeanne Rankin of the Los Angeles Public Library for
this article, and to Siri Atma Khalsa of Los
Angeles for research contributions.
