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The beginnings of Seership – Vincent Turvey

Mr, Ernest Oaten is a well-known speaker in the Spiritualistic Movement, and he was staying in Bournemouth for the week-end. His "everyday things" were naturally left at home in Bristol.

He called on one of the members of the local Society, and that gentleman rang me up on the telephone and asked if I would like to say a few words to Mr. Oaten, as I had been unable to go to hear him lecture at the Hall on the previous day. I replied that I should be very glad to do so and Mr. Oaten came to the telephone.

After a few words I said: "This is very funny! I cannot see you, but I can see your watch chain quite clearly."

He replied: "Will you describe it?" I did so, and added that it was made of silver, and that in the middle there was a football or cricket medal, and a silver matchbox at one end.

"Well," he said, “I am wearing my gold chain now, and that has no match-box or medal; but what you have described is the one I habitually wear all the week when at work."

As I continued to "hold" the faculty I went on to describe a young lady to him, saying, "She is not dead and is not actually with you, but you know her. "Mr. Oaten said that this was true and that the description was a good one.

I also described the "spirit" of an Arab with him; and was able to distinguish the "spirit" from the "picture" (of the young lady).

Mr. Oaten in his letter forgets to mention that I correctly gave the number of letters in the lady's christian name, and also the actual letter with which her surname begins. It is interesting to note that, although I could distinguish between a "spirit" and the "picture" of a living person, yet I could not see that the silver chain was not really there, but, was only a "picture"

However all occultists know that silk, hair and metals are not conducive to, but rather retard clairvoyant as well as “physical phenomena”.

(No. 45)

Bristol,

Mar. 31, 1908.

MY DEAR MR. TURVEY,

I must drop you a line to thank you for the description of a friend given me by you this morning on the telephone, which description I fully recognize. Though many friends have been described to me, this is the first instance in which I have received Clairvoyance over the 'phone. As stated by you, the lady is still in the body and her nose is her leading feature. I must say the description is a very striking one and perfectly given. Thank you very much. With all good wishes.

Sincerely yours,

E. W. OATEN.

(No.46.)

DEAR MR. TURVEY,

To my previous card may I add that I am (as far as I know) a complete stranger to you. We have never met. We were only speaking over the 'phone. You also described a chain, medal, and match- box of silver which I habitually wear when at work. This is strange, as I was wearing my gold one at the time (which has neither medal nor match-box) but I wear the silver one most. You also described a spirit “Arab" with me. Of this I can only say that two or three others have given me the same description.

With many thanks,

E. W. OATES.