Magnetopaths certainly assert that they can prove their magnetic powers in another way. As a rule, the proof is supposed to be in the results they say they have obtained. As I have already mentioned, the experiments I made in conjunction with other investigators only gave negative results. But since 1892, I have repeatedly expressed my willingness to experiment with persons who believe that they possess magnetic powers, provided the conditions are stringent. Although it is frequently asserted by occultists, and also by magnetopaths, that they are ignored by doctors, hardly any one of them has placed himself at my disposal. The few who have done so came completely to grief. One of them was the well-known Herr Scheibler. When proper precautions were taken, Herr Scheibler could never prove that he possessed any magnetic power whatever. These experiments, to which I shall again revert, could only be explained in other ways. A second gentleman, a well-known Berlin magnetopath possessing an honorary diploma, also placed himself at my disposal. I experimented on him in conjunction with three of my Berlin colleagues, Drs. Gumpertz, Leo Hirschlaff, and Fritz Koch. The experiments led to nothing, a fact which the subject himself had to admit.

He had, for example, asserted that he could produce any sensation he wished - warmth, cold, twinges, etc. But every experiment failed when the subject was unaware of the sensation that was intended to be produced. Recently, a doctor who called himself a magnetopath came to me for the purpose of making experiments; but he turned out to be just like other magnetopaths. To him the simplest suggestive influence only meant animal magnetism.

I once received a communication from abroad, in which a magnetopath invited me to make certain experiments. But I must candidly admit that the letter, which I reproduce verbatim, did not inspire me with much confidence in my correspondent: consequently I did not see my way to carry out experiments which would be free from reproach. This letter should show the mental level of many of these magnetizers. The letter 1 runs as follows: -

Dear Sir, - I have been possessor of your,book Hypnotism about a year, In case it may afford you satisfaction, I will bring you a proof of the telepathy p. 323 of your work, that I really have a special power at my command - i.e., even if I only possess such but nevertheless cure the sick of every kind without selected medicines and other manipulations but solely by mere words suspending amulets or as Christ the Lord also did, go and wash thyself seven times in the river Jordan (meaning the same as in the Spree, Seine, Rhine, Danube, or the tub at home) again to another go thy faith hath helped thee, but only where such is certainly present can I assure this but specially expressly for each particular case further this is all on condition the sick person tells me all the circumstances and accessory circumstances upon which I tell him whether a cure can possibly be made by me for death and constant sickness also demand their victims. Moreover it must be mentioned that in certain diseases the patient is not at once convinced I mean, that he is cured, but this differs about eight days to one month or several or even beyond that.

This is one and the same power with which Christ healed but it necessitates a specially individual call selection by the Deity which I have specially underlined for your better comprehension in the prospectus enclosed herewith. That I am called I am firmly convinced because the gift of clairvoyance has enabled one to foresee the events of my life for years that something of this kind would become very powerful as it progresses that in time princely equipages will make way for me in the street, even if only spiritually understood and then worldly authority will want to punish me and will not be able to do any harm and all this from the beginning up till to-day lies in the same power described above. Similarly a man of the same kind prophesied of me when I was to be apprenticed to a joiner in answer to my mother's question whether she should put me to it the man mentioned above said yes, but that I would not always remain at it, which proved true in not quite a year. This power I have achieved, the foundation must be innate which must be developed by earnest endeavour reading the Bible this I call light from above for otherwise the words are true they have eyes and see not, ears and hear not, understanding and do not understand and it just the same with that beautiful work 2 volumes Prevorst mentioned by you which moreover perfected clairvoyance, but what does J. Kerner say of the countess who was cured; vol 1. p. 208. Behold here intelligent reader the power of mental correspondence of prayer and child-like faith at the end of his narrative.

Now if you would like to have convincing proof of what I have stated about myself you might request any sick person you choose to write to me and you would discover what you cannot now believe and I remark in addition that you will be allowed to read every thing I communicate to the patient, and also test and examine everything. Further I will add about what you write on p. 207 (Post-hypnotic Sense-delusions) about that most wise and just man Socrates, that I also have developed this gift but that there can be no question of hallucinations and delusions but of the most convincing reality, but to this must be added that any one who wants to undertake such things must first of all have complete power over his body and be very much like the noblest character god as far as it is possible for a human being if he does not wish to come to temporal and eternal grief. For the devil can quite well be reasoned with, only one must know how to do this as well and better than with many a neighbour for he is a very clear-sighted gentleman and as the Bible already tells us only quarrelled with Purity i.e. Heaven because he could not stand anything superior to himself.