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of law in the spiritual world. The law of continuity, of consequences, is as
inexorable on the spiritual as upon the physical plane, and that which is
written is written and cannot be effaced. No magic or incantation
138 A Guide to Mediumship
can suddenly transform the dying John Jones into the saintly soul who is
fit for the celestial heights and the companionship of the wisest angels.
The revelation of the simply human life of the departed, of the
persistence of character, of the maintenance of individuality with its
shortcomings, prejudices, limitations, and personal characteristics, as well
as the preservation of all the wealth of intellect and the treasures of soul
resulting from life's toil, study, and unfolding this revelation is, to our
thinking, the greatest blessing which Spiritualism has conferred upon
humanity. If it did no more than awaken within us a divine discontent with
the pettiness of the majority of our thoughts, feelings, and troubles, it
would be of great service to the world; and those who deplore the
trivialities are unconsciously condemning the small and narrow conditions
of the daily life of the average mortal because, such as we are here so
shall we be over there until we can grow to appreciate the fuller spiritual
life, to realize our ideals by application to the task of development, and to
recognize that beauty comes by use. But Spiritualism does infinitely more
than this; it demonstrates the 'going on' of human beings, the preservation
of identity, and the orderly continuance the sequential character of life.
It dignifies this present stage of expression. It gives an added incentive to
effort, a new grace to affection, and an increased lustre to goodness and
worth.
MANY METHODS, BUT ONE OBJECT. The modes of spirit
manifestation are many, the phases wonderfully varied, but, like a golden
cord running through them all, there is the distinct purpose of bringing to
those on earth the glad tidings and proof positive of continued conscious
personal existence in the life after death. The process of psychic
development is usually slow, and the medium will be likely to grow
disheartened; but by looking back over the ground already traversed, and
by comparing the faint efforts made at the commencement with the later
and fuller indications of spirit power, he should feel encouraged, and
proceed with renewed vigor.
A Guide to Mediumship 139
MEDIUMS MUST PARTICIPATE IN THEIR OWN UNFOLDMENT. Some
mediums take little or no interest in their own mediumship, they are often
reckless as to conditions and disregardful of the lesson that their
experience should teach them as to the influence that their sitters exert
upon them; they will sit, when pressed, to oblige so-called friends, even
when to do so is injurious because they are already exhausted.
Importunate acquaintances, mere sightseers and wonder-mongers, prevail
over them because they have cultivated the 'negative' frame of mind and
'leave it all to the spirits,' and they suffer in consequence of their folly,
indifference, apathy, and want of personal cultivation of will ability to
govern themselves. If mediums do not exercise self-respect they cannot
expect to win the respect of intelligent people in or out of the body. It
largely rests with themselves whether their gifts shall lead to spiritual
graces and an unfolded selfhood.
As Dr. Dean Clarke very truly says: 'Novices in mediumship have no
business to assume obligations they are not fully qualified to fulfil. Let
them take the counsel given metaphorically to the disciples of Jesus, to
"tarry in Jerusalem till their beards are grown." They, surely, should wait
till the spirits are strong enough to control and shield them from the
meddlesome interference of ignorant people, both in the flesh and out.'
We strongly urge all medium to wait and serve their apprenticeship
thoroughly before they undertake to sit for sceptics or perform public
work, either as 'test,' 'impersonating,' 'speaking,' 'seeing,' or 'healing'
mediums, and the best place to secure the necessary experience, training,
and unfolding is in the private home circle. After a certain stage has been
reached, however, the medium who has been used for impersonations will
in all probability begin to display the powers of clairvoyance and to
receive vivid impressions. Then will come, or they will be accompanied
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