THE CIRCLE—ITS VALUE—HOW TO
ORGANIZE
The circle is the primary school for
the study of spiritual facts. There under conditions which being known
may be complied with, spirit friends may come in closer contacts with
mortals. Hence in the beginning we answer the inquiry how to organize
and conduct a circle successfully. The quality of mediumship developed
depends largely on the circle, thus making it obligatory on those
interested to become thoroughly versed on the subject.
There has been a tendency in some
quarters from the first to slight and ignore both circles and mediums. This has had so much influence on some
medium speakers that when
asked, "Are you controlled?" they have replied with an offended air,
"Only by impression; I rely on my own powers." At the same time these
individuals, if they should attempt to address an audience, or write an
article, unassisted, would only confess themselves incompetents!
It has been taught that the modern
manifestations were a wave, like others in the past, which would go by, and
leave us again to go forward by argumentation instead of facts. Still
further, it has been taught that the time given to circles was wasted or
worse than wasted, and mediumship anything but a desirable possession.
The reason assigned for thus ignoring the methods of Spiritualism is that
the word of spirits is taken in place of reason, and individuality is
lost in a blind faith in their teachings. This may be true in some
instances, but it is not necessarily true, and is constantly repudiated
by the teachings of the spirits themselves. We have been told that the
claim that all can become mediums is not only untrue but pernicious, and
under the pressure it is lamentable to notice the drifting away,
particularly noticeable in the public journals devoted to Spiritualism,
from the record of phenomena into the sphere of ideas, where theorists
and ready writers take the place of facts. This pride in personality has
been the first symptom of disloyalty to Spiritualism, and has been in too many cases followed
by its disavowal. The trance medium was stigmatized with the slang term
of "shut-eyed," and writhed under the appellation; and "table-tipping"
became almost a by-word in the mouths of these teachers who had
"progressed" beyond what they called the "alphabet."
All this sounds strange from that
class who above all others receive manifestations as the only absolute demonstration of future existence,
and base on them their
knowledge of that life, and the conduct of this. Let us examine this ground in detail, for it is of vital consequence for us to
know what is a proper course.
If we are wasting time in circles, and in visiting mediums, then we
should at once cease this waste and occupy our time in better pursuits.
The evidence of man's immortality
rests on spirit manifestations. Without them we could have no certain
knowledge of the future life. I make this broad statement, including the
manifestations of ancient times and of all races, but more especially
is it true of the modern phenomena.
Science has culminated in blatant
materialism, and religion has lost its power over the minds of men. The
age is to become hopelessly materialistic, unless these modern
manifestations demonstrate spiritual existence after death.
Hence the idea that these
manifestations are a wave, already spent in force, and that hereafter we
are to refer to the facts of the past instead of being able to point to
those of the present, is most illogical and unsatisfactory. If the
phenomena came, as is claimed, to meet an urgent need, then they should
administer to that need, and no one can claim that this need is less urgent than
twenty-five years ago. In fact, with increasing knowledge, more is
demanded. The very eagerness with which circles are attended, and medium
sought, conclusively shows the urgency of this desire of the human heart.
If the manifestations of two thousand
years ago were true, then the door is opened wide for the same occurrences
at the present time. And if those we mourn as dead, live and love us beyond
the shadows, we should not be content with the bare fact. The more
thoroughly we are convinced, the more eagerly shall we avail ourselves of
every opportunity to converse, and receive messages. Tell us the channel
through which these messages
come is so imperfect that they are unworthy of reception; we reply, that
all this we know, but it is the
best we have and as far as it goes is beyond expression dear to us. What
if we receive a meaningless communication, with the exception of a single
sentence that identifies its spirit source, we certainly have gained that much, and
it is better than nothing. If we cannot have the blaze of day, we will accept
with grateful hearts the smallest ray which pierces the darkness. If I am
perishing with thirst, shall I not drink because the water is given me in
a broken vessel? Even if the vessel be not only broken but covered with mire,
if it gives me only a single drop of pure water, I question not. |
