A CHEERFUL MIND SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO THE CIRCLE

Intense grief or anxiety shuts out the light of inspiration, as clouds the sunshine. The presence of one having their spirit thus agitated cuts off the magnetic thought-currents, as effectually as an opaque substance obstructs the waves of light. The smooth surface of a lake reflects the stars above, and the heavens above blend so completely with that below that they cannot be separated. But a passing wind agitates the waters I and though the stars shine on undisturbed, there is nothing but black waters, mingling with the night. The stars of the spirit heaven shine serenely forever and forever, and reflect in our own spirit, if like a clear mirror we preserve it untarnished. Grief, anxiety, cares, these film its surface, and at best we catch fleeting and distorting reflections.

This sadness is projected to our spirit friends, who are thus made to bear a double grief—their own and ours. They come to us and finding us in a receptive mood, impress us with their presence. With that impression comes their own regrets and disappointments; their longings to make their presence known; to guide and impart information for our advantage, which perhaps they failed to do in this life. The means they find inadequate. They only enter into our sphere, and throw on us the shadow of their deep feelings. Intensely sensitive, our spirit is mantled in gloom. It may be well added as a consolation that this state unmistakably shows the sufferer to possess rare sensitiveness, and its cultivation, by enabling free communication, will give the clear sky for the thickening clouds.