MEDIUMSHIP AND MORALITY

 

Mediumship is a condition, not dependent on morality, but its character, that is the character of the intelligences which communicate directly depends on the moral and intellectual qualities of the medium.

 

If mediumship is regarded as a psychological state subject to purely scientific investigation, and were all spirit communications received impartially on their merits, then the question of the morals of mediums would sink into the back-ground, and the demand for a pure and consecrated life would not appear imperative. Investigations may be conducted with, scientific calmness and discretion by a few, but the many depart wide of this method, and with them lingers the superstition of the infallibility of spirits and the sacredness of the office of their interpreter. With them mediumship is an element of religion, rather than of science, and hence the character of the medium becomes of vital consequence.

 

We recall to mind a seance with a much advertised medium, of Boston, through whom we received a communication Purporting to be from a friend who had two years before departed to the Summerland. This friend was the embodiment of all the sweet and tender graces and charming virtues, the—very reverse of the one who, in rude tones and bad grammar, acted as her medium.

 

We went away hoping that the communication was not from her, for had it been, we felt conscience-stricken for asking her to come in such contact with one who, even on earth, would have unconquerably repelled her. Be it true or false, I said, "Dear one, never will I seek you where I know you cannot go, nor ask you for my whim to make such sacrifice."

 

Phenomenal facts may be observed regardless of the moral character of the medium. The lifting of physical bodies, raps, etc., have a value as facts, whoever may act as medium. But in the transmission of ideas, in the reproduction of thoughts, the medium, whether writing or trance, conscious or unconscious, more or less influences their form of expression. The waters which leap from the mountain spring, clear as crystal, and pure as the dews of heaven, if made to flow down through the pest marshes of the lowland, become black with slime and fetid with decay. The pure golden utterances of angels, in like manner, are transformed in their passage through impure and vulgar minds. Whatever may be overlooked in phenomenal mediums cannot be tolerated in this higher sphere. There must be purity, integrity, character in the transmitting medium, or the cause itself, however glorious to our angel friends, must perish in scorn and obloquy.

 

"Oh," it is said, "if you were thirsty, and one should offer you water in a broken pitcher, you would not drink!" If the pitcher had poisoned the water I should not. If I could as well have a whole pitcher, I should prefer one. At least I should demand a pitcher sufficiently whole to retain a drop of water, and that not offered me in mockery.

 

In times past mediums have been leaders of the race. The grand intellects which stand along the shores of time like beacon lights, showing the pathway mankind has wearily trod, one and all, exceeded their time by the contact they held with the spirit world. In those rude ages only an individual, in a generation or a century, penetrated the veil, and because filled with new ideas, became a leader. Now the cause of Spiritualism, because of greater spiritual development, is expressed by numberless mediums instead of one, but the law is nevertheless the same. The direction and leadership are with the mediums, because they are the visible exponents. The inspiration of Jesus Christ has its power in the ideal purity and unworldliness men hastened to throw around him, feeling that if he was not perfect he ought to be.

 

Mediums who resort to fraud, however startling the genuine phenomena occurring in their presence, are unworthy of credence and only under strictly test conditions is their mediumship of value.

 

Instead of encouraging loose, disorderly and dissolute lives by claiming irresponsibility for the medium, and the presence of evil spirits, honor, purity and virtue should be demanded. If evil spirits come, it is because the mind is prepared for them; because the activity of the lower nature has repelled the spirits of the good.