INDIAN SPIRITS.

 

It seems sometimes anomalous that Indian spirits so often usurp the entire control, and that so many claim to be guides.

 

It is claimed that the Indian spirits have more strength to control than others because they are nearer to earth, and probably have more leisure and inclination. However this may be, the peculiar phase is passing away. There are less and less Indian controls, and higher and more strictly spiritual intelligences communicate. This is most desirable, and the passing away of the Indians in capacity of doctors is also to be congratulated. It was a strange freak of human nature to give implicit trust and confidence to a spirit Indian doctor, who would be the last to be consulted when he held the medicine bag in the primeval forest. These same mediums would not have a living, Indian for an associate, yet the spirit Indian is "my guide So-and-So," until it would seem that what an Indian spirit did not know was not worth knowing.

 

WHY THE PLANCHETTE AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS ARE UNRELIABLE.

 

The use of these instruments requires a much less degree of mediumship than almost any other method; and the medium at times exerts a marked influence over the messages and there is often a stubborn effort to repeat every communication given, even when such message is erroneous. The ease with which messages are given, allows spirits to communicate who otherwise could not. A more potent cause is the conduct of the medium or members of the circle. When they find that they can at an any time receive messages through these instruments, they resort to them on all occasions, and make them oracles on business and all affairs of life. This makes common the heavenly gift and wastes its benefits. There would be no cause of complaint, if a time were set apart for seances, say twice each week, at an hour when there would be no fear of interruption, and this appointment, unvaryingly kept, and on no account sitting held at any other time.

 

A little thought will make the reason for this plain. The spirit friends knowing the appointed hour will surely be present, prepared to communicate and will not allow the approach of others undesirable. They will perfect themselves in the method required, which is often a difficult task. On the contrary, if the medium, on the whim of the moment rushes to the instrument, his spirit friends may be absent, presumably they will be absent, and any spirit drawn within his sphere mail communicate, it may be truthfully, or it may be not. It may understand the process of communicating, or it may be ignorant, and give false or erroneous messages, because it cannot do better.

 

Another prolific cause of confusion and disputation is the resort at once to test questions and those relating to business matters of which the communicating spirit, unless limitless in information, could know nothing. The control well knows that if ignorance is pleaded there will be an end of confidence, and having claimed to be a certain individuality as a brother, sister or friend, guesses the answers and replies as best able. Or the control may be as claimed and with the most careful attention and integrity have the answer wrongly conveyed or misunderstood through the counteracting influence of the circle or medium. Then there is antagonism and by its means the door is opened wide for a flood of such messages. The medium and circle expect deception and prepare the way for it.

 

This advice is not only applicable to this method of communicating, but equally to all others. Instead of active participancy, there should be cultivated passive receptivity. Test questions should not be asked unless if it is first ascertained of the spirit if it is willing under the conditions to answer. The best tests come when they are not imperatively demanded. Sit patiently and receive whatever may come, and should there be apparent mistakes, do not hastily rush to the conclusion that you are the sport of evil spirits, or being designedly given falsehoods. The cause most probably is in yourself. You are an imperfect or broken transmitter. The idea prevails that these instruments are machines which ought to turn out messages under any circumstances, whereas they are only the means which may be advantageously used, if the medium, the circle, or both supply the essential conditions. If either degrade this high exalted privilege of communing with the departed, to the pastime of an idle hour, they attract spirits as inconsiderate, and may expect responses vain and inconsequential as their inquiries.

 

HOW TO INTEREST IN SPIRITUALISM.

 

A great many who have found the new views of life here and hereafter, have become zealous in their belief and ardently desire that others receive it. They are like the apostles dominated by a mission to go out into all the world and convert those who do not believe. They overlook the fact that Spiritualism does not admit of proselytism, and it is vain to convince by argument. Let such be assured that the harvest ripens by the forces of nature, without the help of the husbandman. When the season comes, the earth is prepared for the reception of seed, and the farmer who has patiently waited during the winter months, knowing how useless would be his labor were he to go out in the drifting storm and sow the grain on the icy fields, scatter the seed with full faith that it will yield a bounteous return. The mind, like the earth, has its seasons of bleakness and of genial receptivity. It is useless to plant the seeds of thought until the proper time, which will as surely come as spring follows winter. The mind that is filled with material wants and desires, is often turned to spiritual things by the loss of a dear friend, or the shattering of earthly expectations; or when the slant rays of the sun on life's western slope remind of the night of this life, the thoughts of the beyond come uppermost, and there is a desire to know of the sphere over the grave.