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contemptible tricks。 It is a thousand pities that it should be so； but if the
Court of Arches were to give up its secrets； it would be found that tippling
and moral degeneration were by no means confined to psychics。 At the
same time； a psychic is so peculiarly sensitive that I think he or she would
always be well advised to be a life long abstaineras many actually are。
As to the method by which they attain their results they have； when in the
trance state； no recollection。 In the case of normal clairvoyants and
clairaudients； the information comes in different ways。 Sometimes it is no
more than a strong mental impression which gives a name or an address。
Sometimes they say that they see it written up before them。 Sometimes the
spirit figures seem to call it to them。 〃They yell it at me；〃 said one。
We need more first…hand accounts of these matters before we can
formulate laws。 It has been stated in a previous book by the author； but it
will bear repetition； that the use of the seance should； in his opinion； be
carefully regulated as well as reverently conducted。 Having once satisfied
himself of the absolute existence of the unseen world； and of its proximity
to our own； the inquirer has got the great gift which psychical
investigation can give him； and thenceforth he can regulate his life upon
the lines which the teaching from beyond has shown to be the best。 There
is much force in the criticism that too constant intercourse with the affairs
of another world may distract our attention and weaken our powers in
dealing with our obvious duties in this one。 A seance； with the object of
satisfying curiosity or of rousing interest； cannot be an elevating influence；
and the mere sensation…monger can make this holy and wonderful thing as
base as the over…indulgence in a stimulant。 On the other hand； where the
seance is used for the purpose of satisfying ourselves as to the condition of
those whom we have lost； or of giving comfort to others who crave for a
word from beyond； then it is； indeed； a blessed gift from God to be used
with moderation and with thankfulness。 Our loved ones have their own
pleasant tasks in their new surroundings； and though they assure us that
they love to clasp the hands which we stretch out to them； we should still
have some hesitation in intruding to an unreasonable extent upon the
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THE VITAL MESSAGE
routine of their lives。 A word should be said as to that fear of fiends and
evil spirits which appears to have so much weight with some of the critics
of this subject。 When one looks more closely at this emotion it seems
somewhat selfish and cowardly。 These creatures are in truth our own
backward brothers； bound for the same ultimate destination as ourselves；
but retarded by causes for which our earth conditions may have been
partly responsible。 Our pity and sympathy should go out to them； and if
they do indeed manifest at a seance； the proper Christian attitude is； as it
seems to me； that we should reason with them and pray for them in order
to help them upon their difficult way。 Those who have treated them in this
way have found a very marked difference in the subsequent
communications。 In Admiral Usborne Moore's 〃Glimpses of the Next
State〃 there will be found some records of an American circle which
devoted itself entirely to missionary work of this sort。 There is some
reason to believe that there are forms of imperfect development which can
be helped more by earthly than by purely spiritual influences； for the
reason； perhaps； that they are closer to the material。 In a recent case I was
called in to endeavour to check a very noisy entity which frequented an
old house in which there were strong reasons to believe that crime had
been committed； and also that the criminal was earth…bound。 Names were
given by the unhappy spirit which proved to be correct； and a cupboard
was described； which was duly found； though it had never before been
suspected。 On getting into touch with the spirit I endeavoured to reason
with it and to explain how selfish it was to cause misery to others in order
to satisfy any feelings of revenge which it might have carried over from
earth life。 We then prayed for its welfare； exhorted it to rise higher； and
received a very solemn assurance； tilted out at the table； that it would
mend its ways。 I have very gratifying reports that it has done so； and that
all is now quiet in the old house。 Let us now consider the life in the
Beyond as it is shown to us by the new revelation。
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THE VITAL MESSAGE
CHAPTER IV
THE COMING WORLDTHE COMING WORLD
THE COMING WORLDTHE COMING WORLD
We come first to the messages which tell us of the life beyond the
grave； sent by those who are actually living it。 I have already insisted upon
the fact that they have three weighty claims to our belief。 The one is； that
they are accompanied by 〃signs；〃 in the Biblical sense； in the shape of
〃miracles〃 or phenomena。 The second is； that in many cases they are
accompanied by assertions about this life of ours which prove to be correct；
and which are beyond the possible knowledge of the medium after every
deduction has been made for telepathy or for unconscious memory。 The
third is； that they have a remarkable； though not a complete； similarity
from whatever source they come。
It may be noted that the differences of opinion become most marked
when they deal with their own future； which may well be a matter of
speculation to them as to us。 Thus； upon the question of reincarnation
there is a distinct cleavage； and though I am myself of opinion that the
general evidence is against this oriental doctrine； it is none the less an
undeniable fact that it has been maintained by some messages which
appear in other ways to be authentic； and； therefore； it is necessary to keep
one's mind open on the subject。 Before entering upon the substance of the
messages I