MEDIUMSHIP: NATURE OF COMMUNICATIONS 

Intro | Coarse | Frivolous | Serious | Instructive

Instructive Communications

Instructive communications are those which are not only serious, but also convey the teachings of superior spirits on points of science, morality, philosophy, etc.  They are more or less profound in proportion to the elevation and dematerialization of the communicating spirit.  In order to reap benefit from such communications, they must be followed with regularity and perseverance.  Serious spirits attach themselves to, and assist, those who desire instruction.  However, those individuals who see in these manifestations a source of passing amusement are left, by the superior spirits, to the companionship of spirits as frivolous as themselves.  It is only by the regularity and frequency of such communications that we can appreciate the moral and intellectual worth of the spirits with whom we thus hold conversation, and the degree of confidence which they deserve.  If experience is necessary in order to form a true estimate of men, it is, if possible, still more necessary in forming a true estimate of spirits.

In applying to these communications the qualification of instructive, we imply that they are true; for what is not true can never be instructive, even when expressed in the most imposing language.  We therefore do not include in this category certain teachings which have nothing serious about them but their high-flown and pretentious style, by which spirits possessed of more presumption than philosophy endeavor to mislead.  But such spirits, being unable to disguise their shallowness, are incapable of keeping up their false assumptions for any length of time; they soon betray their weak side if we continue to converse with them and ply them with questions which compel them to show their incompetence.