n communications, for instance, why did he
consider it privilege on his own part to live in the world of spirits as
he did. True, he spoke of 'danger,' but it was to those who, themselves
weak and unclean, did not hold 'by the Lord.' He distinctly said that in
the first unfallen churches there was incessant communion, and that the
'new church, as it grew, would approximate more and more to that earlier
condition. There is a distinct prospect given in Swedenborg of an
increasing aptitude in the bodies and souls of men towards communication
with the Disembodied. I consider that he foresaw not only what we are
seeing (if these manifestations be veritable) but greater and more
frequent phenomena of the same class,--which does not in any way exclude
considerable danger to some persons in the meanwhile. And do you think I
doubt _that_? No indeed. Unsettled minds, especially when under
affliction, will lose their balance at moments,--there is danger. It is
not the occasion for passion and fanaticism of sentiment, but for calm
and reasonable inquiry into facts. Let us establish the facts first, and
then '_try the spirits_' as the apostle directs; afterwards remains the
difficulty of assuring oneself of the personalities. I don't think you
should complain of the subject being unsatisfactory to you, because you
don't get 'a sublime communication,' or a characteristic evidence of
some spirit known to you. Much less would satisfy _me_. But it seemed to
me that the consideration of the subject disturbed you, made you
uncomfortable, and that you didn't approach any conclusion, and with
that impression and not because of 'contempt,' be sure, I advised you to
let it rest. Why should we beat our heads against an obstacle which we
can't walk through? Then your liability to influence is against you here
as much as your attraction towards such high speculations is in your
favour. You have an 'open mind,' yes, but you leave all the doors open,
and you let people come in every now and then, and lock them, and keep
them locked as long as said people stand by. The teachings of
Spiritualism are much like the teachings in the world. There are
excellent things taught, and iniquitous things taught. Only the sublime
communications are, as far as I know, decidedly absent. Swedenborg
directs you to give no more weight to what is said by a spirit-man than
by a man in the body, and there's room for the instruction. 'Heralds of
Progress' on one side, 'Her