Chapter II - Imposition and Demonstration
88:1
memory of those present retains what the clairvoyant
memory of those present retains what the clairvoyant
sees. Beliefs, and images of thought are not limited to
space or personal sense, that grosser strata of mortal
mind. The clairvoyant sees not by means of solar rays,
or an object striking the retina; and our proof that
mortal mind is the element of all sublunary things is,
that they exist to this mind the same as to personal
sense. The reader must make due distinction between
mediumship and the individual; there are undoubtedly
noble purposes in the hearts of noble women and men
who believe themselves mediums.
88:12
The science of Life, gained by slow and solemn
The science of Life, gained by slow and solemn
foot-steps, at the expense of all 'isms and 'ologies, will
unite being into one silken chord of good-will to man;
and there is but one right way under the sun, even the
pathway of holiness. We should not hang on the skirts
of others, but in our own identity possess some merit of
our own not borrowed from others; and is there any
so blind as not to admit individual faults? But medi-
umship well-nigh disavows all individual responsibility,
and literally lays the charge of all good or evil on the
shoulders of the dead. While we cherish all charity
for our fellow-beings, we have none for a belief that
inevitably shuts the door on reason and revelation, and
robes the mind in darkness akin to barbarism. But for
the misinterpretation of mental phenomena, through a
belief of mediumship, the signs of science would have
been discerned ere this, in the phenomena of to-day,
and what is ascribed to personal agencies, have rested
on the basis of Principle. Phenomena not understood
had better be let alone, until the explanation is given
that deprives humbug and avarice of advantage, and
89:1
contributes to the general welfare. Principle demands
contributes to the general welfare. Principle demands
to be understood; but phenomena not based on Prin-
ciple, you can explain falsely, insomuch as they are
creations of sense instead of Soul.
89:5
When sensation proceeds from Soul instead of body,
When sensation proceeds from Soul instead of body,
the impressions are lucid and pure, and the intuitions
correct and harmonious. But when mortal mind, or
belief produces them, discord, disease, sin and death
are the result. Mesmerism is error that leaves man at
the mercy of matter, will, caprice, and mortal mind;
God, Spirit, never mesmerized man or matter. The
simplest object in the hand of a mesmerized subject
may shock him with a belief of danger; a napkin be-
comes to him a serpent that stings him; and this is the
sensation that is belief. Place in his hand a cold apple;
create the belief it is hot, and it produces at once the
sensation of pain, the same as fire; destroy this belief
of a burn, and the pain disappears. Is not this proof
that pain is a belief? Again, whatever object the mes-
merizer presents mentally to his subject, he sees; do
not these facts prove the so-called senses of the body,
mind, instead of organs and nerves? But mesmerism
should be put under bonds not to do evil; at any esti-
mate it is a shameful waste of reason and honesty.
That pain and pleasure are produced by belief, in the
absence of all conditions to occasion them, is another
proof that sensation is mind and not matter. To admit
mind sees, hears, feels, etc., without the agency of mat-
ter, is a step toward science.
89:30
In genuine clairvoyance there is no sensation in the
In genuine clairvoyance there is no sensation in the
body during its continuance. But to see in belief is
not to see in reality; the basis of the science of being