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 CHAPTER VI.

MEDIUMSHIP.

My subject of discourse this evening is that of mediumship. There are two classes of mediumship, and only two: that which is external, that which reaches the consciousness through the region of thought; and the internal, that which reaches it directly in the affections. The most imperfect as a means of communication is what is known as the external, its imperfection being due to the fact of its having to employ in its communication certain signs or symbols, which signs or symbols each individual must translate by his own standard—by his own understanding. Its perfection as a means of communication depends, first, upon the perfection of the communicator; secondly, upon the perfection of the understanding of the individual to whom the communication is made. If the communication pertain to those things belonging to the common plane of the understanding, and the individual communicating and the one to whom the communication is made understand alike the symbols used, the method of communication is comparatively perfect. I am obliged to make use of certain natural words which are signs of ideas. If you understand these words precisely as I do, I will succeed in conveying my