BEHIND THE SCENES AT SÉANCES

   silver Birch here tells of the organization necessary on the Other Side for physical manifestations. The circle had the phenomena of the direct voice and materializations, but these were lost for a time when the circle was reconstructed.

   THERE have been at work here a band of spirits. They are of all classes. There are some who come from nearer the planes of matter, because they can assist in the material reactions and provide the things that are wanted by those who arrange the power. That is at one end.

　At the other end there are those bright ones who are the shining messengers of the Great Spirit. They have been here, not only when you have been here, but also when you have been asleep. They have gone on with their work. They have all given up the right to enjoy whatever there is in our world for them to have, because they have promised to try to bring into operation in your world some of the laws of the Great Spirit, which as yet operate only as a glimmer of light in a world of darkness.

　They have done that because they see here a place where there can be a great templeーgreat, not because of its size or its height or breadth, but because from here can be spread the light, so that darkness will be dispelled by the light of truth. From circles such as this, your world will get new strength. It will learn that selfishness, injustice, intolerance and all such things must be swept away, because they are contrary to the laws of the Great Spirit.

   This work goes on and on because it is part of the work of the Great Spirit. You have all been chosen because you all have a different experience. These experiences can be blended to forni a perfect circle of love, harmony and goodwill, which will enable a temple of light to be built.

　The work you do is a mighty work. You are building a temple of the Great Spirit. Sometimes you catch a gliinpse of what is happening. Sometinies you are left in the dark, and you begin to puzzle and wonder because you do not under-stand. But remember that not one moment passes but thatwe are at work, each one of us, trying to do all we can to bring light into a world of darkness.

　The improvement of the direct voice is all a question of trial and effort. You cannot tell until they get through how much they can manage. It is really a great privilege for each of you to witness the growth from the beginning and see the unfoldnient every time you sit. It is all a question of vibration. It depends on how much comes through. You only hear the parts that are manifested. The unmanifested parts you do not realize. The great trouble is that there are so many who are anxious to come through.

　They all want, at any cost, just to speak a few words. They plead: “Just let me say one word. It will make me so happy." And so they try.

　But all the time we go on building and storing and experi-menting. Day after day and night after night, people come and work here in preparation for your sittings.

　When you want to speak to someone on the telephone, you do not see all the people who had to make it. You only see the hole in which you talkーthat is, if you can see holes. And the man you talk to picks up a hole and listens. But between the two holes a lot of work has to be done. It is the same with us. You have a hole and we have a hole, but between them there is a lot of work.

　The rays that are used by the spirit helpers at the circle to produce the phenomena are rays of energy which defy all your instruments to register. Only the subtle link of the spirit and the development of the spirit can enable you to be tuned in to them. That is why the chemists on our side are always busy. Although the rays are so powerful, they are not dangerous to you, because you are tuned in to them. That is part of the work. All the time, your spirit bodies are becom-ing more attuned to the rays, which arc visible to us but are unseen and unfelt by you.

　There are as many as five thousand spirit people here to-night.   There are not only those you knew on earth, and those who are interested in the circle. There are those we bring to hear you talk, because they do not think that it is possible.

　Others are brought here so that they can learn how we come through to your world of matter, so that they can use other mediums in other parts of the world. There is a great missionary work, not only for your world but for our world too, for we do not sacrifice any time or power. The great lesson that those in my world have to learn is how to use spirit power in order to impress your minds. The great value of an understanding of these laws is that your minds become accessible. You do not realize how, unknown to yourselves, you are all the recipients of inspiration from the world of spirit.

　There are many in your world who are counted as great scientists, great inventors and great teachers. They are only the vehicles of intelligences from my world. It does not matter so long as the truth or the discovery is made known. Who receives the credit is of no account.

　We do not work alone in our world, for co-operation is the Law. We form groups, which make, as far as possible, a perfect whole-a mixture of all the qualities most necessary for the work that the group has to do. Then one becomes the mouthpiece for the whole group. I am the mouthpiece of the band with whom I work. It is easier when people work together than when one works by himself. The work that is achieved is the result of the cumulative mind of the group.

　The more successful the work, the more the individualities of the band have been merged in perfection, in the same way that the more successful the medium is, the more successful is the merging between the guide and the medium. Otherwise. there would be friction and disharmony.

　It is the same as in your world, where each has his allotted task to perform. If the organizer is clever, then he gives to each one just that task for which he is fitted, and then you get the best results. You have an orchestra, each one playing a different instrument, but when they play in harmony then you get a perfect combination. If the smallest of the band strikes the wrong note, then it creates disharmony among even the best players. Co-operation is the law.

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Questions and Answers:

　IN the production of psychic phenomena, do you make use of materials in the room as well as of the psychic powers of the sitters?

　Yes, we make use of the carpet, the curtains books, even of the furniture. We who are not encased in matter have to use matter, and we obtain it to some extent from the actual substances that are here. We take a little from everything so as not to destroy things. Otherwise, you would find your furniture falling to pieces.

　Is that why sometimes in materialization séance-rooms the cur-tains, say, wear out quickly?

   Yes, that is the reason. But we are very careful. Sometimes olour is taken from material things in order to provide the colours used in materializations. When you know more about our work you will learn that nothing is wasted. But the greatest power of all is the power that comes from within each one of you. That is the greatest ingredient.

　Mediums must develop not only the powers of their mediumship, but also the powers of their spirit. You must learn that the power of the medium's own spirit raises the quality of the ectoplasm. It is not wood or clay with which we are dealing, but the essence of life as contained in the medium. All the thoughts and character and mentality of the medium go into the ectoplasm.

　Is materialization a high or low form of mediumship, and is this form of mediumship advisable?

　Anything which brings to one soul happiness or knowledge of the laws of the spirit has served its purpose. Do not think in terms of high or low. Think in terms of service to those who need it.