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
