I've come to learn that there are quite a few individuals now going around various Spiritualist and Metaphysical communities selling their "abilities" as Physical Mediums.
I've been trying to figure out how I can address my own concerns about this situation with my own local community, so that even if people choose to attend one of these circles, they at least can be aware to be on guard.
Pondering all this in the back of my mind, I was looking through one of my favorite old Spiritualist books, Genuine Mediumship and I found this little gem of wisdom that I wanted to share:
"The earnest investigator of spiritualistic phenomena must always bear in mind that the mere production of mediumistic phenomena of the physical phase is not the real object of the investigation and sittings. These things, interesting as they may be in themselves, should be regarded as merely the incidents of the intelligent communication and reception of messages from the inhabitants of the higher planes of life and existence. The spiritualistic circle should be more than a mere "wonder shop" in which are exhibited strange and unusual physical phenomena; rather should it be regarded as the receiving end of the wireless system over which we may and do receive valuable communications from those who have passed on before us."
"As a writer has said: 'It is not so much that the table moves with or without contact, or that strange rappings are heard, that is of paramount importance, but that by these means of communication actual and intelligent communication can be obtained and maintained with so-called dead people; and evidences of spirit identity, as well as loving and cheering messages may be obtained in that way from loved ones who were supposed to be gone forever. This is the important point to be established beyond all peradventure.'"
