ASPR Journal, V14 - Iapsop.com

Consulting Spirits. 137
that side and he altered his position. He admitted, as readers
will observe, that he was earthbound and that he could get no
help because all his friends were in the same condition. They
too were of the monied class and had no other conception of life
than money making and its power for sensuous enjoyment. Not
a spiritual note came from any of them. They had no other
conception of the need of the lady than more money and that
was purchased or to be purchased at the price of childbearing at
a dangerous period. No spiritual consolation was offered and no
point of view apparent in the communications by which it could
be reached. Purely earthly ideals were the only ones that dominated
him and without reflection on the situation she was ready
to follow the advice.
Nor is it necessary to assume the spiritistic theory o"f the
facts to make the point I am here urging. There is abundant
evidence, apart from the facts quoted in this paper, to support
that view, but the importance of the position taken here does
not c;lepend on the truth of that point of view. We do not have
to assume any more than that the subconscious of Mrs. Chenoweth
in the course of a number of sittings, had discovered that
a widow was seeking communication with her deceased husband
and was seeking advice, and tho the exact subject of this desired
advice was not mentioned until the main feature of it had been
presented by the real or alleged communicator, we may suppose
that it was guessed and the advice framed accordingly. The subconscious
might assume that the sitter knew the situation enough
not to advise on the ground of obstacles to the fulfillment of the
desire. But when I pointed out the risks involved the subconsciousness
picked up the situation and advised against it. While
I do not believe that this view of the subject applies as a fact,
and while I know that the evidence, not here quoted, is very
strong for identity, I do not require to apply the spiritistic
hypothesis to the facts in order to make the point that this is
not a source for reliable advice. I am quite willing to admit
that the subconscious of Mrs. Chenoweth might be as well qualified
as spirits, or even better, to give advice on the subject. But
that is not the point here. It is the blind assumption that others
than yourself are better able to judge of the situation. The important
thing is to face facts and not to accept the counsel of
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