Modern spiritism; its science and religion - SpiritArchive.org

DANGERS OF SPIRITISM 181
one of whom cultivates,
and many of whom live by,
The tendency in
The body physically seems,
the exercise of these rare powers.
such is ever downwards.
sooner or later, unable to bear the strain; the mind,
in like manner, seems to lose its fibre, its will power,
its concentration; the moral character markedly
deteriorates; drunkenness and other vices prevail;
and the whole condition becomes more or less
deplorable.
Disastrous Results
Such disastrous results do not follow the use of
any of our normal powers. I think, then, that I am
fully justified in believing, on evidence that cannot
be denied, that we are not intended at present to
develop or actively use these wounderful powers,
while at the same time we cannot but believe there
will be hereafter conditions in which they will prove
of the greatest service, very possibly in that "other
world" Spiritists seem so anxious to discover.
My testimony regarding the moral, mental, and
physical deterioration produced is entirely de r ived
from Spiritists.
The other exciting cause is only experienced by the
few. who penetrate deeply into the secrets of the
" seance.'.' Perhaps I can best point it out in other
words than my own.
I have already quoted Professor Flournoy, who
clearly indicates their dangers.
They come, as he plainly shows, from the other
world, and I shall proceed to show, more in detail,
what these special dangers are.
This, indeed, brings me to the second part of my