Modern spiritism; its science and religion - SpiritArchive.org

DANGERS OF SPIRITISM 189
note of all spiritual experience, and the end by which
the spirit world most efficiently carries on its operations
on the psychic plane."
The danger of automatic writing is very great,
inasmuch as it necessarily involves the absolute
yielding of one's hand to an unknown power and
being; and it is thus that this is, perhaps, the most
frequent beginning of "possession." As Sir Wm.
Barrett remarks, "In Spiritism we lose our individuality."
Dr. H. Maudsley says: "It is impossible to escape
the penalty of weakening the will"; and, since
complete passivity is an essential in all Spiritist
seances, it is easily seen how readily will-power
becomes lessened and eventually lost. Sir Oliver
Lodge very gravely says: "Self-control is more
important than any other form of control, and
whoever possesses the power of receiving communications
in any form should see to it that he remains
master of the situation. To give up your own
judgment and depend solely on adventitious aid is
a grave blunder, and may in the long run have
disastrous consequences. Moderation and common
sense are required in those who try to utilise powers
which neither they nor any fully understand, and a
dominating occupation in mundane affairs is a
wholesome safeguard."
Once one begins to practise Spiritism one cannot
say where one may end, and herein lies its greatest
peril; its very mystery and interest insensibly draw
its votaries on.
It seems to exercise an extraordinary
fascination, which seems to demand the very full
self-surrender against which we are so often warned.