There was some philosophy in Dr. Beecher’s conclusion, that the manifestations were Spiritual, but devilish; for the majority of these manifestations come from the very lowest Spirits. There is no use in denying it. But the fault is all our own if a Spirit of an undeveloped character comes in communication with us and controls us; for I have power, which is superior to all their finite power, to prevent their controlling me. If I will live the life I should, I can be protected from all such influences. If a Spirit of a low character comes into _rapport_ with you to control you, it is your fault. It is because you are not in that true condition of soul by which you come into _rapport_ with Spirits of a pure and wise character. It is nevertheless unphilosophical for any individual to say that, because there are low Spirits, he will have nothing to do with Spiritual communications. It would be equally unphilosophical to say, because there are good Spirits, that all Spiritual communications should be received. In respect of developing mediums, I wish to say, that if they are to be developed for curiosity’s sake, they had better remain undeveloped. But if it is desired to bring them into conditions to redeem them, it is all very well. But no person should permit himself to become passive in his feelings and affections while waiting for Spirits to come and develop him as a medium; for in that condition he will be liable to be influenced by bad Spirits. He may become the instrument of one of the lowest and most debasing influences, and may be influenced to commit the most filthy and disgusting deeds. While the body should be passive, the affections should be ardent, the soul must send forth its most earnest aspirations. You need not read from the Bible or the Koran. What is needed is to keep your hearts right. Let the aid for which you seek have strict reference to keeping the affections right. We need to guard against being influenced by those low Spirits who are waiting round us to seek self-gratification. If you wish to commune with Spirits, you yourself must determine what shall be the class of Spirits with whom you will commune. If you would commune with Jesus, you must come upon his plane. If you would commune with the Divine Father, you must become like him. You must assume the character of the class of Spirits with which you wish to commune. By observing this law we need not have so much of this low manifestation. We need a higher class of communications to convince the world. The objections to Spiritualism is not that there are not enough facts, but that their character is such that the world is not willing to accept them. CHAPTER XI. LUST. “Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lusts.”—James _Letter_, chap. i. 14.