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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 13

Of the Positions to be Observed

Of the Positions to be Observed.

If the circle is one which meets together periodically, and is composed of the same persons, let them always occupy the same seats (unless changed under spiritual direction), and sit (as the most favourable of all positions) round a table, their hands laid on it, with palms downwards. It is believed that the wood, when charged, becomes a conductor, without the necessity of holding or touching hands. I should always suggest the propriety of employing a table as a conductor, especially as all tables in household use are more or less magnetically charged already. If flowers or fruit are in the room, see that they are just freshly gathered, otherwise remove them; also, avoid sitting in a room with many minerals, metals, or glasses. These all injuriously affect sensitives of whom mediums are the type.

I recommend the séance to be opened either with prayer or a song sung in chorus, after which subdued, quiet, and harmonising conversation is better than wearisome silence; but let the conversation be always directed towards the purpose of the gathering, and never sink into discussion or rise to emphasis; let it be gentle, quiet, and spiritual, until phenomena begin to be manifest. Always have a slate, or pen, pencil, and paper on the table, so as not to be obliged to rise to procure them. Especially avoid all entering or quitting the room, moving about, irrelevant conversation, or disturbances within or without the circle room after the séance has once commenced.

The spirits are far more punctual to seasons, faithful to promises and periodical in action, than mortals. Endeavour, then, to fix your circle at a convenient hour, when you will be least interrupted, and do not fail in your page 5 appointments. Do not admit unpunctual, late comers, nor, if possible, suffer the air of the room to be disturbed in any way after the sitting commences. Nothing but necessity, indisposition, or impressions (to be hereafter described) should warrant the least disturbance of the sitting, Which should Never exceed two hours, unless an extension of time be solicited of the spirits. Let the séance always extend to one hour, even if no results are obtained: it sometimes requires all that time for spirits to form their battery of the materials furnished. Let it be also remembered that all circles arc experimental, hence no one should be discouraged if phenomena are not produced at the first few sittings. Stay with the same circle for six sittings; if no phenomena are then produced (provided all the above conditions are observed), you may be sure you are not rightly assimilated to each other; you do not form the requisite combinations, or neutralise each other;—in that case, break up, and let that circle of members meet with other persons—that is, change one, two, or three persons of your circle for others, and so on, until you succeed.

A well developed test medium may sit without injury for any person, or any description of character or temperament, but a circle sitting for mutual development, should never admit persons addicted to bad habits, criminals, sensualists, strongly positive persons of any kind, whether rude, sceptical, violent tempered, or dogmatical. An humble, candid, inquiring spirit, unprejudiced and receptive of truth, is the only proper frame of mind in which to sit for phenomena, the delicate magnetism of which is shaped, tempered, and made or marred as much by mental as physical conditions When once any of the circle can communicate freely and conclusively with spirits, they can and will take charge of and regulate the future movements of the circle.