Spiritualism and Twaddle.
By J. W. B.
In a recent exchange we find the following “explanation :”— “All who have paid any attention to the mediums who profess to receive communications from departed spirits have been struck with the trivial character of their utterances. They tell nothing worth knowing. Even believers in spiritualism are often disgusted with such gossip and twaddle. Mr. A. R. Wallace, an eminent scientific man in England, a convert to spiritualism, explains this fact in a curious way. He confesses that a large part of the communications are worthless, but adds that nothing better can be expected. A very large majority of those who depart this life are persons addicted to twaddle; and there is no transforming power in the grave to give them a delight in high and intellectual pursuits. These persons are the ones who communicate with our world. The higher order of souls find better employment, and are absorbed by interest in their new and grand existence. But the lower order feel lonely in the new world, being unfitted for intellectual employments; and it is a relief to them to have a gossip with old friends; and to renew their memories of a former life. “This will pass for an explanation, but it is not complimentary either to the spirits in the other world, or to the circles which gather so eagerly to listen to the twaddle.” J. W. B.