INTRODUCTION – IX

The movement of inert objects is a proven fact. However, it remains to be seen whether or not there are manifestations of intelligence in such movement, and if so, what their source is.
We are not referring to manifestations involving the intelligent movement of certain objects, to manifestations involving verbal communications, or to communications written directly by the medium’s hand. These kinds of manifestations are quite obvious to those who have deeply investigated the subject, but they may not at first glance be sufficiently independent of the medium’s own will to be convincing to a new observer. Thus, we will focus only on the writings obtained with the help of a pencil attached to some object such as a small basket, a planchette, etc. As we have stated, the way in which the medium’s fingers are placed upon the object challenges the notion that any sort of skillful interference is at work in the way the words are formed. For the sake of discussion, however, let us suppose that by some extraordinary ability the medium might be able to deceive the most attentive observer. How could one explain the nature of the responses themselves when they are beyond the scope of the medium’s own ideas and knowledge? We are not referring here to simple one-syllable replies, but to many pages written with astonishing speed on a subject that may either be spontaneous or specifically requested. From the hand of a medium completely unversed in literature stream forth poems of such sublimity and impeccable purity that they are worthy of the best human poets. In addition, what is even more remarkable is the fact that these pages are being produced everywhere and the number of mediums is rapidly increasing. Are these occurrences real or not? To this question we can only reply: watch and observe – the opportunities will not be lacking. Above all, however, observe persistently over a long period of time and under the appropriate conditions.
How have our antagonists responded to the evidence? They say, “You are victims of either charlatanism or illusion.” First, we will reply that charlatanism is not likely where there is no profit to be made; charlatans do not work for free. It would be a prank at the most. But by what strange coincidence could pranksters have an understanding amongst themselves from one end of the world to the other, leading them to act in the same way to produce the same effects, and to give identical answers on the same subjects in their various languages, if not in the exact same words, at least implying the same meaning?
Why would serious, respectable and educated persons cater to such maneuvers, and for what purpose? Why has the patience and skill required for producing these phenomena been found even among children? After all, unless mediums are mere passive instruments, it is obvious that we would have to confer on them capabilities and knowledge far beyond their age and social position.
Next, our opponents state that if no fraud is involved, then both parties – mediums and observers – might be deceived by an illusion.
There is no question that the quality of the witnesses does carry a certain weight. It is therefore reasonable to ask whether the Spiritist Doctrine, which today has millions of followers, only recruits from among the uneducated. The phenomena on which Spiritism is based seem so extraordinary that we can understand such doubt, but we cannot accept the claim of certain skeptics that they hold a monopoly on common sense: those who, without respect for the conventions and moral values of their adversaries, label as incompetent all those who do not agree with their opinions. For judicious persons, the opinions of educated individuals who have observed, studied and thought about a matter at length will always be, if not actual proof, then a likely hypothesis at the very least; after all, Spiritism has grabbed the attention of serious individuals who have neither an interest in propagating an error nor time to waste on futilities.

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