MAGIC WEB OF WORDS

　Silver Birch is a master orator who draws upon some source of unfailing inspiration. Whatever the question, his answer is delivered unhesitatingly and is packed with what can perhaps best be described as "cosmic common sense." One feels that this great sage of the spheres has never been tongue-tied or tricked into the ignominy of contradiction.

　Humble and self-effacing when he could be permitted a little pride, he goes on weaving his magic web of words and philosophy in a verbal atmosphere of quiet dignity, gentle wisdom and reverent dedication.

　Asked a question on a general topic his answer will be one that is applicable to any community or individual, in any age. For instance, replying to the question "Can you say something about the right use of leisure?" he replied:

　"The right use of leisure should be devoted to the cultivation of the gifts of the mind and of the spirit. That is important, for already most people devote sufficient time to the requirements of the physical body. They concern themselves with the food that is required to sustain them and give them energy, although they are not always cognisant of those laws of health which would enable the body to be the vital organism it should be. But few remember that the mind and spirit require development, and these are the ones who go through life spiritually deaf, dumb and blind.

　"The vast inexhaustible riches of the spirit are unknown to them. The beauty which could fill their mind and spirit has not yet been made known to them. They know little of the many arts, the cultivation of which would bring them inner peace and a greater appreciation of the larger side of life.

　"Then, above all, is the cultivation of the spirit itself which can be accomplished in the quietness of the individual, where he can learn to attune himself to all that power that is round and about him; where he can learn to harmonise his mind with the great minds of the larger life; where he can learn to become a better receptacle for the inspiration and wisdom, for the knowledge and truth, for all the learning that is awaiting him from the infinite storehouse, the Great Spirit."

　"Will you explain intuition?" once inquired some-one.

　"Yes, I can explain it in one sentenceーthe prompting of the spirit," replied the guide. "Intuition is the means by which the spirit becomes aware of itself; it outpaces the processes of normal earthly reasoning. Intuition accomplishes at lightning speed what normally you would reach after much deliberation. Intuition is that process of attunement during which you receive that prompting which you would reach after much time and thought on the same subject."

　The simple humanity of the guide was revealed in his reply to the question, "Is it unwise for coloured people and white people to marry and have off- spring?"

　His direct answer was: "I am a coloured man. Need I say more? Surely your world must be in error when it thinks that superiority can be determined by pigmenta-tion, by the colour of the skin. Superiority is attained only through service. There is no other road. You are not greater or lesser in spirit because your skin is white, brown, red or black. The colour of your skin does not reflect the development of your soul. Your world tries to judge eternal problems by physical standards, but there is only the one eternal standardーthat is the standard of the spirit.

　"All races and all colours are part of the Great Spirit of all life Who provides harmony in the perfect mixture of all hues. Look at nature's handiwork and realise that no matter how profuse or variegated are the colours of flowers in a vast garden, never is the note of disharmony or colour discord struck anywhere. When the colours are blended among men, you will be emerging towards the perfect race."

　"Is it fair in the present development of human society for half-caste children to be brought into the world?" asked a sitter.

　"Prejudice must be broken down, error must be fought," answered the guide. "Truth will advance, however slowly and painfully, because it is truth. That which is worth having is worth achieving. Achievement comes through struggle. The prize is to him who dares and conquers, not to those who fear and are tempted to shirk their difficulties. Life is a school. Through hardship and struggle, striving and difficulty, adverse circum-stances, storms and tempests, the spirit finds itself."

　One of the finest spontaneous answers to a question put to him by circle members came when Silver Birch was asked: "If you were requested to broadcast on the truth of Spiritualism what would you say?" He replied:

　"I would begin by explaining that I am one of those whom your world of matter regards as dead but that the beliefs of your world are founded on fallacy. Life cannot die. Life continues because it is part of the great, eternal, creative life-force. I would ask listeners to put on one side all the misconceptions of their inherited pre-judices and to approach the subject of Survival with simplicity of heart and mind, seeking only to know the truth.

　"I would appeal to them to be tolerant and sympathetic, and not to worry about what others have taught, but to seek for themselves. I would cite as witnesses the many all over the world who know that there is a life that continues beyond the tomb because they themselves have spoken with what are called the dead. Then, speaking for myself, I would say that I was one of those who, having completed my allotted earthly span and passed, many years ago, beyond the veil of mortal life, had decided to return to illumine your darkened world and teach it the truths of the spirit which have been buried for too long.

　"I would outline some of those simple truths in simple language and ask whether those who listened thought that in any way they offended their reason or insulted their intelligence. I have no vested interest, I would tell them; I have no money to earn; I have no job to defend. I have nothing to gain. I come back after many, many years in a world of spirit to tell you what I know. It is for you to listen.

　"I tell you that you are immortal, deathless, that the ones for whom you have mourned, for whom the tears of sorrow have streamed down your cheeks, stand silently by your sideーsilent to you because you cannot hear them, but their voices have cried out in anguish for a long time in their striving to reach you.

　"You are the dead, the dead who are unconscious of life as it really exists. You have closed your eyes to all the beauties of the Great Spirit's universe. You have allowed yourselves to register only the infinitesimal fraction of an earthly world. All around you the whole atmosphere

teems with a multitudinous life. Your own beloved are there, and behind them the serried ranks of the im-mortals, men and women from ages past, who, having served your world of matter when they were with you, are still anxious to offer you comradeship, guid-ance, fellowship and the wisdom of their extended experience.

　"If you prefer blindness, keep your eyes closed. If you prefer deafness, keep your ears closed. But if you are wise, you will open the windows of your souls, so that you can become aware of that mighty, vast power of the spirit which will strengthen and encourage you and make you know how life can be lived and enjoyed to the full.

　"You are the children of a Great Spirit, a Great Spirit Whose wisdom and love have fashioned the whole universe. The ties that bind you to that Great Spirit can be strengthened by your understanding. If churches stand in the way of your receiving that knowledge, then discard the churches. If men are the obstacles, then dis-card the men. If books are the obstacles, discard the books.

　"Retire into the silence of your own being; forget the world of matter with all its harsh discord. Tune in to the subtle, delicate vibrations of the teeming spirit life around you, and you will know that you can transcend the limitations of the fleshly body. Awaken to knowledge; awaken to understanding. You need not be a prisoner, you can leave the jail of ignorance and live in the light of spiritual freedom.

　"That is what I would say."