On seriousness in meetings

As you already have proof, the serious attitude of the members of a group strikes the strangers who attend the sessions with the intention of exposing them to ridicule; it changes their desire to mock into an involuntary respect, and, from respect to serious study, and consequently to faith, the transition is imperceptible. Moreover, those who do not come away convinced from these meetings carry from them at least a favorable impression; and, if they do not join you immediately, they cease to be among your obstinate adversaries. Here is a first reason that should convince you to be serious and recollected. Indeed, what do you expect those to think who come away from a meeting where the most respectable subjects are treated with frivolity and inconsequence? Although the Spiritists who act thus are far from being ill-intentioned, they are no less harmful: not with regard to the future, but to the rapid development of the doctrine. If only serious meetings had been held, conducted in a suitable manner, the doctrine would be much more advanced still, although it is already quite advanced. To act thus is not to act as true Spiritists, nor in the interest of the doctrine, because adversaries take advantage of it to ridicule it. It is, therefore, a duty of those who understand its importance not to lend support to meetings of this nature. It is not only the doctrine that they harm, but also themselves, for, just as every good action carries its reward with it, every frivolous action leaves behind it a deplorable impression, sometimes followed by a physical punishment, the least consequence of which may be the suspension of mediumship or, at least, the impossibility of communicating with the good Spirits.

It is necessary to be serious, not only with the benevolent and enlightened Spirits, who come to give wise instructions, and whom your lack of recollection would drive away, but also with the suffering or malevolent Spirits, who come, some to ask you for consolations, others to mystify you. I will even say that it is principally with these latter that gravity is required, though tempered by benevolence. It is the best means of imposing upon them and keeping them at a distance, compelling them to respect. If you lower yourselves to familiarity with those who are inferior to you, morally and intellectually, you will not be slow to become victims of their perverse influence, which expresses itself, initially, by mystifications and, later, by cruel and tenacious obsessions.

Keep yourselves on guard; adapt your language to that of the Spirits who communicate in your groups, but let seriousness and benevolence never be excluded. Do not repel those who present themselves to you under imperfect appearances. Perhaps you would always prefer sensible communications, upon which it is not necessary for you to exercise your feeling and your judgment in order to know their value, but consider that judgment develops only through exercise. All communications have their usefulness for those who know how to profit from them; a mystification recognized and forestalled can act more efficaciously upon your souls, making you better perceive the points to reinforce, than instructions with which you would content yourselves to admire without putting them into practice.

Work with courage and sincerity, and the Spirit of the Lord will be with you.

Mokí.