The divine gift of mediumship

Introduction

THE gift of mediumship is a subject of great significance and profound interest to all students of spiritual matters; and yet it has always 'been difficult to obtain information about it. Very little has been written, or placed in available form for the inquirer. To this task Mr. Bishop has brought his own splendid gifts as a spiritual teacher, and the result is here given, under the title of "The Divine Gift of Mediumship." Thus at the start the author shows his realization that mediumship is a divine gift, and the student is prepared for the reverent treatment accorded it in this book. No difficult or technical language is used. The reader is given valuable instruction in spiritual growth, in the one way that is always most acceptable and vitally interesting — namely, in the story of the author's own development. This story precedes the lectures, laying the foundation for the application of principles brought out by the author's experiences.

When anyone assumes to teach others, the question always arises : How does he know these things ? What is his authority? And finally, there is often the feeling, when the teacher merely expounds and affirms, that the student's problem is in some way different ; that his life is more difficult, his conditions harder than others, and hence that the easy progress indicated by the instructions given is not possible for him. This usual condition is fully met by Mr. Bishop in this book, by the simple and direct way in which he tells the story of his spiritual experiences, from early childhood, to his entrance into public work. It is thus seen that the spiritual growth which he is trying to help others attain, came to him through the daily experiences that are common to all men ; through the joys and sorrows that come into every life. Thus the way is made easy, because each one recognizes something of his own intimate life in the story of the author's life. To be able to tell a personal experience, in a way that appeals to all, is the supreme achievement of the writer. This Mr. Bishop has done with a charm of style that holds the reader's interest throughout, and a clearness of detail that gives the best possible reason why he is fitted to speak as a teacher, on the subjects of the lectures that follow.

A. H. C.

The Spiritual ....

The Divine Gift of Mediumship

Chapter I. Autobiographical

The Harmonial Philosophy of Natural Science reveals the great eternal light that will shine down through the ages and enable man to recognize the spiritual laws that interblend in what is called by the materialist the physical laws. These laws have not entered the consciousness of the material scientist because he is living on the plane of physical or material investigation and studying the phenomena of effects in that realm which does not offer its wonderful world of causation to the mind that is dense to the spiritual perception that Nature unfolds through spirit.

The time has come when the materialist must be questioned as to the cause of phenomena, and as to the life beyond so-called death. He must answer us as man to man, not as the scientist who will reply only in the language of external conclusions, but as an individual who has become familiar with the processes of Nature, and whose own soul sees within the material forms and knows that there is no effect without a cause, no result except through progressive development, no such thing as inertia or death, but a change of form and combination of matter, and an endless cycle of infinite life that calls him through his awakened mind to his immortal spirit to answer the questions of the world in clear and independent reasoning, and to maintain the truth of Nature's laws and Nature's life as it points to Deity and to immortality. If the understanding of the materialists could be opened to the importance of this recognition, and realize what result such doubts have upon their own development and how unfortunately they have retarded the world's consciousness of spiritual truth by their own inflexible statements, they would weigh the evidence very carefully before they gave forth opinion that brings doubt to the minds that rely upon the investigations of learned men.

And furthermore if they had the slightest conception of their own regret as they awaken in the spiritual sphere and come to a realization of their own earthly blindness, they surely would enter into the portal of spiritual truth while here, and where causation reveals itself so lovingly.

During the years that I gave to the experiences and investigations of the spiritual conditions, it was my privilege to be shown some of the lowest planes of development as well as the highest. My life had been dedicated to the search for truth. Experiences of such a nature, out of the usual things of daily life, had brought me to the consciousness that there was a wonderful power and wonderful expressions intermingling with the usual affairs that were not well understood. My desire for the truth regarding these manifestations led me to very careful, very thorough investigations, and I was ready to sacrifice many earthly privileges if I could but satisfy myself regarding what seemed to me the greatest truth of life.

Every step of the way was an onward march up the heights of spiritual illumination and experience, a perfectly natural result of my own organism, my love of truth, my fearlessness of results, and my love of knowledge. In this quest I was guided by one of the spiritual masters who has told me that he stood by the side of my dear mother and guarded our organisms before J was born. This guardian angel from the sphere of spirit said that from this point of view my life was in his care, and that through my earthly experience of studentship and of teaching, he would accompany me and that throughout eternity we would be associated in this spiritual progression. Under these conditions I prepared for my life work.

The following brief sketch of some of the most important experiences of my life, may give a better understanding of my preparation for the work I have undertaken as a teacher and practitioner of Natural Science.

I was born in Cornwallis, Kings County, Nova Scotia, August 12, 1868, of Scotch and English ancestry. My father, John Leander Bishop, was a man of sterling characteristics, fearless, just, honest and kind. My mother, Sarah (Bigelow) Bishop, was a woman of tender, sympathetic qualities, noble and loving. The recollections of our home life and of my brothers and sisters, are very vivid and go easily back to the time when I was only four years old.

My mother and father and their people had true psychic gifts that are especially characteristic of the Scotch race, but these experiences were not understood by them, and their religious beliefs did not allow any confidence in the manifestations that came from time to time.

One of these spiritual manifestations they afterward told me of came at the time my little brother passed away in the year 1865, just at twilight, when my mother, greatly grieved by the death of her little boy, was alone in the room, waiting for my father, who had just gone to the spring near by, for the drinking water.

On my father's return he noticed that my mother was very pale, and he asked her if she were ill. She said that she was not, but she said that in the room where the little form had been laid, she heard the sound as of a thousand hands clapping — so it was not strange if she looked pale and disturbed.

My father tried to persuade her that this was impossible — and that she was nervous from the shock of their child's transition. She asked him to sit beside her and he did so. In a few minutes the room was again filled with the sound of the clapping of many hands. My father went directly into the room, and all was silent. He examined the room thoroughly, and could find no visible cause of the sound, then returned to mother. As soon as he was again seated there was an outburst of beautiful music. They recognized the voices of dear friends and relatives who had passed on to the higher life, and must have received some peace and comfort from this wonderful demonstration of love that was given them in their sorrow. This music was repeated during the next seven days at the same twilight hour. After that through the following years I have heard my father and mother speak of the beautiful emanations of light and the wonderful interblending of colors that usually came at night after they had retired.

My mother was a wonderfully gifted medium, but did not understand her power, and so the use was not made of it that would have been possible otherwise. Dear, faithful mother to her family, an example of honor and of love! She has now joined her dear ones that are living in the spirit spheres.

In 1872, my dear, old grandmother, Margaret Bigelow (my mother's mother), was not well, so my mother wanted her to come to our home that she could better take care of her, and she was with us for about a year. My grandfather was a ship builder, and in the early days had lived in a log cabin which I well remember. My grandmother's visit to us was a great delight to me. She was one of the true, old-fashioned type of women that blessed that generation, and my boyish heart went out to her in the fullest of love. We were devoted companions. She evidently found something in me that won more than the usual love of a grandparent, and I was very lonely for her after she went back to her home. With the loving wisdom of age, she cautioned my mother to be careful of me, and watchful over me — for she felt that I had different qualities then than is usual among little children. Doubtless her intuitive spirit recognized the gifts that were even then unfolding, and which were called out but a short time afterward when she had passed onward to the eternal home.

In the meantime a baby sister had come to me, — Josephine, — who seemed to comfort me for the loss I felt in giving up my grandmother, and whom I loved intensely. It seemed to me that I worshipped this little sister, and when she, too, was taken from me at the tender age of thirteen months, I felt as if nothing could ever seem beautiful again. My heart was broken. I could not play — all I seemed to think of was my little Josephine, — and then one night my grandmother and baby sister came to my bedside. I saw them clearly. I talked with them, and went to sleep comforted and happy. This was in 1875, and I was too young to question why or how this was so. I only knew that my dear ones were again with me.

One night my mother happened to hear me talking, and told me that I must not lie awake and talk, but must go to sleep. I told her I was talking with my grandmother and sister. Mother asked me if I could see them, and I said that I could. She watched me anxiously, and was much disturbed. In the meantime my little brother who had passed away before I was born came to me in the company of a spirit, a tall man, with a long, white beard. He was dressed in white garments, and looked unlike any one I had ever seen. I remember that he held his hands over me and blessed me, and said, "My little man, you are born with a power that shall bring light and life to the world. I anoint you with God's blessing, and I will guide you throughout eternity."

I was very happy with these visitors, but my mother became very much alarmed, and made me promise that I would turn on my side, and close my eyes when I went to bed. I did this, but I could still see the beautiful forms and faces of my dear ones.

Mother wept and prayed over me, and became so unhappy that evidently the spirit visitors felt that it was unwise to continue their manifestations in this visible manner to me, and so their visits ended, and our life went on in its usual way.

I well remember that when the spirit guide blessed me, I felt an indescribable power that has been an influence with me like a golden thread running through my life, no matter what the reverses or hardships were, there was always an influence of love and light and power that guided me onward, that grew stronger with the years, that unfolded from experience, and that is still with me the most treasured part of life. So the spirit manifestations that came to me in childhood ceased, and the years went on without any thought or any especial recall of those experiences.

When I arrived at the age of twenty-four years I found it necessary to make a most important decision. A question was before me, so serious that I was overwhelmed by its responsibility. I was in great doubt as to my own wisdom. I was young. I needed advice. I wanted to do right. I wanted to know what was right, — and I feared that if I confided the question to earthly friends their advice might be influenced by their love for me, and be tarnished by selfishness.

I was alone, and greatly troubled. I felt inspired to look to the unseen for guidance, and I said, "If there are intelligent souls in the higher life, whether they be my people or strangers to me, I ask with love that they assist me now, — and I demand my right to decide this question, and to be led according to truth, whether it is for or against me. / ask for truth!"

I waited calmly. The answer came to my consciousness so clearly, so unmistakably, that I at once acted upon it, and the decision changed my whole life.

I then felt that I wanted to know more about the higher life, and the loved ones there, and the laws of communication, for I realized within myself that there was something wonderful and beautiful in the help I had received, and that to know more of this truth would be the most inspiring thing in the world.

My mother and father were Baptists. We knew nothing of Spiritualism as a practice or a belief.

It was my desire to investigate for myself, and not take the opinion of any one as to its truth. I could be convinced only by my own experience, and I was willing to give my life, if necessary, to know the truth. The possibility of spirit communion — if a truth — could be the most beautiful thing in the world. If it were a delusion I wanted nothing of it.

I talked the matter over in our own home, for it seemed to me that was the place in which to make our investigations. We all were ready to study the subject further, and so we began our sittings, — my father and mother, four brothers, one sister and two aunts (one my father's sister, the other my mother's sister) made up our circle.

We kept one room for this purpose, and met together twice each week, beginning our sitting at eight o'clock in the evening. This was by the direction of the same spirit that came to my bedside when I was a little child and then blessed me and foretold a spiritual work for me — this spirit had again shown himself to me as a loving counsellor.

Our first meeting was held in 1894. Our chairs were placed in a circle. Two draperies were hung across the corner of the room that the power might be better concentrated. I sat behind these draperies. The door was always kept locked during our meeting. We were a loving, harmonious family seeking to know the truth about spiritual manifestations. We always began our sitting with music — and our own harmonious relationship made the right conditions for spiritual results. We were happy in the thought that we were in the presence of our departed ones we loved so much, and we felt thankful to that Great Source of Infinite Power that He had led us to a way whereby we could obtain more knowledge.

We continued these meetings for eight years, — and the memory of the love, the harmony, the peace, the uplift, the conscious communion with loved ones, the instructions of the higher souls, the visions of heavenly scenes, the wonderful unfolding of God's principles and the better understanding of the power and purpose of life, the development that resulted through these sittings, are the most precious treasures of my life.

Some of those experiences I shall place before you, that their truth may help other souls who are trying to find more light, and more truth. Our progress was gradual — as is the law of any unfoldment. My experience during our first meeting was that of more consciousness of the peace and uplift and power that comes as a beautiful influence from the spirit loved ones. Bright lights came and went before my eyes. These lights were small, and of different colors, blue and golden, and would remain for about twenty seconds, then pass away — then come again. This continued throughout the sitting. We all felt a happiness in this experience, and decided that we would meet together again. At the second meeting, after we had sung, I felt the arms of some spirit about me, and I lost consciousness to waken in the embrace of my beloved grandmother. I had not seen her since the experiences of childhood — when I so dearly lover her. She had changed in looks, but I knew her, and was very happy in her presence. My little sister Josephine was with her, also the little brother who had passed over to spirit life before I was born. They had grown up in the years — just as we all do, whether in earth or in spirit life, but the love ties in the spirit consciousness of us all, makes known our dear ones to us, and we do not realize the things of time and space when we meet together in this love and heavenly harmony of souls. There were two other beautiful spirit souls that greeted me with such love as I had never experienced before, so pure, so gentle, so celestial in expression. These two angel messengers brought many distant relatives to me, that I had never seen before, and I realized with delight what a wonderful home it was in this heavenly land. The atmosphere was indescribable, my stay seemed short, and I opened my eyes to the earthly scenes, exclaiming to the people in the circle, "Where are they, where are all the friends, where have they gone!" My father said, "No one else has been here — what do you mean?" Then I told him that I had been talking to grandmother and sister Josephine, and my brother Everett — and then I realized that I had been in spirit life, and it was there that I had talked with our loved ones.

Our second meeting closed, and my people had many questions to ask about my experience. It gave us much to think about, and it can be readily understood that we were anxious to continue these sittings. The following eight years were full of beautiful spiritual experiences and phenomena.

One evening while arranging the chairs for the circle I attempted to take one of them away as one member of the family was ill and could not be present with us, but a spirit power stopped me, and so this chair was left vacant. After we had sung, this chair moved out from the circle, without the aid of any earthly hands, and was placed in the center of the room. The spirit intelligences were asked to lift the chair — and the chair was raised by spirit power, suspended in the midst of the room, passed around it again to the center, then back to the place in the circle from which it was taken. This was another evidence of spirit phenomena.

A very wonderful experience came to me about five months later when an unusual spiritual power seemed to pervade our midst, and I felt as if 1 were passing upward out of my body and became a radiant center of golden light. I felt as if it had left my body, and yet I was held in the earthly atmosphere, for I could see and hear all that was about me, and feel the guidance of the spirit friends as they accompanied me in the strange journey around the upper part of the room.

"More slowly," they cautioned, "very steadily — move along with me," and so we seemed to float in the air, passing around the room. This took about ten minutes — then I felt my consciousness again unite with my physical form which had remained sitting apparently dead to the realization of life. My reasoning power, my sense of time, and distance and of seeing and hearing, all seemed to be concentrated in this form of golden light which separated itself from the material body, and yet was connected to it by its own life element, enabling me to be united with it again as usual. No doubt but this was the preparatory work for my going out still further in spirit life — an experience I have already narrated in the volume of The Philosophy of Natural Science (p. 35). I can but repeat briefly beautiful privilege that was then given to me, for it is all in accord with the natural principles of the universe of spirit as it interblends so wonderfully and so wisely with the material structures.

The beauties and love powers of. the seventh sphere are unexplainable to mortal ear — but if you will listen with the soul faculties and open your inner self to the contemplation of sublime truths you will receive imperishable treasures into your life, and become aware that the heavenly is distinguished by its spirit of universal service, and perfect love.

The unseen guide asked me if there were anything in life I desired that this sphere did not contain, and when I began to think of the innumerable beauties by which divine wisdom expressed itself, my soul was filled to overflowing with love of Deity. Here was everything to make life one grand symphony.

Every one I met radiated happiness, they all loved each other. There was no discord. All was harmony. It was a blending of lives in God's perfect love. There was no malice nor wickedness.

The imperfections of the earthly expression could not enter there.

My guardian angel who conducted me there was an ancient spirit, a teacher from one of the higher planes of life, and as we entered the seventh sphere two beautiful souls who stood by its portals smiled and greeted us, and said, "Enter in." They were clothed in white garments, and carried symbols of liberty in their hands.

As we passed through the beautiful, white etherial mist that separated this sphere from all others, two brilliant lights appeared, one in front of my face, and one in front of my guides. This light which seemed about three feet away shone through the seventh sphere and lighted our way.

When we were in this sphere I was conscious of a wonderful uplift of power, and as I drew near the celestial souls who lived upon this plane, I Breathed in a life force of a most refined nature. It was a drinking in of life, of love, of purity, — a perfume of loveliness and goodness — an atmosphere that was pervaded by every holy influence.

The spirits appeared to be clothed in garments of etherial texture, which reflected the beauty and purity of their surroundings.

Everything was symbolic of its own spiritual ascension and progression, so exquisitely adapted to every loving thought that you would long to be with them always. It would make you understand that life is a thing of beauty, and of love, a love that never dies, but that grows higher, stronger, purer, which is a purity of heart, soul and purpose. It is the divine love of the angels you and I will grow to be some day in the distant ages, as we ascend from sphere to sphere. Let us work together to hasten that day, and to bring the kingdom of that thought, or heaven, to earth.

The plants and flowers of that sphere were very beautiful, some of which were like those of earth, but many were of a type I have never seen in this expression.

Some of these flowers of the seventh sphere seem to lift their heads and smile as they unfolded their faces of beauty and gave forth their breath of love and purity. Here the birds sang when invited to and their songs were strains of wonderful music. No other bird did I ever hear sing so beautifully. Their coloring was soft, delicate and harmonious. It was all one grand, united outpouring of life thoughts, rising from the Infinite, and flowing up in the hearts and souls of everything that had its dwelling place in this illumined sphere.

As I looked about, I discovered at a distance the structure of a beautiful temple which was situated in the rays of a glowing light. It was the center of wonderful power — attracting from the great spiritual sun, God Almighty.

My inmost self was drawn toward this illuminated edifice which seemed as a fountain of light, and I requested my guide to go with me and visit this temple of life where the great Positive Mind, God, was attracting me.

My guardian smiled and said, "My child, you cannot go there for if you did you would never return to earth." I answered him by saying that I did not want to return to the earth life. Again he smiled and said to me, "You must return, your work in earth is not done." I looked at him fair in the eyes and said, "How can you ask me to go back to the earth after bringing me to the seventh sphere where all is peace and bliss?"

He placed his hand upon my head and said, "My child, do you want another to carry your burdens and to suffer your experiences? Would that be just?" And then my earthly selfishness fell from me and I saw the wiser plan of life.

He said to me, "Go back to earth, take up the cross that awaits you, and when you are passing through the dark vales of life, you will never be alone for I will be near you to lead, guide and protect you, and to lead you from the entanglements of life into the broader fields of wisdom and truth. You shall be a leader of men, and when your work is done in the earthly life we will welcome you here with outstretched arms."

He then said, "Follow me!" and we passed back through the beautiful mist of life that separated that sphere from the earthly plane — and we returned to earth to fulfill this mission. . . .

It is possible for the students of these immortal truths to progress and grow into such an unfoldment of their own divine attributes, that under godlike conditions they can leave the material conditions and in spirit go from the physical body, and in company with a master or teacher from the spiritual spheres visit the scenes of the future home, and communicate with the loving souls who now dwell there.

Among the spirit visitors to us during one of our meetings was that of a man who appeared before me smiling pleasantly and greeting me as if glad to be with us. While there was something natural to me about his face, yet I was sure I had never seen him before, — then I recognized him from a picture that had come to us ten years previously as my Uncle John Bigelow, who had gone to New Zealand before I was born.

I asked if this were not my Uncle John Bigelow, and he smiled and bowed — and then went away.

My father was inclined to question the accuracy of this as the family had received no news of his passing away — time and distance having made correspondence very irregular, then, too, we had moved from Nova Scotia to Boston, and my uncle's sons had lost our address — we learned this later when my father wrote one of the sons to ask him if his father had passed away. The reply came that the father had passed to the higher life three years before this — and so the truth and genuineness of this spirit manifestation made a great impression upon our family circle.

At another time the spirit of a man stood before me whom I had never seen. His visit was directed to my father so I described him. He carried a gun, and seemed very sorrowful and wept as he looked into my father's face. He gave me his name — and at this my father was spellbound.