I am controlled by one spirit, purporting to be my guide who is the scribe for the spirits, delivering (in his own hand-writing) what is dictated to him by the spirit of communicating.
I am in a normal (not trance) state, but unconscious of the
composition.
My hand is moved to write from right to left (backwards),
independent of my will.
By holding the written side up to the light, the answer can be
read.
The spirit-letters should be SECURELY sealed, addressed to the
spirit, giving his or her name in full, and signed by the writer's
name in full; but no address on the envelope.
When left open they cannot be answered, my agency being efficient only when my mind is passive, and blank to both questions and answers.
Put your questions clearly, directly, briefly. The mixed and many kinds defeat the object of the investigator.
I have my photograph for sale, exhibiting my Spirit Guide's hand and arm, or form of control; taken while answering a sealed letter."
[The terms here follow, with honorable notification that the money is returned in all cases when the letters are not answered.]
It will be noted that this Medium's 'Spirit-guide' requires the names in full of both Spirit and writer; I was, therefore, forced to select a Spirit who knew not only me and my ways, but also the high value that is placed on that skull. Mindful that eminent Spiritual authority had pronounced this skull to be that of a colored woman, I decided, after deliberation, to address the Spirit of W—— H——, a colored servant, who had lived over forty years in one family a faithful, blameless life, and who, when he died, carried with him the respect and regards of the entire household, and whose widow and daughters still survive in honest, humble life, and to whose ears this apparent freedom with their husband's and father's name will never reach. Accordingly, the following note was addressed to the Spirit world: