St. John 39

COMMENTS ON THE MEDIUMS ABILITY TO PROPHECY AND SAYS
THAT NO SPIRIT HAS THE GIFTS OF PROPHECY, AS MORTALS TERM IT, ARISING FROM A SUPERNATURAL OR OMNISCIENT POWER
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    I am here, John;
    I was with you tonight and heard the alleged prophecies and was interested in the great number of people that were present intently listening to the words of the speaker. To you the most significant element in the meeting should be the large number of persons present, evidently interested in the teachings of spiritualism or in what they supposed might be manifested as the workings of the spirits. It shows that many of earth are deeply interested in this truth and desire to learn whatever may be taught and demonstrated, and such evidence should be inspiring to you in your work of receiving and preparing the great truths that come to you through the medium of spiritualism. The people are longing for the truths of which they know not, but intuitively feel must exist somewhere and hope that a revelation of them may in some manner come to their hopeful souls.
    So become more earnest in your desire to receive these truths, and give more of your time, that can be spared from your business, to receiving the messages, and you will the sooner accomplish the work and get in stronger rapport with those who write.
    Well, the fact is that she (Mrs. Rates) was controlled by a spirit part of the time that she was speaking, and he suggested to her some of the thoughts that she gave utterance to, but most of her declarations of prophecy came from her own mind, as they had been lodged therein by her observations and thoughts. What she said was really her own prognostications rather than prophecy. The spirit who controlled her impressed upon her his thoughts as to what the future might be, and her speculations were as reliable as his, except that he has a wider scope of vision as to causes that may bring about results, such as she spoke of. As we have told you before, no spirit has the gift of prophecy, as mortals term it, arising from a supernatural or omniscient power; and these prophecies should be accepted with all the allowance that want of knowledge on the part of spirits or mortals will justify.
    Some of those who heard her may believe in what she said and be benefited by it, for she said some things that are helpful, and in that view some good may come from her lecture; but to accept what was said as known truths is a deception and should not be accepted.
    I will not write more tonight.
    Remember what I have said, and believe that I love you and am trying to help you.
    Goodnight.
    Your brother in Christ, John