The affection of certain spirits for certain persons is not one of exclusive sentiment, for true affection has nothing of carnality; but when a spirit attaches himself to a living person it is not always through affection only; for there may also be in that attachment a reminiscence of human passions. Good spirits take an interest in our misfortunes and prosperity. Those who wish us well are grieved by the ills we undergo during life. Good spirits do you all the good they can and rejoice with you in all your joys. They mourn over your afflictions when you do not bear them with resignation, because in that case affliction produces no beneficial result, for you are like the sick man who rejects the disagreeable draught that would cure him. The kind of ills that cause the most grief to your spirit friends are those of selfishness and hard-heartedness, for these are the root of all your troubles. They smile at the imaginary sorrow that are born of pride and ambition; they rejoice in those which will shorten your term of trial.

Our spirit friends, knowing that corporeal life is only transitory and that the tribulations by which it is accompanied are the means that will enable you to reach a happier state, are more grieved for you by the moral imperfections which keeps you back than by physical ills, which are only transitory. Spirits attach as little importance to misfortunes which affect you only in your earthly ideas as you do to the trifling sorrows of childhood. Seeing the afflictions of life to be the means of your advancement they regard them only as the passing means which will restore the sick man to health. They are grieved by your sufferings, as you are grieved by those of a friend; but, judging the events of your lives from a truer point of view, they appreciate them differently. While inferior spirits try to drive you to despair, in order to hinder your advancement, the good ones seek to inspire you with the courage that will turn your trials into a source of gain for your future.

'Tis easy enough to be pleasant When Life goes by with a song,

But the Soul worth while,

Which will receive Amelioration,

Is the one who can smile

When everything goes wrong.