How does the spirit enter the body?

Does modern spiritualism not make larger drafts on credulity than paganism or Christianity?

Hardly―hardly. 

It is a very large draft on credulity to believe the fable of Jonah and the whale―very large indeed. 

It is also a very large draft on credulity to believe that a woman could conceive and bear a child by being overshadowed by the Holy Ghost―

it is altogether out of the course of nature, and whoever believe it stretch their credulity to the very last extent. 

Spiritualism comes in plain attire. 

A little child can read it. 

If the mother comes to the little child, the little child knows the mother. 

You cannot deceive the child. 

And so it is with pure, simple, God-spiritualism. 

There is no superstition in it, and the credulity of a child need not be taxed.

In controlling this medium, do you possess the body, as the spirit of the medium possesses it in her normal condition?

No―that is not necessary. 

I surround the body. 

I obsess it―as the musical performer obsesses the musical instrument. 

The instrument gives forth no sound unless the musician is there and playing on the instrument. 

So with regard to this control. I surround the subject, and in surrounding her, I create an atmosphere peculiar to myself, which is―in nearly all respects―unlike her own. 

Therefore, she―finding it not at all in natural harmony with her―generally retires―goes forth into the outer spirit-world and becomes cognisant of scenes in that world.

Sometimes, it becomes necessary to become thoroughly absorbed in the body. 

Then the mental atmosphere is created within, and not without. 

I act then from within. 

But in this case, I act as the musician would act on the instrument. 

I surround the entire body. 

It is under my perfect control.

Then if the spirit of the medium does leave the body entirely, how long a time elapses that the body is devoid of spirit?

It may be devoid of intelligence, or conscious existence, for a second―hardly more. 

All things are so nicely arranged that there will be no intermediate time―or scarcely any―perhaps like the passing of a breath, but nothing more. 

I want you to distinctly understand that the animal life that is in activity belongs entirely to the animal form. 

That is distinct from intelligence. 

All the animal functions may be performed perfectly and harmoniously when there is no intelligence. 

Of that you are well aware. 

But I am speaking now with regard to the amount of time that will pass by the spirit here in unconsciousness. 

I say it may be like a passing breath but a second of time.

Then could you not if you chose retain control of this body, and thus prevent the spirit of the medium from returning to it?

I certainly could.

Do spirits have a fixed size? 

Does each spirit have its own peculiar form of organisation or are they all alike?

Every spirit possesses its own peculiar form of organisation―its own peculiar stature.

They are not all alike. 

You find here the child, and the mature form. 

You find the tall man, and the short man, all the different characteristics of form as well as of mind.

How would the spirit of a tall man possess the form of a little child?

Generally, by acting on it―by surrounding it, as I surround this medium today, or perhaps by influencing one or two organs. 

It is not always necessary to influence the entire organic system. 

I generally do, but it is not always a necessity.

Then can a large person take control of the body of a small medium?

I did not intend you to so understand me. 

If a little child is sufficiently mediumistic to admit my control, I can control the child, as I can the adult―only I cannot give the same amount of intelligence through the child because the organs are not fully grown. 

You cannot play the same tune, or rather, you cannot give the same amount of power through the flute as through the organ, yet both are music. 

You may play Home, Sweet Home on both, but there is a difference in capacity.

―Spirit Theodore Parker