85. We have said that physical manifestations have for their object the desire of
spirits to attract our attention by some special act, and thus to convince us of the
presence of a power distinct from that of man. We have also said that spirits of high
degree do not make these signs them-selves but employ inferior spirits to do it for them,
as we employ servants to do rough work for us; and they do
this for a purpose which we are about to explain. This purpose once attained, the
physical manifestation ceases, because it is no longer needed. One or two examples
will give a better idea of our meaning.
