ducation come about
gradually through the enlightenment of the Spirit, or was there any
special means we could adopt to further this end?

'Abdu'l-Baha replied that the best way was to give them spiritual
teachings and enlightenment. He also remarked that the way to broaden the
outlook of the very narrow-hearted and prejudiced, and to make them listen
to a wider teaching, was by showing towards them the greatest kindness and
love. The example of our lives was of more value than words.

CONVERSE WITH DEPARTED PERSONS

The question was asked if it were possible to establish communication with
the dead, and whether it was wise or advisable to attend seances or to
engage in table-turning, spirit-rapping, etc.

The Master said these rappings, etc., were all material things, and of the
body. What is needed is to rise above the material to the realms of the
purely Spiritual. Table-turning and such like were material, a natural
result, and not spiritual.

But it was possible to communicate with the dead through the condition of
the character and the heart.

ARE SUPERSTITIONS USEFUL

A lady enquired whether some superstitions might not be good for ignorant
people, who, if they were without them might perhaps be without beliefs of
any kind?

'Abdu'l-Baha replied that superstitions were of two kinds; those that were
harmful and dangerous, and those that were harmless and produced certain
good effects.

For example, there were some poor people who believed that misfortunes and
punishments were caused by a Great Angel with a sword in his hand, who
struck down those who stole, and committed murder and crimes.

They thought the flashes of lightning were the weapons of this angel, and
that if they did wrong they would be struck by lightning. This belief
caused them to refrain from evil actions.

The Chinese held a superstition that if they burn certain pieces of paper
this will drive the devils away; they sometimes burnt these pieces of
paper on board ships when they were travelling in order to drive away
devils, and by so doing they set fire to the ships and destroyed many
lives. This was a type of dangerous and harmful superstition.

THE LIFE AFTER DEATH

Mrs. S. asked some questions with reference to the conditions of existence
in the next world, and the life after death; she said that having recently
lost a very near relative, she had given much thought to this subject.
Many thought tha