Novices, in this particular instance, are student mediums who are developing in a psychic circle.
When a student has been sitting for development for some time, and is beginning to show the signs of working with spirits, they will start to give messages.
At first, it may just be a few words, names, birth dates and perhaps anniversaries. Once the novice becomes used to picking up the communications, the messages will become longer and should make more sense to the recipient.
What we aim for is a whole message for just the one person. This message should contain enough information to prove that they belong. It may contain something from the past and present and may give a snapshot of the communicators relationship with the sitter.
The novice will soon realise that what they are doing is natural for them. Not at all strage or weird! The more practice the student gets, the more it will become second nature to them.
There are often novice, or fledgling evenings at spiritualist churches. This is so that the novices can practice their skills and become used to a bigger audience.
If you get the chance to attend such a service, go along and support them. You may end up with a really good message giving proof of life after death.