The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-08-20
SPIRITUAL CONVENTION.

A Convention Of believers in spiritual mani
festations in their various FORMS was COM
menced this morning in Washingtonian Hall,
BrOomfield street. About one hundred and
fifty persons were present, who are mostly me
diums or those who are earnestly desirOus Of
being convinced as to the truth Of the doctrines
promulgated. This gathering is held in an
swer to a call for State Convention to estab-
lish an Association of spiritualists for weekly
conference and the Development and extension
Of spiritual truths. The principal business
accomplished this morning has been the Or
ganization Of the meeting.
Rev. Adm Ballou was chosen President. A
Committee toprepare business was appointed.
The male mediums were ranged on one side
Of the platform, and the female mediums on
the other, The spirit acted upon large,
brawny-loOking man, whose name we did not
learn, and he, being in a spiritual trance, or
being operated upon by the spirits, took the
platform, and with his eyes closed, his features
distorted, and his arms swinging, commenced
what was termed by the initiated to be bring
ing the male and female mediums into har-
mony. After saving the air with his arms
for some time, he went to Mr.. John NJ. Spear,
who was seated on the platform, and taking
him by the hand, led him to Andrew Jackson
Davis, whom he also took by the hand, and
led them both to the desk, and placing Mr.
Spears hand on the top of Mr.. Davis's head,
he left them in that position, and continued
his operations for invoking the aid Of the spirits,
Presently Mr.. Spear opened his mouth and
spoke, he appearing to be under some mag
netc influence, and consecrated Mr.. Davis to
/ the harmonial work, by everything that is no.
| Bile, glorious, and much to be desired. The
two gentlemen then sat down.
The member who first took the floor, with
his eyes still closed, spoke, and said that the
spiritual aud the natural world were now about
to be brought together, and that every thing
was working harmoniously that the spirits
were present. He predicted, in general way,
that the good time was certainly coming. The
gentleman then took his seat, and shortly
came out of the trance.
A lady from Dedham then took the platform
and produced large, ledger-like volume,
from which she proceeded to read several let
ters dictated by departed spirits, and recorded
by her in the volume. This lady is one of the
most favored of mediums, and seems to pos
sess large circle of correspondents in the
other world, and among them Baron Sweden
borg. She appears to be deeply affected by
the communications she receives, and to order
her life and conversation by the teachings of
the spirits. The gist of the letters read by
her, was that Judgment had been recorded,
by which the spirits who were in the lower
spheres-for it will be remembered that spir-
its in the other world, according to the me
diums, are classified in seven spheres-had
been raised, and that these lower, or, as they
are termed, undeveloped spirits, will no more
molest the travellers. The letter from the
spirit world went on to state, that this had
been done through the direct intercession Of
the spirits Of the third, fourth, and fifth
spheres: .
The lady also said that she had received
evil or false communications from the lower
or undeveloped spirits, and that they after
wards, to the number Of % or 80, had implor-
ed her to pray to God that they might be re-
moved into higher spheres. She complied
with the request, and was afterward informed
by them, and by other spirits, that through
her prayers the lower spirits had been received
| into favor.
The letters from the spirit land also sait
that the Millennium was close at hand, wheI
nothing shall hurt or destroy in all tht
Lord holy mountain. Whether this referred
to the believers or to the 'rest Of mankind,
was not distinctly stated.
This doctrine OF the new judgment, which
it was said went into effect on the 22d day o.
July, 1859, the prayer meeting in the seventh
sphere, as well as other points mentioned
above, were confirmed by other mediums pre-
sent, as having been communicated to them by
the spirits.
II II was not for the fact, that these things
appear to be sincerely believed by those who
! are operated on, they would hardly deserve
notice, except to be characterized as the verlest
| ravinps of lunatics, or as the widest blasphe-
nv. The mediums are evidently honest in
their belief, and undoubtedly are searching
| for the truth with earnestneSs and faith.
Some very interesting proceedings may be
expected before the close Of the Convention
Boston Journal, Jaty 8.