The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-19


fusion Of Spiritual Kno ~ledge."
Secondly That the business and objects of the Society
1. The diffusion OF the knowledge of the phenomena
and principles OF spiritualism.
The defence and protection OF believers and
in the freedom OF thought and inquiry against all oppo
tition ana oppression.
8. The relief of the suffering, the distressed and the
erring SO far enable them to lead upright and pure
Thirdly The number of trustees shall be twelve and
Nathaniel r. Tallmadge, Horace h. Day,
Edw ard r. Billiard, George Dexter,
Joshua f. Lanng, Stephen M Allen,
Owen G. Warren, John w. Edmonds
Charles c. Woodman, George Fl. JONES'
Nathaniel e. Wood, Gilbert Sweet,
shall be the trustees for the first year.
All which do hereby certify pursuant to the statute
in such case made and provided.
k \. p, T all GGon e D SDLoN,
GEORGE I DEXTER.
New York, June 10, 1854.
ADDRESS OF THE SOCIETY FOR THE DIFFUSION OF
SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE TO THE CITIZENS OF THE
UNITED STATES.
But few short years ago, in an obscure locality,
and under circumstances which seemed to warrant
the belief in an early termination of the socalled
dream, spiritualism in its present form was born.
Its few advocates, in the early days OF its life, were
looked upon lunatic-wcre despised for their
faith; and men of responsibility and standing in
society could hardly be found who were willing to
examine into the facts connected with the alleged
phenomena, for fear of the reproach of the entire
unbeeving community. Since that period spirit
ualism has extended with rapidity unprecedented
in the annals of the world-until to-day it has be-
come respectable power in society. Men, whose
education and whose genius have fitted them for
occupying the highest stations, either in politics
in the church. have sacrificed all positions of earthly
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT for the sake of what they believe
to be the enjoyment of high and holy truth. Con-
nected with that movement to-day are many hun
dreds and thousands of men who are respected by
their neighbors for their integrity and worthless
teemed and loved by their friends for their many
amable qualities. The subject has arrested the at
tention OF the learned all over this land, and in
many other lands. 1t has produced books, for and
against. Many Of the publications on both sides
of the question are marked by ability and strength
Within the last two years spiritualiim has in
creased in strength and stature with growth I'M
precedented in the history of mental giants If it be
lie there is every prospect of its enveloping this
world, aud, by its weight, sinking this world one
degree lower in the depth Of degradation. it be
lie. it has come in SO lovely garb that men will
seek it unless they be warned by strong voice
men will flee to it rs though it were angel sent
from Heaven--will become enveloped in its false
light, and will be borne down to death by the weight
OF its false glory. If it be lie, ye men of America,
who have one thought toward the good OF your
fellows it is your duty to come forward one man,
to tear the veil from the face of the lie, and expose
1t In all its hideousness We challenge you, as men
as earnest men, as men desiring the good of your
feLows-to come forth and meet as in the fight
expose our errors draw the shyoud away aud enable
the world to see us as we are We challenge you to
come and do that thing.
We believe that spirituality is heaven born
truth. We profess to know that angels from hea-
ven--that the spirits of good men progressing to-
ward perfection-have come here upon the earth
we stand on, and talked with us, face to face and
uttered words to us bearing the impress of their
divine origin. We sincerely believe this We arc
respectable men we do not believe ourselves to be
cuss the question with as; to examine these facts
which we allege, and to prove, If you are able,
either that these facts never did occur, that their
origin is other than that which it purports to be.
Nn hnfn f4 Itc f.f.a
you to what height the giant has attained. We
come to you in this present shape to shew you who
are spirituasts-who are the madmen in this world,
who believe themselves to be the really clear-mind
ed and sane men of this world. In this movement
which we have commenced, We believe we are the
humble instruments in the hands of higher powers
for the production OF great results. We are proud
Of the posts we occupy. We are not ashamed to
present our names for your consideration. We are
not ashamed to meet you on an equal platform, as
men, and talk with you concerning this subject.
Citizens of the United States--we feel authority
for saying that the day for raising the cry humbug
chicahery, delusion, has passed away forever. You
know-all OF you who have reflective minds-that
the application of these terms to this subject can no
longer produce results but that rather these invec
tves, launched at your supposed enemies, win re-
bound upon yourselves. and cover you with weak
ness. Your professed teachers, your men in high
places the learned Of your universities the eloquent
of your pulpits, have dealt in them long enough.
And what results have they achieved? The theo-
the alleged phenomena, as they were pleased to
term them have not only rendered their authors but
The universities, ridiculous, In the minds of inte-
gent men. All the theories which they reared have
crumbled to the dust, and their authors cannot
shake that dust from of their clothing. 1t will cling
to them 80 long as they stand upon this earth, and
longer still.
Your pnlpits-and we speak kindly when we
speak OF them, for they have holy office, whether
they perform that Office or no--your pulpits have
launched forth nvectives. The cry of delusion and
chicanery has been heard all over the land. But
that was some time ago. 1t produced no effect, ex-
was abandoned. Policy was now adopted-another
plan was accepted as the true one for accounting
for the spiritual manifestations, and which has
been promulgated not only from the pulpits, but by
evil spirits have visited the earth, still further to
delude deluded mortals! what pityl They have
ascertained that Their sermons, their published
communications, contain that assertion from their
high dignitaries. 1t is very strange, If they believe
this thing, that evil spirits to do evil this
earth-that good spirits will not be permitted by
the good God also to come upon this earth to effect
good purposes We profess to believe both these
propositions. We leave you to examine the SUBJ
Ject Tor yourselves. And we can tell you, one and
all, II you will render your minds receptive to the
truth, and VIII engage in the investigation Of this
subject, it will appear az clear as light in the noon
day. that spirits both good and evil do come here
upon the earth, among their friends and relatives,
and acquaintance and afIinties, and teach them
good things and bad Tor this is true. We say,
thcn, reflect, ponder on these things investigate,
and as you shall decide, so shall be Your progress
here and your everlasting progress hereafter.
LIST OF OFFICERS.
PRESIDENT.
Gov. NathI P. Tallmadge. Wisconsin.
VICE rRHsDKSB.
G. Justice Joseph Williams. Iowa.
Judge w. =. Fowler ...... kentucky.
Judge r. p. Spauldinr Ohio.
Juoge c. II. Larrsbee ...... Wisconsin.
Horace II. nay............ New York.
Hon. Warren Chase. -. Wisconsin
DR. David Cory Illinois.
Cen. Edward +. Billiard New York
Hon. Richard B. Davis New York.
Or George T. Dexter 49, New York.
Maj George w. Ralnes USA
y. w, Bailey ............. Pennsylvania.
Phjneas L. Gay............ Massachusetts,.
SEoRETAREs.
Owen g. Warren .......... Architect, New York.
SeIah g. Perkins, MD. -. Vermont.
Charles 9, Woodman ....... Editor, New York.
TREASURER
Nathaniel e. Wood ........ Chemist, New York