Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-08-20
snIrirunIism sin I.ires.

The Boston Courier has several times cele-
brated the heresy OF SpirituaIism, and pro-
GAINED itself the David by whose pebble
stones the monster was slain; but the new
sect obstinately refuses to acknowledge itself
dead or to submit to quiet Christian burial
On the contrary it is organizing itself and
taking position among the established insti-
tutions. The first novelty of its marvels
having worn out and the spirits having be-
come tired of such small business as tipping
tables and untying ropes, the Spiritualists are
Tain to build q system of theology and phi
losophy about which their somewhat hetero-
geneous forces may be rallied.
In pursuance of this object they have re-
Gently held a general convention at Provi-
dence, R. l., pretty fully attended by dele
gates from various parts of the country DR..
II. J. Gardner, of Boston, presided, and
among the other officers and leading men,
bers were Rufus Elmer of Springfield, Henry
c. Wright of Boston, Rev. Adm Ballou Of
Hopedale, Uriah Clark of Auburn, N. Y,
Mrs. Fannie B. FELTON, of Northampton, John
@. Cluer of Boston, Mrs. Abby Kelley Foster
Of Worcester, and Hon. Frederick Robinson
of Marblehead, new convert and now a lee
turer on Spiritualism, who is pretty general
ly recollected as warden of the Charleston
state prison for many years.
The attempt to build Spiritual platform,
which was the leading object of the conven-
ton, was not very perfectly realized. The
difficulty was found in the great variety oi
views prevalent among Spiritualists, and a
general determination not to be hampered
with anything that might hereafter be used
as an authoritative creed. But the conyen-
ton succeeded in declaring itself upon sew.
eral points, though rather generally and
vaguely, Spiritualism was defined TO be the
belief ''that human spirits have consciou!
individual existence after the death Of theii
physical bodies, and can and do under suita
ble conditions, manifest themselves and con-
municate with persons in the body. ThOst
who believe this one fact are termed Spirit
ualists, whatever else they believe or disbe
lieve; but the term is also applicable to
system Of philosophy or religion recognizing
this as a cardinal fact When thus applied
it may be defined as follows:-Spirituali
embraces all truth relating TO the spiritua
nature of man, its constitution, capabilities
duties, welfare and destiny; also, all that i
or may be known relative to the spirit-worlC
and its inhabitants, to God the Father o
Spirits, and to all the occult forces and law
of the universe, which are spiritual in thei
nature"
The practical aim of Spiritualism was de
clared to be: the growth of spiritual or di
vine nature in man, SO that the animal o
selfish nature may be subordinated; physio
logical, educational and parentage reform
the emancipation of women, the abrogatiol
of all oppression, deliverance from theologi
cal error and external authority in matters Q
religion, social reform and ultimate reorgan
| ization.
A large amount of important work is lai
out here. How it will be done and when, W
shall know when it is done. But the rea
points on which the Spiritualists concentrat
their efforts and about which they have
creed, although they do not choose to declar
it is an organized body, are opposition to tn
existing churches, to the divine inspiration
and authority of the Scriptures, and to prett
much everything but Spiritualism. Thes
are the ideas upon which their newspaper
lecturers and trance mediums labor. The
constitute more truly the creed of the sec
than the distractions adopted at Providence
| Springfield Republican.
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