The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-04-01
MODERN sPiRiTyAaisH.


nivcrsary Of Modern SDiritualism Celebrated
in Speeches, Raps aud Inspirational Music.
The disciples Of modern spirituasm turned out
last evening In quite respectable DOdy-respect-
able least regards numbers and In the body as
regards respecabllltyto celebrate, as the call for
the meeting announced the "thirtynrst anniversary
of the advent of modern spirituallsm" Those chief
characteristics Of spritualistic gatherings ugly
looking men and uglier looking women, marked the
assemblage. Some time elapsed after the arrival or
the hour for the exercises to open and only an array
OF empty chairs being visible the stage the ghost
OF some man or woman would have been an &C.
ceptable apparton At length raps were heard slight
scattered and feeble at first, and then louder and
clearer. The raps proved to have no connection
with spiritual manifestations, but SIMPLY mode
adopted by many Of manifesting lmpatience ut the
lack OF promptness in carrying out the printed pro-
gramme Of the evening, for seeing which they had
paid twenty-five cents ut the door. At length some
tangible shadows revealed themselves In the rear OF
the stage. These shadows advanced, grew
larger and more palpabe to the view.
They proved to be the spiritualistic moguls
of our age and country, and took their seats In the
hitherto unoccupied chairs More prominent among
these moguls were A. J. Davis and his wife Mary.
Mr.. Warren Chase and doctors without end or de-
grces or patients.
The cause Of waiting was soon explained. Mr.. r.
Z. FarnswOrth made the explanation. The music
had not arrived. They had determined to wait no
longer, the 'they" meaning those who had
just come on TO the stage. They, meaning
the non s appearanse OF judge Ednonpas who had
promised 10 preside ut the meeting. They meaning
the same they" had chosen him to preside. They
had come together to celebrate the arrival at ma
j0rity Of child born Just twenty-op years this
evening" tAppause.) This infant born IN an OBJ.
scure village In the western part OF the state, had
full manhood. had a
power In the land. lAppause.) IL would grow
into n greater o GSwer , but nc dd mot no,
one sent them by Judge Ednonds. He proceeded to
read the latter, rather verbose document but quite
concede that this was the anniversary OF Spiritual
except 1t were the anniversary Of the creation.
important epoch in the history Of splrItusiisrn.
The chairman next read letter from lady an.
nounced 10 make an address. Shc begged TO send
back the ticket sent her and To decline the pay
offered her for speaking at tue meeting.
The looked for mil3lc--at least portion a it-had
evidently arrived. Mrs. Mathushek WAS introduced
and played tlie piano several selections from
'Irovatore." There have been poorer and there ale
MIR. Warren Chase succeeding the music, fulfilled
his part Of the programme and made an address.
Tweny0ne years ago this very evening" at early ocd
time Tor country girls, mysterious rappngs were
heard III iarm house In wayne county, IN this
state. Two members OF that household two sisters,
whom taey ali knew by name, who were present at
that nights rappnRs twenty-one years ago, were
expected TO be here tonight. "a voice "They
are here" and continued applause.) lie was glad
to hear 1t. Having INDUCED In this preface, he
launched IN meiias res OF the subject OF Spiritual
ism There was nothing like it-neyer had been.
Slow had been their progress thus FAR, but II was
getting faster and continued to grow Iaster TIL they
had reached the perfection oi progress and Their
beng.
The solo and chorus, "Iifc, Beautiful Life" was
now sung the soloist being Mrs. J.. J. Adams, who
certainly sang with great power a1d sweetness.
Mr.. George Miller here made brief address, lie
did not expect ~ SPEAK, he stated, and then went on
to speak as though he had been expecting to speak
since Of the birth OF modern Spirualisl aud
had spent all the time IA preparation. There mss
have been those present who understood him.
There cer AMY were those who conid not undcr-
stand hiIa. In short, hc spoke IN sphinx rlldles
Andrew Jackson Davis, with has rcc2ressiDic spec
taces onhis death oil Wellington, now Introduced
amid the most enthusiastic greetings. His speech
would lie good, but for tue fact that u had already
boea delivered by the previous SPEAKERS. TAP
piausc.D one good thing about his sDeecd would DC
ITS breWty. apnituali5n was an announcements not
itseli-is was pa velocipede-tlaugntcr)-h
upon Cd theOloges. The Arrangement Of their
velocipe1e required great skill an its management
lie was launched from the definite aud intohgibIc
INTO the diu aud shad0wy distractions OF spiritual
i3ui and ,heD returned to t3c ineligible again. lie
lived IN New jersey, put was not foreigner L.augn-
houses ana sfeetj and parks, but lac knew che
"summcr Land Just ~ vel. lhis IS as much a real
ny 10 hin. AZ Mary, his VIE was To tpsii his
speech. he would nov give way to her
Mrs.. DAVIS now came forward and was loudly
arpauded. Size could not exactly say with jackson
thar her speech had been delivered. 1hprc were a
Few things sue could say that not OnY hau not been
said, bat which she beloved wUuid Ue appropriate
10 say Ia the DIst place she would read Tue address
intended 10 have ben delivered NJ Mrs. q. u. Wow,
which she proceeded to do Tue address, which was
a rhaisOicai defense Of spnIIuasiD, was well re-
ccived. TINS address read, Mrs. DAVIS trca ca the
audience 70 realllR an original "pOem" Jupiter
ana Uginpu, aud the AEGEAN Sea and Plato we're re-
ierred 10 VITA ala ObctlrltI OF poetic conse beyond
ordinary comprehension. II was not as long az the
''iiiad' and not destined 70 the same immortality.
More musr, 'bOrn OF Frce,Ol,r and then came
On the programme, Introduction OF the Fox SIS
tersp But one sister, however. Katy Fox, made
bCl appearance the other, rs the chairman said. for
reasons srOwn 10 herscI, falHns 10 appear Raw
ing read letter from Mrs. Fox the mOhor OF the
Fox Sisters rccitiny the particulars OF the spirit
rappinxs fist heard az her house, che chairman
asked Mas Katy IL she would place her hand
on the piano, and see II any spirits would rap. Miss
fox did ~ rcquested: tie house sccane hushed Into
a death like Stiffness atrd, sure enough, sugcessioa
OF tIlis wee nCard.
"wilI the spsfits ten NJ n thoy pleased VITA tue
meeting ~ ASKED the chairman.
ayes. - answered the spirits, IN three loud
The Chairman slated that u anv rag ap p the