The New York herald., 1869-01-18
POSITIVE PHILOSOPHY.
Meeting of Positivists at Metropolitan Hall,
In sixth Avenue.

In sixth Avenue.
About fifty persons, made up principally OF long
and lank and white bearded gentlemep Of patri-
archical physiognomles, with a thin scattering Of
stern-visaged women OF the strong minded school,
met at three p NJ. yesterday at Metropolitan Hail. IN
sixth avenue to discuss and hear discussed the SUBJ
ject OF 'Positive Philosophy"
particularly tall and thin man, with parti-
cularly thin gray hair and whiskers and mustaches
Of like antique hue, opened the proceedings
with announcing, a Ia the melancholy Jaques,
the time OF day--in other words stated that
the hour announced for the meeting to begin had
arrived. After giving utterance to this important
preliminary fact he launched into an extrayagant
exordium upon woman, and with marked vehemence
declared that she was Inherently entitled to the
rights and privileges as men. While all were wonder
ing wnat this TRADE OF tribute to women had to d o
with positive philosophy, he made apparent its APP
piication by nominating lady seated on hls right
their Presiding officer. This motion was gallantly
seconded aud after the vote had been taken accord
ing the lady In question this position he, with chiva
rc gaiautry suggestive OF the 0den times OF knight
erranty In the medieval ages took the lady by the
hand and nducted her to the chair rather some
what lengthy wooden bench mounted on platform
The lady president, who In her mammoth physical
proportions gave token OF being az ablc-bodlcd as
she Is strongmlnded, sat down for moment with
her right hand on her brow. IN apparent deep
abstraction Of thought Suddenly rising TO her feet
she essayed an Introductory speech-not the usual
stereotype speech OF thanks for the high honor con-
ferred ON her, but q speech at once more original
and striking With an unusual spirit OF self abnega-
tion she declared that could do nothing Of her
self, but being medium snould say what the spirit
controlling her might direct. Tie spirit which
evidently In the body and since has paid
very little attention 70 the grammatical
construction or the English language, i'm.
PEELED her into making quite extended remarks
upon an unco nsconabie medley OF topics. After
descanting spirtuaiism and lts mysterious revc-
lat0ns and prophesying. from the rapid spread OF
belief In s reality aud teachings, the speedy coming
OF the time when IL would be given 20 all to sec
these things clearly, she branohed OF 20 other topics
and finally proceeded 70 ask the question, What Is
positive philosophy ~ Her answer lacked posi-
tivism most positively. All she undertook to- say
In response that all classes OF people were having
their thoughts turned In that direction that many
the zeal OF proseysm and that 20 the long night OF
hypothetical darkness ershad0wiDg the world and
the thoughts OF men WAS succeeding day or golden
sunshine when truth in all the glorious beauty Of
positive revelation woui1 be fully and perfectly de-
veloped-an era OF fact submcrging all the previous
epochs ~ ncon-positse philosophy, ~ opposed 10
theoretical revelations.
The gentleman who moved the lady 10 the chair
and also helped her there, stated above upon the
conclusion OF the presidents address took a stand
by window, Withdrew a vouminous manuscript
from an inner coat pocket aud proceeded 70 read Il.
Positive philosophy he announced as analogous TO
the exact sciences, and with tins announcement he
proceeded 70 give the component gases Of water
and asked " anybody could dispute the results
given. As science had Teyea Ell these gases 40
science, he argued was unfolding the mysteries OF
immortality. Positive philosophy had ushered IN n
new heaven and new cartn. The stubble OF seen
ticsm was being burned. lie referred 10 late article
La tie HERALD detailing visit 10 tne leading ipirt