Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-12-13
The Sunday evening seance.

LETTER FROM Mr. LoBDELL, PREslDENT OF THE
masonic HALL 90. TO MAYOR WHITLEY.
The following has been handed US for publ
cation - t il
WILMINGTON, Del, Dec. 49, 1875.
Hon. Wm. g. Whiteley; Dear Sir
Yours Of the llth inst. WAS received at my Of
fee at 1920 p. NJ, of even date, and during my
absence from the city. The Hall was rented
without consulting me, by the Agent of the Hall
Company, for religious lecture on spiritualism.
My first information as to the character Of the
proposed performance was obtained by reading
the advertisement in the Morning Herald, Satur-
day morning at II u o'clock, whilst on my way to
Philadelphia. i returned by an early train in or.
der to have the parties notified that the Hal
could not be used for such purpose on Sunday.
On my arrival at 4.15, learned that the matter
had been attended to by one of the Hall Com
mittee. Not until then did receive your letter.
would not now take public notice Of It, but for
the apparent animus evinced by you in Its pub
ication. l am reluctantly compelled to this be-
lief by reason Of the unusual manner in which
You bring the subject before tho community,
the letter in question being prepared and given
10 the press for publication before being sent
i0 me. You were aware that the engage
ment Of the Hall had been cancelled and
were informed As to the circumstances under
which 1t had been rented. You were informed
known 10 you.) that he was almost positive that
knew nothing Of the renting Of the Hall for
this occasion, and would not approve Of it's being
used for such purpose, and were asked to see
me before publishing the letter, as in his opinion
II WAS an injustice to me and calculated to con-
yey false impression in regard to the Hall Com
pany. This you refused to do, and by such re-
fusa you force me to the conclusion that it was
your intention to create an impression in the
community that the President or Directors Of
Hall txtl.
gard for the observance OF the Sabbath.
have lived nearly all my life in this city and
vicinity and have always endeavored that the in
anence possessed should be exerted in favor
Of Religion and Morality, and have never know
ingly, by example or precept encouraged or
in this respect think the record OF the Direct
ors OF the Hall Company will compare with that
of any OF our citizens. We have always refused
TO rent the hall for performances which were
Objectionable or calculated to exert bad
influence. But with all the precaution
We can use, parties sometimes obtain possess
SION through false representation, whose exhi-
bltions are not of such character as We ap-
prove and to whom We would not rent q second
time. l can assure you that whilst l ,am Presi.
dent Of the Masonic Hall Company, the Hall
shall never be used for improper performances
with my knowledge or consent In this. am
well assured, am fully sustained by the Board
Of Directors. Respectfully yours,
GEO. u. LOBDkLLt
Prest. Masonic Hall Co.
QUIET SUBMISSION ON THE PART OF THE SPIRITUAL
IsTs.
When Mr.. Warren the party who had engaged
the Opera House, read the Mayors letter, on
Saturday, he remarked this ends the matter. "
and quietly yielded 10 the cancellation OF
the engagement He also said he did not
wish to wrong anybody or to violate any
law, but entered into the engagement, he says,
sslnipposing no objection would be offered. MIR,
Warren and his party are Bostonians. They
propose to give seance In Baltimore on Sunday
evening next.
At the hour announced for opening the Opera
House, last evening, three policemen were stand.
ing at the entrance, but whether they
gathered there OF their own accord or were sent
there is not known. About dozen other per
sons also collected there, and after talking the
matter over all departed.