, 1877-12-30
SPIRITUAIISM.
M1s1sTRAT1oSs, GROWTH, AND PROGRESS OF THE
FIRST SOCIETY.


FIRST SOCIETY.
To the Editor Of The Tribune
CHICAGO, Dec. 2S.-As the daily press con-
tinually teens with matters concerning the So
called orthodox churches of the city, it occurred
tn the undersigned that large number Of your
readers might be interested to learn something
of tho First Society OF Spiritualists, who have
been very conservative In the matter OF blow
ing their own horn,'' and letting the world
know what they arc doing, and how they are
prospcring. They hold regular services every
Sunday morning and evening at No 517 West
Madison street, in Crows Hall. This place Of
worship was last scason remodeled and con-
siderabIy improved, but is still inadequate to
accommodate comfortably the numbers in at
tendance, especially at the evening service.
There has been Of late quite revival, SO to
speak, among this people, and the Society now
numbers between 400 and 500 members. The
number In attendance is not only much greater
than formerly, but is Of q much more intclli-
gcpt class of people. This result is mainly due
to the inspirations OF Mrs. Cora l.. Y. Rich-
mond, who is employed by the rear as the rcgu-
lar minister. AS q trancc-spcaker she has no
equal, to my knowledge, in Christcndom. She
is controlled by q band OF advanced spirits, and
is perfectly unconscious when she speaks undcr
that control. No one not thus inspired could
answer difficult questions with the facillty tnat
she does, without a moments hesitation or
preparation, and always in the most beautiful
and appropriate language. 1t matters not how
abstr,lse or hidden the subject (which has been
commonly presented by persons In the audi
! encc) her inspiration IS evGr ready ahd equal 70
the emergency. Indeed, there is no question
that mortal can frame which she will
not answer Immediately, and to the apparent
satisfaction of her auditors. This answering ol
questions in this public manner is very like the
method pursued By Jesus III teaching the peo-
Die in His day. He sat in the temple or syna-
gorues aud answered the questions Of those
who throngcd to see and hear Him. Had lie
spoken upon subjects with which his hearers
had been familiar from their childhood, they
would undoubtedly, like many OF the so-calleo
orthodox people OF to-day, have gone to sleep
under His preaching. 1t is needless to add
that the worshipers in Crows Hall do not slee1
under Mrs. Rich1nond's mintstrations. The ex
erciscs ure not only cmincntly religious. but tue
subjects OF her tliscourses are often philoSophlt
and scientific; and all are uniformly handled in
musterly manner, if one may Judge from the
use Of tile best possible language, tho most
logical reasoning, and the purest dction. In
the language of Dc Quincy, 'Sllcr d1ct1o1
blazcs up into sudden explosions OF prophetic
grandeur"
Again: Where else can nortals go to hear
s,,ch inyocations to the Infinite Father as fal
from her lips !-invocations breathing the most
inpassioncd love for Him and all His creatures
-invOratiOn6 that Inspire every Hesout sou
present with the purest feelings OF worship, anu
I'LL one too 1ull for uttcrnce. 1t is matter ot
astonislmcnt to us that the grcat value OF tlicst
| emiucutly worslipiul exercises is not better
| known and appreciated in city Of nearly hall a
| million souls; and more especially since tut
| orjce Of admission is merely nominal.
All subjects broaden and deepen under spirit
| nal minstrations, aud subjects which are effect
ually closed by theological teachings are here
| thrown wide open for Investigation. For in
stance, any question CONCERNING the condition
employmcnt, or occupation after death, is here
explained, bringing tue spiriit-worita quite near
shall be n)cascd to learn that the First So
| cietv will ere long better improve their oppor
| tunitics; for under their present mlnistrations,
in better hall, in more central location, they
| would invite many who arc anxious to attend
| and many more who know nothing Of thei
| present locality. ERNEST.