New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-05-31
TIE. -SEYBERT SEANCES.

The experience of the University of Pennsyl-
yania in connection with the gift OF 100000
made to that institution by the late Henry
Seybert, and confirmed by his will, for the
purpose of an investigation of modern Spirit
ualism. is precisely what might have been
anticipated by the academic authorities, and
probably was anticipated by some of them. Mr..
Seybert was doubtless sincerely DESTROYS Of
contributing to the worlds knowledge Of a sub
iect In which he was deeply interested; and If
he was himself firm believer In the doctrine OF
spirit manifestations, rs his friend Mr. Thomas
Il. Hazard, of Rhode Island, tho venerable and
devoted Spiritualist, emphatically asserts, the
provisions of the trust which he created eylnce
remarkably frank and ingenious temper
He desired Mr.. Hazard to take an active
interest in the investigation; but he placed full
authority in the hands of the trustees OF the
university and practically left the matter com
pletely under their control. a commission
appointed by them to conduct tho investigation
devoted considerable time 10 it during period
of about fourteen months beginning In March,
1884 attending private seances with mediums
suggested by Mr.. Hazard and in his company
and directing their attention To tho observation
of Spiritualistic phenomena in an ostonslbly
dIgent and proper spirit. But the rumor that
they were about to make their report has drawn
from Mr.. Hazard long letter IN which he dis
parages tho methods and results of the inquiry,
quotes ex ffcio declarations against Spiritual
Ism by some of the Investigators, asserts that
| the trustees have not performed their contract
with the late Mr. Seybert, and intimates that
his heirs may find it necessary to institute suit
| IN obtain DossessiOn of the 800, 600
! For the personal integrity of the trustees and
the commissioners Mr.. Hazard expresses pro-
found respect. The burden of his complaint is
that some of the investigators have not
approached the subject in cOngenial spirit.
Their outward demeanor while in attendance
upon seances has been faultless, but their
thoughts have been hostile and they have thus
erected barrier which the inhabitants Of the
other world have been unable to surmount.
Mr. Hazard is assured of tho existence of this
barrier by the fact that no results OF Importance
| have attended sttings Mt which the uncon-
genial commissioners have been present and,
moreover, the spirits have taken occasion to
inform him privately that such was the case.
At times when these antagOnistic gentlemen
were absent the manifestations were fairly salts
factory to Mr.. lIazarda and presumably to all con-
cerned. In a word. those PERSONS only are APP
parenty fit to investigate Spiritualism who are
either active believers or solictous to be passive
Instruments. There seems to be no room for
those who are ready to have their honest doubts
dispeled. Of the existence of mental antagon-
ism in any investigator abundant evidence is
found in the absence of manifestations while he
is present-with an occasional explanation by
the spirits to that effect after his departure.
And so, according to Mr.. Hazard the "scien-
tifc" inquiry must be intrusted exclusively to
ardent faith, or gaping credulity, or placid
acquiescence, or n compacent combination OF
these congenial elements. We suspect that the
University of Pennsylvania will wish before
long that Mr.. Scybert had shown preference
for another institution; especially If his heirs
bring suit for the sixty thousand dollars.