Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-30
MEETING In A GROVE.
Spiritualists Hold a Picnic and Dance
at Windsor Park.
A GOLD MEDAL PRESENTATION.
Dancing and Fun Making the Only Other
Exercises of the Day.
THE oNERoUS DUTIES OF A MEDIUM

The congregation of the First Spiritual
istic Church of Pittsburg, held its first
annual picnic yesterday, at Windsor Park,
Bellvue. The members assembled at the
Fort Wayne depot, and took the $50 A. M.
train. The committee who had in charge
the festivities of the day, was composed of
/. II. Lohmeyer, w. L. Hughes, and g..
W. Hates, and by their united efforts,
everything passed off well. The morning
was passed, by the male members in play
ing ball, throwing quoits, and the girls by
getting the young men to swing them high
into the lofty branches of the trees. At IL
o'clock a bell was rung. which called the
hungry pleasure seekers to dinner.
In the afternoon an impromptu meeting
was held. No one understood what sort Of
exercises we're to be held A mystery
shrouded the whole proceedings. Between
300 and 400 people gathered around the
dancing platform and it was thought that a
seance was about tc take place. But this
thought was soon dispelled, by Mrs. Elem.
very pleasing duty. Mrs. Yates stepped
into the middle OF the floor and said:
"It affords me great happiness to stand
here and, in the name of this Struggling
and ostracised society, to present to our
sister, Mrs. Stevens, who has done SO much
for our beloved cause, a small memento OF
our deepest gratitude"
Here Mrs. Yates called Mrs. Stevens to
come forward, and she then presented her
with a magnificent gold medal. The front
side was laid in enamel, with a very pretty
monogram. On the adverse side. was the
inscription: Presented to Mrs. Ella
49, &1a nj 1frto
Sixth street, Pittsburg, Pa. August 29,
1889" Mrs. Stevens, in a voice tremulous
with emotion, replied. She said:
Friends, it is with difficulty that can
return to you my profoundest thanks for
this beautiful medal. Its intrinsic value is
insignificant in my eyes compared to the
priceless value of friends, who, to show
their love to me and the appreciation of any
little effort in behalf of the cause that 1
may have made, have taken this means of
showing it. II 1 am spared it is my
intention to still labor in the capacity OF
medium between the spiritual and the ma
terial worlds. Let me emphasize this fact
before you all: The underlying principle
of spiritualism is purity. Our cardinal
principles do not conflict with the most ad-
vanced theories of science. Though we
have in the past been living under black
cloud we can now see the sun shed its light
through, and it will soon burst in upon us
in oriental splendor and our cause will then
triumphantly march forward. 1t is to see
the shackles of sin tall from every enslaved
man so that he may move and live con-
stantly in an atmosphere of right"
After the addresses were concluded q
string band struck up lively waltz. In
minute the platform was filled with a
whirling, happy mass of men and maidens.
Mrs Steyena stated to q DISPATCH re-
porter that the duties devolving upon a me-
dunn were very onerous. She had many
interviews with the spirits from the other
world. When questioned what their theory
was concerning this and the next world, she
said: ''We don't believe everything; we do
not absolutely know. Such thing as a
hell we are certain does not exist. but we
are certain that there is heaven, because
we are in communication with it SO often.
In everything you see around Of living
nature God is there"