The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-17
A SPIRIT CHILD.
Ceremonies Attending the Baptism OF a
Babc by Brooklyn Medium.

Ceremonies Attending the Baptism Of Il
Babc by Brooklyn Medium.
NEW York, Dec. l6.-Dressed in a pretty
CONNECTION of Aeecy lace and creamy silk,
decked with roses and ribbons, his big.
black eyes filled with wonder, Clarence
Fidelio Sweet, aged four months was the
center of attraction, the admired of all
admirers, and the leading actor in scene
of unusual interest in the conservatory at
the corner of Fulton and Bedford avenues,
Brooklyn, this evening. The occasion was
"spiritualistic christening The childs
parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Alfred Sweet. are
leading members of the Independent club,
splritualist organization, and the boy
was adopted as the child of the
! club, and it was resolved that, departing
| from the usual custom of spiritualists he
| should be initiated into the fold OF the
faithful with proper ceremonies. j. Will
liam Fletcher, a medium, one of the found
ers of the club and its regular speaker, was
consulted, and communication on the sub
/ iect was soon opened with the spirit world.
1t was decided by the parents and friends
that the naming OF the child and all the
ceremonial of the christening should be
left to Mr.. Fletcher's spirit CONTROLS"
and for several weeks past Brooklyn spirit
ualists had been looking forward to the
event Of tonight. Consequently the large
, hall of the conservatory was filled long be-
fore the opening of to-night's services. MIR.
dark-eyed man of good figure. In the
, course of his address, which dealt with
1.-The Relations of Spiritualism to Relig-
ion.H he said:
"Spritualists do not believe that children
should receive strict religious training.
. Thew have only horror for the Calvinistic
q q dogma that hell is paved with the skulls OF
. ;, infants. We think children should be cared
: for az flowers are cared for-allowed to grow
= rs nature directs-and cultivated with
!, plenty OF love and warmth, and sunshine
: and gladness."
: After hymn sung by the congregation
. the strains of professional pealsd forth
= from the organ, and the christening party
marched from the ante. room to the front OF
the platform. First came Miss Ida Richards
and Miss May OShaw, maids of honor,
dressed in white and carrying big bouquets
Iof Mermet roses; then followed his high,
, ness the baby, as he was borne in the arms
of his pretty young mother. with the father
on the left hand. Two pretty little girls
o in white followed with baskets of flowers
After . lot more ceremony, Mr.. Fletcher
l. stepped forward to name the baby. uI
"a to this moment no ore present, not oven the
father and mother or the medium himself
knew what the child's name was to be, thu
conditions being that the spirits should Sc
- lect the name. Mr.. Fletcher, standing ovel
of the spirits. Then stepping down from
q the platform he took wreath of rosebuds
10 from the table. and fastening it by a wide
crimson silk ribbon on the head Of the child
d he said:
q by direction of the spiritual guides OF
! the Independent club name thee Clarence
Fidelio." This name had Just been waited
= into his spiritual ear.
It Tho parents say the baby has already
n shown startling mediumistio powers.