The Washington times., 1894-10-08
is MODERN sPIRITUALIsM TKUB7
Lively Discussion of the Question at the
ihcrnl Icaouc,S Meeting.

Lively Discussion of the Question at the
Liberal Leagues Meeting.
The argument OF the question: "Is modern
spiritualism true?" developed somewhat
heated discussion at tho afternoon meeting
yesterday of the Washington Liberal League,
at No. 915 F street.
c C. Carter, president of the league, was
in the chair, and before tho arrival of the
opening debater, read poem dedicated to j.
h. Emmett upon the death of a dog. Morris
Pechim came in before he finished and
opened the discussion in an easy, graceful,
entertaining way.
Il would be strange he said if mo dern
spiritualism were not true Wien 1t has the
evidence OF so many millions in support of it,
He was liberal enough TO believe that all
Chistian religions were still seeking after the
truth. but had not yet found and applied
everything that is infallible. The facts Of
spirituaism-sate writings, table tippings.
faith cures, &c, were all manifestations
which could not be denied
He believed materialism 10 be but another
name for spiritualism. for behind the atom of
matter mind could not penetrate and ulti-
mateiy you know no more about it than YOU
do about spiritualism. Whether spiritual
ism be subjective or objective, it is quite as
datural to suppose it TO be just what it pur-
ports TO be.
The first champion OF the negative side OF
the question was James Hogerty, who set out
10 dissuade his friend of his folly, ridIculing
the mediums. He intimated that many who
sought to conduct seances were crazy and
laughed away the idea of some supernatural
power by explaining our inability TO discover
II either by chemical or mechanical means.
Then Mr.. Hogerty denounced the teachings
OF spiritual affinity. and said the preaching
OF these doctrines had served 70 break up
families. sever husband from wife. and lead
young girls astray.
Several Of the devotees of the cause of the
unseen hitched about uneasily in their chairs,
aud looked darkly at the speaker. He did
not finch. however. but continued denounc-
ing everything as a fraud and deIusion.
One or two men were on their feet the in
stant he finished and assaied the utterances
OF the gentleman as the bigoted opinions Of
forty or fifty years ago.
\ lady arose TO den0unce some features of
the speech and inquired if the gentleman
believed that certain Congressman or others
in the city were spiritualists, inasmuch as
they had manifested the opportunity to which
he alluded.
a gentleman, "who wanted TO believe in
spirituaism," but rs vet had not been fur
nished sufficient proofs. related his expert
ence, and then collection was taken.
Gustayus Augustine. the gentleman who
DTtSthltu Il !ltllLici 10 NOil- OA LUDOf
Wright in behalf OF the DeDs movement in
Chicago. arose and gave his experiences in
seeing the faces of persons far away from him
al the time
Mr. Pechim was allowed a few moments to
close the debate and answer the accusations
of his opponent. He commended the teach
ings which should allow love to seek its
proper object of affection. and advocated a
greater freedom of the marital bond whereby,
he claimed, good behavior would be pro-
noted
The discussion proved so interesting that
the same question will be again considered at
the meeting to be held at the same place next
Sunday.