The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-01
SOCIETY OF SPIRITUALISTS.
HONORS THE FORTY SEVENTH AN
NIVERSARY OF It's MODERN
CULT.
HISTORICAL ADDRESS ON THE ADJ
VANCE OF THE WORK IN
CALIFORNIA.

There was a large crowd at the first
meeting of the newly organized People s
Spiritualist Society of California, which
was held at st. Andrews Hall, Ill Larkin
street, last evening. The seating capacity
of $50 was insufficient to accommodate all
those who attended. and after fifty more
chairs had been placed in the hall large
number of persons were forced to stand.
The fact that the meeting took place on
the forty-seventh anniversary of the advent
of modern spiritualism aided greatly in
attracting people. 1t was just forty-seven
years ago that the spirit rappings of the
Fox sisters at Hydesville, n. Y, began.
The entertainment consisted of adj
dresses, music and psychometrical read
ings. Mrs. M. Drynan, president of the
new society, in an address of welcome
thanked the members for the honor placed
on her and stated the aims of the organiza-
ton. These were to secure funds to build
spiritualistic temple in which there
should be large hall for public meetings
and smaller one where beginners should
| be instructed
|. The building should also contain home
| for spirituahst mediums and an orphanage
where children could be instructed in the
beliefs of spiritualism. Mrs. Drynan said
| the society had incorporated, so as to have
| the right to receive funds and to apply
them to the purposes proposed, as she did
not believe Judge of any court had the
right to dictate what should be done with
funds collected by the society.
Nj. 5. Norton made an historical address
! He began his remarks by saying: Forty
/ seven years ago modern spiritualism came
saw its need and conquered. Now no one
need be afraid to announce that he is a
| spiritualist. We have religions enough
| What we want now is the truth. 1t is the
science of life and the philosophy of exist.
! ence."
| Turning to the historical part of his
address Mr.. Norton said:
| AS far back as 1857 spiritualism was known
! in this State. Colonel Ransom publisher of the
Marysville Herald, was one Of the first advo
! Gates OF splritualism. Seanees were held al
/ that time in the house of Russell Ellis on
Sansome street, in the International Hotel and
in the residence of ]. p Marrow on Rincon
Hill. The first lecturer in this State was Mrs
Eliza W. Farnham, who began tour in 1859
/ With her friend, Mrs. Georgiana B. Kirby oil
Santa Cruz, she did much to advance the cause
! OF splritualism. 1t was not until 1864, how.
| ever, that regular course of lectures was in.
| augurated. Mrs. Emma Hardinge, who is
| better known as Emma Hardinge Britton, was
| the lecturer, and she organized "The Friends oil
Progress" Mrs. G. NJ. Stowe and Mary Beach
/ two mediums, were the first to visit the State
| from the East. They came in 1865. Since
| Lnen many nave followed, notably Mrs. Cora
i Richmond, Mrs. Laura Cuppy, BENJAMIN
| Todd, Mrs. Laura de Force Gordon and Selden
! J. Finney.
The first State convention was held in San
/ Jose in 1866. In 1874 a secret spiritualistit
society was formed. The first children's "
ceum was formed in 1865, but the first perma
nent one was formed in 1874. The first society
/ to incorporate was the First Spiritualist Union
| which is still in existence and owns real estate
and library. The Society of Progressive
| Spiritualists owns $50, 900 worth OF real estate
| and large library.
| Mrs. Bruce, an enthusiastic aged worker
made an address full of fire. and was
| heartily applauded.
Interspersed with songs and musical
selections, the following mediums deliv
cred messages, supposedly from spirit.
| lowering about them: Mrs. III. Wrenn
I Mrs. Bird, Mrs. Riesenwebber,. Mrs. Mar
! tin, Mrs. Warren, Mrs. Seeley Professor
| Gee and Professor Dodd, the spiritual mes
merist, concluded the entertainment.
The officers of the new society are a.
| follows:
] President, Mrs. M. Drynan; vice-president
| Mrs. Harriet Wrenn; secretary, NJ. S. Norton
| treasurer, G. r. Gum: trustees Mrs. C. Wer
/ mouth, Thomas Smyth, Mrs. M. Bird, JohI
Clemens and Mrs. s. 4. Warren.