The morning times., 1896-10-20
sP|R|TUAL|sTs TO CONVENE
Meet Today For the Fourth
Time in Annual Session.
TO BE LARGE
Many Important Matters Affecting
the Society VIII Be Considered
The Proposed Temple in This City.
Suppression of Charlatans and I'm
posters-ProSram for the Sessions.

The most important event in the history
or Spiritualism as an organized faith, taxes
place today, in the gathering i'll It's toursii
annual convention at Masonic Temple, or
the National Spiri,uaiists' Association.
There are many Spiritualists in Wash
ingtUn, aad one OF the suD.c .ccts .hcn
viii engage the special attention OF the
convention, is the PROJECT for the erection
III This city OF "a temple hlcn Shall DC
fitting disqualification OF the import
ancc of Spiritualism as Il sect and of the
wealth ana numerical strength of the as
sociation.
President Barrett believes that the Ma
tional Capital is the proper place for this
edifice and has made this movement for
its erection one OF the features OF his adj
ministration. The subject will come be-
lore the convention In motion To amend
the bylaws OF the association, wGIcn uoW
provide Tor what is known as Especial
Funds" so as To provide for the setting
aside OF these funds for the definite pur
pose of building temple. III erected it
Will contain an auditorium, a seance room,
a library, living rooms for all mediums
under the control of the association in
Washington, and various other departments
OF an educational character.
THREE DAYS SESSION
uc Will tCDHtiuuc
days and will consist Of morning, after
noon, and evening sessions, held, be-
fore stated, in Masonic Temple. Morning
sessions will meet at 10 O'Clock, alter
noon sessions at 2, being of a business
character, while the evening meetings, at
7:3O, will be public, and communications
from spirits viii be received, addresses
mlde by prominent members, and music
and other diversions engagedin.
THE DSsatiaIipp while in
is strong in numbers, and it's financial
strength and its large list OF influential
members gives an Importance 10 the Or
gdnization that is rapidly Comma adng at
tention.
One OF the claims made by the associa-
ton and its members is that all of the
prejudice, now daily aCcruing against
spi1tualism belief, is the result OF first,
Il total inisappreheusiom of the limitations
and scope OF the belief, its details and its
claims; and, secondly, the distrust that is
the result OF the linpOsitiOns and fraud that
has been practiced upon the public by I'M
scrupuiuus persouS. such practices have
no legitimate Place in spirtualisni, and
one of The principal purposes for tlis asso-
citation, as such, and indeed, its chief reason
for existence. IS 10 place ali true mediums
anu ''psychcs" ON higher plane Of use
fulnrss Than tins prejudice has hitherto
alluw them To occupy.
SOME IMP ORTANT QUESTIONS.
In conformity with this idea, the con
venton viii consider. among other things:
How can We protect spiritualsin, spirit
ualists, honest mediums and the public from
the army OF fortune telicrs, charm sellers
and imposterS. who use spiritualiSn as 4
cloak under which they ply nefarious
business. How can ordination best be
regulated SO as to prevent persons not
qualified by education or development OF
spiritual gifts, from receiving Endorsement
OF this kind
Nearly every State in the Union is
represented among the Delegates, and
several are from Canada. Hundreds OF
people now officially connected with the
convention Will attend in order to take
advantage or the extraordinary oppor-
tunitics offered to observe spirit mani
festatlons in tie seinCes held during the
meeting. The Ebbitt House will De the
headquarters OF the association and a re-
ception was held there last night by the
officers.
Considerable time will be lie voted to sight
seeing around the Capital City, and short
excursions taken to points of interest near
by Friday and Saturday Will be given
entirely to pleasure seeking on Friday
night the Ladies' Aid Society of the
W ashington Spiritua!ists will entertain
the association, under the direction OF
Z. W. sullivan of onset, Mass
on Sunday the California delegation will
hold reception, and many of its members
will entertain with music, addresses. read
ings, and spirit communications Hon
L. V. Mouiton viii deliver lectures at
80 a. N. and at 1880 p. m of tile same
day.
During the convention the present board
or trustees and other officers Will direct
the deliberations of the body, the new
r.. t.A rtn Il III.
ing, not taking charge till after the con-
yention.