The San Francisco call., 1896-05-24

and in the exUrberance of their spirits.
And the cause of its all has come about in
this wise
From Washington, D. c., has arrived
Harrison d. Barret, the president of the
National Spiritualists' Association of the
United States, who is regarded as the
Spurgeon of the organization.
The president has a mission. 1t is to
cause the various scattered bands of be-
levers in the West to coalesce and enter
the organized fold. Until now, though
there are many who profess the belief of
the Spiritualists, there have been few who
belong to any society, but the arrival OF
the Spiritualist leader is expected to
change all this.
'In unity lies strength" is Barrett's
motto, and he intends to put forth his
most earnest efforts to make a united
whole of all the believers in this part OF
the country.
From all over the State have come the
followers of Spiritualism, with hopes at
high tide and minds elated at the prospect
OF what they think will be accomplished.
To-day, therefore, will witness the in
auguration OF the movement for unifica-
tion of all believers.
Last night the president was given a re-
ceptlon at ITO Hayes street by DR.. Rin-es
and DIR. York. The hall had been prettily
decorated Tor the occasion with American
flags, wreaths and festoons of flowers and
bunting.
Recitations by Mr.. Rider, Mrs. George l.
Drew and Miss Lottie Dryer were deliv-
cred, various pieces of music were played
by Professor Richard Young's orchestra
and there were songs by local talent.
81,
which he outlined the policy he intended
to pursue in ,effevting an organization of
the scattered forces. He also gave brief
outline of the body in the United States.
its present status, what it has accom-
plished and what 1t exDects to do In the
future.
1.-The object OF the National Associa-
tion," he said, lis to secure the union of
all the spiritual societies in the United
States for the purpose of mutual aid in
literary, scientific, philosophical, educa-
tional musical and religious enter
prises german TO the phenomena,
science, philosophy and religion OF
spirltualism. 1t aims to protect
genuine mediumship from unjust
persecution, and from being classed with
the charlatans and frauds who attempt to
operate in the name of Spiritualism: to
build homes for aged and INDECENT Spirit
ualistic mediums and speakers; to estab-
lish hospitals apd sanitarlums, that our
invalids may be cared for by their own
people.
1T also aims at the erection and main
tenance of schools of psychic science, to
the end that we may have also a better
equipped platform service and q higher
order of membership along intellectual,
moral and spiritual lines.
''It also intends 10 establish a national
library in which the best works of tpe
ablest writers of all ages can be found, and
especially of books bearing opon the sub
ject of spiritualism in all its phases"
Speaking of the NUM- ber OF believers in
the United States, he said there were about
$40 organizations in the country, about 200
of which were represented in the National
society.
The various societies owned property to
the amount of about 81. 100, 900. The num-
Der of temples and church buildings was
given at seventy-hve.
The number of the believers in this.
country" he continued, lis hard to de-
termine, from the fact that our people are
widely scattered, but from the most re-
liable information that l can obtain there