The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-13
SPIRITS AT PROPYLAEUM.
Unusual Meeting Held There Yester-
day Afternoon.

SpirituaUst meetings were held In the low
er hall Of the ?ropylaeum yesterday after
noon and evening. DR.. S. A. Matthews of
Brooklyn. n. y, WAS the medium in charge.
The NEE rings were advertised as those of
the 'chuiUh OF humanity" but such a
church has not been organized. The purpose
is to organize during this week a society
or church, founded upon spiritualism IL those
interested in the subject can be worked up
to the proper spirit, as explained by the
young man who kept door yesterday. In
the enhance OF the Propylaeum is posted
a large piacard announcing the spiritualistic
meetings. The placard says that a collec-
ton Cf L cents for the poor will be taken.
The j. cents was collected at the door from
each person that entered. About one hun
drei people gathered yesterday afternoon
AMI last evening every seat was taken.
The young man who makes the collections
for the poor is quite misunderstanding and
he has long, light, fluffy hair. He said the
meetings were being held for the benefit
Of people living I'm the better part OF the
city who may be interested in spiritualism.
You know" he explained. many Of the
best people are spritualists and they do
not care to mix with the common people
who compose the other spiritualistic society.
better people who live in this part OF the
city 1t is the intention to organize society
IL the proper interest is shown"
The appearance of Dr. Matthews here is
said to be in response to certain spiritual
lists OF the city. Spiritualism suffered some
what last winter by exhibitions given and
fake affairs. DR.. Matthews was brought
here to revive spiritualism by appealing to
those who are serious investigators.
DR.. Matthews is fluent talker He has a
full face, with high forehead. He is
rather short. The roStrum from where he
spoke was decorated with flowers. He ex-
flowers and decorations, but he had been
reared an Episcopalan; he liked decorations
and he proposed to have them. He added
that such things were inviting to the spirits
| of the dead. An organ and FIVE women
| furnished music for the meeting and the
article was of such a nature as to bring to
| the living TO go at least half way for a
| conference. DR.. Matthews began by deliver
| ing an eloquent prayer, which was directed
! we'll chosen and fowery and. so impress
| sive was the delivery that one old gentle
man clapped mis- hands at the conclusion
| There was a hymn, a spirit hymn, after the
| prayer and then DR.. Matthews began &c
speak. He commenced by saying that al
| those who wished TO consult him might dc
so by calling at his Office. Tuesday and
| Thursday nights he will give seances al
| 90 cents per person. 1t was explained thai
this money Is necessary for personal ex-
| at liberty to give private seances at resi-
| dences where none but the immediate
] friends would be present
After brief remarks the medium gave
tests. He passed through the audience, the
| spirits directing his footsteps and language
| He told number of those about themselves
| and their dead relatives. One man declarel
| he had accidentally visited the meeting and
| he was amazed that DR.. Matthews should
| know OF his family, Another well-knowr
| young man was directed by spirit. speak
| ing through the medium. concerning a busi
| ness transaction which he claimed to have
! guarded sacredly. Other people received
| messages from dead friends.
The medium and his partner say the meet
| ings have not been held for exhibition pur
| poses. DR.. Matthews says a society will bs
/ organized according to the laws Of the State
| which shall be known as the Church o.
| Humanity. The meetings are preliminary Il
| the organization. There has been some tall
because the Propylaeum had been let for the
| spiritualistic lectures and meetings Some Of
| those interested in the institution claim thai
| such use OF the building is not I'm accord
ance with the purposes of its construction
| Others hold that the meetings AFFORD mem
| bers opportunity to investigate spirit
| ualism. A few OF the members OF the
| Propyiaeum Association are spiritualists AM
| IL is claimed that through the influence Of
] these the use OF the hall was obtained. Sew
! eral very well-known people seemed inter
ested in the meetings OF yesterday.