Evening star., 1896-10-22
THE CLOSING DAY.
Work Of the Spiritnalists' Convention
Nearing Completion.
AMENDMENTS ADOPTED TODAY
ACCESSIBILITY of Providing for Chill
dren's Lyceums Discussed.
MORE BUSINESS TRANSACTED

The third and last days session of the
fourth annual convention of the National
Sptritualists' Association convened at Ma
sonic Temple this morning at 10 o'clock,
President Harrison D. Barrett presiding
After ]. H. Altemus rendered a musical
selection, report was received from Mrs
CadWallader, chairman Of the committee on
delegates reports Mrs. Cadwallader de-
plored the lack of full reports of the work of
societies chartered by the national associa-
tfon and the failure Of many societies to
make any report at all While there are
l5O societies chartered, only forty societies
made reports. and many Of these were in
complete. The forty societies reported LAO
members; receipts for the year of $40. $50. 81:
expenses. $685. 81; balance on hand, 81 1,271.-
50. Rentals paid by these societies amount
ed to $685. which provided seating accom-
modations for 5,20S. During the year there
were held 1,448 meetings, with an aver
age attendance aggregating 1,S22 Mrs. Cad
wallader made number of recommenda-
tions for the purpose of advancing the in
terests OF all the societies composing the
rational association. She desired some ac-
tion la6}king toward means for the mainten-
ance OF societies after enthusiasm had been
created in communities and societies
formed. There was a tendency for the in
terest to die out after great enthusiasm
had been spread among the people. After a
lengthy discussion the report was adopted
with slight amendments.
The committee on amendments to the con-
stitution of the association made its report,
submitting several amendments proposed
by the societies throughout the country.
Amendments Not Adopted.
Amendments providing for giving officers
Of the association terms of more than one
year were voted down, as 1t was argued
that effective leaders would be reelected,
while the long term would prevent the
dropping Of an unsatisfactory officer.
Amendments for the purpose of forcing
local societies to contribute to the support
or the national association were voted
down after considerable discussion A
proposition to appoint special committee
OF three to receive the National Spiritual
lists Temple fund was voted down, and the
fund Will remain with the board of trus-
tees. An honorary membership in the ma
tional association was provided for by the
payment Of 81 per annum. recommends
ton of the committee on finance ways and
means providing that the first Sunday te-
fore November 20, the anniversary of mod
ern spiritualism be known as national day
to spiritualism. and that societies take up
a collection on that day for the benefit Of
the cause, was adopted. The secretary's
salary was fixed at 81 900 instead of $500.
1t was also provided that during the next
h.
ly In one of the large cities of the country,
under the auspices of the natiolal asso-
ciation.
ChiIdren's Lyceums.
The committee on children's lyceums pre-
sented report recommending that parents
be shown the necessity of instructing their
| children In the principles Of spiritualism,
| and that the work of the lyceum be con-
fined, and that there be less proxy talk"
! 1t was recommended that a book of spirit
ualistic music be secured and that better
| music be given at lyceum meetings than
| has been furnished in the past. A recon-
| mendatfon that national organizer for
iyceum work be appointed was adopted by
| the convention.
OF compiling hymn book for spiritualists
ard that orthodox hymn books be done
| away with, the new book to contain, so far
as possible both original words and music
which was adopted.
At 1 o'clock a recess was taken until 2
pm.
The Presidents Suggestion Adopted.
The latter part of the afternoon session of
the spiritualists' convention yesterday was
| devoted to transacting business of the or
der. After The Stars report closed the con-
| vention considered recommendations of
| President Barrett for future work of the
| order, adopting all his suggestions with
slight notifications. His suggestions con-
cerning the ordination of mediums were re-
ferred to special committee, consisting of
L. V. Moulton, Moses Hull and ]. B. Hatch,
jr.
The section regarding the establishment
OF a spiritual temple in this city as head
quarters of the National Association was
discussed at length 1t was announced that
Mrs. Flora Cabell of this city had promised
to donate 500 for this purpose, and that she
would beQueath $1,000 additional for the
same object. With the 5000 on hand for
the building of the temple it was believed a
start might be made by the board Of trus-
tees Of the association, which has charge
of the building fund.
The doctrines of spiritualism were de-
clared In resolutions reported by the COM
mittee on resolutions and adopted by the
association. They are In part as follows:
Declaration of Doctrine.
1--WE. the delegates of the National Asso-
citation Of Spiritualists, declare the truth Of
the conscious existence of the spirit of man,
after the separation from the body and its
ability, under proper conditions. to COM
municate intelligently with spirits still in
carnate: we declare that the love and
guidance Of our dear ones who have passed
to the summerland Is the sweetest boon of
human kind, and that the instructions of
the highly developed spirits lead US to the
exalted planes Of Intellectual illumination
ard moral purity; we declare that the
teachings of the brightest spirit intelli-
gences are incompatible with bigotry and
tyranny. but are in consonance with the
widest liberty of the mind; therefore, be 1t,
"Resolved, That we pledge our unfalter-
ing allegiance to the white flag Of spiritual
ism and the stars and stripes of our be-
loved country.
Resolved, That we oppose, by ballot, pen
and tongue. every effort made to abridge
our rights as citizens, and that we keep
vigilant eye for the detection of any in
s;dious schemes having for their purpose
the recognition by the state of any form of
religion.
Resolved That we deem mediumship one
of the highest gifts obtainable by man, and
therefore, it should not be prostituted for
base purposes.
Resolved, That we extend to all deserv-
ing mediums who are members Of this as
ISOLATION protection in their home life and
in the courts from unjust persecution.
Resolved, That 1t is the purpose Of the
National Spiritualists' Association to carry
spiritualism beyond the test plane, and to
bring before the masses the higher spiritual
truths, as taught by advanced spirits"
The Evening Session.