The morning times., 1896-03-30
LINKS TO ANOTHER WORLD
Spiritualists Celebrate the Twelfth
Anniversary.
Doctrines of the Faith ExpOundcd
by Its Believers and Tests Made
to Prove It.

Yesterday the ranks of the spiritualists
OF the city were more than ordinarily
stirred with animation, as il was the day
set apart for the celebration Of the forty
eighth anniversary OF what is claimed as
revival OF the Observation-Disclosures of ancient
times and since the discovery Of the Fox
sisters, called "modern spiritualism."
one OF the most famous prophets of the
faith, Professor Wiggiu, OF Salem. Mass,
lent the dignity OF his presenCednd eiOquence
To fitting observance OF the anniversary
II has been forty weight years since the
"Bochesterra ps'' occurred, which puzzled the
Fox sisters, al ii yattsyille, \. Y, and which
changed the entire course OF their lives.
The mystery surrounding the making uf
these raps became a study TO the Fox
girls and are a study yet with those who
enerGeticaIly uphold the doctrine OF their
significance. These girls devoted life
time to evolving the solution of the problem,
aud from initial labors in this direction
emanated the basis Of the faith for the es-
tablishment OF spirtualism as il is now
practiced aud believed in.
To celebrate the anniversary of those IA
nous knocks which brought this all about
was what the 200 members OF the aSsocia-
tiOn OF spiritualistS devoted three sessions
to yesterday.
The services took place in MetZerott
Music Hall, and were all largely attended.
oratorical ebulition over the long strides
the faith had made was mixed with practical
demonstrations Of the doctrine the scien-
uric tests being conducted by Prof. Wiggin
and were as interesting as such tests usually
are.
AT the morning service speeches were
made by the visitors. as Well al by Mrs
Rowland Mrs. jacques and Mr. Worley,
local mediums.
Prof. Wiggin spoke morning, afternoon
range of those portions OF the ideas which
are made public. He gives the church gen
orally a rather strong arraignment. aud
sa vs. he does not take the Bible as a suitable
code of religious instructions for these lat
ter days when scientific discoveries have
done so much for the profitable enlighten-
ment of mankind. He thinks that the cause
of spiritualism should be more vigorously
defended than it is after Misrepresentation
and attacks by the press.
In regard TO the real anniversary feature
there was but little said or done al any
Of the meetings other than psrtiai history
being given OF the rappings a Hyattsvile
which impelled the little Fox girls to enter
upon the research which has brought about
tangible sect and which has grown from
its two youthful members to membership
of 100000.
Prof. Wiggin was the only spea ker a the
evening meeting, and he did not talk long
but taking two hours for tests. At this
session he insisted that spiritualism should
he recognized as regular and Established
organization for religious purposes and
teachings.
The tests were by the method of reading
messages from loved ones who had passed
to the spirit land, from slips of paper
which had been left on table by people
in the audience. There was big pile Of
these messages. and the renowned MaSsa-
chusetts medium gave back many cheering
words from the departed.
All this served to excite interest to the
highest pitch and there was a great deal
of enthusiasm ana many We're quite yisihy
affected. He could read notes with n
blindfold and by merely holding them in
his hand.