The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-08-19


topics. some good talks are given, with
somS not so good. 1t was in these con-
ferences that the National Spiritualist
Association originated; also an organi-
zation of mediumship Occasionally,
and this was the case last year, politics
will creep in and some acrimonious
discussion results, but as a rule the de-
baters agree to disagree good natured-
ly.
Since the expose of Hugh Moore and
Mabel Aber two years ago, by official
action of the board of trustees, some
sorts of fakery have not been so ac.
tive. These alleged mediums were
giving the most bare-faced seances
with the aid Of properties and confed-
crates to the great delight of a number
of seance-mad people, who we're wilma
TO swallow anything, and who were
highly indignant when the authorities
put an end to the business. OF in the
grove is a small cleared place with a
few seats where those who cultivate
the departed red man congregate. This
is not part of the programme at all,
but serves to amuse those who witness
the affair, though many of the latter
are rather dtsgusted than otherwise.
The mediums engaged say that this is
natural where the object Is not under
stood. They say that in development
of mediumship the first possessing
spirits are usually Indians and that
ic is sort of necessary prelude to
further growth and higher gifts.
About a mile north of the village of
Newark. in a little settlement called
Hydesville. is a small wooden house
pointed out as the spot where modern
spiritualism had It's birth. Here some
fifty years ago lived a'family of the
name OF Fox. In March, 1S4S, the
father, mother and two daughters,
Margaret and Kate, girls of about
twelve and fourteen years, were first
startled by strange rappings heard at
night in various parts of the house.
All efforts to learn the cause of these
sounds were In vain. Becoming con-
vinced that the raps had no earthly
origin, a means of communication was
established, a single rap meaning no"
three raps YES" and other informa-
tion was obtained by repeating the let
ters of the alphabet, the sound occur
Ing at the required letter, and thus
spelling out words.
The family then moved to Roches-
ter. the raps following them. There
the sisters gave public exhibitions, and
great excitement arose. Kate and Mar
garet Fox were the first mediums"
but hosts Of Others quickly followed. In
all parts of the country persons were
claiming supernatural powers, and per-
forming wonders. From Rochester the
Wv oic MD, IN,
ing to carry on their exhibitions, un-
til the enthusiasm grew throughout
America and spread to Europe.
But in commenting upon the events
OF the day as they crowd thick and
fast upon US, we are compelled to look
away from the pleasant and restful
scenes of summer life, recreation and
information, to the great industrial
conflict now in progress, where il is
claimed that 100000 men are idle on
account of the miners strike.
This Industrial upheavel has brought
to the front great number OF writers
on the relations of capital and labor,
and curious. II not startling, Ks much OF
the reasoning put forward to justify
one side or the other. 1t is indeed a
great question and one not easily
settled. Perhaps the readiest explana-
ton OF the present strike is found in
the claim that the coal operators pay
their miners only starvation wages,
and these miners believe that II pros
perity Is coming, the men who fur
nish the Drawn and muscle are entitled
to their fair share OF it. While this ex-
plains the present strike, it does not
settle the labor question.
The student who has probed deeper
than the surface has found that in the
very nature of things, peace between
labor and capital is a truce needed to
cover an abnormal condition. and that
conflict is the natural result of such