The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-09-13
SPOOKS MUST GO
An Organization Formed at An
dersOn, Indiana,
To Drive All the Spiritualists
Out of Business.
MOSES HULL DEFIED.
Offers Made Backed by Large
Cash FOrfeits
10 Prove That the Whole Bust
ness is a Humbug.

st. Louis, Sept. 1S.-During the last
week there was in session in Anderson,
little town in the Indiana natural gas
belt, convention from which the pro-
motors expect great things.
1t was the convention, and the first
one, of the National Anti-S piritualists'
association. Next year the gathering
may be held in st. Louis. and it is ex-
pected to attract attention all over the
country.
Elder W. r. Covert, pastor of the
Church of God, in this city, was one of
the Quartette who organized this move
ment against spiritualists and spirit
uaHsm, and he was leader in the con-
VentiOn.
At the election of officers to serve for
the coming year Elder Covert was made
treasurer
Mrs. Covert of 26O6 North Market
street was kept daily advised of what
happened in the convention, and she
Ihlnks a great many good results will
Follow that gathering.
1t was an asSemblage composed prin-
c1paIIy Of ministers and churchmen who
thlnk the cause of religion is being I'M
dermined and damaged by the growth
ana progress of this so-called Modern
Spiritualism.
In the little town of Anderson so
much interest was taken in the meet
ings of the association that the sessions
there-packed and damned the edifice
three times each day
The topics discussed were as follows:
''Spiritualism, Its Relations to Christi
anity;" How Do Persons Become Spir-
itualists?" Should the Churches Han
die SpirituaIism? Ancient and Mod
ern Deeeptions Compared" What Are
Mediums, and How Become They
Such?"' Are Spiritualistic Pastors En-
titled to Permits?" Should There Be
Prohibitive Legislation?' ''Have You
nation?' What is Theosophy?'' What
is Maha tina ?" Oriental Spiritualisrn? ?"
''Hypnotism and Its Legitimate Field ?"
What Relations Exist Between Chris
tan Science, Theosophy and Spiritual
ism?' Are the Manifestations of Me-
diuns the Result of Spirit Power, or
the Power of Demons, or the Power of
Medium Itse1f?"
While the convention proper did not
assemble until Tuesday evening several
meetings of the founders of the organ
ization were held. The report was start
ed that Moses Hull, the great spiritual
istic leader of Chicago, had arrived in
Anderson, and would have something
to say in the convention. This report
turned out to be true. Hull was there
and he had a great big chip on his
shoulder for some of the anti-spiritual-
lists to knock off.
HulPs presence in the town had the
effect of tanning the meetings, for he
was expected to make some sort of a
demonstration. Nor were the people dis
appointed.
AT the close of the meeting Wednes-
day night DR.. Hull advanced to the
platform and asked if he would be al
lowed as the convention proceeded to
take part and respond to anything that
might be said against his faith. He
was told that the organizers had not
contemplated any controversy with
spiritualistS and that they would not al
low him to take the time that is need
ed for convention work. He was in
fO- cd bCxx hot he tn
debate the matter, he would be accom-
modated as soon as the convention was
over.
Moses Hull with his note book, was
present at every meeting, and he made
frequent notes of what the speakers
were saying. His presence in that gath
ering had on the convention something
of the effect a red rag might have on an
angry bull, and Thursday Elder Covert
had passed the following resolution:
Resolved, That we invite Moses Hull
or any other person representing his
faith, to come upon the floor of this
convention at any convenient time dur
ing our stay and demonstrate by any
tangible feat or test the truth of spirit
ualism. These tests may be of any class
manifesting to any of five physical
senses.
Resolved That we invite any sim
cere spiritualist to call upon us in per-
son and ask conference with any of
our association with a view to discov-
ing to him that his faith is a delusion."
In the address of the Rev. ]. d. Hag-
aman of Adrian, Mich, which followed
the speaker declared for 81 years he had
been a member of the inner circles of
mediums and was recommended as one
of the star performers in the faith. He
long ago turned his back on spiritual
ism and has become one of the most
influential members of the other side.
Toward the conclusion of his address
Mr.. Hagaman made some offers. On
his own behalf he said he would give
81 900 to the medium that could produce
any so-cal1ed phenomena produced by
the spirits that his son or daughter or
himself could not duplicate He then
said that he came prepared to make an
offer on the part of the Ohio Anti-Spir-
itualist society. This almost staggered
the audience.
He said that for this society he would
give $50 900 for any of such so-called
phenomena that could be produced in
this country or Europe which could not
be explained by the anti-spiritualists
then on the platform In this case the
mediums were to choose their own con-
ditions, but were to grant the privilege
of examination to his man. This was
the first announcement that has been
made of this offer.
Elder Covert could sit still no longer
and rising to his feet, said that ms
offer of $500 made a few years ago for
the production of such phenomena was
vet standing. DR.. Becker then arose
and volunteered $500 on his own account
Moses Hull sat just in front of the
rOStrum While the $52,OO was Onereu
Then Elder Covert went to card writ
ing and challenging. He wrote:
''Disregarding the injunction of COM
mon courtesy, Mr.. Hull, an avowed en-
envy of the Church of Christ and of the
Bible as the revelation of God to man,
has been present at our convention
from the beginning. l have no com
pIaint. however, to- file on this score.
But 1 understand that he is here, so to
speak. with a chip on his shoulder, hav-
ing a desire for public debate.
ssSuch being the case, as verify be-
lieve. and desiring that the public may
Know that / am not afraid of Mr.. Hull,
lii rot hesitate knock the chip