The San Francisco call., 1897-10-03

1neTe is Stlr OF expectation III the
ball. A female figure elides swiftly and
silently up the central aisl, throws off a
long cloak and steps unassumingly upon
a platform all redolent of fragrant purity.
Flowers entwined upon the platform cur
tains, flowers massed and scattered on the
platform pedestals flowers breathing rich
aroma from the platform steps. And,
amid this suggestion of spiritual essence
the Apostle OF Spiritualism, picturesque
figure. her red robe caught in by long
scarf of old gold silk, her short hair stand
ing like dark aura round her clear-cut
sensitive face-a vivacious, pathetic,
French face of the type which always
suggests strain OF SIaYonic blood lurking
in its veins.
Certainly Madame" does not pose for
effect. Her first movement is to subside
meekIy in chair while her congregation
sings Nearer, My God, to Thee"
Madame does not join in the singing,
neither does she, to all appearance, take
note OF her surroundings.
She has her own private duties to per-
form, she is acquiring the receptive or
'inspirationap' attitude, and as L watch
her mobile face l become aware of a
marked transformation Rapidly she
passes, once or twice, her hand over her
brow, across her throat, and gradually the
clear, open glance is contracted, the pu-
pills draw together, the sensitive mouth
becomes set. the delicate nostrils acquire
pinched look. So she sits for few mo-
ments, self-absorbed, as one in the mes
meric state. Then, with quick, graceful
gesture, she motions for the hymn to
nd icin -orl Hcrr
framed, TO address her audience. Her
first words are not lecture. but an apol-
ogy. We have already learned that Nine.
Montague is unable to lecture to the
PsychicaI Society tonight. A substitute
has been giving US his views upon vibra-
tions and Madames explanation now
comes in liquid, sonorous tones that at
once awaken responsive chords. Her ac-
cent is French-markedIy so.
But it only accentuates the precise in
donations, the well-chosen rhythmic
phrases, which distinguish the utterance
of an acquired and carefully studied
tongue. AS she tells of the mourning in
which the society has been plunged, of
the funeral OF yesterday, the memorial
services OF to-day. the vacant chair m ark ed
by garlands of flowers, her hearers SYM
pathies go out to her and to the poetic
exposition of her spiritual doctrine which
clothes the departed with a new form and
an ever-present magnetism.
But the change is TO US pain" adds
the speaker, with her rapt look and her
pretty trick OF tongue. The emotion of
parting with what is familiar exhausts our
frames, and that is why we have been too
tired to address you tonight and why we
must crave your indulgence if we fail in
The work we shall try to do"
And herewith follows a little bit of ad-
vice which does not sound inspirational,
but exceeding human. Madame insisting
on the necessity for harmonious inflr-
ences, requests every one who is not en-
rapport with her sentiments and her work
any one who has adopted an antagonistic
frame of mind, to kindly consider them
selves dismissed"
None ''consider themselves dis
missed" Every one. on the contrary,
adopts the expectant attitude, awaiting
Developments, which are many in pros
pect. For on small pedestal are heaped
divers personal adornments appertaining
to various members of the audience, and
these are to be subjected to "psychomet trio
readings"
Now, the interest of a psychom etric
reading is IN inverse ratio to your con-
nection herewith. know naught OF the