The San Francisco call., 1897-09-05

bY the passage of a resolution thanking
President Newman for the services he has
performed for the association during his
term of office.
The trou BILE opened III earnest when the
committee ON amendments recommended
that the constitution be changed by the
addition OF clause in substance that no
medium who requires darkness or semi
darkness in the presentation OF spiritual
phenomena shall be eligible 10 ordination
as minister or Endorsement by the asso-
citation.
Then the fun commenced. In the con-
ventlon were a lot of mediums who were
lnspirational speakers, platform lecturers,
etc, but who have a mum ber OF The otner
phases, and not few claim that the abb
sence of the light Is one OF the necessary
conditions. These, of course, fought the
proposition, but the other class, those who
have only ability before the public, were
in favor of the passage OF the same. Al
though all claimed that only the true me-
diumS should be indorsed, still fraud may
be produced in The light as we'll as in the
darkness, and the upihot of the matter
was that the resolution failed to carry.
Norton, who introduced the matter, de-
clared that his only reason for so doing
was to place the convention on record,
and that lis action was TO serve as guide
for the incoming board OF direc tors. Other
resolutions came up and were passed as
follows:
Resolued, That this convention instruct its
directors to take measures for the establ ish-
ment of an ins titution where instruction shall
be given in all branches of c'ence necessary
for an understanding OF the philosophy OF
mediumShip.
Resolucd That only under the most excep-
tional c1ud Itions should any person be coun-
tenanced as a pubic teacher on our platform
unless possessed of at least a common-school
education, with fair knowledge of history,
especially the history of SplrlIualism and Il
knowledge OF its philosophy, and inclined to
studious habits
which does not directly tend to the develop
ment Of a spiritual and altruistic character
aud life shOu d be most strenuously resisted -
unless acc :pted as stepping-stone 10 the
higher phase.
ReSoired, That the process of so-ealled de-
velopment cf mediumship and the crowding
Of the platform with attempted test mani
les atoms is an Unnatural forcing process,
resulting in incalcuabIe injury 10 the cause
OF genuine SpirIluRl1s m.
Resotued, That the making of mediumship q
prole sion for simple pecuniary gain is a
prostitution of n divine capacity 10 an unholy
use, and that the class of spirits who urge
suCn med1umShlD have need of salvation
instead Of beng able To save others.
ReSOired, That ii is our duty 10 make or cause
to be made thorough Investigation of the
capacities and fitness OF all persons protesting
TO acE as mediums for spirit manifestations.
RcSOlUed, That the State board of directors
ought not 10 indorse any medium without a
proper investigation OF their powers and char
scter.
Resoired, That known dishonesty on the part
OF any medium is sufficient reason for DENY
ing them Endorsement, even though they pos
sess genuine mediumistic capacity.
ReS0LUed, That the oSe great aim and effort
ot this organization is TO promote the unity
and efficiency OF the various societies in the
STATE by system ztng the methods of mediuE-
istlc end lecture work, by missionary work
and so relating the several societies to a COM
mon center that we can ct as a whole in eny
emergency affecting the general welfare OF
spirituaIi>m.
ResoIued, That organization is the base OF
power TO do, the bu.wark of our liberties and
the only way TO purge our ranks of frauds, and
secure and MAINTAIN the respect OF high
Minded aid intelligent people, well as 10
preserve our own seli-respect as workers in
the field of human uplifting and progress.
Then came the most i'm portant matter
OF the occasion, the election of officers On
the selection of the next board much de-
pended, Tor II the wrong persons were a. bic
to conuol the board the work OF the past
year for the good OF the cause was all
wasted. The work of election lasted for
over two hours, and the result, while not
satisfactory to some, was generally ac-
cepted as being of the greatest benefit TO
the many, and much good is expected to
be accomplished during the coming year
The new board is as follows:
President, c. H. Wadsworth; vice pres;-
dent, Thomas Ellis Jr.; secretary, John
Koch; treasurer, Benz jamin F. Small; d.
rectors, NJ. S. Norton, Professor Richard
7 oung, William Rider, ex-Judee Ii. S.
Brown and J. .. Spencer; delegates to the
National convention that will meet in