Evening star., 1901-10-16
MATTER OF INTEREST
Spiritualists Debating the Annual
Choice of Officers.
ADDRESS BY REPRESENTATIVE SCHIRM
Proceedings Of Convention in Ses-
sion at Masonic Temple
THE EVENING PROGRAM

The program for the second session of the
National Spritualists convention today in
cluded reports from spiritualisi:c missior,-
ary, reports on the annual statements sub
mitted yesterday and public meeting in
the evening. In the morning the attend
ance was not large, but included all the
principal members, and the interest in the
proceedings tense.
The first rumblings of. contest over the
presidency were heard Five names are
mentioned-those of Mr.. Harrison D. Bar
rett the incumbent; E. w. Sprague, the
| regular missionary of the association; Rev.
Moses Hull teacher in spiritualistlc
school; Charles r. Schirm, member of the
House of Representatives from Maryland
and delegate to the convention from Ball
tmore; C. S. c. Stevens, one of the direc-
tors. The two last named have refused to
serve and have asked the support of their
followers for Mr.. Barrett.
Interest in the election is particularly
acute because all the movements in oppo-
sition to Mr.. Barrett have developed with
IN the past three weeks. Several months
ago Mr. Barrett wrote the officers of the
state societies suggesting that he be per-
mltted to retire at the end of the present
posed to his withdrawal. A so-called polti-
cal issue then took form, and with it the
appearance of the other candidates No
one of the delegates not actively in the
support of a candidate is willing to fore
cast the outcome While the opposition to
Mr.. Barrett is divided, and so few of the
delegates attach Importance to the politi-
cal issue the tacit opinion Of the conven-
ton seems to be that the present chief
officer Will be easily reelected.
The election is to occur Friday afternoon,
the last matter of business to be consider
ed by the convention.
Committee History.
At the beginning of today's meeting
special committee on history was announced
as follows: DR.. Dean Clarke of Massachu-
setts, chairman; Mrs. E. F. Kurch of New
York and Samuel Wheeler Of Pennsylvania.
Friday morning and 10 o'clock were Sc
lected as the day and hour for the dedica-
ton of the new headquarters dedicated to
the association by Theodore ]. Mayer, the
national treasurer. A building at No. 800
Pennsylvania avenue southeast was donated
the association by Mr.. Mayer on condition
that an endowment fund of $4,000 be ac-
cumulated That fund having been acquired
and deposited with Mr.. Mayer, the conven-
ton agreed to dedicate the building with
formal exercises.
Chairman E. w. Sprague of the commit
tee on the report of Secretary Mary T.
THAT we find the report full and compre-
hensive, and breathing a spirit of devotion
to the cause that speaks well for the fitness
of the SECRETARY for the position which she
occupies; her constant efforts to please the
public at large and to furnish information;
her ready response to all calls made upon
her, whether In the line of duty to the N S.
A. in the call of humanity, sorrowing at
the grave of it's loved ones, are worthy Of
commendation and emulation.
May she be continued in the place she
has ably filled IS the recommendation Of
your committee"
Reports Received.
Reports were read by Mrs Carrie E. 8.
living of Westfield, n. j., on missionary
work in Mississippi and Tennessee and by
Mrs. Julia steeman Mitchell of Chicago on
missionary work in Ohio and Indiana.
Missionary E w. Sprague, who spent
last year in missionary work with Mrs
Sprague upder a salary, read a long report
on his labors. A similar statement by Mr..
George w. Kates to his missionary
work in conjunction with Mr.. Barrett fol-
lowed Mr.. spragues report. The two
evoked from Mr.. Schirm a brief address
which manifestly impressed the convention
He was particularly anxious, he said, to
urge on the convention two points-that the
most economical method of missionary
work open to the cause was to have the
missionaries marry mediums; that the op-
position to spirtualism on the part of the
churches is very slight when compared with
the many courtesies extended On the first
subject he spoke briefly amid almost con-
tinuous laughter. On the second he dwelt
at length, urging the convention that CO.
operation with the churches be adopted In
lieu Of any attitude opposed to co-opera-
ton.
Succeeding Mr.. Schirms address talk
by Mr. Barrett on his own missionary
| labors and a little debate concluded the
morning session. The afternoon will be
| given over to the lyceum or Sunday school
work of the association, and reports on the
annual statements Of the officers. IN the
evening the following will be the program:
Overture, Light Cavalry Colby trio; in
vocation; vocal to be selected), J. Homer
Altemus; lecture thirty mnutes) F. A.
Wiggin; vocal, selected. E. w. Hatch;
spirit messages. j. H. Altemus; violin solo,
Poet and Peasant" C. L. C. Hatch; lee
ture Chirty minutes) THE Children, Our
Crown Jewels" Carrie E. s. living; march
up the Street." Colby trio; spirit mes
sages, Mrs. May s. Pepper; music.
Treasurer's Report
Treasurer Theodore ]. Mayer submitted
his report yesterday. An epitome Of the
statement. prepared by Mr. Mayer, shows
that the balance on hand October 1, 1900
was s9,501: total receipts from October l,
1900. to September 30, 1901, $40, 800 66, max
ing total Of s19,891.66. Total amount dis
bursed from October 1, 1900. to September
80 1901, $S,008.O5; balance on hand October
l. 1901, $11 ,SS361.
Public Meeting Last Night.
Long before last nights public meeting
was to begin the hall was crowded The
audience seemed to be made up almost en-
tirely Of spiritualists. who followed the lee
lures and received the spirit voices sum-
moned by one of the most distinguished of
their mediums in an attitude of the deep
est reverence
After several musical numbers by men,
bers of the orchestra regularlyin attendance
on the convention. President Barrett intro
duced Rev. Moses Hull who is regarded as
one of the most prominent teachers in the
faith. By general consent Mr.. Hull talked
for more than the time allotted-thirty min
utes-in exposition Of medium privileges
and the qualities Of character bestowed
upon the medium. second address, was
delivered by George w. Hates on the work
Of the Spiritualists' Association. The feat
ures of the programme, however, were two
medium exhibitions. one by Mrs Margaret
Gaule Of New York city and the other bv
Mrs. Zaida Brown Hates. At President
Barrett's suggestion the audience remained
perfectly quiet during Mrs. Gauies exhibi
ton. The medium then passed through the
audience. giving spirit messages from the
departed. at the hearing of which those
present were visibly affected.