Evening star., 1901-10-15

| review of the past year in spiritualisn. The
| character Of the paper is sufficiently indi-
| Gated by the following extracts:
There has been marked increase In
| interest in the National Spiritualists Asso-
citation. both on the part of the general pub
lie and that of individual Spiritualists dur
ing the year The officers of the National
Spiritualists' Association have been repeat
edly approached by newspaper representa-
tiyes and magazine editors for statements
with regard to the position of Spiritualism
and its attitude with respect to certain
questions of the day. Articles in defense
of Spiritualism have been solicited for some
of the leading periodicals of the land and
have been promptly furnished by your pres
ident and secretary. The leaders of other
denominations have sought our National
Spiritualists' Association for authentic
statements with respect to what Spiritual
ism Is and Its value as a religious cult.
There has also been a decided change of
front on the part of certain Spiritualists
with regard to the National Spiritualists s.
Association. Many who were hitherto op-
posed to it are now numbered among its
friends or have Withdrawn their active op-
position and are now neutral with regard
to 1t.
Alleges Persecution.
There has been some persecution in the
name of the law, especially in Baltimore.
Md, and Washington, D. c. In the latter
city law of Congress imposes heavy bur-
dens upon our mediums who wish to prac-
tice their professions there. The law is
most unjust, and the officers of the N. g. A.
have exerted themselves to secure either it's
repeal or modification. Inasmuch as it COM
pels our mediums to pay large sum each
week as license fee 1t would seem to be
a case that could well come before this
convention. l therefore recommend that a
special committee be appointed to look into
this matter and report at this convention.
The officers of the N S. A. have labored
faithfully In this field. but can only report
progress to date, and ask for action on the
part Of the delegates
Secretary's Annual Report.
Secretary Mary T. Longley offered her
annual report to the convention when Mr..
Barrett had concluded She noted the or
ganization of thirty-four societies affiliated
with the national association; favorable re-
ports from all the local unions; the pay
ment of all debts incurred for the golden
Jubilee at Rochester, N. Y, in 1885, and a
number of gifts to the national society.
These two papers, with the report Of
Treasurer Mayer, occupied the delegates all
the afternoon. This evening at the first
public session of the convention, the fol-
lowing program is to be presented:
Overture-From Faust"
Colby trio of Boston
Charles L. G. Hatch, Israel Alexander, E.
Warren Hatch.
Invocation.
Violin solo-"Spanischer Tang"
Lecture go minutes)-'T Religion Of
SplftuanSm Moses Hull
Vocal-"Gentle Words and Loving Hearts,
E. w. Hatch
Spirit messages. ..... Mrs. Margaret Gaule
Cornet solo-"O Promise Me-. Gle Hatch
Lecture-(30 minutes) Mrs. Martha E. Root
Vocal-(to be selected) Miss Jennie De Long
Spirit message Mrs. Zaida Brown Kates
Reception at Ebbitt House.
4 reception was held last night at the
Ebbitt House. When the delegates had
shaken hands with President Barrett and
had renewed acquaintance with each other
the presiding officer announced Mr.. Willar
editor of Light of Truth, for an address on
the progress of spirituaIism during the past
year. Rev Moses Hull of Wisconsin and
Mr.. Willard Hull of Columbus, Ohio, then
announced certain contributions to the
cause Of the convention. The former
brought with him deeds conveying to the
association property worth about S35 900
and an offer to contribute $4,000 further
when the national association shall have
given $4,000. This fund is to be used in
establishing a spiritualists' collegiate insti-
tuition in Wisconsin. Mr.. Willard Hull de-
scribed large and costly church edifice
which he had donated in Columbus. One
of the chief mediums of the association,
Mrs. PETER, then addressed the delegates.
On the reception committee were Mary
T. Langley. Mrs. T. NJ. Locke, Mrs H D.
Barrett Mrs. c. L. Hatch and Miss Agnes
Wincke.