The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-11-27


Uocated at No. coo Pennsylvania Avenue,
Washington, d. c.
financial as well as moral support. The
Spiritualists in every state took up the
idea with enthusiasm. When Capt. Ed
son called the convention to order at
noon September 81, 1898, in the hall at
No. II Thirty-frst street, Chicago,
about 500 properly chosen delegates
were in attendance. Capt. Edison was
elected temporary chairman and Maj.
r. A. Dimmick, temporary secretary.
Committees were then appointed by
the temporary chairman. After the
committee on credentials had report
ed, and the duly authorized delegates
had been seated, a permanent organi-
cation was effected.
On the following afternoon the COM
mittee on organization submitted an
elaborate report, which was amended
and adopted. This is substantially the
creed of the sect. The gist of it is in
the following sentences: 1--WE affirm a
belief in conscious spirit individuality
after transition, with the power of
communicating, under proper condi-
tons and in accordance with natural
law, with spirits incarnate; and that
the laws of spirit progress and evolu-
ton are not interrupted or suspended
by dissolution of the physical body"
AT the headquarters here the fol-
lowing interesting definitions are
found: "A fortune teller is a person
who pretends to forecast the future
without the assistance of excarnate in
telligences, finding occult powers in
cards, charms, dices, etc, and bases
his whole system upon conjecture, not
upon factsa A medium is an instrument
through whom disembodied intelli-
gences make themselves known to
mortals through positive proofs Of
their identity. Fortune telling is no
part of spiritualism, but has been
barnacle of gigantic proportions that
has seriously impeded its progress"
The building occupied by the ma
tioual association is in full view of
the great congressional library and
the capitol, is within five or six min
utes' walking distance of those cen
ters of intelligence and statesman
ship. The officers for the present year
are Harrison d. Barrett, of Boston,
Mass, president; Theodore j. Mayer,
of Washington, treasurer; and Mrs.
Mary 7. Longley, of Washington, secre-
tary. The offices are well furnitured,
and the employees are kept constantly
busy. There is an excellent library
here, containing all the available liter
allure tending to demonstrate the truth
of the religion advocated, and also all
books and articles published in oppo-
sition to the religion.
Leading advocates of this creed say
that it is in full accord with all Chris
tian creeds heretofore developed, be-
cause all creeds teach a future spirit
life. They say that St. Paul exclaimed:
eve are comprised about with a great
cloud of witnesses" Mrs. Levy, for
many years prominent here in medium
ship, said: eve believe all that the
churches teach and more. We simply
believe that our departed loved ones
are not only living, but that they can
communicate with us. just at that
point we are accused of charlatanry.
We are fortunate to live in an age of
liberality, or they would be burning
us at the stake because of our ad-
vanced faith"
The meetings of the First society
here are held Sunday mornings and
evenings in Masonic hall. There has |
been no effort made to erect temple
here, but the national association will |
undertake that work during the COM
ing year. They will not call upon the |
people outside of this city, unless it is |
found to be necessary to do so. Quite |
number of rich men belong to the |
society here, as is evidenced by the |
gift, from one of them. of the house |
and grounds for national headquar- |
tiers. Besides number Of congress
men belong to the society, and it is ex-
pected that they will contribute liber-
ally while congress is in session here |
the coming winter.
The best thing to be seen in this ma
tional organization, at a cursory
glance. is its deep dark frown upon |
fortune-telling mediums, who impose |
upon ignorance, superstition and Gre
dulity.
SMITH Z. FRY.