The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1902-11-11

financial as we'll 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. n 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
oreee1s Ct the sect. The gist of it is in
the following sentences: 1--WE affirm
belief in conscious, spirit individuality
after transition, with the power of
communicating, under proper condi-
tions, and in accordance with natural
law, with spirits incarnate; and that
the laws of spirit progress and eyolu-
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 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 facts. 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 a
barnacle of gigantic proportions that
has seriously impeded its progress"
The building occupied by the ma.
the great congressional library and
the capitol, is within five or six min
utes' walking distance of those cen
tiers of intelligence and statesman
ship. The officers for the present year
are Harrison ID. Barrett, of Boston.
Mass, president; Theodore j. Mayer
of Washington, treasurer; and Mrs.
Mary L. 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 todemonstrate 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
tan creeds heretofore developed, be-.
cause all creeds teach future spirit
life. They say that st. Paul exclaimed:
'We are comprised about with 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 hail. There has
been no effort made to erect a 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 iber-
ally while congress is in session here
the coming winter.
The best thing to be seen in this ma
tional organization, at cursory
glance, is its deep dark frown upon
fortune-telling mediums, who impose
upon ignorance, superstition and ere
6ulitv