Evening star., 1903-10-20
ANNUAL: CONVENTION
National Spiritualists' Asso-
citation Assemblies Today.
'Joif
PRESIDENTS ADDRESS
EXTENDS CORDIAL GREETINGS TO
THE MEMBERSHIP.
Attendance Said to Be Larger Than at
Any Previous Meeting-Com-
mittees Named

''Spiritualism as Growing Power in the
World is the theme of discussion and the
watchword in the work of nearly two hun
dred delegates who met this morning in
National Rifles Armory, on G street north
west near 9th street at the eleventh an
nual convention of the National Spiritual
lists Association of the United States and
Cananda. The session this morning con-
tlnued until Il O'Clock. when a recess was
taken until O'Clock. There will also be an
evening session today, beginning at 7:30
o o'clock.
The stage in the armory is beautifully
decorated with autumn flowers and leaves.
The audiences this morning and this after
noon were very large, there being over 800
delegates and visitors present. This is re-
garded as one of the largest conventions of
spiritualists ever held and President Harrl
SON d. Barrett of Needham. Mass. be-
lives that it will be the most important as
well as the most successful.
The chief idea of the spiritualistS at this
meeting IS to insure cooperation, or, as
one expressed 1t today to show the world
how many questions they agree upon and
row feW there are upon which they dis
agree.
President Barrett, who has been at the
head of the national organization for ten
years, retlreS this week, and a successor to
him will be elected next Friday. SSeral
names of prominent leaders in the sptfitu
alistic movement are considered possible
choices
The session this morning began at 10
o'clock. First the congr aga ton sang a
symn "Jubilate," after which the invo-
cation was pronounced by Mrs, Mary T;
Longley of this city. When song had
been sung entitled The Dear Old Days"
&C n posed by Mr.. c. p Longley President
Barrett delivered an address of welcome to
the delegates.
He said in part:
President Barrett's Address.
ut devolves upon me this morning to give
you formal welcome as delegates to this
convention 1t is a pleasant duty. and in
extending to YOU tits welcome l simply
voice the sentiment of the spirtualsts Of
the nation in greeting another. There
is no point at which the oneness of thought
among US, people. can be more clearly
felt than during these annual gatherings.
L note with pleasure the representative
character of this great convention. More
states are represented on this floor at the
present moment than have been at any
other convention since 1893. 1t is an index
to the fact that the n. S. a. is growing in
the estimation Of the nation. and proves to
us that Organization is no longer in the air.
but is a concrete fact"
Continuing, he asked the delegates to con-
slider the problem of how best to advance
the thought of spiritualism throughout the
land. and efAlacing it in a clear light be-
fore the people.
Let us give them a concrete expression
of our belief" he said. He spoke OF the
passing of the idea that they were apart
from the world t..-..
1t Is not that. we believe In spirits re-
turn. he said. hut that we know it, Let
US say that to the world and stand by it: !:
and. In recognizing it. let us give the world
something by which the dark pail of sor-
row can be Hghtened and the heavy load of
gloom with which this world is shrouded
may be rent asunder by the smile Of God.
/ welcome you"
titled "The Garments We Make We Shall
Wear" Mr. Moses Hull. president of the
Morris Pratt Institute. Whitewater, Wis.
responded to the presidents address. He
emphasized the statement that the spirit
ualists were all gathered together to break
down the barriers of north, south, east and
west and make their body one over the
whole world. He spoke of this convention
as grand symposium. at which believers
are to learn how much alike they are and
how to better organize their forces and
carry on their missionary work. He said
that spiritualism is no longer curiosity,
but has become great movement. in which
all the world is Interested He even init
mated that it is not far different from other
religious beliefs. saying "spiritualism Is
universal -.
Committees Named.
After more music the appointment Of the
following committees was made by Presi-
dent Barrett:
Committee on, credentials, J. B. Hatch.
IT,, of Massachusetts. w. ]. Hicks Of Mon
tana, F. w. Martin of Ohio. Milan c. Ed
son of Washington. d. c., and Mrs. Stella
A. F'iske of Iowa.
Committee on rules. DR.. Geo A. Fuller
of Massachusetts. Mr.. J. s. Gillespie Of Cal
ifornia Dr. 3. O'DeN of Michigan, f. H.
Greene of Missouri, and F. H. Morrill, of
Philadelphia.
The committee of usages and education
work chairman. Rev. +. A. Wiggin Of Bos-
ton. appointed at the last annual conven-
tion announced that the members had a
very yoluminous written report to present,
which covered the whole matter of ritual.
The chairman read brief extracts and said
that its adoption would tend to give the
spiritualist churches legal status. Forms
for the marriage ceremony, christening, or
dination Of ministers and other rites were
recommended for adoption by the commit
tee The report went over for final consid-
Grafton until Wednesday afternoon at
o'clock.
Afternoon Session