The daily sentinel., 1907-10-14
IN BODY
AND SPIRIT
Great Gathering of Spirit
ualists, Spirits and Ghosts
Big Growth Of the Cult
What is a Spirit?-Do
Spirits Grow.
,s.n.,ns,,s Special News service)

Washington. Oct. 14.-With sever
al bundred human beings and count
less millions of spirits, haunts, spoohs
and Mahatmas in attendaLce' the
fifteenth annual convention OF the
National spiritualists' association OF
the limited States and Cahdada open
ed today In Masonic temple ana VIII
continue in session through the en-
tire week. Delegates are present
from a majority of the states OF the
Union and from several Canaolah
nrovinces. representing a constitu-
ency of 10000 people. incluuihg
twentv-two state associations ana
thirtv-two camp meeting orgahiza-
tions. the Spiritualists hav olo re-
cognized orthodox societies III a
merica through which the tenets oil
tbe cult are promulgated. during
rho last twelve months, twenty local
societies and one state association
have been organized. President Har-
rison ID Barrett is presiding at the
convention. and some of the world
most prominent mediums AMI insplr-
ational speakers are in Attendance
What Is a Spiritualist? is one OF the
questions to be decided at the pres
ent meeting. and there are prospects
of a lively time when TINS matter
Is debated in open session. A speclai
committee was appointed at the last
convention to prepare a dennitioh OF
the particular terms that denne the
spiritualist as sect. A sturdy hsht
will certainly be made against the
adoption of this report. as the Spir-
itualist body includes large free-
thinking element that is opposed TO
the formulation of anything resem-
bliIg creed or confession OF talth.
These are believed to be in minor
ity, however, and the general trend
of the cult appears to be toward
form of government closely resem-
bling the orthodox religious denomi-
nations. with churches. regularly or
dained ministers and the other at
tributes of orthodox conservation.
Another matter of interest will be
the consideration of the question,
What do Spiritualists believe with
regard to the growth of children in
the spirit world? 1t is curious
fact that no declaration has beer
made by this sect with respect to
this question in a period of propa-
ganda covering fully sixty years.
Whether persons who die in infancy
remain infants in the spirit world,
throughout eternity. is vital prob
lem. and the mediums present viii
attempt to solve 1t by "A direct appeal
to the spirit land.
Recent revelations which have SER
Iously compromised several prominent
mediums and had the effect of bring
ing Spiritualisitc phenomena into dis
repute have resulted in bring the
fraud question before the convention.
and the discussion of methods of re-
will give rise to lively debate.
Leading Spiritualists admit that the
cult is a cloak which covers n multi
tude of impostors. The fact that
drastic legislation, Affecting the legal
standing of Spiritualism and those
who believe in the cult, has been at
tempted in several states during the
last winter, has induced the dele
gates to take decided steps in ad-
vance when they come to deal with
this question.
Another important matter will be
consideration of the best methods
of obtaining possession of bequests
made to the cause" by wealthy de-
ceased Spiritualists. Several suits
are now pending. involving large
estates, wherein the sanity of the
testators is questioned by reason of
their adherence to Spiritualism.
An attempt is to be made during
the convention to provide for the
writing of an authentic history of
the movement, from the Spiritualis-
tic standpoint, involving the raising
of large fund and the election of
a competent historical board.
The relation of Spiritualists to the
reform issues of the day will un-
undoubtedly precipitate sharp de-
bate in which the radical and conser-
vatiye elements will express very de-
cided and widely variant opinions.
An attempt to secure declaration
in favor of Socialism may be made.
but is not likely to be successful.
The question of mediumship will
undoubtedly provoke a prolonged de-
bate, as the most intelligent Spirit
ualistst are bitterly opposed to the
idea that mediums can be "deveI-
oped" at prices ranging from s5 to
$500 per head. This practice will
be condemned in unsparing language
by leading delegates to the meeting