Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1907-10-14
DEALING WITH The
SUPERNATURAL
SPIRITUALISTS WILL TRY AND
DECISE WHAT THEIR STAND
INC IN THE COMMUNITY is.

Washington, Oct l4.-With sew
eral hundred human beings and
countless millions Of spirits. haunts.
spooks and Mahatmas in attendance.
the fifteenth annual convention OF
the National Spiritualists Associa-
tion of the United States and Canada
opened today in Masonic temple and
viii continue In session through the
entire week Delegates are present
from n majority OF the states OF the
Union and from several Canadian
provinces, representing a constitu-
ency Of 10000 people Including
twenty-five state associations and
thirty-tw1 camp meeting organlza-
tions, the Spirituallsts have Sic rec
oenized orthodox" societies I'm
America through which the tenets OF
the cult are promulgated During
the last twelve months. twenty local
societies and one state association
have been organized. President
Harrison d. ID. Barnett is presiding at
the convention. and some OF the
worlds most prominent medium and
inspirational speakers are in attend
ance
What is a Spiritualist? is one
Of the questions to be decided at
the present meeting. and there are
prospects of a lively time when this
matter is debated in open session.
\ special committee was appoint
ed at the last convention TO prepare
definition OF the particular terms
that define the Spirltualists as a sect.
4 sturdy fight will certainly be made
against the adoption OF this report.
as the Spiritualist body includes
large free-thinking element that Is
opposed to the formulation Of any
thing resembling n creed or confes-
sion Of faith. These are believed to
be in a minority, however. and the
general trend OF the cult appears 10
be toward a form OF government
closely resembling the orthodox re.
ligious denominations. with church
es. regularly ordained ministers and
the other attributes Of orthodox con
servatism.
Another matter of interest will be
the consideration OF the question.
What do Spirtuallsts believe with
regard TO the growth OF children IN
the spirit world? n is curious
fact that no declaration has been
made by this sect with respect 10
this question in a period OF propa
eanda covering fully sixty years
Whether persons who die I'm infancy
remain infants I'm the spirit world
throughout eternity. is vital prob
lem. and the mediums present VIII
attempt 10 solve II by direct ap-
peal to the spirit land
Recent revelations which have
seriously compromised several prom
inent mediums anN had the effect ~
bringing Spiritua'eHc phenomena
into disrepute have resulted i'm bring
Ing the fraui question before the
convention and The discussion Of
methods of removing this evil from
the movement will give rise 10 a live
ly debate. Leading spiritualists ad-
NIT that tho cult is a cloak which
covers multitude Of lmposters. The
fact that drastic legislation. AFFECT
Ing the legal standing Of spiritual
ism and those who believe In tho
cult, has been attempted in sev.
eral states during the last winter.
has induced the delegates to take
decided steps in advance when they
come 70 deal with this question
Another important matter will be
consideration Of the best methods Of
obtaining possession Of requests
made to the cause" by wealthy
deceased spiritualists. Several suits
are now pending. involving large es-
tates, wherein the sanity Of the tes-
tators Is questioned by reason Of
their adherence 70 spiritusiism.
An attempt is to be made during