The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-02-17

rights, privileges and powers as the
Methodist, Presbyterian. Catholic CT
any other religious denomination
twenty-five state associations, each
one OF which is composed OF many
local societies. are its auxiliaries, al!
OF which are working under charters
granted by their several states, and II
this proposed enactment should be-
come a law, no notice OF their meet
iugs could be published in any news
paper because II would subject such
newspaper TO first-class postage II sent
through the mails II would prohibit
the distribution OF spirit ualistic liter
ature--Of which there are tens of
thousands OF yolumes-as the postage
would then be four times as much as
IL is now. and four times the amount
paid by any other denomination. This
would mean the prohibition OF the
literature OF the Psychical Research
society OF the United States, and Il.
would be driven out of business Tie
forty great camp meetings OF the
spiritualists-in which are invested
many thousands OF dollars OF the
money OF the cI-izeus OF this country
would be reduced TO bankruptcy. as
they could not advertise their meet
ings, the Michigan State Spiritualist
association. as well As al other suCn
organizations, including the National
Spiritualist association, would be pro
llbited from publishing the notices OF
their mass meetings annual and other
conventions, as we'll as denied the
! privilege OF sending notices OF meet
lirgs and other literature necessary TO
the business of the local societies:
/ even the local societies OF this and
every other city in the United States
/ though holding charters from their
several states granting them the priyi-
/ lege. would be prob bited from notify
ling their people through the press Of
the time, place. etc. OF their meetings
ana the newspapers and printers would
lose their patronage.
II is not enough for the authors OF
! this bin 10 seek 10 strike the religion
! OF spfrttttstiisfn a-efeath- hlow- and-tn
rob its believers Of their sacred rights,
/ but 10 make their effCrt more effectual
/ they viciously couple it's name with
fortune telling" with evident Intent
! 10 prejudice the public mind against
liz Everyone WHO understands modern
Ispiritualism knows that it has no moro
relation % fortune telling" than true
! Christianity has to the acts OF the
Ihypocrites and mountebanks who
| falsely pretend TO believe and practice
| its teachings.
is this 2 christian country? Is the
presentation OF this infamous bill In
! cur congress a christian aCt2 II so,
| Is christianity to be measured by sucn
act9 Is the presentation OF this un-
lust and un-AmericGn bill 10 our con-
eress the act OF true Americans whose
! forefathe:s fought, bled and died Tor
human freedom ana religious liberty?
The hand that is thus raised against
modern spiritualism and its millions u
adherents is raised against the consti-
tuition OF the United states which
grants absolute religious freedom 20
I all of IT'S citizens. and every true and
/ loyal citizen OF this republic. whether
4--r7fi--++4.. 4-t-ehEistIan- Agnostic- mater.
ialist. infdel or pagan, should vigo~'
louslv protest against such a high
handed attempt TO overthrow the re-
lHgious rights and privileges OF any Ct
/ the citizens OF our boasted land ~
the free and home OF the brave.
Petitions to- congress protesting
against the enactment OF this bill ale
lleing circulated arG signed by loyal
citizens ~ this city and OF many other
cities and towns throughout the United
States .
REV. Z. w SPRAGUE,
| PSI West Canfield-aye,
Feb 1G 1915