The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-08-12

vival Of spiritualism. which has
iiared MP so Unexpectedly since the
war, finds its fullest expression In
Detroit. There Is probably more
communication with the beyond
going on here than IN eny other
city in the country-certatnly 1t
has the greatest number Of spirit
ualistic societies.
Advertisements of their myster-
ious doings I'LL q whole column In
the local newspapers. Don't fail
to hear Professor Handles essay
on the Power Of VISION" reads
one Of these. "also spirit raps loud
and distinct within the human
brain. Greatest phepomena since
lS48; other surprises. Come, skep-
tics. Admission, Is cents, war tax
included"
Another invites the public to
meetings Of the Rosebud society"
which also guarantees messages
and spirit raps within the human
brain. Still another is the Sun
flower society,"" which welcomes
visitors to its Sunday evening
services, with the assurance Of a
lecture as we'll as a message for
all.
There are dozens OF them, all
apparently modelled after the same
pattern, and nearly all Of them
possessing women pastors. Spirit
ualism is one form of religion in
which women play the stellar roles,
since the shades Of the next world
seem to prefer them as mediums.
Indeed, several of the societies in
Detroit are inclined to think that
the Creator of the universe may be
feminine, scouting the assumption
Of a masculine Deity as distinctly
uncertain if not actually narrow
minded.
Going After the Spirits.
After scanning the long list Of
advertisements, we finally decided
in favor Of attending the services
Of the "Psychical Research So
ciety," which also spoke of mes
sages, but no raps. The meeting
u. A. \. l.,
which sounded conservative and
reliable; so, accompanied by a
good-natured Detroit business man,
we started forth in search of it,,
in the hope of obtaining some re-
ally live gossip from the next
world.
The hall proved to be a worn and
dejected-looking building on a
street containing small, cheap
shops, and although a cardboard
sign tackled crookedly on the wall
announced that a meeting Of the
"Psychical Research society" was
in progress on the top floor, the
place appeared quite deserted.
After looking about and listening
for signs of life, we suddenly dis
covered a small sign in dark cor
ner by the elevator, which said
Three rings for the Psychical Re-
search society,"" Accordingly, we
rang the elevator bell three times.
and in a few minutes it started
slowly down the shaft, swinging
perilously from side to side.
Maybe that's due to psychic vi
brations." suggested our friend,
who had not been much impressed
with all the recent ghostly mani
festations which have been occur
ring throughout the country.
A small man, with round, bald
head and faded, dropping mus
tache, opened the door of the eleva-
tor cage. assuring us that there
was psychical research society
and that it had foregathered; so
we began quivering ascent to the
top floor.
Where the Sitters Sat,
In large square room. contain
ing wide, central platform, rows
of dingy chairs, dilapidated mural
decorations left over from Some re-
mote dance, and <an extraordinary
lack of ventilation. were gathered
the psychicA researcheSs-an al
most wholly feminine congregation.
One Of them was playing ON sick
ly piano something which may or
may not have been 1.-The Maiden's
Prayer" Fortunately, it was i'm
possible to tell. The rest, some
twenty-five or SO. were occupying
the front rows Of chairs, waiting
patiently for the services to begin.
Look like factory workers."
murmured our business friend. as
We walked to the front and bra