Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-03-03

mally dedicated SUNDAY morning IN
this city by the members Of the Pro-
gressive Spirituaiist Society or Angus
ia, assisted by. several State officers
and visiting mediums. The occasion
was made especially pleasing by the
presentation to the Augusta society of
beautiful silk American flag by the
members Of Androscoggin spiritualist
Society of Auburn. The speech of pre-
sentatlon was made by Robert T. Full
Ter of that society and the flag was ac-
cepted by Mrs. Knowlton of the Au-
gusta society.
After the singing Of America" by
the congregation. Rev. Emma Il. Smith
OF Lawrence, Mass, a prominent me-
dunn, pronounced the invocation A
beautiful solo. will There BE Any
Stars in My Crown" was sung by Mrs.
Belle Roberts, with the congregation
joining in the chorus. The flag was
then presented.
President Arthur Stewart of the Au-
gusta society in his address of well
come gave a short history of the Au-
gusta society. The Progressive Spirit
ualist Society had its start in 1905,
when n group gathered at the home
OF one OF it's number and organized as
the Sunfiower Club. Harry Lowell was
us ITSl pTeSiutul, SeTNlHS loI oIc Stdi
and then Gilbert =. Herrick, a most
enthusiastic worker. served in that ca
pacity until 1911 when he was relieved
of it's duties at his own request. Frank
Barnard Of Sidney served for the next
three years and Mr.. Herrick was pre-
vailed upon to act as president again,
remaining in office for three years. DIR.
Dana Soule then held that responsible
position for year and was followed
by Dr. f. Josephine Cony. who served
in 1918 and 1919. In 1920 Wilfred
Pierce was elected to head the society
and in 1922 Mrs. Ella Nj. Staples served
for one year. being followed by Arthur
Stewart, who has since held that po-
sition.
About three years after 1t was
formed. the club changed Its name
to the Progressive Spiritual So
cicty" and shortly after began mold
ing meetings in G.. A. X. hall. where
II has met since that time. AT aDout
the same time it affiliated with the
Maine State Association end through
that body with the National Asso-
citation. but the exact date cannot
be determined as the records of this
society have been lost by fire as
were the records of the State So
ciety. In 1911 the society was granted
q charter rs n church.
Through the generosity of George
Staples Davis, one of the strong
workers for the society in its first
DAVIS. who at her death left a sum
of money In trust, to be used for the
benefit of her brother during his life
time and then to be used by the So
ciety to provide a fitting temple. the
Augusta Society has been able TO
secure the land and build a hne
home.
Arthur Smith. Of Auburn. presl-
dent of the Maine State Splrltuailst
Association spoke in response to this
welcome and in his talk mentioned
the fine work Of George Staples
Davis and of Gilbert =. Herrick.
Pictures of both were upon the plat
form from which he spoke. lie re-
fered to the Gift OF the beautiful flag
by the Androscoggin Spirituallst So
riety OF Auburn and declared that
the members of the Spiritual society
were the. first ones to have a nag
displaved in their meeting places. lie
EXPRESSED his hope that the nag
would never be displayed over an
armed force again. rs the morality
NJ the nation is broken down by
wars In the course of his remarks
he brought out the fact that tiar-
rison ID. Barrett, the first president
OF the National Association was
Maine man.
A beautiful dedication poem writ
ten by President Arthur w. Stewart
of the Augusta Society was read by
Mrs. Mary Drake Jenne of Etna.
secretary OF the Maine state spirit
ualist Society. Following the poem,
a violin duet was rendered in a most
charming manner by Mrs. Nellie
Soule and Miss Margaret Skillin.
In place of an address which was
TO be given by Mark \. Barwise. rep
rcsenting the National Spirituaiist
Society, ho because of absence from
the state could not be present.
Thomas A. Scott of Boston, manag.
ing editor of the Banner of Life
the New England organ OF the so
ciety, was called upon.
He declared that this occasion
would be one of the happiest mem
cries Of his life. He said that he is
sorry that the society does not hoia
the young people, as he no'lceo
that the majority of the members
are middle aged. but thought that
with this new temple. the Augusta
Society would ne wen slt"ei.tN w "
terest the younger people. He asked
that they tell the whole truth all the
time as the society has nothing to
say that is Objectionable to anyone.
He referred to the hard time the
society ia having in Massachusetts
but said that although several med
iums have been arraigned in court.
in no case has a medium of the So
ctety been convicted, and he has
been instrumental in procuring the
acquittal OF several.
After a beautiful dedication song,
written by Joseph Mullen, a member
Of the executive board of the Maine
State Spiritual Society had been
sung by Mrs. Belle Roberts, several
short addresses were given by prom
inent spiritualists. Those who spoke
were Mrs Mary Drake Jenne OF Etna.
Mrs. Georgia Duncan of Portland.
Robert r. Fuller, president of the
Androscoggin Spiritual Society OF
Auburn Annie Robinson Smith of
Portland, DIR. Bigeiow of Skowhegan
and Rev. Emma b. Smith of Law
renee, Mass. The meeting came to
close with the benediction by Rev
Emma B. Smith.
The large assembly room OF the
temple was well filled with peopie
at the opening of the exercises and
much interest was shown through
out the meeting. In the afternoon
a meeting was conducted by Rev.
Emma B. Smith of Lawrence, Mass,