SOCIETY FOR INVESTIGATING SPIRITUALISM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3243, 28 June 1872, Page 2

SOCIETY FOR INVESTIGATING SPIRITUALISM

A large number of members and friends of the above Society assembled last evening in the lower hall of the Athenaeum, to hear the President-elect, Mr Thomas Redmayne, deliver his inaugural address. It was listened to with interest throughout.

Mr Redmayne stated that he regretted his inability to do justice to a subject fraught with such interest to humanity. He referred to its various aspects—scientific, philosophic, social, and religious— and said it was very possible that in the new revelation we were about to acquire knowledge that would transcend anything that had so far entered into the mind of man. Gould it have been believed, even in the early part of this century, that a time would come when a message might be sent a thousand miles in an instant ? Certainly it would have been less credited than a belief in the communication between spirits and mortals is at the present day. There was a great deal of misconception abroad as to the true method of investigating the phenomena of Spiritualism. Ordinary scientific tests could not always be applied, but, as in all scientific researches, certain conditions '■ were dictated by nature, which should not be violated. The conditions offered ! by a public meeting were not favourable ' for the exhibition of phenomena. The j proofs, however, of spiritual communion, 1 and the truths taught, could be brought! forward. It was one of the out-' growths of free enquiry, and had long been waiting for the world of thought to become prepared for it. Spiritualists classed mind thus :—God, spirit, ideas, knowledge, laws, powers, forces. Magnetism was the lowest form of mind, and the highest of matter—mind being positive and matter negative. Matter was

classed as follows :—Electricity, atmosphere, liquids, animals, vegetables, minerals. Progression was the law of mind and matter. The world had undergone changes in the past, to become a fit dwelling place for a low type of man ; so we might feel assured that as the twilight of real intellectual life dawned upon the world, it would become a fit abode for more spiritualised beings. Each successive generation was becoming more sympathetic and magnetic, and gradually more beautiful in mind and form. _ The spirits of the departed had I the mission of assisting humanity in the '<■ comprehension and observance of the laws which lead to this higher state. Mr Red- ' mayne went into the early history of modern Spiritualism, describing the marvellous endowments of the unlettered lad of fifteen, Andrew Jackson Davis, who wrote under spirit influence. He described how the spirits found the requisite conditions, magnetic and atmospheric, for the production of phenomena to demonstrate their existence. He said Spiritualism had no creed—each of its followers thought for himself, all believing in the fact of spirit communion, progression, and immortality. The recognized teachers of humanity could not comprehend it, and as it encroached upon their theories, institutions, aud comfortable emoluments, they felt bound to oppose it. The religious teachings of the day were too antiquated—too much bej hind the march of civilization, and the people felt th* want of food for their souls, preferring Atheism to hypocrisy. He referred to the social condition of the industrious pooi\ Millions were sijent in preaching, and in keeping thenTdown, which, if properly applied, might establish justice and lead to the general diffusion of happiness. Very few people seemed to be aware of the stupendous movement of mind at the present time, and it would be fortunate if Spiritualism became their bond of union for the amelioration of the race. Then, every man would become his own Ruler, General, Priest, Philosopher, and Christ; and he would acknowledge but one Chief—the Lord of infinite love and wisdom.

Mr Caruick, who occupied the chair, spoke at some length, and invited free discussion upon the subject of the address. Several gentlemen expressed their opinions, and a vote of thanks was given to the President. Twenty-five new members were elected, making a total of eighty-one.