A VISIT TO A SPIRITUALIST’S SCHOOL.

Evening Star, Issue 3129, 28 February 1873, Page 2

A VISIT TO A SPIRITUALIST’S SCHOOL.

Many people are led to suppose that spiritualists confine their attention to public lectin ing, holding stances in private, and maintaining, or at least endeavoring to organise, a system of intercommunication between mortal beings and the spirits* of those who have “passed that bourne from whence no traveller returns.” buch, how* ever, is not the case. Though spiritualism may be said to be still in its infancy in the Colony, it is asserted that 158 adults, all more or less the heads of families, have in Melbourne alone given in their adhesion to the new evangel. There are many others who sympathise with it, but who, to use a Scriptural phrase, only accord a Lacede* monian support to it, whose moral courage, social position, or domestic relations stand in the way of their publicly espousing the cause. The statement may be taken for what it is worth, but judging from the large audiences attracted by Mr .Peebles’s lectures, and the respectful bearing ac orded to him upon all occasions, even when making his fiercest on* slaugbts upon established creeds, it is not at all improbable that considerable numbers view spiritualism favorably, though they may refrain from openly acknowledging its doctrines. The charges made against the believers in spiritualism of inculcating prin* ciples adverse to sound morals) and the allegation that the physical manifestations wit* nessed at their stances are of diabolical origin, impart, it may be a fictitious, but assuredly some interest to any investigation made in a spirit of impartiality into the nature, ramifications, rnd tendency of this novel species of religion. A visit to what is known as the Progressive Lyceum, the meetings connected with which are held every Sunday forenoon in the Masonic Hall, Lonsdale street, throws a considerable light upon the subject. Ihe meetings, though ad* mittedly analogous to our Sunday schools, and in fact they may be said to represent the gatherings of those of the Christian' persua* siou for purposes of worship, are gone through without any approach to prayer. The name of the Deity is scarcely mentioned, and as for the author of Christianity, he might be, for aught those present are made aware, a mere historic personage, philanthropic and benevolent doubtless, but nothing more. Nevertheless, the proceedings present some features of interest. The meetiug this Sunday commenced at eleven, and notwithstanding the threatening aspect of the weather, about sixty children, ranging from four to fifteen years of age, accompanied, some by their parents, others by friends, had put in an appearance before that hour. Strangers were admitted to the gallery of the Masonic Hall, while those engaged in the proceedings occupied the ground floor. The children were evidently of the better class, being without exception all well dressed, quiet and respectful in their demeanor. Indeed, they appeared rather sedate than otherwise for Colonial children. As they arrived they took their allotted seats in groups, as iudica* ted by standards surmounted by small shields decorated with ribbons of different colors. It then became apparent that these groups were so many classes, according to the age of the children, and bore symbolic titles. The group of youngest children was entitled the fountain Group, having a banner, badge, and colors d stinct from the others. Then followed in succession, in an ascending scale, the Stream, Kiver, Lake, Sea, Ocean, Sh re, Banner, Star, Excelsior, Liberty, and Sum* mer groups, each with his banner, badge, sentiment, colors, aud guardians. The Lyceum banner, which was the largest, rested against the conductor’s or president’s seat, on the raised dais, and was only used when home in the processsion which closed the proceedings. Toe Lyceum is managed by officers, the principal being the conductor, who wears a badge, consisting of a gold star, with green and red velvet streamers attached. The musical directors, guardians, and others also wear badges symbolising some idea or principle. At eleven o’clock, the meeting opened by the conductor, Mr Terry, taking the chair. Having rung a small bell placed on a table beside him, he directed one of the officers to call over the roll of the guardians or teachers. All were present with the exception of twe, who subsequently arrived. The conductor then gave the com* mand, “Lyceum, attention! stand up.” The various groups obeyed with precision, aud a song entitled “Be Happy ” was read out preparatory to being sung. Both the words and the music were pretty, and ail joined in the singing, accompanied by a harmonium, with considerable fervor. Copies of the book containing the music, entitled the “ Lyceum Guide,” were handed to the teachers and more advanced pupils. This appears to be a sort of spiritualistic rubric, and contains a variety of information and rules for the management of lyceutns. It is, nowever, principally devoted to a collection jf songs, poetical excerpts, a dissertation upon colors, conversational questions on a variety of subjects, religious, moral, -and. social, the rules of the Lyceum,*and directions generally with respect to its‘management. At the conclusion of the oonft Aho conductor read a series of wrtrwto trow

were described in the guide as golden chain recitations. These were read alternately by the conductor and the groups, after the manner in which ■ the Psalms and responses are repeated in the Church of England. Thus, "The Ladder of Light” read as follows "What is the first step towards progress? Answer : A desire to know and follow the truth. What is the second step? Answer: A willingness to receive it without dictating how it shall come. What is the third step ! Answer : Courage to cherish and defend it, making it a part of our lives. What law of progress ought we always to remember? Answer : Fraternal love. We should do as we would be done by. The greatest good of the greatest number should be the motto of nations as well as of individuals. What is the sweetest and best of all things ? Answer: Love; the noblest, to do our duty; the basest, to be treacherous towards others; the foulest, a slanderous tongue ; the most beautiful, a good life,” A selection of poetry was then read, after the manner of a Greek chorus, after which a quarter of an hour was given to lessons and conversation. A subject having been arranged to be considered, it was dealt with by each class. Thus the question for consideration on the occasion of the visit referred to, was--What is true courage ? Each group, according to its intelligence, sought to define what in their opinion could be regarded as true courage. At the termination of the time allowed, each group was asked in succession if its members could give an answer to the question. The youngest children failed to do so, as might be well imagined, but those more advanced replied readily. The definitions given were various, and all more or less indicative of considerable intelligence. That, however, which drew forth the loudest applause was given by a girl of about twelve years of age, who, in a clear resolute tone, exclaimed " True courage consists in maintaining our principles when we believe them to be just, and irrespective of th§ opinions of others.” The next portion of the proceedings consisted in calisthenic exercises. Some little ex; lanatjqn was offered on this head by the conductor, for the benefit of strangers. These exercises formed a part of their programme, upon the principle that exercise was necessary to health, and a healthy body necessary to the possession of a healthy mind. The groups, having been called to attention, stood fa lines with their hands by their sides; they were then put through a species of drill after the manner of gymnastic exercises, young and old joining in the operation. The zest and seriousness with which these were gone through formed not the least peculiar feature in the scene, indeed, a stranger suddenly making his appearance and seeing so many people now hitting out from the right shoulder, then from the left, theu performing a parabola with both hands, next making a sort of genuflexion, all in solemn earnestness, would be inclined to think he had fallen upon a very peculiar set of individuals. Some of the movements were accompanied by music, and these were gone through with tolerable precision. The groups next took their seats as before, and preparations were made for marching to the music of the harmonium. The hall is rather confined for such manoeuvres, but despite this drawback the •oncluding portion of the programme was gone through with order and not a little precision. The guardians of the groups each raised his standard and filed in succession up the centre of the bal l , led by a lady bearing the banner of the Lyceum. Having marched in single file and two deep sever* 1 times round the ball, the teachers took up their position in a double Hue down the centre, and formed an arch with the standards, under which the groups passed iu succession, until they finally regained their original places. The standards were then lowered, and together with the badges, delivered over to an officer of the Lyceum. Mr Ross then ascended the platform and delivered an address, explanatory of the principles of Spiritualism, and the object intended to be served by the Progressive Lyceum. The conductor next asked what subject should be discussed on the following Sunday. One little girl sugge-ted that it should be “ What is death ?” Another proposed "What i« life?” By a show of hands it was decided to select the latter. A song having been sang, the proceedings concluded.