SPIRITUALISM.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1484, 7 May 1873, Page 2

SPIRITUALISM.

Dunedin has a society for the investigation of spiritualism. A meeting of this society was held the other: day in the Athenaeum, the President (Mr T, Redmayne) in the chair. There were only between 20 and 30 persons present. The Chairman stated that the time for which the society had been callled into existence being about to expire, it would be necessary to decide whether it should be revived under a new name. -He read a report, ■ from which it. appeared that the society had received a total amount of L 223 7s 7d. Auditors were, appointed, and after a lengthy discussion, .in thecourse of which the transactions of the last year were reviewed, it was resolved that the meeting be adjourned. 1 The Chairman stated that Mr Peebles informed him that he would advise certain lecturers and test mediums to visit Australia and New Zealand, and therefore it would be necessary to keep up an organisation. It was the general. impression that a Society of Progressive Spiritualists should be formed. The following extract from a private letter from Melbourne, published by the Daily Times, gives some information regarding Mr James Smith, which may be interesting to his friends in Dunedin:— " I am} like yourself, anxious to arrive at the truth ; but, up to the present time, I have not been convinced that all the r phenomena of Spiritualism are the work of Spirit-agency. I like it for one thing, and that is, it throws overboard many dogmas which, I believe, have done much to retard the progress of humanity. I was at a seance a few evenings since, and I really was surprised at some of the physical manifestations. Mr James Smith has left the Spiritualists, and has gone a step further. He is at the head of what is called the Magnetic School— a Mrs — — ■being the magnetiser. Henowgiveß out that lie is impressed by God himself, * and

that through him (Smith) the word of truth is being uttered. There are about twenty connected with this sect, who all claim to be impressed. Their tenets are the speedy second coming of Christ, and the ingathering of the Church. Of course, they are ' the Church.' They further descaled book', but that they have the key that; explains ,and..ina;kes clear the whole of its contents. They 'also 'hold the reincajnatign doctrins. Mj^and^Mrs, have joined, ,them. jap that I hear plenty of conversation on Ihis last new phase of the mind striving after something that will satisfy its crying for spiritual knowledge." ..■:';■••'.,■' J,:-