IV. Organized as World-embracing Religion in 1893

On September 27, 1893, the first Delegate Convention of Spiritualist Societies of the United States of America was held in Chicago, and there the National Spiritualist Association of Churches of the U.S.A. was organized to “establish” Spiritualism as a “religion.” This step was taken with the declared purpose of “converting the world to Spiritualism.” ^{1313) Joseph P. Whitwell, “Organization and Progress,” Centennial Book, pp. 30, 31, also p. 13.}CFF2 1060.1

1. OPERATES THROUGH SUNDRY ORGANIZATIONS

In North America the National Spiritualist Association furnishes literature for the movement and trains its mediums and ministers. This latter phase includes an institute for the training of licentiates, lecturers, mediums, and “ordained ministers.” Its mediums may baptize. This is the “orthodox” body of American Spiritualism.CFF2 1060.2

The National Christian Spiritual Alliance, founded in 1913, stresses intercommunication with the spirit world through progressive development, with emphasis on “perpetual evolution.” The Progressive Spiritual Church was also founded in 1913 to establish Spiritualism on a more religious basis. It believes in the communion of spirits, God as the supreme spirit, the angels as departed spirits of the dead, and communication with the living by means of mediums. It claims that Jesus Christ is a medium, controlled by the spirits of Elias, Moses, and John the Baptist.CFF2 1060.3

A National Colored Spiritualist Association was founded in Los Angeles in 1925. ^{1414) Centennial Book, pp. 59, 60.} And in 1945 a Ministerial Association of the N.S.A. was founded. ^{1515) Ibid., p. 157.} Montague Summers tells of similar organizations in Italy, Germany, France, Scotland, and England.CFF2 1060.4

However, the two leading Spiritualist bodies are (1) the National Spiritualist Association, with its standard Spiritualist Manual, and (2) the International General Assembly of Spiritualists, organized in 1936. There is also the International Federation of Spiritualists, made up of representatives from forty-one countries, with which the National Spiritualist Association is affiliated. This organization publishes the journals The National Spiritualist and the Psychic Observer.CFF2 1060.5

The National Spiritualist Association adopted a “Declaration of Principles” to “represent their religious belief and teaching to the world at large.” ^{1616) Ibid., p. 31.} The platform was made so “broad and liberal,” according to the N.S.A. president emeritus, Joseph P. Whitwell, that it embraced “all religious Belief and Doctrine of all ages throughout the entire world”—so as to include “those outside the Christian Faith.” ^{1717) Ibid.}CFF2 1061.1

2. DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES A GRADUAL DEVELOPMENT

Their nine-point Declaration of Principles was built up gradually over the years. Sections 1 to 6 were adopted in 1899, sections 7 and 8 in 1909, and section 9 in 1945 ^{1818) “Declaration of Principles,” Centennial Book, p. 23.} The complete text is as follows:CFF2 1061.2

“1. We Believe in Infinite Intelligence.CFF2 1061.3

“2. We believe that the phenomena of Nature, both physical and spiritual, are the expression of Infinite Intelligence.CFF2 1061.4

“3. We affirm that a correct understanding of such expression and living in accordance therewith constitute true religion.CFF2 1061.5

“4. We affirm that the existence and personal identity of the individual continue after the change called death.CFF2 1061.6

“5. We affirm that communication with the so-called dead is a fact, scientifically proven by the phenomena of Spiritualism.CFF2 1061.7

“6. We believe that the highest morality is contained in the Golden Rule. ‘Whatsoever ye would that others should do unto you, do ye also unto them.’CFF2 1061.8

“7. We affirm the moral responsibility of the individual, and that he makes his own happiness or unhappiness as he obeys or disobeys nature’s physical and spiritual laws.CFF2 1061.9

“8. We affirm that the doorway to reformation is never closed against any human soul, here or hereafter.CFF2 1061.10

“9. We affirm that the Precepts of Prophecy contained in the Bible are scientifically proven through Mediumship.” ^{1919) Ibid.; see also Spiritualist Manual, p. 34; National Spiritualist Association Year Book (1961), pp. 6-8.}CFF2 1061.11

Certain of these “principles” will be noted elsewhere.CFF2 1062.1

3. TO GIVE PRE-EMINENCE TO WOMEN

As a side light, it is interesting to observe that when the National Spiritualist Association was organized in 1893, Chairman Milan C. Edson said: “It has been the peculiar province of Spiritualism to bring prominently before the world—Woman,—as a minister, teacher, counsellor, and guide.” ^{2020) “Formation of the National Spiritualist Association,” Centennial Book, p. 13.}CFF2 1062.2

And it is noticeable that the preponderant number of Spiritualist “ministers” and other leaders are women-eighty-five being prominently played up in their Centennial Book (1848-1948). This is to inaugurate “women’s golden era,” “the hope of the future.” ^{2121) Ibid., p. 14.}This explains the preponderance of women mediums. Chairman Edson then urged all to go forward with “the work of converting the world to Spiritualism.” ^{2222) Ibid., p. 13.} They were organizing, he declared, under the “hovering hosts of beloved spirits,” and at the “flood-tide” of a “great Spiritual wave.” ^{2323) Ibid.} Such was Spiritualism’s avowed goal in 1893.CFF2 1062.3