Growth of Spiritualism in San Francisco, Cal by Dudley Marvin Canright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 12, 1874

Growth of Spiritualism in San Francisco, Cal.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

The following from the San Francisco Chronicle, April 13, 1874, will give some idea of how spiritualism is spreading on this coast:—

GREAT SPIRITUALISTIC SEANCE AT CHARTER OAK HALL.

A “Chronicle” Reporter Hobnobbing with Disembodied Souls—Who They Were, and where They Came from—Something about the Remarkable Growth of Spiritualism.

The recent anniversary celebration of the Rochester rappings, the death of Judge Edmonds, and the coming of Gerald Massey, have all tended to a remarkable activity among the spirits, and for more than a week past mediums have had their hands full. Every spirit gone before, from the days of Sardanapalus to Jim Fisk, seems to crowd in in these balmy spring days, and wants to make himself or herself heard, and, if possible, seen of all men.

THE GROWTH OF THE FAITH.

The growth of spiritualism in San Francisco within the past five years has been something wonderful. What a few years ago was a band of struggling men and women, hooted and jeered at by the multitude, and made a subject of ridicule by all, exists to-day as a society numbering over 4000 open and avowed believers in this city, and as many as 6000 and more who believe, yet because of their own or their friends’ sake hesitate to have their opinions or predilections known. There are upwards of one hundred

FULLY-DEVELOPED MEDIUMS

In this city who stand in the same relation to the laity as the full-fledged clergyman. Among these, there are doubtless some, of course, who are insincere in their profession, and who trade upon the credulity of their followers; but the majority are sincere men and women who occupy a respectable position, and stand well among their fellows. There are some of these, also, who are oftentimes, it may be, carried away by their impressions or imagination, and in this state are led to believe more than the truth; but, as a rule, they are sensible, earnest, and, in many instances, really brilliant in their profession.

THE SOCIETY OUTGROWS ITSELF.

The spread of the faith in San Francisco has indeed become so great that, at the regular meetings of the Spiritualistic Union, held on Sundays at Charter Oak Hall, room could not be found for the people who flocked to witness the exercises. Some time since, owing to a certain little difference of opinion among the three or four thousand members of the Society affecting the discipline of the Order, a separation took place, and now there are two Spiritualistic Societies in full blast. The principal one, of which George A. Kendrick is president, meets every Sunday at Mercantile Library Hall. A Sunday-school for children, or a “Children’s Progressive Lyceum,” as it is called, is also in session every Sunday at the same place, under the auspices of the same Society.

The other branch, called the “Independent Spiritualists,” of which Mrs. Ada Foye is president, meets every Sunday at Charter Oak Hall. The two branches, though entirely separate in organization, are yet one in sympathy and have the same end in view, viz.: the propagation of truth as spiritualists believe it, and the inculcation of spiritual doctrine as it may be handed down through the best mediums in the world.

THE WEEKLY SEANCES.

At Charter Oak Hall, on Sunday afternoons, all the principal mediums in the city get together, and hold what is called a Conference. The meetings are nominally free, a small admittance of ten cents only being demanded. By this means, a large circle is formed, and hundreds of skeptical ones are induced to come in and witness the manifestations, who could never in the world be enticed into the private rooms of a medium upon any pretense whatever. These meetings are largely attended, the hall being generally packed to overflowing. The spectators are not all believers, by any means. Indeed, at these meetings, as a rule, the audience is largely composed of a class who, believing in nothing, merely drop in “to see the fun.” They frequently go away with an air that reminds one of the lines in Goldsmith’s “Deserted Village”:—

“Fools who came to scoff Remained to pray.”

Then the reporter relates at length many wonderful manifestations which he saw there himself. Spiritualism is evidently gaining rapidly, not only in numbers, but in respectability. We watch it with interest as a sign of the advent.

D. M. CANRIGHT.