FREE THOUGHT SOCIETIES.

WITHIN a few years past "Liberal" societies have been formed in nearly all the large towns of the State, while San Francisco, Sacramento and San Jose have each sever al organizations, though differing somewhat in character. The spiritualists were earliest in the field, followed by the Liberal Unitarian congregations organized by Rev. Charles G. Ames; but the most striking advance in the line of Free Thought was made by the originators of the Lyceum for Self Culture, which society was formed in this city June 27th, 1869;, and as it was composed of people who did not shrink from being known for just what they were, the gathering was called the Infidel and Spiritual Lyceum, the object being to bring infidels and spiritualists together for a comparison of views. If spiritualism is true, the infidels, so called, desired to become spiritualists, because, whatever they may be infidel to, they are not infidel to the On the other hand, if the spiritual theory is not true, those holding to that faith must necessarily become "infidels," there being to them no satisfying proof of a hereafter other than that furnished by spiritualism. These two elements therefore combined, that the merits of their respective philosophies might be compared. James Battersby was elected President and J. W. Mackie Secretary. After a few months the number in attendance became so large that Dashaway Hall was engaged, and has since been retained for the meetings of the society, the name of which was changed to the "LYCEUM FOR SELF-CULTURE," thus avoiding an unnecessary opprobrium and more clearly indicating its purpose and character. A circular was issued, inviting the attendance of the people, and setting forth the objects of the society, as follows:

"THE LYCEUM FOR SELF-CULTURE seeks to supply a social want in the present period of religious transition, and is intended to bring together thoughtful and earnest persons for free conference on all the problems of life, destiny and duty. In a time of general restlessness and discontent, when external authorities have ceased to command confidence, when so many feel the old foundations to be insufficient, and existing religious institutions no longer furnish them a satisfactory home, there is yet, even in sceptical minds, a conviction that truth and virtue are attainable; and those that seek in the right spirit are at least more likely to find, than those who sink into indifference and sloth. The stimulus of other minds operates on us as a motive and help to onquiry; and in tho oxchange of our best thoughts and feelings we are all enriched. Even the expression of our errors gives opportunity for their correction. We are, therefore, drawn together for a purpose which all mankind have ever approved; and we employ for mutual benefit the only faculties by which mankind has ever advanced a single step. We aspire we reason we welcome instruction. We extend a cordial welcome to all, and invite every seeker for truth to aid by presence and co-operation, the accomplishment of our common desire. We have no ISM to establish, no system of proselytism, nor any pre-established mode of warfare on existing systems. Our purpose is to arrive at truth, though systems grown hoary and reverent with age should fall, and our most cherished theories and dearest philosophies be exploded. Our time and place of meeting is in Dashaway Hall, Post Street,

every Sunday at 2 o'clock, P. M., and we hope that you will find an opportunity to meet with, and aid us by word and work, in this effort for mutual improvement."

This invitation was sent to all the clergy, but very few ordained ministers have been present. Occasionally one would come in and take a seat near the entrance, ready for a hasty retreat, which was almost invariably made before the close of the meeting. Rev. S. D. Simonds is the only clergyman who attends regularly and takes part in the proceedings, though remarks are occasionally made by Rev. A. M. Bailey, Rev. Mr. Klein and others. The opening address is limited to one half hour and the speeches to ten minutes each. The officers of the society constitute a committee of management. There is also a literary committee to decide upon the subjects for discussion, arrange preliminary exercises, etc. An admission fee of 10 cts. is required in order to defray expenses. Messrs. Battersby and Mackie have served as officers of the society almost continuously since its organization. They recently requested to be relieved, and Mr. Waldron was chosen President, but declined on account of ill health. present officers are: President, Mrs. Julia Melville; Vice President, Thomas Watson; Secretary, Patrick Healey; Treasurer, James Galligan; Sargeant-at-Arms, Robert Laswell.

The

About two years ago the Spiritualists, becoming dissatisfied with the manner in which some of the speakers referred to them, quietly left the "Lyceum" and formed a Society of their own, called the "San Francisco Spiritualists' Union." They have held large meetings in Charter Oak Hall. The place, holding about 500, became too small, and the officers, with the approval of most of the members, hired Mercantile Library Hall, where meetings are now held weekly, and where the Children's Lyceum is also held. The Hall being dark and unfit for day meetings, it is probable some new arrangement will be made with regard to the Lyceum. An election of officers is soon to be held, after which the course of the future will be determined upon. The evening meetings have been well attended. Meetings of "Independent Spiritualists" are also held every Sunday in Charter Oak Hall. The forenoons are devoted to conversations; the afternoon occupied by a seance, and in the evening there is generally a lecture on spiritualism.

In San Jose, also, there are two flourishing societies. One is called Unity Congregation, organized by Rev. Charles G. Ames, and now under the ministrations of Rev. Mr.

This society, although it has no creed, is not in any broad sense a Free Thought Society. The speaker lectures, and the people listen, very much after the manner of regularly organized churches. The institution was formerly sustained mainly by Spiritualists and Free Thinkers, who now have a organization of their own, called "The Society of Free Thought of San Jose," which was organized on the 15th of December, 1872. Its organization is simple. Its creed is extremely short; its platform broad and comprehensive; its objects co-extensive with human

sively that the manifestations rest on a scientific basis. They are all subject to law. Mediumship is a purely phys. ical qualification, dependent not at all on moral or intellectual character, though somewhat modified by it. In time spiritualism is sure to demonstrate the continued existence of man, and there will yet be a spiritual science. He believed it a design of the spiritual powers to prove to man his continued existence, in order that he may grow more spiritual, and the race make more rapid progress. The discussion was continued by Messrs. Kennry, Coster, Allen, Klein and Wilson, without elicting any important facts bearing on the question.

The third day's discussion was opened by Mr. Mackey, who gave by far the most important facts touching the subject elicted during the discussion. At the request of the editor Mr. Mackey has consented to write out his views in a series of articles for COMMON SENSE, the first of which will de found on page of this issue.

Mr. Lundi gave an account of the reported exposure of a person pretending to give spiritual communications, and said it is hardly fair for spiritualists to ask us to believe as genuine things which are so easily counterfeited! He declared that no man exists who can give off even the smallest quantity of "animal magnetism," and said he did not believe any disembodied spirit ever caused the moving even of a hair or one particle of matter. He called for demonstrations then and there, and asked that the hands of the clock be turned five minutes without touching it. He closed by saying he would rather lose his life than lose his hope in the future as taught by Christ.

Emperor Norton told about his dream again, and asked what it was that took such an irresistible hold of his brain. Dr. E. White said no well informed person will concede that spiritualism is an exact science. Mathematics is a science, and so is anatomy, but medicine is not; because experience has proved that like treatment does not always produce like results. There are too many unknown and unknowable contingencies for any exact calculation as to cause and effect. In spiritual experiments also, the results, instead of being similar, have been remarkably diverse and opposite. In company with a party of friends In company with a party of friends the speaker had investigated the phenomena sixty-three nights, during most of which nothing of a satisfactory nature had been obtained. On six nights there had been manifestations, mental and physical, for which they could not account; but there was much of an unpleasant nature, proving that the source of the messages, whatever that source might be, was not very good. In conclusion he said if spiritualism is ever proved it must be by what is

contained in the Bible.

Mr. French closed the discussion for the day, maintaining that the germ of life is prophetic of future life, and when the germ becomes a living human being, that condition is prophetic of eternal life. He claimed spiritual phenomena as purely natural; said no intelligent spiritualist believes in anything supernatural. Theologists have taught that there is a divine being outside of and superior to nature. Spiritualists do not believe this.

The subject was continued for further discussion, an account of which will be given in our next issue.

DENTON'S LECTURES.

On Sunday afternoon, Professor William Denton delivered an interesting lecture in Mercantile Library Hall, on the True Revelations, in which he proved clearly that the prophecies of the bible are not worthy the name of prophecies, and that the true revelations are those that are made by nature herself. He said, there are several conditions necessary in order to constitute a prophecy: First, it should be proved that the prophecy was actually written before the events referred to took place. Many of the so called prophecies in the bible will not bear this test. Second If a prediction is made that a certain event will take place, and no limit is set to the time, that is no prophecy, because any event, such as the destruction of a city, is sure to take place, sooner or later. The same might be said of San Francisco to-day that was said of Jerusalem. The day will come when not one stone will be left upon another. It is only a matter of time. Give time enough, and the waters of the sea will roll where the city now stands. Not one in a dozen of the so called prophecies of the bible have any relation to the events to which they are said to refer. They are vague statements about something of an entirely different character. Then that is no prophecy which fulfils itself. We read in the new testament of many things that were done purposely, in order that prophecy might be fulfilled. Neither is that a true prophecy which may be fulfilled by any one of a score of events. Take one hundred commentators on some of the prophecies of the bible, and unless they copy from one another, each one will give a different version of the meaning of the predictions. Then, again, a prophecy, to be worthy the name, must be fulfilled in every particular. To aket from a string of predictions as long as your arm, one little point as big as your finger nail, and make a great parade of it, is manifestly a fraud. Take, for instance, the 28th chapter of Deuteronomy, in which it is said the Jews "shall be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth." This portion of a sentence, detached from all that precedes and follows it, has been talked of and sermonized upon, as if it were a most wonderful thing; but it happens to be about the only truthful prediction of the entire lot of a hundred or more evils, which, in the same chapter, it is said will surely befall the Jews, if disobedient. Any one might be a prophet, if he could be so by making a hundred guesses, and have one come true. Much more remarkable prophecies have been mado in modern times, by men who made no pretensions to divine inspiration; but who prophesied of the future from their knowledge of the past, and their acquaintance with facts in

science.

This brief notice of Mr. Denton's lecture is necessarily very imperfect, and we have no space at all for the evening discourse, a masterly production on temperance.

EACH reader of COMMON SENSE is requested to act as a committee of one to obtain subscribers for the paper. With a little effort friends could easily obtain three or four subscribers, but if each procured but one, the aggregate would be very large, and a material aid to the enterprise.

PUBLIC SEANCES.

For several months past, there have been held at Charter Oak Hall, on Sunday afternoons, what is called a Medium's Conference. The attendance is so large that in order to prevent disturbance, by people going in and out, it has been found necessary to lock the door, at 2 o'clock, the time set for the sceance. An admission fee of ten cents is also charged. Ada Hoyt Foye acts as presiding officer There are usually a dozen or twenty mediums present, grouped near the platform the spectators being seated outside of the "circle." The exercises generally commence with vocal or instrumental music. The audience is com

posed in the main of intelligent, earnest, aud very quiet people. A few of the faces are noticable quite regularly, but a larger number come only occasionally. Thus there is a change of magnetic influences, and the manifestations are not always satisfactory. The following sketch of several of the meetings, will give an idea of what is usually said and done:

Mrs. Foye described the spirit of Calvin S. Greenwood; recognized by Mrs. Kerns. "Old Betsey," the spirit of a small woman, gray and lame, presented herself, but was not recognized. An inspirational discourse was then given by one of the mediums, in wichh the people were told that the spirits are endeavoring to drive out of the minds of the people the dreadful idea that the blood of Christ can redeem from sin. Various other short addresses were made, but none of particular interest. Mrs. Foye asked a spirit through Mrs. Cummings to give some idea of spirit life; but the spirit seemed to be unable to do so. The answer was that the spirit speaking lived almost entirely in the atmosphere of the medium, as her guide. Mrs. Foye asked what became of the medium's spirit when her body is taken possession of. The reply was that the spirit friends around her had charge of it, a few feet distant from the body of

the medium.

Mrs. Hendee spoke briefly, of the progress of Spiritual ism generally, and particularly of the large attendance at the Charter Oak Hall seances, many being unable to gain admittance. She also referred to a spiritual society in Sacramento, recently organized by Mr. York, and which is in a flourishing condition. Soon after, Mrs. Hendee, addressing a lady, called her "mother," and described a sensation of suffocation which she felt, and said her throat was affected. The old lady said the spirit impressing Mrs. Hendee might be that of her daughter, who died of putrid sore throat. Later in the afternoon Mrs Cummings, another medium, stated that the influence felt by Mrs. Hendee was that of a brother and sister, the children of the lady addressed as mother, and that the girl died of throat disease, and the boy was drowned. She was a atranger to the medium.

Another medium described the spirit of a man, whose head in life was partially bald; hair sandy; blue eyes, full figure, name given as William George Wilson. Not recognized.

The spirit of Edward Morgan was next described by a medium, as about five feet eight inches in height, long face and black hair. The spirit appeared to be draped in royal purple. The lady in whose neighborhood the spirit appeared said she had never known any one who wore royal purple.

Mrs. Kern said the spirit of a lady, who gave the name of Ra-a-mah, asked her (the medium) to speak to her husband. Mrs. K. said she did not know him. The spirit was recognized by a gentleman present, as that of his first wife.

Another medium, Mrs. McKinley, told how to become susceptible to spirit influences, relating her own experience.

Mrs. Hendee then related a portion of her experience, recall d to mind by the words of the song. She spoke of her own mother, and of the consolation she had derived from communion with her spirit. She said she had experienced so much joy and satisfaction through the manifestation of spirit friends, that she no longer thought of

them as dead.

She added the following as one of the beatitudes: Blessed are they who have recognized the spirits of their departed; for to them there is no death. They have evidence of life immortal.

The name of Charles Fiske was given, and description. He appeared as if clinging to the masts of a ship which was in a sinking condition. A lady present said she had friend of that name and description, who was lost at sea. John Kern, a spirit, also recognized, expressed dissatisfaction with the disposition of property left by him.

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A lady, afflicted with erysipelas in the hand, was relieved of pain by magnetic passes made by Mrs. Mckinley. Chas. Mather was described by a medium and recognized by a lady, who said he had died from a wound received in battle, and that she was the nurse who attended him.

Ellen Merril-been in the spirit world, about four years. Not recognized. Margaret Guthrie, who died in New York, wishes to communicate with her aunt, who is a Catholic. Not recognized. Mrs Hendee, taking a lady by the hand, whom she had never before seen, addressed her by the name "Mary," the spirit importing to be that of the lady's husband. The name was acknowledged, and the spirit recognized.

The following unrecognized names were given through various mediums: William Wort, Samuel Collins, Mary Wright, (wished to communicate with her mother,) Jane Perry, Thomas Perry and Harvey Little.

Several reports of lectures and other articles of interest, are necessararly deferred until next week.