SPIRITUALISM.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2322, 15 October 1908, Page 3

SPIRITUALISM.

A MENACE TO THE CHURCH

QUESTION DISCUSSED IN AUCKLAND.

[Press Association.]

AUCKLAND, Oct. 14. At today’s sitting of the Anglican Synod, the Rev. C. W. Scott-Mon-crieff moved—“ That in view of the increasing number of adherents of Spiritualism, a committee bo appointed to consider the causes, real nature and probable tendencies of this movement, and to present .a report to next year’s Synod. The mover said ho had hoard several of 'his brother clergymen testifying to the increasing number 'of adherents or Spiritualism in New Zealand and elsewhere. It was not dying out as -it first prophesied ;so far from dying, it was continuing to flourish. Surely the church was bound to take notice of a movement which was taking. people away from the church and, as many’ would testify, leading them into unwholesome and dangerous " The Rev. V. W. Pigott seconded the motion. It was, ho said, a question of considerable importance, there being a good deal of confusion in the public mind as what Spiritualism was and what it was not. . Air. IV. J. Speight deprecated going into the matter at all. He hid known a few good people who had been fitted for tho. asylum as a result of their investigations. Air. Ewington said there were hundreds of people ill New Zealand who were in difficulties over the subject. The opinion of experts was that numbers of people had been sent to lunatic asylums by studying tho cptesl°Tho Rev. G. Smailes said lie had not, only been astonished at-tho numbers of people who attended spiritualistic gatherings, hut at the people themselves, many of whom were leading citizens. The debato was adjourned.