The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 13
Report
Report.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Brothers and Sisters,—First allow me to congratulate you on the excellent muster you have made. The success of this meeting is a certain and undeniable evidence of the progress of our promising Association of souls in general, but of spiritualists in particular. To the many mediums present and to the friends from distant parts, London, Ireland, &c., I tender my hearty thanks for their attendance, and a most cordial welcome. My heart is full. Thanks be to our God! His love endureth for ever!
As you are already well aware this Association began its existence outwardly in Darlington last year. The chief friends who began the movement are here also to-day, and I would now ask of these gentlemen—Brother Hodge and his coadjutors—whether or not they have cause to rejoice at what they see as the results of their labour this day? It is only another illustration of the saying, "Cast your bread upon the waters," See.: and I argue that our third Convention will be "something to talk about."
What was done at the first Convention has been reported. At that meeting you were pleased to appoint me Secretary for a period of twelve months up to this date; and it now behoves me to tell you what has been done in connection with this Association, so far as that Secretaryship is concerned, during the past year, and to lay before you what may be called "my report." In the first place, let me tell you that I have grown considerably myself since that time. Then I was not much of a spiritualist—at least, in my own estimation—though I believed in the "phenomena," for I was a great "phenomena hunter" then.I have higher occupation now; not so well off for this world as I was then, but hope I am laying it up for the next! and a trifle more in earnest, as you shall find in the year 1867.
To begin at the beginning, I was afraid that, so far as the progress of the Association went, I should have nothing to report, I had so much opposition to start with. I received letters from all quarters deprecating the establishment of an Association of Progressive Spiritualists, and predicting all sorts of temporal evils to me, and ruin to it, if I persisted in my work. I had sterner opposition, however, from other quarters—from men of great social position and generous behaviour. This opposition to my progress was the most dangerous, because the arguments I received were couched in loving terms and in the politest language. I was told, in short, that an association of spiritualists was an "impossible thing," and that, whatever we did, my friends hoped that we should at least progress from Spiritualism to Christianity ! To me, however, all these were only so many more incentives to renewed action, and I laboured away at Association business keener than ever.
But until this morning I am sure I was altogether unable to report what progress our Association had made. I could say nothing either as to its advancement or retrogression as a body; and as to cash received as donations, &c., the Treasurer and myself intend to render an account to the subscribers, at the conclusion of this Convention. This account will be a private affair, and will be given to subscribers only, as it concerns no one else. Perhaps it would not be wise to let the "world" see a manifestation of our wealth; perhaps some might join us in consequence! Suffice it to say, that we have had marvellous support from various quarters, and that we have that cheering thing which all business men admire—a balance in hand.
Still, in my capacity of Secretary—being by nature a terribly go-ahead soul—I could have done much, a great deal more than I have done, or attempted to do, in order to spread abroad a knowledge of Spiritualism, but the propagation of opinion or the diffusion of knowledge of an unpopular nature are expensive, operations in England, as you all can testify. Nevertheless, I have done what I could both publicly and privately. Had I only been a sort of Peabody, what a row among the supporters of rotten "notions" and indefensible "fudges" would have been at this moment the "order of the day."
The friends in London have during the past year done a great work in the support which they have given to Miss Emma Hardinge. Her engagement in London, and whatever seeds of the glorious truths of Spiritualism she may have sown there, are mainly due to the spirit and energetic character of Mr Benjamin Coleman. But these lectures of Miss Hardinge to the wealthy and influential classes of the metropolis will show great fruits in time.
In September, 1865, I called a meeting of the Committee together at my house. Very few attended. The result of this meeting was the issuing of a circular, of which the following is the chief portion:—
The principal objects we have in view are, as an Association, to meet once a year, or oftener if it be deemed desirable, for the purpose of social communion, interchange of sentiment or opinion;to record and catalogue our united experiences, and the progress which Spiritualism is making in and around us; to devise means for propagating and diffusing among our fellow-men and women the principles and soul-saving truths of this divine philosophy, by the distribution of the best tracts and books we have upon the subject, and the delivery throughout the kingdom of lectures by persons of approved character and ability.
All spiritualists are most affectionately solicited to join our Association, by the simple and easy process of forwarding their names and addresses to the undersigned Secretary; and donations, subscriptions (the "sinews of war"), or books (carriage free), to our Treasurer, Mr Joseph Dixon, of Bondgate, Darlington, who will thankfully receive and acknowledge the same.
The present promoters have no other objects or end in view, so far as they are individually concerned, but the eternal welfare of mankind, the glory of God, in the most enlarged sense of the expression, and socially, morally, and religiously, the regeneration, sanctification, and redemption of the whole human family. By authority.
Dr Hugh St Clair M'Leod,
Secretary. Newcastle, September, 1865.