The History of the Convention.

The Chairman in his succeeding remarks gave a history of the causes which led to the present Convention. A few friends at Darlington had been looking into Spiritualism and kindred subjects for some time. They felt a want of more knowledge and association with other minds similarly engaged, but their acquaintance amongst progressive reformers was exceedingly limited. A circular was issued suggesting a social gathering of friends, which, falling into the hands of a few active souls, got widely circulated, and excited considerable interest. The Darlington friends found that there were many page 7 throughout the country, in the church and higher walks of life, in the professions and in business, whose minds entertained similar ideas, but who wanted some precedent to call them out. The present meeting was therefore called as an experiment and starting-point for other meetings of the same kind throughout the land. Considering the numerous responses he had received from professional and business men, some from great distances and who could not be present, he thought the attendance at the Convention was an element of success, and beyond the most sanguine expectations of its promoters. He felt that the principles taught and entertained by Spiritualists were naturally true, and recommended themselves to the intuitions and reason of every developed mind, but freedom of thought and expression were restrained by the sectarian spirit of persecution which existed in British society. He thought the present meeting would have a moral influence on their brethren in other places, who might be induced to follow in their steps, till the spirit of opposition was destroyed, and every man was free to act and express his appreciation of truth as in America. Mr Hodge then called on Mr Spear to deliver the inaugural address, which had been suggested and prepared under spiritual impression.