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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 13

The First Session

The First Session

Assembled shortly after ten o'clock on Wednesday morning. The proceedings were opened by Mr Hodge being called to the Chair, and Messrs Bums and Heslop being appointed Secretaries. Mr Hodge, page 6 on taking the chair, referred to the call in the hands of all present, and which was as follows:

"The call for this meeting is designed to meet one of the real wants of society. Earnest and thinking minds are scattered through our community, whose aspirations for truth and freedom have destroyed their affinity for the proscriptive spirit of popular religious organisations: such minds feel the want of congenial communion in an atmosphere of freedom, and need such awakening as only the association of kindred minds can inspire.

"You are invited to meet with us and fully reason on any subject that pertains to human happiness. Satisfied that we have long enough been taught the essential wickedness of human nature, we are equally satisfied that the time has now come when we should meet, at least for once, to exchange the truths which the infinite within us has taught, and to read in each other's hearts the grand reality that human nature is essentially good. So shall we consecrate the time and place, while we aid each other in the good work of attaining a higher, better, and more harmonious life.

"The claims of Spiritualism and its practical application to human improvement, will furnish an ample field for remark in the meeting. All speakers will be invited freely to express their views, so far as time and proper rules of order will admit. Speakers who desire to address the Convention at length on any subject or specific topic within the general scope of its purposes, are requested to apprize the Secretary in advance, in order that a suitable time may be assigned them.

"Let none come expecting to witness spirit manifestations, but rather let all endeavour to manifest the spirit of charity, toleration, and earnest devotion to practical truth and human good. The time for wonder and barren speculation has passed; the hour for action is at hand.

"It is not the intention of the callers of this Convention that any should be admitted who are known to be strangers to the commonwealth of truth and progress; it is therefore necessary for you and all expecting to be present to report the same to me (or any of the friends whom you know), at least one week before the time.

"The annexed subjects have been suggested as being appropriate for consideration and discussion, by conditional and unconditional speakers. Our platform, however, being broad and free, nothing can be determined upon until the assembling of the Convention, when each will have the utmost freedom of speech on every subject brought forward, each speaker alone being responsible for his remarks, and not the Convention.

"Yours fraternally,

John Hodge."