July 1892 - The Emma Hardinge Britten Archive

198 T1'a1tsitio1t of E. W. Capron.
tory he gives the following brief sketch of what it was-in
those early days to be labelled" a Spiritualist." He says:
" In the first struggle to introduce it (Spiritualism) in all the cities and
towns of the United States, a mere glance at the facts and occurrences
would make of itself a library of respectable size. But in the first
struggle to introduce it, when it was not only a novelty but a thing
everywhere spoken against, there were occurrences and trials which should
be given to the world to be read by future generations.
" The opposition has been as bitter as any new theory or facts ever
encountered. . . . There are various ways in which persecution
may be carried on without fire and faggot, whilst its effects are almost as
severe. I have seen men's business prospects blighted, and their
families made to suffer, because they would not deny the facts they had
witnessed. I have seen men of the highest moral worth, vigorous minds,
capable, honest, and trustworthy, refused employment and driven to
desperation, because they were knpwn to believe in Spiritualism.
" I have heard the character') of noble men and women traduced in the
pUlpit, the lecture-room, and the drawing-room, for the same cause.
Men were seized, kidnapped, conveyed to distant states, and incarcerated
in lunatic asylums, and their property as nearly confiscated as
their accusers could make it, for no other reason than believing in
Spiritualism.
" Women were declared to be insane, and treated as such for the same
cause. Friends were alienated, neighbours tabooed, and customers forsook
the Spiritualists, and these were but some of the wrongs inflicted
on some of the early believers."
Mr. Capron's account of the first public investigation,
which took place in three nights sessions in Corinthian
Hall, Rochester, his vivid description of the sufferings
and persecutions of the early mediums, and the subsequent
reign of folly, fanaticism, and ignorance which
ensued amongst the early believers in the movement, are
all most instructive, and sufficiently prove how shamefully
and injuriously the clergy for centuries have disregarded
the charge of their great Biblical authority, Paul the
Apostle, £.e., "Now, concenting spiritual gifts, brethren,
I would 1tot have you £gnora11t." Whatever wrongs,
follies, or mistakes the early Spiritualists have committed
may be fairly laid to the charge of the dominant clergy,
who not only kept the people as well as themselves
in ignorance of spiritual gifts, but when at last the power