V. Current “Spiritualist Camp” Inducements

The best-known American “Spiritualist Camp” is at Lilydale, New York, near Hydesville, but a close runner-up is the Chesterfield (Indiana) Camp, which claims that it is the “largest phenomenal center in the world,” the “Hub of World Spiritualism,” and “a fine religious center.” ^{2121) Chesterfield Spiritualist Camp (1961), front and back of cover.} The descriptive brochures, publicizing recent annual convocations, which have continued for seventy-five years, yield the following data:CFF2 1081.2

The main attractions listed are the Art Gallery, Cathedral of the Woods, Garden of Prayer, Congress of Religions shrine, a Grotto-“where you can go into silence and feel the touch of the vanished hand.” You can allegedly gain “understanding of immortality” as you visit with the mediums. A seminary is also conducted. There is a bookshop, selling books an “Theosophy and allied subjects.” “Special Summer School Classes” are listed for “those who are aspiring to be mediums,” ^{2222) Ibid., p. 6.} and a lyceum for children. The seminary offers “courses in Spiritualism, Mediumship and its Development, Bible History and Interpretation, Public Speaking, Spiritual Healing, Metaphysics, Occultism and Allied Subjects.” ^{2323) Ibid., p. 16.}CFF2 1081.3

These are “taught by a distinguished faculty.” ^{2424) Ibid.} Here at the camp is offered alleged “proof of survival” through “positive demonstration.” ^{2525) Ibid, p. 19.} That is the scope. In 1959 there were twentyseven staff mediums at the camp—“Direct Voice, Clairvoyant, and Materialization”—as well as “healers,” and instructors in the production of “spirit pictures” and “spirit card writing,” along with “materialization mediums” and “apport mediums.” ^{2626) Ibid (1959), pp. 5, 6.}CFF2 1081.4

Picture 1: Chesterfield (Indiana) Cathedral of the Woods
Above: Here “Knowledge of the Religion of Spiritualism” Is Given by “Capable Ministers and Mediums” in This Alleged “Holy of Holies Where Angel Voices Are Heard.”
Below: Auditoriums With Pulpit and Cabinet for Materializations. It is All to Demonstrate “Proof of Survival” and Spiritualism as the “Future Religion of Mankind.”
Page 1082CFF2 1082

1. CATHEDRAL OF THE WOODS

The covering description of the Cathedral of the Woods states that “inside its walls is the most holy of holies where Angel voices are heard.” ^{2727) Ibid., p. 17.} Here the “philosophy” of the “religion of Spiritualism is given.” ^{2828) Ibid. (1961), p. 5.} And the camp in general is described as the “hallowed spot where spirit communion is found,” where “Heaven and earth join together.” ^{3030) Ibid., p. 19.} “The Thinker sees that star of hope that reveals, man lives an forever.”CFF2 1083.1

Picture 2: Chesterfield (Indiana) Spiritualist Art Gallery
CHESTERFIELD INDIANA) SPIRITUALIST ART GALLERY
Here Are Housed Portrayals of the Return of Spirit, Examples of Alleged Spirit Paintings by the Bangs Sisters, Lizzie and May, Relics of the Fox Sisters, and Exhibits of Psychic Art, Including Spirit Photography.
Page 1083CFF2 1083

2. CHESTERFIELD SPIRITUALIST ART GALLERY

The “East,” or “Biblical Room” of the Art Gallery boasts “life size paintings that portray the return of Spirit found in the Christian Bible.” These are declared to have come into being “through the mediumship of the old prophets.” The center room displays “spirit paintings” by the “famous Bangs sisters,” relics of the Fox family and Andrew Jackson Davis, and other noted mediums and speakers. The West Room contains samples of alleged “Psychic art.” ^{3131) Ibid. (1959), p. 15; (1961), p. 3.}CFF2 1084.1

One of the descriptive captions in the West Room states that the Bitter brings a package of photographic paper. The lights are dimmed. Then the individual holding the packet feels an agitation within the packet. Upon completion of the process the “spirit” signals by raps. A 50-watt red light is us ed in developing, as in customary photographic manner. Usually the faces and messages are said to be recognized by the sitter.CFF2 1084.2

3. BANGS SISTERS’ “PRECIPITATION” PAINTINGS COLLECTION

According to an article by Art Gallery Curator Ralph Hicock, in the “psychic monthly” Chimes, for July, 1963, the Chesterfield Gallery houses twenty-six Bangs sisters’ “precipitation” paintings allegedly produced by “Spirit Artists.” ^{3232) Ralph Hicock, “Spirit Portraits of the Bangs Sisters,” Chimes, July, 1963 (“22nd year of continuous publication”), pp. 34, 6, 7.} These are set forth as “evidence for survival.” Lizzie and May Bangs operated around the turn of the century, having been mediums since “early childhood.” This early period, it is claimed, was marked by “spirit raps, voices, and the moving of pieces of furniture,” as well as the “materialization of hands,” and “automatic writing,” followed by automatic typewriter writing-the customary phenomena. In 1894 the sisters became “staff mediums” at the Chesterfield Spiritualist Camp, where they “demonstrated” the “wonderful truth of Spirit return.” ^{3333) Ibid., p. 6.}CFF2 1085.1

According to claim, in precipitation painting the canvas was tacked to a wooden frame, as for ordinary portraits. This was placed in a locked box in “darkness,” to “prove there had been no tampering with the canvas.” Later the work was done in broad daylight. Within fifteen to forty-five minutes the “finished portrait” of “one who had walked an the earth in a vehicle of flesh” ^{3434) Ibid.} would allegedly appear upon the canvas. Here is Hicock’s recital of the alleged procedure:CFF2 1085.2

“The canvas to be used always was selected by the sitter, then placed an a small table before a well-lighted window. The room was shaded sufficiently to cause all the light from the window to pass through the rear of the canvas, enabling the Bitter to witness the Progress of the portrait minutely and to detect the slightest change. The sisters placed themselves an each side of the table facing the Bitter, placing their hands lightly an the edge of the frame holding the canvas. No two sittings were exactly alike. The outer edges of the canvas would become shadowed; different colored lines would appear until the full outline of the shoulders and head would be seen. At times these lines would disappear, then reappear as though the unseen artist were making a preliminary sketch. The space within the outline would be a clear white, gradually changing to natural flesh tints, meanwhile forming small shadow spots for the ears, nose, and mouth. In many cases the eyes would be the last to be completed, then gradually they would open before the startled gaze of the beholder. Needless to say, this never failed to present most life-like realism. It is safe to state this is without parallel in all the annals of material art, contemporary or otherwise.” ^{3535) Ibid., p. 7.}CFF2 1085.3

This, it is stressed, was all offered as “proof of survival.” The prices charged by the Bangs sisters for the exercise of their “sacred spiritual gift” ranged from $30 to $50, and the size of the paintings ranged from “life-size bust to seven feet.” The sisters, who lived in Chicago, appeared before “crowned heads, investigative scientific societies and diverse groups.” Specimens of their work were taken to England by Admiral Moore of the British Admiralty, Hicock states, as “evidential results of this marvelous proof of the continuity of life.” Moore was leader of the British Psychical Research Society.” ^{3636) Ibid.} The paintings were the alleged production of “Spirit Artists.” So the Camp Chesterfield Gallery “has become a mecca to those in search of survival.” ^{3737) Ibid., p. 34.} (See page 1083.)CFF2 1086.1

Such are some of the current claims of contemporary “phenomenal” Spiritualism, along with the retention of the “religious” and “philosophy” phases, paralleling the contemporary scientific emphasis in other environs. Thus the older materialistic contentions continue, along with the newer and more subtle approaches. The undercover operations, that are increasingly effective today, are described elsewhere. Thus Spiritualism adapts itself to all classes, clients, and conditions.CFF2 1086.2