In a far-reaching and rallying call to delegates at the Spiritualists’ National Union’s annual conference in 1989, President Gordon Higginson said that despite obstacles and hostility, Spiritualism “is more virile today than it has been in its history.”
Urging members to continue the work of the movement’s pioneers, he called for Spiritualists to play a more active part in the world around them and help create a new standard of human life and welfare. But in frank mood, Gordon also said that some Spiritualists “are not prepared to act as spiritual beings.” Here is the full text of his speech:
“The pioneers of the Spiritualist movement will again be gathering around us this weekend. Our movement has a long line of pioneers. It is so lengthy it fades away into the distance. Names tend to be forgotten, but their work lives on after them. You and I, too, will leave traces on that road which is winding into the future. Traces of the work we do will remain when people have forgotten our names, our initials and, thank God, even our mistakes!
Our pioneers were subjected to every form of scorn and abuse. They were called upon to make sacrifices for the truth which they prized because it brought them liberty and a new knowledge. They lost their jobs; they were stoned and pelted in the streets. Their homes were invaded. The windows of their homes were smashed. Their meetings were broken up by ruffians. They lost friends. But still they went on. They knew Spiritualism was true and stood by it.