Spiritualism: Making of an Organization

Prior to the NSAC, Spiritualism was organized under the National Association of Spiritualists, which primarily met at annual, national conventions. Spiritualists continued to meet in churches and camps as well. The first national convention assembled in Chicago, IL in 1864. The following year, the second national convention was held in Philadelphia, PA and chaired by John Pierpont. Two more conventions were held in subsequent years and eighty auxiliaries functioned until 1873; however, after nine years this association ceased to exist. No one knows exactly why the association failed, but it’s thought the association was ahead of its time and difficult to fund its operations.

However, Spiritualists needed to organize in order to promote the cause of mediumship and to protect mediums in exercising their God-given faculty of communication with the Spirit World through mediumship.

Therefore, The National Spiritualist Association reorganized on September 27, 1893 at #77, 31st Street in Chicago, IL. Some of the objectives of the new organization included those listed below.

1. The organization of Spiritualists in the United States into one working organization.
2. The building of all necessary temples and lecture halls.
3. For the better education of lecturers or speakers by instituting one General Conference of the same each year, that more uniform and effective methods of teaching may be secured.
4. The opening of a permanent business office by the General Secretary of such Association as a ready means for the collection and compilation of statistics of Spiritualism.

The NSA filed for incorporation on November 1, 1893 in Washington, D.C. On October 21, 1895 the incorporation papers were amended to specify the term of incorporation for “one thousand years”.

As Spiritualism is a progressive organization, its name was altered slightly over the years until it became what it is known as today. On November 20, 1920 the Association’s name was changed from “The National Spiritualist Association of the United States of America” to “The National Spiritualist Association”. The amendment was recorded in Washington, D.C. on December 1, 1922. It wasn’t until February 12, 1953 that a new amendment was filed to change the name from “The National Spiritualist Association” to “The National Spiritualist Association of Churches”, and was recorded in Washington, D.C. on April 27, 1953.

In addition to incorporating the organization of the NSAC and creating objectives for its purpose, it was also important to create a declaration of principles that clearly described what the NSAC both believed and practiced. The first six principles were adopted at the 7th Annual Convention in Chicago, IL, October, 1899. Over time, amendments were made to the original six principles. The following nine principles are the result of what is known today and recited at every NSAC affiliated church in the United States.

The Declaration of Principles

1.We believe in Infinite Intelligence.

Infinite Intelligence is all encompassing and holds no limits. It is the creative force of the universe and all that is. It is that which some term God, but is not limited by such terminology.

2.We believe that the phenomena of nature, both physical and spiritual, are the expression of Infinite Intelligence.

All manifestations of phenomena, both in the physical and spiritual realms, come from, and through, Infinite Intelligence.

3.We affirm that a correct understanding of such expression and living in accordance therewith constitute true religion.

Once one accepts that everything in both the physical and spiritual universes comes from Infinite Intelligence and is governed by Natural Law, this becomes the basis for true religion.

4.We affirm that the existence and personal identity of the individual continues after the change called death.

Spiritualists know that we continue to exist and grow beyond death’s door through the wealth of knowledge gained in mediumship communication.

5.We affirm that communication with the so-called dead is a fact, scientifically proven by the phenomena of Spiritualism.

Mediumship is not some New Age or charlatan practice, but a time and tested skill that anyone who puts in the practice and sincerely wishes to unfold their spiritual nature can achieve. Spirit wants to communicate with us. Their guidance and insights are an invaluable resource for those on the earth plane.

6.We believe that the highest morality is contained in the Golden Rule, Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

The universe works under a Natural Law consisting of correspondences and attractions. What one puts out, they will also receive. Spiritualist seek to live a life of the highest morality both to be an example to others and for their own well-being.

7.We affirm the moral responsibility of individuals and that we make our own happiness or unhappiness as we obey Nature’s physical and spiritual laws.

Similar to #6 above, one can choose to live in accordance with the universe or not. How one aligns themselves will have a direct effect on the quality of their experience. As Spiritualists living by the Golden Rule, we have a responsibility to align ourselves with Nature’s physical and spiritual laws.

8.We affirm that the doorway to reformation is never closed against any soul here or hereafter.

Unlike some of the other world religions, Spiritualists do not believe in eternal damnation for the wrongs committed in a single life. Our souls are under infinite expansion and growth. Therefore, there is always the opportunity to make positive changes that will advance one’s soul.

9.We affirm that the Precepts of Prophecy and Healing are divine attributes proven through Mediumship.

Souls in the Spirit World have a different perspective and faculties than those in the physical, and our connection to them through mediumship and healing gives those of us in the physical access to their higher wisdom and helps us to unfold our spiritual natures and faculties.

Similar to the changes that the name of the organization went through in its early years, some of the principles have gone through some changes as well. Any proposed changes to the Declaration of Principles may be brought to the floor by a motion made by a person, an auxiliary, the NSAC Board of Trustees, or any committee on revision or amendment that submits a change to the office of the NSAC Secretary at least sixty days prior to the date of the annual convention.

Spiritualism is considered to be a Science, Religion, and a Philosophy. Spiritualism is a science because it investigates, analyzes, and classifies facts and manifestations demonstrated from the Spirit World. Spiritualism is a philosophy because it studies the laws of nature both on the physical and spiritual planes and bases its conclusions on present observed facts. And Spiritualism is a religion because it strives to understand and to comply with the laws of nature, which are the laws of Infinite Intelligence.

In addition to the objectives of the NSAC, there are also objectives of Spiritualism itself. Some of these include the following:

1. To teach and proclaim the science, philosophy, and religion of Modern Spiritualism.
2. To encourage lecturers on all subjects pertaining to the spiritual and secular welfare of humanity.
3. To advocate and promote spiritual healing.
4. To protect and encourage spiritual teachers and mediums in all laudable efforts in giving evidence of proof to humanity of the continuity of life and a continued discourse between the living and so-called dead.
5. To teach the truths and principles expressed in the Declaration of Principles and definitions of Spiritualism, Spiritualist, Healer, and Medium as adopted by the NSAC.

Spiritualists believed both the teaching and those qualified to teach Spiritualism must be regulated under an organized school for just that purpose.

In July 1897, the Training School was incorporated at Mantua, OH. The instructors were Professor A.J. Weaver, Mrs. A. Jahnke, D.M. King, and Moses Hull. While this incarnation of the school did not last, on December 11, 1901, the Morris Pratt Institute was incorporated under the laws of the state of Wisconsin. It was to be led by nine trustees, two of whom were to be members of the NSA, and one to be the president of the Wisconsin State Spiritualist Association. The Morris Pratt Institute is still active today. The course on Modern Spiritualism consists of thirty lessons, in-depth questions and essays, proctored certification tests (if one chooses to pursue certification), and additional, optional workshops.

Certifications available from the NSAC include:

1. Ordained Minister
2. National Spiritualist Teacher
3. Licentiate Minister
4. Medium: Mental or Physical
5. Spiritualist Healer

The NSAC Board may confer the degree of National Spiritualist Teacher (NST) to candidates who meet certain requirements that include membership in a chartered church society for not less than three years preceding the date of application; they must have completed the educational course requirements of this Society for NST; they must complete and submit the application for NST to the board having immediate jurisdiction; and they must appear before the NSAC Board, or a qualified committee of three including at least one NSAC Board member appointed by the NSAC Board for oral and written examinations, and satisfactorily fulfill all requirements as to educational training, and special knowledge to teach the science, philosophy, and religion of Spiritualism.

Information on requirements for certification can be obtained from the office of the NSAC Secretary in Lily Dale, NY and from the NSAC Bylaws.

Spiritualists also sought a publication solely dedicated to the advancement of Spiritualism and

The National Spiritualist was announced at the 27th Annual Convention in 1919, and commenced issuance on Tuesday, January 18 of the same year. It’s object was to promote the teachings of Spiritualism and strengthen the influence of the NSA. The publication remain in print today.

The official banner of NSAC that hangs on the podium of every NSAC affiliated church can be described as follows:

The white banner (flag) has “National Spiritualist Association of Churches” printed across the top in brown lettering with a yellow sunflower in the center. On the lower third of the banner is written, “Under All Circumstances Keep an Even Mind” ~Andrew Jackson Davis.

The sunflower is the symbol of Spiritualism. The sunflower has been the accepted emblem of Spiritualism since at least 1892. The sunflower embodies a number of attributes that reflect primary elements of Spiritualism, which is why it was chosen as the representative symbol. While native to the soil of the United States, it has been transplanted to many other locations around the world. Likewise, in 1948, Spiritualism was recognized as a religion in thirty-eight nations.

The sunflower is similar to a magnet, but its attraction is selective. Similarly Spiritualism appeals not to the masses, but to the individual who seeks reason and the understanding of Spiritualism beyond mere faith. 

The sunflower is held up by a strong stalk, and Spiritualism demonstrates to humanity that peace and understanding, here and hereafter, depends upon a strong character.

Like the imposing height of the sunflower that protects smaller plants nearby from adverse conditions, Spiritualism protects people from superstition that prohibits spiritual growth, and provides them with a solid foundation on which to build a firm understanding of why they are here, what they must do, and where they are going. 

Lastly, the sunflower has great medicinal properties and contains a nearly complete balance of vitamins and minerals. Spiritualism stresses the importance both of physical and spiritual healing.

As the sunflower turns its face to the light of the sun, So Spiritualism turns the face of humanity to the light of Truth.