Preliminary Report of the Commission Appointed by the University of Pennsylvania to Investigate Modern Spiritualism In Accordance with the Request of the Late Henry Seybert

"Preliminary Report of the Commission Appointed by the University of Pennsylvania to Investigate Modern Spiritualism" by the University of Pennsylvania. Seybert Commission for Investigating Modern Spiritualism is a formal document outlining a late 19th-century investigation into Modern Spiritualism. Prompted by a bequest, a commission of scholars and professionals meticulously examines claims of spiritual manifestations, particularly focusing on slate writing and mediumistic abilities. The report details their attempts to observe these phenomena, especially during séances with mediums, and the commission recounts its initial skepticism and details the unfavorable outcomes that lead members to question the purported spiritual acts. The narrative maintains a tone of critical inquiry, approaching the investigation with seriousness while casting doubt on the truthfulness of spiritualist claims.