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58-582: Over its history, it has organised test cases regarding the legal status of spiritualist mediums, with regard to such matters as exemption from compulsory military National service . In legal terms, Spiritualist mediums were considered to violate such laws as the Vagrancy Act 1824 , which outlawed fortune telling , and the Witchcraft Act 1735 ( 9 Geo. 2 c. 5). The Union campaigned against these laws for many years. They were eventually repealed by

116-510: A battalion under a lieutenant-colonel), and were embodied annually for training, or as required by war or emergency. Volunteers, organised under appointed Captains of Forts , also manned fortified coastal artillery batteries to maintain a standing defence against enemy vessels or landing parties. This Militia was raised under acts of the colonial Parliament of Bermuda , which required periodic renewal. Bermuda had received its first regular (English Army) unit (an Independent Company , detached from

174-476: A book called Art Magic or Mundane, Sub-Mundane and Super-Mundane Spiritism: A Treatise in Three parts and Twenty Three Sections on the subject of Theosophy. It was written anonymously and published in 1876 by 'the author' with the help of 'his [ sic ] highly esteemed English friend, Mrs. Emma Hardinge Britten'. There remains a strange mystery regarding its authorship. In addition, in 1887 she founded The Two Worlds ,

232-476: A chronicle of her active religious participation, Hardinge published the book Modern American Spiritualism (1870), a huge "encyclopedia" of the people and events associated with the early days of the movement. That same year, Emma married an ardent spiritualist, William Britten, from Boston. Emma continued to publish under the surname Hardinge, however, since her professional career was well-developed before this late-life marriage. In 1872, Emma attempted to start

290-528: A magazine, The Western Star , however, after a series of devastating fires in Boston, her impoverished clients dropped their subscriptions. The magazine failed after only six issues. Emma then moved back to New York, where she became involved in theosophy. She was also one of six founding members of the Theosophical Society with Helena Blavatsky until they had a falling-out. She also edited

348-573: A manipulative member of the society whom she later termed "a baffled sensualist." Although there is little reliable information on this London occult group, it is suspected that Emma received the name Hardinge from this society, the surname she kept throughout her adult life. She came to America and while in New York City, she attended Spiritualist séances in the hopes of writing about the gullibility of Americans. During these séances, she begin to experience events from her dramatic childhood. Under

406-540: A medium and gifted orator and it was during her many speeches in trance state, that 'spirit communicators' gave various statements of faith. This resulted in the creation of the Seven Principles of Modern Spiritualism in the UK. Many believe that the influence of the 'spirit' of Socialist Robert Owen was paramount in this process, although Emma generally claimed they were "given by the spirits." The interpretation of

464-401: A musician, trained as an opera singer and began a stage career. She developed a reputation for apparent abilities as a spiritual medium during her early years. As a child, Emma had a habit of predicting the futures of people she encountered, relating to them what she had seen in visions, along with information about their deceased relatives of whom she had no prior knowledge. She also developed

522-456: A one-year full-time placement in the armed forces or to perform part-time community service of 25 days per year for an unspecified number of years. Emma Hardinge Britten Emma Hardinge Britten (2 May 1823 – 2 October 1899) was an English advocate for the early Modern Spiritualist Movement . Much of her life and work was recorded and published in her speeches and writing and an incomplete autobiography edited by her sister. She

580-520: A particular age beyond which no one in that job would be enlisted. For example, lighthouse keepers and police officers were "reserved" at 18 years old. From 1943, some conscripts were directed into the British coal mining industry and become known as the " Bevin Boys ". Provision was also made for conscientious objectors , who were required to justify their position to a tribunal, with power to allocate

638-523: A religion. There was a system of tribunals to adjudicate upon claims for exemption on the grounds of performing civilian work of national importance, domestic hardship, health, and conscientious objection . The law went through several changes before the war ended. Married men were exempt in the original Act, although this was changed in May 1916. The age limit was also eventually raised to 51 years old. Recognition of work of national importance also diminished. In

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696-643: A weekly Spiritualist newspaper. From 1878 to 1879, Emma and her husband worked as Spiritualist missionaries in Australia and New Zealand. Isaac Selby , who heard her speak in Melbourne , said, “she impressed me as the greatest woman orator that ever visited Australia.” After returning to New York, she wrote her greatest chronicle of the spiritualist age— Nineteenth Century Miracles (1884). Emma Hardinge died in Manchester, England in 1899. She

754-452: Is an inbuilt ability. Spiritualists use this ability for communication directly, or via a medium, between those in the spirit world and ourselves. This is not supernatural; it is a normal activity. The main purpose of communication with the spirit world is to provide the guidance in this world. The Ministry of Angels brings enhanced wisdom to enlighten the individual, society and the world in which we live. This includes those who are dedicated to

812-450: Is open to all now! Any action, or intent to change, to promote soul growth and progression, creates a positive reaction. There will always be the opportunity to develop and move forward, no one is ever deprived of the all embracing love of God. These principles were the summary of faith of Emma Hardinge Britten , a pioneer for the UK's Spiritualist Movement and were adopted by the SNU. Emma was

870-512: Is remembered as a writer, orator, trance clairvoyant, and spirit medium. Her books, Modern American Spiritualism (1870) and Nineteenth Century Miracles (1884), are detailed accounts of spiritualism in America. Emma Floyd was born in London, England in 1823. Her father Ebenezer, who was a schoolteacher, died in 1834 when Emma was eleven years old. She grew up supporting herself and her family as

928-492: Is the focus of its annual Peace Service every July. The SNU operates The Arthur Findlay College based at Stansted Hall, Essex, UK. The SNU was founded on 18 October 1901 as the Spiritualists' National Union Ltd. In 1916, it campaigned to get government recognition for the religion of spiritualism. The Philosophy of SNU Spiritualism is based upon seven principles. The Principles are not intended to be binding rules or

986-483: The 2024 general election and was announced as such on 25 May 2024, despite the Conservative defence minister Andrew Murrison stating just two days prior that government policy was that circumstances demanded a volunteer professional military and that national service would have a negative effect on morale. Under these plans, which would have cost £2.5 billion, all 18-year-olds would have been required to perform

1044-646: The 2nd Regiment of Foot ) in 1701. This was withdrawn in 1763, following the Seven Years' War , and replaced by a company detached from the 9th Regiment of Foot in Florida and a detachment from the Independent Company of the Bahamas, but these were withdrawn in 1768, leaving only the militia and volunteer gunners. Two companies of the invalid Royal Garrison Battalion were posted to Bermuda during

1102-686: The American War of Independence , but this unit was disbanded at Bermuda in 1783. Regular British Army infantry (a detachment of the 47th Regiment of Foot ) was detached to Bermuda to re-establish the Bermuda Garrison in 1793 as the French Revolution led to war between Britain and France. This unit was joined in 1794 by a company Invalid Royal Artillery from the Board of Ordnance Military Corps (and not at that time part of

1160-744: The Bermuda Garrison , with the reserve units taking on greater responsibilities). Conscription into the Bermuda Militia Artillery and the Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps was discussed during the First World War , but had not been put into place before the cessation of hostilities. It was introduced during the Second World War , with conscripts serving full-time for the duration in the BMA, BVRC,

1218-759: The Bermuda Volunteer Engineers (raised in 1931), or the Bermuda Militia Infantry (raised in 1939). Those unable to serve full-time were directed into the Bermuda Home Guard (raised for the duration of the war). Although conscription ended with the war, a shortfall of volunteers led to its reintroduction to the BVRC in 1957 (when the regular army components of the Bermuda Garrison were withdrawn, leaving only

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1276-793: The Cyprus Emergency , Kenya Emergency , and the Korean War , where conscripts to the Gloucestershire Regiment took part in the last stand during the Battle of the Imjin River . In addition, National Servicemen served in the Suez Crisis in 1956. During the 1950s there was a prohibition on serving members of the armed forces standing for election to Parliament. A few National Servicemen stood for election in

1334-589: The Fraudulent Mediums Act 1951 ( 14 & 15 Geo. 6 . c. 33), which legalised the practice of mediums unless it was shown that they were profiting financially from a fraudulent service. This act was repealed in April 2008, and fraudulent mediums are now covered by consumer protection legislation, namely The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. It has also performed more everyday services, such as organising war memorial services in

1392-509: The Isle of Man were liable to be called up, with some exemptions: Pregnant women were not exempted, but in practice were not called up. Men under 20 years old were initially not liable to be sent overseas, but this exemption was lifted by 1942. People called up before they were 51 years old but who reached their 51st birthday during their service were liable to serve until the end of the war. People who had retired, resigned or been dismissed from

1450-714: The Territorial Force (later renamed the Territorial Army ) in Britain in 1907–1908, with the introduction of terms of service (specific lengths of service for which volunteers enlisted), but this did not occur in Bermuda until the 1920s (1921 for the BVRC and 1928 for the BMA, as post-war reductions of the British Government's defence budget let to the reduction of the regular army components of

1508-412: The 1951 and 1955 general elections in order to be dismissed from service. National Service ended gradually from 1957. It was decided that those born on or after 1 October 1939 would not be required, but conscription continued for those born earlier whose call-up had been delayed for any reason. In November 1960 the last conscripted men entered service, as call-ups formally ended on 31 December 1960, and

1566-648: The British Army). Royal Engineers officers had already been posted to Bermuda to survey the defences and oversee their improvement. There were no Royal Sappers and Miners present, however, until the 19th century, and civilians (including retired soldiers) were hired locally to carry out the construction work. At the same time, the Royal Navy established in Bermuda what was to become the Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda and an Admiralty House , and

1624-644: The Ministry of Defence and a spokesman for the British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak publicly denying this was a plan by the armed forces, with the former issuing a statement declaring "The British military has a proud tradition of being a voluntary force and there is absolutely no suggestion of a return to conscription". Reintroduction of mandatory national service was a key plank of the Conservative Party manifesto for

1682-609: The Principles continues to be updated to more accurately represent the true intent and core beliefs of Spiritualists today. Conscription in the United Kingdom In the United Kingdom, military conscription has existed for two periods in modern times. The first was from 1916 to 1920, and the second from 1939 to 1960. The last conscription term ended in 1963 although many soldiers chose to continue in

1740-806: The Religion and Religious Philosophy of Spiritualism as based upon The Seven Principles It also re-defined its goals as: In November 2018 the SNU represented Spiritualism for the first time at the National Memorial Service, held at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London. The SNU's presence built on other efforts in this area, including the obelisk built at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire which

1798-778: The Spirit Circle," “Hades," and "What Is the Basis of the Connection of the Natural and Spiritual Worlds?” Hardinge also became involved in the campaign efforts of 1864 in support of Abraham Lincoln 's re-election. After delivering a highly successful lecture titled, "The Coming Man; or the Next President of the United States," Emma was invited to continue her political work on a thirty-two lecture tour. Perhaps

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1856-619: The United Kingdom was also allowed to become a paper tiger after the conclusion of the Napoleonic Wars and the American War of 1812, and was not restored until the 1850s, from which time it recruited only volunteers; the Volunteer Force was raised at the same time to boost Britain's defences). The British Government spent the next eight decades unsuccessfully asking, pleading and cajoling the local government to restore

1914-444: The amusing talent of preemptively playing songs on the piano, which her audience was thinking (to themselves!) of requesting. According to her autobiography, Emma's clairvoyant tendencies drew her into participation with a secret London occult society which used magnetics and clairvoyant techniques for experimental purposes. During this period, she was also exposed to sexism and economic discrimination through her involvement with

1972-655: The applicant to one of three categories: unconditional exemption; exemption conditional upon performing specified civilian work (frequently farming, forestry or menial hospital work); exemption from only combatant service, meaning that the objector had to serve in the specially created Non-Combatant Corps or in some other non-combatant unit such as the Royal Army Medical Corps . By 1942 all male British subjects between 18 and 51 years old and all females 20 to 30 years old resident in Great Britain and

2030-548: The basis of a dogma but to provide a moral and ethical framework upon which people can base their lives. 1. The Fatherhood of God . The core belief of the religious philosophy of Spiritualism is the acceptance of a Divine Energy. This force, whatever name given to it, has created all there is and sustains all its creation. The ‘Spirit of God’ exists within and around everything. It is within all of us: we are all children of God so are part of one family. We acknowledge God as our Creator. 2. The Brotherhood of Man . We are all part of

2088-516: The building trades, were released in 1945, although restrictions on their immediate employment were supposed to be enforced. All women were released at the end of the war. National Service as peacetime conscription was formulated by the National Service Act 1948 introduced by Clement Attlee's Labour government. From 1 January 1949, healthy males 17 to 21 years old were required to serve in the armed forces for 18 months, and remain on

2146-463: The crisis, eventually resulting in a successful war for independence . Conscription legislation lapsed in 1920. However, as a result of the deteriorating international situation and the rise of Nazi Germany , the Secretary of State for War , Leslie Hore-Belisha , persuaded the cabinet of Neville Chamberlain to introduce a limited form of conscription on 27 April 1939. The Military Training Act

2204-477: The culmination of her oratorical career was a speech delivered on 14 April 1865, as a response to President Lincoln's assassination only thirty-six hours prior. Her speech was widely acclaimed by the journalists of the age as her greatest achievement. Still, not all of her spiritual lectures were so well received. In 1866, The Saturday Review wrote a satirical critique of Hardinge's speeches, describing her style as "bloated eloquence" and her content as "bunkum.” As

2262-484: The event we call ‘death’. 5. Personal Responsibility . In divine wisdom, God has given us enormous potential; we can use that potential to improve our own lives and the lives of others. We have the ability to make decisions throughout our lives as we see fit. What each of us makes of our life is our Personal Responsibility no one can replace or override that right. No other person or influence can put right our wrongdoings. 6. Compensation and Retribution hereafter for all

2320-501: The forces before the war were liable to be called back if they had not reached 51 years of age. Britain did not completely demobilise in 1945 , as conscription continued after the war. Those already in the armed forces were given a release class determined by length of service and age. In practice, releases began in June 1945, and the last of the wartime conscripts had been released by 1949. However, urgently needed men, particularly those in

2378-525: The good and evil deeds done on earth . This Principle expresses the natural law of ‘cause and effect’. This law operates now, on earth, as well as in the spirit world. As we move through life making choices, the outcome of those choices affects our soul growth. When we leave this earthly life there will be no divine judgement. We will have the opportunity to reassess, take stock and decide what might have been done differently. 7. Eternal Progress open to every human soul . Eternity does not begin at death; Progress

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2436-643: The guidance of medium Ada Hoyt, these mystical experiences at séances led her to becoming a part of the Spiritualist movement. Emma was invited by the famous Spiritualist, Horace Day, to host spiritualist séances in the Society for the Diffusion of Spiritual Knowledge. She deepened her involvement in the Spiritualist movement as a "trance lecturer" and delivered speeches across the country. Lecture topics included "The Discovering of Spirits," “The Philosophy of

2494-480: The last conscripted servicemen left the armed forces in May 1963. Section 23(3) of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 precludes the government from using that act to make emergency regulations that would "require a person, or enable a person to be required, to provide military service". The British overseas territory of Bermuda was the last jurisdiction to abolish conscription. Service in

2552-540: The last year of the war there was support for the conscription of clergy, though this was not enacted. Conscription lasted until mid-1919. Due to the political situation in Ireland, conscription was never applied there; only in Great Britain ( England , Scotland , and Wales ). An attempt to do this caused a huge backlash from the Irish public, defeating it, with Irish nationalism gaining significant support because of

2610-583: The militia until the requirement of consent for American investment into the Princess Hotel and the dredging of the channel into the St. George's Harbour led the local parliament to pass new militia and volunteer acts in 1892. During the interim, Bermudian volunteers had been recruited for local-service only into the regular army and the Board of Ordnance Military Corps, under terms of service similar to those of

2668-632: The old Bermuda Militia from 1612 to 1816, as in the Militia of the Kingdom of England (including the Principality of Wales) and subsequently the English and Welsh Militia of the Kingdom of Great Britain , had been compulsory, with all able-bodied, military-aged males, whether free, indentured, or enslaved, liable. The Militia was divided into nine companies, one for each parish (collectively forming

2726-660: The old militia. From 1894, recruitment into the new part-time military reserves raised under the 1892 acts had originally followed the post-1850s practices in England for the Militia of the United Kingdom , in which soldiers voluntarily enlisted for six years (embodied for the duration of wars or emergencies, or otherwise only for annual training), and the Volunteer Force , in which part-time soldiers served voluntarily and could quit their service with 14 days' notice, except while embodied for training, war, or national emergency. The Militia, Volunteer force, and Yeomanry were merged into

2784-543: The outbreak of war, on 3 September 1939, the Military Training Act was overtaken by the National Service (Armed Forces) Act 1939 . The first intake was absorbed into the army. This act imposed a liability to conscription to all men aged 18 to 41 years who were living in Great Britain. Men could be rejected for medical reasons, and those engaged in vital industries or occupations were "reserved" at

2842-670: The primary role of the growing military garrison became the protection of the main base of the Royal Navy's North America and West Indies Station as the British Government came to view Fortress Bermuda more as a base than a colony. The build-up of the regular military forces led to the Parliament of Bermuda allowing the Militia Act to lapse after 1816 as the reserve forces were perceived as an unnecessary expense (the Militia in

2900-505: The reintroduction of national service in the UK to give young people "a sense of belonging rather than a sense of violence." In 2024, Chief of the General Staff General Patrick Saunders delivered a speech advocating a volunteer "citizen army" of the willing in the wake of global turmoil, specifically the Russo-Ukrainian War and the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine , which elements of the press mischaracterised as advocacy of conscription; these statements generated controversy, and led to

2958-434: The reserve list for four years. They could be recalled to their units for up to 20 days for no more than three occasions during these four years. Men were exempt from National Service if they worked in one of the three " essential services ": coal mining , farming , and the merchant navy for a period of eight years. If they quit early, they were subject to being called up. Exemption continued for conscientious objectors, with

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3016-421: The same tribunal system and categories. In October 1950, in response to the British involvement in the Korean War , the service period was extended to two years; in compensation, the reserve period was reduced by six months. National Servicemen who showed promise could be commissioned as officers . National Service personnel were used in combat operations, including the Palestine Emergency , Malayan Emergency ,

3074-580: The service beyond 1963. It was legally designated as "Military Service" from 1916 to 1920, and as "National Service" from 1939 to 1960. However, between 1939 and 1948, it was often referred to as "War Service" in documents relating to National Insurance and pension provision . Conscription during the First World War began when the British Parliament passed the Military Service Act in January 1916. The Act specified that single men aged 18 to 40 years old were liable to be called up for military service unless they were widowed with children, or were ministers of

3132-407: The two territorials in Bermuda) and the BMA in 1960. Since the two units were amalgamated in 1965, conscription was retained until July 2018, making the Royal Bermuda Regiment the last conscripted force serving under the British Crown. In 2015 Prince Harry made a call for bringing back conscription. Following the launch of his 2009 film Harry Brown , English actor Michael Caine called for

3190-492: The universal creative force and therefore one family in God. The operation of true Unity throughout the world would create betterment to the lives of many, bringing equality, security and peace. Spiritualists try to understand the needs of others and help all people regardless of race, colour or creed 3. The Communion of Spirits and the Ministry of Angels . Communion with divine energy is a natural and essential part of existence. Communication between Spirit itself and its creations

3248-430: The wake of the First World War . The Union later organised educational courses in Spiritualism-related subjects, and has participated in scientific research into mediumship. In 1995 the SNU acquired the publication Psychic News , which it ran until it was closed in July 2011, later reopening under different ownership. Mission Statement and Goals In 2000 the SNU adopted the following mission statement: To Promote

3306-436: The welfare and service of humankind bringing inspiration guidance and healing. 4. The Continuous Existence of the human soul . Spirit is part of the ‘Creative Force’ and thus indestructible. Energy cannot be destroyed; it can only change its form. After death the physical body is left behind while the soul continues to exist in a different dimension that we call the spirit world. The individual personality continues unchanged by

3364-485: Was passed the following month. Only single men 20 to 22 years old were liable to be called up, and they were to be known as "militiamen" to distinguish them from the regular army. To emphasise this distinction, each man was issued with a suit in addition to a uniform. The intention was for the first intake to undergo six months of basic training before being discharged into an active reserve. They would then be recalled for short training periods and attend an annual camp. At

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