Harmonial Society

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Harmonial Society

A Spiritualist organization founded in Benton County, Arkansas, in 1855 by former American Methodist minister T. E. Spencer and his wife. It was called Harmony Springs, and admission to membership was subject to the approval of the controls of the founder. Spencer taught that many spirits perished with the body, and that some languished after death but soon expired. However, those who followed his system, he expounded, would arrive at immortality here on Earth. Part of the price of that immortality was the surrender of the members' property to the founders. In the course of events some initiates began to doubt and made known their intentions to take legal measures to recover their property. The Spencers thereupon disappeared but were soon apprehended and sentenced to imprisonment.