THE PATH STARTS HERE
CASSADAGA SPIRITUALIST CAMP Est.1894
"Cassadaga, Florida Yesterday & Today" by Elizabeth Owens (copyright 2001) is reprinted with the author's permission to give a brief history of Cassadaga.
George P. Colby is given credit for being the founder of Cassadaga. He was born January 6, 1848 in Pike, Alleghany County, New York. Mr. Colby was a trance medium who travelled to many states giving private readings and conducting seances. He was referred to as the "Seer of Spiritualism."
The most well-known spirit guide of George Colby was an Indian named Seneca...It was during a seance in Lake Mills, Iowa that Seneca manifested to instruct him on a journey. The message was that he was to be instrumental in the establishment of a Spiritualist community in the South...He was later guided by Seneca and his other guides through the pathless wilds to an area that was exactly as it had been shown to George during a seance. Part of this area was destined to become the Spiritualist Camp. The year was 1875.
The charter was granted to form the Southern Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp Meeting Association on December 18, 1894. On January 3, 1895 Colby signed a warranty deed to the Association for thirty-five acres. Over the years the Association acquired an additional twenty-two acres, bring the size of the Camp to its current fifty-seven acres...
Many people have been curious over the years as to the origin of the word Cassadaga. The Camp was named after a small town outside of Lily Dale, New York, which is also a Spiritualist Community. Cassadaga is a word used by the Seneca Indians meaning, "Rocks beneath the water."
Cassadaga was established with the intention of it being a winter haven for Spiritualists who wished to escape the cold of winter while practicing their religious beliefs...The style of the cottages is quite unique for Florida housing. The majority of the homes currently within the grounds were built by the 1920's.
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES
Adopted by Spiritualists of America
Spiritualism has no dogma or creed, just a simple set of nine principles to help guide our lives.
1. We believe in Infinite Intelligence.
2. We believe that the phenomena of nature, both physical and spiritual, are the expression of Infinite Intelligence.
3. We affirm that a correct understanding of such expression and living in accordance therewith constitute true religion.
4. We affirm that the existence and personal identity of the individual continue after the change called death.
5. We affirm that communication with the so-called dead is a fact, scientifically proven by the phenomena of Spiritualism.
6. We believe that the highest morality is contained in the Golden Rule: "Whatsoever ye would that others should do unto you, do ye also unto them."
7. We affirm the moral responsibility of the individual, that he makes his own happiness or unhappiness as he obeys or disobeys Nature's physical and spiritual laws.
8. We affirm that the doorway to reformation is never closed against any human soul, here or hereafter.
9. We affirm the Precepts of Prophecy and Healing contained in the Bible are Divine attributes proven through Mediumship.
As the sunflower turns its face to the light of the Sun,
so Spiritualism turns the face of humanity to the light of truth.
PLEASE VISIT WWW.CASSADAGA.ORG
Copyright 2008 SCSCMA. All rights reserved.
