from Chicago Sunday Times-Herald, July 25, 1897
Advocates of the theory that we are living on the inside of
a hollow shell 8,000 miles in diameter, instead of on the
outside of a convex globe now claim to be able to satisfy
all who have asked for proof of the correctness of the
theory. This strange astronomical system known as the
Koreshan astronomy or the cellular cosmogony was originated
and founded by Dr. Cyrus R. Teed of Chicago, and during the
past twenty-five years has succeeded in making a large
number of converts to the belief that all the popular
theories concerning the character of the universe are
fallacious, resulting from the failure to properly interpret
observations of the most common phenomena of the heavens and
the scope of our horizon. In the promulgation of the
Koreshan system the discussion of the shape of the earth is
revived: it is the most radical departure from the usual
theories known to the world today - it is a complete
antithesis. Consequently the methods pursued in the new
cosmogony and the conclusions reached therefrom are
decidedly revolutionary.
With the entire system reduced to a pivotal and specific test, and with the plans for making that test, a company of experimenters were sent on an expedition last December to Naples, Fla. where there is a straight coast for a number of miles, to practically apply the principles of the newly discovered means of testing the earth's contour. The work of the experimenting staff of the Koreshan theory is of interest to all from the simple fact that never before in the history of the world has such a geodetic work been executed. Whatever might be thought of the results of the series of surveys made on the Florida coast, the one fact remains that at least the plan is unique and original, seemingly embodying a number of simple geometrical principles which have been for some reason entirely overlooked in the usual lines of scientific research and geodetic survey.
The experiments and survey on the gulf coast were under the direction of Professor U.G. Morrow of Chicago, who has from time to time supplied The Times-Herald with a report of the facts observed and results obtained, and now gives a final summary of the results of his investigations, which if accepted will revolutionize science.
Propositions of the Koreshans
The main question involved constituting the basis of operations in the new geodesy is: Will an absolutely straight line surveyed in two directions from the vertical point of a perpendicular, and at right angles to that perpendicular, extend into space, the earth curvating away from that line, or will the lines converge to the water's surface at two points like the chord of a concave arc? It is claimed that this is the most direct means possible for determining whether the earth is rounded or convexed at its surface, or concaved as the inside of a hollow sphere, and if the experimenters have correctly applied the principles involved they have succeeded in making the first direct test of the character of the surface upon which we live.
On account of atmospheric refraction, the rays of light and vision are bent out of the true rectilinear direction, and consequently cannot be employed as a practical test. The apparatus used, called the rectilineator, is a mechanical contrivance for the purpose of forcing a straight line. The whole plan of the survey is clearly illustrated in the accompanying diagram, which explains itself. The survey began with the apparatus at an altitude of ten feet above the water's surface, making the basis of the figure eight miles instead of six, as first proposed.
If the earth curvates convexly at the ratio of eight inches to the mile, in four miles from the middle of the straight line chord or from the given perpendicular, the surveyed line would be twenty feet from the convex arc - the line would be that distance above the water at the end of the survey. On the other hand, if the earth curvates concavely, as the Koreshans claim, the line would come in contact with the water. Their object was to demonstrate that the line would "run into the water." They declare that the line surveyed on the gulf coast terminated in accordance with their expectations, in the water at the distance of four miles from the given perpendicular.
How the Surveys Were Made
Along the line surveyed were fixed stakes every eighth of a mile upon which the altitude of the "air line" was registered as the survey progressed in order that measurements might be made, and afterward referred to, of the distance of the line above the water's surface. In this way it was proposed to determine whether or not the line approached the surface at the proper ratio, and the claim is made that upon no other kind of a surface than the concave could such relations and figures be observed and obtained, the lines approaching the surface in about the ratio of the calculated concave curvature. At the end of the first mile the "air line" was eight inches nearer the surface than at the beginning; second mile, about thirty-two inches; third mile, six feet, while at the end of four miles the line came in contact with water. Also at every eighth of a mile the ratio was along the same lines of progression. The results for even miles showing the aggregate result for the measured altitude of the line for the stations intervening. From these figures it may be seen that the ratio of concavity determined by these measurements very closely approaches the estimated curvature of eight inches to the mile. The ratio of descent of the line, the increases in the angles of deviation from the horizontal at stations of test with the levels, the length of the line surveyed from the beginning to point of extension into the water, as well as the direction of the plumb line at the various points, in consideration of the principles involved and the apparatus employed, all declare, it is claimed, the fact of the earth's concavity.
Scientists Challenged to Open Contest
It can easily be imagined what an impetus such scientific tests would give to a system if they were true. If it were admitted that the results of this survey so definitely define the direction of the earth's curvature as to entitle them to credence by the scientific world, the Koreshans would have a weight of evidence that would render that position impregnable. The future will reveal the validity or the fallacy of their claims, and judging from the line of work planned by the scientists of the new school they are not anticipating leaving the field to the criticism of the scientific world. Upon the strength of the results of the work of the expedition the founder of the system issues a general challenge to meet the advocates of the prevailing system, not merely in discussion, but in open contest upon the field of operations and experimentation. Corroborative of the results of the unique surveys, they claim to have a long line of facts of observation upon the surface of water itself, and the force of visible and tangible facts must be admitted to posses more weight with the people in general than platform arguments.
Concerning their attitudes toward the leaders of modern scientific thought, Professor Morrow says: "If the scientific men of the world today are as willing to test the truth of our propositions and results and results of our geodetic work as we are to meet them is demonstration of the premise of the Koreshan system, no difficulty will be experienced in speedily settling the question. We hereby extend to them the opportunity of demonstrating the earth's convexity and to destroy our premises or to establish the basis of the Koreshan cosmogony, and thus overthrow all conclusions of modern science. In this we are not clamoring for dispute, but inviting an impartial test of the facts.
Easily Susceptible in Decision
"There is not another issue before the world today in which the principles can be so specifically stated and pivoted upon one point of test, nor so susceptible of absolute decision, as this one concerning the concavity of the earth; because the water's surface cannot be changed, and no method of solving the question is so obviously certain as the one formulated in the Koreshan system, the results of which are now proclaimed to the world. We have employed a unique apparatus in the survey of an air line terminating into the water's surface as we proposed and anticipated before undertaking the survey. We employed a process of extension of a right line concerning which there can be no question. We eliminated the elements of refraction of light and incurvation of visual lines, as well as the effect of perspective foreshortening, but mechanically forcing a straight line, and thus settled the matter beyond dispute. The work was laborious, requiring much time and patience as yet the scientists have not been forcibly made aware of the weight of the evidence obtained. We were confident in the beginning of our work and from consideration of the principles involved and the results which would inevitably follow, that we were projecting the greatest and most important geodetic survey of the nineteenth century.
"The importance of an undertaking is always measured by its ultimate results. On such a basis, we place the importance of our geodetic survey over against all the efforts of scientific men to determine the earth's shape, with all their appliances and apparatus of the very finest workmanship. We are not discrediting the geodetic work of the world: such efforts have their value, but the sequel proves that they are not of paramount importance. We are simply comparing success with failure - we have succeeded in accomplishing that for which they have labored for centuries, by the application of direct means of determining the earth's true shape. The great wonder of the hour, the startling fact now manifesting and forcing itself upon many rational minds is that outside of the ranks of recognized scientists there should develop a line of scientific work that eclipses all the efforts of the vast army of scientific experiments the world over.
"Nothing can now impede the progress of the Koreshan system: It is invincible. The world cannot long withstand the forces of the absolute truth, having for its foundation the indisputable facts of the greatest discovery of modern times. The facts we have observed and the lines we have surveyed demonstrating the earth's true form, are susceptible to test. We challenge contradictions, but our challenge will have to be answered upon the field of contest in the many lines of experimentation through which we have observed the facts we announce to the world."
Great Revolution Would Result
The Koreshan scientists have taken the question out of the realm of discussion concerning various astronomical and cosmographical phenomena and placed it at least in an effort at demonstration. They claim that if the earth is really concave it places the usual explanation of the character of the orbs above the movements of the sun, moon and stars entirely on the side of absurdity, and the habitation of the planets impossible, because in such case, all phenomena would have to be interpreted in accordance with the ground or foundation from which astronomical calculations are made - the arc of the earth's curvature. It can readily be seen that if that arc should be concave instead of convex, the immense distances attributed to the planets and other heavenly bodies would have to be set aside and the stars brought to within a comparatively short distance above the concave arc.
It may be asked, what is the difference if the world is concave - in what way does it interest the public? In the event of success on the part of Koreshanity, many popular theories would be revolutionized. No other system ever put forth in the world has affected such decidedly radical changes in the channels of human thought and life as would result from general acceptance of the premise of the hollow globe theory and its resultant conclusions. It would turn the scientific mind into newer channels of investigation, reveal newer laws, and clear away numerous mysteries concerning cosmical form and function. Every domain of thought and investigation would be invaded by the new processes - in short, a startling, appalling and world-wide revolution would necessarily follow if it were proved beyond a doubt to the general mind that the universe is a great cell or shell containing forms of the highest realm of being, as well as all the stars, planets, sun and moon and atmospheres. Nothing could be more startling to the mind today than a vivid conception that the laws of universal existence and perpetuity have been discovered and all mysteries of the universe revealed through the knowledge of the earth's form and the relation of all its parts.
Koreshan Science and Theology
How would it affect the popular theology - what has astronomy to do with a concept of the Creator? All through the ages past astronomy and theology have gone hand in hand. All systems of theology have undertaken to incorporate an idea of creation and consequently the nature and extent of that which has been created. Wherever changes have been made in general astronomical systems they have resulted in changing the popular beliefs concerning theology and the processes by which the world was created and its existence maintained. The Koreshans say that if we admit for a moment that the modern scientific theories are untrue the conclusion is inevitable that to whatever extent the teachers of theology have been influenced by a false scientific theory, to that extent they have been led astray concerning the Creator; in such case they would understand neither the Creator nor his works. The influence of the prevailing system of science has been universal. Perhaps no one has attempted to form a mental picture of the remote habitation of deity which the usual astronomical theory imposes without attempting to form some idea as to distance - the mind has endeavored to reach out into infinite space to touch the heart of the Creator, it has wandered into a great circumference of space. Koreshans maintain that God is the center and heart of creation instead of being its circumference.
Thus it would seem that the popular idea of God has been largely influenced by the prevailing theories concerning the immensity of the universe and the infinity of space. If the concept of the universe be so radically modified and revolutionized as to maintain the limitation of the universe to the dimension of 8,000 miles diameter, it is obvious that a corresponding change of concept of the Almighty must necessarily follow. Because of this Koreshans say that their system of science and their theology are inseparably connected and related - that in the discovery of the fact of the cellular form of the universe there has come to the world a definite knowledge of the laws of creation and consequently the laws of perpetuity of not only the universe as the effect of causes, but, also the means of existence of that cause. It is claimed that the physical universe is the natural and outermost expression of the divine mind, and that if the natural universe and its laws are understood they unmistakably indicate the character of the mind which expresses it.
Koreshans attempt to explain the great mystery of Deity scientifically. Hence the claim that the scientific theory of Koreshanity is the foundation or basis of its religion, which is claimed to be the revival of the primitive Christian system as it was taught prior to the declension and apostasy of the church. Koreshans claim to defend the Bible - that the Bible teaches that the world is a hollow sphere, the outermost metallic strata being the "firmament" of the old Testament - and that the Bible is scientifically correct in all its expressions. They hold that in the demonstration of the earth's concavity the inspiration of the scriptures is scientifically proved and demonstrated. They teach that the two great forms of expression of the mind of the Almighty - nature and the Bible - are to be read in harmony, because originating in the same divine mind. The argument is that nature is the result of cause, and is true - a true and tangible index to all knowledge of all life in all domains of the universe.
Scientific men are yet on the voyage of discovery and research, from which it follows that they have not yet definitely located the secret of the great cause of existence, nor yet satisfactorily explained the real purpose of the world. The founder of the Koreshan theory claims to have discovered that for which the thinking world is looking. If the leaders of the prevailing theories could be induced to critically examine the claims to such a discovery, or to come in contact with its advocates in open field of contest, so that a definite and satisfactory test could be made of the facts, as embraced in the possible determination as to which way the earth curves, it would undoubtedly reveal that either the scientists of today are greatly mistaken or that the Koreshans are promulgating the rankest and most absurd fallacy of modern times.
What Benefits Would Follow?
What is claimed to be the benefits to be derived to humanity through acceptance of such a system? It is one of the doctrines of Dr. Teed, its founder, that there is not a law in the universe that man cannot apply to himself when understood; that man is a microcosm, or small world, involving the functions of the world at large, and that to the extent that we mistake or apprehend what are the laws of the universe we fail to apply them. That when man can comprehend what are the laws and principles of universal construction and perpetuity he can adjust himself to universal being and become immortal. Man is held to be mortal and that he will continue to be so until he has so applied and fulfilled immutable laws as to overcome death and perfect himself mentally, spiritually and physically. The very kernel of the system seems to be the claim to the discovery of the long sought for "philosopher's stone," the science of transmutation, which is looked upon as the key to all knowledge.
In accordance with this promise, a great system of organic unity of human and divine co-operation is hoped for by the adherents to the Koreshan views. The laws of universal existence are sought to be applied to human affairs in the definition of the true science of government and political economy - it is claimed to be the beginning of the supreme theocracy expected by all Christians to be made manifest in what is termed the "second advent," and hence, the man originating system of Koreshanity has some personal claims as to knowledge of divine law, and consequently a mission to perform in the world looking to the establishment of a system of salvation of humanity from the present conditions of evil and mortality through the institution of a new order of life, an organic system correspondingly fashioned after the general universal order of the great cellular form which is held to incorporate all there is. Koreshans say many people have misunderstood the claims of Dr. Teed. His system is intricate, necessitating study and investigation to comprehend his mission: it is insisted by his followers that his claims are the rational claims of the true scientist. Those who have been engaged in the work of scientific experimentation hold that in the practical proofs of the correctness of the Koreshan cosmogony all the scientific, religious, ethical and economical principles of the entire system are conclusively demonstrated to be true.