The Satanic Origin of Spiritualism: Concluded

OFTENTIMES is its power manifested through little children who cannot read or write; through simple-minded youths, or persons of less than ordinary intelligence, until brought under the influence of this remarkable power. Then an intelligence is manifested which cannot be accounted for by any known laws of mental phenomena. This would surely come under the head of a new kind of "jugglery."

But there is another phase of this subject which we wish to notice as special evidence of its Satanic origin, and which distinguishes it from every other manifestation of trickery known to men. We refer to the system of doctrines it puts forth to the world. Mere trickery for the purpose of deception always gives evidence of its earthly origin. It does its work for money-making purposes, for present notoriety, and for merely the gratification of the senses.

While these reasons may be connected with spiritualism, and no doubt are often seen, yet there is a deep design manifested in connection with it to subvert the great principles of morality and religion, and to break down all fear of God, and destroy true piety from the earth. This removes it a long way from any mere slight-of-hand trickery. This shows it to be a grand system of error and Satanic cunning intended to undermine and destroy the religion of the Bible. Let us notice a few declarations of its principles by its prominent advocates.

"When spirits begin to speak with man, he must beware that he believe nothing that they say; for nearly everything they say is fabricated by them and they lie—they will tell so many lies that a man would be astonished."—Swedenborg in Banner of Light, March 20, 1869. When Pres. Mahan took a spiritualist book to the Spiritual Telegraph office and asked Mr. Brittan and Dr. Underhill concerning it, they said, "We are not responsible for the sentiments, only for its origin. We do not take the testimony of spirits as reliable. I would not rely upon the responses of any medium."

Said the Crucible, April 23, 1871: "We have learned that, do the best we can, it is impossible to find a medium that can always be made to speak the truth. We can often make them talk eloquently and sometimes logically, but no one can be always made to talk truthfully." All of them lying spirits by their own confession.

It is notorious that Spiritualists almost universally deny the Bible. Says A. J. Davis. Nature is "the true and only Bible" Says Dr. Hare, "The notions derived from the gospel are vague, disgusting, inaccurate, and difficult to believe."—Spiritualism Scientifically Demonstrated, p. 209. Says a spirit claiming to be Rev. John More, "I cannot believe one word of it is the word of God."

They deny Christ. "The miraculous conception of Christ is merely a fabulous tale."—Spiritual Telegraph, No. 372. "Do you hold that Jesus Christ was superior to any other man that ever lived? Ah no, I certainly do not."—Banner of Light, Feb. 5, 1870.

They deny God. W.F. Jamieson says, "I do not believe in a personal God. No great First Cause, NO CREATOR. Space and the worlds or the matter composing them, never were created, never needed a First Cause." Says the Crucible, April 22, 1871. "A personal God would be a monstrosity. There is not and cannot be a Supreme Spirit even."

They deny all distinction of right and wrong. Says A.B. Child, "The divine use of the ten commandments is in their violation, not in their observance." Says A. J. Davis, "Unto God there is no error; all is comparative good." "Sin, in the common acceptation of that term, does not really exist."—Nat. Div. Rev, p. 5, 21. J. S. Loveland, once a Methodist minister. "With God there is no crime; with man there is. Crime does not displease God, but it does man. God is in the darkest crime as in the highest possible holiness. He is equally pleased in either case." No wonder Dr. P. B. Randolph, who had been a medium for eight years, said, I believe Spiritualism "to be the most tremendous enemy of God, morals, and religion, that ever found foothold on the earth." We could easily multiply such quotations a thousand fold.

But let no one suppose such statements are put forth at once when trying to make converts. These are the doctrines of those who have become most deeply imbued with it. They talk very eloquently upon first getting converts, and present every thing that looks attractive, till one comes fully under the influence of these "lying spirits." Then the real animus of this system of error is shown.

Who can suppose for a moment that such a gigantic system of error, as this has shown itself to be, deeply affecting society at large reaching thousands of those in the higher walks of life, reaching ministers of the gospel and breaking down their faith in the Bible, and all they had held dear, believed in by men of great mental powers, and working its way everywhere among the great of the earth, was originated by a few slight-of-hand performances? It is no doubt true that multitudes who have become believers as well as those who have merely become interested in it, do not realize the atheistic tendency of this monster delusion. This tendency is kept in the back ground, and will be till the masses are beyond the reach of God's Spirit. But any one who cares to investigate the matter can easily perceive the effect of this doctrine. Who can fail to see here a gigantic scheme on the part of Satan to ruin the human family? Its teachings are most cunningly contrived to lull the conscience to sleep, flatter the poor victim that he is in no danger of retribution if he sins ever so wickedly, and gives full run to unlawful desire till probation is forever past. How great is the danger then of those who think this is merely a matter of jugglery. Such need to examine this matter more thoroughly. Here is a sign of the last days already largely developed, and about ready to do its great work of ruin. Let us read and understand the sure word of prophecy, and be prepared for what is coming on the earth.