Untitled article by W. C. G.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, October 8, 1867

THE RELIGION OF SPIRITUALISM.

By W. C. G.

The latest edition of “Hayward’s Book of all Religions,” recognizes the “Religion of Spiritualism.” The article is written by one A. E. Newton, who is endorsed by the Banner of Light as capable of setting forth the faith of the true believer. From his definition we make the following extract:

“There is no distinct system now before the public which can with propriety be called Spiritualism, or the Spiritual Philosophy, and for which Spiritualists, as such, can be held responsible. Modern Spiritualism, more specifically, may be defined as that belief or conviction which is peculiar to, and universally held by, the people now called Spiritualists. This may be stated in the single proposition—

“That disembodied human spirits sometimes manifest themselves, or make known their presence and power, to persons in the earthly body, and hold realized communication with them.

“Whoever believes this one fact, whatever else he may believe or disbelieve in Theology, Philosophy, or Morals, is a Spiritualist, according to the modern use of the term.”

If the above definition is correct, and we are not disposed to question it, the estimate of their numbers, placed at eleven millions in the same issue of the Banner, certainly is not too high, for if we were to try the so-called orthodox churches by this standard, the vast majority would answer to the description. While comparatively few will acknowledge the title of Spiritualist, their corrupt theology relative to man’s immortality is paving the way for their rapid descent into that infidel pit, which will sooner or later drown them in perdition. W. C. G.