Fulfilling Before Us by William Ambrose Spicer

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 15, 1908

Fulfilling Before Us

By William Ambrose Spicer

THE remarkable revival of the discussion and exploitation of spiritualistic manifestations is a sign of the times. Magazines of all classes, scientific, domestic, and general, have seemed with one accord to join in teaching the reading world that these wonders come through the spirits of the dead. It is as if some central bureau had planned to use all the periodicals simultaneously as mediums for spreading the ideas of Spiritualism.

In Van Norden’s Magazine, for September, Mr. Gustavus Myers reviews the development of the movement. He says:—

Not until 1847 did the modern psychological movement begin. It really had its origin in the manifestations displayed in the presence of two American girls, the Fox sisters, Margaret and Katherine, then living in the town of Arcadia, N. Y. In that year they began to hear strange noises and see strange forms. These phenomena, it became certain, were not produced by human causes.

The Fox sisters asserted that they soon learned by raps to communicate with invisible intelligences whom they called spirits. The age was a severely incredulous one; the wave of materialism was at its height; and the claims of the Fox sisters met with general derision.

At that time, when the world was scoffing at the manifestations, and scientific men declared there was nothing to them, it was shown to the advent believers through the spirit of prophecy that these manifestations were deeply significant. In a view given in 1849, it was said:—

I saw that the mysterious knocking in New York and other places, was the power of Satan, and that such things would be more and more common, clothed in a religious garb so as to lull the deceived to more security.—“Early Writings,” page 35.

From its obscure beginning modern Spiritualism has grown and spread and flourished until now it is taking the world captive with its fascinating philosophy and its evident exhibitions of a supernatural power. Now it is indeed “clothed in a religious garb.” We see fulfilled and fulfilling before us exactly what the spirit of prophecy described in those early days.

Truly everything is shaping for the crisis. The present marked and worldwide revival of interest in the wonders of Spiritualism is evidence that Satan is preparing the way for this agency to act its destined part in the closing scenes. Thank God for the third angel’s message that bears the clear warning against every form of error in these last days.

W. A. S.