p. 6 | Note and Comment

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 22, 1908

Note and Comment

Looking to the Dead

One of our exchanges, the United Presbyterian, contains an article bearing the title, “Claims Messages from the Dead,” in which are set forth the efforts of the Society for Psychical Research to obtain messages from the dead. After stating the claims of certain investigators in this matter, the editor of that journal says:—

One who believes in the resurrection of Christ and his revelation of immortality does not require the evidence of these messages from the beyond, but if Sir Oliver Lodge or other men of science who are members of the Society for Psychical Research can find anything real by their researches, the Christian world should be glad to receive it.

Now those who are familiar with the teachings of Christ know that he never gave any such “revelation of immortality” as would lead any one to believe that the dead were alive and could communicate with the living. They who are familiar with the Scriptures know also that “the dead know not anything . . . neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun. . . . There is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, whither thou goest.” Eccl. 9: 5-10. As this is true, what right have Christians to expect communication of any kind from the dead, or to teach other Christians that they should be glad to receive the product of the work of those who are seeking for communications from the dead? The following text of Scripture has fitting application in this connection: “And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits and unto the wizards, that chirp and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? on behalf of the living should they seek unto the dead?” Isa. 8:19. The living Word is the Christian’s only safe guide. When that has spoken, there should be an end of controversy.