G. B. THOMPSON by G. B. THOMPSON

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 17, 1908

G. B. THOMPSON

By G. B. THOMPSON

Beyond the Border-Line of Life—No. 2

G. B. THOMPSON

For ages the voice of Jehovah has given instruction concerning the life of man beyond the portals of the tomb. The Bible knows nothing of a “continuation of consciousness” or the “survival of that mysterious thing which we call intelligence” between death and the resurrection. But to death-stricken humanity the Lord proclaims hope in the following words: “Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.” Isa. 26:19. Death is an enemy; the grave is its prison-house. But since reaching the throne of glory and being seated by the right hand of the Father, the Saviour has sent back to those who walk in the valley of the shadow of death the cheering message, “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”

But the truth upon this great question has not been discovered by science. Divine truth is not found through scientific research. Recent investigation has caused scientists to take a “new position,” in which “certain happenings not explainable on natural grounds,” are taken to prove that man is conscious in death. There is still a “new position” for science to take before it will be on the platform of truth.

Mr. Gustavus Myers, in the September issue of Van Norden's Magazine, classifies the “occult phenomena” seen in spiritualistic séances, which have caused science to take a “new position,” as follows: “What is the nature of the phenomena the substantiation of which has compelled science to throw away much of its old teachings as so much rubbish?—They are of various kinds, apparently dissociated, but fundamentally all manifestations of the same invisible power. They come under two general classes—intellectual and physical phenomena. In turn, these two classes embrace seven orders—telepathy, clairvoyance, materialization, levitation, automatic or trance writing and talking, clairaudience, and possession. Again, in turn, each of these groups has a number of subdivisions. All these phenomena are strictly beyond the range of the normal senses, and are not subject to the operation of any known law. In fact, they contravene and overthrow all hitherto known so-called cosmic laws. They seem to be subject to the law of another cosmos.”

Some of these terms may be slightly bewildering to the average reader; but under whatever name the medium may choose to operate, there are the same phenomena, and the same power is at work.

Concerning these “psychic manifestations” he says: “Under certain favorable, but thoroughly tested circumstances, they [certain disembodied personalities] have been seen, touched, heard, or felt, and some of them frequently photographed.”

Again, he says: “Assuming that many of the great scientists are correct in their hypothesis of a spirit life beyond the mundane, and that when we die, we become instantly metamorphosed into spirits, we do not know why it is that these discarnate beings select certain embodied persons as a means of transmitting messages or giving other manifestations.”

It seems quite correct to assume that if we are alive after we die, it is reasonable that we should communicate with the living. But whether or not those who have died are still living as “discarnate beings” is the point at issue, and this can not be assumed. That this assumption is not correct, we have the sure Word of the Lord, which says: “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.” Ps. 146: 3, 4. With us this is a more certain foundation than all the speculations of science since the world began. If these renowned scientists would lay aside their wisdom, and investigate the origin of sin and the fall of man from the standpoint of the Bible, believing what Jehovah has revealed, a light would be shed upon these mysterious phenomena which would dispel the darkness, and would show that the power which is operating is not that of “disembodied intelligences,” but of fallen angels, who, because of sin, lost their abode in the realms of light, and are now engaged in their last effort to deceive souls. But the Scriptures speak of some who are “willingly ignorant.”

That the greatest scholars of the world are being deceived by the manifestations of Spiritualism in its various forms, shows the power of this great deception, and how it is preparing speedily to sweep the world into the vortex of ruin. Concerning the rise of modern Spiritualism Mr. Myers says:—

“Not until 1847 did the modern psychical movement begin. It 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 claim of the Fox sisters met with general derision.”

Some of the manifestations as seen in the séance will be described next week.

Takoma Park, D. C.