Spiritualism and Demonism.
UNDER this caption the “Independent” of April 1, 1909, has a few words to say which show that occasionally, at least, some one thinks of the true explanation of spiritualistic phenomena. While the Society for Psychical Research is working on the hypothesis that the phenomena are due to some mental influence emanating from the medium or other source, possibly a disembodied spirit, the phenomena themselves often more clearly indicate that they are originated by beings of devilish caprice. A portion of the article reads as follows: “While the Society for Psychical Research is seeking evidence that the spirits of the dead may communicate with the living, and while some of our most competent students of physics accept it as a fact that they do, we are forced to the conclusion that such an existence after death as these spirits show us through Mrs. Piper and other mediums, is not worth the having. The platitudinous inanities which these spirits repeat, excite no wish for such an existence as theirs. “We would commend to the study of the Society for Psychical Research another side of the question, that of demoniacal possession. Every one believed in it two centuries ago. Most of the attacks on Luther’s character are based on his violent and vulgar treatment of devils. Our missionaries have much to say about demonism in China, and Dr. Happer has written a very interesting book on the subject, while other missionaries have declared that Korea is peculiarly infested with devils.” Our dead friends and acquaintances do not visit us. Such appearances are the “spirits of devils, working miracles.” Rev. 16: 14. “The dead know not anything.” Eccl. 9: 5. Their thoughts cease, their emotions perish. They have nothing more to do with anything under the sun. Eccl. 9: 6, 10.