Question Corner by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 26, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 13.

Question Corner

By Editor

[From time to time we will reply under this head, if deemed advisable, to such candid inquiries as may be sent us. Correspondents wishing a reply to their questions must give their full name and address, not for publication unless they wish, but as an evidence of good faith on their part, and to give us opportunity to reply by letter if deemed best. It is always well to inclose stamp. Let the questions be short and pointed, and such as may be answered in limited space. The questions will be numbered continuously

1219.—Samuel and the Witch of Endor.

Please explain 1 Sam. 28:12-20. L. T. P.

The subject is too large for this column to deal with in detail. Briefly, however, what is desired to be known is, Did the prophet Samuel appear? Did the “witch” bring him up? If he did not appear, how may we account for the record?

(1) God would not answer Saul “neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.” Verse 6. (2) In order for the dead to come back, there would needs be a resurrection; for the Bible expressly tells us that “the dead know not anything.” (3) The only one that can raise from the dead is God; but as He refused to answer Saul through any of His appointed agencies, it is not to be supposed for a moment that He gave to the witch of Endor power to bring Samuel up from his grave. (4) This act of seeking to this woman was the last great act of rebellion against God, for which Saul met his doom. 1 Chron. 10:13. Surely, then, it was not God who wrought through the woman’s witchcraft, a thing expressly forbidden of God.

How, then, can the record be explained? Simply thus: When Saul placed himself under the influence of the woman whose baleful practises were forbidden of God, he came completely under her hypnotic spell. Her familiar spirit was a lying spirit. She said to Saul, “Whom shall I bring up unto thee?” He replied, “Bring me up Samuel.” The spirit first told the woman that her inquirer was Saul. The wretched king tells her she is safe and asks what she sees. She tells him, “An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle.” “And Saul perceived [under the hypnotism of the woman] that it was Samuel,” and thus deceived, the lying spirit deceived him to the end. It was the hypnotic suggestion to Eve’s selfishness that deceived her. It was the same hypnotic suggestion to Saul’s selfishness that deceived him. And it is thus that the whole world will be deceived who seek God or His prophets contrary to the expressed will of God. “There is no other way but His way.”

1220.—Easter.—How Originate.

Will you explain how Easter originated, and give its history? F. C.

Only briefly can we do this. (1) The term Easter comes from the Saxon goddess of spring, Ostara, or Eostre, German Ostern. It originally was a festival held by the pagans in which were made floral offerings and other life-symbols, such as eggs, the yule log, the wreath, etc., all typical of nature worship. (2) No day was set apart in the early church, and when observed, there was no uniformity in its observance. As late as 651 in England, Bede tells us that while Queen Eanfelda was keeping Palm Sunday, King Oswy was observing Easter. One party in the church observed it at an early date on the 14th of Nisan, whatever the day of the week; the Western church observed it on Sunday. Victor of Rome (197) came near excommunicating one who endeavored to otherwise persuade him. (3) When half-converted pagans came into the church, the remains of the celebration of the Passover were tacked on to the pagan festival, and “Easter” was adopted. Its greatest effects are to lead men to be satisfied with a mere form, and to hide the great truth of Christ’s resurrection. See article, “Christ Is Risen.”