MODERN SPIRITISM.—No 2.
By W. A. Colcord
LET no one get the idea that we are advocating Spiritism, or that we believe in it as a thing to be professed and followed. In this and the succeeding paper we shall give our views as to the nature and merits of its manifestations and claims. We freely admit that there is something to it; that it is not all mere moonshine; that there are supernatural powers and intelligences connected with it; but we have advised no one to experiment with it, or accept it, nor do we ever intend so doing. Granting that there are supernatural powers and intelligences connected with Spiritism, the question naturally arises, What is the source of this power? and what are these intelligences? The Bible plainly recognizes the existence of spirits. Of the good angels it asks, “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” But there are bad spirits as well as good. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,” says Paul, “but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against wicked spirits in heavenly places.” Again he says, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils [demons].” And preparatory to the last great battle, the seer of Patmos foretells of “three unclean spirits” which he says are “the spirits of devils [demons], working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” So there are “wicked spirits,” “seducing spirits,” “unclean spirits,” and “spirits of devils,” as well as good spirits. If the good angels are the good spirits, the bad angels must be the bad spirits. And this is the fact. There are two great, unseen hosts of superior intelligences seeking to influence and control men; the one ever ready to minister to men and assist every honest soul in his efforts to do right and overcome evil, temptation, and sin; the other ever ready to deceive, ensnare, mislead, and drag down every unguarded, unpraying, unbelieving soul. The one is marshalled and controlled by Christ, the “Captain of the host of the Lord;” the other by Satan, the commander of the fallen angels, the legions of darkness. The latter is thus described, “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world; he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Rev. 12: 7-9. And let it be noted right here, that angels are not men, nor are they the spirits of the departed dead; for man was not created until after the angels were created, and then he was “made a little lower than the angels.” Ps. 8: 3-5. Angels belong to a higher order of intelligences than man; they minister to man. Every one, by his own course, chooses his own angelic companions and guardians; those who follow truth, conviction, and duty, attract the good; those who stifle conviction, reject truth, and refuse to walk in the path of duty, place themselves under the control and influence of evil spirits or angels. To which order of spirits, therefore, does Spiritism, with its manifestations and teachings, belong? This solved, and the character of Spiritism is at once determined. To every one who will hear, the injunction comes, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” And the test by which we are to try them is not our own unaided reason and unenlightened judgment, but the Word of God. “When they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isa. 8: 19, 20. Are the doctrines and teachings of Spiritism in harmony with the Word of God? This is the test, and this will constitute the subject of our next article. W. A. COLCORD.