ANCIENT WITCHCRAFT REVIVED, or Modern Spiritualism.
By W. S. Hyatt
THIS deception has appeared at different periods of the world's history under various names and forms. It has always manifested itself in such ways as would attract the attention of the people, and lead them to trust in it rather than in God and His Word. The natural heart has always asked for a sign as proof of power, and Satan has been able to supply this demand, and thus lead men and women captive at his will. At an early date, witches lived and practised their craft. The Lord gave His people instruction that they should “not suffer a witch to live.” Ex. 22: 18. And, again, they were to “regard not them that have familiar spirits.” Lev. 19: 31. Webster defines a familiar spirit as “a demon, or evil spirit, supposed to attend at a call.” That this class have a spirit which comes at their call, is shown by the case of the witch of Endor. Saul, the king of Israel, had been rejected by the Lord because of his rebellious ways (1 Samuel 15), and when in trouble he “inquired of the Lord, the Lord answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets. Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit.” 1 Sam. 28: 6, 7. The witch of Endor was found, and he went to her to seek consolation, altho the Lord had said, “The soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, . . . I will even set My face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.” Lev. 20: 6. The result of this interview with this woman was that a familiar spirit responded to her call; and the Lord, true to His word, cut off Saul. “So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the Lord, even against the word of the Lord, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it.” 1 Chron. 10: 13. This act of Saul is being repeated by thousands to-day. Another name has been chosen for those who claim to bring up the dead. Then they were witches, but now they are mediums; and still the seeking for wisdom from the dead goes on. The Lord says, when they are seeking those who have familiar spirits, “Should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?” Isa. 8: 19. And again, “The dead know not anything.” Eccl. 9: 5. If these scriptures were accepted just as they read, many would be saved from this great deception against which the Lord has given us solemn warning. All through the Bible we find traces of this same wicked system being practised. Simon, the sorcerer, “bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one.” Acts 8: 9. Paul and Silas met the same “spirit of divination” at Philippi in a damsel who followed after them until it was cast out. Acts 16: 6–18. At Ephesus, they found the “evil spirits” at work, but when the power of the Gospel was proclaimed, “many that believed came, and confessed, and showed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them.” Acts 19: 13–20. The prophetic pen has declared that this deception will continue its work, and be especially active in the last days. “In the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” 1 Tim. 4: 1. The object of this seductive doctrine will be “to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.” Mark 13: 22. Then, where is our only hope?—“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: 20. Here is our refuge. To the Word of God we must flee if we would be saved from this delusion. The revelator speaks of a wonder-working power that would arise, which would deceive the people into making an image to the beast, and command the people to worship it, even unto the death penalty. Rev. 13: 12–15. So great is this apostasy into which the people are led, and so wicked is this scheme of Satan, that the Lord declares that all who obey “shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God.” Rev. 14: 10. The Lord plainly states that this miracle-working deception will continue its work till the close of time: “For they are spirits of devils, 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.” Rev. 16: 14. In the spring of 1848, near Rochester, New York, began what was afterward known as the “Rochester Knockings.” From the beginning, this has purported to be communications from the dead, which was the same as ancient witchcraft and necromancy, only under a slightly changed form. In less than fifty years it has spread to all parts of the world, even to “the kings of the earth,” and by signs and wonders it has led millions to believe in its teachings. Go where you will, and it is there; and scarcely a voice of warning is being raised against it. Chameleon-like, it has changed its color many times to meet the fancy of the people, until to-day it is known by many different names; but each form is only one more scheme to lead the people away from the Bible, the Word of truth. Infidelity follows in its580wake, until there are many organizations passing under names borrowed from Christianity, but at the same time rejecting the Word of God, wholly or in part. O, then, let every lover of Bible truth flee to the eternal Rock; for there alone can we escape the delusions which Satan has prepared for us in these last days!