THE MOVING SPIRIT IN SPIRITUALISM.
By T.
WHAT are the “spirits” consulted by the “spirit medium”? The claim is that they are the spirits of our dead friends. But how can that be true since the Bible says “the dead know not anything”? and further that “there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave whither thou goest”? Eccl. 9: 5, 10. Another scripture says, “For in death there is no remembrance of Thee; in the grave who shall give Thee thanks”? Ps. 6: 5. In another passage we are told that “the grave can not praise Thee, death can not celebrate Thee; they that go down into the pit can not hope for Thy truth.” Isa. 38: 18. If “they that go down into the pit can not hope for God’s truth,” how can they converse with a “spirit medium”? If “the grave can not praise” the Lord, how can it send forth its slumbering people at the call of Spiritualism? Since “there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave,” is it not absolutely impossible for the dead to talk with us? And, further, “the dead know not anything.” These scriptures are plain, and sufficient to show that the “spirit medium” is wholly cut off from conversing with the dead. But does not the medium converse with some kind of spirits?—Most assuredly. Let the inspired Book tell what they are. “God spared not the angels that sinned.” 2 Peter 2: 4. Note that there are “angels that sinned.” What are these sinning angels doing now? A scripture will answer, “Wo to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” Rev. 12: 12. This text states plainly that the “devil is come down” to the “inhabiters of the earth.” And in this connection read a further text: “For they are the 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. This scripture assuredly reveals to us that there are “devils,”—that is more than one of these “fallen angels,” and that they “work miracles,” as they “go forth” to “the whole world.” And it should be observed that they thus “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.” Another scripture speaking of “that great day”—of which the second appearing of our Lord is the one central feature, says, “Whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders.” 2 Thess. 2: 9. Then Satan, the great prince of these7legions of fallen angels, as he goes forth to the “whole world” just before the coming of Christ, really does “wonders.” But they are “lying wonders.” And how clearly the Scripture reveals that when he pretends to present our dead friends to us he is simply before us himself under the mask of a delusive “lying wonder”! Believe him not, for the Master tells us that “he is a liar, and the father of it.” John 8: 44. And since the Word of God makes it so clear that the “spirits of devils” have gone forth to “the whole world” to wage their last and most desperate warfare against the candidates for salvation, we should be on our guard. Now is the time above all others when we should make the Bible our most trusted counselor and guide. Study its sacred pages constantly, closely, and confidently, for that Book of books discloses every hidden snare, and clearly lights up the way to everlasting life and joys. T.