“THE TIME AUSPICIOUS” FOR SPIRITUALISM.
By A. J. B.
ALTHOUGH the manifestations of modern Spiritualism began noticeably to appear about fifty years ago, yet those who believe in them have, until recently, been unable to organize themselves into a permanent, representative body. This belief was attacked on the one hand by all true Bible students, and on the other by unbelieving scientists. However, as scientists should have known long ago, there is no ground whatever for doubting the reality of spiritualistic manifestations. All careful students of the Word agree that there are two forces at work in this world,—one from above, the other from beneath,—and all Bible students also know that miracles, in themselves, are no proof of divinity. However, some of the heretofore unbelieving scientists, having been convinced of the reality of these supernatural manifestations of Spiritualism, now go as far to the other extreme, and believe them to be divine. Such converts to the belief soon lead others to the same conclusions; and thus it is that we find to-day in the ranks of modern Spiritualists such noted persons as Professors Wallace and Hyslop, Minot J. Savage, Mary A. Livermore, the French astronomer Flammarion, Dr. Joseph Parker, of London, and scores of other eminent men and women recruited from the literary and scientific walks of life. Many of these, however, do not wish the fact to be known that they do believe in Spiritualism. Speaking of this class, Mrs. Mary A. Livermore, the noted temperance worker, authoress, and lecturer, said, not long ago: “Now I am a Spiritualist. I do not call myself one, as I do not wish to be associated with the charlatanry and odious characters, many of whom profess the doctrine. . . . This class is the bane of Spiritualism. In spite of it there is a great movement coming. The spiritist influence of St. Paul is working, and thousands of refined, educated people are spiritists at heart, but have not the courage to come out openly and say so.” There is no reason to disbelieve this statement that many are being overpowered by the evident59reality and power of these psychic phenomena, and are secret believers in spiritism. That the times have changed, the Spiritualists themselves are glad to note. One of their leading lights, the author of a book on the subject of psychism, which is sent forth as “the summary of his reflections and investigations of fifteen years, through hypnotic subjects and mediums,” in his preface says: “Most of the pages found in this volume have been written twelve years before their publication in English. This delay was due to personal reasons, and the manuscript quietly remained waiting until the author deemed the time auspicious to put it in print.” When the year 1899 arrived, this author evidently thought “the time auspicious” to publish his book; for, speaking of the opposition to the discussion of psychic matters hitherto manifested by the clergy and scientists, he says that “psychical matters are of such a nature that they may be compared to a set of powerful cogwheels in motion; once the fingers are caught in the teeth, the whole body is drawn in. The movement can not be stopped at present, and scientists, clergymen, and philosophers of all schools will soon be bound to come, volens nolens [willing or unwilling], to an understanding with regard to psychic phenomena.” It is not an every-day occurrence to have a prominent advocate of a certain system of belief thus point out the fatalistic danger there exists in tampering with the same. Ought not a man such as he—one who has delved in Spiritualism and its wonderful miracles for over fifteen years—to know whereof he speaks when he mentions such dangers? If it be asked why this delusion is spreading so rapidly in this generation, we reply that now is the time for “the spirits of devils, working miracles,” to manifest themselves. But, is it asked, how do we know that the “spirits” manifested in Spiritualism are the “spirits of devils”?—Simply by the fruits of Spiritualism,—a disregard for the commandments of God; a disbelief in the divinity of Christ and in the supreme authority of the word of God; and, finally, the logical sequence of these,—the elevation of man and man’s opinions above God and his opinions. The Spiritualist, thinking he has unlimited powers in himself, deceiving himself into the belief that the power which Satan uses through him really lies in himself, soon proclaims, by his actions at least, his utter disregard for the dictates of Holy Writ. Never in the history of the world was this mental putting of the human above the divine so prevalent as at the present day; never was there such a wave of soul-immortality belief, which lies at the very foundation of Spiritualism, sweeping over the earth as at this very day and age of the world. Therefore, it is not at all surprising to read the following prophetic declaration of a leading French Spiritualist, M. Paul Gibier:— The generation which is rising may have to be kept within bounds, so great will be the reaction [against unbelief in Spiritualism]. And we, whom these great gentlemen [disbelievers] disdain, will defend them, and say, as it was said on Mount Golgotha: “Forgive them; for they know not what they do.” How could they know? The time has come when it will not be possible for any person to be, as it were, “on the fence” in regard to Spiritualism and its present-day manifestations. Each one in this world is to be either a whole-hearted believer or unbeliever in the word of God, in God, and in Christ, whom he hath sent. Also, all will be animated by either the Spirit of God or the spirit of Satan,—the true power of God, or the perverted power of God. Are you tempted to examine Spiritualism experimentally—to get your fingers into this “set of cogwheels in motion,” described by a Spiritualist himself as such that, “once the fingers are caught in the teeth, the whole body is drawn in”? If you are to be tempted, please take to heart the warning of the Spiritualist, and also the following admonition from the Spirit of truth, through the apostle Paul: “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; speaking lies in hypocrisy.” 1 Tim. 4: 1, 2. Christians are those who, in spite of all these delusions, these miracles and supernatural phenomena will not “depart from the faith.” And remember that the commandments of God are always associated with “the faith” of Jesus, and that those who do not “depart from the faith” will also be those who keep the commandments; for, speaking of the true Christians who are to meet the Lord when he returns to earth, it is written: “Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Rev. 14: 12. All, therefore, who “depart from the faith” by “giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils,” will be of those who do not “keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Under these circumstances, who “in the latter times” will not be faith-full toward God and his commandments, full of naught but “the faith of Jesus”?