Marks of True and False Inspiration.
By R. F. Cottrell
SPEAKING of the celebrated Pagan oracle of Apollo at Delphos, Rollin says: “As soon as the divine vapor, like a penetrating fire, had diffused itself through the entrails of the priestess, her hair stood upright upon her head, her looks grew wild and furious, she foamed at the mouth, a sudden and violent trembling seized her whole body, with all the symptoms of distraction and frenzy.” To this the following note is appended:— “Among the various marks which God has given in the Scriptures to distinguish his oracle from those of the devil, the fury of madness attributed by Virgil to the Pythia, et rabie fera corda tument, is one. It is I, says God, that show the falsehood of the diviner’s predictions, and give to such as divine the motions of fury and madness; or, according to Isa. 44:25, that frustrateth the tokens of the liar, and maketh diviners mad. Instead of which the prophets of the true God constantly gave the divine answers in an equal and calm tone of voice, and with a noble tranquility of behavior. Another distinguishing mark is, the demons giving their oracles in secret places, by-ways, and in the obscurity of caves; whereas, God gave his in open day, and before all the world. I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth. Isa. 45:19. I have not spoken in secret from the beginning. Isa. 48:16. So that God did not permit the devil to imitate his oracles without imposing such conditions upon him as might distinguish between the true and false inspiration.” How striking the resemblance between the ancient heathen oracles and modern spirit manifestations! A room from which the light of day is excluded is the chosen place of communication. And the mediums exhibit violent tremblings and distortions and symptoms of frenzy; and this has been known to result in the death of the medium; as was the case sometimes with the Pythia or prophetess of the oracle of Apollo, according to Lucan, as quoted by Rollin.