U. S by Uriah Smith

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 11, 1875

U. S

By Uriah Smith

Spiritualism.

We have received Nos. 1 and 2 of the first volume of a monthly entitled, The Spiritual Magazine, edited and published by Samuel Watson, D. D., Memphis, Mich. The avowed object of this magazine is to advocate spiritualism from a Christian standpoint, and show that it harmonizes with Christianity.

From Mr. W.’s long experience in a highly influential position in the Methodist church, the weighty title attached to his name, and an ample fortune at his command, it is thought that this magazine is destined to exert no small influence in behalf of spiritualism. We are very sure that it is this phase of spiritualism which is to find acceptance with the majority of outwardly and professedly religious people. While such obscene and beastly types as are developed through Hull and Woodhull-ism reveal the inner soul of this foul monster, and show the logical results of its premises, and the legitimate workings of its principles, we have no idea that the masses who are to be carried away by it, whatever may be the feelings of their hearts or their secret practices, will lay aside the outward common proprieties and decencies of life. The last age is to be a very polished one. Men will sin according to the most scrupulous requirements of etiquette. Pollok well describes it when, in delineating the state of the world just before the coming of Christ, he says:—

“Another feature only we shall mark: It was withal a highly polished age, And scrupulous in ceremonious rite. When stranger stranger met upon the way, First each to each bowed most respectfully, And large profession made of humble service, And then the stronger took the other’s purse, And he that stabbed his neighbor to the heart, Stabbed him politely, and returned the blade Reeking into its sheath, with graceful air.”

Spiritualism bears a relation to Christianity similar to that of a counterfeit bill to the genuine. It may have many resemblances, and even some points of seeming identity. But the marks upon the counterfeit bill, which the keenest expert cannot detect from those of the original, are not therefore genuine. They are still counterfeit, artfully placed there to make the deception all the more complete.

The plea that spiritualism is the handmaid of Christianity, or rather a higher type of Christianity itself, will be very taking with many. For a respectable and talented phase of spiritualism, such as is represented in Mr. Watson’s enterprise, we believe that many in the world and the different churches are already ripe; and we shall look for it to meet with great success.