THE PROGRESS OF SPIRITUALISM.
By Geo. I. Butler
Seventh-day Adventists have for many years taken the position that spiritualism will have a leading influence among men in the closing scenes of this world's history. The Scriptures plainly teach this in such texts as Isa. 8:16-20; Matt. 24:23-27; 1 Tim. 4:1-3; 2 Thess. 2:9-12; Rev. 16:13-15, and many others. If we are very near the end of time, we should reasonably expect the progress of this great delusion to show it, if our positions are correctly taken, and thus furnish proof which would be a strong link in our chain of evidence. No doubt there are many who honestly think spiritualism is an exploded humbug, which has almost ceased to attract the attention of respectable people. We think such are shutting their eyes to many astounding facts with which they ought to be familiar. It is supposed by many that the communications through mediums are so puerile that sensible people give them no consideration. If so, how does it happen that such men as Mr. Ward, the millionaire of Detroit, Mich., who died a few years ago, and who was known as a keen, energetic business man, kept several mediums under pay, constantly consulting them as to the management of his business? This was shown after his death, when his affairs were settled in the courts. Cornelius Vanderbilt, the “railroad king” of New York, who left one hundred millions of dollars to his heirs, pursued the same course. He was known throughout the world as one of the sharpest, shrewdest business men in America . In the attempt recently made through the courts to break his will this fact was relied upon, viz., that he was so under the influence of these mediums that he was not in a fit condition to make a will. And another circumstance which should not be forgotten in this connection is worth noticing: his funeral sermon was preached by a leading orthodox minister of New York, and though this fact must have been well known to him, as well as his corrupt life, yet he could give strong assurances that the great “stock gambler” had gone to his heavenly home. Spiritualism, according to this soundly orthodox minister, was no bar to Heaven. About a year ago, Mr. Thomas, a leading Methodist minister, who formerly preached in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, afterward in Chicago, and then in Aurora, Ill., gave three discourses on spiritualism, in the latter place. These were published quite extensively in the papers. He talked at some length of the immortal-soul doctrine, and before he concluded strongly advocated the doctrine that the spirits of the dead return to communicate with men in this age, as claimed by spiritualists. He thought many of these were the spirits of the wicked, the low, and depraved; and while we might be injured by intercourse with these, and should avoid it, we could receive benefit by communicating with the higher order of spirits, the pure and the good. This would suit the strongest spiritualist in the land. These sermons were deemed of sufficient importance and influence to demand a lengthy review at the hands of Eld. Frank Evans, at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, both of them leading ministers of the same church. Mr. Evans opposed spiritualism. Spiritualism does not hinder Eld. Thomas from acting as a leading and influential Methodist minister, in one of the largest cities in Illinois. We notice the following item from a recent number of the Springfield (Mass.) Republican: “Newburyport is in a sad way, according to a local paper. Rev. Charles Beecher, following the example of his Brooklyn brother, has ‘gone back on hell’ and taken to preaching Universalist sermons, while other clergymen and ‘church pillars’ are being spiritualistically deluded, one of the former expressing the belief that he talked with the shade of his daughter at a recent séance, and another that twenty ‘materialized forms’ which appeared to him were real spirits.” Such facts as these are meeting one at every turn. What candid man can consider them without admitting that spiritualism is making great progress among the churches and in the world? We do not read that the churches turn out such ministers either. They would not tolerate “Adventism,” but they can spiritualism. This points plainly to the time when Babylon shall become “the hold of every foul spirit.” In a recent number of the Chicago Times, under the head of “Psychic Phenomena,” a special correspondent writes from London, under the date of Dec. 10, concerning the discussion and progress of spiritualism in England, giving some astonishing facts. He states that the prominent periodical, The Nineteenth Century, opened its pages for several months to the discussion of the question of “Soul or no Soul,” and that thinkers of all shades of opinion participated. The great question now is, “Can the existence of soul in man be proved scientifically?” the great scientists dividing on each side of this question. “Prof. Tyndall does not deny that there may be something more in man than physiology reveals. He only says that science has found no proof of it.” The Psychological Society of Great Britain is discussing this question vigorously. Mr. Sergeant Cox, perhaps the leading lawyer of England, is president of the society. Many think it is the “province of psychology to restore by science the belief in soul which science has shattered.” Mr. Cox says in his opening speech: “Already we have found an ever-widening field for research in the world that is about us—facts full of interest, vast in number and variety, observed by hundreds of those with whom we are dwelling and in daily intercourse, but which have remained unreported and unknown because there has been no center to which they might be contributed, and no machinery for their collection, preservation, and collation for the advancement of science. Ere long it will be seen how plentiful is the supply of information, and what overwhelming evidence there is that psychology is a true science, based upon as broad and secure a foundation of facts as are any of the physical sciences.” Perhaps there has never been a time when the immortal-soul theory was being investigated more than the present. Many of the scientists being infidels, and thinking the Bible teaches this doctrine, are leveling their shafts at it, hoping93thus to destroy faith in the Bible. The tendency among the learned at the present time is to bring everything to the test of science. Those who hold to this doctrine and the old-fashioned orthodox view cannot meet this scientific test, for the facts are against them. Right here spiritualism comes in and claims, by its astonishing phenomena, to furnish the necessary facts. Many eminent scientists, like Profs. Crookes and Wallace, embrace it, and support it on this scientific basis. As those holding the orthodox view see the materialists knocking the props from under their structure, and come to realize that the phenomena of spiritualism furnishes by far the best proofs they have for their darling theory, rather than to give it up the mass of them will accept this new ally, just as many have already. Can the spiritualists furnish facts that will stand the tests of science? This correspondent says: “There is certainly a stronger and more wide-spread movement in England to-day in regard to the investigation and development of modern phenomena than ever before, and the drift is to account for most of the manifestations in some other way than the return of departed human beings.” Materializations, or the appearance of supposed spirit forms, have now become so common, that as Mr. Stainton-Moses says, “No doubt can exist in the mind of any informed man.” “The thing itself is there; but by what method it has been formed, what its source or object, whether it be of our race or not, and, most important of all, what is the power that lies behind it?—these are questions which remain for a solution.” The correspondent continues: “The most astounding phenomena that have yet appeared in England are those given through Dr. Menck. He is entranced in the lamp-light, under the inspection of good observers. ‘A mist seems to emanate from his body near the region of the heart. The first appearance is nebulous, as though vapor was in a state of agitation, and was being condensed into a solid form. The motion is as if a vortex was created within the figure. The rotary motion goes on, until the vaporous mass is condensed into a figure. It is then apparently united to the medium by a cord of the same nebulous substance as that of which itself is formed. By-and-by this is cut by a motion of the medium’s hand, and the figure stands apparently alone and independent. I saw one of these forms moving about, lifting a chair, talking and writing, while the table and myself were between it and the medium. It was to all intents and purposes a distinct entity!’ This is the Stainton-Moses evidence.” The mode of its absorption is similar to its evolution. The Rev. Thomas Colby says: “When the form at last retired I was permitted to accompany it until I was close to the medium, as he was in full view of all. As I neared him the gossamer filament which unites the form to the medium again came into view, the vanishing point being toward the heart. By means of this cord I saw how the figure seemed to be sucked back into the body of the medium. I was enabled to watch the process, for leaning against and holding the medium, with my left ear and cheek to his breast, and my left arm at his back, his heart beating in a most violent and alarming way, I saw him receive back into his person the form before distinct from him.” The Times continues: “It would amaze you to learn to what extent it has become the fashion in families in every class of society to hold investigating séances. Society ladies in the upper and middle classes especially, who have their usual weekly receptions to which friends and acquaintances are invited, at the beginning of the winter season, for the season, have now a separate evening in the week which they call ‘séance evening,’ and to which no one can come who does not receive a special card for the special evening. So fashionable and interesting, and so generally established are these ‘evenings’ by being first introduced by noble families, and followed by others who have the luxury of well-established homes, that it is considered a privilege and a great personal compliment to be invited. Mediums to-day are an expensive luxury,” &c. He states that the “cabinet is now generally abolished,” a black cambric curtain being strung across the corner of the room, while the medium takes his place behind it on a chair or lounge. He recently attended a séance in which Prof. Alfred R. Wallace, Mr. Thomas Shorter, former editor of an English magazine, William Clark, F. R. S., and other celebrities, were present. The corner of the room was carefully examined, the medium’s coat removed and his pockets searched, so that nothing bulky could be hid, and the room carefully bolted. The gaslight burned sufficiently that the features of all could be seen. The medium soon came out, apparently entranced, and with him several figures appeared, one after another, “draped in pure white robes.” Their features could be seen distinctly. One of these “talked and chattered like a delighted magpie,” “and shook out with his hands that which looked like delicate white muslin, which appeared to grow as we gazed, and vanished into nothing.” “Two small slates were produced, examined, and tied together with a bit of pencil inside. Mr. Wallace held one corner, this white figure came forward and held the other. Mr. Wallace kept the slate in his hands to open after the séance closed. On each side of the slate was found writing personal to Mr. Wallace.” After the disappearance of this figure, they looked behind the curtain, and the medium was found in his chair, clothed as usual, but still entranced. After this he was examined closely by the removal of all his clothing, to his very shirt, and nothing was found but his usual clothes. They inquire, “What is this?” “This comes, and melts away! there is the rub.” Prof. Wallace says, “All further discussion on the inner nature of man and his relation to the universe is a mere beating of the air so long as these marvelous phenomena, opening up as they do a whole world of new interactions between mind and matter, are disregarded and ignored.” I might give many more interesting extracts; but surely these are sufficient to show the marvelous interest now being taken in spiritualism in England. As these wonders continue to increase in power and frequency, as the sure word of prophecy teaches they will, who can doubt but that millions will fall under their influence, till it will be thought blasphemous to give their true origin, as being the “spirits of devils working miracles,” which go forth to the kings of the earth preparatory to the battle of the great day? Truly we are living in an age of wonders, and in times of great peril. In spite of the “Katy King” exposures and that of the Eddys in New England, the “materializations” go on in all parts of the world. Ministers and leading scientists are believing in the reality of these spirits, and thousands of intelligent people believe they see, and converse with, their dead friends. These things transpire in the great centers of intelligence, fashion, and wealth, where they are sure to produce the greatest effect. Those who flatter themselves that spiritualism is dying out only show they are not informed. It probably never made greater progress than now, when it is winning its way among the rich and noble, ministers and infidel scientists, the church and the world. Surely Satan is at work developing his great masterpiece. How important that we should be at work, exposing his devices, and preparing for the coming of Christ, which is very near, yea, which hasteth greatly. Geo. I. Butler.