A SATANIC WONDER by Augusta Moore

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 24, 1888

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 14, No. 33.

A SATANIC WONDER.

By Augusta Moore

Forty years ago, Spiritualism, in its modern phrase, was just beginning to attract the attention of people in this country by means of the "Rochester knockings." To-day there are, according to the estimate of the Banner of Light, "one hundred and twenty-two papers and periodicals published, specially devoted to Spiritualism, and probably more than twice that number which favor it, and occasionally place in their columns evidences of its truth. Of the former, twenty-four are published in this country, and ninety-eight in foreign countries." Luxuriantly the weeds of error grow, but "what shall the harvest be?"

And yet how little notice is taken of this Satanic delusion by those whose duty it is to watch on all sides constantly against the wolves that devour the sheep, and faithfully and most earnestly to warn those who are in danger. "Better let it all alone. There's nothing to it but humbug. People will grow sick of it all the sooner if let alone," has been the argument. Will they? Does the above statement look like it? And how can any close student of the Bible honestly say, "There's only humbug to it"? Does not the Bible say distinctly that in the last days people shall be beguiled by doctrines of devils; that spirits of devils shall go forth into all the earth? Did they not enter into men when our Lord was on earth? Why not now? That there is something more than humbug in Spiritualism hundreds of people know. To these it is in vain to cry, "Humbug! delusion!" They will but despise your words.

What if there are impostors among them, caught now and then at playing spirit? Are there not such in the churches? There are multitudes who are not impostures—multitudes who have reason enough to be convinced that they do communicate with spirits out of the flesh. They as much believe that they both see and hear them as you believe that you see spirits in the body. It is altogether likely that they speak the truth when they tell their experience. Is it not the most aggravating impudence to look in the face one whose word you would take on any other subject, while he tells you earnestly that he has seen and talked with his dead parent or sister, and tell him by word or manner that you don't believe him? For one, I am not up to that, or down to it—as you like it; and I am not sorry. Yet I do not believe that what they see is what they suppose; but (and here is where the deception and "humbug" come in) spirits of devils personating angels of light. The "men of standing and science" who have from time to time promulgated their opinions regarding Spiritualism, say it can all be accounted for on natural principles; but not one of them has touched bottom in the matter; not one of them knows what one should know of Spiritualism in order to a true and sufficient judgment thereof.—Augusta Moore, in New York Evangelist.