SPIRITUALISM: IS IT OF GOD OR OF SATAN?
By John M’Carthy
SEEING the rapidity with which Spiritualism is spreading its poisonous doctrines in all directions, contaminating the minds of the unwily, and deceiving thousands who are blown about by every wind of doctrine, who are not stayed on the Solid Rock, a few words may be acceptable to the earnest seeker as to the origin of this delusion. First of all, Spiritualism is founded on that masterpiece of Satanic ingenuity—immortality. Take away this foundation from the doctrine, and we would hear no more about Spiritualism; so if the foundation be false, the superstructure builded thereon is false also. Let us here ask, Who was the originator of the theory of unconditional immortality,—“Thou shalt not surely die”? Who said these words?—The old serpent. See Gen. 3:4. What has God said?—“In the day that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die.” Gen. 2:17. Who, then, are we to believe—God or Satan? Satan says, “Thou shalt not surely die,” thus implying immortality, while God declares the contrary, proving that Satan’s words are a falsehood, and thus showing that we are followers of him whose doctrines we accept. What does Christ say of Satan?—“He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him; . . . for he is a liar, and the father of it.” John 8:44. Having thus far shown the author of this vile teaching, and made our readers acquainted with the first Spiritualist medium and his characteristics, we now proceed to further investigate this all-important subject, and bring to view the Scripture testimony in reference to this Satanic concoction. What was an abomination unto God in ancient times?—“There shall not be found among you anyone that is . . . a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer; for all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord.” Deut. 18:10–12. What was the consequence of despising God’s command upon this point?—“A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit . . . shall surely be put to death.” Lev. 20:27. Webster’s definition of “familiar spirit” is “a demon, or evil spirit, supposed to attend at a call.” A Spiritualist medium is one who has a familiar spirit, or demon, or who is possessed by an evil spirit. We can easily understand that such would be an abomination to the Lord; hence the severe punishment which was formerly imposed on such as had familiar spirits. God’s commandment in this respect was extensively executed when “Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.” 1 Sam. 28:3. How did they pretend to communicate with the dead?—“I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit,” or demon. 1 Sam. 28:8. How did God view Saul’s transgression in this direction?—“So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the Lord, . . . for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it.” 1 Chron. 10:13. And just as the demon appeared to Saul in the guise of Samuel, so will Satan appear, to deceive the nations, as a holy being; “for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” 2 Cor. 11:14. He thus comes under the guise of religion that he may the more easily beguile the unwary in their hour of unwatchfulness. How may we know definitely that Spiritualism is a fraud and deceit of Satan? It is to be expected that if we can produce Scripture proof that man is mortal, and that when he dies he remains in an unconscious state until the resurrection, the honest and candid reader will accept such divine testimony, and act upon it accordingly. Therefore “to the law and to the testimony.” Who alone is immortal?—“The King of kings, and Lord of lords; who only hath immortality.” 1 Tim. 6:15, 16. Then God is the only inherently immortal Being in existence. Who else shall put on immortality at the coming of Christ?—“The dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.” 1 Thess. 4:16, 17. “The dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this . . . mortal must put on immortality.” 1 Cor. 15:52, 53. To whom was Paul speaking?—To Christians, not to worldlings. Hence we see that we are all mortal, and not immortal, but the righteous have the blessed hope of putting on immortality at the second advent of Jesus. But why is there need of putting on, or receiving, such if we already have immortality? Why should we seek after immortality if we are already immortal? Rom. 2:7. “A mortal,” according to Webster, means “one destined to destruction, to death;” and death brings corruption. This does away with the theory that the spirits of the dead float about the air, watching over and caring for their friends, as Spiritualists assume. The following texts are very plain: “The dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred and their envy, is now perished.” Eccl. 9:5, 6. “The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence.” Ps. 115:17. “For in death there is no remembrance of Thee.” Ps. 6:5. “His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.” Ps. 146:3, 4. But if the dead know nothing, how can we account for the wonders of Spiritualism?—“I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils [demons], working miracles.” Rev. 16:13, 14. Who prophesied that the ancient Spiritualism would revive in the last times?—“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 [demons].” 1 Tim. 4:1. Jesus says: “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; inasmuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Matt. 24:24. Satan will work with great power through Spiritualism in these last times. “Whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” 2 Thess. 2:9, 10. But what shall be the end of this deception?—“And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshiped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.” Rev. 19:20. Let us, in view of God’s warnings, be on the alert, lest, finding us asleep or unwary, we be caught by Satan in his diabolical net, which has trapped millions and led them along the way which terminates in death. “And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits and unto the wizards, that chirp and that mutter; should not a people seek unto their God? on behalf of the living should they seek unto the dead? To the law and to the testimony! if they speak not according to this word, surely there is no morning for them.” Isa. 8:19, 20, Revised Version. How may we guard against Satan’s wiles?—“Be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness.” Eph. 6:10–12, Revised Version.