PROGRESS OF SPIRITISM by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA · Nov 8, 1899

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 25, No. 45.

PROGRESS OF SPIRITISM.

By Editor

THE Society for Psychical Research is blossoming into a Spiritualist organization, just as we were sure years ago it would, when it began so earnestly to investigate Modern Spiritualistic phenomena with human senses as a guide. Dr. Richard Hodgson, president of the American section, declares that Mrs. Piper the medium through whom he has been converted, is the most remarkable woman in the world's history. Professor Hyslop, of Columbia University, as we have before stated, is another convert; and he promises within two or three years proof of existence after death. Dr. Hodgson first visited Mrs. Piper a skeptic, "to unmask her," now he declares, "I simply say, I believe." The "influence" now guiding Mrs. Piper, he tells us, is bringing nearer together the states before and after death. This began in June, 1897. He further says (we quote from the Literary Digest of October 7):—

"The world is on the eve of great developments. In two years' time, or perhaps sooner, by means of the most remarkable woman who has appeared in the world's history, I will publish to the world a new interpretation of the laws of humanity, of that great primitive universal religion which no dogma and no sect of to-day can contradict. It will be a new revelation, a new faith. To suffering humanity, tortured for centuries with doubts, wavering first this way and then that, it will need no explanation. The new and yet ever old truths need only the restating—they compel belief."

Minot J. Savage, the Unitarian preacher of Boston, is another firm believer; and there are many more to follow on the same evidence. Of course these men and others will be told events of years ago. Of course there will be revealed to them things unknown to living mortals. We do not question the revelations; they are probably facts. But who are the revelators?—Not Mrs. Piper; not the spirits of the dead ("for the dead know not anything," declares the Word); but they are the demons of the bottomless pit who take advantage of an erroneous belief, and come in the guise of the spirits of the dead. "They are the spirits of demons." Satan said in the beginning, "Ye shall not surely die." He then laid the foundation of all idolatry, of the doctrine of transmigration of soul, purgatory, mariolatry, adoration of saints; and Modern Spiritualism is rearing a superstructure on the same base. The only escape from the delusion is God's Word. Isa. 8:20.