p. 4 | A TWOFOLD DECEPTION by G.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Jan 17, 1906

A TWOFOLD DECEPTION.

By G.

MODERN SPIRITISM as a specific cult first became known to the public in the "rappings" manifested through the Fox Sisters, of Rochester, N. Y., in 1848. For some time it was openly anti-Christian; but it could not make sufficient headway among professed Christians in that way; so "Christian Spiritism" was brought to the front, and in course of time became a prominent feature. But it is all of the same essence, namely, the Satanic delusion that deceived our first parents through the serpent medium.

Satan's great deceptive motor throughout the ages is the immortality of the soul—"ye shall not surely die." The spirit rappings were instituted by him evidently to bolster up this doctrine. This was expressly stated in 1853, in a "communication" purporting to come from the spirit of John C. Calhoun, the noted South Carolina statesman, who had died about three years previously. In this communication Mr. Calhoun's so-called spirit is made to say:

"My friend, the question is often put to you, What good can result from these manifestations? I will answer it: It is to draw mankind together in harmony, and convince skeptics of the immortality of the soul."

The Word of Him who created all things says very explicitly that "the dead know not anything;" therefore no spirit of Mr. Calhoun could have anything whatever to do with the communication. But from whatever source this information came, it is true that such was the purpose.

Spiritism is a most potent scheme of deception. (1) In convincing professed Christians that the dead are conscious, and therefore able to communicate with the living, the way is opened for the deceiver to give them any kind of "communication" he may choose. In thus believing the dead are conscious, they naturally discredit the scriptures that say they are not in any sense conscious. (See Eccl. 9:5, 6; Job 14:7-12, 21; Ps. 146:3, 4.) This leaves them susceptible to any kind of "strong delusion," because they take themselves out from God's means of protection. 2 Thess. 2:7-12.

(2) In convincing the infidel of the immortality of the soul his infidelity would be strengthened, because he would believe that the dead do know something altho the Bible says they do not. Infidels naturally would not believe the doctrine because professed Christians did, and this would weaken the force of the delusion; so the rapping manifestations were potent in captivating their senses.

Hence infidels can believe the wicked delusion because to them it is infidelity, and gives them promise of a future life without Christ; while professed Christians are deceived by it because they neglect the Bible, and are thus blinded to any kind of delusion that may come to them with a pretense of advanced light. It is well, therefore, that we heed the apostle's warning: "Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works." 2 Cor. 11:14, 15.

The spirit rappings of fifty years ago were the veriest crudities as compared with the developing delusions and "miracles" of to-day, through the workings of Spiritism in a dozen forms.