The Satanic Origin of Spiritualism.
By Geo. I. Butler
THE most common objection urged against our view that Spiritualism is a last-day sign, —a fulfillment of many striking predictions of the Bible concerning a miracle-working power which should arise just before Christ comes,— is the fact that so many frauds and decections are found in connection with its manifestations. Even Spiritualists do not deny that such is the case. And so far has this had influence that great numbers of intelligent people pass the whole thing over into the realm of fraud. And they really believe that jugglery, electricity, deception, and mind-reading can account for all the wonders of Spiritual- ism. Doubtless hosts of these, could they be really made to believe that there was anything in it more than natural, that it was really miraculous, would fully accept its conclusions, that it was the manifestation of the spirits of the dead. Hence such stand on dangerous ground if, as we believe, Spiritualism is of Satanic origin. God will not permit this great delusion to manifest its utmost power till all have a chance to see its true character. Should it at once do what the Bible says it will do before the end, bring down fire "from heaven on the earth in the sight of men," Rev. 13:13, and thus be able to imitate those mighty works recorded in Scripture which were done by Elijah, and other miracles of a similar character, thousands of honest people would be swept into its ranks and would believe its teachings. But God does not permit this to come at once. He permits it to manifest itself sufficiently to attract much attention, and leaves it to show its lawless, blasphemous, godless, character, and to show that its leading teachers and mediums are not above fraud and deception of the most wretched kind, that "lying spirits" constitute the sources of this "new revelation." Hence we read constantly in the papers of the glaring frauds being perpetrated by them, until they are becoming the laughing-stock of many intelligent people; and many doubt there being anything really miraculous about them. But such forget that we are now in the transition stage of this great delusion, where God is permitting its true nature to become apparent. Instead of doubting the miraculous nature of some of these manifestations, this fact should teach us the appalling effect this terrible delusion has upon the morals of those who have to do with it, and hence we should learn of the real source from which it comes, viz., the father of lies: Those who have no faith in spiritual manifestations simply because they fancy they are not real, will most likely have evidences enough to make them confirmed believers before the end comes. While those who reject them because their fruits are corrupt and its doctrines abominable, will not be in such danger when it shall deceive the world "by means of those miracles which it had power to do." Here is an important consideration. The Bible plainly teaches that when God's people should be waiting and looking for the Lord, there will be those who shall be seeking unto "familiar spirits" and "to the dead" for knowledge. It says that such have "no light in them," and that they "shall be driven to darkness." Isa. 8:16-23. It teaches that before Christ comes Satan will work "with all power and signs and lying wonders," and that strong delusion will cause many to "believe a lie" and "be damned" at last. 2 Thess. 2:9-12. It declares that during the "perils" of the "last days," amid the great dearth of true piety "men of corrupt minds" shall resist the truth of God in the very manner that "Jannes and Jambres," the two magicians, withstood Moses when he would lead Israel out of Egypt, —which must imply miraculous power on their part. 2 Tim. 3:1-9. It states that after the great persecutions of the Papacy were in the past, and just before Christ comes, "false Christs and false prophets" will arise and "show great signs and wonders" and "if possible" would "deceive the very elect." And it shows they will teach falsehood concerning the manner of Christ's coming; saying that it would take place in some secret way instead of being plainly visible to all. Matt. 24:22-27. It shows also that the very agency which will gather the armies of the world to the "battle of that great day of God Almighty" will be the "spirits of devils working miracles," which will "go forth to the kings of the earth and of the whole world," just before Christ comes as a thief. Rev. 16:13-15. This clearly shows that the great mass of the human family in the last days will be deceived by this miracle-working power, and that there is in store for them manifestations of far greater power than any which have been yet seen, or that have ever occurred in the world's history, by means of "lying spirits" which work miracles to deceive. And is it not startling to consider the progress already made by this delusion? All over the world these manifestations are witnessed. In kings' courts, in the highest circles, among the great, the rich, and the educated. Among scientists, scholars, poets, and statesmen. Such extracts as the following from the public prints should arouse attention:— "What is called Spiritualism seems to be far more rampant in Europe than it is here. In London and the leading cities of Great Britain, Spiritual seances are said to be an entertainment as common as kettle drums, and dinner parties." "They are very fashionable, and everybody, who is anybody, attends them." "Slade, whose tricks were exposed here, has received magnificent presents of watches, jewelry, and diamonds, in Berlin. His seances have been attended in Germany and Russia by the highest nobility. In the capital of the former empire he exhibited to the chief of police, and the court conjurer who narrowly watched the proceedings made oath that the phenomena were not tricks." "The imperial family of Russia and Germany, Bismarck, Pres. MacMahon, Gambetta, Gladstone, Disraeli, Browning, Carlyle, Tennyson, and all other renowned personages are reported to be Spiritualists."—New York Times. "The Czar consults the spirit world, and an intelligence purporting to be Peter the Great directs the present course of Russia. This important, if true, information is presented to the world by the Boston Herald's Spiritualist editor. It is undoubtedly true that the Czar and many of the principal personages in St. Petersburg have taken extraordinary interest in Spiritualism."—Springfield Republican. "It would amaze you to learn to what extent it has become the fashion in families in every class of society to hold investigating seances in London." "So fashionable and interesting, and so generally established, these [seance] evenings by being introduced by noble families, and followed rapidly by others, who have the luxury of a well-established home, it is considered a privilege and a great personal compliment to be invited."—Chicago Times. Extracts of this sort might be produced to almost any extent. We cannot of course believe all that Spiritualists claim concerning their progress. But such facts as these from leading newspapers of our country, the great moulders of public opinion, show what remarkable progress this delusion, this lying deceptive work, is making among the rich and great of the earth. When such facts as those connected with the settlement of the will of Cornelius Vanderbilt, the great millionaire and railroad king of New York, exist, we must admit that Spiritualism is getting a deep hold on the public mind. It was shown in the court that for years this sagacious financier constantly kept mediums under his employ to consult in all his speculations. The same was true of Mr. Ward, the millionaire of Detroit, Mich. We cannot in the space of this article argue the question at length whether the manifestations of Spiritualism are tricks of jugglery, or not. If so, indeed, there was never seen such successful jugglery before. Sleight of hand has sometimes taken in the ignorant classes to a limited degree, and amused more intelligent people. But never before was it supposed to gather its dupes from the keenest, most sagacious, and intelligent people, from the statesmen, judges of courts, scientists, skeptics, and rulers of the people, shrewd financiers and men of the world who are adepts in profiting from the gullibility of others. GEO. I. BUTLER.
(Concluded next week.)