SIGNIFICANT APOSTASIES

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Nov 17, 1914

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 41, No. 45.

SIGNIFICANT APOSTASIES

Eminent Specialists Consulting Spirits — Prophetic Warnings Against It — What Does It Mean?

THE prophet Isaiah speaks of certain things that were to occur in "the last days," and among these we find the following: "Therefore Thou hast forsaken Thy people the house of Jacob, because they be replenished from the east, and are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they please themselves in the children of strangers." Isa. 2:2, 6.

Current Opinion for August, 1914, contains an excerpt from the pen of an eminent physician, Professor von Schrenk-Notzing, who has written important treatises on criminal psychology, and spent years in psychical research. His words are quoted from the London Chronicle as follows:

© Underwood & Underwood, N. Y. RUSSIA'S “INVINCIBLE” CAVALRY, CROSSING A BROAD PLAIN NEAR THE AUSTRIAN FRONTIER

REVERTING TO PAGAN NECROMANCY

"We know, from Sir Oliver Lodge's address in Birmingham, that, in the inner circle of scientific research, the occurrence of certain psychic phenomena is so thoroughly admitted that the interpretation of these phenomena has already begun, and that that interpretation is in favor of the conclusion that the dead are communicating with us. A steadily increasing number of books and a daily increasing interest in all forms of occult research show conclusively which way the wind is blowing

and what may be expected in the immediate future. Modern thought is increasingly occupying itself with the 'reconstruction of Christian belief,' and is steadily reverting to pagan necromantic practises." Italics ours.

He says further: "It will have to be admitted, therefore, that for the mind which is not hopelessly entangled in the net of conventional or constitutional skepticism and will take the trouble to study the evidence, the entire question as to the reality and objectivity of these mysterious phenomena may now be regarded as settled."

The apostle Paul, in writing to Timothy, says: "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; speaking lies in hypocrisy." 1 Tim. 4: 1, 2.

AN UNFAILING SIGN

We are unquestionably in the latter days, and many are departing "from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." We must confess that much of that which passes for Christianity is undergoing a reconstruction, and is "steadily reverting to pagan necromantic practises." This, however, is but the fulfilment of the prophetic Word, and is one of the unfailing signs of the last days.

"And when they say unto you, 'Inquire of those that have familiar spirits, and of the wizards, that whisper, and that mutter: should not a people inquire of their God? (should we then) in behalf of the living (inquire) of the dead?'" Isa. 8: 20, Leeser translation.

Anciently all practises among God's people such as Professor Schrenk-Notzing mentions were strictly forbidden. "There shall not be found among you any one . . . that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or 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.

CONSULTING WITH DEVILS

All such professed to consult with the dead. Instead, however, they were really communing with devils. "I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils." 1 Cor. 10: 20.

The Lord gave His people very plain information regarding the condition of the dead. He said: "The living know that they shall die: but 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; neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun." Eccl. 9: 5, 6.

DEMONS AS ANGELS OF LIGHT

Satan and his angels, having power to transform themselves into angels of light (2 Cor. 11: 14, 15), can personate the dead. An instance of such personation is seen in the experience of Saul when the witch of Endor professed to bring up Samuel, who had previously died. 1 Samuel 28.

The Lord says: "Man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep." Job 14: 12. Since the dead "know not anything," and since they have no more "a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun," any one who claims to consult with the dead really consults with evil angels.

It is certainly a deplorable fact that "modern thought is increasingly occupying itself with the 'reconstruction of Christian belief,' and is steadily reverting to pagan necromantic practises."

THE TENDENCY IS DOWNWARD

Professor Schrenk-Notzing, in speaking of the effects attending the evocation of the phenomena, says: "So ardent a spiritist as Sir William Barrett was constrained to declare, some years ago, that 'he had observed the steady downward course of mediums who sit regularly,' and that so open-minded an investigator of the phenomena as Sir William Crookes wrote, after his experiments with Home, 'I could scarcely doubt that the evolution of psychic force is accompanied by a drain on vital force.'"

Thus by the confession of its ardent advocates, it is acknowledged that spiritism is from beneath, since the course of the medium is steadily "downward."

Communion with God always elevates. His Spirit is the Spirit of life. Communion with evil spirits always degrades, and leads eventually to death. E. E. A.