p. 72 | Spiritualism by M. E. Cornell

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 15, 1858

Spiritualism.

By M. E. Cornell

This awful delusion is rapidly spreading over the world. We learn from different quarters that Spiritualists are openly advocating and practicing the "free-love" principles. Some of them deny this feature, but the evidence is too clear to be gainsayed. And this, according to Swedenborg, is what might be expected. He says, "Nearly the whole world of spirits is fanatical, and seeks nothing else but to teach and to lead. Striving even to possess the bodies of men, and loosen all the bonds of conscience, especially in respect to marriage."—Book of Human Nature, p. 299.

And Paul in his description of the last days speaks of a class which "creep into houses and lead captive silly women, laden with sins, led away with divers lusts." 2 Tim. iii, 6.

Again on page 321 he declares that angels of God do not possess the body as in the case of spirit manifestations.

Thus the admissions of Swedenborg are to the effect that modern Spiritualism is of Satan and his angels. In his work on Heaven and Hell, p. 577, he says:

"Wherefore as an angel thinks, wills, speaks, and acts from his own good, so does an 'infernal spirit' from his own evil, and to act from evil itself is to do so from all things which are in evil. Such wickedness then manifests itself as exceeds all belief. Thus I can certify that their wickedness is so great that it is hardly possible to describe even a thousandth part of it."

The Apostle speaks of some being taken captive by the devil at his will. 2 Tim. ii, 26. In the History of spirit manifestations in Philadelphia is the following:

"Many now in this city consult their guardian spirits with as much, yea more, confidence than they would a kind and experienced parent, and willingly yield to their suggestions and directions in all matters both great and small."

In the eighth chapter of Isaiah's prophecy, a time of seeking to "familiar spirits" is described. In the Spiritual Telegraph of Dec. 20th, 1856, is an account of its fulfillment. The writer says:

"I must refer again to the Guardian Spirit of our circle. He is always with us when we meet, and his language and deportment toward each one of us is that of a tried, intimate and familiar friend. As such we regard him, aye, and devotedly love him."

Thus according to their own testimony they are the veritable 'familiar spirits,' or 'spirits of devils,' that were to come in the last days. Spiritualists claim that because the spirits say some good things and do some good works, they cannot be the spirits of devils. But if this reasoning is good, why was the apostle Paul grieved with the woman that was possessed with a spirit of divination, and followed him many days, crying, "These be the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation." Acts xvi, 16-18. Was not this testimony true? Then why should Paul be grieved and cast out such a spirit? Evidently because he knew the spirit was acting upon the principle of doing good that evil might come; that he was only sugar-coating some abominable error to mar the cause of truth. Satan has always worked on this plan; mixing in enough of truth to allay suspicion, and then give enough of error to destroy.

On this point Tupper says:

"Error is a hardy plant; it flourishes in every soil; And if error cometh in like a flood, it mixeth with streams of truth, And the Adversary loveth to have it so, for thereby many are decoyed. The sinner toying with witchcraft thinketh to delude his fellows; But there be very spirits of evil, and what if they come at his bidding; He is a bold bad man who dareth to tamper with the dead; For their whereabouts lieth in a mystery." M. E. CORNELL.