It is well known that the advent brethren who are observing the Sabbath are often charged with being under the influence of mesmerism. We say that this is an unjust and wicked charge, and can see no reason why it should be kept in circulation, unless to prejudice those who are inquiring for truth, and keep them from our meetings.
The facts in the case are that the brethren who observe the Sabbath all consider it wrong and a sin to practice mesmerism. We do not know of one that has anything to do with its damning influence. A very few of the brethren, prior to their embracing the Sabbath, were in this snare of satan; but the light of present truth discovered to them its dangers, and they confessed their error, and have forsaken it. Should any one, embracing the Sabbath, practice mesmerism, such is the opinion and feeling of the body relative to it, his brethren would entreat him to leave it and flee from it as from a viper. And if he should refuse to do so, they would refuse to fellowship him as a brother in Christ. Now let it be understood that this is the people that are charged with mesmerism!
But what makes this matter look still more wicked on the part of the accusers is, that they are generally either mesmerizers, or in full fellowship with those who are.
"Now as Jannes and Jumbres withstood Moses, so do these resist the truth, men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith." 2 Tim. iii, 8.
Paul here refers to the time when God was about to deliver his people from Egypt, and sent his servants Moses and Aaron unto Pharaoh to show him a sign by which he should know that he should let the people go. The sign was given. But Pharaoh called for his magicians who "did in like manner with their enchantments." That was a counterfeit of the work of God.
It is stated in the book of Jasher that Jannes and Jambres were magicians, and were the sons of Balaam the magician who said to Pharaoh in reference to Moses and Aaron, "these are none else than magicians like ourselves."
We now inquire, do not mesmerizers, and those in fellowship with them, who call the Spirit of Truth mesmerism, resist the truth as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses? Judge ye.