Although these spirits generally appear very good and pious, and profess that their mission is to improve the spiritual good of mankind; yet it is evident that they are commissioned by the great author of lies, from the manner they treat the word of God.
The holy apostle says: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Tim. iii, 16, 17. But these spirits teach that the Sacred Volume is imperfect, and that they have come to correct its errors. That it is quite out of date, its light being eclipsed by the glory of these communications from the spirit world. The truth is, that the bible doctrine of life and immortality alone through Jesus Christ, and that conditional, is perfectly destructive of their whole philosophy; therefore, they declare that the Bible is not purely the word of God, what it is supposed to be. This scheme of Satan to deceive the world is wholly dependent on the doctrine that all men have immortality, and that the dead have knowledge.
We give the following from a work, entitled, Spirit Rapping Unveiled, by Rev. H. Mattison, A. M.
"‘A. W. Hoar, medium,’ represents the spirit of St. Paul as going through the Bible, and speaking of the different books on this wise: GENESIS.—‘About as true as any fictitious work that is now printed.’ p. 10. EXODUS.—‘As good a book as could be expected in that day.’—Ibid. LEVITICUS.—‘Not directly from God, as man supposes.’ p. 12. NUMBERS.—‘Such an absurdity as that [the facts stated in chapter 1st] ought to be cast into the lowest depths of the infernal regions.’ p. 12. JOSHUA.—‘Almost the whole book is false.’ Ibid. JUDGES.—‘About the same as the others; and it needs no argument to show that it is void of inspiration.’ p. 14. RUTH.—‘Without inspiration, the same as the others.’ p. 15.
"SAMUEL.—‘A part of it is correct,’ p. 15. KINGS.—‘Multitudes of mistakes—not correct—no inspiration,’ pp. 16, 17. EZRA.—‘By a person bearing its name, without inspiration,’ p. 17. JON.—‘Written through mediums—would have been correct, had it not been that man destroyed its purity,’ pp. 18, 19. PSALMS.—‘Written in the same way, and some of them are correct,’ p. 19.
"The rest of the books, in the Old Testament are said to be ‘somewhat correct in the main;’ [p. 20;] and in reference to the whole, this ‘spirit of darkness’ says: ‘Let me say unto you, O man! at this day, in regard to the Old Testament, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN,’ p. 21. In the same strain this medium passes on through the New Testament, exclaiming, as he passes from book to book, through the gospels, epistles, and Apocalypse, ‘not correct,’ ‘mistake,’ ‘fictitious,’ ‘contrary to the will of God!’ &c.; and as a climax we have the following:
"‘The Bible, as a book, represents God as a changeable being, changing so as to suit the different periods of earth. At one time it represents him as a savage monster, sending forth his word to men to slay one another; and at another time it represents him as a merciful being, dealing out mercy to all the people of earth. At another time he sends them into a hell of fire and brimstone.—Such, O man! are the principles the books you call the Bible are conveying to the inhabitants of the earth. O horrible!’ pp. 91–2."
"The Bible, when first written, was nothing more than a book written through mediums, as I am now writing through my medium. St. Paul through Mr. Hoar, p. 9.
"John Wesley is represented as saying: ‘The men who wrote the Bible were not always under full control of the spirit communicating, so that many errors crept into the Bible . . . . The Bible has more good teachings than any other work, and has more evil; choose the good, discard the evil.’"
The New Era publishes a letter from Rev. James Smith, A. M. London, July 8th, 1853, from which we extract the following:
"The Old Testament is but the skin of the old Serpent. But who will say that God did not make that skin? It is the use that is to be made of the Bible, rather than its origin that should be discussed. I believe the Old Testament to be divine; but I creep out of it as a chicken out of an egg, when I have exhausted its nourishment." "The living law is more than a rule that God has given us. It is God himself using us as mediums. It is the living God, not the dead Rule that will interpret the word of God." "We want a living law that will show us what great service the Bible has done, and what mischief it has done; and how to transform its evil into good, its nonage into maturity, its sourness into sweetness."
The Bible Examiner of July, speaking of the "Bible Convention," so named, called by Andrew Jackson Davis, says: "A long string of charges was brought against the Bible, by the Chairman, Joseph Barker, of Ohio, recently from England, and formerly a Methodist preacher—in which he attempted to make out that the Bible sanctioned all manner of crimes, &c. He was followed by Henry C. Wright, formerly a Congregational minister; once a Non-Resistant and Peace man, but now an opposer of the Bible. He opened with the following resolution:
"Resolved, That the Bible, in some parts of the Old and New Testaments, sanctions injustice, concubinage, prostitution, oppression, war, plunder, and wholesale murder; and, therefore, the doctrine of the Bible, as a whole, is false, and injurious to the social and spiritual growth and perfection of man."
We copy from Mr. Mattison's work, a few testimonies from these spirits relative to our Lord Jesus Christ. "The spirit of John Wesley is represented as saying: ‘Jesus was a great and good man; but there was nothing more miraculous about his conception, birth, life and teachings than any good man. Jesus never taught people to pay divine homage to him; he never taught that he was the Son of God, except in the sense in which other men might be the sons of God.’ Unfolding, p. 7."
"What is the meaning of the word Christ?—'Tis not as is generally supposed, the Son of the Creator of all things. Any just and perfect being is Christ. The crucifixion of Christ is nothing more than the crucifixion of the spirit, which all have to contend with before becoming perfect and righteous. The miraculous conception of Christ is merely a fabulous tale.' Telegraph, No. 37."
"The spirit of Channing says: ‘The spirit of Lazarus had not entirely left the body; he was in a trance. Christ in his superior condition saw this, and by his magnetic power restored the action of the system. The same was done at the restoration of the maid.’ Telegraph, No. 34."
"The spirit of Christ was not wholly separated from the body when he was placed in the tomb, and the guardian spirits, who had attended him through life, using him as a medium, rolled away the stone, restored the spirit to the body, and Christ walked bodily out of the tomb. Sometime afterward he died naturally, his body was left to moulder back to dust, and his spirit, seen only by those who were mediums, ascended to heaven." From Dr. Bristol's letter.—Telegraph, No. 34.
These spirits also testify that there is no Devil, nor evil spirits. This really looks like Satan's masterpiece! He is advertising throughout the earth through these spirits, that he does not exist! If he can only make men believe this, then he is ready for his last great deception.
This reminds us of a story which well illustrates the case. It is in substance, this: "The notorious robber, George Cole, of England, whenever he wanted to perpetuate an act of some dreadful villainy, would get some suitable tool to advertise his having been hanged [or imprisoned] or transported to Botany Bay! Thus, suspicion was allayed; and his villainous deeds more easily accomplished."
"‘The imagination of evil spirits is an image only belonging to the human mind while such mind is yet in an unenlightened or undeveloped state, &c.’ Love and Wisdom, p. 98." "I asked if there was any devil. Answer: ‘No.’ ‘Are all spirits happy after death?’ ‘Yes, measurably.’ ‘What church is nearest right!’—Answer: ‘Universalist doctrine is nearest right.’—Telegraph, No. 3." "‘There are no bad spirits; that is, no devils or demons. Those spirits we have conversed with will not allow us to use the term,’—Supernal Theology, p. 71." "‘The spirits utterly disclaim all truth in the imaginations of individuals who believe in the doctrine of evil spirits.’ Teacher, p. 116."
They are "familiar spirits." They sustain the very character of the familiar spirits named in the Bible, as the following text shows: "And thou shalt be brought down, and shal speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper [margin, peep, or chirp] out of the dust." Isa. xxix, 4.66
All will see the identity of this low rapping spirit, and the low whispering, or peeping spirit named in the text. The one named in the text was a "familiar spirit;" so is the other. They are almost always ready to communicate, especially with those who are entirely devoted to them. They will rap, write, move, or throw things about, play musical instruments, and direct persons from place to place. Though they sometimes appear very religious, yet they are not very particular with whom they are so familiar; communicating in their low manner freely with the vicious, as well as the virtuous.—We will here give the principal passages in which reference is made to "familiar spirits" to show in what light they are held by the Bible.
"There shall not be found among you . . . an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consultor with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer." Deut. xviii, 10, 11.
"Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God." Lev. xix, 31.
"And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among the people." Lev. xx, 7.
"Then said Saul unto his servants, seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her and enquire of her." 1 Sam. xxviii, 7.
Poor fallen man! When forsaken by God he fills up the cup of his iniquity by consulting a familiar spirit! For it is said: "So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the Lord, even against the word of the Lord, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it." 1 Chron. x, 13.
"And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God?" Isa. viii, 19.
We will now examine some of those passages which distinctly speak of these familiar, lying spirits; and show that this spiritual deception is a sure sign that the day of God's wrath hasteth greatly.
(1) Rev. xvi, 13–15. "And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth, and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame."
This special manifestation of unclean spirits is here spoken of after the account of the pouring out of the sixth vial, which is in the future. Some suppose that the chronological order of events is not preserved; while others think that, altho' these unclean spirits are now deceiving the world, they will especially go forth from the dragon, beast and false prophet, after the sixth vial is poured out.
The manifestation of the unclean spirits named in the text is just before Christ comes "as a thief," and preparatory to the battle of the great day of God Almighty; therefore they are a sign of the swift approach of that dreadful day. We do not understand by the phrase, "three unclean spirits," that they are only three in number, as some have argued; but they were to be manifested from these three divisions: the dragon, beast and false prophet. The unclean spirit that Christ cast out of the man from among the tombs, [Mark v, 1–13,] said, "My name is legion; for we are many."
The spirits named in the text, have power to work miracles. This we have shown is now being fulfilled in the history of spirit manifestations. They "go forth unto the kings [or kingdoms] of the earth, and of the whole world." This is also rapidly fulfilling.
(2) Matt. xxiv, 23, 24. "Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false christs and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."
Not long since we heard a brother apply this text to the present time, and at once decided that the application was wrong; but after examining the connection, became satisfied with his application of the text. Verse 21st speaks of the tribulation of the church which followed the destruction of Jerusalem, and was consummated in the 1260 years of Papal persecution. Verse 22d speaks of that tribulation being shortened for the elect's sake. The reformation restrained the rage of Papacy, so that there has been no general persecution of the church since 1700. The 1260 days reached in 1798, yet the tribulation of the church, being shortened, ceased about 1700. Then our Lord, in his prophetic discourse, has brought us down to the present time, where we may look for those who shall say, "Lo, here is Christ," and "Lo, there," and for "false christs and false prophets," named in verses 23d and 24th.
As the period for the personal appearing of the real Christ has been drawing near, false christs and false prophets have made their appearance. The shakers have said, "Lo, here is Christ," or, his second appearing was in the person of Ann Lee.—Others, making the second advent of Christ spiritual, have said, he comes at conversion, or at death. Within the last ten years, hundreds who once were looking for that same personal Jesus that was taken on from the mount of Olivet to come again in like manner, have cruelly denied his personality. They say that Christ's second coming, or manifestation, is in his saints, and that they are the second coming of Christ. Many of them have been heard to say, "I am Christ." "His second advent is in me."
But when we look at the more recent damning heresy of Spiritualism, we see a more striking fulfillment. Some of these spirits rob the Son of God of his divinity, and bring him to a level with all men. The testimony of one is, that "Christ never taught that he was the Son of God, except in the sense in which other men might be the sons of God." Another asks: "What is the meaning of the word Christ?" and answers: "'Tis not as is generally supposed the Son of the Creator of all things.—Any just and perfect man is Christ." Those who believe such testimony, can not do otherwise than to believe that they are christs. But what a heresy! O how "false"
"False Prophets" are abroad in the land in abundance. True prophets foretell future events, generally being instructed by the agency of God's holy angels. False prophets, then, will testify relative to the future, being taught by lying spirits. Hundreds of mediums have published to the world what is about to be done through Spiritualism. Thus they have prophesied. But their teachers are spirits of devils, and what they receive from them and publish to the world are falsehoods; therefore, these mediums are, to all intents and purposes, false prophets.
"And shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch that if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." Signs and wonders are the very front of Spiritualism. By these the deception is carried on. Spirit manifestations are becoming more and more wonderful; and it may be expected that their miraculous character will increase, until the world shall be deceived, and the elect of God also, if it were possible. But God's word will be their "shield and buckler." Those who rely on impressions and outward manifestations, will not be able to stand. Those who adhere to the popular fables of the day, will be overcome. Nothing will shield the people of God in the period of spiritual deception which we are now entering, but a well-grounded faith in the personal coming of Christ, and life and immortality conditional, and only through Christ. Those who now flee to God's word, and "keep the word of his patience," will be "kept from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." Rev. iii, 10.
(3.) 2 Thess. ii, 9–11. "Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan, with all power, and signs, and lying wonders. And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie; that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."
It is an interesting and important fact that this chapter opens with the subject of Christ's second coming. It commences as follows: "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him." The Apostle, as we have before shown, then warns the Thessalonian church not to be deceived with the idea that Christ would then come, and points down over the apostasy and 1260 years of Papal supremacy, guarding all the way with his warning till he comes very near the last half century. Then speaking of the destruction of the man of sin, or Papacy, he says: "Whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming; whose coming [even him are supplied words, and give a wrong meaning] is after the working of Satan," &c. The word "after" in verse 9th has been supposed to mean like, and this supposition has been strengthened by the supplied words, "even him." But by leaving out these supplied words, it appears evident that the words, "whose coming" refer to Christ, and therefore, the word "after" means, at a later period. We understand the Apostle to teach that Christ's second coming is to be after Satan has power to work "with all power, and signs, and lying wonders."
Then how definitely the period of, and the events to precede the Second Advent are here pointed out! Let us again look at these events. First, the "falling away;" second, the 1260 years of Papal supremacy, which brings us within fifty-five years of the present time. One might suppose that the Apostle would leave the subject here without pointing out the period of the Lord's coming more definitely; but no, his eye looked on down still further, and saw the working of Satan, with all power, and signs, and lying wonders, and points it out as the last great event before, and sign of the Second Advent.
From the words, "all power," "all deceivableness of unrighteousness," and "strong delusion," we may get some idea of the character of future spirit manifestations. We think they will yet be sufficiently miraculous to deceive those who reject the truth.
"And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do," &c. Rev. xiii, 13, 14.
The reason is given in verse 10th why God gives men over to this delusion. It is this: "Because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved." The truth applicable to the time has been set before the world; it has been rejected and scoffed at; God's Spirit has been grieved until it has well nigh left the world; men's darkness, like the pall of death, is spread over the earth, and Satan is now permitted to deceive those who have rejected God's merciful warnings.
But it may be asked, What truth is here referred to in verse 10th? We answer: The great truth which is the Apostle's theme in this chapter, which is Christ's second coming. It is the last great truth that men are to reject, just prior to the Second Advent; therefore it follows that it is the doctrine of Christ's second appearing. Those who love Christ more than this world, will love the doctrine of his appearing. They will receive the "love of the truth." But those who love this world more than they love Him who died to save them, whose treasure is in this world, and whose affections are set on the things of earth, do not want Christ to come. They do not love to hear that he is soon coming. They receive not the love of the truth.—For such, a strong delusion is prepared. Many are already caught in it, and bound fast by the fetters of perdition.
As we look abroad in the earth, and view the condition of mankind in the light of revelation, the scene is indeed frightful. The gospel of the kingdom has been preached in all the world for a witness; the church which should have rejoiced in, and prepared for, the coming of her Lord, as a body rejected it, yea, crucified it; and a world of sinners thereby felt at full liberty to scoff. When moved by hearing the doctrine of Christ's coming,67to seek God, and prepare for the event, their fears were removed by the cry of peace and safety, "My Lord delayeth his coming," and, "the world is to be converted before Christ comes." O professed church of Christ! The blood of these sinners will be found on your garments.
O ye professed watchmen! How will you answer for souls intrusted to your care! What account will you give for crying, peace, peace, when there was no peace? When the world was alarmed with the news that Christ was soon coming, and by the Spirit of God deeply impressed with the subject, and would have fled to Christ, had it not been for your influence, it was you that taught them to put far away the evil day. It was your teachings that silenced all their fears, and led them to bar the Holy Reprover from their hearts. Ye ambassadors for Christ, who profess to pray the people, in Christ's stead, to be reconciled to God! how will you answer for your unfaithfulness? Sinners, and your own flocks, have trusted their salvation on your words. If you had loved and had preached the glorious appearing of Christ, they would have received the "love of the truth." But, behold your condition! Your preaching almost powerless; your prayer-meetings, if you have any, lifeless and destitute of real interest, and your flocks asleep to their own salvation, and that of sinners; and many of them already given over to the strong delusion of spirit manifestations! The judgment scenes lie just before us! And how awfully wretched will be the condition of that unfaithful watchman who shall come up to that day, covered all over with the blood of souls!
"Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Behold evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth. And the slain of the Lord shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground.
"Howl ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves in the ashes, ye principal of the flock; for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel. And the shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape." Jer. xxv, 34–36.
But mercy's hour still lingers, and there are those who have ears to hear, and hearts that can feel the force of divine truth. Such have not on them the sin of understandingly rejecting and crucifying the doctrine of Christ's second coming. To such we would say in the language of the True Witness, "He that hath an ear let him hear."—"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely." There is enough for all; but how few "thirst" for salvation, and have the "will" to seek, with all the heart, for a right to the tree of life and the fountain of living water.—
(4.) Rev. xviii, 1, 2. "And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird."
Before showing that this text applies to the present and future, and that the "foul spirits" and "devils" here mentioned, refer to spirit manifestations, we will take a brief view, only, of the subject of Babylon; for our space will not allow us to enter into the subject at length.
The fall of Babylon is a moral fall. This may aid us in determining what Babylon is. That her fall is a moral change is evident from the order of events given. First, she falls; second, she becomes the habitation of devils, and "the hold of every foul spirit," &c.; third, God's people are called out of her; and, fourth, her plagues are poured out upon her, and she is thrown down with violence, "like a great mill-stone cast into the sea," and "found no more at all."
The word Babylon comes from Babel, and signifies "confusion or mixture." See Gen. x, 10; xi, 9. Once when men were all of one language, they undertook to build a "city and a tower whose top should reach unto heaven." But God came down and confounded their language, so that they "could not understand one another's speech."—"So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth; and they left off building the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel, [margin, that is, confusion,] because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth. Gen. xi, 1–9. Babylon, signifying confusion, well applies to the many denominations of professed christians, with their different creeds, holding forth such confusion of sentiments. We are aware that many will object to this view; but we ask such as do object, to make a better application. Do you apply it to the Roman Catholic church, only? If you do, please show when that church (which has always been low and corrupt) morally fell? and, then, as a second event, became corrupted with spiritual wickedness? Again, Babylon, signifying confusion, cannot be properly applied to the Roman church, she being a unit.
Babylon is where God's people are and from which they are called out, a short time before the seven last plagues are poured out. This is evident from Rev. xviii, 4. "And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." As the plagues are still future and immediately follow Babylon's fall, and the call to God's people, the present is shown to be the period of her fallen condition, and the time for God's people to be called out of her. This forbids the idea of applying the text to the Catholic church in past time. Where, then, are the people of God of this generation? Are they in the Roman Catholic church? No. They have been, and many still are, in the Protestant sects. Bear this in mind: Babylon is where God's people are, a short time before the seven last plagues are poured out. She morally falls, and the people of God are called out to escape her plagues. This shows the propriety of applying Babylon to the sects, and locates the whole scene in a short period, just prior to the Second Advent.
If it be said that the city of Rome is this Babylon, and that her fall is the burning of that literal city, then we would ask, How can the city of Rome "become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird" after it is burned. And how is it possible for God's people to be in Rome, [in order to be called out] after that city is burned, and is thrown down with violence, like a great mill-stone cast into the sea by a mighty angel, and "found no more at all." Will God's people be in Rome after that city is no more? Again, the people of God are called out of Babylon to escape her plagues. But will they flee out of Rome after it is burned, to escape plagues, of which her being burned is her last plague? "Her plagues shall come in one day, death, and mourning and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire."—Rev. xviii, 8. The true application of Babylon is free from all these inconsistencies. The prophecy when rightly applied, will fit like the glove to the hand, being made purposely for it.
We unhesitatingly apply the Babylon of the apocalypse to all corrupt christianity. The term, signifying confusion, is perfectly applicable to the many different sects, each holding different sentiments, divided and sub-divided, and all united with the world. The Protestant sects are fitly represented by the harlot daughters of the woman of Rev. xvii, 4, 5. The woman that would leave her husband, and unite with, and seek protection from another, would be called thus. The professed church of Christ has left the arm of her true husband, and now leans on the strong arm of the law. She seeks protection, and to be nourished by the corrupt governments of the world, and is properly represented by the harlot daughters of the old mother, she being a symbol of the Catholic church. As the woman should cleave to her husband, so should the church cleave to Christ, and instead of seeking protection from the arm of the law, lean only on the potent arm of her Beloved. The church is unlawfully wedded to the world. This may be seen in the various departments of civil government. Even in the war department, the professed minister of Jesus Christ is seen mocking the God of peace with his prayers for success in battle.
Has Babylon, or the nominal churches, fallen? We have only to compare the present condition of the churches with their spirituality ten years since, to see that a great change has taken place with them. This no candid person will deny, who has had connection with them, or knowledge of them.
Look back but ten years, and there you will see many powerful revivalists traveling from city to city and from town to town, laboring with their might for the conversion of sinners, laying the gospel axe at the root of the tree, according to what light they had, and God blessing their labors with the conversion of thousands. Where are those revivalists now? Answer: They are, perhaps, settled pastors of churches, and preach year after year without seeing one real conversion.—Or, it may be that they have entered business for a livelihood or wealth.
Take a view of the efforts then put forth by the different sects for the conversion of perishing sinners. Protracted meetings were held for days and weeks in succession. The most spiritual ministers were obtained to preach, even if they were not educated and popular. A minister filled with the Holy Ghost, one that would arouse the people, was what was wanted then. The traveler, journeying the distance of fifty miles at the season of the year when such meetings were most common, might pass several places of worship crowded by hundreds anxiously seeking the Lord. Prayer-meetings held in almost every neighborhood, and in many places quite every evening in the week. Not only ministers, but many of the most active members of the churches, visited from place to place, and from house to house, doing what they could to save souls. The voice of prayer was heard almost everywhere. It was heard not only from the house of worship and the family circle, but shops, barns and groves resounded with earnest petitions from those who hungered and thirsted for righteousness. Ministers preached with simplicity and power, old saints wept and poured forth the fullness of their souls like young converts, while those who had just tasted the love of Jesus sweetly spoke forth his praise.
Now compare these facts with the present state of things. Protracted meetings are seldom held, and when they are held, no one reports that much, if anything, is accomplished. And whatever excitement is raised, generally dies away so very soon that it frequently proves itself to be human excitement, and not the work of the Holy Ghost. Many that were the most successful reformation preachers have given up preaching. Prayer-meetings seldom held, and then very few to attend them. Family altars broken down, and the voice of prayer seldom heard only from the minister at church. In fact, religion has become a mere form with the churches of the day, destitute of vital godliness. It has ceased to be an every-day matter, being confined almost entirely to the first day of the week. And if the soul-damning sin of pride can be found on the face of the earth, it may be seen in the display of worship on that day.
Those who will look at these facts in their true light will agree with us that the churches have fallen. Most of their own members will acknowledge this, though they know not the cause. This is all we contend for, relative to the fall of Babylon, that it is a fall from a measure of spirituality, to a state of lifeless formality. Having a form of godliness, but destitute of the power thereof.
The testimonies of the churches themselves, given in 1844, are sufficient to establish the fact of their fall. The Congregational Journal says: "At a recent meeting of the Presbytery of Philadelphia, Rev. Mr. Barnes, pastor of the 1st Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, whose notes are so extensively used in our families and Sabbath schools, stated, that he had been in the ministry, for twenty years, and never till the last communion had he administered the ordinance without receiving more or less to the church.68But now there are no awakenings, no conversions, not much apparent growth in grace in professors, and none come to his study to converse about the salvation of their souls. With the increase of business, and the brightening prospects of commerce and manufactures, there is an increase of worldly-mindedness. Thus it is with all denominations."
"The Puritan (Orthodox) of this city, [Boston,] not long since informed its readers that there has not been known such a state of coldness for some twenty years. Zion's Herald made a similar statement, and endeavored to fix the blame upon 'Millerism;' and we have been told that at the recent protracted meeting held by Mr. Knapp, at the Tremont Baptist (Mr. Colver's) church, the failure was ascribed to the same cause.—Ad. Herald."
The Christian Palladium for May 15th, 1844, speaks in the following mournful strains:—"In every direction we hear the dolorous sound, wafting upon every breeze of heaven, chilling as the blasts from the ice-bergs of the north—settling like an incubus on the breasts of the timid, and drinking up the energies of the weak; that lukewarmness, division, anarchy and desolation are distressing the borders of Zion. Perhaps it is so. What then? Do we well, like the howling women of ancient days, to rend our flesh—our hair, and fill the whole atmosphere with our wailings? It is but a few passing months since the whole extent of our wide spread country, rang with triumphant peals of joy borne upon the wings of numerous religious periodicals, and spontaneously overflowing from every Christian heart. Not a lip but was shouting the victories of the cross, or joining in the triumphant songs of the redeemed. And is the whole scene now so changed?"
"GREAT SPIRITUAL DEARTH.—It is a lamentable fact, from which we cannot shut our eyes, that the churches of this country are now suffering severely on account of the great dearth, almost universally complained of. We have never witnessed such a general declension of religion as at the present.—Truly the church should awake and search into the cause of this affliction; for an affliction every one that loves Zion must view it. When we call to mind how 'few and far between,' cases of true conversion are, and the almost unparalleled impertinence and hardness of sinners, we almost involuntarily exclaim, 'has God forgotten to be gracious? Or, is the door of mercy closed?'"
"Look again, and behold the spirit of the world, how it prevails in the church. Where is the pious man who has not been made to sigh on account of these abominations in the midst of us? Who is that man in the political crowd whose voice is heard above the rest, and who is foremost in carrying torch-lights, bellowing at the top of his voice? O, he is a Christian! perhaps a class-leader or exhorter. Who is that lady dressed in the most ridiculous fashion, as if nature had deformed her? O, she is a follower and imitator of the humble Jesus! O, shame! where is thy blush? This is no uncommon picture, I assure you. Would to God it was. My heart is pained within me while I write."—Circleville, Ohio. Religious Telescope, 1844.
About that time proclamations of fasts and seasons of prayer for the return of the Holy Spirit were sent out in the religious papers. Even the Philadelphia Sun of Nov. 11th, 1844, has the following: "The undersigned ministers and members of various denominations in Philadelphia and vicinity solemnly believing that the present Signs of the Times—the spiritual dearth in our Churches generally, and the extreme evils in the world around us, seem to call loudly on all Christians for a special season of prayer, do therefore hereby agree, by divine permission to unite in a week of special prayer to Almighty God, for the outpouring of his Holy Spirit on our City, our Country, and the world. . . . Any who cannot devote the whole week as above proposed, are requested to devote as much of the week as may be convenient."
THOMAS H. STOCKTON, and 30 others."
Prof. Finney, Editor of the Oberlin Evangelist, Feb. 1844, says: "We have had the fact before our minds, that in general, the Protestant churches of our country, as such, were either apathetic or hostile to nearly all the moral reforms of the age. There are partial exceptions, yet not enough to render the fact otherwise than general. We have also another corroborated fact: the almost universal absence of revival influence in the churches.—The spiritual apathy is almost all-pervading, and is fearfully deep; so the religious press of the whole land testifies. It comes to our ears and to our eyes, also through the religious prints, that very extensively church members are becoming devotees of fashion—join hands with the ungodly in parties of pleasure, in dancing, in festivities, &c.—. . . But we need not expand this painful subject. Suffice it that the evidence thickens and rolls heavily upon us, to show that the churches generally are becoming really degenerate. They have gone very far from the Lord and he has withdrawn himself from them."
Bishop Soule, says: "There has been a decrease of 35,732 members in the Methodist church during the past year. [1845.] The preceding year, [1844,] there was an increase of 155,000." Northern Christian Advocate says: "In 1845 there was a decrease in the Black River, Oneida and Genesee conferences of 8607."
The Baptist Almanac, for 1846, reports a decrease of 4702 of that denomination in the State of New York. Other facts might be given from the statistics of all denominations equally gloomy.
That the churches have fallen is a well known fact. Ministers, deacons, class-leaders and church members will acknowledge this. And it is equally true that their fall dates from the Autumn of 1844. Then it was that the fall of Babylon [Rev. xiv, 8] was announced, and many thousands who were looking for Christ's immediate coming, left the churches. We understand the everlasting gospel proclaimed by the first angel [Rev. xiv, 6, 7] to be the same as the gospel of the kingdom, named in Matt. xxiv, 14. The burden of this angel's message was given, from 1840, to 1844. But the body of the church rejected it. It was at first admitted into the columns of the religious papers, but they soon shut it out. It was unpopular!—Meeting-houses were closed against the messengers of the everlasting gospel, and Ministers joined to oppose. Many of them scoffed at the glad tidings of the speedy coming and kingdom of Christ, and pronounced it the work of Satan. Thus the truth was shut out by the professed church of Christ; and the 'Spirit of truth,' being grieved away, left her desolate, and the way was fully prepared for the second angel's message. 'Babylon is fallen, is fallen,' &c.
Let it here be distinctly understood that the second angel [Rev. xiv, 8] is in the past. But the angel of Rev. xviii, 1, 2, belongs to the present, and more especially the future. This angel is to proclaim what the angel of Chap. xiv, 8 did, and also something more, which has been taking place since Babylon fell. He adds, "and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird." The second angel, who announced in 1844 that Babylon had fallen, could not then also declare that she was a hold of foul spirits, for the history of her foul spirits has been since that date.
Mesmerism, Satan's mildest bait, was but little known in this country prior to 1844; since then the church has been bewitched with its damning influence. Psychology was not mentioned; and no one so much as dreamed of all this clattering of ten thousand demons from the infernal regions, rapping, moving chairs, stands, tables, &c. That Babylon's cup is full, that she is now a "hold of every foul spirit," we do not believe. But the present movements of Spiritualism show the text fast fulfilling. When accomplished, the wrath of God, unmixed with mercy will be poured out.
But it may be said that the church as a body does not believe in the spirit manifestations. Very well; six years since they were not known. And for two or three years after the rappings were first heard, almost every one looked upon it as a deception, and called it a "humbug." But as Spiritualism has rapidly advanced for a year or two past, there have many more ministers embraced it than any other class of professional men, and church members form a large portion of the body of Spiritualists.
But we shall contend that the sin of necromancy, now abroad in the land, rests upon Babylon.—She is accountable for it; for this one point of popular theology, found in all her creeds, that all men have immortality, and that the dead have knowledge, is the very basis of Spiritualism.
The bible doctrine of immortality through Christ alone, and that conditional, and that the "dead know not anything," disrobes these demons, and exposes their hideousness. It shows that they are not the spirits of the dead, what they say they are; but lying spirits sent forth to do the work of him who was a liar from the beginning. It is a perfect safe-guard against the strong delusion of Spiritualism. But we do not see how those who hold that all men have immortality, and that the spirit, separated from the body at death, is conscious, can stand against this heresy. Many have taught that the spirits of the dead were ministering angels to those living on the earth, and the impression is deep in many minds that it is even so.
A writer in the Spiritual Telegraph truthfully states: "Scarcely do we hear a funeral sermon, or read a book or a paper devoted to sacred subjects, but either directly or indirectly the subject of Guardian Angels and the continued existence of the spirit after death is alluded to. These are some of the strong points on which Spiritualists rest their claims."
Go into our burying grounds, and there you may read on almost every grave-stone, that the dead are still living. Wherever the eye falls upon the inscriptions on elegant monuments, or plain marble slabs, the impression is given that the soul separated from the body at death, joyfully and unencumbered, took its flight, and now lives in heaven. This is illustrated by the following taken from an exchange paper:
"A marble monument in the form of an obelisk, has recently been put up in the old burying-ground in Concord, N. H., to mark the spot where lie the remains of the son of President Pierce, who lost his life by the accident on the Boston and Maine Railroad, in January last. The monument bears the following inscription: 'BENJAMIN PIERCE, born April 13, 1841; died January 6, 1853. Go thy way, thy son liveth.'"
Does President Pierce believe what is stated in the last clause of the above; that his son, who died Jan. 6, 1853, "liveth?" If he does, then why may he not expect a visit now and then from his only son? Suppose some accompanied demon should visit the abode of the Chief Magistrate of this nation, and imitate the hand-writing of the deceased, and in a manner calculated to touch the finest feelings of the soul, freely communicate with those bereaved parents; move chairs, tables &c., play instruments of music; or even imitate the well-known voice of that only child. Would those parents be likely to resist that visitor, and drive him from them? Or would they believe him to be the spirit of their dear son? The reader may answer.
Not many years since, at the funeral of a virtuous young lady, the minister, while addressing the mourners, pointed to the coffin before the pulpit, saying, "Mary is not there. That is but the lifeless clay. Mary has gone to her God. Or, perhaps, her spirit has returned, and is now watching over this mourning circle."
Suppose distinct raps by some unseen hand that very moment had been made on the floor near the mourners; who of that congregation that hung upon the words of the eloquent speaker would have doubted its being the spirit of Mary that produced the rappings? No one.
Now suppose that the minister, at the moment the rapping was heard, was uttering the bible doctrine that immortality is conditional, to be given to the saints only at the resurrection, and that the dead knew not anything. Who of that audience would have supposed that the raps were produced by the spirit of Mary? No one.
Thus we see that one of the great leading doctrines found in all the creeds of Babylon forms the69basis of Spiritualism. It has opened a wide door for Satan to come in and deceive the world. By many, the doctrine of immortality through Christ has been classed with the non-essentials of the Bible. They will now see its importance. But we are of the opinion that the Bible does not contain non-essentials. The Lord has carefully kept them out, so that all scripture is 'profitable'.