Spirit Manifestations by Thomas Brown

Publishing Committee · ROCHESTER, N. Y. · Sep 20, 1853

Spirit Manifestations.

By Thomas Brown

DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I have for some time thought of communicating a few lines to you about the spirit manifestations. The following I learned from a brother residing in Eaton Co.

The astonishing communications which profess to be from the spirit land, were but little known in the above place, until a few months ago. A lady then came there from the State of New York, professing to be led by the spirits of the dead, and commenced preaching, by their direction, the doctrine of seven different spheres: that we are now living in the first sphere, the earthly: after we pass through death, we are in the second, and so on increasing in knowledge until we arrive at the seventh; and then we take what they term the perpetual rounds, and grow in knowledge in the same proportion that we did on earth. Truly this is the doctrine of the Devil.

Again; she will pass through the death scene of a friend, and make every struggle that the person made while dying; and after lying for some time, apparently dead, will come to life again. They will, by the spirits, give the description of friends whom they have never seen, as well as we could ourselves. They will tell when any one has a letter coming by mail, though it may be hundreds of miles from the place of its destination. There is also a lady that has not got common school education, who will preach in three original languages. It has been tested by judges who pronounced it to be the proper language. These mediums are led wholly by the spirits.

The doctrine of communication with the dead is the doctrine of the Devil; for the Word says, the dead know not anything. Eccl. ix, 5. Also, his breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. Ps. cxlvi, 4. 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? for the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them. Isa. viii, 19, 20.

Truly we are living in the time when the law is to be sealed among the disciples of Jesus; when Satan will come with all his 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. 2 Thess. ii, 10-12.

Some may say that if this spiritual manifestation is not of God, it will come to nought. We say the Word is plain on this point: But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Tim. iii, 13. We are living in the time when Satan will come with his last deception to deceive, if it were possible, those who are honest at heart. The dragon is wroth with the remnant of the seed of the woman, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

The little remnant in this place are all trying to keep the commandments of God and the faith or testimony of Jesus. How necessary it is, in these perilous times, that we try the spirits by the Word, and reject all those who do not agree with it. I truly believe that the Lord has set his hand the second time to restore the remnant of his people. O my brethren, let us be strong in the Lord and keep his commandments, that we may be sealed with the seal of the living God; and when the seven last plagues shall be poured out, that no plague may come nigh our dwelling. Let us be strong in the doctrine that the dead know not anything; and if we are sound in this faith, we shall not be drawn away by these spirits of devils, working miracles, that come up in the last days to deceive the nations and gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

We must be pure; for Christ will appear to a people that are without sin. Let us have on the wedding garment that when Christ is seen on the white cloud, we can say, this is our God, we have waited for him; and be caught up to meet him in the air; and be permitted to enter the city, New Jerusalem, and pluck the fruit from life's fair tree. How beautiful must be that place. Its streets paved with gold; its inhabitants arrayed in white; nothing there to annoy our peace; no more sickness, pain or death; for the former things are passed away. God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes. O blessed, transporting thought; can we be there? O yes, we may if we live a humble, cross-bearing life, and keep the commandments of God, and have the faith and testimony of Jesus.

The saints shall reach that happy place, And be forever with the Lord, And see the smiles of Jesus' face, And there receive their rich reward.

THOMAS BROWN.

Locke, Mich., Sept. 5th, 1853.