Combination against the Sabbath—Mr. Fillio and the Spiritualists.
By James White
Since the publication of the review of Mr. Fillio, a pamphlet has been placed in our hands, entitled "Design and tendency of Modern Spiritualism upon Revealed Religion. Delivered in Battle Creek, Michigan, May 8, 1853." His text is, "By their fruits ye shall know them." In this pamphlet he states eighteen articles of the "Theology of Spirits," which stand in opposition to God's word, or "Revealed Religion." The last is as follows: "XVIII. The law of the Sabbath is of no binding force, and its observance ought to be disregarded.
This follows from the rejection of the Bible as the rule of duty; and the "mediums" and "seers" pay no more regard to the Sabbath than any other day.—Many "circles" devote it to rapping, dancing, and card-playing; and in their writing there is not the least reference to its sanctity." By this comment on the teaching of the "spirits," Mr. Fillio places a disregard of "the law of the Sabbath" as a consequence of the rejection of the Bible. Yet he professes to believe the Bible, while he teaches that the very institution of the Sabbath was "peculiarly Jewish," and that "the law of the Sabbath" is not binding. In a course of five lectures on the subject he made "not the least reference to its sanctity," and at other times he has preached that there is no sanctified time in this dispensation. "By their fruits ye shall know them." His synopsis of the spiritual creed is as follows:— "Such are the religious views inculcated by the 'Spirits.' From the 'Great Harmonia' of A. Davis, down to the last of these productions, their 'communications' are filled with the most loathsome infidelity. No creation—no depravity—no conversion—no Divine Redeemer—no atonement for sin—no miracles—no word of God—the Bible a source of corruption—no devils—no hell—no resurrection—no day of judgment—Christianity a curse—ministers hypocrites—down with the churches—down with all civil governments—down with the Sabbath—down with every thing that is lovely, and fair, and of good report." We stated in our review of his no-Sabbath lectures that in his lectures was laid the foundation of infidelity; but we were not aware that he had already given such a description of his compeers with whom he has joined in the cry of "down with the Sabbath." A few passages may be read to profit in connection with his text:— Rom. ii, 21-23. "Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest, a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest, a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonorest thou God?" Rom. xiv, 22. "Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth." We hope that those who regarded his lectures with so much complacency will consider well their "tendency against revealed religion," and now "keep the Commandments of God, and the Faith of Jesus."—Rev. xiv, 12. J. H. W.