THE NATURE AND TENDENCY OF MODERN SPIRITUALISM.
By J. H. Waggoner
By the prophecies examined we have shown that- We live at the time when these great wonders are to be expected; when the truth will be resisted as it was in the days of Moses.
- The description of the locality applies to this country, where this work has arisen. See remarks on Rev. xiii.
- False christs and false prophets have arisen.
- They are under the influence of "seducing spirits."
- Their teachings are the "doctrines of devils." That they "show great signs and wonders," as the Saviour prophesied, we have not particularly noticed, as no evidence from us is needed on that point. The facts of the physical manifestations are placed beyond a doubt. In proof that there is often shown super-human power and intelligence we can refer to the spiritual papers, which have abounded with evidences, and to the experience of Gov. Tallmadge, Judge Edmonds, Dr. Hare, and hundreds, yes, thousands of others, in every part of the country, and in foreign countries. No fact can be better attested. Thousands have been convinced by the manifestations of power alone. We have sometimes wondered that any would be deceived by such displays of power, when the Scriptures plainly point them out, and give warnings that all may understand. But again we notice that there is very little genuine faith in the Scriptures, in these days. The Scriptures say that in the last days perilous times will come; men will have the form of godliness, but deny the power thereof; iniquity will abound and the love of many wax cold; and they that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But men believe that in the last days iniquity will not abound; the State will protect the church from persecution; the world will be converted; and that it will not be as it was in the days of Noah and Lot. The Scriptures say that in the latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils; and many who have long taught that the Bible is the word of God, now reject the doctrines of the Bible for the teachings of these deceptive spirits. And the truth has been so perverted that many profess to be converted from infidelity to a belief in the immortality of the soul by the influence of Spiritualism; and learned Doctors and Professors who have failed to find evidence in the Bible to sustain this unscriptural notion, now gladly hail this new ally by which alone they can maintain the position they have taken before the world. In a sermon by "Rev. A. D. Mayo, in the Division-St. Church, Albany," he says:
"We, in America, were getting so far away from that sublime doctrine, in our life and theology, that human nature could endure it no longer, and by a great rebound has shown how the soul of man needs the assurance of an endless existence. I look upon the alliance of this movement with mesmerism as accidental and temporary. The tipping tables and rattling wainscots will, in good time, be left with other prodigies in the hands of curious men of scientific leisure for experiment; but this great cry of the popular heart after a rational faith in immortality will shiver numberless churches, and burst the bonds of many a man now enfolded in materialism or petrified into theological marble. We shall learn out of it what it means in the 19th century to believe in the immortality of the soul; and it will be found that this doctrine will come to us fraught with vaster relations, suggesting larger duties, and elevating with nobler aspirations, than to the darkened masses of the early ages of Heathenism or middle ages of Christianity." The Editor of the Spiritual Age, however, better understands the relation of table tipping, &c. to this new theory—he knows that from such a diversity of views as is taught by the spirits, it would be impossible to reduce a system that any reasoning mind could embrace, and that all Spiritualists confidently and necessarily appeal to the evidence of physical power as the ground work of their theory. The Editor remarks:
"In discussing the subject of Spiritualism, the able author takes very comprehensive views of its developments and ultimate uses, regarding it as a 'great cry of the popular heart after a rational faith in immortality.' He seems however to have overlooked the fact that this rapping, 'tipping of tables and rattling of wainscots,' is fast reducing our faith in immortality, hitherto but conjectural, to a scientific verity, and thus constituting it that 'rational faith' which the popular heart of the nineteenth century demands."
By reference to the reports of the Committees appointed to examine the Fox girls, and to enquire into the causes of the rappings, as well as to the experience of Gov. Tallmadge and others, it will be seen that Spiritualism arose and spread, not by the influence of the truths taught, but by the air of "mystery" which was thrown around it; solely by the evidence that the "raps" were not produced by the mediums. The Editor is doubtless right. By these alone their faith is reduced to a verity. The same is clearly shown by a writer in the Spiritual Clarion, as follows:
"Old sects, which had stood the battery of a thousand pulpits, have surrendered at the tipping of a spirit-hand on their unconscious tables. * The little pine wainscot that shook the air in a small room in Rochester, has echoed to the ends of the earth, and shakes old creeds like the judgment thunders."
But God has spoken on this subject. His words are plain, and easy to understand, though they may not, like the words of the Enemy, meet the applause of the "popular heart," or even penetrate the "theological marble" upon which the ecclesiastical edifice of modern times is built. The Lord says, "The soul that sinneth it shall die." Spiritualism is based upon the first doctrines that the Devil ever taught to man. "Ye shall not surely die." Since that time the immortality of man, or endless life in sin, has been his favorite doctrine. Amongst the heathens who did not like to retain90God in their knowledge, it flourished under the name of the immortality of the soul. When the "Man of Sin," the Roman hierarch arose, this doctrine, with many other corrupting influences of heathenism, was engrafted into the creed of the professed Christian Church, and henceforth became the foundation of a belief in purgatory, and the means of the aggrandizement of the priesthood. Protestants inherited it from the Catholics with but very little modification. More modernly it took the milder and more seductive appearance of Universalism; and lastly it has been more strongly developed as Spiritualism, with all its attendant wonders, falsities and dangers. A belief in the first proclamation of this falsehood, resulted in the expulsion of our first parents from the garden of Eden, and the loss of their lives: a sad comment on the teachings of the enemy. And the word assures us that the result will ever be the same. "The wages of sin is death;" says the word of God. "No!" says the enemy, "there is no such thing as death: it is only a transition to a higher life." The Lord says, "The soul that sinneth it shall die." "The soul is indestructible, and cannot die;" replies the enemy. Thus they defy the power of God, trusting in their deathless nature for an escape from the penalty of the divine law. That manifestations of power, "signs and wonders" are produced by the enemy of righteousness to deceive the world and draw them away from the truth, is plainly taught in 2 Thess. ii; though it is urged that this scripture does not refer to the present time. The word rendered after, in verse 9, signifies according to, and is so rendered in many other texts, and in this verse in some translations; hence it is concluded that it refers altogether to the manifestation of the Man of sin. But if the manifestation of that wicked one is according to or agreeing with (Webster) the working of Satan, it certainly shows that the working of Satan is not entirely confined to the revealing of that power; for a thing cannot properly be said to be according to the same identical thing. On the other hand, the construction of the chapter has given the reader to suppose that it was a question of time and referred exclusively to these days: (1.) The chapter introduces the coming of Christ. (2.) The word rendered revealed, according to both Greenfield and Robinson, signifies to uncover, bring to light, disclose, manifest, &c., and refers to the Man of sin in verses 6 and 8. (3.) The word rendered coming signifies coming, arrival, advent, &c., and is used in reference to the advent of our Saviour in verse 8. (4.) The same word, parousia, coming, or advent, is used in verse 9, but is not used in any of the preceding verses when the revelation of the Man of sin is spoken of. (5.) The words, "even him," are supplied, and if the passage is read without these, the "coming" in verse 9 seems clearly to refer to the "coming" in verse 8, which is the coming of the Lord. Beyond this many scriptures show that in the last days, just previous to the coming of Christ, there will be seducing spirits teaching falsehoods, false christs, and false prophets, showing great signs and wonders. Whether the different Greek versions will justify the common reading of verse 9 we have not now the means to determine; but the different translations we have at hand all give it the sense of "according to." But allowing that it specifies manner instead of time, we think the conclusion is not altogether warranted that it refers exclusively to the works of the Papal power. As the manner in which Satan works is now more fully understood, we think there is good reason to doubt whether the "pretended miracles" of the Catholic Church have all been mere pretense; for (1.) That wicked, persecuting power has ever claimed to have power to work miracles, and professed to work them; and multitudes have been led to the full belief of its errors in them. (2.) We have clearly proved that Satan works with miraculous power in the last days, as he did in the days of Moses and of Christ. (3.) The rise or manifestation of that wicked one is according to Satan's working with power and signs and lying wonders. Though Satan worked through the Magicians of Egypt, and through sorcerers in the days of the Saviour, and probably through the monks and friars of the Catholic Church, his working has never been so prevalent and extensive as in the last days. We speak of Spiritualism now as in its infancy, yet the evidences or phenomena upon which it rests are of the most startling kind, and so numerous and convincing to those who are open to such deceptions, that it is not to be wondered at that its converts are numbered by millions. It is "in the last days" that "men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith," resist the truth as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses: that is, by counterfeiting the works of God, and professing to be commissioned of him while resisting and perverting the truth of his word. It is in the last days, that the "Two-horned Beast" (the United States) works miracles to deceive them that dwell on the earth, and thus lead them on to the destruction threatened in the Message of the Third Angel of Rev. xiv; the last warning ever to be given to this wicked world. In this country has this work arisen, and is now spreading far and wide, even to all parts of the world. Thus we mark the perfect fulfillment of the prophecy. The awful threatening of Rev. xiv, 9-11 refers to the pouring out of the seven last plagues in which is filled up the wrath of God. Chap. xv, 1. These are all poured out after the priesthood of Christ has closed and probation has ended; hence, they are said to be "poured out without mixture." Under the pouring out of the sixth plague, the nations are gathered to the battle of the great day of God Almighty, called the battle of Armageddon; and they are gathered under the deceptive influence of "three unclean spirits like frogs," which go out of the mouth of the dragon or Paganism, the beast or Papacy, and the false prophet or Protestant Republicanism. They are explained to be "the spirits of devils working miracles" thus showing again that Satan's great work of deception is in the last days. "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." Rev. xvi, 13, 14. This is yet future, as we have said that the plagues are poured out after probation is ended. For this reason some suppose that the present work of evil spirits is not the fulfillment of prophecy, as they go forth under the sixth plague. But under the sixth plague they are seen going "out of the mouth" of these three great contending powers, and it is evident to all that they cannot come out of the mouth of any power until they get into the body, and even into the heart; for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. The second beast has two horns like a lamb, but he speaks as a dragon; that is, his profession is lamb-like, but his acts or laws are dragonic. It must be plain to every one that the speaking of any government is the enactment and execution of its laws. Therefore the fulfillment of Rev. xvi, 12-15, is when the work of Spiritualism is endorsed and maintained by legal enactments. And that this will take place we need not hesitate to believe when we consider what progress it has made for the last four or five years in this country, and how many eminent men and statesmen have become believers. Gov. Tallmadge and Judge Edmonds are the most prominent, because of the interest they took in it in its first stages. When Judge Edmonds first became a convert to Spiritualism it was a new and unknown theory, and of course unpopular; therefore he resigned his office as a matter of prudence. But many of the believers of Spiritualism are much better known to the American public than Judge Edmonds was previous to his conversion to that theory, but the times are so changed, and Spiritualism has grown and prospered so that it is not necessary to resign any position or office on account of a belief in its teachings. The Spiritual papers some time since boasted of a large proportion of the members of Congress as believers. Thus the way is being prepared for the last great work in this country. The Emperor of France has been much interested, and an American medium by the name of Hume became a favorite at the French court. But to particularize is not necessary. It is going to all parts of the world, and receiving favor with the multitude wherever it goes. We have briefly given our reasons for believing that the ecclesiastical or church power of this country constitutes one of the horns of the two-horned beast of Rev. xiii. Like the civil power, or Republicanism, it is mild and lamb-like in profession, but upholding slavery and war, and testing the faith of their members and others by their creeds instead of the word of God. That they are eager for the honours of this world none can deny. Some of the most determined and pertinacious office-seekers in the country will be found amongst the clergy. They not only seek and hold the office of chaplain to Congress, and there pray that God will bless and smile upon the deliberations of those whose course is one of avowed wrong, and who uphold the most iniquitous practices, but they will take the field and pray to God that their armies may be successful in overpowering and killing their fellow-men. The members of the various churches vote for men to execute the laws of the land, they knowing these laws to be cruelly unjust. At the political gathering, the air is made to ring with the loud huzzahs of the professed followers of Christ, whose voices are scarcely ever heard at the prayer-meeting. Their strongest sympathies are with Cæsar—their first acknowledged allegiance is to the laws of the land.