The Counterfeit by F. M. Bragg

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 5, 1858

The Counterfeit.

By F. M. Bragg

A MAN is traveling through this State, professedly as a philanthropist. His family of nine children, four men and women grown, are with him. They move with two daguerreian saloons, wagons, carriages and several cows, &c., and camp during their stay in each town in their saloons. Meanwhile, his wife takes daguerreotypes at half price. He labors, professedly, for the general good of his fellow-men ; lectures on temperance, phrenology, magnetism, and Spiritualism, (which is his hobby,) free of charge.

They have traveled in this way, I think, for more than three years under the special direction of the spirits. His zeal and devotedness to his cause are worthy of imitation in a good cause. "Shall ambition and avarice never sleep ? Shall they never want objects on which to fasten ? Shall they be so observant to discover, so acute to discern, so eager, so patient to pursue, and shall the benevolence of christians want employment ?"

While I heard him speak of love and benevolence of man to his fellow-man, I called to mind the instruction that the Lord has given the church through the gift of prophecy. The great Deceiver has a counterfeit as nearly like the true coin as possible. But it can be detected by those who rely solely upon the merits of a Saviour for salvation, and not good works.

While we behold the great counterfeit (Spiritualism) seducing its thousands, can we not trace it to the true coin ? Certainly, the counterfeit does not exist without the true to imitate.

F. M. BRAGG. Cambridge, Wis.