Spiritualistic Demonstrations by Uriah Smith

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 11, 1914

Spiritualistic Demonstrations

By Uriah Smith

While we may not hear quite as much as formerly of the Spiritualistic séance with its demonstrations, this great deception is manifesting its powers and snaring souls in every land, and the Spiritualistic doctrines are permeating everywhere, taking on generally a more refined and cultured and religious form, so that they may only the more effectually leaven the religious ideas of those who are not instructed in the Word of truth for this time.

One of the European colporteurs tells in the German paper of an experience that came to him in one of the mountain districts of Austria, we believe. The colporteur says:—

In one place I had a remarkable experience which greatly strengthened my heart in the present truth. In the inn where I secured a lodging I found myself unexpectedly in a room where a Spiritualistic sitting was in progress. Five persons laid their hands upon a table, and a sixth began to ask questions, while the table began to give out the noise of rappings.

The man asked the table if the books that I was showing them contained the truth. The table lifted itself up and remained standing, which they said indicated "no." The man asked further if I were a deceiver, and there followed a rapping which they said meant "yes."

Now I called out: "In the name of Jesus Christ, speak the truth. Is this the fulfillment of Matt. 24:24 and 1 Tim. 4:1?" After a long delay there followed a knock heavier than before, which meant "yes."

I said nothing more, for I feared to misuse the holy name of Jesus. With hand upon the Bible, I showed those present with whom they were dealing in these manifestations, and the truth gained a victory there. I thank God that his Word is the truth. It seems that in this place he has given me more than natural strength in selling the publications. In a village in the same region I stopped overnight with one person who had heard of the Adventists before and had sworn he would kill any Adventist that came into his house. This man bought nine crowns' worth of books, and invited me to stop with him when I came again. The people of the mountains are very wild and fanatical, and I thank God for his protecting hand and for the power of his truth.

It is instructive to recall the fact that just as this message was rising in the days following 1844, Satan brought into the world his great deception of modern Spiritualism; and while the deception is traversing the earth and penetrating every remote region, so the Lord's truth is pressing its way to and fro through all the earth, winning victories over all the power of the enemy. w. a. s.