An Important Sign of the Times.
By B. F. Snook
SPIRITUALISM GOING TO THE GREAT MEN.
"And 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?" Isa. viii, 19. That we are living in the times spoken of by the prophet, we cannot doubt. The speech has been made that says, "Let us seek unto them that have familiar spirits," &c. The rapping spirits are now all over the land, doing their signs and wonders. John says, "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, 14. These foul spirits are on the forward march, and are sweeping almost everything before them. These emissaries of Satan have been more highly honored than Christ ever was while he was here upon this earth. He never was admitted within any national palace. These spirits have honorable entertainment in the great capital of France, and are consulted and confided in by Louis Napoleon and his court. They have also the friendship of the Queen of England. They have likewise been invited into the White House of our own so-called Christian nation. Accepting the invitation, they were honored with one of the finest rooms, and were consulted by the President, who is almost a convert. The following from the Boston Gazette is a reliable and interesting account of the proceedings of one meeting: Washington, Apr. 23, 1863. A few evenings since, Abraham Lincoln, the President of the United States, was induced to give a spiritual soiree in the crimson room at the White House, to test the wonderful alleged supernatural powers of Mr. Charles E. Shockle. The party consisted of the President, Mrs. Lincoln, Mr. Wells, Mr. Stanton, Mr. L. of New York, and Mr. F. of Philadelphia. We took our seats in the circle about 8 o'clock; but the President was called away shortly after the manifestations commenced, and the spirits which had apparently assembled to convince him of their power, gave visible tokens of their displeasure at his absence, by pinching Mr. Stanton's ear, and twitching Mr. Wells' beard. He soon returned, but it was some time before harmony was restored, for the mishaps to the Secretaries caused such bursts of laughter the influence was very unpropitious. For some half an hour the demonstrations were of a physical character—the tables were moved, and the picture of Henry Clay which hangs on the wall was swayed more than a foot, and two candelabras, presented by the Dey of Algiers to President Adams, were twice raised nearly to the ceiling. Loud rappings were heard distinctly beneath the President's feet, about nine o'clock, and Mr. Shockle stated that an Indian desired to communicate. "Well, sir," said the President, "I should be happy to hear what his Indian majesty has to say. We have recently had a visitation from our red brethren, and it was the only delegation, black, white, or blue, which did not volunteer some advice about the conduct of the war." The medium then called for pencil and paper, and they were laid upon the table in sight of all. A handkerchief was then taken from Mr. Stanton, and the materials were carefully concealed from sight. Soon knocks were heard and the paper was uncovered. To the surprise of all present it read as follows: "Haste makes waste, but delays cause vexations. Give vitality by energy. Use every means to subdue. Proclamations are useless. Make a bold front and fight the enemy. Leave traitors at home to the care of Union men. Less note of preparation, less parade and policy talk, and more action. HENRY KNOX." "That is not Indian talk, Mr. Shockle," said the President. "Who is Henry Knox?" The medium spoke in a strange voice. "The first Secretary of war." "Oh yes, Gen. Knox," said the President, who, turning to the Secretary, said, "Stanton, that message is for you—it is from your predecessor." "I should like to ask Gen. Knox," said the President, "if it is within the scope of his ability to tell us when this rebellion will be put down." "Washington, Lafayette, Franklin, Wilberforce, Napoleon, and myself, have held frequent consultations on this point. Napoleon says concentrate your forces upon one point. Lafayette thinks that the rebellion will die of exhaustion. Franklin sees the end approaching, as the South must give up for want of mechanical ability to compete against Northern mechanics. Wilberforce sees hope only in a negro army.
KNOX." "Well," exclaimed the President, "opinions differ among the saints as well as among sinners. They don't seem to understand running the machine among54the celestials much better than we do. Their talk and advice sound very much like the talk of my cabinet—don't you think so, Mr. Wells?" "Well, I don't know; I will think the matter over and see what conclusion to arrive at." Heavy raps were heard, and the alphabet was called for, when "That's what's the matter" was spelled out. There was a shout of laughter, and Mr. Wells stroked his beard. "That means, Mr. Wells," said the President, "that you are too long-winded, and think the nearest way home is the longest way round. Short cuts in war times." Mr. Lincoln continued his seeking for knowledge from the familiar spirits, and said, "I wish the spirits could tell us how to catch the Alabama." The lights, which had been partially lowered, almost instantaneously became so dim that I could not see sufficiently to distinguish the features of any one in the room, and on the large mirror over the mantle-piece there appeared the most beautiful, though supernatural, picture ever beheld. It represented a sea view: the Alabama, with steam up, flying from the pursuit of another large vessel. Two merchantmen were seen in the distance, partially destroyed by fire. The picture changed, and the Alabama was seen at anchor under the shadow of an English fort, from which an English flag was waving. The Alabama was floating idly, not a soul on board, and no sign of life about her. The picture vanished, and in letters of purple appeared "The English people demand this of England's aristocracy." "Well, Mr. Shockle," remarked the President, "I have seen strange things and heard rather odd remarks, but nothing which convinces me except the pictures, that there is anything very heavenly about all this. I should like if possible to hear what Judge Douglas says about this war." Perfect silence was maintained, and after an interval of about three minutes Mr. Shockle rose quickly from his seat and stood up behind it, resting his left arm on his back, and his right thrust into his bosom. In voice such as no one could mistake who had ever heard Mr. Douglas, he spoke. He urged the President to throw aside all advisers who hesitated about the policy to be pursued, and to listen to the wishes of the people, who would sustain him at all points if his aim was, as he believed, to restore the Union. He said, "There are Burrs and Blannerhassets still living, but they would wither before the popular approval which would follow one or two victories, such as he thought must take place ere long. The turning point in the war will be the use made of these victories. If wicked men in the first hours of success think it time to devote their attention to party, the war will be prolonged; but if victory is followed up by energetic action all will be well." "I believe that," said the President, "whether it comes from spirit or human." Mr. Shockle was much prostrated at this time, and at the request of Mr. Lincoln it was thought best to adjourn. We here subjoin a few testimonies from the sacred Scriptures which show in what light God regards familiar spirits, and those who consult them. 1. Familiar spirits were entertained by the heathen—the wicked Canaanites who were abandoned of God, and given over by him to fill up the cup of sin, that they might be destroyed. "When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abomination of those nations. There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer." These were abominations practiced by the heathen. 2. We will next show how God regards those who do such things. "For all that do these things are an abomination to the Lord, and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee." Deut. xviii, 9-12. He has ever looked upon all such as do these things with the most indignant disdain. They are hateful, odious, yea, loathsome, in his sight. We have a few examples given us of some of his people turning from him to the familiar spirits for light, and they were punished with death. Saul is one instance. He disobeyed God, and was therefore forsaken of him. "And when Saul inquired of the Lord, he answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by the prophets. Then Saul said unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her and inquire of her." 1 Sam. xxviii, 6, 7. So, when God left him he turned to Satan. He must have counsel. This very act, and the one that caused him to do it, caused his death. "So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the Lord, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit to inquire of it." 1 Chron. x, 13. The world and professed Christendom are fast going the same road. In almost every village, neighborhood, and school-district, may be heard the import of the words of the prophet: let me go over and hear the spirits rap, and get the news from the spirit-world, hear how the war is going to terminate, &c. However, the Emperor of France and our President invite them to come into their own parlors, and there consult them as they would a near and familiar friend. Mr. Lincoln acknowledges himself a convert, convinced of its heavenly origin by the pictures. All good men love to move as directed by that which is heavenly. Is it not, therefore, presumable that if he could see another picture, or more, he would submit to be directed in the great national war by the counsels of the heavenly Judge Douglas, &c.? If we will but open our eyes we can see that Satan is now working great signs and wonders, and leading men by the million. We, beyond all doubt, are living in the time in which "they shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils." 1 Tim. iv, 1. Therefore we are living in the last days.