Spiritualism | AdventAI

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 20, 1865

Spiritualism.

A NEW WAR has begun, another Fort Sumter has been saluted by the batteries of the enemy, and an earnest conflict may be expected, that may not result in the temporal death of any, but the eternal death of millions. We refer to the new movement among Spiritualists as developed at their late convention, held at the Melancon, (Tremont Temple Building,) Boston, May 20th, 31st, and June 1st, and 2nd.

In their published call for the meeting, we find one prominent object of the convention expressed in the following language:—

“Can any plan be devised to secure the co-operative action of Spiritualists for educational purposes, especially to bring our children under the influence of spiritual teachings, and thus to guard them against the demoralizing tendencies of POPULAR THEOLOGY?”

WE WERE in to several of their meetings, and found the speakers very bold in denouncing the schools and especially the Sunday schools, now established in our country. No Roman Catholics would have been more in earnest about establishing a new system of schools for their children. And they have fully decided, with one voice, to carry it into effect. Hence they have openly declared war against the moral bearing of “POPULAR THEOLOGY,” claiming in the most bold, out-spoken manner, that it is “DEMORALIZING,” and so much so, that the Spiritualists are unwilling to send their children to their schools any longer.

We are hoping that this movement may open the eyes of some of our orthodox friends to see that the Spiritualist viper they have been cherishing in their bosoms begins to show signs of life; and that they have more to fear from its poisonous bite than from every other source of danger. They may be assured that a storm is rising of no ordinary magnitude, that is well calculated to scatter moral desolation in all directions, as effectually as the rebellion has spread political and financial evil.

When this new movement of the Spiritualists is seen in its true light, it will be found to be a combined effort of demons, operating through their mediums, against Christianity, God and the Bible. It is antichrist at war with Christ and his truth. Said one of the prominent speakers in the convention:—“Nothing is true because Jesus said it; nor true because it is in the Bible. I receive nothing as true from any being in the universe outside of my own soul. I acknowledge no judge or God but my own soul.”

Men who talk thus, rise up against the Bible and its defenders, and say they are “demoralizing” the world so much, that the time has come for what they call the “new dispensation” of Spiritualism, which must be “put into new bottles.” They say “the old and the new cannot go together.”

It was advocated by their most able speakers that “organization is absolutely essential to carry out their purposes;” and that Spiritualism is to be “the power of the world; a power to be feared.”

We proposed some questions for consideration; and it was frankly admitted by an eloquent speaker, that those holding our faith were the only class worth noticing; all others were exploded; and that we “sustained ourselves, if the plenary inspiration of the Scriptures be admitted.”

It was advocated that a system of religion that teaches rewards and punishments is “demoralizing;” hence, of course it follows, according to their premises, that the Christian religion, as taught by Jesus and his apostles, was “demoralizing!” Yet this “new dispensation” claims to be “ancient Christianity revived.” It seems as though every one might see through the “Deceiver’s” gauze, and behold his horrid deformity. Spiritualism is as far removed from Christianity as Belial is from Christ, as sin from righteousness.—World’s Crisis.