THE HOLY SPIRIT
and other spirits 

PART II.—EVIL SPIRITS.

Spiritualism

  Spiritualism has left its dark trace on the human family almost from man's earliest existence. Some have believed and many have disbelieved in the reality of communing with de parted spirits. Spiritualists have flooded the world with their literature and "lying wonders" to prove that what they claim is real; and should we throw away our reason and be guided by fickle stories concocted by men and devils we should surely arrive at a hasty conclusion that the spirits of departed friends could be conversed with, seen, etc.

  That spiritualists have communion with spirits is not hard to believe, but that they commune with the spirits of men and women who have had an existence in this world is incredible, to say the least of it. That spiritualists do have communion with spirits can be easily proved, but these spirits are invariably the spirits of devils, and not the spirits of the departed dead they feign to be. Some scientists who have possibly been a little skeptical concerning the supernatural have tried to account for the manifestations of spiritualism in phrenology; but in so doing they expose their ignorance of its real source. This is one weakness in infidels, scientists, and philosophers, to account for everything in a natural way. On the other hand, a weakness in professors of religion to ascribe everything which is superhuman to the divine has led many to believe in spiritualism and kindred superstitions.

  There are three great sources from which all things must emanate; the divine, the natural, and the diabolical. Spiritualism neither proceeds from the natural nor the divine; hence the only source left for it is the diabolical. This we shall proceed to prove is its true source.

  SPIRITUALISM NOT OF GOD.—The first and surest proof that anything is false or true is the Word of God, to which we shall appeal. "Every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of anti christ, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world." John 4:3. Spiritualists virtually deny the divinity of Christ, and if in every other  way they [145] were as spotless as snow this is enough to prove them false and not of God.

  Spiritualism is not of God, because it does not teach and practice the gospel. It never leads anyone to conversion or real salvation, but deals in mysticism. Spiritualism is not of God, because those who have forsaken God, or never knew Him, can communicate with spirits through spiritualistic mediums. Saul, the king of Israel, said, "God is departed from me, and answereth me no more" (1 Sam. 28:15); and yet he could get an answer through the witch of Endor, who was nothing more nor less than a spiritualistic medium. God would not answer him, and yet he received an answer through spiritualism; hence spiritualism is not of God. This syllogism is unanswerable, and proves conclusively that spiritualism is not of God.

  Spiritualism is not of God because all spiritualists are at times compelled to practice fraud. They acknowledge that at times their spirits fail to work and at such times they resort to sleight of hand, fraud, and ocular deceptions to maintain their cause.

  SPIRITUALISM NOT A NATURAL PHENOMENON.—The fact that spiritualists have sometimes been found to practice fraud has led some investigators to conclude that it is all sleight of hand. Others have attributed it to hallucination, or have tried to account for it in phrenology. I have before me two large books that are given almost exclusively to researches in spiritualism; one especially by the learned William A. Hammond, M.D., containing three hundred and sixty six pages, all of which are given to trying to prove spiritualism a natural phenomenon. Such men possibly would not hesitate much to try to prove that the casting out of evil spirits by Jesus of Nazareth was only hallucination, or could be traced to natural sources. Spiritualism and witchery in the Bible are always in opposition to the Spirit of God, which is a proof that it is not a natural law. True, unregenerated human nature is opposed to the Spirit of God; but all other nature accords with the Bible.

  The case of the "wise men" of Egypt clearly proves that spiritualism is not a natural phenomenon. "For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents." Ex. 7:12. Now let the mental philosophers and phrenologists tell us, if they can, where in the human cranium or brain, the organ is located that enables us to turn rods, walking canes, etc., into serpents. [146]

  SPIRITUALISM PURELY DEVILISH.—We h a v e clearly proved that spiritualism is not of God, and not a natural phenomenon, so the only source left for it is the infernal or devilish. From this source it truly emanates. It is of the devil, because God commanded the children of Israel to have among them no such characters as witches, enchanters, or those who consulted with familiar spirits, or who used divination. "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live." Ex. 22:18. "There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that that 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." Deut. 18:10, 11. "For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord." Deut. 18:12.

  Another clear proof of its diabolical origin is the Egyptian sorcerers, who opposed Moses and Aaron, the servants of God. These magicians cast down their rods and they became serpents; but God, to show that He was almighty, caused the serpent which came from Aaron's rod to swallow up the rods of the Egyptian sorcerers.

  Though spiritualism is a devilish reality, it is not to be feared by the children of God; for one child of God by faith can chase a thousand, and two put to flight ten thousand wicked spirits. If you want to see a spiritualist's seance put to confusion let someone with faith in God step in and rebuke the devil and wicked spirits. The only way to become a spiritualistic medium is to abandon oneself completely to the devil, to be used of him at his will. It has been said that when a person is to become a medium he must place his hands upon a clean silver plate, and take an oath that he will be as clear of God as that plate is of dirt. Whether this statement is absolutely true or not, it is a fact that all mediums are simply possessed with devils and by them led at their will.

  Spiritualism in general is a hotbed of free love spirits, unclean spirits, and every other diabolical spirit Satan sees fit to impose upon them. In short, it is the devil's headquarters on earth. While false doctrines and wicked spirits are by no means confined to spiritualism, it is the nearest in the image of Satan. It is the purest breed of earth born children of the devil.

  The reader has by this time arrived at the conclusion that while the writer believes spiritualism a reality he sees no good in it. Possibly the most convincing proof of its reality [148] and diabolical origin is the workings of modern spiritualists. Hundreds of cases could be inserted here where spiritualists have performed wonders; but as spiritualism is so general in America, and mediums, clairvoyants, etc., are so numerous, we will leave out for the greater part its devilish manifestations. If we were trying to refute the reality of their communion with spirits, then we should have need of detail, but we freely admit that spiritualists do commune with spirits, but these spirits are the spirits of devils and never the spirits of the dead. The best and only successful way to oppose spiritualism is to grant that mediums can have communion with spirits, and then prove these to be evil spirits, which is an easy task.

  OUTPOSTS OF SPIRITUALISM.—The adherents of spiritualism are by no means confined to the ignorant; but, on the contrary, some of the most intelligent men and women of the present age have been duped by spiritualism. However, intelligence or knowledge is not wisdom, and many who are less informed in philosophy are wiser in spiritual things. Knowledge is dangerous, but wisdom is trustworthy. A desire for the mysterious has led many a person into the dark fogs of spiritualism and many other errors.

  Hypnotism, mesmerism, and voluntary somnambulism, while not proceeding directly from the operation of evil spirits, are often used to lead souls on to believe in and partake of spiritualism. Witchery, sorcery, fortune telling, clairvoyance, powwowing, conjuring, magnetic healing, and dozens of other inventions of men and devils are outposts of spiritualism, and should be avoided by every child of God.

  The ouija board is also an effectual means in the hands of Satan to lead unsuspecting souls into the dark realms of spiritualism. The case of Annie Moore Cable, an intelligent young lady who commenced with the ouija board, and ended in the insane asylum, should be sufficient warning to all to keep clear from all such traps of the devil. When once Satan has succeeded in ensnaring a soul in the net of spiritualism, he can then control it as seems best to him. He can then impose insanity, free love, or any other vile spirit upon his dupe, to destroy both soul and body, and accomplish his fiendish desires.

  HISTORY OF SPIRITUALISM.—To point out the most remarkable events in the history of spiritualism would require many volumes, so we shall content ourselves with a very brief outline of its diabolical career. Possibly the first record we [149]

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