andthenwhatwastheirconditioninthatstate？Andagain，howdoesithappen，onthissupposition，thatthisspiritineachindividualexhibitssolargelythementalandmoraltraitsoftheearthlyparents？Thesehypothesesnotbeingverysatisfactory，willitbeclaimedthatGodcreatesthesespiritsasfastaschildrenareborntoneedthem？andifso，whobringsthemdownjustinthenickoftime？andbywhatprocessaretheyincarnated？
ButifGodhas，byspecialact，createdasoulorspiritforeverymemberofthehumanfamilysinceAdam，isitnotacontradictionofGen。2：2，whichdeclaresthatallGod’sworkofcreation，sofarasitpertainstothisworld，wascompletedbythecloseofthefirstweekoftime？
Again，howmanyoftheinhabitantsofthiseartharetheoffspringofabandonedcriminality;andcanitbesupposedthatGodholdshimselfinreadinesstocreatesoulswhichmustcomefromhishandspureasthedewofheaven，tobethrustintosuchviletenements，anddoomedtoalifeofwretchednessandwoeatthebiddingofPage47defiantlust？Theirreverenceofthequestionwillbepardonedasanexposureoftheabsurdityofthattheorywhichnecessitatesit。
3。TheSpiritsofJustMenMadePerfect。——ThisexpressionisfoundinHeb。12：23，andseems，bysome，torecognizetheideathatspiritscanexistwithoutthebody，andaretobetreatedasseparateentities。
ThusinterpreteditmightappeartogivesomesupporttoSpiritualism。
Butitwillbynomeansbearsuchaninterpretation。TheapostleiscontrastingtheprivilegesofChristiansinthepresentdispensation，withthesituationofbelieversbeforethecomingofChrist。Whathesetsforthareblessingstobeenjoyedinthepresenttense。Yes，saysone，thatisjustwhatI
believe：Wearecometospirits;theyareallaboutus，andtipandtalkandwriteforusatourpleasure。Buthold！nothingisaffirmedofspiritsseparately。Thewholeideamustbetakenin。Itisthe"spiritsofjustmenmadeperfect;"andtheparticiple"madeperfect"agreeswith"justmen，"orliterally"thejustmadeperfect"[GREEKCHARACTERSINPRINTED
TEXT]，notwith"spirits。"Itisthemenwhoaremadeperfecttowhomwearesaidtohavecome。Butthereareonlytwolocalitiesandtwoperiods，inwhichmenareanywhereintheScripturessaidtobemadeperfect。Oneisinthislifeandonthisearth，andreferstoreligiousexperience（"Beyethereforeperfect，evenasyourFatherwhichisinheavenisperfect"）;theotherisnotrelative，butactualandabsolute，andreferstothefutureimmortalstatewhenallthepeopleofGodPage48willenteruponeternallifetogether（"Godhavingprovidedsomebetterthingforus，thatthey[theancientworthies]withoutusshouldnotbemadeperfect。"Heb。11：40）。Thus，takenineitheroftheonlytwowayspossible，thetextfurnishesnoproofofSpiritualism。Itdoubtlessreferstothepresentstate，theexpression，"spiritsofjustmen，"beingsimplyaperiphrasisfor"justmen，"thesameastheexpression，"theGodofthespiritsofallflesh"Num。16：22），meanssimply"theGodofallflesh，"andtheWords"yourwholespirit，andsoul，andbody"（1Thess。
5：23），meanssimplythewholeperson。
4。SpiritsinPrison。——TheapostlePeterusesanexpression，which，thoughperhapsnotoftenquotedindirectdefenseofSpiritualism，isrelieduponextensivelyinbehalfofthedoctrineoftheconsciousstateofthedead，which，asalreadyshown，istheessentialbasisofSpiritualism。
Andsuchtextsastheseareherenoticedtoshowtothegeneralreader，thattheBiblecontainsnotestimonyinbehalfofthatdoctrine，butpositivelyforbidsit，asfurtherquotationswillsoonbeintroducedtoshow。Thepassagenowinquestionis1Peter3：19，where，speakingofChrist，itsays："Bywhichalsohewentandpreacheduntothespiritsinprison。"
Bytheuseofstrongassumption，andsomeloftyflightsoftheimagination，andkeepinginthebackgroundtherealintentofthepassage，apictureofratheralivelytimeinthespiritworld，canbeconstructedoutofthistestimony。ThusthespiritsaresaidtobePage49thedisembodiedspiritsofthosewhoweredestroyedbytheflood。Seecontext。
Theywerein"prison，"thatis，inhell。WhenChristwasputtodeathuponthecross，heimmediatelywentbyhisdisembodiedspirit，downintohellandpreachedtothoseconsciousintelligentspiritswhowerethere，andcontinuedthatworktillthethirddaywhenhewashimselfraisedfromthedead。Athoughtwillshowthatthispictureiswrong，（1）inthetime，（2）intheconditionofthepeople，（3）intheactingagent，and（4）intheendtobeattained。Thus，whenChristhadbeenputtodeath，hewas"quickened"（ormadealive），saystherecord，"bytheSpirit。"ThiswascertainlynotapersonaldisembodiedSpirit，butthatdivineagencysooftenreferredtointheScriptures。"Bywhich，"thatis，thisSpiritofGod，hewentandpreached。ThenhedidnotgopersonallyonthisworkThe"spirits"weretheantediluviansfortheywerethosewhoweredisobedientinthedaysofNoah。NowwhenweretheypreachedtoVerse20plainlytellsusitwas"whenoncethelongsufferingofGodwaitedinthedaysofNoah。"
Inaccordancewiththesestatementsnowletanotherpicturehepresented：
Christ，byhisSpiritwhichwasinNoah（1Peter1：11），andthusthroughNoah，preachedtothespirits，orpersons，inNoah’stime，whoweredisobedient，inordertosaveallfromthecomingfloodwhowouldbelieve。Theyweresaidtobe"inprison，"thoughstillliving，becausetheywereshutupundercondemnation，andhadonlyonehundredandtwentyyearsgrantedtheminwhichtoPage50repentorperish。ThusChristwascommissionedtopreachtomensaidtobeinprison，becauseindarkness，error，andcondemnation，thoughtheywerestilllivingintheflesh。Isa。61：1。Dr。AdamClarke，theeminentMethodistcommentator（inloco），placesthegoingandpreachingofChristinthedaysofNoah，andbytheministryofNoahforonehundredandtwentyyears，andnotduringthetimewhilehelayinthegrave。Thenhesays"Theword[GREEKCHARACTERSINPRINTEDTEXT]（spirits）
issupposedtorenderthisviewofthesubjectimprobable，becausethismustmeandisembodiedspirits;butthiscertainlydoesnotfollow;
forthespiritsofjustmenmadeperfect（Heb。12：23），certainlymeansrighteousmen，andmenstillinthechurchmilitant：andtheFatherofspirits（Heb。129）meansmenstillinthebody：andtheGodofthespiritsofallflesh（Num。16：22and27：16），meansmen，notinadisembodiedstate。"[1]5。CannotKilltheSoul。——"Fearnotthemwhichkillthebody，butarenotabletokillthesoul：
butratherfearhimwhichisabletodestroybothsoulandbodyinhell。"
Matt。10：28。Weknowwhatitistokillthebody;andbyassociationofideas，itseemsquitenaturaltoformalikeconceptionofthesoulassomethingthatcanbetreatedinthesameway。Thenifthesoulcannotbekilledlikethebody，theconclusionseemseasyofadoptionthatitlivesrighton，withallsensationspreserved，asitwaswiththebodybeforeitsdeath。Ifitwerenotforthepagandefinitionof"soul，"whichherecomesintochangethecurrentofthought，suchPage51conclusionsdrawnfromthistextwouldnotbesoprevalent;andalittleattentiontothescopeofChrist’steachingherewillreadilycorrectthemisapprehension。Thisisbroughtoutclearlyinverse39："Hethatfindethhislifeshallloseit：andhethatlosethhislifeformysakeshallfindit。"Thisiseasilyunderstood。Noonewillquestionwhatitistolosehislife;andChristsaysthathewhowilldothisforhissake，shallfindit。Anyonewhohasbeenputtodeathforhisfaithinthegospelhas"losthislife"（hadthebodykilled）forChrist’ssake。
ButChristsays，Donotfearthem，eveniftheydothis。Why？——Becauseyeshallfindit——thelifeyoulost。Whenshallwefindit？——Intheresurrection。John6：40;Rev。20：4-6。Theexpression，"shallfindit，"
thusbecomestheexactequivalentofthewords，"arenotabletokillthesoul;"thatis，arenotabletodestroy，orpreventusfromgainingthatlifehehaspromised，ifwesuffermen，forhissake，to"killthebody，"
ordepriveusofourpresentlife。Thecorrectnessofthisviewisdemonstratedbythewordemployedintheseinstances。Thatwordis[GREEKCHARACTERS
INPRINTEDTEXT]（psuche）。Itisproperlyrendered"life"inverse39，andimproperlyrendered"soul"inverse28。Thislesson，thatmenshouldbewillingtolosetheirlifeforChrist’ssake，wasconsideredsoimportantthatitisagainmentionedinMatthew，andreiteratedwithemphasisbyMark，Luke，andJohn;andtheyallusethissameword[GREEK
CHARACTERSINPRINTEDTEXT]whichisrendered"life。"InoneinstanceonlyinalltheseparallelpassageshavethePage52translatorsrenderedit"soul;"andthatisMatt。10：28，whereitisthesourceofallthemisunderstandingonthattext。
6。SoulsUndertheAltar。——AsapartoftheeventsofthefifthsealasdescribedinRev。6：9-11，Johnsayshesawthesoulsofthemartyrsunderthealtar，andheardthemcryingforvengeance。Iftheycoulddothat，itisasked，cannotdisembodiedsoulsnowcommunicatewiththeliving？
Nottoenterintoafullexpositionofthisscripture，andtheinconsistenciessuchaviewwouldinvolve，itissufficienttoaskifthesewerelikethecommunicatingspiritsofthepresentday。HowmanycommunicationshaveeverbeenreceivedbymodernSpiritualistsfromsoulsconfinedunderanaltarInglowingsymbolism，Johnsawthedeadmartyrs，asifslainatthefootofthealtar;andbythefigureofpersonificationavoicewasgiventothemjustasAbel’sbloodcriedtoGodforvengeanceuponhisguiltybrother（Gen。4：10），andjustasthestoneissaidtocryoutofthewall，andthebeamoutofthetimbertoanswerit。Hab。2：11。
7。TheMediumofEndor。——AsidefromthedirectteachingoftheScriptures，itisstillheldbysomethattherearescenesnarratedintheBiblewhichshowthatthedeadmustbeconscious。ThefirstoftheseisthecaseofSaulandthewomanofEndor，whomheconsultedinordertocommunicatewiththeprophetSamuel，asnarratedin1Samuel28。Here，itmustbeconfessed，isbroughttoviewanactualcaseofspiritmanifestation，aspecimenofPage53ancientnecromancy;fortheconditions，methodofprocedure，andresults，werejustsuchaspertaintothesameworkinourownday。Butthen，asnow，therewasnotruthnorgoodinit，asabriefreviewofthenarrativewillshow。（1）Samuelwasdead。（2）SaulwassorepressedbythePhilistines。
Verse5。（3）Godhaddepartedfromhim。Verse4。（4）Hehadcutoffthosewhobadfamiliarspiritsandwizards，outoftheland，becauseGodhadforbiddentheirpresenceintheJewishtheocracy，asanabomination。Verse3;Lev。19：31。（5）Yetinhisextremityhehadrecoursetoawomanwithafamiliarspirit，foundatEndor。Verse7。（6）Sheaskedwhomsheshouldbringup，andSaulanswered，Samuel。Verse11。（7）Saulwasdisguised，butthefamiliarspirittoldthewomanitwasSaul，andshecriedoutinalarm。Verse12。（8）Saulreassuredher，andthewomanwentonwiththeséance。Verse10。（9）Sheannouncedapresencecoming（notfromheaven，northespheres，but）upoutoftheearth，andatSaul’srequestgaveadescriptionofhim，showingthatSauldidnothimselfseetheform。
Verse13。（10）Saul"perceived"thatitwasSamuel（notbyactualsight，butfromthewoman’sdescription;fortheHebrew[HEBREWCHARACTERS
INPRINTEDTEXT]andtheSeptuagint，[GREEKCHARACTERSINPRINTED
TEXT]signifytoknow，orperceive，byanoperationofthemind。）
Verse14。（11）ThewomansupposeditwasSamuel;SaulsupposeditwasSamuel;
andthatpersonationis，then，bythelawofappearance，spokenof，inwhateveritsaidordid，asSamuel;as，"SamuelsaidtoPage54Saul，"etc。Verse15。（12）WasSamuelreallythereasanimmortalsoul，adisembodiedspirit，orasoneraisedfromthedead——Nobecause（a）immortalsoulsdonotcomeupoutoftheground，wrappedinmantles，andcomplainofbeingdisquietedandbroughtup;（b）Samuelwasaholyprophet，andifhewasconsciousinthespiritworld，hewouldnotpresenthimselfatthesummonsofawomanwhowaspracticingartswhichGodhadforbidden;（c）GodhavingdepartedfromSaulandhavingrefusedtocommunicatewithhimonaccountofhissins，wouldnotnowsufferhisservantSamueltogranthimthedesiredcommunicationthroughachannelwhichhehadpronouncedanabomination;（d）Samuelwasnotpresentbyaresurrection，fortheDevilcouldnotraisehim，andGodcertainlywouldnot，forsuchapurpose;besidesSamuelwasburiedatRamah，andcouldnotberaisedatEndor;（e）Itwasonlythewoman’sfamiliarspirit，personatingSamuelasheusedtoappearwhenalive——anagedmanclothedwithamantle。HisobjectwastomakeboththewomanandSaulbelieveitwasSamuel，whenitwasnot，justascommunicatingspiritsto-daytrytopalmthemselvesoffforwhattheyarenot。AsaspecimenofancientSpiritualism，thiscaseisnoparticularhonortotheircauseandasaproofoftheimmortalityofthesoul，andtheconsciousstateofthedead，itisaminusquantity。
8。TheTransfiguration。——Jesustookthreeofhisdisciples，Peter，James，andJohn，apartintoaPage55highmountain，andwastransfiguredbeforethem;hisfacebecameasthesun，andhisraimentwaswhiteasthelight，justasitwillbeinthefuturekingdomofglory，whichthisscenewasdesignedtorepresent。AndtherethenappearedMosesandEliastalkingwithChrist。ButMoseshaddiedinthelandofMoabnearlyfifteenhundredyearsbefore，anditisatonceconcludedthattheonlywaytoaccountforhisappearanceonthisoccasion，istosupposethathewasstillaliveinthespiritworld，andcouldappearinadisembodiedstate，andtalkwithJesusashererepresented。
Butsuchaconclusionisbynomeansnecessary。Jesuswasthereinperson，Eliaswasthereinperson;forhehadnotdied，buthadbeentranslatedbodilyfromthisearth。Nowitwouldbealtogetherincongruoustosupposethatthethirdmemberofthisglorioustrio，apparentlyjustasrealastheothers，wasonlyadisembodiedspirit;animmaterialphantom。Unlessthewholescenewasmerelyavisionbroughtbeforethemindsofthedisciples，Moseswasasreallythere，inhisownproperperson，asJesusandElias。
Butthereisnowayinwhichhecouldthusbepresent，exceptbymeansofaresurrectionfromthedead;andthathehadbeenraised，andwasthereasarepresentativeoftheresurrection，isproved，firstbyhisactualpresenceonthisoccasion，andsecondly，bythefactthatMichael（Christ，whois"theresurrectionandthelife，"John11：25）disputedwiththeDevil（whohasthepowerofdeath，Heb。2：14）aboutthebodyofMoses。
Jude9。TherecouldbePage56nootherpossiblegroundofcontroversyaboutthebodyofMosesexceptwhetherornotChristshouldgiveitlifebeforethegeneralresurrection。
ButChristrebukedtheDevil。Christwasnotthwartedinthiscontest，butgavehisservantlife;andthusMosescouldappearpersonallyuponthemount。ThismakesthescenecompleteasarepresentationofthekingdomofGod，asPetersaysitwas（2Peter1：16-18）;namely，ChristtheglorifiedKing，Eliasrepresentingthosewhowillbetranslatedwithoutseeingdeath，andMosesrepresentingthosewhowillberaisedfromthedead。Thesetwoclassesembraceallthehappysubjectsofthatkingdom。Thisviewofthematterisnotpeculiartothisbook。Dr。AdamClarke，onMatt。17：3，says：
"ThebodyofMoseswasprobablyraisedagain，asapledgeoftheresurrection。’[2]AndOlshausensays："Forifweassumetherealityoftheresurrectionofthebody，anditsglorification，——truthswhichassuredlybelongtothesystemofChristiandoctrine，——thewholeoccurrencepresentsnoessentialdifficulties。TheappearanceofMosesandElias，whichisusuallyheldtobethemostunintelligiblepointinit，isaseasilyconceivedofaspossible，ifweadmittheirbodilyglorification。"
ThosepassageswhichspeakofChristasthe"first-fruits，"the"first-bornfrontthedead，"the"first-bornamongmanybrethren，""ofeverycreature，"
etc。，referonlytothechiefandpivotalim-Page57portanceofhisownresurrection，asrelatedtoallothers;andActs26：
23doesnotdeclarethatChristshouldbethefirstonetoberaisedfromthedead，butthathefirst，byaresurrectionfromthedead，shouldshowlighttotheGentiles。（SeetheGreekofthispassage。）ThesescripturesthereforeprovenoobjectiontotheideathatMoseshadbeenraisedfromthedead，andasavictoroverthegrave，appearedwithChristuponthemount。Thusanothersupposedstrongholdaffordsnorefugefortheconscious-statetheory，orforSpiritualism。
9。TheRichManandLazarus。——Withthefeaturesofthisparable，asfoundinLuke16，whichissupposedtoprovethedeadconscious，andSpiritualismpossible，thereaderisdoubtlessfamiliar。Itshouldeverbeborneinmindthatthisisaparable;andinaparable，neitherthepartiesnorthescenesaretobetakenliterally，andhencenodoctrinescanbebuiltuponsuchsymbolicrepresentations。Butnotonlyisitaparable，butitisaparableBasedupontraditionslargelyentertainedbytheJewsthemselvesinthetimeofChrist。ThusT。J。Hudson（"LawofPsychicPhenomena，"
p。385）says：——"Itisahistoricalfact，nevertheless，thatbeforetheadventofJesus，theJewshadbecomeimbuedwiththeGreekdoctrineofHades，whichwasanintermediatewaitingstationbetweenthislifeandthejudgment。
InthisweresituatedbothParadiseandGehenna，theoneontheright，andtheotherontheleft，andintothesetwocompartmentsthespiritsofthedeadwereseparated，accordingtotheirdeserts。Jesusfoundthisdoctrinealreadyinexistence，andinenforcingPage58hismoralpreceptsinhisparables，heemployedthesymbolswhichthepeopleunderstood，neitherdenyingnoraffirmingtheirliteralverity。"ThusChristappealedtothepeopleontheirownground。Hetooktheviewsandtraditionswhichhefoundalreadyamongthem，andarrangedthemintoaparableinsuchawayastorebuketheircovetousness，correcttheirnotionsthatprosperityandrichesinthislifearetokensofthefavorandapprobationofGod，andcondemntheirdeparturefromtheteachingsofMosesandtheprophets。Asaparable，itisnotdesignedtoshowthestateofthedead，andtheconditionsthatprevailinthespiritworld，Butifanypersistthatitisnotaparable，butapresentationofactualfact，thenthesceneislaid，notintheintermediatestate，butbeyondtheresurrection;foritisaftertheangelshadcarriedLazarusintoAbraham’sbosom。Buttheangelsdonotbearanyoneanywhereawayfromthisearth，tillthesecondcomingofChristandtheresurrectionofthedead。Matt。
24：30，31;1Thess。4：15-17。Findingnosupport。inthisportionofscripturefortheconscious-statetheory，withitsspiritualisticpossibilities，appealisnextmadebythefriendsofthattheorytothecaseof——
10。TheThiefontheCross。——Luke23：39-43。WhenoneofthemalefactorswhowerecrucifiedwithJesus，requestedtoberememberedwhenheshouldcomeintohiskingdom，accordingtotherecordinthecommonversion，theLordreplied，"To-dayshaltthoubewithmeinparadise。"
ToPage59gofromdeathintoparadisethesameday，meanstogointothespiritworldwithoutabody，ordiscarnated，asSpiritualistsclaim。AndsoitwouldbeifsuchwasChrist’spromisetothethief;butitwasnot。
Thelittleadverb"to-day"holdsthebalanceofpowerastothemeaningofthistext。IfitqualifiesChrist’swords，"VerilyIsayuntothee，"
itgivesoneidea;ifitqualifiesthewords，"Thoushaltbewithmeinparadise，"wehaveanotherandverydifferentidea。Andhowshallthequestionofitsrelationshipbedecided？——Itcanbedoneonlybythepunctuation。
Hereanotherdifficultyconfrontsus;fortheGreekwasoriginallywritteninasolidlineofletters，withoutanypunctuation，orevendivisionintowords。Suchbeingthecase，thepunctuation，andtherelationofthequalifyingword"to-day，"mustbedeterminedbythecontext。NowitisafactthatChristdidnotgotoparadisethatday。Hedied，andwasplacedinthetomb，andthethirddayrosefromthedead。Marywasthefirsttomeethim，andsoughttoworshiphim……Buthesaid，"Touchmenot，forIamnotyetascendedtomyFather。"John20：17。ParadiseiswheretheFatheris（see2Cor。12：2-4;Rev。2：7;22：1，2），andifChristhadnotbeentohisFatherwhenMarymethimthethirddayafterhiscrucifixion，hehadnotthenbeentoparadise;thereforeitisnotpossiblethathemadeapromisetothethiefonthedayofhiscrucifixion，thatheshouldbewithhimthatdayinparadise。Page60Butfurther，thedayofthecrucifixionwasthedaybeforetheSabbath;
anditwasnotlawfultoheavecriminalsonthecrossduringthatday。
John19：31。Iftheywerestilllivingwhenthetimecametotakethemfromthecross，theyweretakendown，andtheirlegswerebrokentopreventtheirescape。Thesoldiersonthisoccasionbrokethelegsofthetwothievesbecausetheywerestillalive;"butwhentheycametoJesusandsawthathewasdeadalready，theybrakenothislegs。"Verses32，33。Thethiefthereforelivedoverintothenextday。
Thustherearetwoabsolutelyinsuperableobjectionsagainstallowingtheadverb"to-day，"toqualifyChrist’spromise，"ThoushaltbewithmeinParadise："（1）Christdidnotgotoparadisethatday;and（2）Thethiefdidnotdiethatday。Beforethesefactstheconscious-stateargumentbuiltuponthisincident，vanishesintothinair。Justplacethecomma（apunctuationmarknotinventedtill1490）after"to-day"insteadofbeforeit，andletthatwordqualifytheverb"say"andemphasizethetimewhenitwasspoken，andallisharmonious。Thethief’srequestdidnotpertaintothatday，butlookedforwardtothetimewhenChristshouldcomeintohiskingdom;
andChrist’spromisedidnotpertaintothatday，buttothetimeinthethief’srequest;sohedidnotfalsifyitbynotgoingtohisFatherforthreedaysafterwardThethiefisquietlyslumberinginthetomb;butChristissooncomingintohiskingdom。ThenthethiefwillbePage61remembered，beraisedfromthedead，andbewithChristinthatparadiseintowhichhewillthenintroduceallhispeople。Thusallisasclearasasunbeam，whenthetextisfreedfromthebunglingtinkeringofmen。
Thestrongesttextsandincidentswhichareappealedtoindefenseoftheconscious-statetheory，havenowbeenexamined。Ifthesedonotsustainit，nothingcanbefoundintheBiblewhichwillsustainit。Allareeasilyharmonizedwiththese。ThusinPaul’sdesireto"departandbewithChrist"
（Phil。1：23，hedoesnottheretelluswhenhewillbewithChrist;
buthedoestellusinmanyotherplaces;anditisattheresurrectionandthecomingofChrist。Phil。3：11;1Thess。4：17。Whenhespeaksofourbeingclotheduponwithourhousefromheaven（2Cor。5：2），hetellsusthatitiswhen"immortality"is"swallowedupoflife。"Butthatisonlyatthelasttrump。1Cor。15：51-54。Ifwearetoldaboutthewomanwhohadhadsevenhusbands（Matt。22：23-28），nohintusgivenofanyreuniontillaftertheresurrection。IfGodcallshimselfnottheGodofthedead，butoftheliving"（Matt。22：32），itisbecausehespeaksof"thosethingsthatbenotasthoughtheywere"（Rom。4：17），andtheworthiesofwhomthisisspoken，aresuretoliveagain（Heb。11：15，16），andhencearenowspokenofasaliveinhissight，becausetheyaresoinhispurpose。
Textswhichspeakofthedepartureandreturnofthesoul（Gen。35：18;
1Kings17：21，22，arereferabletothePage62"breathoflife，"whichisthemeaningofthewordintheseinstancesrendered"soul。"
Threepassagesonlyhavebeenreferredto，whichdeclarepositivelythatthedeadknownotanything。Itwasthoughtpreferabletoanswercertainobjections，beforeintroducingfurtherdirecttestimony。Buttherearemanysuchpassages，afewmoreofwhichwillnowbepresented，asafittingconclusiontothisbranchofthesubject。Thereader’scarefulattentionisinvitedtoafewofthevarioustexts，andtheconclusionsthatfollowtherefrom。
1。DeathandSleep。——Death，innumerouspassagesiscomparedtosleep，incontrastwiththewakefulcondition。SeePs。13：3;Job7：
21;John11：11;Acts7：60;lCor。11：30;15：51;1Thess。4：14;etc。Butthereisonlyonefeatureinsleepbyvirtueofwhichitcanbetakenasafigureofdeath;andthatis，theconditionofunconsciousnesswhichshutsuptheavenuesofone’ssensestoallone’senvironment。Ifoneisnotthusunconsciousindeath，thefigureisfalse，andthecomparisonillogicalandmisleading。
2。ThoughtsPerish。——SoDavidtestifies："Putnotyourtrustinprinces，norinthesonofman，inwhomthereisnohelp。Hisbreathgoethforth，hereturnethtohisearth;inthatverydayhisthoughtsperish。"
Ps。146：3，4。Theword"thoughts"doesnotheremeansimplytheprojectsandpurposesonehasinview，whichdooftenfail，whentheauthorofthemdies，butitisfromarootwhichmeanstheactofthinking，theoperationofthemind;Page63andindeath，thatentirelyceases。ItcannotthereforebethedeadwhocomeoutoftheunseenwithsuchintelligenceasisshowninSpiritualism。
3。Job’sStatement。——Speakingofadeadman，Job（14：21）says：
"Hissonscometohonor，andheknowethitnot;andtheyarebroughtlow，butheperceivethitnotofthem。"Ifthedeadcannottakecognizanceofmattersofsomuchinterestasthese，howcantheycommunicatewiththelivingasthespiritsdo？
4。NoRemembranceofGod。——David，inPs。6：5and115：17，againtestifies："Forindeaththereisnoremembranceofthee：inthegravewhoshallgivetheethanks？""ThedeadpraisenottheLord，neitheranythatgodownintosilence"Isitpossiblethatanyrighteousman，ifheislivingandconsciousaftergoingintothegrave，wouldnotpraiseandgivethankstotheLord？
5。Hezekiah’sTestimony。——Hezekiahwassickuntodeath。Isa。
38：1。Butheprayed，andtheLordaddedtohisdaysfifteenyears。Verse5。ForthishepraisedtheLord，andgavehisreasonsforsodoinginthefollowingwords（verses18，19）："Forthegravecannotpraisethee，deathcannotcelebratethee：theythatgodownintothepitcannothopeforthytruth。Theliving，theliving，heshallpraisethee，asIdothisday。"
Thisisaclearaffirmationthatindeathhewouldnotbeabletodowhathewasabletodowhileliving。
6。NewTestamentEvidence。——TheNewTestamentbearsacorrespondingtestimonyonthissub-Page64ject。NonewillbesavedexceptsuchasChristraisesupatthelastday。
John6：39，40。Nooneistoreceiveanyrewardbeforetheresurrection。
Luke14：14;2Tim。4：8。NoonecanenterGod’skingdombeforebeingjudged;
butthereisnoexecutionofjudgmentbeforethecomingofChrist。2Tim。
4：1;Acts17：31;Luke19：35;etc。Ifthereisnoavenuetoafuturelifebyaresurrection，thenallwhohavegonedownindeathareperished。1
Cor。15：18。Suchtextsutterlyforbidtheideaofconsciousnessandactivity，onthepartofanyofthehumanfamily，indeath。
Thispartofthesubjectneednotbecarriedfurther。Ithasbeendweltuponsofullysimplybecauseofitsdeterminatebearingonthequestionunderdiscussion。Spiritualismrestsitswholetitletocredenceontheclaimthattheintelligenceswhichmanifestthemselvesarethespiritsofthedead。TheBiblesaysthattheyarenotthespiritsofthedead。TheniftheBibleistrue，thewholesystemrestsupondeceptionandfalsehood。NoonewhobelievesthiswilltamperwithSpiritualism。
OnecannothaveSpiritualismandtheBible，too。Oneortheothermustbegivenup。Buthewhostillholdsontothetheorythatthedeadareconscious，contrarytothetestimonyoftheScriptureshasnoshieldagainsttheSpiritualisticdelusion，andthedangeristhathewillsoonerorlaterthrowtheBibleaway。Notes[1]Originaledition。
[2]Originaledition。
Notfoundinthemutilatededition，revisedbyDr。Curry。
ModernSpiritualism：ASubjectofProphecyandaSignoftheTimes。
Chapter4Page65CHAPTERFOURTHEYAREEVILANGELSAStheBibleplainlyshowswhatthespiritswhichcommunicatearenot，itjustasclearlyrevealsalsowhattheyare;sothatinnoparticularisonelefttoconjectureorguesswork。ThereisanorderofbeingsbroughttoviewintheScriptures，abovemanbutlowerthanGodorChrist，called"angels。"NoBiblebelieverquestionstheexistenceofsuchbeings。Itissometimesassertedthatangelsaredepartedhumanspirits;
butthiscannotbe;fortheyappearuponthestageofactionbeforeasinglehumanbeinghaddied，oradisembodiedspiritcouldhaveexisted。Whentheworldwascreated，Jobdeclaresthat"themorningstarssangtogether，andallthesonsofGodshoutedforjoy。"Thesearetwoofthenamesappliedtothesebeings，buttheyarealsoknownbyanumberofothers。Theyare167timescalledangels;61times，angeloftheLord;8times，angelofGod;17times，hisangels;41times，cherubandcherubim。Therearealsosuchnamesasseraphim，chariots，God’shosts，watchers，holyones，thrones，dominions，principalitiesandpowers，——allreferringtothedifferentordersoftheseheavenlybeings。
Apartofthishostfellintosin，andtherebybecameevil，orfallen，angels。Areasonablestate-Page66mentofhowthiscameaboutcanbegiven，butnoreasonfortheactitself。
Sincannotbeexplained。Toexplainitwouldbetogiveareasonforit;
andtogiveareasonforitwouldbetoexcuseit;andthenitwouldceasetobesin。Inthebeginningaconditionexistedwhichwasinitselfrightandessential;butwhichneverthelessmadesinpossible。ItisoneoftheinevitableconditionsofthehighestgloryofGod，thatallhiscreaturesshouldservehimfromchoice，underthelawoflove，andnotbycompulsion，asamachine，underthelawofnecessity。Tosecurethisend，theymustbemadefreemoralagents。Thustoangelswasgiventhefreedomofthewill，thesameastoman。Theywereinastateofpurityandhappiness，witheveryconditionfavorableforacontinuanceinthatcondition;butinthefreechoicesoftheirfreewills，theyofcoursehadthepower，iftheyshouldunaccountablyseefitsotouseit，toturnawayfromtruthandright，andrebelagainstGod。Thissomeofthemdid。SowefindJudespeakingof"theangelsthatkeptnottheirfirstestate"（Jude6），andPeter，of"theangelsthatsinned"（2Peter2：4）;andthesetheyfurtherdeclare，werecastdowntoTartarus，andarereservedineverlastingchainsunderdarkness，untothejudgmentofthegreatday。
Theremusthavebeentothisrebellionaninstigatorandleader;andweaccordinglyfindtheBiblespeakingofsuchapersonage;thewholecompanybeingdescribedas"theDevilandhisangels。"OurLordpointedoutthisleaderinevil，andhisPage67work，inJohn8：44："YeareofyourFathertheDevil，andthelustsofyourfatheryewilldo。Hewasamurdererfromthebeginning，andabodenotinthetruth，becausethereisnotruthinhim。Whenhespeakethalie，hespeakethofhisown：forheisaliarandthefatherofit。"Thisrevealsthegreatfactsinhiscase。Heabodenotinthetruth。Thenhewasonceinthetruth;andasheisaliar，andthefatherofit，hewasthefirstonetodepartfromtruthandintroducefalsehoodandevilintotheuniverseofGod。
InIsaiah（14：12-14）thisbeingisaddressedasLucifer，ortheday-star;
andtheprophetexclaims，"Howartthoufallenfromheaven，OLucifer，sonofthemorning！howartthoucutdowntotheground，whichdidstweakenthenations！"Thefollowingversesindicatethatthenatureofhistransgressionwasself-exaltationandprideofheart："Forthouhastsaidinthineheart，Iwillascendintoheaven，IwillexaltmythroneabovethestarsofGod：
Iwillsitalsouponthemountofthecongregation，inthesidesofthenorth：Iwillascendabovetheheightsoftheclouds;IwillbeliketheMostHigh。"Paul，in1Tim。3：6，intimatesthatitwasthispridethatcausedtheruinofthisonceholybeing。Ofanelderhesaysthathemustnotbeanovice，"lestbeingliftedupwithpridehefallintothecondemnationoftheDevil，"orthatsinforwhichtheDevilwascondemned。
InEzekiel28，Satanisagainspokenofunderthepseudonymof"theprinceofTyrus。"Verse2Page68showshispride："Becausethineheartisliftedup，andthouhastsaid，IamaGod，IsitintheseatofGod，"etc。Verses12-15describehisbeauty，wisdom，andapparel，andhisexaltedofficeasahighcherub，beforehissinandfall。Verse15reads："Thouwastperfectinthywaysfromthedaythouwastcreated，tilliniquitywasfoundinthee。"
ThesepassagesgiveusasufficientideaoftheoriginofSatanandhowsuchanincarnationofevilhascometoexist。TheTartarusintowhichheandhisangelswerecast，accordingtoPeter，isdefinedbyleadinglexicographers，asmeaningthedark，void，interplanetaryspaces，surroundingtheworld。Usingtheserpentasamedium，thisapostateangel。，thuscastout，pliedourfirstparentswithhistemptationbypreachingtothemtheimmortalityofthesoul，"Thoushaltnotsurelydie，"andalas！seducedthemalsointorebellion。ThedominionwhichwasgiventoAdam（Gen。1：
28），AdamthusalienatedtoSatan，bybecominghisservant;forPaulsays，"Knowyenot，thattowhomyeyieldyourselvesservantstoobey，hisservantsyearetowhomyeobey？"Rom。6：116。Now，consequently，suchtitlesas"princeofthisworld，""princeofthepoweroftheair，""godofthisworld，"etc。，areappliedtohim，becausehehasbyfraudusurpedthatplace。John14：30;Eph。2：2;2Cor。4：4。He，ofcourse，employs"hisangels"toco-operatewithhiminhisnefariouswork。
Thusclearlydowehavesetbeforeusjusttheagencies，——theDevilandhisangels，——whicharePage69adapted，bothbynatureandinclination，tocarryonjustsuchaworkasisseeninSpiritualism。Buthowdoweknow，someonemayask，butthatSpiritualismistheworkofthegoodangels？——Weknowthatitisnot，becausegoodangelsdonotlie。Theyneverwouldcometomen，professingtobethespiritsoftheirdeadfriends，andimitateandperson-atethemtodeceive，knowingthatthemediumsdidnotknow，andcouldnotascertainthattheywerealtogetheranotheranddifferentorderofbeings。Buttheevilangels，ledbythefatheroflies，andcradled，anddrilled，andskilled，andpolished，intheschooloflying，wouldbedelightedtodeceivemeninthisveryway，bypretendingtobetheirdeadfriends，andthenbyworkingupontheiraffectionsandlovefortheonestheycouldskilfullypersonate，bringthemundertheirinfluenceandleadthemcaptiveattheirwill。
Theseevilangelsareexpertsindeception。Theyhavehadmorethansixthousandyears’experience。Theyarewellacquaintedwiththehumanfamily。Theycanreadcharacter。Theystudytemperament。Theyacquaintthemselvesminutelywithpersonalhistory。Theyknowathousandthingswhichonlytheyandtheindividualtheyaretryingtoensnare，areawareof。Theyknowmanythingsbeyondtheknowledgeofmen。Theycaneasilycarrythenewsofthedeceaseofafriend，andthedescriptionofadeathbedscene，tootherfriendsthousandsofmilesaway，andmonthsbeforethetruththroughordinarychannelscanreachthem，sothatwhenitisverified，theirinfluenceoverthemmaybeincreased。（Seepage23。）Page70Thereisnothingthathasyettakenplace，ofhoweverinexplicableanature，andnothingwhicheventheimaginationmayanticipate，whichisnot，andwillnotbe，easilyattributabletotheseunseenangels。Theyarelyingspirits;forthefundamentalprincipleonwhichtheyareactingisalie;
buttheytellenoughtruthtoswayandcaptivatethemindsofmen。Itmattersnothowsacredthefieldinwhichtheytread，norhowhallowedtheassociationswhichtheyinvade，theypressintoeveryspotwhereitispossible，byspinninganotherthread，tostrengthentheirwebofdeception。
Andinwhatdulcetandsirentonestheywootheirvictimstolayasideallresistancetotheirinfluence，tobecomereceptiveandpassive，andyieldthemselvestotheircontrol;andwhentheyhavethemthushelplessintheirarms，theydeliberatelyandcruellyinstilintotheirmindsthevirusofungovernablelust，theleprosyofinconquerablerebellionagainstthegovernmentofheaven。Thatthislanguagedoesnotmisrepresentnorslanderthem，willbeshownfromtheirowntestimony，beforethecloseofthisbook。
ThethoughtisnotoverlookedthatmanyevenofthosewhodonotprofesstobeSpiritualists，denytheexistenceofanysuchbeingasapersonalDevil，orofpersonalevilangels，hisagents，Heisnodoubtwellpleasedwiththis，assuchpeoplecanthemoreeasilybemadethevictimsofhiswiles。Butthesesamepersonswouldnodoubtacknowledgetimeexistence，asrealbeings，ofGod，Christ，andthePage71goodangels。Thisfactbeingestablished，byparityofreasoningtheDevilandhisangelsbecomerealbeingsalso。ThesameargumentswhichshowthatGodandChristexistaspersonalbeingsmaybeusedtoshowthattheDevilandhisangelsarepersonalbeingsalso。HewhodeniesthatthereisapersonalDevil，mustbepreparedalsotodenythatthereisapersonalChrist。Sofarastheargumentforpersonalexistenceisconcerned，Christandgoodangelsstandononesideoftheequation，andtheDevilandhisangelsonthe’other;andwhoeverwouldrubouttheone，mustrubouttheotheralso。
Christsaidthathe"beheldSatanaslightningfallfromheaven。"Luke10：18。JohnintheRevelation（12：7）beheldawarinheaven。"Michael[Christ]andhisangelsfoughtagainstthedragon[Satan];andthedragonfought，andhisangels。"OnthegroundthatthereisnoDevil，thiswouldbeawonderfulbattle——Christandhisangels，whoarerealbeings，fightingfuriouslyagainstmythsandnonentitieswhichhavenoteventhesubstanceofaphantom。
ToendorsethedoctrineofapersonalDevil，isnottoendorsetimegrosslyabsurdcaricaturesconjuredupbymorbidimaginations，amidpopulartheology，——abeingwithbat’swings，horns，hoofs，andadart-pointedtail。Yetuponsuchpictorialfableshedoubtlesslookswithcomplacency;
astheyarecalculatedstillfurthertodestroyfaithinhisexistence，andenablehimthebettertocoverhistracksandcarryonhisworkamongmen。NeverthelessPage72theonlyrationalhypothesisonwhichtoaccountforthepresentconditionofthisworld（whicheveryonemustadmitisfullofdevilishness），theexistenceofevil，andthepresenceofsickness，suffering，anddeath，istheaccounttheBiblegivesusoffallenangelsandfallenmen。Unfallenangelsarebeingsofmightypower。Oneofthemslewinonenight185，000
Assyrians（2Kings19：35）;andtheonewhoappearedatthetimeofChrist’sresurrectionhadacountenancelikethelightning，andraimentwhiteassnow，andbeforehimthekeepersofthetombfelllikedeadmen。Matt。
28：3，4。Afallfromtheirhighestate，thoughitwouldimpairtheirstrengthandpower，cannotbesupposedtohavewhollydeprivedthemofthesequalities;
thereforethefallenangelsstillhavecapabilitiesfarsuperiortothoseofmen。TheonlydefensemankindhasagainstthemisfoundinChrist，whocircumscribestheirpower（fortheyarekeptinchains，2Peter2：4），andmakesprovisionbywhichwemayresistthem。Eph。6：11;James4：6-8;
1John5：18。ThequestionwhytheyarepermittedtocontinuefindssolutioninthethoughtthatGodisconsistentlygivingtosintimeandopportunitytodevelopitself，fullyshowitsnature，andmanifestitsworks，toallcreatedintelligences，sothatwhenitshallfinallybewipedoutofexistence，withallitsoriginators，aiders，andabetters，asinGod’spurposeitistobe（Rev。20：14，l5;2Peter3：7，13;Rev。5：13），therewilleverafterremainanobject-lessonsufficienttosafeguardtheuniverseagainstarepetitionoftheevil。Page73WARNINGSAGAINSTEVILSPIRITSTheScripturesplainlypointouttheworkingoftheseagentsofwickedness，andwarnusagainstthem。In1Tim。4：1，weread："NowtheSpiritspeakethexpressly，thatinthelattertimessomeshalldepartfromthefaith，givingheedtoseducingspirits，anddoctrinesofdevils。"Thisshowsthatthesespiritsmakeitanobjecttoseduce，ordeceive，todrawmenawayfromthetruefaith，andcausethemtoreceive，instead，thedoctrinestheyteach，whicharecalled"doctrinesofdevils;"andthisscriptureiswrittento。putmenontheirguardagainstthem。
AgainPaulsays："Forwewrestlenotagainstfleshandblood，butagainstprincipalities，againstpowers，againsttherulersofthedarknessofthisworld，againstspiritualwickedness[margin，"wickedspirits"]inhighplaces。"Eph。6：12。AndheadjureshisreaderstoputonthewholearmorofGodtobeabletoresistthem。
TheapostlePeterexhortstothesamepurpose："Besober，bevigilant;
becauseyouradversarythedevil，asaroaringlion，walkethabout，seekingwhomhemaydevour：whomresiststeadfastinthefaith。"1Peter5：8，9。Ifourearsdonotdeceiveus，agooddealofthisroaringisheardintheranksofSpiritualists，where，byinvisiblerapping，agitatedfurniture，clairvoyance，clairaudience，Page74writing，speaking，marvels，andwonders，heseekstosettheworldontiptoeofcuriosityandexpectation，andbewildermenintoadeparturefromthefaithandtheacceptanceofthedoctrinesofdevils。Heiscunningenoughnotto"roar"inawaytofrightenandrepel，butonlytoattractattention，andleadmultitudes，throughanoverweeningcuriosityandwonderatthemarvels，tocomethoughtlesslywithinthesphereofhisinfluence。
TheprophetIsaiahalsohassomethingtosaydirectlyuponthissubject：
"Andwhentheyshallsayuntoyou，Seekuntothemthathavefamiliarspirits，anduntowizardsthatpeep，andthatmutter：shouldnotapeopleseekuntotheirGod？forthelivingtothedead？"Isa。8：19。Thatis，isitconsistentforlivingpeopletogotodeadonesfortheirknowledge？Thefollowingverseshowswhereweshouldgoforlightandtruth："Tothelawandtothetestimony：iftheyspeaknotaccordingtothisword，itisbecausethereisnolightinthem。"Thetimehascertainlycomewhenmanyaresayingjustwhatthetextpointsout，andseekingtothedead，tofamiliarspirits，andwizards，forknowledge。ThosepracticeswhichintheBibleareenumeratedas"charming，""enchantment，""sorcery，""witchcraft，""necromancy，""divination，"
"consultingwithfamiliarspirits，"etc。，aremoreorlessrelated，andareallreallyfromonesource。Soinmoderntimesdifferentnamesindicatesubstantiallythesamething。ThusMr。Hudson，in"PsychicPhenomena，"
p。v，says：——Page75"Ithas，however，longbeenfeltbytheablestthinkersofourtimethatallpsychicmanifestationsofthehumanintellect，normalorabnormal，whetherdesignatedbythenameofmesmerism，hypnotism，somnambulism，trance，spiritism，demonology，miracle，mentaltherapeutics，genius，orinsanity，areinsomewayrelated。"Seven，atleast，oftheforegoingnamesarenodoubtinthewarpandwoofofSpiritualism;andhemighthaveaddedmind-readingandChristianScience。
AndSpiritualistsadmitthattheirworkisthesameasthatdescribedbytheBibletermsabovequoted。Thus，AllenPutnam，aSpiritualisticwriter，says：——"Thedoctrinethattheoracles，soothsaying，andwitchcraftofpastageswerekindredtothesemanifestationsofourday，I，forone，mostfullybelieve。"Inapamphletbythesameauthor，entitled，"Mesmerism，Spiritualism，Witchcraft，andMiracle，"p。6，hesays：——"Asseenbymenow，Mesmerism，Spiritualism，Witchcraft，Miracles，allbelongtoonefamily，allhaveacommonroot，andaredevelopedbythesamelaws。"Toallthese，therefore，thetextundernotice（Isa。8：19，20）applies。
Wearetobringthemtothestandardof"thelawandthetestimony，"and"iftheyspeaknotaccordingtothisword……thereisnolightinthem。"
Thelivingshouldnotseektothedead。
InRev。16：13，14，thesamespiritsareagainbroughttoview，andcalled"uncleanspirits"and"spiritsofdevils。"Theirlastworkofdeceptionistogoforthtothekingsoftheearth，andofthePage76wholeworld，togatherthemtothebattleofthegreatdayofGodAlmighty。
Thusallthatisrevealedofthemfrombeginningtoend（andscripturesmightbemultipliedonthepoint）furnishesthemostcogentreasonwhyallshouldbekeenlyawaketotheirexistenceandtheirwork，andbeeverwatchfulagainsttheirinfluenceandapproach。
ModernSpiritualism：ASubjectofProphecyandaSignoftheTimes。
Chapter5Page77CHAPTERFIVEWHATTHESPIRITSTEACHIThasbeenshownintheprecedingchaptersthattheunseen"controls"
（thebeingswhocontrolthemediums）inSpiritualism，arenotthespiritsofthedead，butarefallenangelsorspiritsofdevils。Thisfactwillbeconfirmedbyabriefglanceatsomeoftheirteachings;forwearetorememberthatiftheyspeaknotaccordingtothelawandthetestimonythereisnolightinthem。Itmattersnotthatwhattheyteachmaybesupportedbysignsandwondersbeyondthecomprehensionofthehumanmind。Thatisnoguaranteeoftruth;forsuchphenomenaaretobewrought，aswillsoonbeshown，toprovealie。TheLordancientlyputhispeopleontheirguardinthisrespect。Deut。13：1-3，5："Ifthereariseamongyouaprophet，oradreamerofdreams，andgiveththeeasignorawonder，andthesignorthewondercometopass，whereofhespakeuntothee，saying，Letusgoafterothergods，whichthouhastnotknown，andletusservethem;
thoushaltnothearkenuntothewordsofthatprophet，orthatdreamerofdreams：fortheLordyourGodprovethyou，toknowwhetheryelovetheLordyourGodwithallyourheartandwithallyoursoul。""Andthatprophet，orthatdreamerofPage78dreams，shallbeputtodeath;becausehehathspokentoturnyouawayfromtheLordyourGod，……outofthewaywhichtheLordthyGodcommandedtheetowalkin。"
Thusthefactthatonewhoprofessedtobeaprophetcouldperformasignorwonder，showinghisconnectionwithsomeunseenpower，wasnotenoughtoshieldhimfromcondemnationandpunishment，ifwhatheundertooktoprovebythatsignorwonderwascontrarytothetruth，andtendedtoleadawayfromGod。Theteachingofanysystemisanimportantpartofthefruititbears;andby：that，accordingtoourLord’sownrule，wearetojudgeit，andnotbyanypowerormightyworksconnectedwithit，howeverwonderfultheymaybe。"’TisnotthebroadphylacteryNorstubbornfasts，norstatedprayersThatmakeussaints。WejudgethetreeBywhatitbears。"——AliceCarey。
Itisthereforepertinenttolooksufficientlyattheteachingsofthespiritstoascertaintheircharacter……Hereweshallfindsomemostdamagingtestimony;for——
1。TheyDenyGod。——Itisnopleasuretotranscribetheutterancesofpracticalatheism;yetenoughshouldbegiventoshowwhattheyteachonthegreatfundamentalprinciplesofChristianity。Ataséance，reportedintheBannerofLight，July11，1868，thefollowingquestionswereaddressedtothespirits，andtheaccompanyinganswersreceived：——"Ques。——ItissaidintheBiblethatmanismadeintheimageofGod。Pleasetelluswhatthatimageis，Page79"Ans。——Heismadeintheimageofeverythingthateverwas，thatis，orthatevershallbe。Heholdswithinhiscalibereverythingthatexists，thateverhasexisted，orthateverwillexist。Now，Godisincludedinthis。Ifheexistsatall，heexistseverywhere（andwehavetakenineverything），everyplace，everyname，everycondition。Ibelievethatthehumanstandsaboveallthingselse，andholdswithinitsembraceallthepast，present，andfuture。InthissenseheiscreatedandexistsintheimageofGod。
Q。——WhatisGodessentially？
"A。——Everything。EssentiallyyouareGod，andIamGod——theflowers，thegrass，thepebbles，thestars，themoon，thesun，everythingisGod。"TheDevil，throughtheserpentinthegarden，taughtAdamandEvethatthesoulisimmortal，andhastransfusedthesameideaverysuccessfullythroughpaganism，Romanism，andProtestantism;buthealsosaid，"Yeshallbeasgods;"andnow，itseems，heistryingtomaketheworldswallowhisotherlegofhisfalsehood;butbyputtingitforthundertheformoftheoldpaganpantheism，thateverythingisGod，andGodiseverything，hebetraysthelieheutteredinEden;forinthatcase，AdamandEvewerenomoregodsaftertheyatethantheywerebefore。
Anotherséance，reportedintheBannerabouttwentyyearslaterthantheonequotedabove，April28，1888;aninquireraddressedtothe"spirits"aquestionaboutGod，andreceivedanswer，aportionofwhichispresentedbelow：——"Ques。——SomeSpiritualists，Ilearn，believeinaGod;
otherwisetheywouldnotpraytohim——takingforgrantedthatthereissuchabeing。Pleaseenlightenus。
"Ans。——WehaveyettocomeincontactwithathoroughSpiritualist，onewhounderstandssomethingofspirituallifeandtherevelationsmadebyreturningspirits，whodirectlyPage80believesinapersonalGod。True，manySpiritualistsandmanyreturningspiritsoffertheirinvocationstothe’GreatSupremeSpiritofalllifeandintelligence，’notbecausetheyexpecttochangetheorderoflaw，ortocomeintodirectcommunicationwith，ornearnessto，aGreatSupremeBeing，clothedintheimageofman，butbecausetheydesiretoenteranatmosphereofharmony，touplifttheirownsoulstoaplaneofthoughtwhichwillbringspiritualinspirationtotheirminds。WemakeadistinctionbetweenthatGreatSupremeOverrulingForcewhichwemaycalltheSuperiorSpiritofIntelligence，Wisdom，andLove，andthepersonalDeity，clothedintheimageofman，giganticinstature，jealousandrevengefulbynature，whichhasbeensetupandworshipedastheChristianJehovah。
WeknowofnoSpiritualist——letusrepeatit——whobelievesinsuchapersonalGod;butwecanbelieveandaccepttheidea，thoughitmaypassbeyondalmostourfinitecomprehension，thatthereisagranduniversalSpiritpermeatingallformsofexistence;thatthisgreatsourceoflight，ofactivityandvitalityvibrateswithintelligence，andthatitissuperiortoallorganicforms，howevergrandtheymayprovetobe。"Thesameviewshavebeentaughtallalongbythe"spirits"ofSpiritualism，ascouldbeshownbyextractsdatingasfarbackas1858，onlytenyearsafterthe"RochesterKnockings。"AndthoughSpiritualismisnowassumingmoreofthesedatespeechoforganizedChristianity，thespiritsdonotmodifytheirteachinginrespecttoGod。In"Automatic，orSpirit，Writing，"
p。148（1896），aregivenmanymessagesfromthespiritsthroughthemediumsbipofMrs。S。A。Underwood，wifeoftheeditorofthePhilosophicalJournal，Chicago。The"spirits"setforththeirteachinginanswertoquestionsbythemedium，someofwhichhavereferencetoGod，thoughhisnameisnotused。Thusonpage148，thisconversationisgiven：——Page81"Ques。——Youofteninthesecommunicationsspeakofthebindinglawsofspirituallife——thatbecauseofthemyoucannotgiveussuchandsuchinformation，etc。Nowwhomakesthoselaws，andwhencecamethey，andhowaretheytaught？
"Ans。——Thousay’st’who’——thereforewecannotanswer。Gobacktothefirstquestionandaskoneatatime。
"Q。——Well，whomakesthelaws？
"A。——Spiritsarenotbondagedbypersons。
"Q。——Thenhowdoyoucometoknowthoselaws？
"A。——Pharoswillnowanswer。Spirituallawsarespirituallyperceived，assoonasthephysicalperceptionsaregotridof。
"Q。——Couldyouexplaintousthoselaws？
"A。——CoursesofteachingfromoursideareasnecessaryforyoutounderstandeventherudimentarylawsofBeing，ascoursesinyourcolleges;andguessed-atspiritknowledgefromyourboundedviewmustalwaysfailinaccuratewording。"Itwillbeperceivedthattheanswerstothesequestionsare，fromthebeginning，evasive;buttherealideaentertainedclearlyshinesthroughthethinveildrawnovertoconcealit。Thequestionspertaintothesource，orauthorship，ofthe"lawsofspirituallife;"andthiswouldgenerallybeunderstoodtobeGod。Butonatechnicalitythespiritsrefusetoanswer。
Thequestionismadeplainer，andtheansweristhat"spiritsarenotbondagedbypersons;"thatistosaythatspiritshavenothingtodowithpersonalities，andthatnopersonalbeinghasanythingtodowiththoselaws。ThereisthereforenoGodwhoformulatesandpromulgatesthem。Nowonderthequestionfollowed，howtheycametoknowtheselaws;anditwasaveryconvenientanswerthatwewillknowwhenwegettherePage82andhavelostallphysicalperceptions。Adesireforsomeexplanationofthoselawsismetwiththenotverysatisfactoryinformationthatthey（thespirits）wouldhavetogivethoseinoursphereacourseofteaching，likeacollegecourse，beforewecouldunderstandeventherudimentarylawsofBeing。TheonlythingclearinallthisisthatthereisnoGod;
atleastnopersonalGodsuchastheBiblereveals。Tothe"grandwhole，"
whateverthatmaybe，theygivethenameofthe"AllofBeing。"Inanswertoaquestionconcerning"personalities，"theyarecalled"atomsemanatingfromthesamesource——partsofthegreatAllofBeing，partakingofthegeneralcharacteristicsofthegrandwhole。"——Page14。9。
Reader，howdoesallthiscompareinyourownmindwiththeGodoftheBible，theCreatorofallthings，thelovingFatherofusall，whohasforhiscreaturesmoretenderregardandpitythanafathercanfeelforhisownchildren，whoseverynameandnatureisLove，andwhohaspurposedinfinitegoodforallmen，andwillcarryitoutunlessthey，asfreemoralagents，bytheirownsin，preventhisdoingforthemwhathedesirestodo？TheBibleisnotresponsiblefortheaspersionscastuponGodbyafalsetheology，whichmisrepresenthischaracterandgiveoccasionforthechargesofvindictivenessandvengeanceandawfultyranny，sofreelymadebyfallenangelsandwickedmen。Theydonotbelongtohimwhoisthesourceofallgoodnessandmercy;andwewouldlabortobringthosewhohavepervertedviewsofGodbacktoarightconceptionofPage83thegreatFriendofsinners，ashehasrevealedhimselfinhisholyword。
2。TheyDenyJesusChrist。——ChristisrevealedasthedivineSonoftheFather;andtodenythathewasorisanymorethananyothermanissurelytodenyhim;andthescripturesaysthat"whosoeverdenieththeSon，thesamehathnottheFather。"1John2：23。Thefollowingiswhatthe"spirits"begantoteachintheearlieststagesofSpiritualismconcerningChrist：——"WhatisthemeaningofthewordChrist？——’Tisnot，asgenerallysupposed，theSonoftheCreatorofallthings。AnyjustandperfectbeingisChrist。ThecrucifixionofChristisnothingmorethanthecrucifixionofthespirit，whichallhavetocontendwithbeforebecomingperfectandrighteous。ThemiraculousconceptionofChristismerelyafabuloustale。"
——SpiritualTelegraph，No。37。HowfullydoesthisdeclarationthatanygoodmanisChristopenthewayforthefulfilmentoftheSaviour’sprophecythatinthelastdaysmanyfalseChristsandfalseprophetsshallarise，andshalldeceivemany。SeeMatt。24：24。AprospectusoftheTruthSeekercontainedthesewords：
"Itshallbetheorganthroughwhichthechristsofthelastdispensationwillchoosetospeak。"
Alittlelater，July19，1862，therewaspublishedintheBannerofLightalectureonSpiritualismbyMrs。C。L。V。Hatch，inwhichshespokeofChristasfollows：——"OfJesusofNazareth，personally，wehavebutlittletosay。