Ifyouhavenot，thenyouhadnotbetterhearthetaleofwoe。Imaginetoyourselvesabarroomwithallitssots，andtheirnumbermultipliedindefinitely，whileconscience-searedandbloatedfiendsstandbehindthebar，fromwhencetheydealoutdeathanddamnation，andthepictureiscomplete。Onehasjustarrivedfromearth。Heisyetuninitiatedinthemysteriesandmiseriesofthosewhich，likehungrylions，awaithim。Hediedwhileintoxicated——wasfrozenwhilelyinginthegutter，andconsequentlyisattractedtowardthissociety。Hepossessedagoodintellect，butitwasshatteredbeyondrepairbyhisdebauches。
"’Year’afreshone，aintye？’coarselyqueriedasot，justthenparticularlycommunicative。
"’Why，yes，Ihavejustdied，astheycallit，and’taintsobadachangeafterall;onlyIsupposethere’11bedrytimeshereforthewantofsomethingstimulant。’
"’Notsodry;lotsofthatallthetime，andjollytimestoo。’
"’Drink！Canyoudrink，then？’
"’Yes，wejustcan，andfeelasniceasyouplease。Butallcan’t，notunlesstheyfindoneonearthjustlikethem。Page117Yougotoearth，andmixwithyourchums;andwhenyoufindonewhosethoughtsyoucanread，he’syourman。Formaconnectionwithhim，andwhenhegetstofeelinggood，you’llfeelsotoo——There，doyouunderstandme？Ialwaystellallfreshonesthegloriousnews，forhowtheywouldsufferifitwasn’tforthisblessedthing。’
"’I’lltry，nomistake。’
"’Here’sacovey，’spokeanulcerous-lookingbeing;he’sofourstripe。
Tim，didyouhearwhataninfernalscrapeIgotintolastnight？No，youdidn’t。Well，IwenttoourfriendFred’s;hedidn’twanttodrinkwhenIfoundhim;hisdimeslookedsoextremelylarge。Well，Idestroyedthatfeeling，andmadehimthinkhewasdry。Hedrank，anddrank，morethanIwantedhimto，untilIwassodrunkthatIcouldnotbreakmyconnectionwithhim，orcontrolhismind。Heundertooktogohome，fellintothesnow，andcamenearfreezingtodeath。Isufferedawfully，tentimesasmuchaswhenIdied。’……Reader，wedrawthecurtainoversceneslikethese，suchasaredailyoccurringinthissociety。"Inthesecasesthewholeeviloftheindulgencesofcoursefallsuponthemediums;andwhowouldwishtoassumepersonalrelationwithsuchaworld，andbeforcedtobearintheirownbodiestheevilsoftheunhallowedindulgencesofunseenspirits，againsttheirwill？
Otherscenesrepresentedastakingplaceinthespiritland，aremostgrotesqueandsillyandwouldbetakenasaburlesqueuponSpiritualism，weretheynotputforthinallgravitybythefriendsandadvocatesofthatso-callednewrevelation。ThusJudgeEdmunds，givinganaccountofwhathehadseeninthespiritworld，mentionsthecaseofanoldwomanbusychurning，whopromisedhim，ifhewouldcallagain，adrinkofbuttermilk;
hespeaksPage118ofmenfighting，ofcourtezanstryingtocontinuetheirlewdconduct;ofamischievousboywhosplitadog’stailopen，andputastickinit，justtowitnessitsmisery;oftheownerofthedog，who，attractedbyitscries，discoveredthecause，andbeattheboy，whofled，butwaspursuedandbeatenandkickedfaruptheroad。SeeEdmund’s"Spiritualism，"Vol。II，pp。135-144，181，182，186，189。Surelyherearethediakkaplayingtheirpranksinalltheirglory。
MISCELLANEOUSTEACHINGOntheleadingpointsoffaithasheldbyChristiansgenerally，quotationshavebeengiventoshowsufficientlywhatthespiritsteach，andtheobjecttheyaretryingtoeffect。Butthereaderwillbeinterestedtolearnwhattheyteachonsomeotherpointswhichincidentallyappearintheircommunications。
Spiritualistsobjectmoststrenuouslytotheideaofunconsciousnessindeath，ortotheBibledeclaration，"Thedeadknownotanything。"Butthespiritsthemselvesteachthisverything。ThusJudgeEdmunds，Vol。
II，AppendixB，p。524，quotestheconfessionofaspiritthathewastotallyunconsciousforatime，hecouldnottellhowlong，andawoketoconsciousnessgradually;andthatthestateofunconsciousnessdifferswithdifferentpersons，dependingoncircumstances。A。J。DavisadmitsthatProfessorWebsterwaseightdaysandahalfunconscious。——"DeathandtheAfterLife，"pp。18，19。Page119ThroughMrs。Conant，medium，inBannerofLight，June3，1865，wehavethisinformation："Itissaidthatsomespiritsrequireathousandyearstoawaketoconsciousness。Isthistrue？——Yes，thisistrue。"In"AutomaticWriting，"p。93，thespiritsteachthesamethingto-day。Ifothersdenysuchstatements，itonlyshowsthattheirtestimonyiscontradictoryandthereforeunreliable。
Again，theBibledoctrinethattheincorrigiblywickedmustceasefromconsciousexistence，isdenouncedbySpiritualists;butonthispointthespiritsconfessalso：——"Ques。——DoIunderstandyoutosaythatadiakkaisonewhobelievesinultimateannihilation？
"Ans。——Onlyyesterdayonesaidtoaladymedium，signinghimself’Swedenborg，’
this：’Whatsoeveris，hasbeen，willbe，ormaybe，thatIAM，andprivatelifeisbuttheaggregativephantasmsofthinkingthrobletsrushingintheirrisingonwardtothecentralheartofeternaldeath。’
"——"Diakka"p。11。
"Q。——Doeseveryhumanbeingcontinuelifeonhigherplanes？
"A。——Shallnotallwhoareabortionsdie？
"Q。——Doyoumeanthatsomebornonthisplanemayspirituallydiefromlackofforcetopersist？
"A。——Yes——bothwomenandmenarebornintothedivinehumanitywhomustnecessarilyperish，becausetheyhavenotsufficientsoulstrengthtopersist。"——"AutomaticWriting，"pp。101，102。Thereis，itseems，apurgatoryinthespiritworld。Inanswertoaquestion，aspiritreplied：——"Thereisasphereinspiritlifeallottedtothosewholeavetheearthlyplaneinspiritualignorance，whichisnotpleasingtodwellupon，yetwhichisabsolutelynecessarytospiritualsoulgrowth。"-Id。，p。90。Page120Spiritualismisclaimedtosettlethequestionofimmortality;butthespiritsconfessthemselvesignorantofit："Ques。——Onyourplanedoyouarriveatcertaintyinregardtoimmortality？
"Ans。——Wehereareasignorantasyouareastotheultimateofexistence。immortalityisstillanundeterminedissue。Onelifeatatimeseemsaspertinentwithusaswithyou。"——Id。，p。103。Thespirits’heaven，itseems，isnotsodesirableaplacethatitpreventstheirbeinghomesick。"Ques。——Whyareyouhomesick？
"Ans。——Havenotfoundouttherealreason;thingsaresodifferentfromformerideas。"——Id。，p。111。Spiritsarenotallowedtotelltoomuchabouttheircondition，asthefollowingquestionandanswershow：——"Ques。——Can’tyoutelluswhatmakesitpleasanter，——
describesowecanunderstand？
"Ans。——You’llfindoutasIdid——’gainsttherulesheretotell……Justbepatient——it’salleasyenoughwhenyoulearnhow。Iwaspuzzled，butitallseemsstraightenoughnow。"——Id。，p。
115。Theyteachthepre-existenceofsouls，andtheoldpagandoctrinesofthereincarnationofsouls，andthefinalabsorptionofallintoNirvana。A
spirithavingansweredthatallhadbeenassertedinsomeotherforum，questionsandanswersfollowedfromwhichwequote：——"Q。——Isthatstatementanintimationofthetruthofreincarnation？
"A。——Soulsofallwhohaveprecededyouarecenteredinyouinspiteofyourchildishprotests。AsknotofthosePage121predecessors;fortheyyetliveinyou，andyouinthem。
LongagoyouandIwentoverthegroundundereminentnames……WerenotwetogetherwhenSocratesandAspasiatalked？"——Id。，pp。151，152。
Q。——Canyoutellus，atleast，whetherspirit，asawholeorinitsindividualatoms，existseternally？
"A。——Yes;spiritasawholeiseternal——exists——didexist——byforceofPowersyoucannotunderstand。Butyouasindividual，self-conscious，atomisticparticlesofspiritwholeness，arenoteternal，andmustreturntothePrimalSource。"——Id。，p。133。SPIRITSCANNOTBEIDENTIFIEDHavingnowsufficientlyexaminedtheteachingofthespirits，afinalquestionarisesinregardtothem，whetheritispossibletoidentifythem，anddeterminewithanyabsolutecertaintywhethertheyarethespiritsoftheparticularindividualstheyclaimtobe，orevenspiritsofthedeadatall，ornot。Itshouldbedistinctlyborneinmind，always，thatevilangels，whoseexistencehasbeenprovedfromtheBible，whosenatureanddelightistodeceive，canwalktheearthunseen，imitateandpersonateanyindividual，andrevealtheircharacteristicsofthought，writing，acts，form，andfeatures，andmakesoperfectacounterfeitastodefydetection。How，then，canitbetoldwhatspirititis，eventhoughitshowsthefaceandfeaturesofsomewell-knownfriend？Onthistopic，asonprecedingquestions，Spiritualiststhemselvesmayproducetheevidence。PresidentMahman（"DiscussionwithTiffanyandRhen，"p。13）remarks：——"Certainexperimentshavebeenmade，inordertodeterminewhetherspiritsarepresent。IndividualsgoinasPage122inquirers，andgetdefiniteanswers——inthefirstplace，fromdepartedspiritsofpersonsyetliving;inthesecondplace，fromdepartedspiritsofpersonswhoneverexistedhereoranywhereelse;inthethirdplace，fromthedepartedspiritsofbrutebeasts。"Whenitisconsidered，asalreadynoted，thatspiritsdotheirworkthroughmesmericpower，itiseasytounderstandhowthemediumismadetobelievethatsuchandsuchaspiritiscommunicatingwhenitisnotsoatall。
ThisquestionofidentitycameupintheveryearlystagesofSpiritualism，andisnonearersettled，ontheirownconfession，nowthanthen。AMr。
Hobart，in1856，whoclaimedtobethefirstSpiritualistinMichigan，madethefollowingadmission：——"Thespiritsometimesassumesthenameofanindividualbelongingtothesamechurch，toinducethemtohear。Thisisnecessarywithsomewhoaresobigotedtheywouldnotbelieveunlessanamewasassumedwhichtheyrespected。"AnarticleintheSpiritualTelegraph，ofJuly11，1857，beginsasfollows：——"Thequestioniscontinuallybeingasked，especiallybynovitiatesinspiritualinvestigations，Howshallweknowthatthespiritswhocommunicatewithusarereallytheoneswhomtheypurporttobe？……Ingivingtheresultsofourownexperienceandobservationuponthissubject，wewouldpremisethatspiritsunquestionablycan，andoftendo，personateotherspirits，andthat，too，oftenwithsuchperfectionas，forthetimebeing，todefyeveryefforttodetectthedeception……Ifdirecttestsaredemandedatall，wewouldrecommendthattheybeaskedforthepurposeofprovingthatthemanifestinginfluenceisthatofaspirit，ratherthantoprovewhatparticularspiritistheagentofitsproduction。"Page123Thisisanentirebeggingofthewholematterinquestion;foritisnotdeniedthatitisaspirit;wewanttoknowwhatparticularspirititis;butforthatwemustnotask;foritcannotbeascertained。
Thesamearticlestatesthatotherandlowerspiritsoftencrowdinandtaketheplaceofthespiritcommunicating，withouttheknowledgeofthemedium。Wemightalsoquote"SpiritualismasItIs，"p。14，that"notonepercent，ofthemanifestationshavehadahigheroriginthanthefirstandsecondspheres，whicharefilledwithlow，ignorant，deceptive，mischievous，selfish，egotisticalspirits;"and"DealingswiththeDead，"p。225，that"thefactis，goodspiritsdonotappearonetenthasoftenasimagined。"
Jan。7，1888，thefollowingappearedintheBamnerofLight：
——"Ques。——Whatisthecauseofourreceivinginconsistentanduntruthfulcommunications？Doestheblame，ifanythereis，restwithusorthecontrollingintelligence？
"Ans。——Therearespiritswhodelightinimposinguponmortals;
theyrealizetheirpoweroutsideofmaterialthings，andthatthosewhoseekknowledgefromthemcannotseenorgetholdofthem;thereforetoanextenttheyexerciseacertainpoweroverthosemortalswhoapproach;
andifthemortalsarethemselvestrickybynature，insincere，readytotakeadvantageofothers，whetheritbeatthetimeofsittingorintheirdailylife，restassuredtheymaybeimposeduponbyspiritsfromtheothersidewhooccupyalikeplaneofexistencewiththemselves。"Mediumsthemselveswillnottrustthespirits，accordingtostatementsmadeaslateas1896。Mrs。S。A。Underwood，medium，in"AutomaticWriting，"
p。55，says：——Page124"Withallmyexperienceinit，Iwouldnotto-dayventureuponanychange，businessventure，friendship，orlineofconduct，advisedfromthissource，unlessmyowncommonmaterialsenseendorsedit。Indeed，Iwouldnottakeasfactanyofitsevenreasonableadvicewithoutquestion，becauseitisnotreliableasaguideinearthlyaffairs。"Spiritcommunication，then，certainlydoesnotamounttomuchasaheavenlyinstructor，acelestialguidetoenlightentheignoranceofmen。Whateverweknowourselves，wemayrelyupon;allelseisuncertain。Again，onp。
56，shesays：——"Thentheassumptionofgreatnamesbyapparentlycommon-placemindsisaverystrangething。Iwashorrifiedandannoyedwhenthisoccurredundermyownhand，becausethatisoneofthethingswhichdisgustedmewithspiritualmessagesbeforethiswritingcametome，asIhadoccasionallyglancedoversuchmessages。WhenIprotestedagainstsuchassumption，I
wastoldthat’ElaineandGuinevere’werenotrealbeings，buttypes。Sosomewhereinourspherearespiritswhoembodyclevernessincreationsoftheirownfancy，andadoptnamessuitedtothatfancy。"Thusthespiritsthemselvesconfessthatthenamestheyoftenassumearenotthoseofrealbeings，buttypicalandfanciful。Nothingmore，itwouldseem，isnecessarytocompletethecondemnationofSpiritualism，sofarasitsownnatureisconcerned。Wheninadditiontoallelse，itappearsthatthespiritscannotbeidentified;thatthewholeunderlyingclaimthatthespiritsarethespiritsofthedead，mustitselfbeassumed;andthat，too，inthefaceofthenumberlessknownfalsehoodsanddeceptionsthatareconstantlyissuingfromtheunseenrealm，——thereisnothingleftforittostandupon。Notes[1]TherevisionofDr。Clarke’sCommentarybyDr。Curry，provesthetruthfulnessofwhatthedoctorheresays，forthisimportantpassageisentirelyeliminated，anditsplacefilledwithstatementswhichDr。Clarkedidnotmake，andsentimentswhichhedidnotbelieve。Itisnolessthanacrimetotreatadeadman’sworkinthismanner。
ModernSpiritualism：ASubjectofProphecyandaSignoftheTimes。
Chapter6Page125CHAPTERSIXITSPROMISES：HOWFULFILLEDITisfairtocallSpiritualismtoaccountastothefulfilmentofthepromisesinvolvedinitschallengetotheworldwhenitsteppeduponthestageofaction。Nomovementeveropenedwithmoremagnificentpromises。Itposedbeforetheworldasanangelofheavenlylight。ItclaimedtobethesecondcomingofChrist。Itclaimedtohavebeensenttoregeneratemankind，andrenovatetheworld。Wegiveherewithafewofitsspirit-inspiredpretensions。Its"DeclarationofPrinciples，"Article20，says：——"Theheartyandintelligentconvictionsofthesetruths[theteachingsofspirits]tendtoenergizethesoulinallthatisgoodandelevating，andtorestrainfromallthatisevilandimpure，……toquickenallphilanthropicimpulses，stimulatingtoenlightenedandunselfishlaborsforuniversalgood。"Inbehalfofthecauseofwomanitsays：——"SpiritualismhasdonemorefortheadvancementoftruewomanhoodthantheChurchoranyofitsaccessories。"——Dr。Watson，inBannerofLight，April16，1887。MissA。L。Lull，intheReligio-PhilosophicalJournalofJan。23，1886，said：——"Spiritualismisthesaviourofhumanity，becauseitisreachingouttowardthecriminal，andinitsefforttoliftPage126humanitytoahigherplane，itislayingthefoundationforfuturegenerations……Spiritualismcomestocleanseoutthedregsandwretchednessofhumanity。"Mrs。CoraL。V。Richmond，inamediumisticdiscoursereportedintheBannerofLight，April3，1886，said：——"TheGreatReformeroftheworldisSpiritualism。WhenmodernSpiritualismmadeitsappearance，itsaidinsomanywords，IcometoreformtheworldSpiritualismcametoputtheaxattherootofthetreeofhumanevil，itcametodecideuponthemostimportantandvitalthingconnectedwithexistence;i。e。，Ismanonlyanevanescent，material，earthlybeing，orisheimmortal？……Spiritualismcametoreformdeath，toresolveitintolife;cametoreformfear，toresolveitintotrustandknowledge;
cametoreformthedarknesswhichrestsuponhumanityconcerningthenatureofman’sexistence。"Inthesamepaper，April6，1887，wasgiventhefollowingpredictionofthefutureofSpiritualism：——"ModernSpiritualismwillgrow，anddeepen，andbroaden，andstrengthen，untilallfalsecreedsanddogmasshallbesweptfromtheearth——whenfaithshallbeburiedinknowledge，whenwarshallbeknownnomore，whenuniversalbrotherhoodshallprevailtoblessmankind。"In"NineteenthCenturyMiracles，"p。79，M。Jaubertspeaksasfollows：
——"Affirmtoyourpeoplethatmanneverdies，thathisimmortalityisproved，notbybooksbutbymaterialandtangiblefacts，ofwhicheveryonecanconvincehimself;thatanonourhousesofcorrection，andourprisons，willdisappear;suicidewillbeerasedfromourmortuarytables;andnoblyborne，thecalamitiesofearthshallnolongerproducemadness。"Page127Mrs。R。S。Lillie，inaspeechattheThirty-eighthAnniversaryservicesinHorticulturalHall，Boston，Mass。，andreportedintheBannerofLight，ofApril，1886，said：——"ChristianityneverhadaPentecosttobecomparedwithmodernSpiritualism。Thelatterisasfarinadvanceoftheformer，astheelectriclightisinadvanceofthetallowdipofthepast;foritisnineteencenturiesaheadofit。"Thesearemostastoundingclaims;andifthereisanytruthinthem，Spiritualismoughttohaveshownitselfasagreatupliftingmoralpower，providedithasbeenabletogetanyfootholdamongthepeople。Wethereforeinquirewhatitssuccesshasbeen。OnthispointProfessorKeck，attheThirty-ninthAnniversaryofModernSpiritualism，atBridgeport，Conn。（BannerofLight，April9，1887），said：——"It[Spiritualism]hasmadeconvertsofmorescientificmenandprofoundthinkersthananyothersectintheworld。Inthirty-nineyearsithasgrowntotenorfifteenmillionsofbelievers，withthousandsofmediums，aliteratureprintedineveryknownlanguage，andconvertsineveryquarteroftheglobe。"Withallthesefacilitiesandallthissuccess，itsurelyhasbeenabletomakegooditsclaims，andfulfilitspromises，ifitsnatureissuchasitassumes，anditspromisesaregoodforanything;anditscourseshouldbemarkedbyagreatdecreaseofcrime，bythepromotionofvirtueandageneralimprovementinthemoraltoneofsociety，whereverithasgone。
Foroveronehundredyearsithasnowbeenoperatingintheworld;andwithallitsglowingPage128professionsofwhatitwasabletodo，anditsmillionsofconverts，"energizedtoallthatisgoodandelevating，"itsimpressforgoodshouldeverywherebeseen。
Butwhatarethefacts？——Justthereverseofwhathasbeenpromised。
Freelove，whichisfreelust，hasfollowedinitswake;homeshavebeenruined，familiesscattered，charactersblighted;whileinsanityandsuicidehavebeenthefate，orthelastresort，oftoomanyofitsvictims。Andoutsideofitsownranks，intheworldatlarge，theonehundredplusyearssincetheadventofSpiritualismhavebeenyearsofincreaseofcrimeandeveryevilinafastgrowingratio。Liquordrinking，tobaccousing，gambling，prostitution，defalcations，robberies，bribery，municipalcorruption，divorces，thefts，insanity，suicide，andmurder，haveincreasedinfarmorerapidratiothanthepopulationitself。
ThereaderwillrememberthetestimonyofDr。Randolph，p。105，thatfiveofhisfriendsdestroyedthemselves，andheattempteditforhimself，bydirectspiritinfluences。
ThePhiladelphiaRecord，ofFeb。17，1894，speaksofthesuicideofMayBrooklyninSanFrancisco，Cal。：——
"ThelettersandpapersleftbythedeadwomanshowplainlythatinhergriefoverthedeathofLovecraftshehaddabbledinSpiritualism，andhadfinallyreachedtheconclusionthatheronlychanceofhappinesslayinjoiningherloverintheotherworld。"
Afewfigures，assamples，willbegivenjusttoemphasizethegeneralstatements。ThefollowingisfromtheChicagoTribuneofJan。1，1893：——Page129"ThenumberofpersonswhohavecommittedsuicideintheUnitedStatesduringtheyear（1892）’asgatheredfromtelegraphandmailreporttotheTribune，is3860，ascomparedwith3331lastyear（1891），2640in1890，and2224in1889。Thetotalismuchlargerthanthatofanyoftheelevenprecedingyears。"TheChristianReformergivesthefollowingfiguresofmurders，suicides，andembezzlementsfrom1891-1893：——"Murdersin1893，6615;increaseover1891of709。
"Suicidesin1893，4436;increaseover1892，576;1891，1105。
"Fundsembezzledin1893，$19，929，692;increaseof100percent。over1892。"Itmaybeasked，WhathasthistodowithSpiritualism？——Itisatestofthevalueofitspromises。Spiritualismhasbeenposingformorethanonehundredyearsasthe"world’sreformer，"thegreatenergizing，upliftingforcetoelevatemankind，themightypowerwhichhascometoemptyourworkhousesandprisons，abolishsuicidesandallcrime，the"electriclight"
comparedwiththe"tallowdip"ofthegospel。Andyetwithalltheseclaims，withitsmillionsofadherents，andthefundsandinfluenceatitscommand，itisallowing，yearbyyear，crimetoincreasemuchfasterthanthepopulation。
NowifSpiritualismwasthepurifying，renovatingpowerwhichitclaimstobe，suchresultscouldnothavebeenseen。Itisveryevident，that，asapowerintheworldinbehalfofrighteousnessandhumanity，ithasbeenofnoaccount;andasbetweentheforcesofgoodandevil，itsweighthasbeenonthesideofevilinsteadofgood。ItisthusthattheauthorofPage130Spiritualism，thefatherofdeception，fulfilsthepromisesmadethroughthatchanneltodeceivemankind。Whatorganized，aggressiveeffortsagainstevilhasSpiritualismevershown？Whereareitsschoolsandcolleges？Whereareitshospitalsandbenevolentinstitutions？Whereareitsorganizedcharities？andwhatareitsmillionsofmembersdoingtorelievesufferinganddistress，andturnmentobetterwaysofliving？Theveryaspectitpresentstotheworldto-day，stampsthebrandofCainuponitsbrow。TheBostonHeraldofDec。17，1874，said：——"LetSpiritualismproducesomeidea，uttersomeword，orperformsomedeed，whichwillhavenovelty，andyetbeofmanifestvaluetothehumanrace，anditwillmakegooditsclaimstoourseriousconsideration。
Butithasnotdonethis。Fornearlythirtyyearsithasbeenbeforetheworldinitspresentshape，andinallthattime，withallitsassertedcommandofearthlyandsuperterrestrialknowledge，ithasneverdoneanact，orbreathedasyllable，orsuppliedanideawhichhadanyvalueasacontributiontothewelfareoftherace，ortoitsstockofknowledge。
Itsmessagesfromlearnedmenwhoaredead，havebeenthesilliestbosh;
itsstoriesaboutlifeupontheplanetsarewretchedguesses，manyofwhichcanbeprovedfalsebytheastronomer;itsvisionshavefrightenedscoresofpeopleintomadhouses，andmadesemilunaticsofhundredsofothers。"Ifthischargewasgoodaslateas1874，itisequallysoatthepresenttime。AndthusareweforcedtotheconclusionthatSpiritualism，judgedbythelightofitsfairpromises，isoneofthemostlamentableofdelusions，andmoststupendousoffailures。
ModernSpiritualism：ASubjectofProphecyandaSignoftheTimes。
Chapter7Page131CHAPTERSEVENSPIRITUALISMASUBJECTOFPROPHECYWEcomenowtooneoftimemosttimelyandimportantfeaturesofthiswholesubject;forGodinhiswordhasforetoldandforewarnedtheworldofthemovementherepassingunderreview。Hehasmadeknownthetimewhichitshouldappear，thecharacteritwouldbear，andtheworkitistodo。Hehasalsoconnectedthiswiththegreateventofall-overshadowingimportancetothisworld，ofwhichitisastartlingsignandsureprecursor;
namely，thesecondcomingofourLordJesusChrist。Weaskthespecialattentionofthereadertothispartofthesubject。
AwordofdigressionmaybeallowedastotheplacewhichprophecyholdsinthewordofGod。Prophecyisthatfeatureofthesacredvolumewhichconstitutesitalamptoourfeetandalighttoourpath。Ps。119：105;
2Peter1：19。ItisthatwhichenablesthatwordtobeaguidetothehostsofIsraelthroughthewearyjourneyandthegloomyshadesoftime，givingtoeveryeraits"presenttruth，"andshowingtheprogressoftheslow-revolvingagestowardthegreatconsummation。ItPage132isthegoldencredentialwhichtheBibleholdsuptotheworldofitsgenuinenessandauthenticityProphecyispeculiartotheChristianScriptures。Nootherso-calledsacredbookscontainthisfeature。ItisnotfoundintheVedas，Shasters，orPuranasoftheHindus，northeZendAvestasoftheParsees，northeKojikiNohonki，oftheShintosofJapan，northelawbooksofManu，northeKoranoftheMohammedans，northeKan-Ying-PeenorTao-Te-KingoftheChinese，northeTripitakasoftheBuddhists。Thereasonisobvious。Neitherthemindsofmennorofangelseithergoodorbad，canreadthefuture。
Divineomnisciencealonecanseetheendfromthebeginningandforetellthegreateventsthatshallmarkthehistoryoftimeworld，andaffecttheinterestsofthechurch。ItisthisthatstampstheBibleasdivine，andliftsitimmeasurablyaboveallotherbooks。Itisindeedpassingstrangethatallcannotseethis。Insteadofbeingabookthatgrowsobsoleteandoutofdatewiththepassingyears，liketheproductionsofmen，itistheonlybookeverseenupontimeearthwhichiseverabreastofthetimesineveryage，andliftstimeveilofthefuturebeforehimwhohonestlyandreverentlyseeksitspagesforaknowledgeofthetruth。Thosewhoignoreordespisetheprophecies，robtheBibleofoneofthebrighteststarsinitscrownofglory。
Tobeentitledtoclaimcreditasdivine，anybookorsystemshouldbeabletoshowthatitcancorrectlyforetellthefuture。Thespiritsseethis，Page133and，knowingthattheycannotdoit，discountenanceanddiscourageallsuchefforts。Hereisalittleoftheirteachingonthesubject：——"Ques。——Whyaresomanypredictionsmadethroughmediums，whichprovefalse？
"Ans。——Wonderfulguessesaresometimesmadebydaringspirits。
"Q。——Canyoutellusanythingofthefuture？
"A。——Pharossaysyoumustnotaskquestionsofthefuture——
spiritswhoprophesyarenotgoodspirits"Q。——Doyoumeanthatitisnotbestforustoknowthefuture？
"A。——Soulsonyourplaneareundergoingdiscipline，anditwouldcostmorethanitisworthtoforetellthefutureofyourstate。"——"AutomaticWriting，"pp。141，142。SpiritualistsrailatGodforprohibitingfromAdamandEve，inthegarden，timetreeoftheknowledgeofgoodandevil，tokeeptheminignorance。
Whatwilltheysaytothesespiritswhocoollyanswerthat"itwouldcostmorethanitisworth"togivethemanyknowledgeoffutureevents？This，perhaps，theywillconsiderallrightbecauseitisn’tGodwhosaysit。
1。LetusthenseewhatGodhassaidofthetimeandworkandsignificanceofSpiritualism。OversevenhundredyearsbeforeChrist，theprophetIsaiahwroteofourtime，asfollows："Andwhentheyshallsayuntoyou，Seekuntothemthathavefamiliarspirits，anduntowizardsthatpeepandthatmutter，shouldnotapeopleseekuntotheirGodforthelivingtothedead？
Tothelawandtothetestimony;iftheyspeaknotaccordingtothisword，itisbecausethereisnolightinthem。"Page134HereiscertainlyaprophecythatatimewouldcomewhenjustsuchaworkasSpiritualismisnowdoingwouldbeadistinguishingfeatureoftheage。
Thepresentmustbethetimereferredto，becauseithasneverbeensoinanypastage;andthepresentmeetsthespecificationsineveryparticular。
ItshowsthattimeonlysafetyforanyonenowistoseekuntohisGod，andmakethelawandthetestimony，thewordofGod，thegreatstandardbywhichtotryallspirits。1John4：1。Andanothergreateventisdirectlyconnectedwiththis，thatis，thesecondcomingofChrist;foraccordingtoverses16-18，thedisciplesthenlookingforhim。
2。Matt。24：24："ForthereshallarisefalseChrists，andfalseprophets，andshallshowgreatsignsandwonders;insomuchthat，ifitwerepossible，theyshalldeceivetheveryelect。"
Adeceptionofnoordinarypowerisherebroughttoview。ItreallyresultsinthedivisionofChristendom;forallbuttheelectarecarriedawaybyit。Initsownclaims，Spiritualismfulfilsthe"Christs"and"prophets"
partofthedeclaration，claimingofcoursetobetrue，whiletheBiblesaysitis"false。"Thesignsandwondersarebeginningtobeseeninthemany"inexplicable"phenomenaattendingSpiritualism。Butmanymorestartlingexhibitions，aswillbepresentlyshown，areyettoappear。WechargeuponSpiritualism，sofar，thefulfilmentofthisprophecy。Butmark！thisoccurswhentheSonofmanisabouttoappear"asthelightningcomethoutoftheeast，andshinethevenuntothePage135west"（verse27）;anditisoneoftheprominentsignsofthatevent。Seetheprophecyfromverse23toverse35。MarkandLukealsodwelluponthesameprediction，asgatheredfromthelipsofourLordhimself。
3。Heb。10：28，29："HethatdespisedMoses’lawdiedwithoutmercyundertwoorthreewitnesses。Ofhowmuchsorerpunishment，supposeye，shallhebethoughtworthy，whohathtroddenunderfoottheSonofGod，andhathcountedthebloodofthecovenant，wherewithhewassanctified，anunholything，andhathdonedespiteuntotheSpiritofgrace？"
ItistheboldstandwhichSpiritualismhastakenagainstChristandtheatonement，thatmakesthisscriptureapplicabletothatwork。Theapostleisspeakingofthetimeswhenthegreat"dayisapproaching"（verse25）;
whenitisbutalittlewhile，andhethatshallcome，Willcomeandwillnottarry（verse37），andtheintroductionofverse29，insuchaconnection，becomesaprophecythatsuchanoutbreakagainstChristandhisatoningworkwouldbeseenwhenheisabouttocomeagain。AndthefulfilmentwearenowbeholdinginSpiritualism。
4。Rev。12：12："Woetotheinhabitersoftheearthandofthesea！forthedeviliscomedownuntoyou，havinggreatwrath，becauseheknoweththathehathbutashorttime。"
Thisscripturelocatesitself。ItiswhenSatanknowsthathehasbutalittletimetowork，andhenceitmustbeinthelastdays。AtthistimehePage136descendsupontimeworldinanavalancheofwrath。"Wrath"isamisleadingterm。Thewords[GREEKCHARACTERSINPRINTEDTEXT][GREEK
CHARACTERSINPRINTEDTEXT]signifythestrongestandmostintenseemotionofthemind。Iftheobjectistoaccomplishsomeparticularend，theywouldindicatethemostintense，concentrated，energetic，andpersistenteffortstothatpurpose，usingeverymeans，andbringingtobeareveryinfluencetoreachtheresultinquestion。Satan，aswehaveseen，hasanobjectindeceivingthehumanfamily，asfaraspossible，totheirdestruction，bysignsandwonders。Inthiswork，accordingtotheprophecybeforeus，hewillgototheextentofhispower，andshowhismostpotentsigns。
Bringingthesupposedformsandfeaturesofthedeadbeforelivingwitnesses，ishismostsuccessfulmethodatthepresenttime。Butasthisworkis，asyet，donelargelyinthedark，itgivesmoreroomforjuggleryamidimposition。Thetimewillcome，however，when，inopenlight，counterfeitmaterializationsofthedeadwillswarmonearth，anddeceive，ifitwerepossible，theveryelect——i。e。，allwhocannotmeetthedeceptionwiththepotentweapon——"Itiswritten，Thedeadknownotanything，neitherhavetheyanymoreaportionforever[inthepresentstateofthings]inanythingthatisdoneunderthesun。"
5。Rev。1313，14："Andhedoethgreatwonders，sothathemakethfirecomedownfromheavenontheearthinthesightofmen，ariddeceiveththemthatdwellontheearthbythemeansofthosemiracleswhichhehadpowertodo。"
Thisprophecyrelatestosomeearthlygovernmentrepresentedbyasymbolwithtwohornslikealamb。Page137Verse11。Itispartofaprophecybeginningwithchaptertwelve，andendingwithverse5ofchapterfourteen。Itisnottheplaceheretointroduceanexpositionofthisprophecy。Itisonlynecessarytostatethatthepositiontakenisthatthelamblikesymbolrepresentsourowngovernment，theUnitedStatesofAmerica。[1]Andthegreatwondersthathedoes，applytothemarvelousmanifestationsofSpiritualism。ItisasignificantfactthatSpiritualismaroseinthiscountry，thusfittingitselfexactlytotheprophecy。Theclimaxofthewondersbroughttoviewinthetext，making"firecomedownfromheavenontheearthinthesightofmen，"hasnotyetbeenreached。Moreisthereforetobedeveloped。Yea，thiswonder-workingpoweristogoforwardtillthatwhich，inthetimeofElijah，wasthetestbetweenthefalsegodBaalandtheLordJehovah，isbroughttopass，andfireismadetocomedownfromheavenontheearthinthesightofmen。Andthesadfeatureofthiscasewillbethatthemultitudes，notperceivingthechangeofissue，willtaketheactdownheretobeatestoftruth，asitwasinthedaysofElijah。
TakeninconnectionwithotherportionsofthebookofRevelation，thisprophecyrevealsclearlywhattheagencythatworksthemiraclesis。Thedragon，representingpaganism（Rev。12：3，4）;thebeast，representingthepapacy（Rev。13：1-10）;andthelamblikesymbol，representingProtestantism，Page138ormorespecifically，ProtestantAmerica（Rev。13：11-17），constitutethesymbolsofthisprophecy。Forconvenience，letusdesignatethemasA，B，andC，respectively。CworkshismiraclesinsightofB;BandCareagainbroughttoviewinRev。19：20，andthereCiscalled"thefalseprophet。"WeknowthefalseprophethereisthesameasC，becauseheworksmiraclesbeforeB，thesameasCdoesinchapter13：14。Alltogether，A，B，andCarebroughttoviewinRev。16：13，anduncleanspiritslikefrogsaresaidtocomeoutoftheirmouths;andthenverse14tellswhattheyare："Fortheyarespiritsofdevils，workingmiracles。"This，then，notthespiritsofdeadmen，istheagencythatworksthemiraclesofchapter13：13，14。Wefollowthesubjectsofar，atthispoint，merelytoidentifytheagencythatworksthemiracles，andshallhavemoretosayuponit。
Butbeforepassing，wewouldremindthereaderthatherealsothesubjectisconnectedwiththesecondcomingofChrist;fortheprophecyofRevelation13endswiththeredemptionofthechurchwhichimmediatelyfollows。Rev。
14：1-5。
6。2Thess。2：9-12："Evenhim，whosecomingisaftertheworkingofSatan，withallpowerandsignsandlyingwonders，andwithalldeceivablenessofunrighteousnessinthemthatperish;becausetheyreceivednottheloveofthetruth，thattheymightbesaved。AndforthiscauseGodshallsendthemstrongdelusion，thattheyshouldbelievealie：thattheyallmightbedamnedwhobelievednotthetruth，buthadpleasureinunrighteousness。"Page139Here，again，wehavethegreatfactbroughtoutwithstillmorestartlingemphasis，thatthereistobeagreatoutbreakingofSatanicpoweramongmen，justbeforeandupto，thecomingofChrist。Andifwealreadyseethepreliminaryandevenfar-advancedworkingofthispowerinSpiritualism，theworldshouldstandaghastattheperilsofthetimesinwhichwelive。
ThecomingofChristisbroughttoviewinverse8，andverse9statesthatatthattimeSatanwillbeworkingwithallpower。Thecommonversioniscalculatedtoobscurethispassage。Thewords"evenhim"（verse9）arewronglyandunnecessarilysupplied。Literallyrendered，thelastclauseofverse8，andthefirstofverse9wouldreadasfollows："WhomtheLord……shalldestroywiththebrightnessofhis[Christ’s]coming;ofwhom[Christ]thecomingis，after[oratthetimeof]theworkingofSatan，"
etc。Theword"after"isfrom，theGreek[GREEKCHARACTERSINPRINTED
TEXT]（kata），whichwhenreferringtotime，asinthiscase，doesnotmean"afteroraccordingto，"but"withintherangeof，during，inthecourseof，at，about，"asin2Tim。4：1，whereitisrendered"at。"
SohereisaplaindeclarationthatattheverytimewhenChristcomesSatanwillbeworkinginthebightofhispower，bysignsandlyingwonders（wonderstoprovealie）tokeepthepeopleunderfalsehoodanddeception。
Verses10-12tellwhohisvictimsare，andwhytheybecomesuch：theyarethosewhopreferredthepleasuresofsintothepracticeofrighteousness，andsowouldnotreceivethetruth，Page140northeloveofit。InallsuchcasesGod’sthroneisclear。Healways，asinthiscase，setstruthfirstbeforethepeople，givesthemachance，andcallsuponthemtoembraceit，andbesaved。Butwhenmen，asfreemoralagents，whomGodwillnotforceintohiskingdom，refusetoreceivethetruth，shuttheireyes，closetheirears，andsteeltheirheartsagainstit，andfindtheirpleasureinunrighteousness，ingoinginjusttheoppositedirection;——whatcanGoddoforthem？Weleavetheskeptichimselftoanswer。FormoreyearsthanSpiritualism，initspresentphase，hasbeenbeforetheworld，severalreligiousbodieshavemadeaspecialtyofthegreatBibletruthconcerningthestateofthedead，andlifeonlyinChrist，whicheffectuallyshieldsallthosewhoreceiveitagainsttherappingdelusion。
7。Rev。18：2："Andhecriedmightilywithastrongvoice，saying，Babylonthegreatisfallen，isfallen，andisbecomethehabitationofdevils，amidtheholdofeveryfoulspirit，andacageofeveryuncleanandhatefulbird。"
AmongthemanypredictionsgiveninthewordofGodtouchingthelastdays，isonewhichfore-tokensawide-spreadandlamentabledeclensioninthereligiousworld。Thephrasewhichembodiesit，istheonejustquoted，"Babylonisfallen。"Theterm"Babylon"isnotintendednorusedasatermofreproach，butratherasadescriptivewordsettingforththeveryundesirableconditionof"mixture"and"confusion"inthereligiousworld。ItiscertainlynottheLord’swill，whoprayedthatallhisPage141peopleshouldbeone，thatscoresorhundredsofdivisionsandsectsshouldexistwithinhischurch。Thatisowing，exclaimstheCatholic，totheProtestantruleofprivatejudgment。Itisnot。ItisowingtothatPandora’sboxofmysticalinterpretationplacedinthechurchbyoldOrigen，thatprinceofmischief-makers。Bythismethod，whichhasnomethodandnostandard，theinterpretationsofGod’swordwilleverbeasvariousandnumerousasthewhimsandfanciesthatmayfindaplaceinthemindsofmen。
Butallthisconfusionmustberemediedinthatchurchwhichwillbereadyforthesecondadvent;fornopeoplewillbepreparedfortranslationbutsuchasworshiptheLordinbothspiritandtruth。Tobringthechurchtothispoint，acallhasbeensenttoChristendominthespecialtruthsforthistime。Mostturnaway，butsomearetakingthestandtowhichthesecircumstancessummonthem。Theprocessissimple。
ItisbuttoreadandobeyGod’swordinthelightofwhatiscalledtheliteralruleofinterpretation。Nootherrulewouldeverhavebeenthoughtof，iftheDevilhadletthemindsofmenalone。BythisrulethetrueSabbathwouldalwayshavebeenmaintainedaperfectsafeguardagainstidolatryintheearth;thelawwouldhavehelditsplaceasaperfect，immutable，andeternalruleofconduct，asafeguardagainsttheantinomianismofallagesandtheSpiritualismofto-day;theviewthatthedeadremainunconsciousinthegravetilltheresurrection，wouldalwayshavePage142beenheld，andthentherecouldhavebeennopurgatory，nomassesforthedead，noMariolatry，nosaintworship——inshort，noRomanCatholicism，andnoUniversalism，norSpiritualism;thetruenatureofthecomingandkingdomofChristwouldnothavebeenlostsightof，andthepeaceandsafetyfableofatemporalmillenniumnevercouldhaveexisted。
Tosaynothingofothererrorsthatwouldbecorrected，supposeallChristendomstoodtogetheronthesefoursimpletruths，howmuchdivisioncouldtherehavebeenintheChristianworld？Aseconddenominationcouldnothaveexisted。Andwhatwouldhavebeentheconditionofthings？——
Asdifferentfromthepresentconditionasonecanwellimagine——nopaganism，noRomanCatholicism，noProtestantism，nomultipliedsects，noSpiritualism，——butChristianity，broad，united，free，andglorious。Somearetakingtheirstandonthesetruths，andsowillbeshieldedfromthedelusionsoftheselastdays，forwhichtheway，byagesofsuperstitionanderror，hasbeensoartfullyprepared。Everyonemuststanduponthemwhoisgovernedbytheliteralruleofinterpretation;fortheyarereadinsomanywordsoutofthesacredvolumeitself。Butthechurchesgenerallyrejectthem，oftenwithbitterness，scorn，andcontempt，andsomeevenwithpersecution。
AndthisiswhyBabylonhasfallen。
Thatorganization，calledinRev。17：5："Mystery，BabylontheGreat，theMotherofHarlotsAbominationsoftheEarth，"hasbeenverygenerallyappliedbyProtestantstotheRomanCatholicPage143Church;butifthatchurchisthemother，whoarethedaughters？Thisquestionhasbeenaskedformanyyears。AlexanderCampbellsaid：——"TheworshipingestablishmentsnowinoperationthroughoutChristendom，incasedandcementedbytheirvoluminousconfessionsoffaith，andtheirecclesiasticalconstitutions，arenotchurchesofJesusChrist，butthelegitimatedaughtersofthatmotherofharlots——theChurchofRome。"LoreuzoDowsaid：——"WereadnotonlyofBabylon，butofthewhoreofBabylon，styledthemotherofharlots，whichissupposedtomeantheRomishchurch。
Ifshebeamother，whoareherdaughters？Itmustbethecorruptnationalestablishedchurchesthatcameoutofher。"ThegreatsinchargedagainstBabylon，isunlawfulconnectionwiththekingsoftheearth。Thechurchshouldbeentirelyfreefromthestate。
ButnowthechurchesofAmerica，whichhaveforlongyearsbornesonobleapart，areclamoringforaunionwiththestate，callingforarecognitionofGod’snameintheConstitution，andGod’slawinthecourts，andthatthegovernmentberunonChristianlines。Old，antiquatedlawswhichtheyfinduponthestatutebooksofvariousStates，theyarebeginningtousetopersecutethosewhodifferinbeliefwiththem;andtheyseekfortheenactmentofmorestringentSundaylawsforthesamepurpose。Andwhentheyshallsucceedingettingfullcontrolofthestate，theywillhaveseveredthelastlinkthathasheldthemtotheirhighestate，showthemselvestruemembersoftheBabylonianfamily，Page144andsinkinspiritandpracticetotheleveloftheelderRome。
Rev。14：8wasfulfilledin1844。[2]Sincethenthechurcheshavebeengoingdowninspiritualityandgodliness，cateringmoreandmoretotheworld，indulgingincarnalamusements，festivals，wifeauctions，andkissingbees，totheveryborderlineofdecency，butespeciallyfillingupwiththeinfluencesmentionedinRev。18：2，tilltheleavenofSpiritualismisfastpenetratingthewholemass。YetthereareamultitudeofGod’speopleconnectedwiththesechurches，whodeplorethesituation，andforwhomacrisisisapproaching。Thecryisagaintoberaised，"Babylonisfallen，comeoutofhermypeople。"Weverilybelievethetimehascomewhenthatcallshouldbemadeandheeded;foralittlefurtherprogressintheevilpathuponwhichwehaveentered，willsurelyprovokethejustjudgmentsofheaven。Verses4，5。
8。2Tim。3：8："NowasJannesandJambreswithstoodMoses，sodothesealsoresistthetruthmenofcorruptminds，reprobateconcerningthefaith。"
ThefirstfiveversesofthischapterportrayadarklistofeighteensinswhichwillcharacterizeprofessedChristiansinthelastdays;forthosewhobearthecharactersdescribed，haveaformofgodliness，butdenythepowerthereof。ThethreefollowingversesplainlydescribecertainmembersofthespiritualisticPage145fraternity;andtheyaresaidtobeofthesamesort。Thisprophecythereforebecomesparalleltothatwhichhasjustbeenexamined。ThefallofBabylonpreparesthepopularchurchesforSpiritualism。Herethepracticeofthesesinsinthechurches，makesthemofthesamesortwithSpiritualists，sothattheyfraternizewelltogether。JannesandJambreswithstoodMosesbythewonderstheywereabletoperform;sothesewillresistthetruththroughthewondersofSpiritualism。Andthisisinthelast，dayswherewenoware。SoBabylon’sfalljustprecedesthecomingofChrist。
9。Rev。16：14："Fortheyarethespiritsofdevils，workingmiracles，whichgoforthuntothekingsoftheearthandofthewholeworld，togatherthemtothebattleofthatgreatdayofGodAlmighty。"
Theworkofthespiritsreachesitsclimaxinthesceneherebroughttoview。TheirlastmissionistogotothekingsoftheearthtogatherthemtothebattleofthegreatdayofGodAlmighty。Inthisconflict，sofarasthisearthisconcerned，thegreatcontroversybetweenChristandSatanclosesinthetriumphofHimwhoridesforthonawhitehorseattheheadofthewhite-horsedarmiesofheaven。Thebeastandfalseprophetarehurledintoalakeoffire，andtheremnant，thekingsoftheearthandtheirarmies，areslainbytheswordofhimuponwhosevestureisinscribedtheall-conqueringtitle，"KingofkingsandLordoflords。"Rev。19：11-21。Page146Butbeforethesespiritscanthusinfluencethekingsoftheearth，theymustmaketheirwaytothemandbringthemundertheircontrol。Theyhavealreadyshowngreatfacilityinthiswork，givingpromiseofwhattheywillbeabletodointhenearfuture。AworkbyHudsonTuttle，"WhatIsSpiritualism？"p。6，namesthefollowingamongthelateandlivingcrownedheads，nobility，etc。，whohavebeensupportersofSpiritualism：——"EmperorAlexander，ofRussia;LouisNapoleon，ofFrance;QueenVictoria，ofEngland;PrinceandPrincessMetternich;PrinceWittgenstein，LieutenantAide-de-camptotheemperorofRussia;Hon。AlexanderAxahof，RussianImperialCouncilor，St。Petersburg，Russia;BaronGuldenstuble，ofParis;BaronVonSchick，ofAustria;BaronVonDirkinck，ofHoimfield，Holstein;LeComtedeBullet，ofParis;DukeofLeuchtenberg，ofGermany。
OfEnglandthereareLordLyndhurst，LordLindsay，LordAdare，LordDunraven，SirW。Trevilyan，CountessCarthness，SirT。Willshire，LadyCowper，SirCharlesNapier，SirCharlesIsham，Bart。，ColonelE。B。Wilbraham，oftheEnglisharmy，"etc。ThelateAlexanderIII，ofRussia，andthequeenofSpainarealsoreckonedamongthenumber。Thus，sofarastheagencyofthespiritsisconcerned，thereisnothinginthewayofthespeedyfulfilmentofRev。16：14。
CONCLUSIONThereadernowhasbeforehim，inbrief，themainoutlineofthismomentoussubject。
1。Spiritualism，sofarasitsphenomenaareconcerned，isnothumbugandtrickery，butarealmanifestationofpowerandintelligence。
2。Butthemarvelsandwondersarenotperformedbythespiritsofthedead。
3。Evilspiritsstepinandcounterfeitwhataresupposedtobethespiritsofthedead，inwhichmenhavebeentaughttobelieve，simulatingpointsofidentitytoanyminuteparticularthatmayberequired。
4。Besidesstartingonthisfalseassumption，alltheirteachingshowsthattheyareagentsofevil，notofgood，andtheirworkistodegrade，notelevate。
5。Theworldbylongresistanceofthetruth，haspreparedthewayforthisdeception，whichthespiritthatworkethinthechildrenofdisobedienceisnotslowtoimprove。
6。EventhechurchesofChrist，byrejectionofthetruth，arepreparingthemselvesforthesamesnare。
7。TheScriptureshaveplainlypointedoutthisgreatoutbreakoftimeworkingofSatan，andinvariablyconnecteditwiththelastdaysamidthesecondcoiningofChrist。
8。Spiritualismisthusasubjectofprophecy，andaninfalliblesignandprecursorofthesoon-comingend。
9。ThegreatdayoftheLordisnearandhastethgreatly;andallthingsnowcalluponallmentoprepareforitseternaldecisions。
Isthisthelesson？Whowillheeditandthusescapethedelusionsandperilsoftheselastdays，andbefinallysavedinthekingdomofheaven？Notes[1]Forafullargumentonthispoint，fortifiedbytestimony，theapplicationofwhichisbeyondquestion，seeThePropheciesofDanielandtheRevelationbyUriahSmith。
[2]Seethechapterentitled"God’sFinalWarningtoaWickedWorld"inthebookThePropheciesofDanielandtheRevelationbyUriahSmith。