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Chapter 29—Spiritualism
The doctrine of natural immortality has prepared the way for
modern Spiritualism. If the dead are admitted to the presence of
God and holy angels, and privileged with knowledge far exceeding
what they before possessed, why should they not return to the earth
to enlighten and instruct the living? How can those who believe in
man’s consciousness in death reject what comes to them as divine
light communicated by glorified spirits? Here is a channel regarded
as sacred, through which Satan works for the accomplishment of
his purposes. The fallen angels who do his bidding appear as mes-
sengers from the spirit world. While professing to bring the living
into communication with the dead, Satan exercises his bewitching
influence upon their minds.
He has power even to bring before men the appearance of their
departed friends. The counterfeit is perfect; the familiar look, the
words, the tone, are reproduced with marvelous distinctness. Many
are comforted with the assurance that their loved ones are enjoying
the bliss of Heaven; and without suspicion of danger, they give ear
to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.
When they have been led to believe that the dead actually return
to communicate with them, Satan causes those to appear who went
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into the grave unprepared. They claim to be happy in Heaven,
and even to occupy exalted positions there; and thus the error is
widely taught, that no difference is made between the righteous
and the wicked. The pretended visitants from the world of spirits
sometimes utter cautions and warnings which prove to be correct.
Then, as confidence is gained, they present doctrines which directly
undermine faith in the Scriptures. With an appearance of deep
interest in the well-being of their friends on earth, they insinuate
the most dangerous errors. The fact that they state some truths, and
are able at times to foretell future events, gives to their statements
an appearance of reliability; and their false teachings are accepted
by the multitudes as readily, and believed as implicitly, as if they
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