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Chapter 57—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
into the grave unprepared. They claim to be happy in heaven, and
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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 con-
fidence 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 danger-
ous 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 were the most sacred
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