Chapter 61—Philosophy and Vain Deceit
I have been shown that we must be guarded on every side and
perseveringly resist the insinuations and devices of Satan. He has
transformed himself into an angel of light and is deceiving thousands
and leading them captive. The advantage he takes of the science of
the human mind, is tremendous. Here, serpentlike, he imperceptibly
creeps in to corrupt the work of God. The miracles and works of Christ
he would make appear as the result of human skill and power. If he
should make an open, bold attack upon Christianity, it would bring the
Christian in distress and agony to the feet of his Redeemer, and his
strong and mighty Deliverer would put the bold adversary to flight.
He therefore transforms himself into an angel of light and works upon
the mind to allure from the only safe and right path. The sciences
of phrenology, psychology, and mesmerism are the channel through
which he comes more directly to this generation and works with that
power which is to characterize his efforts near the close of probation.
Read
2 Thessalonians 2:8-12
: “And then shall that wicked be
revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth,
and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming: even him, whose
coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying
wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that
perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might
be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that
they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed
not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
Satan has come unperceived through these sciences and has poi-
soned the minds of thousands and led them to infidelity. He is well
pleased to have the knowledge of these sciences widespread. It is a
plan which he himself has laid that he may gain access to minds and
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influence them as he pleases. While it is believed that one human
mind so wonderfully affects another, Satan, ready at hand, insinuates
himself and works on the right hand and on the left. And while those
devoted to these sciences laud them to the heavens because of the great
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