Shall We Consult Spiritualist Physicians?
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what iniquities have been concealed, what delusions supported! The
physician may claim to possess great wisdom and marvelous skill,
when his character is abandoned and his practice contrary to the laws
of life. The Lord our God assures us that He is waiting to be gracious;
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He invites us to call upon Him in the day of trouble. How can we turn
from Him to trust in an arm of flesh?
Go with me to yonder sickroom. There lies a husband and father, a
man who is a blessing to society and to the cause of God. He has been
suddenly stricken down by disease. The fire of fever seems consuming
him. He longs for pure water to moisten the parched lips, to quench
the raging thirst, and cool the fevered brow. But, no; the doctor has
forbidden water. The stimulus of strong drink is given and adds fuel
to the fire. The blessed, heaven-sent water, skillfully applied, would
quench the devouring flame; but it is set aside for poisonous drugs.
For a time nature wrestles for her rights; but at last, overcome, she
gives up the contest, and death sets the sufferer free. God desired that
man to live, to be a blessing to the world; Satan determined to destroy
him, and through the agency of the physician he succeeded. How long
shall we permit our most precious lights to be thus extinguished?
Ahaziah sent his servants to inquire of Baal-zebub, at Ekron; but
instead of a message from the idol, he heard the awful denunciation
from the God of Israel: “Thou shalt not come down from that bed
on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.” It was Christ that
bade Elijah speak these words to the apostate king. Jehovah Immanuel
had cause to be greatly displeased at Ahaziah’s impiety. What had
Christ not done to win the hearts of sinners and to inspire them with
unwavering confidence in Himself? For ages He had visited His
people with manifestations of the most condescending kindness and
unexampled love. From the times of the patriarchs He had shown how
His “delights were with the sons of men.” He had been a very present
help to all who sought Him in sincerity. “In all their affliction He was
afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved them: in His love and
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in His pity He redeemed them.” Yet Israel had revolted from God and
turned for help to the Lord’s worst enemy.
The Hebrews were the only nation favored with a knowledge of
the true God. When the king of Israel sent to inquire of a pagan oracle,
he proclaimed to the heathen that he had more confidence in their idols
than in the God of his people, the Creator of the heavens and the earth.