Chapter 28—Modern Spiritualism
August 24, 1850, I saw that the “mysterious rapping” was the
power of Satan; some of it was directly from him, and some indirectly,
through his agents, but it all proceeded from Satan. It was his work
that he accomplished in different ways; yet many in the churches and
the world were so enveloped in gross darkness that they thought and
held forth that it was the power of God. Said the angel, “Should not a
people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?” Should the
living go to the dead for knowledge? The dead know not anything.
For the living God do ye go to the dead? They have departed from
the living God to converse with the dead who know not anything. See
Isaiah 8:19, 20
.
I saw that soon it would be considered blasphemy to speak against
the rapping, and that it would spread more and more, that Satan’s
[169]
power would increase, and some of his devoted followers would have
power to work miracles, and even to bring down fire from heaven in the
sight of men. I was shown that by the rapping and mesmerism, these
modern magicians would yet account for all the miracles wrought by
our Lord Jesus Christ, and that many would believe that all the mighty
works of the Son of God when on earth were accomplished by this
same power
I was
[170]
pointed back to the time of Moses, and saw the signs and wonders
which God wrought through him before Pharaoh, most of which were
imitated by the magicians of Egypt; and that just before the final
deliverance of the saints, God would work powerfully for His people,
1
When this view was given, spiritualism had but just arisen and was small; there were
but few mediums. Since that time it has spread all over the world, and counts its adherents
by many millions. As a general thing, spiritualists have denied the Bible and derided
Christianity. Individuals have, at different times, deplored this, and protested against it, but
they were so few that no attention was paid to them. In later years spiritualists have changed
their method, and many call themselves “Christian Spiritualists,” declaring that it will not
answer to ignore religion, and affirming that they have the true Christian faith. Bearing in
mind, also, that many prominent clergymen are in sympathy with spiritualism, we now see
the way open for the complete fulfillment of this prediction, given in 1850.
118