viii Supplement to the Christian Experience and Views of Ellen G. White
act the part of the apostles, and speak for them, while others are to act
out infidels and wicked men who died cursing God, but now appear to
be very religious. There is no difference made between the most holy
apostles and the vilest infidel. They are both made to teach the same
thing. It matters not who satan makes to speak, if his object is only
accomplished. He was so intimately connected with Paine upon earth,
and aided him, that it is an easy thing for him to know the very words
he used, and the very hand-writing of one of his devoted children who
served him so faithfully, and accomplished his purposes so well. Satan
dictated much of his writings, and it is an easy thing for him to dictate
sentiments through his angels now, and make it appear that it comes
through Thomas Paine, who was his devoted servant while he lived.
But this is the master-piece of satan. All this teaching purporting to
be from apostles, and saints, and wicked men who have died, comes
directly from his satanic majesty.
This should be enough to remove the vail from every mind and
discover unto them the dark, mysterious works of satan;—that he has
got one whom he loved so well, and who hated God so perfectly, with
the holy apostles and angels in glory: virtually saying to the world
and infidels, No matter how wicked you are; no matter whether you
believe in God or the Bible, or disbelieve; live as you please, heaven is
your home;—for every one knows that if Thomas Paine is in heaven,
and so exalted, they will surely get there. This is so glaring that all
may see if they will. A* Satan is doing now what he has been trying
[10]
to do since his fall, through individuals like Thomas Paine. He is,
through his power and lying wonders, tearing away the foundation of
the Christian’s hope, and putting out their sun that is to lighten them
in the narrow way to heaven. He is making the world believe that the
Bible is no better than a story-book, uninspired, while he holds out
something to take its place; namely, Spiritual Manifestations!
Here is a channel wholly devoted to himself, under his control, and
he can make the world believe what he will. The Book that is to judge
him and his followers, he puts back in the shade, just where he wants
it. The Saviour of the world he makes to be no more than a common
man; and as the Roman guard that watched the tomb of Jesus, spread
the false and lying report that the chief priests and elders put in their
mouth, so will the poor, deluded followers of these pretended spiritual
manifestations, repeat, and try to make it appear that there is nothing