But it has not done this. For nearly thirty years it has been before the world in its present shape, and in all that time, with all its asserted command of earthly and superterrestrial knowledge, it has never done an act, or breathed a syllable, or supplied an idea which had any value as a contribution to the welfare of the race, or to its stock of knowledge.
Its messages from learned men who are dead, have been the silliest bosh;its stories about life upon the planets are wretched guesses, many of which can be proved false by the astronomer; its visions have frightened scores of people into madhouses, and made semilunatics of hundreds of others." If this charge was good as late as 1874, it is equally so at the present time. And thus are we forced to the conclusion that Spiritualism, judged by the light of its fair promises, is one of the most lamentable of delusions, and most stupendous of failures.
Modern Spiritualism: A Subject of Prophecy and a Sign of the Times.
Chapter 7Page 131 CHAPTER SEVENSPIRITUALISM A SUBJECT OF PROPHECY WE come now to one of time most timely and important features of this whole subject; for God in his word has foretold and forewarned the world of the movement here passing under review. He has made known the time which it should appear, the character it would bear, and the work it is to do. He has also connected this with the great event of all-overshadowing importance to this world, of which it is a startling sign and sure precursor;namely, the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We ask the special attention of the reader to this part of the subject.
A word of digression may be allowed as to the place which prophecy holds in the word of God. Prophecy is that feature of the sacred volume which constitutes it a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Ps. 119: 105;2 Peter 1: 19. It is that which enables that word to be a guide to the hosts of Israel through the weary journey and the gloomy shades of time, giving to every era its "present truth," and showing the progress of the slow-revolving ages toward the great consummation. It Page 132 is the golden credential which the Bible holds up to the world of its genuineness and authenticity Prophecy is peculiar to the Christian Scriptures. No other so-called sacred books contain this feature. It is not found in the Vedas, Shasters, or Puranas of the Hindus, nor the Zend Avestas of the Parsees, nor the Kojiki Nohonki, of the Shintos of Japan, nor the law books of Manu, nor the Koran of the Mohammedans, nor the Kan-Ying-Peen or Tao-Te-King of the Chinese, nor the Tripitakas of the Buddhists. The reason is obvious. Neither the minds of men nor of angels either good or bad, can read the future.
Divine omniscience alone can see the end from the beginning and foretell the great events that shall mark the history of time world, and affect the interests of the church. It is this that stamps the Bible as divine, and lifts it immeasurably above all other books. It is indeed passing strange that all cannot see this. Instead of being a book that grows obsolete and out of date with the passing years, like the productions of men, it is the only book ever seen upon time earth which is ever abreast of the times in every age, and lifts time veil of the future before him who honestly and reverently seeks its pages for a knowledge of the truth. Those who ignore or despise the prophecies, rob the Bible of one of the brightest stars in its crown of glory.
To be entitled to claim credit as divine, any book or system should be able to show that it can correctly foretell the future. The spirits see this, Page 133 and, knowing that they cannot do it, discountenance and discourage all such efforts. Here is a little of their teaching on the subject: -- " Ques. -- Why are so many predictions made through mediums, which prove false?
" Ans. -- Wonderful guesses are sometimes made by daring spirits.
" Q. -- Can you tell us anything of the future?
" A. -- Pharos says you must not ask questions of the future --spirits who prophesy are not good spirits " Q. -- Do you mean that it is not best for us to know the future?
" A. -- Souls on your plane are undergoing discipline, and it would cost more than it is worth to foretell the future of your state." -- "Automatic Writing," pp. 141, 142. Spiritualists rail at God for prohibiting from Adam and Eve, in the garden, time tree of the knowledge of good and evil, to keep them in ignorance.
What will they say to these spirits who coolly answer that "it would cost more than it is worth" to give them any knowledge of future events? This, perhaps, they will consider all right because it isn't God who says it.
1. Let us then see what God has said of the time and work and significance of Spiritualism. Over seven hundred years before Christ, the prophet Isaiah wrote of our time, as follows: "And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep and that mutter, should not a people seek unto their God for the living to the dead?
To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Page 134 Here is certainly a prophecy that a time would come when just such a work as Spiritualism is now doing would be a distinguishing feature of the age.
The present must be the time referred to, because it has never been so in any past age; and the present meets the specifications in every particular.
It shows that time only safety for any one now is to seek unto his God, and make the law and the testimony, the word of God, the great standard by which to try all spirits. 1 John 4: 1. And another great event is directly connected with this, that is, the second coming of Christ; for according to verses 16-18, the disciples then looking for him.
