p. 757 | LOOK AT THIS-THEN AT THIS by C. C. L.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, December 2, 1884

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 61, No. 48

LOOK AT THIS—THEN AT THIS.

By C. C. L.

“The Great Controversy,” volume IV., page 405, declares that “through the two great errors, the immortality of the soul and Sunday sacredness, Satan will bring the people under his deceptions. While the former lays the foundation of Spiritualism, the latter creates a bond of sympathy with Rome. Protestantism will yet stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of Spiritualism; she will reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the Roman power; and under the influence of this threefold union, our country will follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience.”

The Banner of Light, Nov. 15, contains a “discourse given by [what purports to be] Spirit William E. Channing through the trance mediumship of Mrs. Cora L. V. Richmond.” From this discourse is taken the following extract, which it will be interesting to compare with the foregoing from “The Great Controversy:” —

“The voice of Spiritualism has preceded the flame that is in your midst to-day. For more than thirty years it has been working as a solvent in your Christian churches, has been working outside of the churches until it has reached the threshold and sanctuary of the pulpit, until, from the very necessity of the hour, those who call themselves men of God must turn and clasp hands with this new inspiration, or their shrines will crumble and their flimsy fabric perish.”

Again, “The Great Controversy” (page 405) says:—

“As Spiritualism assimilates more closely to the nominal Christianity of the day, it has greater power to deceive and ensnare. Satan himself is converted, after the modern order of things. He will appear in the character of an angel of light. Through the agency of Spiritualism, miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed, and many undeniable wonders will be performed.”

And like an echo sounds the following from the same discourse to which allusion has already been made:—

“And now Spiritualism demands that the Christ-spirit come forth from within the churches, and heal its sick, bestow its gifts of knowledge and inspiration, and summon all its powers, that those in darkness may be brought into the light. For Spiritualism is doing these things in the world to-day.”

Once more, speaking of the fact that the spirits make no difference between righteousness and sin, Sr. White says (Vol. 4, page 375):—

“By representing the basest of men as in heaven, and highly exalted there, Satan virtually declares to the world, No matter how wicked you are; no matter whether you believe or disbelieve God and the Bible. Live as you please; heaven is your home.”

The same number of the Banner of Light has an editorial beginning as follows:—

“Another eloquent discourse by that spiritualistic preacher, Reed Stuart, of Battle Creek, Michigan, compels our glad attention. ‘All roads,’ he remarked at the outset, ‘seem to lead to God, and it is indifferent along which one of all the many ways the journey is made; it is sure to arrive at last at that sublime Center of Being.’”

C. C. L.