Scriptural Thought:

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: Eph. 4:13

The Author of this spiritual life is unseen, and the exact method by which that life is imparted and sustained, it is beyond the power of human philosophy to explain. Yet the operations of the Spirit are always in harmony with the written word. As in the natural, so in the spiritual world. The natural life is preserved moment by moment by divine power; yet it is not sustained by a direct miracle, but through the use of blessings placed within our reach. So the spiritual life is sustained by the use of those means that Providence has supplied. If the follower of Christ would grow up "unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13), he must eat of the bread of life and drink of the water of salvation. He must watch and pray and work, in all things giving heed to the instructions of God in His word. {AA 284.2}

Origin, History, and Destiny of Satan

The origin of evil is Satan. At first he was called Lucifer (Isa. 14:12) then, iniquity was found in him (Ezek. 28:15). Read, verses 12-14, From this it is evident that Satan was a high and exalted angel before he fell, a masterpiece of wisdom and beauty. From the reference to his "tabrets" and "pipes" it seems probable that he was a chorister of heaven, and led the angelic host in song. In the earthly sanctuary, the cherubim overshadowed the mercy seat. Ex. 25: 16-22; Heb. 9:3-5; Ps. 99:1.

This, we understand, is the darkness surrounding this world, and is symbolic of the darkness of utter hopelessness and despair in rebellion and sin. When Satan led man to sin, darkness was brought upon this world. But God did not leave man to hopelessness. In His mercy and great love He caused "the light of the glorious gospel of Christ" to shine, to call men "out of darkness into His marvelous light." That Satan and the angels who fell with him had a period of probation and opportunity to repent, there can be no doubt. Their fate is the result of stubborn rebellion and persistence in sin in spite of the overtures of mercy and the offers of pardon. For this, they were cast out of heaven. The wicked angels are kept in everlasting chains of darkness.

By tempting man to sin, Satan usurped man's dominion over the earth. Rom. 6: 16; 2 Peter 2: 19. This he now claims as his kingdom (Luke 4: 6); hence the temptation in offering the kingdoms of this world to Christ. As the "god" and ruler of this world, Satan, for four thousand years before the crucifixion of Christ, appeared before God among the representatives of other worlds, as the representative of this world. After accomplishing the death of Christ, the Son of God, the sinless One, Satan was cast out of this council, or assembly, and has not been permitted to enter it since. This was his second fall, and the one, doubtless, to which Christ, just before His crucifixion, alluded when he said, "Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out." John 12: 31. His final fall and destruction are still future.

The expression "abode not in the truth" {John 8:44) implies that Satan was once in the truth, but that he did not remain there.

This, as far as the record shows, was the first lie,— a direct denial of the word of God. By persuading Eve to accept and believe it, Satan led our first parents to commit sin; and, as "the wages of sin is death," by it, also, he caused their death, and so became, in reality, the first murderer. A lie, therefore, is a twin brother to murder, and one of the most hateful things to God, the "God of truth." See Prov. 6: 16-19. "The lip of truth shall be established forever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment." Prov. 12: 19. "All liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone." Rev. 21:8. See also Rev. 21:27; 22: 15.

Many millions of the people of God have been put to death since the beginning of the Christian era, under pagan and papal persecutions, all of which have been instigated by Satan. See Buck's Theological Dictionary, any commentary or church history on the subject of persecution, and the readings on BRH pages 218, 264, 268, 491.

The Word of God is the "sword of the Spirit." Eph. 6: 17. If Christ met and vanquished the enemy with this, so also may we. But no one can use it who is unfamiliar with it. How important, then, that " we search, study, and know it! See first readings in this book, and reading on "Importance of Sound Doctrine," page 127.

GRACIOUS Father, guard Thy children

From the foe's destructive power;

Save, 0 save them, Lord, from falling

In this dark and trying hour!

Thou wilt surely prove Thy people,

All our graces must be tried;

But Thy Word illumes our pathway,

And in God we still confide.

What Is Man?

Man is God's creation, made little lower than the angels {Ps. 8:5}. They are called the children of God {Lk. 20:35, 36}.

Man does not now possess the undying, spiritual nature of the angels, except as he holds it by faith in Christ; nor will he until the resurrection. Then, if righteous, he will be made immortal, and he cannot die anymore (Luke 20: 36), because he will be "equal unto the angels."

"And [God] breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Same verse, last part.

The living soul was not put into the man; but the breath of life which was put into man, made him — the man, made of the earth — a living soul, or creature. The original for "living soul" in this text is nephesh chaiyah. On the use of this expression in Gen. 1:24, translated as "living creature," Dr. Adam Clarke says: "A general term to express all creatures endued with animal life, in any of its infinitely varied gradations, from the half-reasoning elephant down to the stupid potto, or lower still, to the polyp, which seems equally to share the vegetable and animal life."

That is, here men, as well as beasts, die. This present life, with them, as with the rest of the animal creation, is dependent upon their breath. When this is gone, they, the same as beasts, die. In this respect they have no preeminence over beasts. But men have a future unending life held out before them, and may, if they will, die in hope of eternal life, which is a very great preeminence over the rest of the animal creation.

Read, Eccl. 12:7 - That is, the spirit of life by which man lives, and which is only lent him of God, at death goes back to the great Author of life. Having come from Him, it belongs to God, and man can have it eternally only as a gift from God, through Jesus Christ. Rom. 6: 23. When the spirit goes back to God, the dust, from which man was made a "living soul" in the beginning, goes back as it was, to the earth, and the individual no longer exists as a living, conscious, thinking being, except as he exists in the mind, plan, and purpose of God through Christ and the resurrection. In this sense "all live unto Him" (Luke 20: 38), for all are to be raised from the dead. See John 5:28, 29; Acts 24: 15; Rom. 4: 17.

The veriest sinner has this temporal life; but when he yields up this life, he has no prospect nor promise of the life eternal. That can. be received only through Christ.

God is the only Being who possesses original life or immortality in Himself. All others must receive it from God. See John 5: 26; 6:27; 10:10, 27, 28; Rom. 6:23; 1 John 5: 11.

For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. {AA 250.4}

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:26. {CSA 64.4}

Many are constantly questioning, "Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? Shall I come before Him with burnt-offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil?" But "He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" Micah 6:6-8. {COL 210.2}

Life Only in Christ

Acts 4: 12. - If men do not die, why should Christ die to save them from death? And what need of the resurrection and the second advent?

The Holy Spirit is the breath of spiritual life in the soul. The impartation of the Spirit is the impartation of the life of Christ. It imbues the receiver with the attributes of Christ. Only those who are thus taught of God, those who possess the inward working of the Spirit, and in whose life the Christ-life is manifested, are to stand as representative men, to minister in behalf of the church.--The Desire of Ages, p. 805. {ChS 254.4}

When a sinner becomes sensible of the fact that only through Christ can he gain eternal life; when he realizes that obedience to God's Word is the condition of entrance into the kingdom of God; when he sees Christ as the propitiation for sin, he comes to the Saviour in humility and contrition, confessing his sins and seeking forgiveness. His soul is impressed with a sense of the majesty and glory of God. The blessedness of an eternal life of peace and joy and purity is felt so deeply that an entire surrender is made. {CEv 68.4}

THERE is a fountain filled with blood,

Drawn from Immanuel's veins;

And sinners plunged beneath that flood

Lose all their guilty stains.

The dying thief rejoiced to see

That fountain in his day;

And there may I, though vile as he,

Wash all my sins away.

Thou dying Lamb! Thy precious blood

Shall never lose its power,

Till all the ransomed church of God

Are saved, to sin no more.

E'er since by faith I saw the stream

Thy flowing wounds supply,

Redeeming love has been my theme,

And shall be till I die.

Lord, I believe Thou hast prepared,

Unworthy though I be,

For me a blood-bought, free reward —

Eternal life for me.

There in a nobler, sweeter song,

I'll sing Thy power to save,

When this poor lisping, stam'ring tongue

Is ransomed from the grave.

WILLIAM COWPER.

The Intermediate State

Death is figured as asleep {1Thess. 4:13; 1Cor. 15:18, 20; John 11:11-14}. In sound sleep one is wholly lost to consciousness; time goes by unmeasured, and the mental functions which are active during consciousness are suspended for the time being.

If one continued in consciousness after death, he would know of the promotion or dishonor of his sons. But Job says he does not know this. Not only so, but in death one loses all the attributes of mind,—love, hatred, envy, etc. Thus it is plain that his thoughts have perished, and that he can have nothing more to do with the things of this world. But if, as taught and held by some, man's powers of thought continue after death, he lives; and if he lives, he must be somewhere. Where is he? Is he in heaven, or in hell? If he goes to either, place at death, what then is the need of a future judgment, or of a resurrection, or of the second coming of Christ? If the judgment does not take place at death, but men go to their reward at death, then their rewards precede their awards, and there would arise the possibility that some have at death gone to the wrong place, and must need be sent to the other, after having been in bliss or torment for ages, perhaps.

There is not even a remembrance of God. As already seen, the Bible everywhere represents the dead as asleep. If they were in heaven or in hell, would it be fitting to represent them thus? Was Lazarus, whom Jesus loved, in heaven when the Saviour said, "Our friend Lazarus sleepeth"? John 11: 11. If so, calling him to life was really robbing him of the bliss of heaven that rightly belonged to him. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus, recorded in Luke 16, was given to teach, not consciousness in death, but that in the judgment riches will avail nothing unless rightly and beneficently used, and that poverty will not keep one out of heaven.

— If, as stated in Eccl. 9: 5, the dead know not anything, then they have no knowledge of the lapse of time. "Six thousand years in the grave to a dead man is no more than a wink of the eye to the living."

To them, consciousness, our only means of measuring time, is gone; and it will seem to them when they awake that absolutely no time has elapsed. and herein lies a most comforting thought in the Bible doctrine of the sleep of the dead, that in death there is no consciousness the passing of time. To those who sleep in Jesus, their sleep, whether long or short, whether one year, one thousand years, or six thousand years, will be but as if the moment of sad parting were followed instantly by the glad reunion in the presence of Jesus at His glorious appearing and the resurrection of the just. It ought also to be a comforting thought to those whose lives have been filled with anxiety and grief for deceased loved ones who persisted in sin, to know that they are not now suffering in torments, but, with all the rest of the dead, are quietly sleeping in their graves. Job 3: 17.

Again, it would mar the felicity of one's enjoyment in heaven could he look upon earth and see his friends and relatives suffering from persecution, want, cold, or hunger, or sorrowing for the dead. God's way is best, that all sentient life, animation, activity, thought, and consciousness should cease at death, and that all should wait till the resurrection for their future lifend eternal reward. See Heb. 11: 39, 40.

SLEEP on, beloved! sleep, and take thy rest;

Lay down thy head upon thy Saviour's breast.

We love thee well, but Jesus loves thee best —

Good night.

The Two Resurrections

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest." Eccl. 9: 10.

That is, man, when dead, has no use of the powers of mind or body. He cannot, therefore, while in the, grave, praise God, or even think of Him (Ps. 6: 5); for in the day he dies his thoughts perish. Ps. 146: 2-4.

That is, in view of the resurrection—of the fact that there is to be a resurrection — all live unto God. In His purpose, all are alive. It is in this sense that Paul speaks of God as the one "who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.' Rom. 4: 17.

The seed dies to spring forth into new life. In this we are taught the lesson of the resurrection. All who love God will spring forth to life, and live again through endless ages in the earth made new.

The Open Grave.— In the city of Hanover, Germany, is a tomb known as "the open grave." It is that of a German princess, who died over a century ago. The grave was covered with a marble block, surmounting large stones bound together with clasps of iron, with this inscription:

" This grave purchased for eternity, must never be opened." But how feeble are all such devices. The Jews had confidence that the grave of Christ was made secure by the Roman seal and Roman guard; and yet one angel, clothed with resurrection power, rolled away the stone, and Jesus came forth. So with this grave in Hanover. It happened, providentially perhaps, that a birch-tree seed fell into a crevice between the massive stones. Soon it sent forth a tender sprout, and a tiny root found its way down between the ponderous stones. Slowly and imperceptibly, but with irresistible power, the young birch grew, until at last its roots burst the bands of iron asunder, and opened this securely sealed tomb, leaving not a single stone in its original position. (See page 516.) What a mute, but a striking illustration of the promise that, ere long, in God's own time, all graves shall be opened, and the sleeping ones awake from their dusty beds!

Fate of the Transgressor

The wicked will be punished in judgment (1Pet. 4:17) Die: " To pass from physical life; to suffer a total and irreparable loss of action of the vital functions; to become dead; to expire;, perish."— Webster.

Destroy: " To unbuild; to break up the structure and organic existence of; to demolish; to spoil utterly; to bring to naught; to put an end to: to annihilate."—Webster.

"Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Luke 13: 3.

Perish: " To be destroyed; to pass away; to become nothing; to be lost; to waste away; to die."—Webster.

Ps. 37: 20. - Consume: " To destroy; as by decomposition, dissipation, waste, or fire."—Webster.

Satan and the wicked now have this world as their "place."

In due time Christ will have it. He will cleanse it from sin and sinners, and restore it, that He may give it to the saints of the Most High for an everlasting possession. See Dan. 7: 18, 22, 27.

This fire is called "everlasting" (Matt. 25:41) because of the character of the work it does; just as it is called "unquenchable" because it can not be put out, and not because it will not go out when it has done its work.

— It would be difficult to keep the wicked in eternal torment without any place for them, even, in which to exist.

2 Peter 3: 7 - Both the present heavens and earth and sinners await the fires of the last day.

Satan and the wicked now have this world as their "place." In due time Christ will have it. He will cleanse it from sin and sinners, and restore it, that He may give it to the saints of the Most High for an everlasting possession. See Dan. 7: 18, 22, 27.

— This is called God's "strange act" and His "strange work," — the work of destruction. Isa. 28:21. But by this means God will once and forever cleanse the universe of sin and all its sad results. Death itself will then be at an end — cast into the lake of fire. Rev. 20: 14.

The wicked are to be utterly destroyed — consumed away into smoke, brought to ashes. Having inseparably allied themselves within n, they have forfeited the right to life and an immortal existence, and chosen the way of death and destruction. By their choice they have proved themselves worthless. For this reason they are compared to chaff, briers, thorns, etc. Their destruction will consequently be no real loss. They will themselves have lost their opportunity to obtain eternal life; but by the way in which they used their probationary time they proved themselves unworthy of it. Their destruction will, in fact, be an act of love and mercy on the part of God; for to perpetuate their lives would only be to perpetuate sin, sorrow, suffering, and misery. Terrible, therefore, as this judgment will be, there will, in consequence of it, be nothing of value lost,— nothing lost worth saving. The experiment of sin will be over, and God's original plan of peopling the earth with a race of holy, happy beings will be carried out. 2 Peter 3:13.

The Ministration of Good Angels

There are different orders of angels: " Cherubim " (Gen. 3:24) ; " Seraphim " (Isa. 6:2, 6); "Archangel" (1 Thess. 4 : 16; Jude 9). Some of their names are: " Michael " (Dan. 10:13, 21; 12 : 1; Jude 9); " Gabriel " (Dan. 8: 16; 9:21; Luke 1:19); See 1 Chron. 15: 5); "Ariel" (doubtless of angelic origin. See Ezra 8: 16). Michael means, "Who is like God," and hence is a fit title for Christ. Gabriel 'signifies, "The strength of God," an appropriate name for the angel or being who stands next to Christ (Dan. 10: 21). Uriel means, "The light of God;" Ariel, "The lion of God."

Angel means messenger. In Mal. 3: 1, Christ is called "the messenger of the covenant." (Jude 9; Dan. 12:1; 1Thess. 4:16)

Similar descriptions are given of God, the "Ancient of days," in Dan. 7: 9; and of Christ, " the Son of man," in Rev. 1: 13-15.

In Joshua 5:13-15, Christ is called " captain of the Lord's host."

— Another has said: "Christians who live in the light of God's countenance are always accompanied by unseen angels, and these holy beings leave behind them a blessing in our homes."

What we call physical law is no obstruction to angelic ministrations. Bolts and bars and prison gates disappear at their volition, and dungeons like palaces shine in their presence. No place can be so dismal, no cavern so deep and dark, no Inquisition cell so hidden and fetid, no fortress so strongly guarded, that they cannot find quick and easy access if a child of God is there."—"Footprints of Angels in Fields of revelation," by E. A. Stockman, pages 74, 75.

Since the angels are our ministering spirits, and our lives are open before them, it is reasonable to infer that they make the record of our lives. Then when the books are examined, they will of necessity be present, to minister before God.

We shall then have the privilege of seeing and conversing not only with the good and blest of all ages but with the angels who have ministered to us during our earthly pilgrimage.

0, MAY Thine angels, while I sleep,

Around my bed their vigils keep;

Their love angelical instil,

Stop every avenue of ill!

May they celestial joys rehearse,

And thought to thought with me converse.

BISHOP KENT.

Angels from heaven communicate with the human family, and not one of us by anything we can do may uphold or keep ourselves. We are where we are, kept every moment by the power of God. I have thought that we do not make the ministration of heavenly angels as important as we should. . . . What would we do without them? I want you to consider what kind of position we should be left in if we had not the ministry of holy angels. . . . {CTr 333.2}

Then Satan took Christ to the pinnacle of the temple, and told Him to cast Himself down. . . . Thus he tried to lead Him to commit the sin of presumption. He reminded Him of the ministration of angels. But no temptation could make the Saviour accept the challenge of the tempter. . . . {CTr 191.4}

In the time of trouble just before the coming of Christ, the righteous will be preserved through the ministration of heavenly angels; but there will be no security for the transgressor of God's law. Angels cannot then protect those who are disregarding one of the divine precepts. {CC 87.6}

Acts 8:26, 27. Notice how much effort was put forth for just one man, an Ethiopian. {CC 332.2}

This Ethiopian was a man of good standing and of wide influence. God saw that when converted he would give others the light he had received and would exert a strong influence in favor of the gospel. Angels of God were attending this seeker for light, and he was being drawn to the Saviour. By the ministration of the Holy Spirit the Lord brought him into touch with one who could lead him to the light. AA 107 {CC 332.3}

The ministration of holy angels, as presented in the Scriptures, is a truth most comforting and precious to every follower of Christ. But the Bible teaching upon this point has been obscured and perverted by the errors of popular theology. The doctrine of natural immortality, first borrowed from the pagan philosophy, and in the darkness of the great apostasy incorporated into the Christian faith, has supplanted the truth, so plainly taught in Scripture, that "the dead know not anything." Multitudes have come to believe that it is spirits of the dead who are the "ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation." And this notwithstanding the testimony of Scripture to the existence of heavenly angels, and their connection with the history of man, before the death of a human being. {DD 18.2}

The angels of God are ever passing from earth to heaven, and from heaven to earth. The miracles of Christ for the afflicted and suffering were wrought by the power of God through the ministration of the angels. And it is through Christ, by the ministration of His heavenly messengers, that every blessing comes from God to us. In taking upon Himself humanity, our Saviour unites His interests with those of the fallen sons and daughters of Adam, while through His divinity He grasps the throne of God. And thus Christ is the medium of communication of men with God, and of God with men. {DA 143.1}

Workers in the Lord's vineyard have the example of the good in all ages to encourage them. They have also the love of God, the ministration of angels, the sympathy of Jesus, and the hope of winning souls to the right. "They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever." [Daniel 12:3.] {GW 145.2}

The ministration of holy angels, as presented in the Scriptures, is a truth most comforting and precious to every follower of Christ. But the Bible teaching upon this point has been obscured and perverted by the errors of popular theology. The doctrine of natural immortality, first borrowed from the pagan philosophy, and in the darkness of the great apostasy incorporated into the Christian faith, has supplanted the truth, so plainly taught in Scripture, that “the dead know not anything.” Multitudes have come to believe that it is the spirits of the dead who are the “ministering spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.” And this notwithstanding the testimony of Scripture to the existence of heavenly angels, and their connection with the history of man, before the death of a human being. {GC88 551.1}

The Dark Ministries of Bad Angels

Read Eph. 6: 12. - The facts of history concur with the statements of revelation in forcing upon us the unwelcome conviction that the human race is subject to the malevolent influence of an organized and all-pervading demonism. Alike in the career of nations and in the phenomena of personal destiny the presence of demoniacal skill and power is often prominent, frequently dominant, always evil."—"Footprints of Angels in Fields of Revelation," by E. A. Stockman, page 2.

Read 1 Peter 5: 8. See Rev. 12: 9, 12; 16:14. - "In undiminished possession of their intelligence and strength, they constantly assault us in every weakness, through every avenue, by every means, by methods foul or fair. . . . Whom they can not destroy they cease not to worry, torment. They inspire evil tempers; arouse dark passions; instill ill will; beget malice, envy; impose care, fear, distrust; suggest deceit, fraud, and all the forms of crime." "Supremely do they revel in the criminal domain. They foster falsehood, incite revenge, fan jealousy, beget quarrels, help on thefts, robbery, and arson, further divorces; plan defalcations, instigate murders. They run the saloons and edit the Police News."—"Footprints of Angels in Fields of revelation," pages 9,10,

"Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the .sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil." Eph. 4: 26, 27.

Those who give vent to anger or retain old grudges, who parley with temptation or tamper with vice, who indulge in intemperance, pride, foolishness, or levity, or give way to any other weakness, give place to the devil; that is, they give the devil an opportunity to work through them — give him an advantage over them. We should therefore close every avenue to Satan and his angels. We should suppress anger, be sober and watchful, and nip in the bud every prompting to sin.

Vampire-like, evil angels take possession of, and make their abode with, all over whose minds and bodies they can gain control. Only through Christ can this demoniacal captivity be broken. Until this is done, one in this condition is led captive by Satan "at his will." His self-control and power to resist temptation are gone, See 2 Tim. 2:26.

Luke 9: 42. - Those under demoniacal control are simply the sport and plaything of the evil spirits possessing and controlling them.

Acquainted, as they are, with the laws of nature, Satan and his angels raise storms and scatter disease and death as far as lies within their power; and, as enemies of God, they likewise pervert the truth and disseminate error as far as possible. Far better, also, than the inhabitants of the world, do they know that the end of all things is fast approaching, and that their time to work is short.

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits. and doctrines of devils." 1 Tim. 4: 1.

Acts 7:52. - "Of all classes of men employed by the Heavenly Father in the work of redemption, none are more fiercely hated by the wicked angels than the whole line of the prophets; for from the first to the last they foretell the final and eternal overthrow and utter extinction of the powers of darkness,' the 'spirits of disobedience.' "—"Footprints of Angels in Fields of Revelation," page 14.

Evil angels also incite men and nations to war, and by this means divert, their attention from things pertaining to the kingdom of God, and so take peace from the earth. Rev. 16: 14. This will end in Armageddon.

"Familiar with the laws which governmental conditions, the fallen hosts ply all their specious arts to excite personal suspicions and animosities, and to create national resentments and bloody conflicts, their chief delight being to compass the destruction of peace and the banishment of concord from the earth, to embitter the poor children of sin and sorrow against each other, and turn our world into an arena of strife and crime."—Id., page 22.

Spiritualism

A belief that departed spirits hold intercourse with mortals by means of physical phenomena, as by rapping, or during abnormal mental states, as in trances, or the like, commonly manifested through a medium; spiritism."— Webster.

Spiritism: "The theory that mediumistic phenomena are caused by spirits of the dead."— Webster.

`The very central truth of Spiritualism is the power and possibility of spirit return, under certain conditions, to communicate with those in the material form,"— N. F. Ravlin, Spiritualistic lecturer, of California.

Lev. 19:31 - "The phenomenal aspect of modern Spiritualism reproduces all essential principles of the magic, witchcraft, and sorcery of the past.

The same powers are involved, the same intelligences are operating."— F. F. Morse, in "Practical Occultism," page 85.

Rev. F. B. Meyer, of England, gives the following warning against dabbling in Spiritualism: "I have known several families that have been cursed by having recourse to clairvoyants and mediums. There are grave dangers in these things; and when occult powers are used for selfish ends, it is possible for men and women to be filled with evil spirits, as was the girl at Philippi. People are fools to play with the dregs of the spirit world."— Present Truth, Sept. 7, 1911.

"I am perfectly certain that the whole movement known as modern spiritualism is in the hands and under the direction of the father of evil spirits; in other words, is thoroughly and unmistakably diabolical."— Dr. C. Williams, of London, England.

Whoever consults or has to do with mediums or any who profess to receive instruction or communications from the spirits of the dead, disregards this plain instruction, and places himself upon the enemy ground. Ever since Satan told that rs t lie in Eden, when he denied that death would be the result of sin, in the very face of death itself, he, working upon man's natural dread of death and upon his distress at the thought of being separated from loved ones, has been endeavoring to persuade men to believe that the dead are not dead, and that men do not die. Idolatry, heathenism, Spiritualism, occultism, and the whole brood of false isms of this kind, it will be noticed, deal very largely with death. This, of itself, indicates their origin and should be a warning to all to let them alone —,to have nothing whatever to do with them. They are from beneath, and not from above. However promising or pleasing they may be at first, they are downward and destructive in their tendency, and ultimately lead away from, into unbelief of His Word and into sin. They promise life by denying death, and apparently "make good" Satan's lie in Eden, through the ministration and manifestations of evil angels representing themselves to be the spirits of the dead.

In a sermon on "Spiritualism an Imposture," Rev. T. De Witt Talmage said: "Spiritualism takes advantage of those who are weak and morbid with trouble. We lose a friend. The house is dark, the world is dark, the future seems dark. If we had, in our rebellion and weakness, the power to marshal a host and recapture our loved one from the next world, we should marshal the host. Spiritualism comes in at that moment, when we are all worn out by watching,—all worn out, body, mind, and soul,— and says: Now I will open that oo r; you shall hear the voices; take your places around the table; all be quiet now.' . . . I denounce Spiritualism because it takes advantage of people when they are weak and worn out and morbid under life's bereavements and sorrows. . . . If Spiritualism had full sway, it would turn the world into a pandemonium of carnality. It is an unclean and an adulterous religion."

Giving the sense of this passage, Dr. Adam Clarke says: "Should not a nation seek unto its God? Why should you seek unto the dead concerning the living?" But this is exactly what Spiritualism teaches men to do,— to seek unto the dead concerning the living.

A lawyer with a national reputation, well known to me,' said J. L. Hall, of New York, 'never begins the preparation of a difficult case with out getting "advice from the other side," as he describes the search. . . . Another distinguished man of New York City once asserted to me that he had his familiar spirit with which he talked as freely as with a human companion.' "— Washington Herald.

A noted Brooklyn divine some years ago, not realizing that he was voicing Spiritualistic views, gave expression to the following: "What are our departed Christian friends, who in this world had their joy in the healing art, doing now?—Busy at their old business. No sickness in heaven, but plenty of sickness on earth."—Christian Herald. Writing concerning "Communion With the Departed," General Booth, of the Salvation Army, said: "Through all my history, my personal intercourse with the spirit world has been but limited. I have not been favored with many visions, and it is but seldom that I dream dreams that impart either pleasure or profit; and yet I have a spiritual communion with the departed saints that is not without both satisfaction and service.

And especially of late the memories, of those with whom my heart has had the choicest communion in the past, if not the very beings themselves, have come in upon me as I have sat at my desk or lain wakeful on my bed in the night-season. Amongst these, one form, true to her mission, comes more frequently than all besides, assuring me of her continued partnership in my struggle for the temporal and eternal salvation of the multitudes— and that is my blessed, my beautiful wife!"—War Cry, Nov. 27, 1897.

In a statement given out Dec. 20, 1910, soon after the death of Mrs. Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, Mrs. Amelia Stetson, one of the leaders of the Christian Science Church of New York City, said: "Mrs. Eddy, who was the female Christ, will return to earth. I am watching and waiting for the manifestation of Mrs. Eddy in the semblance of human form. It may come today, it may come next week, it may not come for ten years, but it will surely come. . . . The millennium is at hand. Mrs. Eddy is not dead. She is still alive, and when she appears again on earth, it will be as herself—as Mary Baker Eddy." "A message purporting to come from Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, through Mr. William T. Stead, the noted English journalist, shortly after the former's death, says, 'There is no death; all is life; all is freedon.' "—Signs of the Times, Feb. 28, 1911. "Prof. J. A. Findlay, who conducts the official 'answers to correspondents' in the most representative Nonconformist journal in England, the British Weekly, says (Nov. 29, 1934): 'I cannot see any reason why we should not hold communication with as 'well as pray for the dead.' An interdenominational committee of clergy and ministers has founded the Psychic Evidence Society (now two years old), which states that 'the power of Pentecost is the need of the world today; and a "school of the prophets" where the gifts of the Spirit may be developed under wise and experienced guidance and control, and where the healing of bodily and spiritual ills may be effected by the application of those same gifts, are developments of the activities of the society which it is hoped to undertake.' "—Sunday School Times, Jan. 19, 1935.

WICKED spirits gather round thee,

Legions of those foes to God —

Principalities most mighty —

Walk unseen the earth abroad;

They are gathering to the battle,

Strengthened for the last deep strife;

Christian, arm! be watchful, ready,

Struggle manfully for life.

The doctrine of man's consciousness in death, especially the belief that the spirits of the dead return to minister to the living, has prepared the way for modern Spiritualism. If the dead are admitted to the presence of God and holy angels, and privileged with knowledge far exceeding what they before possessed, why should they not return to the earth to enlighten and instruct the living? If, as taught by popular theologians, the spirits of the dead are hovering about their friends on earth, why should they not be permitted to communicate with them, to warn them against evil, or to comfort them in sorrow? How can those who believe in man's consciousness in death reject what comes to them as divine light communicated by glorified spirits? Here is a channel regarded as sacred, through which Satan works for the accomplishment of his purposes. The fallen angels who do his bidding appear as messengers from the spirit world. While professing to bring the living into communication with the dead, the prince of evil exercises his bewitching influence upon their minds. {GC88 551.2}

The prince of darkness, who has so long bent the powers of his master mind to the work of deception, skillfully adapts his temptations to men of all classes and conditions. To persons of culture and refinement, he presents Spiritualism in its more refined and intellectual aspects and thus succeeds in drawing many into his snare. The wisdom that Spiritualism imparts is that described by the apostle James, which “descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.” [James 3:15.] This, however, the great deceiver conceals, when concealment will best suit his purpose. He who could appear clothed with the brightness of the heavenly seraphs before Christ in the wilderness of temptation, comes to men in the most attractive manner, as an angel of light. He appeals to the reason by the presentation of elevating themes, he delights the fancy with enrapturing scenes, and he enlists the affections by his eloquent portrayals of love and charity. He excites the imagination to lofty flights, leading men to take so great pride in their own wisdom that in their hearts they despise the Eternal One. That mighty being who could take the world's Redeemer to an exceedingly high mountain, and bring before him all the kingdoms of the earth and the glory of them, will present his temptations to men in a manner to pervert the senses of all who are not shielded by divine power. {GC88 553.3}

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Life Only in Christ {BRH pp. 499-540}

1. Where are the dead when they hear the voice of Christ calling them to life? John 5: 28, 29. How many distinct classes will have a resurrection? Acts 24: 15.

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2. Do the wicked go directly to their punishment at death, or wait till the day of judgment? 2 Peter 2: 9. To what are the present heavens and earth reserved? 2 Peter 3: 7.

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3. By what name are the members of this family called? Job 1: 6. 1 John 3: 1. By what name are those composing the family in heaven commonly known to us? Rev. 5: 11.

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4. What does Paul say of their number? Heb. 12: 22. See also Dan. 7: 10. Are angels of a higher order of beings than man? Ps. 8: 5.

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5. What was the appearance of the angel that rolled away the stone from the sepulcher at the resurrection of Christ? Matt. 28: 3. What shows that the angels sent to Abraham and Lot were real beings? Gen. 18: 8; 19: 3.

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6. To whose authority are the angels subject? 1 Peter 3: 21, 22.

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7. When surrounded by the Syrian host, what did Elisha say, and for what did he pray, to encourage his frightened servant? 2 Kings 6: 16, 17. What does the psalmist say of the chariots of God? Ps. 68: 17.

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8. How was Christ strengthened while suffering in the garden of Gethsemane? Luke 22:43.

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9. What does Christ promise overcomers? Rev. 3: 5. What protection has God promised His people during the seven last plagues? Ps. 91: 10-12.

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10. When Christ comes, who will come with Him, and what will they do? Matt. 16:27; 24:31. Where will all the saints then go? 1 Thess. 4: 17.

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11. AGAINST whom do we wrestle? Eph. 6: 12.

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12. What is Satan himself called? 2 Cor. 4: 4. John 14: 30. Eph. 2: 2. How numerous are these wicked spirits, or fallen angels? Mark 5: 9.

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13. What is the chief occupation of Satan and his angels? Mark 1:13. 1 Peter 5: 8. See Rev. 12: 9, 12; 16:14.

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14. What spirits stand ever ready to deceive and ruin those who are off guard or bent on going astray? 1 Kings 22:20-22. See 2 Thess. 2: 10, 11.

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15. With what were many possessed in Christ's time? Matt. 4: 24.

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16. How do evil spirits sometimes treat those thus possessed? Luke 9: 42.

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17. To whom alone, then, is each one accountable in religious things? Rom. 14: 12.

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18. As we near the closing scenes of human probation, why may we expect an increase in demoniacal manifestations? Rev. 12: 12. Concerning what have we been definitely informed? 1 Tim. 4: 1.

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19. What will be the final doom of Satan and his angels? Matt. 25:41. Mal. 4: 1. See Rev. 20: 9.

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20. Under the theocracy of Israel, what was the law concerning witches and those who had familiar spirits? Ex. 22: 18. Lev. 20: 27.

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21. With what is witchcraft classed by Paul, and what does he say to those who are guilty of such things? Gal. 5: 20-23.

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22. How much do the dead know of what is going on among men? Job 14: 20, 21.

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23. What will be one characteristic of last-day apostasies? 1 Tim. 4: 1.

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24. How does Satan deceive the people? 2 Cor. 11:14. What role do his agents assume? Verse 15.

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25. What warning has been given us through the apostle Peter? 1 Peter 5: 8.

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Prepared by:

Education Department

GADSDA, Visayan Division, Philippines

Zone 6, Sitio Lonoy, Kananga, Leyte