ALL THE PIRITUALISM Christian Bible ■ 8 By REV. E. W, SPRAGUE HWBBr aawzoraSg hbHh T8HH H8L f 1 II ffflliiiff ' Jill ■■■ Ililliiilli? ■' ""■" ' : Class. " 3FI77S Book. (kpiglifN?.. COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. REV. E. W. SPRAGUE. All the Spiritualism OF THE Christian Bible AND THE SCRIPTURE DIRECTLY OPPOSING IT BY Rev. E. W. Sprague AUTHOR OF A Future Life Demonstrated or Forty Years a Public Medium; All the Spirit- ualism of the Christian Bible and the Scripture Directly Opposing It; Jesus of Nazareth, God or Man, Christ or Spirit Medium; Spirit Medium- ship, Its Many Phases, How Developed and Safely Practiced ; Spirit Obsession, A False Doctrine and a Menace to Modern Spiritual- ism ; ReincarnationTrue or False ; False Prophets or Fraudu- lent Mediums of the Christian Bible; Adventism and the Devil, An Open Letter and Reply to Evangelist A. V. Cotton's Denunciation of Spiritualism; Testimonies of Scientists and Theologians Who Are Spiritualists ; The Science of Spirit Communion. Copyright, 1922 By REV. E. W. SPRAGUE Detroit, Mich. rnxzii ©C1A692370 DEDICATION To my noble spirit helpers and teachers who, throughout the many years of my preparation and development, have been instrumental in making this book possible, and to my beloved wife, Clarissa A. Sprague, whose beautiful and spiritual mediumship has brought health to the physically ill and spiritual consolation to thousands of sorrowing mortals in the more than forty years of her grand and mag- nificent labors as a Spiritualist, and to whom I gladly give credit for her wonderful assistance in my own mediumistic development and years of labor; and who has walked beside me, deeply interested in our every good work, for fifty-five blessed years, to them this work is lovingly dedicated by The Author. All the Spiritualism of the Christian Bible and the Scripture Directly Opposing it. Foreword. Spiritualism teaches that when one has done some- thing helpful and beneficial to people of the world, its blessings are enjoyed in spirit life, and the author expects to look back and see the results of his work here, including the writing of this book ; and, because of the assistance it will be to many in finding the truth, it will add to his happiness in Summerland. Some of the best scholars of the Christian Church in their "higher criticism" have given the world a bet- ter understanding of the origin and teachings of the Bible, the tendency of which is to help to liberate Bible worshipers from the mental bondage into which old theology has placed them. In doing this these critics have accomplished a very good work so far as they have gone, but they have utterly failed to explain the spiritual significance of the spirit manifestations and phenomena recorded in the Bible, probably because they were not versed in such phenomena, never having wit- nessed them, therefore could go no farther than their knowledge of these matters extended. It is, therefore, perfectly legitimate and fitting that Spiritualists, who through the experience gained in three-quarters of a century of careful and scientific investigation of these spiritual phenomena, should pro- ceed to enlighten them as well as others upon the dis- 6 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE coveries they have made as revealed in Modern Spiritualism. We consider it our duty, and it is always a great pleasure, to write upon the subject of this new Revela- tion from heaven — Modern Spiritualism. The Bible contains many evidences of spirit com- munion, and records many examples of spirit mani- festations and spirit phenomena, of which Modern Spiritualism is the present-day exponent and the only true interpreter; therefore, the Bible by right should belong to the Spiritualist. Many persons, because of their misunderstanding of the real meaning of the scriptures, have discarded the Bible entirely. Too many men who know nothing of the laws governing psychic phenomena have been try- ing to interpret and explain the scriptures from the standpoint of miracles, and whenever a phenomenon was mentioned which such would-be interpreters could not comprehend nor explain, they never having wit- nessed such phenomena, they relegated it to the realm of miracles of God, or to an act of the devil. The mis- sion of this book is to furnish light to those in darkness. In giving our views of the Spiritualism of the Bible we are letting the Bible itself explain them. No Miracles in Spiritualism. The truly Spiritualistic interpretation of the Bible permits of no miracle, but weighs and measures every- thing from the standpoint of reason, natural law and scientific demonstration. This work contains references to all the Spiritualism of the Bible and its Index will give directions where to find any passage teaching it, and it proves that both the Old and New Testament records many facts of SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 7 spirit phenomena occurring in those ancient days that are identically the same as are occurring in the seances of Modern Spiritualism today. It shows that the "prophets," "seers," and "men of God" were all spirit mediums and received communications from spirit life ; that they possessed mental and physical medium- ship corresponding exactly with the various phases possessed by our modern mediums. This text book of the Spiritualism of the Christian Bible will help anyone, Christian, Spiritualist, or In- fidel, who wishes help, to understand the real meaning of many otherwise obscure and seemingly inexplicable passages of scripture. It will also be of great assist- ance to Spiritualists, their speakers and mediums in their work of enlightening the world on the real, true teachings of the scriptures regarding the Spiritualism of the people of Bible times. It will be a great help to Spiritualists in protecting themselves against the slanderous misrepresentations of Christian opponents of Spiritualism, and is a ready reference book of Bible Spiritualism, showing conclusively that Spiritualism, Spiritism and mediumship were taught and practiced in some form by nearly all the "prophets," "seers," "men of God," and other leading lights of the Bible. Do the Dead Return? Many Christian ministers are preaching from the subject, "Do the Dead Return?" and in most cases that have come to our knowledge they have either derided the fact or have manifested great doubt of its truth. Such men do not read the scripture aright or they must doubt its truth, else they must close their eyes to the facts the scriptures plainly teach. Nearly every book of the Bible, and a large proportion of the 8 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE chapters of each teach spirit return, as is plainly shown in this work. These men know very little about Spirit- ualism, as their sermons clearly indicate, and we would respectfully suggest that any man is better qualified to discuss a subject when he is well informed regard- ing it than one who is ignorant of its principles. If these gentlemen would become better informed re- garding the true teachings of the scriptures, and they believed them true, they would doubt no more the fact that the dead return and communicate with the living. Why This Book? Many books have been written in explanation of the Bible, both in support of it and in condemnation of its teachings, but this book is different from them all, inasmuch as it explains the Bible from an entirely different standpoint, without the prejudice of the In- fidel, or the fanaticism of the unreasoning Christian writer: the author lets the Bible tell the story itself, and his conclusions are based upon scientific facts and well-known, demonstrated truths that were unknown to early writers. The author's many Christian friends who are in- vestigating Spiritualism often ask where to find scripture that teaches and corroborates the religion, philosophy and phenomena of Spiritualism, and this book will help them, as it gives it all. This book is not written in the hope of enlightening or converting such people as the Adventists, the Russell- ites and others of that class of would-be Christians who scoff at every modern-day evidence of a future life, and declare that all modern spirit phenomena are the works of the devil ; they are evidently of the class the Nazarene mentions in his parable of the rich man SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE ^ and Lazarus, "Neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead." I believe some of them really think that their God has sent evil spirits and the old imaginary devil of their religion to impersonate our beloved arisen friends, and here is their authority for such belief : "And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie" : "That they all might be damned." (2nd Thess., 2nd Chap., 11, 12.) Much of the Old Testament is not in accord with the teachings of Modern Spiritualism, and there is so much of it that we cannot publish it all in this book, but we have published all that is said directly opposing Spiritualism. The Index. This book is so indexed that one can find any scrip- ture that teaches Spiritualism or that directly condemns it. If one wishes to find all the scripture that mentions trumpet speaking, spirit materialization, trance, clair- voyance, or anything else pertaining to Spiritualism, he may turn to any such subject in the index and find the pages that mention it. The author is well aware of the fact that his motives in publishing these truths of the Bible will be mis- understood by some of the good people who accept it as God's infallible word; but he feels that even they should seek the correct interpretation of it, and if they find they have been misguided they should be glad to be set aright. He also regrets that some good Christians will not love him any more because he is here letting the Bible tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth regarding the Spiritualism and the Spiritism it contains. However, he is firmly resolved to continue to love them, 10 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE if he does not love some parts of their creeds, while he pursues the even tenor of his way and gives to the world the benefit of his forty years of study of the Bible, and also the benefit of the knowledge gained through his own personal mediumship and from his spirit assistants, as applicable to the Spiritualism of the Bible. The laws, facts and principles of Spirit mediumship of today are the same as in the days when mediumship was practiced by the "prophets," "seers," and "men of God" of the Bible. Definitions of Bible Terms. A clear understanding of the terms used in scripture is a great help to the student. Different terms are often used in the same chapter to designate the spirits of men who once lived in human form and had died. These terms are as follows: "angels," "angels of heaven," "angels of the Lord," "Holy angel," "his angel," "men in bright clothing," "spirits," "the spirit," "Lord," "Lord God," "God," "ghost," "man," "men," etc. These words and some others are all used in scrip- ture to designate the spirits of the dead who make their appearance to mortals, influencing, inspiring or controlling mediumistic people and communicating with them. "The word of the Lord" always signifies "The Spirit Message." It is a spirit's message, as is shown throughout this work. The term "Man of God" signifies one who has spir- itual faculties, "spiritual gifts," "a spirit medium," "a prophet" or "seer." The term, "the Word of God," wherever found in scripture signifies "a spirit message." 1st Sam. IX., 27, Samuel shows Saul "the word of God," or gives him a spirit communication which he had received the day SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 11 before from the spirit of the Lord. (See 15th verse, also see 1st Kings XII, 22, 23, 24.) Angels Are Spirits of Men and Wear Human Apparel. Ezekiel IX., 2, 3, 11, they are clothed with linen. X., 2, 6, 7, clothed with linen. Matt. XXVIII., 3, they wear "human apparel. " Acts X., 30, they appear in bright clothing. Rev. XV., 6, they materialize "clothed in pure and white linen." Many more passages of scripture may be mentioned that prove this fact. Christian Authority Says Angels Are Spirits. Dr. Wm. Smith's Dictionary of the Bible, a Christian authority, under the heading, "Angels," says : "Their ministry hallows domestic life, in its trials and in its blessings alike." Again he says : "The angels are therefore revealed to us beings, such as man might be, and will be, when the power of sin and death is removed." That is, when men die and outgrow sin, they will be angels. Once more he says : "The angels are revealed now as ministering spirits to each individual member of Christ for His spiritual guidance and aid." He then mentions Heb. Chap. L, 14th verse, which reads as fol- lows : "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" (See also Luke XXII., 43; 1st John IV., 1; Ps. 104, 4; Heb. I., 7.) It is claimed by some Christian theologians that angels are of a different origin from that of human spirits. The author of this work will be very thankful to anyone who will name a single passage of scripture that teaches that angels are not spirits of men, and that they have a different origin from that of human beings. 12 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Names of the God of Moses. Spirit Jehovah has several different names: Gen. XVII., 1, He tells Abram as follows: "I AM THE ALMIGHTY GOD." Exodus III., 13, Moses asks the communicating spirit for his name, that he might tell the Israelites what spirit or god (all tribal gods were spirits) had sent them his message. The 14th verse says, "And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM. Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." Leviticus XIX., 12, 16, Jehovah declares, "I am the Lord." This he does in many parts of the scriptures. Ex. VI., 7, Jehovah tells the Israelites : "I will be to you a God" (not the only God but a god). Gen. XXXII., 24, this spirit wrestled with Jacob, in the 28th and 30th verses, he is called God. Is there anyone that believes the God of this universe wrestled all night with a poor old Jew, and could not get away from him in the morning until he (Jacob) was pleased to let him go ? Here is a good place to read and reflect. Isaiah XLIL, 8, Jehovah says : "I am the Lord; that is my name" Ex. XV., 3 : "The Lord is a man of war; the Lord is his name" Holy Ghost, Meaning of the Term. The Christian religion says three Gods are one God. "God the father, God the son, and God the Holy Ghost." "These three are one." The makers of the orthodox Christian creeds in reading the scripture saw that the communications coming through the prophets, when the Holy Ghost had possession of them, were intelligent and knew and foretold things that the prophets (me- diums) through whom they were speaking could not know, therefore, they concluded it was "God, the Holy Ghost." Does anyone know any more about the SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 13 Holy Ghost since that decision was made? The answer is yes: Spiritualism has given the true meaning of the term. The meaning of the term "Holy Ghost" will be better understood when we put in its place the terms here mentioned: "spirit power/' "spirit influence," "spirit control," "spirit teacher," "spirit mediumship," or "spirit messenger." For example: Mark XIII., 11, "But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premedi- tate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye, for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost" (the spirit control that speaks). Luke II., 26, "And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost" (the spirit influence). Luke XII., 12, "For the Holy Ghost (spirit influence, or spirit guide) shall teach you in the same hour what you ought to say." John XIV., 26, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost (spirit-messenger), whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, etc." John XX., 22, Jesus, a spirit, breathed on the disciples and gave them the Holy Ghost or placed them "in the spirit," that is, he placed them under spirit control. Webster defines the term "Ghost" as a disembodied soul; the soul or spirit of a deceased person, conceived either as a denizen of the unseen world or as appearing to the living in bodily likeness; hence an apparition; specter; spook." Therefore, "Holy," meaning "pure in heart," and "Ghost," being a soul or spirit of a deceased person. "Holy Ghost" may be properly termed "Holy Spirit," and being, as Webster states, a disembodied soul or spirit, when it manifests with power, that power is 14 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLK "spirit power"; it could not be otherwise ; when it influ- ences mortals it must be "spirit influence" ; when it con- trols a human being, its manifestation is "spirit con- trol" ; when it teaches mortals it is a "spirit teacher" and when it communicates to a mortal it becomes a "spirit messenger" This is sufficient biblical authority for using these terms the way in which the author has done, but it will be shown throughout the work that these definitions are the true ones. The author was once asked by a minister by what right he gave the different definitions of these terms. He replied as follows : "We have the same right to give our definitions of these Bible terms that the writers of your creed have to give theirs." The New Version, American Standard Edition of the Bible, discards the term "Holy Ghost" and substitutes the term "Holy Spirit," and they have the same right to do it that the author of this work has to substitute the words "Spirit Power," "Spirit Control," etc., for "Holy Ghost." Jehovah, Was He Almighty God? Christianity teaches that Jehovah was Almighty God, and that Jesus also was Almighty God, and the two natures are as opposite, according to the scriptures, as is the heaven and hell of Christianity, and in their teachings they are as far apart as the antipodes. Jehovah an Egyptian Priest. It is claimed by some writers that the Lord Jehovah of the Hebrews was the spirit of an Egyptian priest and King of Salem. That the name Melchizedek in the Greek tongue was given him as a characteristic at a certain period of his history when he was King of SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 15 Salem, which means king of peace, though aforetime a "man of war." "This king was met by Abram on the plains of Childo- lare, on his return from the slaughter of kings." (Gen. XIV , 18 ; Heb. VII ,1,2.) A jealous fighting God, an uncommon peculiarity possessed by this peculiar priest- king Jehokah, alias Jehovah. "Jehovah was the spirit of an Egyptian." He is referred to in the "Egyptian Book of the Dead" as Gehokah, and existed long before Moses. "Moses could not have been learned in all the wis- dom of Egypt and not know something of him." For this and more, see "The Encyclopedia of Bib- lical Spiritualism," by Rev. Moses Hull, page 155. We have the views of other authors upon the subject, but for lack of space must not present them here. Let the scriptures testify. Definitions of Other Bible Terms. Webster's definitions follow : "God — the Supreme Being: Eternal and Infinite Spirit, Creator and Sovereign of the Universe, Jeho- vah." "Christ, first the Messiah, or (Lord's) anointed, whose coming was expected by the Jews." "Among the Jews any divinely appointed ruler as consecrated by anointing." "Messiah, first the expected king and deliverer of the Hebrews ; The Christ" ; second, an expected deliv- erer or savior in other religions than Christian." "Prophet, one who prophesies or foretells events." "Medium, an interagent; a mediator; an interme- diary; a spiritualistic medium." "Seer, first, one that sees ; second, a person who fore- 16 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE sees or foretells events; a prophet; third, one gifted with second sight." Bible Prophets and Spirit Mediums the Same. A prophet is a medium and a medium is a prophet ; both are used by spirits, for the same purpose and in the same manner. Their experiences are the same; they are inspired, taking on conditions of their inspirers, impersonating them, and sometimes are violently agi- tated physically. Alexander Cruden's "Concordance of the Bible," a Christian authority, under the subject "Prophet," says : "As the prophets, at the time that they were transported by the motions of God's Spirit {under spirit control) were sometimes agitated in a violent manner; those motions were called prophesying which persons ex- hibited who were filled with a good or evil spirit. For example, Saul prophesied in his house (1st Sam. VIII., 8) ; that is, he was agitated with violence, and used strange and unusual gestures, signs and speeches, as the prophets did/' Mediums of today do the same things; some call it acting queerly or strangely. The term Spiritual medium applies to one who has such mediumship as was manifested in Jesus, Peter and Paul. The unspiritual or non-spiritual mediums are of the class of Moses, David, Saul and others of the Old Tes- tament. Jesus was a Spiritualist, Saul and David were Spiritists. So a Christ is a Messiah, a mediator, a prophet, a seer and a medium. These terms all have the same meaning according to Webster, and it will be well for the reader to keep this fact in mind while reading this book. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 17 "The word of the Lord" signifies spirit communion, and "the word of the Lord came to him" always sig- nifies that inspiration or a spirit message was given him. (See 1st Kings XII, 22 ; XIII., 17, 18 ; XXL, 17 ; Zech. L, 1; VI., 5; VII, 4, 8; VIII, 1; 1st Chron. XVII, 3. Spirit messages follow each statement in these and many more that could be mentioned.) "Divination, the act of foreseeing or foretelling future events, or discovering hidden knowledge." "Divine, a diviner; soothsayer; second, a minister of the gospel, a priest, a clergyman." (Webster.) Jehovah the Spirit Guide of Israel's Mediums. The ancient Israelites were a very superstitious peo- ple, as is shown throughout the Old Testament records of them. They believed this daily visitor who con- trolled Israel's leading mediums was the author of all evil as well as of all good, and that he brought evils upon them as punishment for their disobedience of his orders and commands. Satan, or the devil, is greatly slighted or entirely ignored in the Old Testament. The evils that befell the Israelites were attributed to Jehovah and were placed upon them as punishment for their disobedience. When they were defeated in battle, it was done by Jehovah for punishment of some supposed wrongdoing of these his "chosen people," as he always explained through his prophets (mediums). Terrible punishments he freely inflicted upon these poor, inno- cent people, including men, women and children, who had done no wrong, as is shown later. All the Spiritualism of the Christian Bible and Scripture Directly Opposing it. The Book of Genesis — Spirit Materialization. The first Bible record of spirit materialization is 18 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE found in Genesis, III. Chap., Verse 8, which reads as follows : "Aiid they (Adam and Eve) heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day : and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden." Gods Many Taught. Verse 22 : "And the Lord God said, Behold the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil, etc/* John IV., 24, says, "God is a spirit/' therefore this was a spirit materialization. Gen. VI., 6, 7, Jehovah "repents" and "is grieved at his heart," This being true, Jehovah has two human attributes. He "repents" and "grieves." Contradictory Statements of Spirits — Eat Every- thing That Has Life. Gen. IX., 3, Spirit Jehovah tells Noah, "Every mov- ing thing shall be meat for you ; even as the green herb have I given all things." Lev. XL, 6th to 23d verses, Jehovah, speaking to Moses and Aaron, contradicts His own statement to Noah by forbidding eating swine flesh and many other kinds of meats, calling them "an abomination" unto them. Did Jehovah change his mind regarding the eating of certain kinds of meats, or was it not the same spirit speaking to these different mediums ? We leave this for others to decide. Rainbow a Sign in the Heavens. Verses 12 to 16 is a spirit communication from Jehovah to Noah, in which the spirit tells him that he puts the rainbow in the clouds as a token or sign that he will no more destroy all flesh by a flood. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 19 Does any thinking person believe there never was a rainbow until this time and that Jehovah put it in the heavens as a sign that he would not drown the world? This is all a spirit communication from Jeho- vah to Noah. Did anyone of modern days ever receive a more simple spirit communication? Prophecy of Jehovah Never Fulfilled. Gen. XIII., 16, Spirit Jehovah says to Abram : "And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth, so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. " This promise was never ful- filled. This promise was often made by Jehovah and proves that He, like other spirits, ancient and modern, was not infallible in His predictions. Vision — Abram, a Medium, Has One. Gen. XV., 1 : "After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram; I am thy shield (spirit guide) and thy exceed- ing great reward. " Abram in a Trance. Gen. XV., 12 : "And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him." Following this to the 21st verse, Jehovah gives Abram a spirit message while he (Abram) is in this trance. Hagar in the Wilderness. Gen. XVL : This chapter tells of Abram's wife (Sarai) giving Hagar, her servant girl, to Abram, her husband, to be his wife, because she herself was barren and they wanted children so much. Seventh verse : The angel of the Lord found Hagar in the wilderness, where she had gone to get away from the abuse of Sarai. 20 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Prophecy Fulfilled. Verses 1 1 and 12 : This angel of the Lord told Hagar that she should bear a son. The spirit names this unborn babe and tells its expectant mother that it will be a wild man. He gives the young woman a spirit message of interest to her regarding this matter. Hagar was the medium for this spirit communication. This prophecy regarding Hagar's unborn babe was fulfilled. Another Materialization — Jehovah Says He Is Almighty God. Gen. XVII., 1 : "And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect." Verse 2 : Jehovah will make a covenant, or contract, with Abram. "And will multiply thee exceedingly," he says. In the third verse he talks to him, and in the fourth verse he promises him he shall be father of many nations. Abram's and Sarai's Names Changed. Verse 5 : Spirit Jehovah changes Abram's name to "Abraham." And in the 10th verse he orders circum- cision. Verse 15 : He changes Sarai's name to "Sarah." Abraham Doubts This Spirit Message Coming from the Christians' God. Verse 17 : "Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old ? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear ?" This scripture shows how little Abraham believed in the spirit Jehovah, his "ALMIGHTY GOD." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 21 Three Spirits Materialize and Eat a Veal Dinner. Gen. XVIIL, 1 : "And the Lord appeared unto him (Abraham) in the plains of Mamre : and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day." Verse 2: "And he lifted up his eyes and looked, and lo, three men stood by him ; when he saw them, he ran to meet them, from the tent door, and bowed him- self toward the ground." Verse 3 : "And said, My Lord, if now I have found favor in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant." Verse 4 : "Abraham asks these spirits to wash their feet and rest themselves under a tree." Whether these were spirits of men, or angels, or Almighty God that Abraham was talking to, it still seems strange that he would invite them to wash their feet, and rest them- selves. The 5th verse says : "And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts ; after that ye shall pass on: for, therefore are ye come to your servant. And they (the spirits) said, so do, as thou hast said." Whether these were spirits, angels, or gods, they were ready to eat. Verses 6 and 7 : Abraham tells Sarah to make some cakes, and he ran to the herd and selected a calf and gave it to a young man to dress it. Verse 8: "And he (Abraham) took butter and milk and the calf that he had dressed and set it before them under the tree and they did eat." Spirits of Modern Spiritualism are not in the habit of doing such strange things as some of these spirits of Christianity did. Verses 9 to 16 : The Lord, or the spirits, told- Abra- ham that Sarah, his wife, should "bear a son," though 22 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Sarah was ninety and Abraham was one hundred years old. Verses 10 and 11 : Sarah heard this spirit prophesy that she should have a son. Verse 12: "Therefore Sarah laughed within her- self, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also ?" Verse 13 : "And the Lord (or spirit) said unto Abraham, wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old ?" Verse 14: The Lord or spirit repeats the prophecy that Sarah should bear a child. Sarah Prevaricates. Verse 15: Sarah tells a falsehood, because she was afraid, and the spirit contradicted her. Verse 16 : Abraham and these three spirit men went on their way toward Sodom. Jehovah Not Omnipresent. Verse 21 : The Lord says, "I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which has come unto me, and if not, I will know." This must have been one of these materialized spir- its speaking. Verse 20 says : It was the Lord who was talking. If these three spirits were Almighty God should they not have known what was going on at Sodom without going there to see and learn ? Spirits, like mortals, do not know things without learning them. God, accord- ing to Christianity, is all knowing and everywhere pres- ent. Is Spiritualism unreasonable and Christianity the only reasonable religion? The remainder of this SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 23 chapter mentions more of Abraham's communing with these three spirits, and it is wonderful and should be read carefully and with a desire to know the truth. In this chapter these materialized spirits are called "Lord" twelve times and are called "men" three times (all three could not have been one Jehovah). In the 13th verse Sarah calls Abraham "Lord." It was the custom in those days to call one's superior "Lord." Spirits Talk About Destroying Sodom. Verses 22 to 33 : These three spirits threaten to destroy the city of Sodom, and Abraham questioned them to know if they would destroy the righteous with the wicked. They finally decided to save the city if there were but ten righteous people within it. Abra- ham calls these spirits "The Lord" and in the 25th verse he calls them "The Judge of all the earth." Two Angels Came to Lot. Gen. XIX., Verse 1 : Two angels came to Sodom, and by Lot's invitation they remained over night with him just as mortals would. Much of this chapter is unfit to print and we will pass it by. Its teachings are not in accord with Spiritualism anyway, but are con- trary to it. Fire and Brimstone from Heaven. Verse 24 : "Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven." Any person who can accept this chapter of the "Holy Book" as "God's Word" certainly cannot have read it, or else they shut their eyes to its contents. These 24 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE communicating spirits are called "angels," "Lords" and "men," in this chapter. Miraculous Birth of Isaac — Another Prophecy Fulfilled. Gen. XXL, 1, 2 : Another miraculous birth fulfill- ing the prophecy of the two angels, as made to Abraham on the plains of Mamre: Dear old Mrs. Abraham becomes a mother at ninety years of age ; Isaac is born into the world through the miraculous intervention of Jehovah, the God of the Israelites. A Spirit or Angel Comes to Hagar. Verse 10: Sarah orders Hagar cast out. Verse 14: Abraham turned poor Hagar, with his and her child, out into the wilderness to die, giving her only a bottle of water and some bread. Oh, what a heartless husband and father Abraham must have been! Verses 15 and 16 tell us how Hagar, when the bread and water was gone, went away out of hearing of the cries of her starving child and wept. The poor girl is entitled to the pity and sympathy of all decent people. She was in a strange land, alone in a wilderness, her child dying of hunger and thirst, no human being near to befriend or help her. Can any good Christian excuse Abraham or condone his crime against this innocent girl wife and his child? Verses 17 to 21 say that an angel of heaven came to Hagar and rescued her and saved her child. It was a fitting time and place for good spirits to come and assist this poor, forsaken girl wife and child. Angels are still in the habit of visiting mortals in distress ; and SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 25 this is what Modern Spiritualism is teaching and dem- onstrating to the world. Verse 22 : Abraham is told that "God is with thee in all that thou doest." Some people doubt the truth of this statement. Jehovah Tempts Abraham. Gen. XXII. , Verses 1 and 2, says: "God did tempt Abraham to take his only son" Isaac and offer him as a burnt offering. However, Isaac was not his only son, and it seems strange that God did not know it and should call Isaac his only son. Ishmael, Abraham's son by Hagar, was another who was born when Abra- ham was eighty-six years old. (See Gen. XVI., 15, 16.) Verse 10 : "Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son." An Angel Stays Abraham's Hand. Verse 11 : "The angel of the Lord (not God) called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham ; and he said, 'Here am 1/ " Verse 12 : "And he said, lay not thine hand on the lad, neither do thou anything to him : for now I know that thou fearest God since thou hast not withheld thy son, thy only son, from me. (This was not his only son, as has been shown above. ) This angel of God did not know of Abraham's son Ishmael, or he did not wish to recognize him. This Bible story caused Mr. Free- man to chop his little child's head off with an ax some years ago. He trusted God to stay his hand, as the Bible says God stayed Abraham's hand, and God did not do it, and the poor child was beheaded. O for a God to stay the hand of all would-be murderers of today ! The God of Spiritualism and his angels do not advise mediums to murder their sons nowadays. 26 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Spirit Match Making. Gen. XXIV., tells of a spirit leading Abraham's ser- vant into another country and selecting a wife for his master's son Isaac. This is a real test of spirit influ- ence and ability to accomplish certain things desired by mortals. Such spirit acts as this, if enacted in Michi- gan today, would be considered a violation of law and the servant medium would be liable to arrest, fine and imprisonment for fortune telling, would he not? Dark Seances. Gen. XXVI., 24 : "And the Lord appeared unto him (unto Isaac) the same night, and said: I am the God of Abraham, thy father; fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham's sake." Why did this spirit appear in the night, if Christians are right who declare that spirit phenomena are evil because they sometimes occur in the darkness. Jacob's Ladder His Vision. Gen. XXVIII., 12: "And he (Jacob) dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven ; and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it." (One might read the whole chapter.) Gen. XXXL, 11, 12, 13: "The angel of God (not God) spake unto Jacob in a dream." Gen. XXXII., 1, 2: A host of God's angels meets Jacob. Jacob Wrestles with God. The 24th verse says : "And Jacob was left alone ; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 27 Verse 25 : This spirit put Jacob's thigh out of joint. Verse 26: Jacob would not let this angel go until he blessed him. Verse 28 : Jacob's adversary in the wrestling match is called God. Verse 30 : "And Jacob called the name of the place Penial, for I have seen God face to face and my life is preserved." This spirit with whom Jacob wrestled all night is called "a man" in the 24th verse, "God" in the 28th and 30th verses. Divination. Joseph, once the ruler of Egypt, the favorite son of the patriarch Jacob, used divination as he himself declares. Gen. XLIV., 5 : "Is not this it (the cup) in which my lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth ?" Verse 15 : "And Joseph said unto them, What deed is this that ye have done ? Wot ye not (do ye not know) that such a man as I can certainly divine?" Scripture forbids divination and casting lots is included. (See "divination" and "casting lots" in Index.) More Dark Seances — Jacob's Name Changed. Gen. XLVL, Verse 2: "And God (Jehovah or a spirit) spake unto Israel in visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob." (The spirit man or God who wrestled with Jacob all night gave Jacob the name of Israel.) (See Gen. XXXII., 24 to 32.) "And he said here am I." Again Jehovah Says He Is God, Then Makes a Prophecy That Never Came True. Verse 3 : "And he said I am God ; the God of thy father : fear not to go down into Egypt ; for / will there 28 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE make of thee a great nation" O it seems so easy for a spirit to declare himself God Almighty and then dis- prove it by making a false prophecy. Were the Israel- ites ever a great nation in Egypt ? The Book of Exodus. The book of Exodus records many spirit messages, and the most of them are greatly lacking in spirituality. Moses Kills a Man. Exod., Chap. II., Verse 11, says: "And it came to pass in those days when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren and looked on their burdens : and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren. ,, Verse 12 : "And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand." Such an act as that would count against any modern medium, and rightly, too. Why excuse it in Moses ? The man who talked with God almost daily, according to the scrip- tures. (See Ex. XXXIII., 11.) ' Every move after this time, in the delivery of the Israelites from bondage, was made by spirit direction. This Angel Claims He Is God — The Burning Bush. Ex. III., Verse 2 : "And the angel of the Lord (not the Lord, but his angel) appeared unto him in a flame of fire, out of the midst of a bush ; and he looked, and behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed." (See also Verse 6.) Spiritualists might account for this supposed fire, that did not burn, as they have spirit lights in their seances. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 29 Verse 6 says : "Moreover, he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face ; for he was afraid to look upon God." Was this Almighty God, or was it an angel of the Lord, or was it a spirit repre- senting himself to be both? The latter looks the most reasonable. This spirit claims to be the same one that came to Abraham and told him he was Almighty God. The remainder of this chapter is a spirit message from this angel of the Lord, and after telling Moses that he was God, he tells him to tell the Israelites that his name is "I AM THAT I AM." (See 14th verse.) Divination — Does Jehovah Teach Sleight-of-Hand? Christians sometimes accuse spirit mediums of fraud and using sleight-of-hand. Did Moses defraud the people with it ? Was he a fraudulent medium, or was this SPIRIT PHENOMENA EXTRAORDINARY? Let's read carefully and decide. Moses' Rod Turned Into a Serpent. EX. IV., 2: "And the Lord said unto him (unto Moses), What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod." Verse 3 : "And he said, Cast it on the ground, and he cast it on the ground and it became a serpent ; and Moses fled from before it." Verse 4 : "And the Lord said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. (Was this not a strange statement for the Almighty to make?) And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand." Verse 5 : "That they (the Israelites) may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abra- 30 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE ham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob hath ap- peared unto thee." That is to say : Moses must do these things, so like legerdemain, to convince the Israel- ites that Abraham's God was with Moses. Verse 6 : "And the Lord said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom; and he put his hand into his bosom, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow." Was This Black Magic, Sleight-of-Hand, or What? Verse 7 ; "And he said, Put thine hand into thy bosom again. And he put his hand into his bosom again, and behold, it was turned again as his other flesh." Verse 8: "And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign." In this Jehovah was mistaken, as will be" seen farther on. They did not believe it was God doing it, and their magicians duplicated the phenomena pro- duced by Moses. Verse 9 : "And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour upon the dry land : and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land." Was Moses a magician? Modern mediums cannot be accused of doing such tricks as these. Their spirit guides never teach them to turn rods into serpents, catch them by the tail and turn them back into divining rods. Only Hindoo fakers and regular sleight-of-hand men do such things nowadays, and never for the purpose of making the innocent people believe that the Lord God of their fathers is present with them. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 31 Exod. IV., Verse 10: Moses complains that he is not eloquent but is slow of speech. In the 11th and 12th verses Moses is promised spirit help and inspiration to speak. And after these won- derful experiences with spirit Jehovah he seems afraid to attempt this work of magic. Verses 14, 15 and 16: The Lord Jehovah promises Moses that he will put words into his mouth and in Aaron's mouth ; and Aaron shall become his "spokes- man unto the people, and he shall be, even he shall be, to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God." A wonderful promise, is it not? Verse 17: "And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs." (That is, he shall give tests.) God Hardens Pharaoh's Heart. Verse 21 : "And the Lord said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand : but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go." Why did Jehovah use these magical methods through the mediumship of Moses to make King Pharoah re- lease the Israelites, and then every time he repented and agreed to give them up, harden Pharaoh's heart so he would not let them go? Deut. II., 30: The Lord God hardened Simon, King of Heshbon's heart, also. Is Jehovah of the Bible Almighty God? We have only the statement of the spirit for it, who declared himself that he was Almighty, and who after- ward said his right name was "Jehovah." 32 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Exodus VI., Verse 2, says : "And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the Lord." Verse 3 : "And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty ; but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them. Then his right name was Jehovah, and not Almighty God," was it not ? He Tells Moses His Name Is I AM THAT I AM. Ex. III. : When Jehovah appeared to Moses in the burning bush, he told him that he had seen the affliction of his people, and that he had come down to deliver them out of the hands of the Egyptians and to bring them into a land of milk and honey. He said he would send him to Pharaoh and he (Israel's God) would bring the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses did not think he was able to do it, and asked the spirit what his name was, that he might tell his people who the spirit was that came to him and prom- ised to deliver them out of Egypt (13th verse). The Spirit's Answer to Moses. Verse 14 : "And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM ; and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the chil- dren of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." Verse 15: "And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, hath sent me unto you." He says the Lord God sent him, so it was not God that appeared in the burning bush, but a spirit He sent. If This Is Not Black Magic, What Is It? Exod., Chapters VII., VIII., IX., and X., state that Moses did many miracles. He turned a rod into a SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 33 serpent, water of the rivers into blood, covered the land with frogs, and they died everywhere, making the land stink. Dust was turned to lice, swarms of flies were brought, the cattle afflicted of murrain and all died ; blains and boils were caused to come on man and beast ; thunder, rain, hail, fire mingled with hail, destroying crops, flax, barley, etc. Locusts were brought and they ate the crops. Thick darkness was brought for three days. Oh, it is a wonderful story, and all was accomplished by the spirit Jehovah acting and communicating through the mediumship of Moses ; but the magicians of Egypt did everything, excepting pro- duce lice, that Jehovah did through Moses, though at last the serpent of Moses swallowed up the magicians' serpents, which ended this contest between the God of Christianity and the King's magicians, and Moses, Aaron and Jehovah were the winners in this contest. These four chapters are very interesting reading for the Christian, the skeptic, the investigator or the infidel. Taken as a whole, this story does not appeal to a logical mind as the real word of Almighty God. Spirit Materialization. Exod. XIII., 21 : "And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way : and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light, to go by day and night." XIV., 19 : "And the angel of God which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them ; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them." Jehovah One of Many Gods. Exod. XV., 11: "Who is like unto thee, O Lord 34 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE among the gods? Who is like thee, glorious in holi- ness, fearful in praises, doing wonders ?" Moses and the children of Israel sung the above in their songs of praise and worship. Probably other nations and tribes thought the same of their gods. Jehovah was only one spirit of many that were wor- shiped as gods, as is shown throughout the Old Testa- ment. Exod. XVI., Verses 10 and 11 : The Lord comes in a cloud and talks to Moses. Mediums For Finding Water. Exod. XVIL, 5 : "And the Lord said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand and go." Verse 6: "Behold, I w T ill stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb ; and thou shalt smite the rock and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel." Moses Gets a Spirit Message in the Seance Room. Numbers XX., Verses 6 to 11: These phenomena are repeated. Moses goes into the seance room and gets the message from his spirit guide, telling him how to get water for the congregation, and their cattle. Is This a Miracle from God or Only Black Magic — Moses' Rod Wins Battle. Exod. XVIL, 9: "And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek to- morrow. I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God (his divining rod) in mine hand." Verse 10 : "So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 35 and fought with Amalek : and Moses, Aaron and Hur went up to the top of the hill." Verse 11 : "And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed." Verse 12 : "But Moses' hands were heavy ; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon, and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun." Oh, how much depended upon this medium Moses holding up his hands ! Was this not wonderful spirit phenomena, if it were true? Some Spiritualists doubt its truth. Verse 13 : "And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword." Verse 14: "And the Lord said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua : for I will utterly put out the remem- brance of Amalek from under heaven. " Does this sound like a beautiful and loving message one would expect from our heavenly father, or is it the medium Moses whose mind furnishes this terrible message, and is not Jehovah's message? Jehovah a God of War. Verse 16: "For he (Moses) said, Because the Lord hath sworn that the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation." No spirit of Modern Spiritualism ever held up a medium's hands, thereby controlling two armies en- gaged in battle and bringing victory to the army the medium selected to win the battle. Is this story the true word of God ? 36 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Moses a Medium. Exod. XVIII. , 15 : Moses was a medium. He says : "The people come unto me to enquire of God." Fa- miliar spirits were called gods in those days. Many Gods — Jehovah Greatest of Them All. In the 11th verse, Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, says : "Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods; for in the things wherein they deal proudly he was above them." Trumpet Seance in the Dark. Exod. XIX. : Jehovah and Moses make arrange- ments for a dark trumpet seance. The 16th verse says : "A thick cloud was upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceedingly loud." Verse 9: "And the Lord said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee forever." Will some good Christian opposer of Spiritualism ex- plain why Jehovah had to hide himself in a cloud when he came to speak to the people? Why did he not come out in the open to convince them? We Spiritualists think we know why, for we understand the law con- trolling such manifestations. A spirit sometimes needs a cabinet to manifest today ; it is the law ; but if Jehovah was God and he made the law, one would suppose that he could set aside the law and appear without a cabinet or cloud. Verse 19: "And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake and God answered him by a voice." Probably an independent spirit voice. The remainder of this chapter threatens the people SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 37 with dire disaster, "lest they break through unto the Lord" and spoil his seance. The Ten Commandments a Spirit Communication from Jehovah. Exod. XX., 3, says : "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me." Jehovah Thinks the Earth Rests on Water. If Jehovah made the world, and the water, He should have known the world does not rest upon the water. If He was the spirit of a mere man, He may have believed there was water under it. The Second Commandment. XX., 4: "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water tinder the earth." Forbids It, Then Makes Images Himself. Although in this commandment He forbids the mak- ing of images and likenesses of anything, He Himself orders them made for His spirit cabinet, the Ark of the Covenant. (See Deut. IV., 18, for more.) Exod. XXV., 18: "And thou shalt make two cher- ubims of gold of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat." Verse 20: "And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their zvings, and their faces shall look on one another." In this did He not violate His own second command- ment? If Christians lived up to this commandment there 38 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE would never be seen the forms supposed to represent Jesus, the Virgin Mary or any of the saints in their churches. If all heeded this commandment there would be no photos or paintings of parents, children, or friends hanging on the walls of the homes of the people of the world. No illustrated publications, no picture shows, etc. There would be lost to the race much that now beautifies life and blesses it. It is encouraging that all Christians ignore this com- mandment of the spirit of Jehovah, the Jewish God, and we cast our vote with the Jews, Christians and infidels who disobey this second commandment of the spirit Jehovah, the God of Israel. The Ten Commandments Given Through a Trumpet at This Same Great Seance. Exod. XX., Verse 1 : "And God spake all these words, saying" : Then follows the Ten Command- ments, and following them is the proof that He spoke them through the trumpet. Verse 18 : "And all the people saw the thunderings and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking, and when the people saw it, they removed and stood afar off." The 21st verse says God was in "thick darkness," and in the 22nd verse He tells Moses to tell his people as follows : "Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven." So it will be seen that Jehovah, the God of the Israelites, was the communicating spirit in this dark seance, and talking through the trumpet. Do Chris- tians believe in dark circles and trumpet seances ? Spir- itualists do, but they have had no experiences with dark seances at the top of a burning mountain where there SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 39 is always so much fire as there was at this Bible seance to light up the darkness. Human Slavery Upheld by Jehovah. This same spirit, Jehovah, whom Christians believe gave the Ten Commandments, goes on giving orders to Moses to the end of this chapter, and in the twenty- first chapter He teaches and upholds human slavery and makes terrible laws to continue it. This and the twenty-second chapter constitute a part of a long series of the most horrible spirit communications, which greatly exceed in their horrors the malicious falsehoods that the meanest, most vindictive opponent of Modern Spiritualism ever circulated against Spiritualism, Spir- itualists or their mediums, and these purport to be messages from God in heaven. "O consistency, thou art a jewel !" Spirit Jehovah Says He Gave a Message from Heaven Through a Trumpet. Exod. XX., 22, says: "And the Lord said unto Moses : Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel. Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven." Hate Your Enemies, Jehovah Teaches. Exod. XXL, 23, 24, 25 : 23d, "Life for life"; 24th, "Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot" ; 25th, "Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe." This whole chapter should be inter- esting to the Bible worshiper. (See Lev. XXIV., 18, Deut. XIX., 21, for more of same.) Witches Ordered Killed. Exod. XXII., 18: Jehovah in this spirit message says : "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live." Here 40 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE the author would candidly and reverently ask, is there an intelligent Christian in the United States today that really believes there ever was a witch? If there never was a witch, then Spirit Jehovah was legislating against nothing, or against a myth which has caused thousands of innocent mediums of the past to suffer death as witches. Oh, the horrors that this passage of scripture has caused ! Oh, that they may never return and that they might be forgotten ! An Angel Guides Them. XXIII. , 20 : "Behold, I send an angel before thee, to keep thee in the way and to bring thee on the way I have prepared. " Verses 22 to 28: Jehovah promises that his angel shall go before them and cut off "six tribes, and destroy the people, and he will send hornets which shall drive out three tribes, and that these Israelites shall possess a large tract of their land." Is this Divine justice? Is Jehovah a god of war? Is this scripture a precedent which guided the Kaiser in his awful acts in the late world's war? God Seen. Exod. XXIV., 9: "Then went up Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel." Verse 10: "And they saw the God of Israel (the spirit Jehovah)." The 11th verse says that the Nobles of the Children of Israel saw God also. Moses Goes for a Spirit Slate Writing. Verses 12 to 18: The Lord, or spirit Jehovah, in- vites Moses and Joshua to go with him up into the mount of God to get a spirit writing on two tables of stone (slates), and Moses was there forty days and forty nights. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 41 Spirit Speaks to Him Out of a Cloud. Verse 16: The spirit called unto Moses out of the cloud that covered the cabinet. Spirit Cabinet Ordered by Jehovah, Giving Explicit Instructions How to Make It. Exod. XXV. : The spirit Jehovah gives detailed in- structions to Moses how to make his spirit cabinet. Size of Cabinet. The 10th verse tells the size of it, which by our present-day measurements was four feet three inches long, two feet three inches wide and two feet three inches high. It was covered with gold within and without, and was the most sacred possession of the Israelites. Some things which it contained were made of gold. Of course, no modern medium could afford the expense of gold linings or gold furniture for his cabinet, but Moses was better paid than are modern mediums. His cabinet had curtains same as modern ones, only they were inlaid with gold (XXVI. , 1). Spirit Communion. This twenty-fifth chapter continues the spirit in- structions in the making of this spirit cabinet for spirit materialization and other spirit phenomena, and in the 22nd verse the communicating spirit says : "And there I will meet with thee and will continue with thee," etc. This is spirit communion through the use of the spirit cabinet, and is precisely the same as in Modern Spirit- ualism. Ministers and other Christians who deny spirit communion should not deny these teachings of their "Sacred Bible/' In the twenty-fifth, twenty-sixth, twenty-seventh, twenty-eighth, twenty-ninth and thirtieth chapters the 42 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE spirit gives Moses explicit directions in the making of an altar, or spirit cabinet, where to place it, etc., and promises to meet him in communication there. Enemies Capture Moses' Spirit Cabinet. First Sam. V., VI., tells the story of the capture of the Ark or spirit cabinet, and says they put it in the house of Dagon, and set it beside their god Dagon, and the way the story reads, Jehovah and the god Dagon must have had a clash during the first night, for early in the morning Dagon was lying on the floor on his face before the Ark of the Lord. They put Dagon back in his place again and the next morning he was found lying in the same position. "And the head of Dagon and both the palms were cut off upon the threshold ; only the stump of Dagon was left to him." The God of Israel won this bout, because no injuries to him are mentioned in the story. This so frightened the Philis- tines that they put the Ark or cabinet upon a cart and tied two new milch cows to it and they ran straight into the camp of the Israelites, and the Israelites were glad to have the cabinet back again. To enjoy this wonderful story one should read it carefully, analyzing it as he reads, and it would be well to keep in mind the fact that this "Ark of the Covenant" was a cabinet made expressly for the reception of spirit phenomena and spirit communion, and also by spirit direction. This wonderful story is found in 1st Sam., fourth, fifth and sixth chapters. Moses Well Paid for His Seances. Exod. XXX., Verses 12, 13, 14: The spirit instructs Moses to collect half a shekel from every one of the Israelites who are over twenty years old, "as an offering unto the Lord." It may be well to bear in mind the SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 43 fact that Moses was cashier for the Lord and handled all of his money and was the business manager, han- dling all his other interests on earth ; that the Lord did not handle one cent of all that came into the hands of Moses. Verse 15: The spirit tells Moses, "The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less, than half a shekel when they give an offering to make an atone- ment for your souls. " One-half shekel is about 30 cents in American money. There were 603,550 men over twenty years old and able to go to war (see Numbers, Chap. I., Verse 46), making this collection $181,065.50. Besides this, he had all the sacrifices brought to him, and one-tenth of all the land produced. Was Moses not well paid for acting as a medium for Israel's spirit guide, Jehovah? And yet in the state of Michigan the Christians formulated a bill, presented it to the legislature three different times, passing it at the third, condemning spirit communion and classing it with fortune telling, astrology, palm- istry, etc., and making it a crime to practice one's mediumship and punishable by a fine and imprison- ment. Dear old Moses could not have practiced his mediumship as he did in Israel had it been in this modern day, and he had lived in the great and "civilized state of Michigan, without being liable to the disgrace of a fine or the ignominy of a prison sentence. O con- sistency! O boasted land of Religious Liberty! Can Michigan, "My Michigan," be located in thy sacred borders? Is this the religious freedom for which our forefathers fought and died? Let the curtain fall and hide the shame of it ! The gospel then as now in Chris- tianity was not furnished "without money and without price." 44 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE This Spirit Guide Inspires Other Mediums. Exod. XXXL, Verses 1 to 11 : The spirit guide of Moses inspires Hazaleel "to devise cunning works, to work in gold and in silver, and in brass." Verse 5 : "And in cutting stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of work- manship," etc. The same is done in Modern Spiritual- ism. Its mediums are inspired to paint, to do wonder- ful works in the production of spirit pictures, to make inventions, etc. (See Exod. XXL, XXV., XXVII., for more.) Ten Commandments Given Second Time on Slates. Exod. XXXL, 18: "And he (Jehovah) gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon Mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God." Two slates. Modern mediums get spirit writing between two tables of stone and we can see this manifestation, which is better than reading about these ancient slate writings. Golden Calf Worshiped. Exod. XXXII. , Verses 1 to 7 : Aaron takes the gold earrings, etc., of the Israelites and makes them into a golden calf. Verse 8 : Spirit Jehovah tells Moses they have made a molten calf and are worshiping it. Jehovah's Wrath Waxes Hot. Verse 9 : The Lord calls them "stiff-necked" people. Verse 10 : Speaking to Moses, the Lord says : "Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them." This shows that Moses had great influence with this God of Christianity. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 45 Exod. XXXIL, 11, 12 and 13: Moses pleads with Jehovah, asking him to repent. Jehovah Repents Again. Verse 14 says : "And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto the people/' Moses Gets Slate Writing. Verse 15 : "And Moses turned and went down from the mount, and the two tables of testimony (slate writ- ing) were in his hand : the tables were written on both their sides : on the one side and on the other were they written. " Verse 16: "And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God (or the spirit writing of Jehovah), graven upon the tables." Evi- dently Moses was a slate writing medium similar to our modern slate writing mediums. (See Deut. IV., 13, also.) Moses in Anger Smashes Slates. Verse 19: "And it came to pass as soon as he (Moses) came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing : and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount. " It seems strange that the great Moses should destroy them in anger after he and Jehovah had spent forty days and forty nights in procuring the writing upon them. Spirits work more rapidly these days. We have witnessed several times the filling of two large school slates, placed together, with spirit writing in a few minutes. First Record of the Gold Cure. Verse 20 : "And he took the calf which he had made, 46 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE and burned it in the fire, and ground it to powder (by what process the witness saith not), and strawed (strewed) it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink it" Was this Gold Cure as effectual in curing idol worship as the Gold Cure of today is in curing alcoholism ? Who knows ? "Slay Every Man His Brother," is Jehovah's Orders. Verse 27: "And he (Moses) said unto them (unto the Levites, who were all priests), Thus saith the Lord God of Israel. Put every man his sword by his side and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbor." Three Thousand Slain. Verse 28 : "And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses, and there were slain of the people that day about three thousand men." Aaron, the brother of Moses, the leader of this idol worship, was not punished. Oh, how can any thinking person worship a spirit who would order such a wholesale slaughter of mostly innocent people, and let the guilty go free ? More Materialization — Jehovah Lets Moses See Only His Back Parts. Exod. XXXIII., Verses 11 to 20. Verse 21 : Jehovah tells Moses he shall stand on a rock. The 22nd verse says: "And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clif t of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by." Verse 23 : "And I will take away mine hand, and SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 47 thou shalt see my back parts ; but my face shall not be seen. ,, This must have been a wonderful seance for materialization. Such phenomena never occur in Mod- ern Spiritualism. Bible Contradictions — "No Man Shall See His Face," Jehovah says. Verse 11: "And the Lord spake to Moses face to face as a man speaks unto his friend. " The 20th verse contradicts this by saying, "And he (Jehovah) said, Thou canst not see my face; for there shall no man see me and live." In the 2nd verse, in a spirit message, Jehovah says : "He will send an angel before the Israelite warriors and drive out six tribes or nations, and give them their homes and other possessions." Would not we Ameri- cans think Jehovah was an evil spirit if he would send an army of barbarous Israelites, headed by an angel, to rob us of our homes, slaughter us, and "inherit our land of milk and honey"? Another Dark Seance. Verse 9: "And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle and the Lord talked with Moses." This cloud made the seance room dark, no doubt, and shut out the sight from the congregation. Some spirits manifest better in the dark than in the light. It was the case with Jehovah. Another Spirit Slate Writing. Chap. XXXIV., Verse 1 : "And the Lord said unto Moses, Hew the two tables of stone (two slates) like unto the first and I will write upon these tables the 48 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE words that were on the first tables, which thou breakest." Verse 4: "And he hewed two tables of stone like unto the first : and Moses rose up early in the morning, and went up unto Mount Sinai, as the Lord had com- manded him, and took in his hand the two tables of stone/' Verse 5 : The Lord came down in a cloud which he used as a spirit cabinet. Following this the God of Israel gives more commands and makes more promises to Moses. Verse 28 says : "And he (Moses) was there with the Lord for forty days and forty nights ; he did neither eat bread nor drink water, and he wrote upon the tables (or slates) the words of the covenant, the Ten Com- mandments." Was Moses Transfigured? Verses 29, 30 and 35 says: "The skin of Moses' face shone and they were afraid to come near him." Was he transfigured ? Jehovah Has Still Another Name — It Is "Jealous." Verse 14 : "For thou shalt worship no other god : for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." Exodus a Continuous Record of Spirit Communion. The book of Exodus, like most of the other books of the Old Testament, is one continuous record of spirit communion ; the spirit Jehovah communicating with Moses and the Israelites, and he who believes the state- ments recorded therein must believe that spirits com- municate with mortals, whether he thinks he is a Spirit- ualist or not. The Book of Leviticus — A Long Spirit Message. Twenty-five of the twenty-seven chapters of Leviti- SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 49 cus are purely spirit messages, given by Spirit Jehovah through the mediumship of Moses. Twenty of these chapters begin with words like these : "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying." Chap. I., Verse 1, says: "And the Lord called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the Tabernacle of the congregation (which was Moses' spirit cabinet), saying :" Following this comes the message from the spirit Jehovah to Moses, and includes what Christians denominate the law of God. Moses a Fire Medium. Lev. IX., 24: Fire came out of the spirit cabinet and consumed their meat offering. Lev. X., 1, 2: "Fire from the Lord came out and devoured Aaron's two sons, and they died before the Lord." This shows that Moses or Aaron, or both of them, were fire mediums, and that Jehovah did not value human life very highly. Lev. IX., 23, 24: "Fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the offering lying on the altar." Spirits or Spirit Cabinet Kills People. Lev. XVI., Verse 2 : Spirit Jehovah tells Moses to "speak unto Aaron, thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark, that he die not ; for I will appear (i. e., the spirit will materialize) in the cloud over the mercy seat." He could not mate- rialize in it standing because the ark, or spirit cabinet, was but two feet nine inches high. This spirit ma- terialized to the Israelites, to the common people occa- sionally, but never in the cabinet. 50 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Jehovah Tells Israel to Load Sins on a Goat. This whole chapter tells how they got rid of the sins of the Israelites, and the method seems to partake some- what of witchcraft. Cast Lots to Learn God's Wishes. Lev. XVI : Spirit Jehovah does all the talking in this chapter excepting the last eight words. One should read it all to learn if it is a spirit message worthy of God Almighty. During all this talk one would think Jehovah could have made His choice of goats if He were God, as well as to tell them through Moses to cast lots to learn His own wishes. Verse 7 : Jehovah says, "And he shall take the two goats and present them before the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation." Verse 8: "And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats, one lot for the Lord, and the other lot for the 'scape goat." Load Sins on Goat. Verse 9: "And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the Lord's lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering." Verse 10 : "But the goat on which the lot fell to be the 'scape goat shall be presented alive before the Lord, to make an atonement with Him, and to let him go for a 'scape goat into the wilderness." Verses 1 1 to 20 : Aaron is instructed to offer incense, sacrifices, etc. Some parts of the ceremony seem very frivolous and trifling. Verse 21 says : "And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions, in all their sins, putting them upon the SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 51 head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness. " Used Against Spiritualism. XIX., 31: "Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God." This is in itself a spirit message from Jehovah and is often quoted by the opponents of Spiritualism in their mad desire to destroy it. Opposes Spirit Communication. Lev. XX., 6 : Opposes visiting those who have famil- iar spirits. Jehovah Not God of All Nations. Lev. XX., 26 : "And ye shall be holy unto me ; for I the Lord am holy, and have severed you from other people that ye should be mine." That is, only Jews are Jehovah's people, is it not? If so, Christians are shut out by Jehovah. There were no Christians at this time. This proves that Jehovah was not the God of all nations, much less the God of this universe. Again Spirit Communion Opposed. Verse 27 says : "A man also or a woman that hath a familiar spirit (this is an acknowledgment that men and women do have familiar spirits), or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones ; their blood shall be upon them." It was Jehovah, the familiar spirit of Moses, who issued this terrible decree against ancient mediums, and it must include Moses, as he is a man, and it says a man also, or a woman that hath a familiar spirit shall surely be stoned to death, and he, Jehovah, who issued 52 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE the terrible decree, was the familiar spirit of the me- dium Moses, through whom he was then speaking. This entire chapter is a spirit message from spirit Jehovah, the former Egyptian priest and warrior, whose purpose was to control all Israel. Adventists and other Christian opponents of Spirit- ualism, who glibly quote the above mentioned scripture in their denominational literature, including their many books and pamphlets entitled "Spiritualism Exposed/' etc., would hardly dare to quote the whole of this chap- ter, from which they have selected these titbits of orthodox theology, even though they do attribute its writings to their God, as his infallible message to the world. Jehovah Orders a Perpetual Sunday Dinner for Aaron and His Sons. Lev. XXIV., Verses 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 : The spirit of the Lord arranged for a good Sunday dinner for Aaron and his sons, by a perpetual statute, that is : for all time. He also gives orders that on each occasion twelve cakes shall be made, and he gives the recipe for making them, including seasoning, etc. Prophecy of Jehovah Impossible of Fulfilment. Chapter XXVL, Verse 8: "And five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight, and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword." Chap. XXVII. : This is a spirit communication from Jehovah relating to vows, paying tithings to the Lord, etc., all of which pay goes into the hands of Moses, Aaron and the other priests. These laws are arbitrary, indeed. Disobedience of this spirit's decree is pun- ishable with death. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 53 Nothing Very Spiritual in Leviticus. There is little or nothing spiritual in this long spirit message of Jehovah's. It is not Spiritualism. It is Spiritism. The Book of Numbers. About twenty of the thirty-six chapters of Num- bers are spirit messages purporting to come from spirit Jehovah to the Israelites through the mediumship of Moses. The first chapter tells of the patriarchs or heads of the twelve tribes of Israel. Death to Come Near the Seance Room. Numb. L, 51, says: "And the stranger that cometh nigh (the tabernacle) shall be put to death." The tabernacle was their seance room or tent which contained the ark or spirit cabinet. Death to Enter Seance Room Again Decreed. Numbers IV., Verse 20 : Spirit Jehovah says : "But they shall not go in to see when the holy things are covered, lest they die." So many of these threats would certainly create suspicion of fraud if made by any modern medium. Bitter Water of Jealousy. Numb. V. is a spirit message from Jehovah, given to the medium Moses with instructions to tell it to the children of Israel. To Christians this stands as a "Rev- elation from God," which some ministers declare is superior to Reason. After reading this spirit message from Jehovah, any self-respecting Christian will hardly feel like casting reflections upon Modern Spiritualism by declaring its spirit messages "weak," "imbecile" and unworthy of the spirits who purport to be manifesting. 54 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Moses Asks Questions of His Spirit Guide. Numbers IX., Verse 8 : "And Moses said unto them, Stand still, and I will hear what the Lord (spirit Jeho- vah) will command concerning you." An Unceasing Seance. Verse 15 : "The cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony and at even, there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire until the morning. ,, Verse 16: "So it was alway; the cloud covered it by day and the appearance of fire by night." Verse 22 : "Or whether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children of Israel abode in their tents and journeyed not; but when it was taken up, they journeyed." Verse 23 : They obeyed the commandment of their spirit guide. Moses and Seventy Elders Hold Great Seance. Numbers XL, 23 : The Lord talks to Moses again. Verse 24: Moses forms the seance around the tabernacle. Verse 25 : "And the Lord (spirit guide) came down in a cloud and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him (upon Moses), and gave it unto the seventy elders ; and it came to pass, that when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease." Modern mediums prophesy when the spirit rests upon them. If one claim is true, why not the other ? Verse 29: Moses says: "Would God that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 55 put his spirit upon them." This is what Spiritualism teaches. Apports of Quails. The thirty-first verse says : "And there went forth a wind from the Lord (spirit Jehovah) and brought quails from the sea (quails do not live in the sea), and let them fall by the camp (so they must have been dead quails) ; as it were a day's journey (about twenty miles) on this side, and as it were a day's journey on the other side, round about the camp (all around the camp), and as it were two cubits high (36 inches deep) upon the face of the earth. " Verse 32: "And the people stood up all that day, and all that night, and all the next day." (Doubtless because the quails were so deep there was no place to lie down.) "And they gathered the quails ; he that gath- ered least gathered ten homers (one homer is 10^4 bush- els, or 107^2 bushels each) ; and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp." How could they gather them when they were three feet deep all around for twenty miles each way? And how could they spread them abroad under such conditions ? No record of production of apports in Spiritualism equals this. Moses Marries an Ethiopian — Jehovah Upholds Him in Doing So. Numbers XII. , 1 : "And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married," for he had married an Ethiopian woman. Evidently they were opposed to having a negro woman for a sister-in-law. Verse 2 : Aaron and Miriam both claim to be me- diums. 56 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Moses Meekest Man on Earth. Verse 3 : Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth. Spirit Jehovah Orders a Seance of Four. Verse 4: The Lord ordered Moses, Aaron and Miriam into the seance room of Moses. Spirit Jehovah Materializes and Is Angry. Verse 5 : "And the Lord came down in the pillar of a cloud and stood in the door of the tabernacle and called Aaron and Miriam ; and they both came forth. Verses 6, 7 and 8 : This materialized spirit scolded Aaron and Miriam because they were not satisfied with their brother Moses marrying an Ethiopian woman. Jehovah Angry Again. Verse 9 : "And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them; and He departed." (That is, he went away mad. A fine thing for a God of this universe to do, is it not?) Miriam Stricken with Leprosy by Jehovah. Verse 10 : This spirit Jehovah caused poor, innocent Miriam to be stricken with leprosy because she was offended at Moses for marrying an Ethiopian woman. Death for Picking Sticks on Sabbath. Numbers XV., Verses 32 to 34 : They caught a man picking sticks on the Sabbath day, put him in ward, to await the spirit Jehovah's ruling in the matter. The Spirit's Message. Verse 35 : "And the Lord said unto Moses, The man SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 57 shall be surely put to death ; all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp." Verse 36: They stone him to death, "As the Lord commanded Moses." There never was such an awful thing as this received or carried out by instructions of spirits of Modern Spiritualism. It is a different re- ligion from that of Moses and the Israelites. Spirit Produces Earthquake, Killing His Enemies. Chap. XVI., 32 : "And the earth opened her mouth and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. More of Moses' Fire Mediumship. Verse 35 : "And there came out fire from the Lord, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense." This was a spirit manifestation, but not a spiritual manifestation ; providing the story is true. Another Dark Seance — Aaron's Rod Blossoms. Chapter XVII., Verses 6, 7 and 8, tells of Moses taking twelve rods of the tribes of Israel, among which was Aaron's old dry rod, and Moses wrote Aaron's name on it so as to identify it and laid them up in the tabernacle or seance room. Verse 8 says : "And it came to pass, that on the morrow, Moses went into the tabernacle of witness (the seance room), and behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms and yielded almonds." Isn't it strange that a good Christian who believes this story will not believe that spirits may bring forth flowers in a modern spirit seance? It requires no more dark- 58 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE ness for the modern seance than it did for this Bible seance. It lasted all night. More Threats of Death for Coming Near the Seance Room. Verse 13 threatens death to any who shall come near unto Moses' seance room. More Threats of Death. XVIII. , 22, forbids coming near the tabernacle, with penalty of death. Moses Gets Water Out of a Rock. Chapter XX., Verse 7: The Lord (spirit Jehovah) spake unto Moses, saying" : Verse 8 : Spirit tells him how to use the rod. Verse 11 : "And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice, and the water came out abundantly ; and the congregation drank, and their beasts also." One must accept this spirit phenomena, or orthodoxy sends him to his eternal doom. Jehovah Repudiates His Promise and Says Moses and Aaron Did Not Believe Him. Numbers XX., Verse 12, says : "And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, there- fore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them." An Angel Brought Them Out of Egypt. Verse 16: "And when we cried unto the Lord he heard our voice, and sent an angel and brought us forth out of Egypt." This is Spiritualism. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 59 Destroys Canaanites. Chapter XXL, 3 : "And the Lord hearkened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites ; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities. " Fiery Serpents Sent to Kill People. "And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the peo- ple, and they bit the people : and much people of Israel died." Thus Jehovah kills more of his chosen people. Looking at a Brass Snake Cures Snake Bite. Numbers XXL, Verse 8: "And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent and set it upon a pole : and it shall come to pass that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live." Is this not witch- craft? Verse 9 : "And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole : and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived." Are Spiritualists superstitious, and Christians, who believe this true, not superstitious? Verse 35 : So they smote him (King Og), his sons, and all his people until there was none left him alive; and they possessed his land." Is this religion? Really and truly, kind reader, was this not a terrible thing for a spirit to do, and still worse for God to order such wholesale murder and plunder ? Nothing like this can be laid at the door of Modern Spiritualism. Balaam's Ass Clairvoyant and Talks, Using Human Language. Numbers XXII. : Jehovah tells Balaam to go ; then is angry because he went. Is this not strange? 60 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE A Dark Seance and a Spirit Message to Balaam. Verse 20: "And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up and go with them ; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do." Verse 21 : "And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab." God's Anger Kindled Again. Verse 22: "And God's anger was kindled because he went : and the angel of the Lord stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him." The Ass Was Clairvoyant. Verse 23 : "And the ass saw the angel of the Lord (the spirit) standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand : and the ass turned aside out of the way and went into the field ; and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way." Angels or Spirits Seldom Bring Swords Nowadays. Verse 24: "But the angel of the Lord stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side." Verse 25 : "And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again." Verse 26 : "And the angel of the Lord went further and stood in a narrow place, which was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left." Who knows, and how does anyone know, that the ass saw the spirit there? Balaam had not seen it yet. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 61 Verse 27 : "And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she fell down under Balaam : and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff." Ass Talks to Balaam. Verse 28 : "And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? Balaam Talks to the Ass. Verse 29 : "And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me : I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now I would kill thee." Ass Talks to Balaam Again. Verse 30 : "And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? Was I ever wont to do so unto thee ? And he said Nay." Any Christian or other person who doubts this story of the ass talking is an infidel, and anyone who does not doubt it may, by some infidels, be considered non compos mentis. Balaam Becomes Clairvoyant. Verse 31 : "Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand ; and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face." The Angel or Spirit Speaks. Verse 32: "And the angel of the Lord said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? Behold, I went out to withstand thee because thy way is perverse before me." This is spirit com- munion. 62 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE The Ass Sees the Angel. Verse 33 : "And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times ; unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee and saved her alive." Was poor Balaam to blame when he did not see the spirit ? In the 12th verse God said unto Balaam, "Thou shalt not go with them." In the 20th verse God tells him to "Rise up and go with them." And in the 22nd verse God's anger was kindled because he went. Was Jehovah a vacillating Deity, changing his mind so often? Balaam's Ass and Eve's Serpent Talking Bible Mediums. The clairvoyant and talking ass belongs entirely to Christianity, and Spiritualism lays no claim to such a wonderful beast. Only ancient spirits talked through asses. Modern spirits talk only through men, women and little children, who possess vocal organs capable of producing human language. Who are the most credulous people, those who believe in talking asses and talking serpents (Gen. III., Verses 1 to 5), or those who believe in inspired human beings ?" God Does Not Lie Nor Repent. Numbers XXIII., Verse 19: "God is not a man, that he should lie ; neither the son of man that he should repent." Verse 22 : The God of Israel "hath the strength of an unicorn." The father of that thought was a sage. Balaam Under Spirit Control. Numbers XXIV., 2 : "And the spirit of God came SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 63 upon him." That is, he was controlled by a spirit, the tribal God of Israel. Balaam Falls Into a Trance With His Eyes Open. Verse 4 : "He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open." God Angry Again. Numb. XXV., 4 : "And the Lord said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the Lord against the sun, that the fierce anger of the Lord may be turned away from Israel." Was this not a terrible spirit message ? Read what follows. Verse 5 : "And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one of his men that were joined unto Baal-Peor" (the God of the Moabites). Verse 6: One of the children of Israel brought a Midianitish woman into the camp. Verses 7 and 8 : Phineas thrust this man and woman through with a javelin, "so the plague was staid." Twenty-Four Thousand Slain. Verse 9: "And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand." All slain, the innocent with the guilty, because Jehovah was angry. (Numbers XVI., 49, also.) Jehovah Jealous Again. Verse 11: Jehovah says : "Phineas . . . hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, . . . that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy." In this Jehovah admits that Phineas, the priest, in- fluenced Him to change His mind. Therefore He was not "the changeless Deity." 64 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Commercial Mediumship — Five Women Have Readings With Moses. Numbers XXVII. : These women consulted Spirit Jehovah regarding business. Is this fortune-telling? Or is it commercial mediumship ? The 1st verse gives the names of these women who consulted the mediums Moses and Eleazar to get spirit advice from the spirit Jehovah. The 2nd verse says they went to Moses, Eleazar and "the princes of the congregation by the door of the tabernacle (the seance room), saying" : Verse 3 : "Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the company of them that gathered them- selves together against the Lord in the company of Korah ; but died in his own sin, and had no son." Verse 4: "Why should the name of our father be done away from among our family, because he hath no son? Give unto us, therefore, a possession among the brethren of our father." Verse 5 : "And Moses brought their cause before the Lord (the spirit Jehovah)." This Was a Spirit Message. Verse 6: "And the Lord (the spirit) spake unto Moses, saying": Verse 7 : "The daughters of Zelophihad speak right : thou shalt surely give them a possession among their father's brethren ; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them." Should this be classed as commercial mediumship? It was for busi- ness. In this case, five women visited a medium (Moses) to get advice regarding their title to their father's land. The medium submitted the question to his spirit guide, and the spirit decided that the land SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 65 belonged to them. This was one of the most just de- cisions in favor of women ever made by Jehovah through the mediumship of Moses. If this had all occurred in Michigan in this day, would not Moses have been liable, under the present law, to a fine and imprisonment for telling fortunes ? Verses 12 and 13 : Jehovah foretells the death of Moses. Spirits do such things in these days. Joshua, a Medium, Selected Successor to Moses. Numbers XXVII., Verse 16: "Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the con- gregation. " Verse 18: "And the Lord said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua, the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit (that is, a spirit medium), and lay thine hand upon him. ,, Verse 21 : "And he shall stand before Eleazar, the priest, who shall ask council of him, after the judgment of Urim (Urim: a garment decorated with precious stones, used only by rulers, priests or prophets, as me- diums use a crystal, or a mirror, these days to con- centrate their minds that they may become receptive to spirit impressions), before the Lord; at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in* both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation." Thus, by the instructions of Spirit Jehovah, Moses' spirit guide, Joshua is made Moses' successor, and Spirit Jehovah endows him with mediumship. Strong Wine for Jehovah's Use. Numbers XXVIII., Verse 7 : "And the drink-offer- ing thereof shall be the fourth part of an hin for the one 66 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE lamb: in the holy place shalt thou cause the strong wine to be poured unto the Lord for a drink offering. Jehovah Not a Woman Suffragist — Opposed to Spiritualism. Chapter XXX., Verses 12 to 16, shows that Jehovah was not a woman suffragist. In the 13th verse he says : "Every vow and every binding oath to afflict the soul, her husband may establish it, or her husband may make it void." This gives the husband control of the wife and de- prives her of her freedom, which is entirely opposed to the teachings of Modern Spiritualism. Jehovah's Example in War — Terrible Deeds Ordered by Jehovah. Numbers XXXI., 1 : "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying": Verse 2: "Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites." Verse 7 : "And they warred against the Midianites, as the Lord commanded Moses; and they slew all the males/' Verse 9 : They "took all the women of Midian cap- tives, and their little ones," etc. Verse 13 : Moses, Eleazer, the priest, and the princes met them outside the camp when they returned. Verse 14: Moses was wroth (very angry) with the officers. Verse 17 : He says : "Now therefore kill every male among the little ones (they had killed all the men), and kill every woman that hath known man" . . . Verse 18: "But all the women children, that have not known a man . . . keep alive for yourselves" SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 67 Verse 21 : "And Eleazer the priest said unto the men of war which went to battle, This is the law which the Lord commanded Moses." In the 25th to 31st verses, The Lord (Jehovah) tells Moses how to divide the "prey that was taken," between the soldiers, the congregation and the priesthood. Verse 31 says : And Moses and Eleazer the priest did as the Lord commanded Moses. Verse 35 says : There were "thirty and two thousand persons in all, of women that had not known man . . ." Verse 40: "And the persons (virgins kept alive for themselves) were sixteen thousand ; of which the Lord's tribute was thirty and two persons." Verse 41 : "And Moses gave the tribute which was the Lord's heave-offering unto Eleazer the priest, as the Lord commanded Moses/' The author of this book sincerely wishes the thirty- first chapter of Numbers had never been printed in the Bible, and prays that it may be eliminated. It surely does not speak well of the Jewish God Jehovah. Numbers XXXL, Verses 48, 49, and 50. Army Officers Make Atonement for Terrible Crimes. Verse 50: "We have therefore brought an oblation (oblation, an offering where no life is destroyed) for the Lord, what every man hath gotten, of jewels of gold, chains, and bracelets, rings, earrings and tablets, to make an atonement for our souls before the Lord." This oblation consisted of a small part of their plun- der, and Moses received it, for it was the Lord's. One would think the murderers of thousands of little boys and innocent women needed to make atonement for their souls as a settlement for their frightful deeds. 68 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Mediumship — Moses Well Paid for His. Verse 51 : "And Moses and Eleazer, the priest, took the gold of them and all wrought jewels." Verse 52: Moses received 16,750 shekels (Webster says a shekel of gold is equivalent to $10.88. This being true, Moses received $182,240, or its equivalent in gold, for acting as medium for the spirit of Jehovah in this terrible massacre of innocent men, women and boys. Whether we should lay all of this wickedness to Jehovah, or attribute some part of it to Moses, his medium, is a question too intricate to be hastily decided. All of these wicked orders were spoken out of the mouth of Moses. He claims they were given by the Spirit Jehovah. But Jehovah accuses other Bible me- diums of "prophesying out of their own hearts" and "their own thoughts," and we cannot tell how much of this wickedness originated in the mind of Moses. We remember he murdered the Egyptian, and so must doubt him. If it be laid to Moses, Jehovah is vindicated, and if Moses is guilty of this deception, all other acts attributed to Jehovah by Moses, good and bad, are to be doubted, and the Deity of Jehovah is gravely un- certain. Numbers XXXI. is one of the many chapters that the author of this work wishes had been left out of the "holy book." Numbers XXXII. Jehovah's Anger Again Kindled — Kept Israelites in Wilderness Until All Then Living Were Dead. Verse 13 : "And the Lord's anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilder- ness forty years, until all the generation that had done evil in the sight of the Lord was consumed." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 69 Jehovah plans more war and slaughter, through Moses, according to this chapter. The Lord Angry — Repudiates His Promise. Deut. I., 34, says : "And the Lord heard the voice of your words and was wroth, and swore, saying: Verse 35 : "Surely there shall not one of these men of this evil generation see that good land, which I swore to give unto your fathers. " Jehovah a Jealous God. Deut. IV., Verse 24: "For the Lord, thy God. is a consuming fire, even a jealous God." (See also Ex. XX., 5 ; XXXIV., 14; Deut. VI., 15.) Lord Talked Face to Face. Chapter V., 4 : "The Lord talked with you face to face in the mount, out of the midst of the fire." Spirit Materialization. Verse 31 : "But as for thee, stand thou here by me and I will speak unto thee all the commandments and the judgments, which thou shalt teach them, that they may do them in the land which I give thee to possess it." Was This the Just Act of a Good God? Deut. VI., 10 : And it shall be, when the Lord thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he szvore unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildest not. Verse 1 1 : "And houses full of all good things, which thou filled st not, and wells digged, which thou digged st 70 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE not, vineyards and olive-trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full." Was it right to rob those owners, who built their homes, their cities, etc., by their own labor, and give all their possessions to these Jewish marauders? This may be God's justice, but it is hard to believe it. Had these home-owners ever seen or heard of Moses or his great army until they appeared in their country and began this war of annihilation of its inhabitants, and confiscation or robbery of their homes, land and all other possessions ? The above is not in accord with the teachings of Spiritualism. Jehovah a Jealous God. Deut. V., 9: "For the Lord thy God is a jealous God," etc. Jehovah Makes Clothing Last Forty Years. VIII. , 4: "Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell these forty years." If Spirit Jehovah could make clothing last forty years, more than fourteen hundred years before Christ, why should He let clothing wear out and people suffer for want of it in Belgium and other Christian countries today ? Spirit Guides or Gods Make Money for Mediums. Deut. VIII., 17 : "And thou say in thine heart my power, and the might of mine hand, hath gotten me this wealth." Verse 18 : "But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God : for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant, which he swore unto thy fathers, as it is this day." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 71 Is it right for Bible mediums to have pay for their .services, and wrong for modern mediums to accept it ? Jehovah Again Jealous. Deut. VIII., Verse 19: "And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the Lord thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day, that ye shall surely perish. " (See also 20th verse.) Slate Writing. Chapter X, Verses 1 to 6 : Moses tells of his getting the slate writing again. Jehovah Terrible. Verse 17: "For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons nor taketh reward." Who can doubt this statement after reading of his terrible acts ? (See also Deut. XL, 16, 17, 23, 26.) Kill Relatives for Teaching Other Religions. Chap. XIII., 1st to 10th verses. Murder of relatives is ordered by this Jehovah for worshiping other gods. Is this in accord with the Ten Commandments which say, "Thou shalt not kill"? What to Eat and What Not to Eat. Chap. XIV. : Jehovah, in this spirit message, pro- hibits eating swine flesh, and yet in nearly every Chris- tian country the flesh of the dirty swine is a dainty morsel, and is sold at the highest price to Christians who eat it. Eat It Not, but Sell It. Verse 21 : "Ye shall not eat of anything that dieth 72 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE of itself ; thou shalt give it unto the stranger that is in thy gates that he may eat it ; or thou mayest sell it unto an alien : for thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God." About Paying Tithings. Definition: Tithe, "The tenth part of anything." "To tax to the amount of a tenth." — Webster. Verse 22 : "Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed that the field bringeth forth year by year." Verse 24: "And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it ;" Buy Strong Drink With Tithings. Verse 25 : "Then shalt thou turn it into money. . . . Verse 26: "And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for what- soever thy soul desireth ; and thou shalt eat there before the Lord thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou and thine household." This proves that Jehovah was no prohibitionist. Used in Opposing Spiritualism. Deut. XVIII., 10, says : "There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination (fore- telling the future). (Some orthodox Christian minis- ters foretell the future, and if their divinations come true, Spiritualists will not need to buy coal in the great hereafter), or an observer of times (all Christian churches are observers of times), or an enchanter, or a witch." (We know no enchanters; there never was a witch. This has nothing to do with Modern Spirit- ualism.) SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 73 Verse 11 : "Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. " Was not Moses a necromancer ? He consulted famil- iar spirits upon many subjects and daily. His most familiar spirit was Jehovah, the Lord, Almighty God, et al. Other spirits came to him, such as the "angel of the Lord," "the angel of God," "His angel," etc. Prophets Speak Presumptuously. Deut. XVIII. , Verse 22 : "When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously." Jehovah a God of War. XX., Verse 4 : "For the Lord your God is He that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you." Kill the Males, Save Females for Selves. Verses 13 and 14 say: "Kill all the males, but the women and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself ; and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies, which the Lord thy God hath given thee." Kill Everything That Breathes. Verse 16 : In other cities taken from these people He says : "Thou shalt save alive nothing that breath- eth." Verse 17: "But thou shalt utterly destroy them." Spirit Jehovah's Message on Marriage Contradicts the Teachings of Spiritualism. Deut. XXL, Verses 10 to 15, and XXIV., Verses 1 to 5 ; XXV., Verses 5 to 9, purport to be messages 74 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE from Spirit Jehovah through the medium Moses, re- garding marriage ; these are absolute contradictions to the beautiful teachings of Modern Spiritualism, and it would greatly improve the scriptures if they were elimi- nated from them. Threatenings, Terrible. Deut. XXIX., 1, says : "These are the words of the covenant, which the Lord commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the Land of Moab, besides the covenant which he made with them in Horeb." This shows that Spirit Jehovah was the author of these horrible edicts. Did Jehovah Keep Clothing New Forty Years? Verse 5 : Jehovah keeps their clothing new, and their shoes did not get old in forty years. If any spirit of our day and generation would cause clothing and shoes to last forty years, and not get old, everyone would join the Spiritualists. XXXI. , 15 : The spirit Jehovah appears in material- ized form over the door of the cabinet. It was not high enough for a man to stand up in it, it being but 4 feet 3 inches high. Moses Dies. XXXIV., 5 : "So Moses, the servant of the Lord, died," etc. Verse 6 : "The Lord buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Beth-peor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day." Present day spirits do not bury their mediums when they die. Verse 7 : "And Moses was an hundred and twenty SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 75 years old when he died ; his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated." Moses Developed Joshua's Mediumship. Verse 9: "And Joshua, the son of Nun, was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands upon him ; and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses." Jehovah and Moses Face to Face. Verse 10 : "And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses whom the Lord knew face to face." Moses Writes His Own Obituary. The Book of Deuteronomy is credited to Moses as author of the Pentateuch. If he wrote it, he wrote the story of his own death and burial. (See Verses 5, 6, and 7, of this chapter.) The Book of Joshua. The book of Joshua contains very little Spiritualism, though there is some spiritism recorded in it. Killings Wholesale. This book of Joshua is a continuous record of slaughter, robberies, and other cruelties that are not equaled in any other book of record, and all appears to be sanctioned, and some of them ordered by Spirit Jehovah through the mediumship of Joshua. One may shut his eyes to this fact and declare it is not true, but the record is there, and its testimony proves this state- ment true. We shall mention only a few of these atrocities here, as this is not the purpose of this writing, 76 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE though Jehovah, the author of this bloodshed and rob- bery, is a spirit and does this terrible work through the mediumship of Joshua, if Joshua is true to his me- diumship, which cannot be known today. Israel Crosses Jordan on Dry Land. Most wonderful manifestation of spirit power this, if it were really true. Joshua III., 13 : Spirit Jehovah says : "And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the Lord (the spirit cabinet), the Lord of all the earth shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above ; and they shall stand upon a heap." This Says It Did Actually Occur. Verse 15 : "And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest)". Verse 16 : "That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city of Adam, that is beside Zaretan ; and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea. failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho." Verse 17 : "And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan." This implies the river bed was not even muddy. IV., 13 : "About forty thousand prepared for war SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 77 passed over before the Lord unto battle, to the plains of Jericho. " Chap. IV., Verse 18 : "And it came to pass when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord were come up out of the midst of Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up unto the dry land, that the waters of Jordan returned unto their place, and flowed over all his banks as they did before." This beats all modern spirit phenomena out of sight. Greatest Spirit Phenomena, Joshua Stops the Sun and Moon. Joshua X., 12 : Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, "Sun, stand thou still upon Gideon; and thou moon, in the valley of Ajalon." Verse 13: "And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies." . . . "So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day." Lord Harkens to Voice of a Man. Verse 14 : "And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord hearkened to the voice of a man : for the Lord fought for Israel." This spirit phenomena transcends any produced by Modern Spiritualism. Kills All People of This City. Verse 28 : Joshua annihilates the people of Makke- dah and utterly destroyed them all, killing "everything that breathed," of many nations and tribes, and confis- cating all their valuables, taking their homes and their 78 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE lands, this God of Israel continues in his strange ways. Chapter XXIV., Verse 13 : He says : "I have given you a land for which ye did not labor, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and olive yards which ye planted not do ye eat." Is this Infinite justice? Joshua a Medium — Spirits With Drawn Swords. Josh. V., 13 : "And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man (a spirit man) over against him with his sword drawn in his hand; and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, art thou for us or for our adversaries ?" Many Bible spirits appear with swords and in a threatening attitude. Spirits never come in these mod- ern days with swords. A Man, a Captain of Jehovah's Spirit Army, With a Sword, Communicates. Verse 14: "And he said, Nay, but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and worshiped, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant ?" Verse 15 : "And the captain of the Lord's host (this spirit) said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot ; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so." Spirit Soldier Communicates. This spirit was not Jehovah, the Lord, nor God. He was just a man, a military man, and he communicated with Joshua. This is a corroboration of Spiritualism. It is spirit communion. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 79 Joshua a Materializing or Clairvoyant Medium. Either Joshua was a materializing or a clairvoyant medium, for he saw this spirit either materialized, or he saw him clairvoyantly. And the spirit talked to Joshua. This is more Spiritualism of the Bible. Joshua, by Jehovah's Order, Kills All That Breathed. Josh. X. : This chapter tells of the total annihilation of several tribes, their kings and their cities. A Terrible Spirit Communication. Verse 8 says : "And the Lord said unto Joshua, Fear them not ; for I have delivered them into thine hand : there shall not a man stand before thee. ,, Verse 40 : "So Joshua smote all the country of the hills, and of the south, and of the vale, and of the springs, and all their kings ; he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the Lord God (Spirit Jehovah) of Israel commanded. " Is it not wrong to attribute such wholesale slaughter to "our father in heaven, the God of love?" Another of Spirit Jehovah's Frightful Messages. Chap. XL, Verse 6: "And the Lord said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them : for tomorrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel; thou shalt hough (ham-string) their horses and burn their chariots with fire." O pity the poor horses ! Joshua XL, Verse 8 : "And the Lord delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them," etc., . . . "and they smote them, until they left none of them remaining." Verse 4 reads as follows : "And they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even as the sand that is upon the seashore, in multitude, with horses and chariots very many." 80 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE And Joshua killed them all, "destroyed them utterly." (See Verses 20 and 21.) Is this a manifestation of God's love? General Sher- man said, "War is hell !" Jehovah was the instigator of this war. Was God the author of this "Sherman hell"? or was it just plain Spirit Jehovah that ordered such cruelties? Or was it, really and truly, the "sub- jective mind," or the subliminal mind," or was it "auto-suggestion," or any of the other scientific ( ?) terms that have been applied to mediumship, that or- dered this wholesale killing of innocent human beings? Oh, let us lay it to whoever caused it, but let's not lay it to the Good God of this great universe. Verse 23 : Joshua took all their land and gave it to Israel, as the Lord decreed. Israelites Cast Lots. In his dictionary of the Bible Howard Malcom, D. D., of the University of London, Eng., defines the word as follows : "Lots : things cast or drawn in order to determine a point in debate. It is a solemn appeal to God, for an immediate interposal of his direct power for determining an affair; and on that account, ought to be used in nothing but what is important and cannot otherwise be peacefully determined; and then to be used with reverence and prayer." Why do not modern Christians, when in doubt, resort to casting lots to learn God's will, if they believe the Bible is all that is needed for man's faith and practice, as they teach ? Another Christian Authority. Dr. Wm. Smith in upholding the practice of casting lots says : "Lot: The custom of deciding doubtful questions by SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 81 lot is one of great extent and high antiquity, recom- mending itself as a sort of appeal to the Almighty, secure from all influence of passion or bias, and is a sort of divination, employed even by the gods them- selves. Among the Jews, also, the use of lots, with a religious intuition, direct or indirect, prevailed exten- sively. The religious estimate of them may be gathered from Prov. XVI. , 33 : "The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord." Does modern Christianity teach this ? and do modern- day Christians believe it ? Practice Casting Lots to Get Advice from Spirit Jehovah. Esther III., 7, IX., 24 : Cast lots day after day for months. Casting lots is called Pur; or Purim is the name of an annual festival at which they were given to casting lots to ascertain the wishes of Jehovah or his advice. People of the Old Testament and of the New believed their God directed the lot, and they cast lots to decide many questions. See Numbers XXVI., 55, To divide the land; Joshua XVIII. , 10, 11, To divide the land taken in battle; Joshua XIX., 1, 10, 17, 24, 32, 40; XXL, 4, 5, 10; Prov. XVIIL, 18, To stop contention; 1st Sam. XIV., 40, 41, To decide a question; Lev. XVI., 8, To decide on scapegoat; Joel III., 3, Not good; Nahum III., 10, For honorable men; Acts I., 20 to 26; Matt. XXVII., 35 ; Mark XV., 24, For Jesus' garments. What would intelligent Christians think and say if Spiritualists were so foolish as to resort to casting lots to learn the wishes of their spirit friends ? Christians, as a class, have outgrown this one Bible superstition, I am glad to be able to say. 82 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Josh. XXL, 43 : The Lord gave Israel all the land he sware to give unto their forefathers. Verse 44: Jehovah delivered all their enemies into their hands, and all else he had promised them. Divide Plunder With Brethren. Chapter XXIL, 8 : They return with much riches to their tents, with very much cattle, silver and gold, brass, iron, and raiment, and divide the spoil with brethren. No Sympathy for Those They Robbed. But what of the men, women and children they had robbed and slaughtered? Not one word of regret for them and their sufferings appears in this "Blessed Gospel." (?) Jehovah Again Jealous. Chapter XXIV., Verse 19 : Jehovah is again jealous. "He will not forgive your sins." Verses 20 and 23 : He makes terrible threats. Verse 29 : Joshua dies ; and the 30th verse tells where they buried him. This book of Joshua is not a religious work ; it is a book of horrors and needs revising. The Book of Judges — Jehovah Defeated by Chariots of Iron. Chap. L, Verse 19 : "And the Lord was with Judah and He drave out the inhabitants of the mountain, but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, be- cause they had chariots of iron." The chariots of iron were too much for Jehovah to overcome, therefore he could not have been Omnipo- tent and Almighty God. An Angel or Spirit Brought Them Out of Egypt. Chap. II., 1 : "And the angel of the Lord came up SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 83 from Gilgal to Bochim and said, / made you to go up out of Egypt and have brought you unto the land which I (the angel) sware unto your fathers; and I (the angel) said, I will never break my covenant with you." Can the "angel of God" be Almighty God himself? Verse 4 : "And it came to pass, the angel of the Lord spake these words unto all the children of Israel, that the people lifted up their voice and wept." Is this not spirit communion? Jehovah, Angry, Sells His Chosen People Into Slavery. Verse 13 : "And they forsook the Lord, and served Baal and Ashtaroth" — (other gods). Verse 14: "And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies." Verse 15: "Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the Lord was against them for evil." How unlike the God of Jesus, who taught "Love your enemies," do good to those who despitefully use you. God of Israel Repents Again. Judges II., Verse 18: "For it repented the Lord because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them." Again He Is Angry. Verse 20: "And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel ; and he said," etc. What a vacillating spirit Jehovah was ; repenting one moment, getting angry and "hot" the next minute, 84 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE promising and threatening as the mood seemed to take Him. Jehovah Sells Them Into Slavery Again. Judges III., Verse 8: Jehovah sold them to the heathen and they were slaves to them eight years. Jehovah Controls Another Medium. Verses 9, 10: "And the spirit of the Lord came upon him (Othniel) and He judged Israel, and went out to war," etc. Verse 12 : It will be noticed that every time the Israelites lost in battle, or any of Jehovah's prophecies failed, it is stated that the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord's anger was kindled against them. This statement is made so often that it looks like an excuse made to account for the failure of some of Jehovah's prophecies. Was Jehovah the Author of This Assassination? The 15th to 29th verses of this chapter records one of the foulest of assassinations ever perpetrated, and the Lord "raised up" the man to do it this scripture says. Is This Old Testament a Record of Ancient Crimes? Is it a crime against innocence to teach the loving and confiding Sabbath school children that this Old Testament is the Word of God? Let anyone read the above fourteen verses of scripture before replying. Sold Into Slavery Again. Chap. IV., 2 : Jehovah sold the Israelites into slavery of Jabin, King of Canaan. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 85 Deborah Gives Readings. Verse 4: "And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time." Verse 5 : "And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah, between Ramah and Beth-el in Mount Ephraim; and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment." Probably for readings, as she was a prophetess or medium. Gideon and His Spirit Test with Fleece of Wool. Judges VI., 11: "And there came an angel of the Lord (not the Lord Jehovah, but an angel of the Lord) and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that per- tained unto Joash the Abi-ezrite ; and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the wine-press, to hide it from the Midianites." Is not this spirit return? Verse 12: "And the angel (or spirit) of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour." Verse 13 : "And Gideon said unto him, Oh, my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt ? but now the Lord hath forsaken us, and deliv- ered us into the hands of the Midianites." Verse 14: "And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites ; have not I sent thee ?" Verse 15: "And he said unto him, Oh, my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house." Verse 16: "And the Lord said unto him, Surely I 86 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man." Gideon Doubts the Spirit and Asks for a Test. Judges VI., Verse 17: "And he (Gideon) said unto him (unto the spirit), If now I have found grace in thy sight, then show me a sign (give me a test) that thou talkest with me." Thus it appears that Gideon doubted his own me- diumship and was not satisfied that the spirit had talked to him. Verse 18: Gideon asks the spirit to wait there until he comes back and brings the spirit a present. And the spirit promised to wait. Is this not wonderful? the spirit waiting there for Gideon to bring him a present ? Verse 19 : Gideon went in and made ready a kid and unleavened cakes made of flour, and put the broth in a pot and brought it to the angel. Verse 20: The angel or spirit told him to put this excellent dinner upon the rock and pour out the broth. "And he did so." Gideon a Fire Medium. Verse 21 : "The spirit put forth the staff that was in his hand and touched the flesh and unleavened cakes ; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed them." Then the angel disappeared. After Witnessing This, Gideon Wanted More Tests. Verse 36: "And Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand as thou hast said," Verse 37 : "Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor ; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand as thou hath said." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 87 Verse 38 : "And it was so : for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water." Verse 39: "And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once ; let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece ; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew." Verse 40 : "And God did so that night : for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground." Is there anything as unreasonable as this in Spirit- ualism ? This spirit is called "God," "angel," "angel of the Lord," etc., in this scripture. Strange Method of Selecting Best Soldiers, and by Spirit Direction. Judges VII., 4, says : Gideon has too many soldiers and Jehovah tells him how to select the best ones. Verse 5 says : "So he brought down the people unto the water; and the Lord said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lap- peth, him shalt thou set by himself ; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink." Verse 6: "And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men, but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water." A wonderful test of a good soldier. ( ?) The remainder of this chapter tells how Gideon took these three hundred soldiers, that stood the test of Israel's God, and defeated these Midianites and Amal- ekites, and they ran away. 88 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Verse 12 says : "They were like grasshoppers for multitude." The 13th verse tells of a dream a man had that gave added strength to Gideon's test of the fleece of wool. Oh, if General Foch and our good General Perkins could have had such divine assistance could they not have conquered the Kaiser's millions and left no dead soldiers in France ? Evil Spirits Jehovah Sends. Judges IX., 23 : "Then God sent an evil spirit be- tween Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech." Jehovah's Anger Hot Against Israel — He Sells Them Into Slavery Again. Chap. X., Verse 7, says : "And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel and He sold them into the hands of the Philistines and into the hands of the children of Ammon." Vexed Israelites Eighteen Years in One Year. Verse 8 : "And that year they vexed and oppressed the children of Israel eighteen years," etc. Jephthah, a Medium, Sacrifices His Only Daughter as a Burnt Offering. Judges XI., 29 : "Then the spirit of the Lord (Jeho- vah) came upon Jephthah." That is, he was under spirit influence; so he was a medium. The 29th to 39th verses of this chapter tell the awful story of this medium, under spirit control, making a vow to sacrifice as a burnt offering whatsoever came SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 89 out of his house to meet him, on his return from the battle if he won it. His only child was the one who came out to greet him, and he sacrificed her as a "burnt offering unto the Lord." Will some ignorant Chris- tians continue to accuse modern mediums of doing wrong ? Dr. Wm. Smith's Dictionary of the Bible, a Christian authority, says : "The daughter of Jephthah was really offered up to God in sacrifice — slain by the hand of her father and then burnt — it is a horrible conclusion, but one which it seems impossible to avoid." Samson's Miraculous Conception — More Spirit Communion. Judges XIII., 2, 3 : "And the angel of the Lord ap- peared unto the woman (who afterwards became Sam- son's mother) and said to her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not; but thou shalt conceive and bear a son." Verse 9 : This angel or spirit came again, when the woman was in the field. Verse 10 : The woman went and told Manoah, her husband (who afterwards became Samson's father). Verse 1 1 : Manoah went and saw the spirit, and talked with him, also. Verse 15 : Manoah asked this angel of the Lord to dine with him. Verse 16: The angel of the Lord declined the in- vitation. Verse 17 : Manoah asked this angel his name. Verse 18: The angel said it was a secret. Verse 19: "And the angel did wondrously, while Manoah made a meat offering to the Lord." 90 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Manoah Another Fire Medium. Verse 20: The angel of the Lord went up in the flame of the altar. "And Manoah and his wife looked on it, and fell on their faces to the ground." Verse 21 : "But the angel of the Lord did no more appear to Manoah and to his wife. Then Manoah knew that he was an angel of the Lord (a spirit)." This spirit communicated with both Manoah and his wife, if the story is true. Verse 22: "And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God." (They often mistook spirits for God.) Verse 23 : Mrs. Manoah assured her husband that the Lord would not kill them, as he had received their burnt offering. Samson's Birth. Verse 24 : "And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson, and the child grew, and the Lord blessed him," Samson Is a Medium. Verse 25 : "And the spirit of the Lord began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol." In this chapter, this spirit is called the angel of the Lord ten times, "Angel of God" twice, a "Man of God" twice, "The angel" once, "God" once, and "a man," and "the man," three times each. Dear Christian friends, is not spirit communion true? There are no miraculous conceptions in Modern Spiritualism, and the Bible mediums and Bible spirits have the modern mediums and modern spirits beaten badly if this story is true. What would happen if it should prove to be untrue ? SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 91 The foregoing statement is that Samson was brought into the world by the edict of an angel or spirit of the Lord, and so he was miraculously conceived. It also shows that he was a medium, as "the spirit of the Lord began to move him at times." Spirit Selects a Wife for Samson. Judges XIV., Verses 2 and 3, tells of Samson se- lecting a Philistine woman for a wife, and that his parents thought he should select one from among his own people. Verse 4: But his father and his mother knew not that it (the selection of his wife) was of the Lord. Samson Under Spirit Control. Verse 5 : "A lion roared against him." Verse 6 : "And the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand." Mediums are sometimes very strong when under control, but Samson beats them all. Verse 19 : Samson was controlled again by the spirit and "slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle." That is to say, that Samson under control of the spirit of the Lord slew thirty men to get their clothing to pay the bet he had lost. This may be called the Spiritism of Christians who believe it, but it is not the kind of Spiritualism that Modern Spiritualists teach or advocate. Verse 20: "But Samson's wife was given to his companion whom he had used as his friend." 92 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE They "gave" and "took" wives in those days. A woman's wishes were not always considered. Judges XV., 1, 2, 3 : Samson's father-in-law having given Samson's wife to another man, to make it right, he gives Samson a younger daughter and a better looking one. Samson's Miracle, with Foxes. Verse 4: "Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took fire-brands, and turned tail to tail, and put a fire-brand in the midst of two tails." Verse 5 : "And when he had set the fire-brands on fire, he let them go into the standing corn of the Phil- istines, and burnt up both the shocks and also the stand- ing corn with the vineyards and olives." Mediums did wonders in those days ! Kind reader, can you accept this story as God's infallible truth ? Another Phase of Samson's Mediumship. Verse 14 : "And the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him (he was controlled by the spirit) and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands." Modern mediums have been released by spirits after being bound securely, and when steel handcuffs were locked on them, so this phase of mediumship is not new to Spiritualists. Thousand Slain With Jawbone. Verse 15 : "And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith." This wonderful miracle was performed by Samson while the spirit of the Lord was controlling him. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 93 Verse 16 : "And Samson said, With the jawbone of an ass, heaps upon heaps, with the jaw of an ass have I slain a thousand men." Verse 18 : "And he was sore athirst, and called on the Lord and said, Thou hast given this great deliver- ance into the hand of thy servant ; and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised ?" Spirit Power Gets Water from a Dry Bone. Verse 19 : "But God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water thereout; and when he had drunk his spirit came again and he revived," etc. Can any honest and intelligent Christian truthfully say he believes this story? Spiritualists do not believe in miracles, and they do not accept as infallible truth these weird and impossible tales about Samson. Samson's Morals. Though Samson was miraculously conceived by the edict of "the angel of the Lord," and was "moved by the spirit of the Lord," and often, "the spirit of the Lord came upon him," controlling him. These high spiritual associations did not keep him walking in the pathway of moral rectitude. This Christian authority, Dr. William Smith's Dic- tionary of the Bible, says of Delilah: "Her connection with Samson forms the third and last of those amatory adventures which in his history are so inextricably blended with the craft and prowess of a judge in Israel." This, though possibly not intended, justly convicts Samson. 94 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Another Dark Seance. Judges XVI., 3 : Samson carries off the gates of the city, gate-posts, bar and all, without being captured by men who "laid in wait for him all night in the city." Lies Three Times. Verse 17 : He tells Delilah, his paramour, after hav- ing lied to her three times, that if his head be shaven his strength will go from him. Head Shaved While Asleep. Verse 19 : "And she made him sleep upon his knees ; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head ; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him." Could he sleep while his head was being shaved ? Spirit Guide Leaves Samson. The last of the 20th verse says : "And he wist not that the Lord was departed from him." Did the spirit of the Lord leave him because he lost his hair; and did he refuse to strengthen him to do the wonders he had accomplished through the power of the spirit, because his head was shaved? How ridiculous ! According to the remainder of this chapter, the Philistines put his eyes out, imprisoned him and made a feast. Samson's hair began to grow, and he prayed the Lord to strengthen him, and he put his arms around the two pillars upon which the building rested (he must have had a long reach), and "bowed himself with all his might, and the house fell," killing three thousand, besides killing Samson himself. This closed Samson's last demonstration of spirit power and spirit phenomena. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 95 Samson was not a Spiritualist and did not teach Spiritualism, nor live the life of a true Spiritualist. If the report is true, he was a spirit-medium, con- trolled by spirits. He was a Spiritist. Not a single act of this miraculously conceived spirit- medium, as recorded in the scriptures, can be said to be a spiritual act. There is nothing whatever in his record that is spiritual. This story has nothing that is good for our faith, or needed for our practice. It teaches spirit communion was an ancient fact, that is all. The remainder of the book of Judges contains reading matter that would not add moral excellence to any work, and would not be allowed circulation through the United States mails if published in any other book than the Bible. When, oh, when, will Christians awaken to the fact that the scriptures are in great need of a thorough revision, and that their good cause suffers greatly because of it? The Book of Samuel — Samuel's Miraculous Conception. 1st Sam. I., Verse 5 : "But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion ; for he loved Hannah, but the Lord caused her to be barren/' Verse 7 : "Because of it Hannah wept and did not eat." Verse 1 1 : "And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then will I give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head." Verse 12: She continues praying. 96 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Verse 17: "Then Eli (the high priest) answered and said, Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him." Verse 18 : Hannah is more cheerful after the good words of the priest. Verse 19 : The Lord remembered her. Verse 20: Hannah bares a son and calls his name Samuel. (See also 26th and 27th verses.) Was this a miraculous conception? Would such a case, occurring today, be considered as such ? Samuel a Medium. Samuel having been miraculously conceived, and the spirits being with him and with his mother, he had an excellent start in his development as a medium and he became an excellent one, as the sequel will plainly show. Ministered Before the Lord When a Child. 1st Sam. II., 18: "But Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child, girded with a linen ephod." Verse 26 : "And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favor both with the Lord and also with men." Spirit Messages Precious — No Open Vision. 1st Sam. III., Verse 1 : "And the child Samuel min- istered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days ; there was no open vision." The Spirit of the Lord — Jehovah Talks to Samuel. Verse 3 : "And Samuel was laid down to sleep." Verse 4: "That the Lord (a spirit voice) called Samuel ; and he answered, Here am I." Verse 5 : "And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 97 I ; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not, lie down again. And he went and lay down." Verse 6 : "And the Lord called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose, and went to Eli, and said, Here am I ; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son ; lie down again." Samuel's Mediumship Not Yet Developed. Verse 7 : "Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him." Verse 8: "And the Lord called Samuel again, the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I ; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child." Verse 9 : "Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down; and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place." A Dark Seance. Verse 10: "And the Lord (or spirit) came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak ; for thy servant heareth." Verse 11 : "And the Lord said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of everyone that heareth it shall tingle." Verse 12 : "In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house : when I begin, I will also make an end." Verse 13 : "For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity w T hich he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not." 98 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Verse 14 : Continues this spirit communication. The above was given in the night, and was another dark seance. Verse 15: "And Samuel lay until morning and opened the doors of the house of the Lord ; and Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision." Verse 16 : "Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Sam- uel, my son. And he answered, Here am I." Verse 17: "And he said, What is the thing that the Lord hath said unto thee ? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that He said unto thee." Verse 18: "And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the Lord; let him do what seemeth good." Samuel Established as a Medium of Israel. Verse 19: "And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground." Verse 20 : "And all Israel, from Dan even to Beer- sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord." For Looking Into Cabinet Jehovah Kills 50,070 Men. 1st Sam. VI., 19: "And he (the Lord) smote the men of Beth-shemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the Lord, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and three score and ten men (50,070). And the people lamented, because the Lord had smitten many of the people with a great slaughter. What a strange thing for a good God to do ! It was natural for a few who were present to desire to look in SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 99 the spirit cabinet, to know if everything was returned in good order. And what harm could it do to look into it, anyway ? Probably not one in five hundred of these fifty thousand men looked into the ark. Why should they all suffer death when so few of them were guilty ? Israelites Worship Baalim, Ashtaroth and Other Tribal Gods. VII., 3 : "And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ash- taroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only ; and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines. " Verse 4: "Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the Lord only.'' These were tribal gods of which there were many, and were evidently like Jehovah of the Israelites, sim- ply communicating spirits." Spirit Used Thunder to Win Battle. Verse 10: When the Philistines were fighting the Israelites at Mizpeh, "The Lord (or spirit Jehovah) thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines and discomfited them ; and they were smitten before Israel." Verses 11, 12: The Israelites drove them back be- cause the Lord helped them. From Verse 8 to the end of this chapter, the Lord gives Samuel a plan to have a king rule over Israel. VII., 21 : "And Samuel rehearsed the words of the people in the ears of the Lord." Did not the Lord know what the people were saying until Samuel told him? 100 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Samuel a Developing Medium. 1st Sam. IX., Verses 1 to 4: A Benjamite named Kish, "A mighty man of power had lost his asses, and he sent his son Saul and a servant in search of them." Verse 5 : "And when they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant that was with him, Come, and let us return ; lest my father cease caring for the asses, and take thought for us." Mediums of Bible Require Pay. Verse 6 : "And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God and he is an honourable man ; all that he saith cometh surely to pass : now let us go thither ; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go." Verse 7 : "Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God; what have we?" This shows pay was expected. Samuel Accepts Pay for Mediumship — Saul and the Lost Asses. Verse 8: "And the servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver, that will I give to the man of God to tell us our way." A shekel of silver is less than fifteen cents of Ameri- can money. So the pay the medium Samuel received for his services in delivering this message from God, finding the lost asses, and giving Saul this spiritual reading, netted him less than fifteen cents. Was finding these lost asses fortune telling? If it were to occur in the state of Michigan today, the great SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 101 man of God, Samuel, would be liable to arrest, fine and imprisonment for taking pay for fortune telling. Let good Christians read and reflect. Verse 10: "Then said Saul to his servant, Well said ; come let us go. So they went unto the city where the man of God was." Verse 1 1 : "And as they went up the hill to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and said unto them, Is the seer here? ,, Verse 12: "And they answered them, and said, He is," etc. Spirit Tells Samuel Saul Is Coming. Verse 14: Samuel came out to meet them. His spirit guides had told him they were coming. Verse IS: "Now the Lord (the spirit) had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying:" Verse 16 : "Tomorrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin ; and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philis- tines." How like communications of today this is. Samuel a Medium. Verse 17 : "And when Samuel saw Saul, the Lord (the spirit) said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of ! this same shall reign over my people." Samuel Tells Saul the Asses Are Found. Verse 20 : "And as for thine asses, that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind on them ; for they are found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on thee, and on all thy father's house." Verse 27 : They sent the servant on ahead of them so Samuel could give Saul a private spirit message. 102 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Samuel's Spirit Message to Saul. 1st Sam. X., 1 : "Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the Lord hath anointed thee to be cap- tain over his inheritance?" Foretelling the Future— Is This Fortune Telling? Verse 2 : "When thou art departed from me today, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel's sepulchre, in the border of Benjamin Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found ; and, lo, thy father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What shall I do for my son?" Verse 3 : "Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the plain of Tabar, and there shall meet three men going up to God to Bethel, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine :" Verse 4: "And they will salute thee, and give thee two loaves of bread, which thou shalt receive in thy hands." Music Used in Seances. Verse 5: "After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines, and it shall come to pass, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place, with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them ; and they shall prophesy." Mediumship Turns Saul Into Another Man. Verse 6: "And the Spirit of the Lord will come upon thee (he will be controlled) and thou shalt prophesy (foretell the future) with them, and shalt be turned into another man." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 103 That is, he will become a medium. Verse 7: "And let it be, when these signs (spirit tests) are come upon thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee ; for God is with thee." Verse 9 : "And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart, and all those signs came to pass that day." That is : all these tests proved true. Verse 10: "And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him ; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them." 1st Sam. X. : After reading this whole story of Saul's experience with Samuel, anyone who understands Spiritualism must be convinced that both Samuel and Saul were mediums. This scripture cannot be properly interpreted to mean anything else. Modern experiences, such as this ancient one herein recorded, are what made the millions of Spiritualists who are citizens of our country, and is making millions more today the world over. Saul Among the Prophets. Verse 11 : "And it came to pass, when all that knew him before-time saw that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to another, What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?" Verse 15: "And Saul's uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said unto you." Verse 16 : "And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the asses were found. But of the matter of the kingdom, whereof Samuel spake he told him not." Verse 21 : The Israelites gathered to elect a king. "And when they sought him (Saul) he could not be found." 104 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE It will be remembered that the spirit of the Lord (Jehovah) had, through the mediumship of Samuel, selected Saul to be King of Israel ; and he was wanted at this meeting so as to be proclaimed King of Israel, when he disappeared. Saul Hides and the Spirit Finds Him. Verse 22: "They enquired of the Lord (the spirit) if the man who was to be made king would be there for the ceremony, and the spirit said, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff." Saul was brought in. He was head and shoulders taller than any of them. Verses 24 to 27 : He was proclaimed King of Israel. Saul Under Control and Angry. XL, 6: "And the spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard these tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly." Saul's Brutality. Verse 7 : "And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them to pieces, and sent them throughout the coasts of Israel by the hand of messengers, saying, Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen. And the fear of. the Lord (the spirits) fell on the people, and they came out with one consent." Spiritism. This is Spiritism, not Spiritualism. There is nothing in Modern Spiritualism like it, thank heaven! Samuel Destroys Enemies with Thunder. XII., 18: "So Samuel called unto the Lord; and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day : and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 105 No modern medium was ever known to control the weather and use thunder storms to smite his enemies. Saul Casts Lots to Find the Guilty One. Sam. XIV., Verses 36 to 45 : Saul calls on God to find the guilty one by casting lots. The lot falls on Saul's son Jonathan, and Saul would put him to death, but Israel refused to let him do it. Jehovah Tells Saul to Slay Men, Women, Infants and Sucklings. Chap. XV., Verses 1 to 4 : Jehovah tells Saul through the medium Samuel to "go and smite Amalek and ut- terly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and sucklings," etc. No modern medium ever received such a terrible spirit message as this one, and their messages come from spirits of men. Saul Disobeys Jehovah. Verse 8 says : "And he took Agag the King of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword," Verse 9 : "But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them ; but everything that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly." The Lord Repents. Verse 10: "Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel saying," Verse 11 : "It repcnteth me that I have set up Saul to be King; for he is turned back from following Me, 106 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE and hath not performed My commandments. And it grieved Samuel ; and he cried unto the Lord all night." If Jehovah was omniscient, should he not have known when he made Saul King, just what Saul would do? And does Almighty God repent? Samuel and Saul Quarrel. 1st Sam. XV., Verse 19 : Samuel asks Saul, "Where- fore, then, didst thou not obey the voice of the Lord ?" Verse 20 : Saul says : "I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, and have gone the way which the Lord sent me, and have brought Agag the King of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. ,, Verse 21 : Saul says : "The people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been destroyed, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in Gilgal." They brought them home to use as burnt offerings in their sacrifices to Jehovah. Was there anything wrong in this ? Verse 23 : Samuel says : "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idol- atry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord (the spirit message from Jehovah), he hath also re- jected thee from being king." In the above, as elsewhere in scripture, "the word of the Lord" means "the spirit's message. ,, Saul Pleads Guilty and Asks Pardon. 1st Sam. XV., Verse 24 : "And Saul said unto Sam- uel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the com- mandment of the Lord, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice." Verse 25 : "Now, therefore, I pray thee, pardon SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 107 my sin (which was the greater sin, to murder the king or save him alive?), and turn again with me, that I may worship the Lord." Samuel Refused to Pardon Saul. Verse 26: "And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the Lord (the spirit message), and the Lord hath rejected thee from being king over Israel. ,, Saul Tears Samuel's Mantle. Verse 27 : "And as Samuel turned about to go away, he (Saul) laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent." In Chapter XXVIIL, Verses 12, 13 and 14, as may be seen, the dead man Samuel returns as a spirit, wear- ing this cloak, as a test or proof of his identity. 1st Sam. XV., 28 : "And Samuel said unto him, The Lord hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbor of thine, that is better than thou." Jehovah Will Not Lie Nor Repent. Verse 29 : "And also the strength of Israel will not lie, nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent/' Jehovah Does Repent. Verse 35 : "And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death ; nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul. And the Lord repented that he had made Saul King over Israel." Twice in this chapter it is stated that Jehovah re- pented. Once it says He will not lie nor repent. Can these contradictions be infallibly true? 108 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE XVI., 13 : Samuel anointed David, the young shep- herd whom the Lord had selected to be king in the place of Saul. "And the spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. " That is, he became a medium, controlled by spirits. An Evil Spirit from the Lord Troubles Saul. Verse 14 : A spirit cannot trouble one who is not a medium. So Saul was a medium. "But the spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him." Verse 15: "And Saul's servants said unto him, Be- hold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee. ,, Evil Spirits Driven Out by Music. Verse 16: "Let our Lord now command thy ser- vants, which are before thee to seek out a man who is a cunning player on an harp : and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well. ,, David Appears — Takes Part. Verses 17 to 20: They sent for David. Verse 21 : "And David came to Saul and stood be- fore him : and he loved him greatly ; and he became his armour-bearer." Saul Obsessed — Cured by Music. Verse 23 : "And it came to pass when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand : so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him." The reader may notice that this spirit that controlled Saul is repeatedly called "The evil spirit from God." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 109 Did the Great God of this universe send an evil spirit to trouble Saul? Can anyone believe a God of all love and compassion, all wisdom and power, would send an evil spirit to Saul or any other mortal to torture him because he failed to murder King Agag? Oh, the inconsistency of such beliefs ! Is obsession by evil spir- its, from God, or ordered by Him ? And if such were the case, could the playing of a harp drive back the evil spirit whom God had sent? Saul Again Obsessed and Prophesies. 1 Sam. XVIII., 10 : "And it came to pass on the mor- row that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house : and David played with his hand as at other times ; and there was a javelin in Saul's hand." Verse 11 : "And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice." Lord With David, Not With Saul. Verse 12 : "And Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him, and was departed from Saul." Evil Spirit from the Lord. XIX., 9: "And the evil spirit from the Lord was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand : and David played with his hand." Verse 10: "And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of Saul's presence : and he smote the javelin into the wall ; and David fled, and escaped that night." Is it not strange that God should send an evil spirit, who on these various occasions controlled Saul, and tried to kill David, of whom the Lord said: "I have 110 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE found David, the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will." (See Acts XIIL, 22.) 1st Sam. XIII., 14: David a man after God's own heart. Chap. XIX., Verse 18 : "So David fled and came to Samuel at Ramah." Saul Sends Men to Take David. Verse 20 : "And Saul sent messengers to take David : and when they saw the company of prophets prophesy- ing, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied. ,, Saul Sent Messengers Three Times and They Were All Controlled. Samuel, Saul and David Mediums. Verse 21 : "And when it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they prophesied likewise. And Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also." Saul Himself Goes to Kill David and He Is Controlled. Verses 22 and 23 : "And he went thither to Naioth in Ramah : and the spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on, and prophesied." Saul Prophesied Naked. Verse 24 : "And he stripped off his clothes, also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day, and all that night. Where- fore they say, Is Saul also among the prophets ?" This looks as though the spirit of God, who con- trolled Saul's three companies of messengers whom SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 111 he sent to kill David, and who controlled Saul when he went to kill him, had thus prevented his murder. Spirits nowadays do strange things to protect their mediums, but never strip their clothes off and make them dance naked before people as Saul's spirit control did. And they never commit murder. Saul a Medium for Evil Spirits — He, David and Jonathan All Falsify. 1st Sam. XVIII. , 22: Saul tells his servants to tell David that he "hath delight in him," when the truth was, he wanted to kill him and was then planning to do it. Chap. XX., 6 : David tells Jonathan to lie about him to his father. In the 27th, 28th, 29th verses, Jonathan lies to his father Saul. Chap. XXL, 1, 2 : David lies to Ahimelech, the priest. Evil Spirits Control Saul — Like Seems to Attract Like. 1st Sam. XVI., Verses 14 and 23 ; XVIII., 10: Evil spirit prophesied through Saul. XIX., 9. David Feigns Insanity. XXL, 13 to 15. Chap. XXIII., 2 : David enquired of the Lord and the Lord answered him. Verse 4 : He enquired again. Verses 9 to 12 : David again uses the ephod to en- quire of the Lord, and the Lord answered him. Ephod Described. An ephod is a breastplate studded with precious stones. Urim means light and thummim, perfection. 112 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE The high priest asks the Lord (the spirit) questions, and receives answers by the ephod. (See 1st Sam. XXIII., Verses 9 to 12; XXX., 7, 8.) The high priest is the medium for the use of the ephod, or breast- plate, and it is he in this case who gets the message from the spirit. Use of the Ephod. David, Samuel, Saul, and many other "men of God," "prophets," or spirit mediums of the Bible used the ephod in the same manner, and for the same purpose that some mediums now use the crystal, the mirror, or the ouija board. It was used to inquire of the Lord, or other spirits. The theological opponents of Spiritualism often de- ride the idea that spirits would stoop so low as to rap on a table, or tilt it in answer to a question. Would it not be as legitimate a transaction as for "Almighty God" to manifest to such characters as poor old David, or Saul, through the instrumentality of an ephod or through a "trumpet" in "thick darkness"? (See "Trum- pet Seances" of the Bible in index to this book, for references to articles on the subject.) XXVII., 8, 9 and 11, say : David smote three nations, "and left neither man nor woman alive." Is this sacred and holy writ ? One must have a poor opinion of the Deity to believe he ordered such slaughterings. The Woman of Endor a Medium — Samuel Dead. Sam. XXVIII. , Verse 3 : "Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits and wizards, out of the land." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 113 Verse 6: "And when Saul enquired of the Lord, the Lord answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by urim, nor by prophets. " Verse 7: "Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit (a spirit me- dium), that I may go to her and enquire of her. And the servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at En-dor. ,, Verse 8: "And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night : and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up whom I shall name unto thee." Divination. Some Bible mediums divined by using the ephod, some by the divining rod, and others by the divining cup, while the more advanced mediums and most accu- rate ones like Peter, Paul, Jesus, and the woman of Endor, divined by the familiar spirit. Verse 9 : "And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that hath familiar spirits, and the wizards out of the land: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die?" Verse 10: "And Saul sware to her by the Lord, saying : As the Lord liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing." Verse 1 1 : "Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel." Verse 12 : "And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice ; and the woman spake to Saul, saying: Why hast thou deceived me, for thou art Saul." 114 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Verse 13 : "And the King said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? and the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth." Spirits are called gods throughout the Old Testament. 1st Sam. XVIII. , Verse 14: "And he said unto her, What form is he of ? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul per- ceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself." Verse 15 : "And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God (his spirit guide) has departed from me, and anszvereth me no more, neither by prophets nor by dreams; therefore I have called thee that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do." Saul believed in other phases of mediumship than his own, as this scripture shows. Verse 16 : "Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the Lord (his spirit guide) is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy ?" Verse 18 : "Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the Lord, nor executedst His fierce wrath upon Amelek, therefore hath the Lord done this thing unto thee." That is : because Saul did not kill all that breathed as Jehovah ordered, but saved King Agag alive, whom Samuel hewed in pieces, was the reason Jehovah had departed from him. A Spirit Prophecy Fulfilled. Verse 19: "Moreover, the Lord will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and tomorrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me; the SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 115 Lord also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines." No one can accuse this medium of Endor of fraud, because everything she gave Saul was true, and the prophecy of Samuel, the spirit, came to pass. Verse 20: "Saul fell on the earth and was sore afraid." Verse 21 : The woman told him she had put her life in her hands by hearkening unto him. Verse 22 : She begged him to let her get him some- thing to eat. Verse 23 : He refused, but the servants and the woman compelled him. Verse 25 : "And they did eat, and they went away that night." We have zvritten out the full story because it is just what Spiritualists teach and practice. It will be seen that the woman is not called a witch at all. Theo- logians misrepresent her when they call her a witch. As well call Samuel, David, Jesus, or any other Bible medium, a wizard, or a witch. The third verse says Samuel was dead. Verse 12 says the woman saw Samuel. 1st Sam. XXVIII., Verse 14, says Saul perceived it was Samuel, and the 15th verse says Samuel said to Saul, etc. ; 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th verses declare that Samuel talked to Saul, and if it was not Samuel this Bible story is a prevarication, and if it is not true, then the reliability of the entire book must be questioned. Verse 19 says : "Moreover, the Lord will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines ; and tomorrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me." Where will they be with him as Samuel states? 116 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Why, in "Summerland," of course, for Samuel being a "Man of God" must be in a good place, and Saul, his sons and the rest of them are going to the same place. Spirit Samuel says they will be with him. Chapter XXXI. , Verse 6, says : "So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armour-bearer, and all his men that same day together." If this story is true, spirit communion was as true in the year 1026 B. C. as it is today. And one who does not believe this story is an infidel. The author of this book believes the story is true, because he has seen much of such phenomena, and from personal experi- ence knows it is possible. The story of Saul and the woman of Endor plainly teaches that spirits of dead people communicate with mortals through human mediums. This scripture says that Samuel was dead and that he came and talked to Saul through the mediumship of the woman of Endor. If this is not true, the Bible does not tell the truth ; if, as the Bible says, the dead Samuel did return and talk to Saul, then Spiritualism and the return and communication of the spirits of the dead is an actual fact. In this case by itself, the fact rests upon the authenticity of the scriptures. In ten thousand present- day instances it rests on testimony of the living wit- nesses whom we may know, and who are honest, up- right and truthful men and women. Or we may inves- tigate the subject ourselves. Which is the better evidence, the testimony of those who are living today and who have had personal expe- rience, or the writings of those ancient men whom we never knew? In this case, as in many more, the Bible and the Experiences of Spiritualists agree perfectly. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 117 Second Book of Samuel. The Second Book of Samuel contains little Spiritual- ism, but has many reports of evil doings, intrigue, war, etc. Chapter II., Verses 1 to 14: David inquired of Jehovah whether he should go up into the cities of Judah, and the spirit told him to go up. David Another of Jehovah's Mediums. V., 19: "And David enquired of the Lord, saying: Shall I go up to the Philistines ? Wilt thou deliver them unto mine hand? And the Lord said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand." Spirit Gives Instructions, Also a Test. Chap. V., Verses 23 to 25 : David again enquired of Jehovah, and was told to attack when he (the spirit) should make "the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees." When the signal was given David went up. Is it not spirit communion exemplified? Music at Seances. 2nd Sam. VI., 5 : "David and all Israel played all manner of instruments before the Lord." Did the Lord enjoy their music? Scripture saith not. Spirit Jehovah Kills Uzza. This chapter tells more about the ark, or spirit cabi- net. Verse 6 : Uzza put his hand to it to steady it from tipping over. Verse 7 says: "And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzza, and God smote him there, for his error, and there he died by the ark of God." 118 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Was this an act of Kind Providence? Uzza was innocent of any wrong intent. We prefer to disbelieve the story, rather than believe that God, the Father of all, is so unjust and so passionate. Was the ark charged with electricity, and did Moses use this incident to frighten the poor Israelites and gain better control of them? Who knows? Nathan Another Medium for Jehovah. VII., 4: The word of the Lord came to Nathan, after King David had suggested it to him, and gave orders for David to build Jehovah a house; the spirit explains that he had lived in a tent ever since they left Egypt, and the spirit instructed Nathan to tell David about it. According to Verse 6, Jehovah had dwelt in a tent 449 years, and he was tired of it and wanted a house of wood. Spirit Reading Nathan Gives David. Verse 18 : Then David goes in and has a reading with Nathan. David does all the talking himself. He tells Jehovah he accepts the job of building his house for him. David and Uriah's Wife. The eleventh chapter records the terrible story of David and Uriah's wife, which convicts David of de- ception, licentiousness, murder, and other iniquities. This is so terrible that even Jehovah, who had upheld David in all his wickedness heretofore was angry, and condemned and punished him for it. Another Spirit Message to David. 2 Sam. XII., Verse 9: Jehovah, speaking through the medium Nathan to King David, said : "Wherefore SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 119 hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord to do evil in his sight? Thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword ; and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon." David Pleads Guilty; Jehovah Forgives Him. Verse 13 : "And David said unto Nathan (the me- dium), I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin ; thou shalt not die." Jehovah Kills David's Innocent Child. Verse 14: "Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die." Jehovah thus punishes the innocent child for the father's guilt. Is this Divine justice? Verse 15: "And the Lord struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick." Verses 16, 17: "David therefore besought God (Jehovah) for the child. He fasted, and lay down on the earth all night. His elders went to get him to raise up from the earth, but he would not, neither would he eat." Verse 18: The child died. Verse 20 : Then David "came into the house of the Lord and worshiped." Was there not great need for David to get religion and worship something good? Jehovah loves David, Acts XIII., 22, and 1st Sam. XIII, 14, say: "David is a man after God's own heart." 120 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Birth of King Solomon. 2 Sam., XII., 24: "And David comforted Bath- sheba, his wife, , , and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon, and the Lord loved him." Did Solomon inherit his love of the opposite sex from his parents? If he did, he alone must bear the blame of taking a thousand wives. David's Mediumship Continues Despite His Wickedness. 2nd Sam. XXL, Verse 1 : David inquired of the Lord, why he had brought the famine. And the Lord answered, It is Saul and his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites. Jehovah punished the innocent with the guilty as usual. Verse 6: The Gibeonites ask for seven of Saul's sons, "and we will hang them up unto the Lord in Gibeah." Killed Seven Sons for Sins of Father. Verses 7, 8, 9: They hanged them. That is, they killed seven sons for the wickedness of their father, and this was done by the direction of the spirit of the Lord Jehovah, the Egyptian warrior. (See Verse 1.) Jehovah's Anger Kindled Orders Israel Numbered — Kills 70,000 Because David Fulfilled His Order. Chap. XXIV., Verse 1 : "And again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say (i. e., he controlled David to say, etc.), Go number Israel and Judah." Verse 15 says: The Lord killed 70,000 men, be- cause David numbered Israel, when Jehovah ordered him to do it. Verse 17: David asks Jehovah what these sheep SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 121 (the innocent Israelites) have done. And this is just what we are asking. Why should Divine Justice pun- ish the innocent people of Israel because David obeyed his orders? 2nd Sam. XXIV., 11 to 14: David does not rely wholly upon his own mediumship, but relies upon Gad's spiritual powers. Verse 11: "The word of the Lord came unto the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying: (The message follows.) Book of First Kings — Solomon Another of Jehovah's Mediums. Holds a Dark Seance. 1 Kings III., 5 : "In Gideon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, Ask what I shall give thee." Verses 6 to 14 repeat the exact words of a conversa- tion between the spirit Jehovah and King Solomon. Who was present to hear and make note of this spirit communication? How can one tell if the report is correct? (See also 2nd Chron., Chap. I., Verses 7 to 12.) Solomon Builds a Spirit Cabinet. Chap. VI., Verses 15 to 28, tells of his building an addition to the temple for the spirit cabinet and seance room. Verse 19 says : "And the oracle he prepared in the house within, to set there the ark of the covenant (spirit cabinet) of the Lord." The Bible is the oracle of the Christian. Verses 21, 22: "Solomon overlaid the whole house with gold. The whole altar that was by the oracle he overlaid with gold." 122 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE God Dwells in Thick Darkness. Chap. VIIL, Verses 9 to 12 : The cloud filled the house of the Lord. The priest could not stand to minister because of the cloud. Verse 12 says: "Then spake Solomon, The Lord said that he would dwell in thick darkness." Verse 13 : "I have surely built thee an house to dwell in, a settled place for thee to abide in forever." Did Solomon need to build a house for Almighty God to live in — a settled place for Him to abide in forever ? The Word of God Means a Spirit Message. 1st Kings XII., 22 : "But the word of God came unto Shemaiah, the Man of God (the spirit medium), say- ing," then follows the spirit message in the next two verses. Chapter XIII. mentions "Man of God" (a medium) twelve times, and "The word of the Lord" (spirit message), seven times. Verse 3: "The man of God (the medium) gave a sign (a test) the same day." Verse 4: Jeroboam, the king, "put forth his hand, saying, lay hold on him (the man of God). And his hand, which he put forth against him, dried up, so that he could not pull it in again." This was a strange phenomenon. Verse 5 : The sign or test was given as mentioned in the third verse. "Which the man of God (the me- dium) had given by the word of the Lord" (spirit message). Verse 6 : The King told him to entreat the spirit to heal his hand for him, and the King's hand was restored. Verse 18: One prophet (a medium) lied to another, which eventually caused his death. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 123 1 Kings XIII. , 22: Prophesies his death, and the 24th verse records it. King Jeroboam Consecrated or Ordained Un- worthy Ones. Verse 33 : "After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way, but made again, of the lowest people, priests of the high places; whosoever would, he conse- crated him, and he became one of the priests of the high places. " Similar actions to these have occurred in Christianity, and also in Modern Spiritualism. History repeats itself. King Sends Wife to a Medium. Chap. XIV., Verse 1 : "At that time Abijah, the son of Jeroboam, fell sick." Verse 2 : "And Jeroboam said to his wife, Arise, I pray thee, and disguise thyself, that thou be not known to be the wife of Jeroboam ; and get thee to Shiloh : behold, there is Ahijah, the prophet, which told me that I should be king over this people." Bible Mediums Paid for Services. Verse 3 : "And take with thee ten loaves and crack- nels (a sort of seed cake, or bun), and a cruse of honey, and go to him: he shall tell thee what shall become of the child." Presents for Mediums Customary in Bible Times. (See 2nd Kings VIII., 8, 9; Judges VI., 8, 17 to 20; 1st Sam. IX., 3 to 10.) Ahijah a Blind Medium. Verse 4: "And Jeroboam's wife did so, and arose and went to Shiloh, and came to the house of Ahijah. But Ahijah could not see, for his eyes were set by reason of his age." 124 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Spirit Told Him She Was Coming. This Is Spirit Communion. XIV., 5 : "And the Lord said unto Ahijah, Behold, the wife of Jeroboam cometh to ask a thing of thee for her son, for he is sick: thus and thus shalt thou say unto her ; for it shall be, when she cometh in that she shall feign herself to be another woman." Verse 6: "And it was so, when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet, as she came in at the door, that he said, Come in, thou wife of Jeroboam ; why feignest thou thyself to be another ? for I am sent to thee with heavy tidings." Verse 7: "Go tell Jeroboam, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel. Forasmuch as I exalted thee from among the people, and made thee prince over my people, Israel." Spirit Jehovah Praises David. Verse 8: "And rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee; and yet thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my command- ments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that which was right in mine eyes." Jehovah Provoked to Anger. Verse 9: "But hast done evil above all that were before thee : for thou hast gone and made thee other gods, and molten images, to provoke me to anger, and hast cast me behind thy back." Worshiping other gods or communing with other spirits was the most wicked thing, Jehovah claimed. Prophecy Made and Fulfilled. Verse 10 : "Therefore, behold, I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam . . ., and him that is shut up and left in Israel, and SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 125 will take away the remnant of the house of Jeroboam, as a man . . ., till it be all gone." Foretells the Future. Verse 12 : "Arise thou, therefore, get thee to thine own house ; and when thy feet enter into the city, the child shall die/' Verse 17: "And Jeroboam's wife arose, and de- parted, and came to Tirzah ; and when she came to the threshold of the door, the child died." This is much like some people's visits to modern mediums. She went disguised, but the spirit preceded her and told the medium she was coming ; what she was coming for; and what he should tell her. Such is sometimes the case with modern mediums. Two Good Spirit Tests. Ahijah was a poor old blind man, but a good medium, as this scripture explains. He had foretold Jeroboam's becoming King of Israel, and this is why the King sent his wife for a reading with him. He thought, of course, if his wife were disguised, and the medium told her anything, the message would not be influenced by the medium's own mind, and he could the better rely on it. He simply wanted a test and to know if his child would live. He got the first test by the blind medium's calling his wife, the wife of Jeroboam, before she had spoken a word, and another good test was given when he told her the child would die as she returned home. If this is not Spiritualism, will some opposer of Spiritualism who knows tell us what it is? It is ex- actly what is being done constantly by Spiritualists. 126 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE If this medium, Ahijah, had lived in Michigan today, and had done just what this scripture says he did, he would have laid himself liable to arrest, conviction, fine, and imprisonment; and the authors of this nefari- ous law against such practices believe this story is God's law and infallibly true. Elijah a Wonderful Medium — Controls Weather. 1 Kings XVII., 1 : He says : "There shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word," Verses 2, 3, and 4: The word of the Lord (a spirit message) came to him telling him to hide himself by the brook Cherith ; that he should drink from the brook and the ravens would feed him there. " Jehovah Controls Birds to Feed Elijah. Verse 6 : "And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the even- ing : and he drank at the brook." Where did the birds get the bread and flesh for Elijah's regular meals ? Can anyone believe these birds brought him meat and bread twice a day ? Could they carry so much? Verse 7 : The brook dried up because there was no rain. Spirit Communicates. Verse 8: "The spirit message," or "The word of the Lord" came to him again, saying: Verse 9: "Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which be- longeth to Zidon and dwell there ; Behold, I have com- manded a widow woman there to sustain thee." Widow's Cruse of Oil. Verses 10 and 12 : He asks the widow for a drink and a morsel of bread. The woman said she had but SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 127 a handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse, and she was gathering sticks to "dress it." (Probably to bake the bread.) XVII., 13 : Elijah asked her to make a little cake for him first. Remarkable Spirit Phenomena. Verse 14: "For thus saith the Lord God of Israel (Elijah's spirit control), The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth." Verse 15 : "And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah; and she, and he, and her house did eat many days." Verse 16: "And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah." How easy it is for some people who scoff at Spirit- ualism, to believe this Bible story of the spirit keeping the barrel supplied with meal and the cruse of oil con- tinually filled. Does Elijah Raise the Dead? Verse 17: The widow's son fell sick, "There was no breath left in him." Verse 19: He took him up to his room and laid him upon his bed. Verse 20: "And he cried unto the Lord and said: O Lord my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son?" Verse 21 : He stretched himself upon the child three times. Verse 22: "And the soul of the child came into him again and he revived." 128 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Elijah a Fire Medium — Defeats Baal's Four Hundred and Fifty Prophets. 1st Kings XVIIL, Verses 19 to 40, tells of a great contest between Elijah the Israelitish prophet, and his God, and four hundred and fifty of Baal's prophets and their God. Elijah Makes Terms for the Contest. Verse 23 : "Let them therefore give us two bullocks ; and let them (Baal's prophets) choose one bullock for themselves ; and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under ; and I will dress the other bul- lock and lay it on wood and put no fire under." Verse 24: "And call ye on the name of your gods (spirits) and I will call upon the name of the Lord (Jehovah's spirit) and the god that answereth by fire let him be God." Verse 26 : This was agreed upon and Baal's prophets called on their god from morning until noon with no results. Verse 27 : Elijah makes derision of them. Elijah Holds Fire Seance. Verses 36, 37 : Elijah prayed the Lord to hear him. Verse 38: "Then the fire of the Lord fell, and con- sumed the burnt sacrifice, and wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench." This converted the people. If Christianity could give such a test of its truth as this today, what an army of converts it could make. The truth is this : Elijah was a fire medium and his spirit guides could produce fire, as did other Bible mediums, and as is said to have been done in modern times. But there were no fire mediums among all of SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 129 Baal's prophets, therefore, their spirit guides could not produce such phenomena. It was not a question of "Who was God." An Angel Bakes a Cake for Elijah. 1 Kings XIX., 1 to 4: Mrs. Ahab, whose name was Jezebel, threatens to serve Elijah as he served their prophets, and Elijah went a day's journey into the wil- derness and prayed for death. Verse 5 : "And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat." Verse 6 : "And he looked, and behold, there was a caken baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink and laid him down again." Verse 7: "And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee." Fasts Forty Days. Verse 8 : "And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights, unto Horeb, the Mount of God." How can one believing this, doubt spirit return ? More Spirit Messages. Verse 9 : The spirit followed him and asked him what he was doing there. Verses 10, 1 1 : The spirit communicates with him. Verses 12, 13 : "Still small voice came." And "there came a voice unto him and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?" The remainder of this chapter records a conversa- 130 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE tion between Elijah and the spirit of the Lord, and he found Elisha, who figures as another man of God, or medium, in the scripture following. Is not spirit communion true, dear Christian skeptic? XX., 13 : "Thus saith the Lord : Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into thine hand this day: and thou shalt know that I am the Lord." Israelites Numbered — Only 7,000. Verse 15: "Then he numbered the young men of the princes of the provinces, and they were two hun- dred and thirty-two; and after them he numbered all the people, even all the children of Israel being seven thousand/' (This was in 901 B. C.) Jehovah a Warrior But Not God of the Valley. Verse 29: And the children of Israel slew of the Assyrians, an hundred thousand footmen in one day!' Kind reader, please consider: The 15th verse of this chapter says that all Israel, men, women and children, numbered but seven thousand." Could 7,000 slay 100,000 in one day? This spirit, Yah-weh, Jehovah, the Lord, or God, by whatever name called, is indeed a warring spirit. "Behold, I will de- liver it into thine hand this day and thou shalt know that I am the Lord." This promise was fulfilled by this God of war, if the story is true. Sons of the Prophets. Sons of the prophets were themselves prophets. See 1st Kings XX., 35, 36, 41 ; 2nd Kings II., 3, 5, 7, 15. Prophecy Fulfilled. 1st Kings, XXL, Verses 17 to 21 : The word of the SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 131 Lord came to Elijah, and he predicts Allah's and Jeze- bel's downfall. Chap. XXII., Verse 38 : This prophecy is fulfilled. Book of Second Kings — Jehovah Kills King Ahaziah For Consulting the God of Ekron. 2nd Kings I., 1, 2: Ahaziah was injured by a fall through a lattice in his palace at Samaria, and he sent to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether he should recover from the fall. Spirit Communion. Verses 3 to 6 : The angel of the Lord (one of Jeho- vah's spirits) told Elijah that the King should die, be- cause he had sent to Baal-zebub, the heathen god, or spirit guide, to learn if he should die. (See also Verses 16, 17.) Tutelary Gods. Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, like all the other gods of that day, including Jehovah, the God of the Israelites, was a tribal god. Every spirit guide directing a tribe, nation or indi- vidual, through the mediumship of a prophet, was known as a god. Elijah Consumes Fifty With Fire from Heaven. The King sent his captain and fifty men after Elijah. They found him, and the captain said to him, "Thou man of God (spirit medium), the King hath said come down." Verse 10: "And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven and consumed him and his fifty." 132 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Elijah Consumed Second Fifty. 2nd Kings L, 11 : "Again also he sent unto him an- other captain of fifty with his fifty. And he answered and said unto him, O man of God, thus hath the King said, Come down quickly." Verse 12: "And Elijah answered and said unto them, If I be a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume thee and thy fifty. And the fire of God came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty." These men were innocent of any wrong. The King sent them to the medium Elijah; yet the fire of God came down from heaven and consumed them. How pitiful, if true ! Third Fifty Sent to Elijah. Verses 13, 14: The King sent the third captain with his fifty men, and this captain, on his knees, pleaded for their lives. Spirit Communion. Verse 15: "And the angel of the Lord said unto Elijah, Go down with him ; be not afraid of him. And he arose and went down with him unto the King." Elijah's Chariot of Fire — Great Aviation Miracle. In these days, when airships catch fire, they come down. Elijah's went up. 2nd Kings II., 1 : "And it came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal." Verse 2: Elijah opposed Elisha's going to Beth-el with him, but he would go. Verse 3 : "And the sons of the prophets (they also were prophets), that were at Beth-el came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Lord SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 133 will take away thy master from thy head today ? And he said, Yea, I know it ; hold ye your peace." II., 4: Elijah tried to leave Elisha behind when he went to Jericho, but he would not be left, "so they came to Jericho. ,, Verse 5 : The mediums of Jericho also told Elisha that the Lord was going to take Elijah that day. Elisha was a medium, and knew it, and told them so, but said also, Say nothing about it. Verse 6 : Elijah did not want him to go with him to Jordan, but he went. Verse 7 : "And fifty of these young prophets went and stood to view afar off: and they (Elijah and Elisha) stood by Jordan." A Wonderful Miracle (?) — Stops Onflow of River Jordan With Old Coat. Verse 8 : "And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground." No modern medium was ever known to stop the onflow of a great river, divide its waters and cross its bed on dry ground. This was called a miracle from God. Christians must believe this story, for they teach it to their children in the Sabbath school. Verse 9 : "And it came to pass when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee, and Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me." Verse 10: "And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken 134 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not it shall not be so." Elijah Goes Up in Chariot of Fire. 2nd Kings, II., 11 : "And it came to pass as they still went on and talked, that behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven" Verse 12: "And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father ! the chariot of Israel, and the horse- men thereof. And he saw them no more : and he took hold of his own clothes and rent them in two pieces." Why Did He Tear His Clothes? The mediums of old sometimes tore their clothing as a sign of mourning or when they were frightened or excited over some wonderful or miraculous occurrence. Sometimes they put dirt or ashes on their heads, but mediums do not act in that manner nowadays. Elijah's last fire seance carried him up to heaven, and eleven years later he comes to Jehoram with a spirit message in writing (2nd Chron. XXL, 12). Nothing more is heard from him until he and Moses materialize as spirits in a seance held by Jesus, Peter, John, and James on the top of an high mountain cen- turies later. (See Matt. XVII., 1 to 9.) Elisha Begins Doing Miracles. Verse 13 : He took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back and stood by the bank of Jordan." Verse 14 : "And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said: (Who heard him say it ? This writer does not know.) Where is the Lord God of Elijah? And when he also had SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 135 smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither; and Elisha went over." This entire story of the Bible, like many others, lacks authenticity. Verse 15 : "And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho, saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha, and they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him." Verse 16 : Fifty strong men wanted to go and hunt Elijah, fearing that "the Lord hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain or into some valley. And he said ye shall not send." Verse 17: "And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said send. And they found him not." Elisha's Next Miracle. Verses 19 to 22: He "heals" a flowing spring of poison water that kills vegetation and causes death, by putting salt in it, and says : "There shall not be from thence any more death or barren land." Could a little salt put in a flowing spring — one large enough to furnish irrigation for the land and water for the people's use — purify the source of the flow? How absurd! People who scoff at spirit phenomena assume to believe this. Elisha's Two She Bears. Verse 23: "And he (Elisha) went up from thence unto Beth-el ; and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head ; go up, thou bald head." Verse 24 : "And he turned back and looked on them, 136 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE and cursed them in the name of the Lord. And there came forth two she-bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them." This man of God cursed little children because they laughed at his bald head. Think of it. The cursing of little children should not be expected of a good man and certainly not from a "man of God." But, worse than that ; he or his spirit guide, or his God, sent two she-bears out of the woods and tore forty-two little children to pieces for such a trivial offense. This story is a disgrace to the pages it is supposed to adorn. Elisha a Medium — Three Kings Go to Him for Spirit Communications. 2nd Kings III., 12 to 19: Three kings go to Elisha for communications, as people go to mediums today for that purpose. Elisha Requires Music for Seances. Verse 15 : Elisha says: "But now bring me a min- strel; and it came to pass when the minstrel played that the hand of the Lord came upon him." That is, he was controlled by the spirit of the Lord, Jehovah, or some one else. Verse 16 : The spirit orders the valley made full of ditches : Verse 17 : "For thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts." Verse 20: This prophecy was literally fulfilled ac- cording to this verse. Where did this water come from? Was it mate- nalized out of the unseen without coming as rain? Who can answer? SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 137 Sons to Become Bondsmen to Pay Father's Debts. IV., 1 to 8 : A prophet's widow was troubled. Her two sons were to become bondsmen or slaves in payment for the debts of their dead father, and Elisha told her to borrow all her neighbor's empty vessels and take the only pot of oil she possessed, and pour out into the vessels, which she did until they were all full. Elisha then told her to sell the oil and pay their indebt- edness, and live with her children on the rest of the proceeds of the sale. (Elijah's cruse of oil, same 1st Kings XVIL, 10, 14.) It seems easy for a Christian to accept Elisha's mediumship mentioned above as divine truth. If men or gods could do those things now, no one need go hungry or starve as many thousands do. Another Miraculous Conception. Verses 8 to 14: The spirit of the Lord manifesting through Elisha, wanted to be kind to "a great woman" who had befriended him, and he said to her : "Wouldest thou be spoken for to the king or the captain of the host? and she answered, I dwell among mine own people." Verse 14: "And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily, she hath no child, and her husband is old." Verse 15 : "And he said call her, and when he had called her she stood in the door." Verse 16: "And he said, About this time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid." Verse 17: "And the woman conceived and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, accord- ing to the time of life." 138 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE What strange and wonderful powers these prophets (mediums) of those ancient days possessed if these reports are true. If they are not true, what then? Elisha Raises the Dead. IV., 18 to 37 tells the story of how this woman's miraculously conceived son was taken sick in the har- vest field and was carried to his mother. Verse 20 says : "He sat on her knees 'til noon, and then died." Verse 32: "And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead." Verse 34 : "And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands ; and he stretched himself upon the child, and the flesh waxed warm." Verse 35 : Elisha "stretched himself upon him (again) and the child sneezed seven times (who counted the sneezes?), and the child opened his eyes." Though this child was both miraculously conceived, and miraculously raised from the dead, it seems he was not of sufficient consequence to be given a name or to ever be mentioned again. Wonders never cease in the Bible records. (It will be remembered that Elijah healed another widow's son in the same way. See 1st Kings XVII., 17 to 24.) Another Miracle — Elisha Neutralizes Poison. If modern mediums did these things it would be called witchcraft : Verses 39, 40, 41 : "The sons of the prophets were sitting before Elisha eating greens that contained wild gourds, when they cried out, O thou man of God, there is death in the pot, and he cast meal into the pot and they could eat it." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 139 Elisha Makes a Little Food Feed a Hundred Men. Verses 42 to 44 tell the story. It may be likened to the loaves and fishes of Jesus. Though on a smaller scale. Elisha Heals a Leper. 2 Kings V., 1 : "Naaman, the captain of the host of the King of Assyria, was a great man. . . . But he was a leper/' and a little captive Israelitish maid told her mistress of a prophet in Israel who would cure Naaman. He heard of it and went to Elisha, the prophet (me- dium), and all he told Naaman to do, was to go and wash in Jordan seven times, and he should be clean. Verse 14 : "Then went he down and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God (the medium), and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. ,, Elisha Refused Pay — Was Not That a Miracle? Verse 15 : Naaman wanted to pay Elisha for healing him and would have paid him well, but — Verse 16 : Elisha refused to accept it. Verse 17: Naaman offered to give Elisha's servant two mules, and promised he would never more "sacri- fice unto other gods, but unto the Lord." Verse 18: But he would be obliged to escort his master to his place of heathen worship. Leprosy Transferred from One to Another. Following this, Elisha's servant took some presents from Naaman, and Elisha was so angry that he put the leprosy of Naaman upon his servant Gehazi, de- claring it should remain on him and his seed forever. "And he became as white as snow." Could such a thing be done by a prophet or medium ? Is this not witchcraft ? 140 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Ax Swims for Medium Elisha. 2 Kings VI., Verses 1 to 4: Elisha went with the sons of the prophets (the mediums) to live at the Jor- dan, and were getting out timber to make a place to dwell in. Verse 5 : "But as one was felling a beam the ax head fell into the water : and he cried, and said, Alas, master ! for it was borrowed." Verse 6: "And the man of God (the medium, Elisha) said, Where fell it? And he showed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither ; and the iron did swim." Verse 7: "Therefore said he, Take it up to thee. And he put out his hand and took it." Is this not a strong manifestation of spirit phenom- ena ? He who can believe it should not scoff at modern spirit phenomena. Elisha Reveals Enemy War Secrets. Verses 8 to 11: Elisha uses his mediumship to assist Israel to defeat the King of Syria, which fact troubled him. Verse 12: "And one of his servants said, None, my Lord, O King: but Elisha, the prophet, that is in Israel, telleth the King of Israel the words that thou speaketh in thy bed-chamber." Verses 14 and 15 : Horses, chariots, and a great host surrounded Dothan where Elisha was. Clairvoyance. Verse 17 : Elisha prays and his spirit guide caused the young man to become clairvoyant. Prayer Blinds Assyrians as Gas Blinded Allies in World War. Verse 18: "And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the Lord, and said, Smite this SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 141 people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness, according to the word of Elisha." Elisha Lies to Assyrians. Verse 19 : "And Elisha said unto them, This is not the way, neither is this the city ; follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek. But he led them to Samaria. ,, Lord Opens Assyrians' Eyes at Elisha's Request. Verse 20: "And it came to pass, when they were come to Samaria, that Elisha said, Lord, open the eyes of these men that they may see. And the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw ; and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria. ,, How can people believe all these things and yet doubt the natural phenomena of Spiritualism. Elisha Well Paid Medium. This prophet received better pay than modern psych- ics do, and so did many other Bible mediums. VIII., 9 : "So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damas- cus, forty camels' burden" (enough to pay pretty well for one interview with a medium). Elisha Tells an Untruth to His Client. Verse 10 : "And Elisha said unto him, Go, say unto him, Thou mayest certainly recover ; howbeit the Lord (the spirit Jehovah) hath shewed me that he shall surely die." Verses 12 and 13 : The medium tells Hazael that he will be King of Syria, and do all manner of wickedness. Verse 15 : King Benhadad dies. Hazael becomes King of Syria, as predicted by Elisha. 142 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Touching Elisha's Corpse Raises Dead. Chap. XIII., Verse 20: "And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year." Verse 21 : "And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood upon his feet." Elisha's mediumship must have been greatly physical, as his old dead body, after he left it, raised a dead man to life. Wonderful, indeed, are the ways of the Lord ! But does an intelligent person of today believe it? Well, Elisha is dead, his career is run, and his record is before us. Was he a medium? Did he have psychic power? We must reject the whole story of his doings, or accept the fact of his mediumship as it is herein recorded. Not all that is attributed to his gifts of the spirit can or need be accepted, as there were writers in the days of Elisha who possessed great imaginations, just as there are today, who enlarge on the occurrences in modern seances, and doubtless much of this is hearsay. Lions Sent to Kill Unbelievers. 2nd Kings XVII., 25 : "And so it was, at the begin- ning of their dwelling there, that they feared not the Lord ; therefore the Lord sent lions among them, which slew some of them." Verse 26 says : "Therefore he hath sent lions among them, and, behold, they (the lions) slay them, because they know not the manner of the God of the land." A Big Slaughter by One Angel. XIX., 35 : "And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the Lord went out, and smote in the camp of SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 143 the Assyrians, an hundred four score and five thou- sand (185,000), and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses. " (Isaiah XXX VII., 36, the same.) He who does not believe the above statement is an infidel, according to the dictionaries, and he will be damned, according to orthodox Christianity, for his unbelief. Jehovah Changes His Mind. 2 Kings XX., Verse 1 : Hezekiah was sick unto death, and the Lord, speaking through the medium Isaiah, said : "Set thine house in order : for thou shalt die and not live." Prayer Answered. Verses 2, 3 : Hezekiah prayed for health, "and wept sore." Verse 4: "And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord (the spirit message) came to him saying, Another Spirit Message. Verse 5 : "Turn again and tell Hezekiah, the cap- tain of my people, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David, thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears; behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord." Verse 6: "And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the King of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake." (Isaiah XXX VIII., 4, the same as above.) Verse 7: "And Isaiah (the medium) said, Take a lump of figs, and they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered." 144 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Was this cure a miracle, or was he cured by prayer, or by tears, or with the use of the lump of figs, or was it by the use of all three that he was cured ? Did the power of suggestion enter into the case, encouraging the patient to rally? We cannot tell. However, the man was healed as the spirit foretold he would be. Similar cures by the thousands have been made by modern mediums, though not with the use of figs. Hezekiah Wants Proof He Will Be Healed. Verse 8: "And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah (the me- dium), What shall be the sign that the Lord will heal me, and that I shall go up unto the house of the Lord the third day?" Verse 9 : "And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the Lord, that the Lord will do the thing that he hath spoken : shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees ?" Isaiah Stops the Sun. Verse 10: "And Hezekiah. answered, it is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees, nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees." "And Isaiah the prophet (the medium) cried unto the Lord ; and he brought the shadow ten degrees back- ward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz." This is spirit phenomena of the Bible, Isaiah the medium, Jehovah the spirit control. A sun dial is an instrument for showing the time of day from the shadow of the sun on a graduated surface. Some Christians who assume to believe the above Bible story scoff and deride Spiritualists for believing that spirits move a table. Which is easier, to stop the SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 145 world turning and turn it back ten degrees, then start it ahead again, or to lift a table off the floor? "Back- ward, turn backward, O time, in thy flight," says the poet, but here is a case in which it did turn backward ten degrees, if the story is true in this "inerrant" Bible. But the author's credulity is not great enough to accept this impossible statement as true. He prefers to use reason rather than accept revelation. Joshua stops sun, Joshua X., 12 to 15, page 77. Isaiah stops sun, 2nd Kings XX., 8 to 11, page 144. Story is repeated in Isaiah, XXXVIII. , 7, 8. Opposed to Spiritualism. 2nd Kings XXI., 6: "And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchant- ments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards : he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger." 2nd Kings XXIII. , 24: Josiah classed those who had familiar spirits with workers of witchcraft, and put them away ; probably put them to death. It must be that some people had familiar spirits as the scriptures tell, and God would not legislate against nothing. If this is true, then spirit return and spirit com- munion is true, and if it is true, was not Jehovah, whether a spirit of God or of man, violating his own decree against familiar spirits inasmuch as he was the familiar spirit of Moses and his other prophets or me- diums? If this scripture is true, spirit communion is true, and Spiritualism is based on truth. Huldah, a Woman Medium, Jehovah's Prophetess. XXII. , 14 : Hilkiah, the priest, and four others went to Huldah, the prophetess (the medium) and received a message. 146 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Verse 13 : King Josiah sent them to this lady medium to inquire about a "book of law" that had been found in "the house of the Lord," in which the poor Israelites were condemned for burning incense unto other gods. Book of First Chronicles. The first nine chapters of 1st Chronicles is composed vi ^eneologies, and is of little common interest. The writer of these books takes much from other books of the Bible, repeating certain stories therein written. Mediumship of a Soldier. Amasai was not a "prophet," "man of God," or an "anointed" one. He was a soldier, a chief of the cap- tains, a military man. 1 Chron. XII., 18: "Then the spirit came upon Amasai, chief of the captains." The "spirit" — not Almighty God — controlled him, and he said, Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse; peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers, for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band." Singers and Music for Seances. 1st Chron. XV., Verses 14 to 21 : David appoints many singers and musicians to accompany the Ark (spirit cabinet) to the seance room where they held their seances. Evidently these primitive people knew the power of harmony, and appreciated good music, and its splendid help in seances. David sings Jehovah's praises, and says of the anointed (the mediums), Chap. XVI., 21 : "He (Jeho- vah) suffered no man to do them wrong, yea, he SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 147 reproved kings for their sakes," and in the 23rd verse, Jehovah says : "Touch not mine anointed and do my prophets (mediums) no harm." Spirits generally take care of and protect their worthy mediums. Number Israel, Satan Provoked David To. Chap. XXL, Verse 1 : "Satan provoked David to number Israel." Verse 7: Jehovah was displeased with this, as he was when he himself moved David to number Israel, as is explained later. Jehovah Gives David Choice of Three Curses. Verse 9: "And the Lord spake unto Gad, David's seer (a seer is a medium), saying:" Verse 10: "Go and tell David, saying, Thus saith the Lord, I offer thee three things : choose thee one of them that I may do it unto thee." Verse 12: "Either three years' famine, or three months to be destroyed before thy foes while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee ; or else three days the sword of the Lord, even the pestilence in the land, and the angel of the Lord destroying throughout all the coasts of Israel." Because David Numbered Israel Jehovah Killed Seventy Thousand. Verse 14 : "So the Lord sent pestilence upon Israel : and there fell of Israel seventy thousand men." All these men killed because David numbered Israel. They were not to blame for David's numbering them, and the offense was a trivial one, to say the least. Was this an act of Divine justice? 148 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Jehovah Sends an Angel and Repents. 1st Chron. XXL, Verse 15 : "And God sent an angel unto Jerusalem to destroy it : and as he was destroying, the Lord beheld, and HE repented him of the evil (Is the Lord an evil doer?), and said to the angel that destroyed, It is enough; stay now thine hand. And the angel of the Lord stood by the threshing floor of Oman the Jebusite." David Clairvoyant. Angels Come with Swords. Verse 16: "And David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of the Lord stand between the earth and the heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem." (Are Jehovah's angels all soldiers carrying swords?) Jehovah Punishes the Innocent — David Protests — Is David More Just Than Jehovah. Verse 17: "And David said unto God, Is it not I that commanded the people to be numbered ? even it is I that have sinned and done evil indeed ; but as for these sheep, what have they done? Let thine hand, I pray thee, O Lord, my God, be on me, and on my father's house ; but not on thy people, that they may be plagued." In this, was not David more reasonable than Jehovah, his spirit guide ? Verse 18 : "Then the angel of the Lord commanded Gad (the medium) to say to David, that David should go up and set up an altar unto the Lord in the threshing- floor of Oman the Jebusite." Verse 24 : David paid full price for Oman's thresh- ing-floor, and said he would not offer burnt-offerings without cost. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 149 David a Fire Medium. Verse 26 : "And David built there an altar unto the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called upon the Lord ; and he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering." David Afraid of an Angel With a Sword. Verse 30: "But David could not go before it (the altar) to inquire of God : for he was afraid because of the sword of the angel of the Lord." Did an angel ever use a sword to injure a mortal? Cast Lots to Learn God's Wishes. Casting lots is a phase of Spiritism unknown to Mod- ern Spiritualism. These poor Israelites believed that the Lord con- trolled the lot and directed its result, and many ques- tions were decided by lot. XXIV., 5 to 31, is a record of their castings lots. XXV., beginning at the 7th verse and ending at the 31st verse, is recorded another occurrence of casting lots. Music Used in Their Seances. The 1st to 6th verses of this chapter show they used music in their seances the same as mediums do today. Spirit Gives Wonderful Pattern for a House. Chap. XXVIII., Verses 11 and 12: David gave to Solomon all the patterns of the house he was to build for God. The spirit had given David all of them. Dermo-Psychography-Spirit Writes on David's Skin. Writing on the skin in blood letters is one phase of mediumship today. 150 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Verse 19 : "All this, said David, the Lord made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern." David Dies. Chap. XXIX., 28: "And he (David) died in good old age, full of days, riches and honor : and Solomon reigned in his stead." Book of Second Chronicles — Solomon a Medium — Holds a Dark Seance. Chap. I., Verse 7: "In the night did God appear unto Solomon and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee." A Splendid Spirit Message to Solomon. Verses 11, 12, contain a fine spirit message given to Solomon, promising him riches, wealth and honor, such as no king ever had or ever will have again. Solomon Builds the Temple by Spirit Instruction — No Mechanics in Israel. Chap. II., III., and IV. : Solomon built the costly temple, or house for God, but had to send to the heathen for mechanics because there were "no smiths in Israel." Great Sacrifices — Dedication of King Solomon's Temple. V., 5 : "And they brought up the Ark, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle, these did the priests and the Levites bring up." Verse 6: "Also King Solomon, and all the congre- gation of Israel that were assembled unto him before the Ark, sacrificed sheep and oxen which could not be told nor numbered for multitude" SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 151 Large Seance — Music Used. The 12th, 13th and 14th verses are a record of a big seance. Then the house was filled with a cloud. "So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud ; the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God." They had plenty of music, which made good condi- tions for good results. 2nd Chron. VI., 1 : God dwells in thick darkness. Solomon's Prayer. In this prayer Solomon asks help, and gives instruc- tions to his spirit guide, Jehovah (13th to 42nd verses). More of Solomon's Fire Mediumship. Chap. VII., Verse 1 : "Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sac- rifices ; and the glory of the Lord filled the house. ,, Powerful Manifestation. Verse 2 : "And the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord's house." Cruden defines this sentence as "the cloud, which was an usual token of God's glorious presence," and quotes 1st Kings VIII., 11, and John XL, 40. 2nd Chron. VII., Verses 3 and 4: When the fire came down "the children of Israel were evidently fright- ened but convinced." Dark Seance — Solomon Holds One for Materialization. Verse 12 : "And the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and 152 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacri- fice." What Good Did These Sacrifices Do Jehovah? What did Jehovah get out of these sacrifices ? What good did the burning of cattle and sheep do him? If these sacrifices did him no good, why did he demand it in such a colossal manner, and why did he demand it from individuals, poor men and destitute women, as personal sacrifices? Did Jehovah Really Demand Them? Was it really the spirit of Jehovah that demanded it, or was it Moses and the other prophets (mediums) of Jehovah, who were "prophesying out of their own minds/' who "prophesy deceits" (Isaiah XXX., 10, and "prophesy falsely" (Jeremiah V., 31). "Prophets that prophesy lies, they prophesy false visions" (Jeremiah XIV., 14). The question arises, were these mediums deceiving the poor Israelites ? or was Jehovah a heartless, fiendish spirit? We would prefer to doubt the honesty of these mediums, rather than the spirit. Seven Days of Cattle Slaughter at Dedication. VII., 7 and 8: Solomon spent seven days in dedi- cating this temple. The streets must have been flooded with the blood of the cattle and sheep that were sacri- ficed. Jehovah's Promises and Threats. The remainder of this chapter Jehovah devotes to promises and threats. He tells the poor, unsophisti- cated Israelites, through the mediumship of King Solo- mon, beginning at the 12th verse, that, if they do "humble themselves" and do not serve other gods and SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 153 worship them, he will shower blessings upon them, but if they do worship other gods he threatens them with drouth, locusts, pestilence, and general disaster and ruin. Music for the Seance Room. 2nd Chron. IX., 11 : "And the King made of algum trees terraces to the house of the Lord (the seance room), and to the King's palace, and harps and psal- teries for singers ; and there were none such seen be- fore in the land of Judah." Another Spirit Message. XL, 2: "But the word of the Lord (a spirit mes- sage) came to Shemaiah, the man of God (the spirit medium), saying:" Then follows the message of the spirit. Put to Death for Not Accepting Jehovah. Chap. XV., Verse 13 : It says, "That whosover would not seek the Lord God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman." Is This a Christian Country? Are these teachings what the Constitution of the United States stands for? Is this the religious liberty for which our forefathers suffered and died? Are these the teachings of Christianity? Is this Bible all that is needed for our faith and practice, as Christians claim ? Lying Spirits from God Deceive Ahab. Jehovah, the God of Israel, wanted to kill Ahab, so he did it as follows : XVIII, 19: "And the Lord said, Who shall entice Ahab, King of Israel, that he may go up and fall at 154 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Ramoth-gilead ? And one spake saying after this man- ner, and another saying after that manner." Verse 20 : "Then there came out a spirit, and stood before the Lord, and said, I will entice him. And the Lord said unto him, Wherewith ?" Verse 21 : "And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets; and the LORD said, Thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also prevail ; go out and do even so." Verse 22: "Now therefore behold the Lord hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets : and the Lord hath spoken evil against thee." Micaiah was proved to be the only true prophet in this case. One should read it all. A Spirit Communicates in Writing — Jehoram a Writing Medium. XXI., 12: "And there came a writing to him (to King Jehoram) from Elijah the prophet, saying: Thus saith the Lord God of David thy father." Here follows the spirit Elijah's message. Elijah had been dead eleven years when he wrote this message. He went up in a chariot of fire with horses of fire, and, of course, was cremated. And 1st Cor. XV., 50, says : Flesh and blood cannot enter the kingdom of God. Therefore, Elijah was dead, and his spirit returned and communicated by writing. This message was the first word received from him since his fiery ascension, which occurred B. C. 896, and his spirit communication was written B, C. 885, eleven years after his death, according to Christian chronology. Is not spirit communion true, according to scripture ? We will hear more from Elijah when we reach the New Testament records. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 155 An Angel Acts in War. 2nd Chron. XXXII., 21 : "And the Lord sent an angel which cut off all the mighty men of valor, and the leaders and captains, in the camp of the King of Assy- ria ; so he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he came unto the house of his God, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword." Jehovah Saves Israel from King of Assyria. Verse 22 : "Thus the Lord saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib, the King of Assyria, and from the hand of all others, and guided them on every side/' Jehovah Was a Powerful Spirit Guide — Gave Hezekiah a Sign. Verse 24 : "In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the Lord; and he spake unto him, and he gave him a sign" (a test). Not Spiritualism, But Used Against It. 2nd Chron. XXXIII., 6: "And he caused his chil- dren to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom ; and he observed times, and used enchant- ments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards : he wrought much evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger." Christians are observers of times. Their Bible teaches that there is such a thing as witchcraft, although no one nowadays believes there ever was a witch. Spirit- ualists have familiar spirits, and that is all in this scrip- ture that applies to Spiritualism. Spiritualists do have familiar spirits and are made happy by them. Have not all the religions of the world, sometime had their familiar spirits? 156 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE A Lady Medium's Prophecy. XXXIV., 22 : "And Hilkiah, and they that the king had appointed, went to Hulda the prophetess (went to the medium for a reading). . . . (Now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college) and they spake to her to that effect." Verse 23 : "And she answered them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Tell the man that sent you to me, Then follows the spirit message. These men went to this woman medium to get a communication from the spirit friends, and they got it just as people get messages through mediums today. Book of Ezra. The book of Ezra contains very little Spiritualism. Ezra was a man of God (a medium), a priest, and he "made a covenant with the God of Israel to put away all the (strange) wives and such as are born of them." Divorce Court, Greatest of Bible. X., 3 : Shechaniah speaks to Ezra as follows : "Now therefore let us make a covenant with God to put away all the wives, and such as are born of them (all of their children), according to the council of my Lord, and those that tremble at the commandment of our God ; and let it be done according to the law." Some Christian churches are opposed to divorces. Verse 11: "Now therefore make confession unto the Lord God of your fathers, and do his pleasure; and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives." Rainy Season Hurries Matters. Verse 13 : "But the people are many, and it is a time of much rain, and we are not able to stand with- SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 157 out (evidently there were so many to be granted di- vorces that there was not room in the houses or tents for them, so court was held out of doors, and the rain caused them to urge haste), neither is this a work of one day or two ; for we are many that have transgressed in this thing." Ezra X., Verse 14: "Let now our rulers of all the congregation stand, and let them that have taken strange wives in our cities come at appointed times, and with them the elders of every city, and the judges thereof, until the fierce wrath of our God for this matter be turned from us." Jehovah evidently did not care how many wives the Israelites took, nor how many they had, but He was very much opposed to their taking wives from tribes that worshiped other gods than himself. Verse 16 : "And the children of the captivity did so. And Ezra, the priest, with certain chiefs of the fathers, after the house of their fathers, and all of them by their names, were separated, and sat down in the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter." Verse 17: "And they made an end with all the men that had taken strange wives by the first day of the first month" Thus this court session lasted two months. Then follows the naming of one hundred and thirty men whose sons had taken strange wives, and who put them away at this time. Verse 44 says : "All these had taken strange wives (wives of other tribes or nations), and some of them had wives by whom they had children." If these men were as prolific as Rehoboam, who "took eighteen wives and three score (60) (other women), and begat twenty and eight (28) sons and three score 158 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE (60) daughters" (2nd Chron. XL, 21), they would have had two thousand three hundred and forty sons. If each of their sons had but one "strange wife," there would have been put away in the divorce court two thousand three hundred and forty innocent women. If each of these sons had taken as many wives as King Rehoboam, the son of King Solomon, had taken, namely, seventy-eight, there would have been ten thousand one hundred and forty divorced women "put away" in the two-month session of this holy divorce court; to say nothing of what it would have been if these men of this one tribe of Israel who took "strange wives" had taken as many each as King Solomon did. Three hun- dred of his one thousand wives were princesses of other tribes and heathen nations, consequently were "strange wives," and probably many of the other seven hun- dred were. How can the orthodox Christian Church that opposes divorce harmonize such teachings with the teachings of their "holy" and "infallible Bible," as told in this story of the greatest divorce court in history? There are some other easy methods of divorce pre- scribed in the scriptures. As a sample see Deut, XXIV., lto4. Spiritualists do not believe in wholesale divorces, but they do believe one wife at a time is sufficient, if she is a good one, and if she is a bad one, she is one too many ; and that a bad husband is one too many for any good woman. These "strange wives" of the Israelites were all inno- cent of any wrong, yet Jehovah, speaking through this "prophet," "man of God," or spirit medium, separated these wives and all their children from their husbands and fathers. And the only reason given for doing it SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 159 was that they were women of other tribes or nations who worshiped other gods than Jehovah himself. The Book of Job — Eliphaz a Medium. Job III., Verse 1: "After this (persecution, etc.), opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day." Verse 3 : Job curses the day he was conceived and the day he was born. This whole chapter is devoted to it; and in the fourth chapter Eliphaz, Job's chief friend, answers him, taking the stand that God's retri- bution in this world is certain, and that consequently suffering is a proof of previous sin. Proof of Eliphaz' Mediumship. IV., 12 : Eliphaz says : "Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a little thereof." Verse 13 : "In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men." Verse 14 : "Fear came upon me, and troubling, which made all my bones to shake." Verse 15: "Then a spirit passed before my face: the hair of my flesh stood up !" Verse 16: "It (the spirit) stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof : an image was before mine eyes ; and there was silence, and I heard a voice saying," A Spirit Message. Verse 17: "Shall mortal man be more just than God ? Shall a man be more pure than his maker ;" Verse 18: "Behold he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly." Verse 19: "How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth?" 160 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE This spirit's message is evidently directed to Job, for Job did not believe in a future life, at this time. Job's Materialism. In Chap. VII., 9, he says : "As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away ; so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more." VII., 10: "He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more." Verse 21, last part, says : "For now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be! y (This is annihilation, is it not?) X., 21 : "Before I go whence I shall not return, even to the land of darkness and the shadow of death." Verse 22 : "A land of darkness, as darkness itself ; and of the shadow of death, without any order, and where the light is as darkness." XIV., 7 : "For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease." Verse 10: "But man dieth and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he ?" Verse 11 : "As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and dryeth up :" Dead Shall Not Be Raised Out of Their Sleep. Verse 12 : "So man lieth down, and riseth not till the heavens be no more ; they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep." This scripture contradicts the doctrines of the Advent church. Materialism. Verse 14: "If a man die shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 161 Job XVI., 22 : "When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not return." XVII., 13: "If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness." XVII., 16 : "They shall go down to the bars of the pit when our rest together is in the dust." XXL, Verse 26: "They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worm shall cover them." Verse 32 : "Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb." Materialism shuts its eyes to the sunlight of truth and shipwrecks every human life in the cyclone of death. How gloomy is materialism ! Spiritualism opens our eyes to the beautiful sunshine of truth, and on the calm waters of scientific demonstration enters, through the gateway of death, the beautiful harbor of the summerland, the spirit home of our loved ones. O how beautiful is Spiritualism! XXXII. , 8 : Elihu says, But there is a spirit in man and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them under- standing. Palmistry Indicated. XXXVIL, 7 : "He sealeth up the hand of every man, that all men may know his work." Verse 23 : "Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out. He is excellent in power and in judgment, and in plenty of justice ; He will not afflict." After all the terrible afflictions the Almighty is sup- posed to have placed upon His chosen people, how can Elihu say : "He will not afflict." After all of the foregoing materialism of Job, he be- comes a Spiritualist and a medium, as is shown by the following scripture: 162 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Mediumship, Job Develops It. XL., 6: "The spirit of the Lord answered Job 'out of the whirlwind.' " We have never received a spirit message out of a whirlwind. The remainder of this chapter and the whole of Chapter XLI. purports to be a message to Job from spirit Jehovah. Therefore, Job becomes a spirit medium. XLII., 1 : "Then Job answered the Lord and said :" Verse 2 : "I know that thou canst do everything and that no thought can be withheld from thee/' Job Controlled to "Utter Things Wonderful." XLIL, 3 : Job says : "Who is he that hideth council without knowledge? (i. e., Who gives Job the wisdom he utters?) Therefore have I uttered that I under- stand not things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. ,, Job Clairvoyant and Clairaudient. Verse 5 : "I have heard of thee by hearing of the ear ; but now mine eye seeth thee." This shows that Job had developed these two phases of mediumship. Job Repents. Verse 6 : "Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." Again Jehovah Is Angry. Verse 7 : "And it was so, that after the Lord had spoken these words to Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee," etc SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 163 Jehovah Restores Job's Property, But His Children Are Dead. Verse 10: "And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before." This was very good, but what of Job's children whom Jehovah put to death ? They were not restored to Job. Verse 11 : "All of Job's relatives and friends came and dined with him and comforted him, and every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold." Verse 12: "So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning : for he had fourteen thou- sand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she-asses." Where did Jehovah get all of these animals? Did he purchase them in the open market for Job ? Jehovah and Satan Seem Acquainted. Job XLII : There is little good to be derived from this chapter of "God's Word." Jehovah and the devil, or Satan, seem to be very familiar and well acquainted ; and there was quite a strife apparent between them. It would seem that Jehovah, as the Infinite Spirit of the universe, was anxious to convince Satan that He had one man whom he (the devil) could not tempt to do wrong. Could the Infinite think it worth while to cause a good man to suffer so much just to convince the senior master of ceremonies of hades that there was one man on God's side that Satan's temptations could not reach? Is it not also a little strange that God should select as the one immune to temptation such a hard-headed materialist as Job was when he began testing him ? 164 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE The only apparent good thing that came out of this ancient nightmare is the fact that Job became a spirit medium, and discarded his doctrines of materialism. The Book of Psalms. A collection of hymns used by the Hebrews in their religious services. Ministering Angels. Ps. XCL, 10 : "There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling." Verse 1 1 : "For He shall give His angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways." Verse 12 : "They shall bear thee up in their hands lest thou dash thy foot against a stone." Like modern mediums' guides, they took care of their prophets. Dark Seance. XVII., 3 : "Thou hast proved mine heart ; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing : I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress." David says this to the Lord (the spirit). Materialism of David. Ps. XXX., 9 : "What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit ? Shall the dust praise thee ? shall it declare thy truth ?" XXXIV., 7: "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them." XXXV. : David, throughout this psalm, asks his spirit guide, Jehovah, to bring calamities and curses on his enemies, and in the fifth verse he asks the angel of the Lord to chase them. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 165 Verse 6: "Let their way be dark and slippery and let the angel of the Lord persecute them." Jehovah Has "Fellow Gods." XLV., 7 : "Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness ; therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows." Gods Are Spirit Guides. Psalm XLVIII., 14: "For this God is our God for- ever and ever; he will be our guide even unto death." Jehovah was their spirit guide or God. They called their spirit helpers gods, and there were many of them, as has been shown heretofore. More Materialism. Psalm XLIX., 12: "Nevertheless, man being in honor abideth not ; he is like the beasts that perish." Verse 19: "He shall go to the generations of his fathers ; they shall never see light." Verse 20 : "Man that is in honor and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish." No More Prophets. LXXIV., 9 : "We see not our signs : there is no more any prophet : neither is there among us any that knoweth how long." When they have no prophets (mediums) and get no more signs (tests) they feel that God has cast them off forever, as the first verse of this psalm states. More Materialism — Evil Angels Sent by Jehovah. LXXVIII., 49, says that Jehovah sent "evil angels among them." So there are bad angels! Angels are spirits. (See Bible Terms Defined, Index.) 166 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Among All the Gods There Was but One Jehovah. LXXXIIL, 18: "That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth." Psalm LXXXVL, 8: "Among the Gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord: neither are there any works like unto thy works." Added Materialism. Psalm LXXXVIIL, 5 : "Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave whom thou rememberest no more : and they are cut off from thy hand." This was Heman, the Ezrahite, talking to the Lord, and it is strong materialism. Psalm LXXXIX., 47: "Remember how short my time is: wherefore (or why) hast thou made all men in vain?" Verse 48: "What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death ? Shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah." Man's Years Three Score and Ten. Psalm XC, Verse 10 : "The days of our years are three-score years and ten ; and if by reason of strength they be four-score years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow : for it is soon cut off, and we fly away." Give Angels Charge Over Thee. Psalm XCL, 1 1 : "For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways." Verse 12 : "They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone." This is Spiritualism. The author can testify to the truth of the above two statements as his experiences SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 167 recorded in his book, "A Future Life Demonstrated," proves. More Materialism of David. Psalm CIIL, IS : "As for man, his days are as grass ; as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth." Verse 16: "For the wind passeth over it and it is gone ; and the place thereof shall know it no more." Angels and Spirits Same. Psalm CIV., Verse 4 : "Who maketh his angels spir- its ; his ministers a flaming fire." So God's angels are spirits because he made them so. Should that not settle the question with Christians as to whether angels are spirits of mortals? Jehovah Will Not Repent. Psalm CX., 4 : David says : "The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent." Materialism of David. Psalm CXV., 17: "The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence." Spiritualism contradicts this scripture, as spirits de- clare they have still more reason to worship God in the spirit world than we have in this world. Palmistry Indicated. Psalm CXIX., 109: "My soul is continually in my hands, yet do I not forget thy law." Jehovah Will Repent. Psalm CXXXV., Verse 14 : For the Lord will judge His people, and He will repent Himself concerning His servants. 168 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Psalm CXXXIX., 7 : David says to spirit Jehovah : "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?" God Everywhere. Verse 8 : "If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there : if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there." David Decidedly Materialistic. Psalm CXLI V., 4 : "Man is like to vanity : his days are as a shadow that passeth away." CXLVL, 3 : "Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help." Verse 4 : "His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth ; in that day his thoughts perish." The Book of Proverbs. — Palmistry Indicated. Chap. III., 16 : "Length of days is in her right hand ; and in her left hand riches and honor." Teachings of Spiritualism — Visions. XXIX., 18: "Where there is no vision, the people perish ; but he that keepth the law, happy is he." Ecclesiastes, or The Preacher. Supposed to have been written by King Solomon, whose materialism is most prominent. Materialism. Chap. III., Verse 18 : "I said in mine heart concern- ing the estate of the sons of men, that God might mani- fest them so that they might see that they themselves are beasts." Verse 19: "For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts ; even one thing befalleth them : SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 169 as the one dieth so dieth the other; yea, they all have one breath : so that a man hath no pre-eminence over a beast ; for all is vanity." Verse 20 : "All go to one place : all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again." Verse 21 : "Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?" Chap. V., Verse 15 : "As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labor which he may carry away in his hand." Verse 16 : "And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go : and what profit hath he that hath labored for the wind?" More Materialism. Chap. VI., Verse 6: "Yea, though he (man) live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seen no good ; do not all go to one place?" (the grave). Chap. IX., Verse 4: "For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope ; for a living dog is better than a dead lion." Verse 5 : "For the living know that they shall die : but the dead know not anything ; neither have they any more a reward, for the memory of them is forgotten." Verse 6: "Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion forever in any thing that is done under the sun." Verse 10: "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." Verse 1 1 : Solomon thinks all is governed by chance. 170 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Did Solomon Believe in Telepathy? Eccl. X., Verse 20 : "Curse not the king, no not in thy thought : and curse not the rich in thy bed cham- ber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter." Solomon's Views Changed — No More a Materialist. Solomon's supposed teachings, throughout this book of Ecclesiastes, is the rankest materialism until we reach Chapter XII. , 7 ; see Verses 12 and 13 also. Then an entire and positive change occurs. Was the closing of the book Ecclesiastes an inter- polation ? Solomon Writes Ecclesiastes After His Death. According to 1st Kings XL, 43 : Solomon was dead, and Christian chronology says it was in the year 984 B. C. 2nd Chron. IX., 30, records his death and the same chronology places the date of his death as 992 B. C. And it dates the writing of the Book of Ecclesiastes to 977 B. C. So, according to the Book of Kings, Solomon had been dead seven years ; and according to the Book of Chronicles he had been dead fifteen years, when the Book of Ecclesiastes was written. Such conflicting statements are confusing. The Book of Isaiah — Jehovah Is Weary of Burnt Offerings — Isaiah Has a Vision. In Chapter I., Verses 1 to 15, Isaiah has a vision and Jehovah gives orders for no more vain oblations, no more burnt offerings, saying: He delights not in the blood of bullocks, lambs or he-goats, and changes his methods of worship and says : "To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifice unto me?" SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 171 It would seem that the only purpose of these great sacrifices was to feed the Levite priesthood, as Jehovah received nothing out of them, and the priesthood got everything. No More War. Chapter II., Verse 4, says there shall be no more war. This looks as though Israel's spirit guide had become a reformer. Healers Poorly Paid. Chap. III., Verse 7, says : "In that day shall he swear saying, I will not be an healer, for in my house is neither bread nor clothing : make me not a ruler of the people." Many modern spiritual healers have found it so, though a great many of them have a large clientele, mostly Christians, whom they heal. Isaiah's Mediumship — He Has a Heavenly Vision. Chap. VI., Verses 1,2: Isaiah had a vision and saw the Lord and seraphim (seraphim is the plural ol seraph : an angel or spirit of love, in fact, a communi- cating spirit). (See Bible Dictionary, by William B. Smith, D. D.) Seraphim Produce Physical Phenomena. Verse 4 : "And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke." Was Isaiah a Fire Medium? Verse 6: Angels or spirits handle live coals, with tongs. Verse 7 : The spirit laid the live coal upon Isaiah's lips, and it purged his sin. Is this genuine witchcraft? 172 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Isaiah Clairaudient. Verse 8 : "Also I heard the voice of the Lord." Isaiah was clairaudient, or this was a materialized voice. Spirit Communion. Verse 9: And he (the spirit) said, "Go and tell the people." This was a spirit communicating with a mortal me- dium. VII., 3 : The spirit of the Lord communicated with Isaiah again. Verse 10 : This same spirit spake again unto Ahaz. Verse 1 1 : He told him to ask for a sign or test. Supposed Prophecy of the Coming of Christ. Verse 14: "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign. Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Emanuel." This is claimed as a prophecy of Christ's coming. Isaiah VIII., 5 : The Lord spake to Isaiah again. Used to Oppose Spiritualism. Verse 19 : "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 (spirit guide), for the living to the dead?" This is admitting that some people have familiar spirits. And this is saying, when asked by others to go to those who have familiar spirits for communications with the dead, Why should not the people who have a god or spirit guide of their own, go to their own god or guide for communications ? This spirit of the Lord was jealous of the other familiar spirits, as is shown throughout the Scriptures. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 173 Instead of disproving Spiritualism this passage shows plainly that there were familiar spirits in those days from whom people, through mediums, received word from the so-called dead. Chap. XIII. , Verse 6 : Isaiah predicts great destruc- tion from the Almighty. Verses 7 to 16 : Isaiah predicts terrible things, and the doom of Babylon. Jehovah's Dire Threats Against Israel. Verse 16 : The Lord or spirit of Jehovah, speaking through Isaiah, says : "Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled and their wives ravished." If this is the decree of the good God of this universe, is he a God of love, compassion and complacency? I prefer to believe that that communication partakes too much of the individuality of the medium Isaiah; but if it comes from a spirit it must be from one like Jehovah, the Egyptian warrior priest. Familiar Spirit Condemns Others. Isaiah XIX. : Jehovah was Isaiah's familiar spirit, and yet he and Jehovah both condemned those who had other familiar spirits, just as all Jehovah's mediums condemned those who had other familiar spirits than himself. Verse 1 : "The Lord rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt," where he promises to do ter- rible things. Spirits do not ride swift clouds these days. They have better methods of transportation. Used to Oppose Spiritualism. Verse 3 : "And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and they shall seek to the idols, and to 174 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE r i*. 8 Tit :r ji r i irJ '-!-■ : i" > r v - v ,:, ;l r! /i the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits and wizards." Verse 14 : "The Lord hath mingled a perverse spirit (a wicked or evil spirit) in the midst thereof : and they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken man staggereth in his vomit." Oh, what frightful language for "the word of God" ! Spirit Jehovah Orders Isaiah to Go Naked. Chap. XX., Verse 2: The spirit of the Lord told Isaiah to take off his clothes. "And he did so, walking naked and barefoot." Isaiah Walked Naked Three Years. Verse 3 : "And the Lord said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and wonder upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia" ; Verse 4: "So shall the King of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Ethiopians captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, even, ... to the shame of Egypt." This is not Spiritualism of today. Is the Bible Needed for Our Faith and Practice? If a modern prophet's spirit guide should send his medium out naked, as Isaiah's spirit guide Jehovah sent him, the medium would land in jail in an hour and in the lunatic asylum in a day or two, just as Isaiah should have done. Isaiah Clairaudient. Chap. XXII., 14 : "And it was revealed in mine ears by the Lord of hosts." Then follows a communication from Isaiah's spirit guide. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 175 Turns Earth Upside Down; Scatters Inhabitants Abroad. XXIV., 1 : "Behold the Lord maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the in- habitants thereof" Verse 3 : "The land shall be utterly emptied and utterly spoiled, for the Lord (the spirit) hath spoken it." The Lord Jehovah evidently had not learned that the earth revolves on its axis once every twenty-four hours. Bible Mediums and Priests Drunkards. XXVIIL, 7: "But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way : the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink ; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment. " Verse 8: "For all tables are full of vomit and filthi- ness, so that there is no place clean." Did the worst opponents of Modern Spiritualism ever accuse its mediums of worse acts than Isaiah, the medium, accuses his brothers, the holy prophets of God? This is only one of the many arraignments of priests and prophets found in scripture.* Independent Spirit Voices. XXIX., Verse 4 : "And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be as one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust." * See "False Prophets and Fraudulent Mediums of the Christian Bible," by Rev. E. W. Sprague. 176 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Materialism of Hezekiah. XXXVIIL, 18 : "For the grave cannot praise thee ; death cannot celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for the truth." Jehovah Tries to Prove He Is God. XLIIL, Verses 10 to 15 : The spirit Jehovah tries to prove to the Israelites that He is God, and tries to prove it by them, whom He claims have been witnesses of His doings. Jehovah the Savior. Verse 11 : He says: "I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no savior." Jehovah Says He Is God. Verse 12: "Therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God." Chap. XLIV., 6 : He says : "Beside Me there is no God." Verse 8 says: "Is there a God beside Me? Yea, there is no God : I know not any" Chapter XLV., Verse 7, Jehovah says : "I form the light, and create darkness ; I make peace, and create evil. I, the Lord, do all these things." XLVL, Verse 9 : "Remember the former things of old : for I am God, and there is none else : I am God and there is none like me." XLIX., 26 : "I am thy savior and thy redeemer, the mighty one of Jacob." Isaiah Claims Mediumship. Chapter L., Verse 4: "The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary : he SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 177 wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. ,, Mediums are frequently awakened from sleep to receive spirit messages, write poetry, etc., in these mod- ern days, as Isaiah says he was. Jehovah Speaks Through Isaiah. Isaiah LIX., 21 : "As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the Lord, my spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the Lord from henceforth and forever." Isaiah Explains His Phase of Mediumship. Chap. LXL, 21 : "The spirit of the Lord God is upon me ; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek : he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the cap- tives, and the opening of the prison to those that are bound." This is exactly what modern mediums can apply to themselves. Spirits through them are doing all of these things successfully today. Materialism. Chap. LXIV., 6: "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf ; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." The Book of Jeremiah — Jeremiah Born a Medium — Receives a Spirit Message. Jer. L, 1, 2: The words of Jeremiah, "to whom the word of the Lord came." 178 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Verse 4: "Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying/' Verse 5 : "Before I formed thee, ... I knew thee ; and before thou earnest forth ... I sanctified thee; and I ordained thee a prophet (a medium) unto the nations." Jeremiah Lacked Confidence. Verse 6: "Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak ; for I am a child." Jeremiah Will Be Inspired, Says the Spirit. Verse 7: "But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child ; for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak." Spirit Guide Will Protect His Medium. Verse 8: "Be not afraid of their faces, for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord. Verse 9: "Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Be- hold, I have put My words in thy mouth." The Spirit Establishes Jeremiah's Mediumship. Verse 10: "See, I have this day set thee over the nations, and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant." Jeremiah Clairvoyant. Jeremiah I., Verse 11 : "Moreover, the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou ?" That is, the spirit asked what he saw clairvoyantly, "And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree." Verse 12 : "Then said the Lord unto me, Thou hast well seen ; for I will hasten my word to perform it." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 179 Verse 13 : "And the word of the Lord (the spirit message) came unto me the second time, saying, What seest thou ? And I said I see a seething pot ; and the face thereof is toward the north." An Evil Prophecy. Verse 14: "Then the Lord said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhab- itants of the land." Thus far this chapter teaches Spiritualism. Jeremiah Says Jehovah Deceived the People. Jeremiah IV., Verse 10, says : "Then said I, Lord God! surely thou hast deceived this people and Jerusa- lem, saying, Ye shall have peace, whereas the sword reacheth unto the soul." If this was true was it not enough to justify the Israelites in worshiping other gods? Were they not justified in repudiating a deceiver? This was one of Jehovah's great prophets who accused Jehovah himself of being a deceiver. False Prophets or Fraudulent Mediums. According to scripture, there were genuine prophets, and there were those who pretended to be prophets and were not, and there were some who were prophets and yet "simulated" a great deal. The same is said of modern mediums, though as a class they are at least as honest as people of any other professions, including the clergy. There are fakers, or frauds, traveling up and down the country, claiming mediumship, who have none. The latter are not recog- nized by Spiritualists, who are fast driving them from the field. Christians claim the Bible prophets were 180 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE infallible in their work. Spiritualists know that me- diums are human, and that to err is human. Fraudulent Prophets and Priests. V., 30: "A wonderful and horrible thing is com- mitted in the land." Verse 31 : "The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means ; and my people love to have it so ; and what will ye do in the end thereof?" Jehovah says this. Wickedness of Prophets and Priests. VI., 13 : "For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness ; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely." Chapter VIII., Verse 10: "Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall inherit them: for every one, from the least even unto the greatest, is given to covetousness; from the prophet even unto the priest, every one dealeth falsely." One should keep in mind that fact that this is the Spirit Jehovah saying these terrible things. Would a just God punish these innocent wives? (See Chap. XIII, 13, 14, for more.) Prophets Prophesy Lies. Chapter XIV, Verse 14 : "Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name : I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them : they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of naught, and the deceit of their heart." Verse 15: "Therefore thus saith the Lord concern- ing the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 181 them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land. By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed." Innocent Punished for Prophet's Wickedness. Verse 16 : "And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem, because of the famine and the sword : and they shall have none to bury them, them, their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters : for I will pour their wickedness upon them. ,, Also see 18th verse. XV., 15 to 19: Jeremiah prays the Lord to remem- ber him, and says he did eat his words, and did not join the mockers, and was full of indignation. Jeremiah Questions Jehovah About His Lying. Verse 18: "Why is my pain perpetual and my wounds incurable, which refuseth to be healed? Wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar, and as waters that fail?" Was Jehovah a lying spirit, as Jeremiah, his prophet, accused him of being? If he was, then he was not the God Almighty Christianity seeks to make the world believe. If Jeremiah lied about this matter, then he who was one of Jehovah's chosen prophets is not to be relied upon. Spirit Advice on Marriage. XVI., 1: "The word of the Lord (spirit message) came also unto me, saying :" Verse 2 : "Thou shalt not take thee a wife, neither shalt thou have sons or daughters," etc. 182 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Jehovah, His Spirit Guide, Deceived Him. Chap. XX., Verse 7 : "O Lord, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived; thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed : I am in derision daily, every one mock- eth me." In the forty years of our labors in Spiritualism we do not know of one single case where a spirit of modern times ever deceived his medium, as Jeremiah declares his spirit guide, Jehovah, deceived him. Are the spirits of modern times more honest and reliable than the spirit Jehovah whom the Christians worship as Al- mighty God? Jeremiah Cursed the Day He Was Born. Jeremiah XX., 14: "Cursed be the day wherein I was born : let not the day in which my mother bare me be blessed." Verse 15 : "Cursed be the man who brought tidings to my father saying, A man child is born unto thee; making him very glad." Is it not a pity that any spirit guide should cause his medium trouble that would make him curse the day he was born ? This, Jeremiah says, Jehovah did to him, and Jeremiah was one of Jehovah's great prophets of Israel. Chapter XXIII. is nearly all devoted to the con- demnation of the priests and prophets of Jerusalem. Verse 1 1 says : "For both prophet and priest are profane. Yea, in mine house have I found their wick- edness, saith the Lord!' Verse 14: "I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing : they commit adultery and walk in lies : they strengthen also the hands of evil- doers, they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 183 Pi ophets Speak Vision Out of Own Hearts. Verse 16 says : "They speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord." Verse 25 : The Lord says : "I have heard what the prophets said that prophesy lies in my name," etc. Can the Bible be infallible when its accredited prophets call each other liars, deceivers? One should read this whole chapter carefully. Deceitful Prophets. XXIII. , 26 : "How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies ? Yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart ;" Verse 27: "Which think to cause people to forget my name by their dreams, which they tell every man to his neighbor, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal." "Baal" was one of many other tribal gods of their day, of whom Jehovah was extremely jealous. Verse 28 : "The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream ; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord." Verse 30: "Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that steal my words every one from his neighbor." Verse 32 : "Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the Lord, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their light- ness ; yet I sent them not nor commanded them : there- fore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the Lord." Other Fraudulent Bible Mediums. Neh. VI., 10 : A false prophet goes to Nehemiah and 184 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE tries to frighten him into stopping the work of building the temple. Verse 12 says : "God had not sent him." In this work I have named but few of the many false prophets, or fraudulent mediums of the Bible.* Where so many were dishonest, how is one to tell what is the real word of God, since we cannot test them? Jer. XXIV., 2 : Jeremiah has a vision, seeing two baskets of figs, one basket of very good figs; and the other a basket of very "naughty figs, which could not be eaten, they were so very bad." Is there anything in Modern Spiritualism equaling this? Jehovah Promises to Repent. Chapter XXVI., Verses 7 to 13: The priests and prophets of Israel were planning to kill Jeremiah for these prophecies from the Lord against them, and Jere- miah's spirit guide, the Lord, promised to repent him of the evil he had done, if they would amend their ways and doings, and obey the voice of the Lord. Jehovah Drives the Israelites Into Slavery. XXVII., 8: "And it shall come to pass that the nation and kingdom which will not serve the same Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon, and that will not put his neck under the yoke of the King of Babylon, that nation will I punish, saith the Lord, with the sword, and with the famine, and with the pestilence, until I have consumed them by my hand." How terribly unjust this seems. Jehovah Condemns His Own Prophets. Verse 9: "Therefore, hearken not ye to your prophets, nor to your diviners, nor to your dreamers, * See "False Prophets or Fraudulent Mediums of the Christian Bible," by Rev. E. W. Sprague. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 185 nor to your enchanters, nor to your sorcerers, which speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the King of Babylon. Thus Jehovah, the God of Israel, places his chosen people in bondage. Verse 10: "For they prophesy a lie unto you, to remove you far from your land ; and that I should drive you out and ye should perish. ,, Verse 14 : This is repeated. Prophets Contradict Each Other. XVIII. , 9 to 17 : The mediums Jeremiah and Hana- niah, under the supposed influence of the Lord Jehovah, clash. One tells the Israelites that God says, Accept slavery under the King of Babylon; the other says, the Lord tells him they must not become slaves to the King of Babylon. Is this God of the Old Testament "infallible"? and is the Bible "God's word" inerrant and "without flaw" ? When different prophets of Jehovah, assuming to speak under his control, disagree and contradict each other, what can one believe regarding their infallibility ? Spirit Gives Advice on Marriage. Chapter XXIX., 4 to 7: The Lord tells them to take wives and multiply and increase in numbers. Would not Jeremiah be liable to arrest, fine and im- prisonment for fortune telling if this were enacted in Michigan today ? More Fraudulent Mediums of Israel. Verses 8, 9, condemn again their prophets and di- viners and say they prophesy falsely in the Lord's name and repeat the statement that He has not sent 186 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE them. So there were many deceptive mediums in those days. Jehovah Enslaves Israel Seventy Years. XXIX., 10: The Lord, through his medium Jere- miah, promises his chosen people that after they have been seventy years in captivity, He will visit them and cause them to return to freedom. Poor Israelites, they were freeholders in Egypt, but He who is supposed to have led them out of Egypt now sentences them to sev- enty years of real slavery. Prophets Bad — Ahab and Zedekiah. Verses 21, 22, 23 : Spirit Jehovah, speaking through the prophet (medium) Jeremiah, accuses the prophets Ahab and Zedekiah. Verse 23 says : "Because they have committed vil- lainy in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbors' wives, and have spoken lying words in my name, which I have not commanded them ; even I know, and am a witness, saith the Lord/' Jehovah Punishes Children for Fathers' Acts. Verses 31 and 32: The Lord declares He will pun- ish the children of two fraudulent mediums or prophets, because they (the fathers) prophesied unto you, and I sent them not. Is this Divine justice, or is it the edict of an unde- veloped or evil spirit? Or, what seems more likely to be, the edict of one fraudulent medium against another. The author is willing to believe that Jehovah was misrepresented by unreliable mediums, and did not order the Israelites enslaved seventy years, and the mediums assuming to represent him were either self -hypnotized, or were SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 187 downright frauds. We know of people in this life who do those things inadvertently and others wilfully, and we have never met with a spirit with such viciousness as is attributed to the Spirit Jehovah. Imprisoned Jeremiah for Practicing Mediumship. Chap. XXXVIL, Verse 15: They smote him and put him in prison. Verse 16 : They smote him and put him in a dun- geon. Verse 21 : They fed him a piece of bread daily until the bread was spent. Chap. XXXVIII., 6 : They let him down with cords into a "dungeon, w 7 here there was no water, but mire ; so Jeremiah sunk in the mire." The genuine mediums of those days were treated worse than in these times. Verses 10 to 13 : Jeremiah taken from the dungeon by order of King Zedekiah. Verse 14: King Zedekiah has a seance with the medium Jeremiah in secret, and Jeremiah's spirit guides told the King truly. XLIL, 4: Jeremiah prays unto the Lord God, "his spirit guide," and then tells them "that whatsoever thing the Lord shall answer you, I will declare it unto you ; I will keep nothing back from you." Verse 7 : This prayer was answered after ten days' waiting, and Jeremiah received Jehovah's spirit mes- sage. Jehovah Repents Again. Verse 10 records the answer to this prayer, and the Lord says, "I repent me of the evil that I have done unto you" (the Israelites). 188 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE In this the God of Israel acknowledges he did evil to them. Does the Great God of heaven do evil ? What inconsistencies are found in the claims that Jehovah was Almighty God ! Jehovah Provoked to Wrath and Hate. Jer. XLIV., 4, 8. Jehovah a God of War. Jer., Chap. XLVIIL, Verse 1: "Thus saith the Lord." Verse 10 : "Cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood." Spiritism Not Spiritualism. The book of Jeremiah contains practically no Spir- itualism. It is full of Spiritism. Its teachings are not spiritual, though it is almost a continuous story of spirit communion. Book of Lamentations — Spirit Guides Leave Mediums. Lamentations II., 8, 9: "Her prophets (Israel's prophets) also find no vision from the Lord." Spirits sometimes leave modern mediums because they do wrong, and they lose their mediumship just as the prophets or mediums of Israel did. Chap. III. : Jeremiah accuses the Lord of treating him unjustly, and then asks him to curse his enemies. Breaks Prophet's Teeth. Verse 16: "He hath broken my teeth with gravel stones, He hath covered me with ashes." Verse 43 : "Thou hast covered with anger, and per- secuted us ; thou hast slain, thou hast not pitied." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 189 Priests and Prophets Shed Blood. Lamentations IV., 13 : "For the sins of her prophets, and the iniquities of her priests, that have shed the blood of the just." Verse 14 : "They have wandered as blind men in the streets." That is, they have prophesied out of their own minds without receiving the spirit's message, imagining it, or wilfully assuming to get it from spirits. "They have polluted themselves with blood, so that men could not touch their garments." Guess Work of Mediums. This story shows the awful result of guess work on the part of mediums. There was much of it in those ancient days. The Book of Ezekiel — Ezekiel Develops Medium- ship — Saw Visions. Chap. I., Verse 1, says: "The heavens were opened and I saw visions of God." Verse 3 : "The word of the Lord came expressly unto Ezekiel, the priest, . . . and the hand of the Lord was upon him." Spirit Men With Wings. Verse S : He saw four spirit men, but soon his vision got badly mixed. Verse 6 : "And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings." Should not believers in this become meek in opposing clairvoyance ? Did this sudden development of clairvoyance over- whelm Ezekiel, causing him to lose his mind, or was it his great imagination that made him see such strange things ? This whole chapter is full of such insane nonsense. 190 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE A Spirit Controls Ezekiel. Chap. II., Verse 1 : A spirit tells him to stand upon his feet and he will speak to him. Verse 2 : "And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me." Ezekiel a Materializing Medium — Materialization of a Book and Spirit Hand. Verses 3 to 9 gives this spirit's message, and the 9th and 10th verses say that a hand (a spirit hand) brought a book of lamentations and mourning and woe. So spirits materialized a hand and a book for Ezekiel. He is doing wonders for a newly developed medium. Levitation. III., 12: The spirit took him up, and he heard a voice. Verse 14 : "So the spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness (against his wishes) in the heat of my spirit : but the hand of the Lord was strong upon me." Verse 15 says he was carried to Tel-abib. (See also Ezek. VIII., 3, and Acts VIII., 39.) A Spirit Message* Verse 16 : Ezekiel gets another spirit message. Verse 22 : The hand of the Lord was upon him and he told him to go forth into the plain, for he wanted to talk to him. Verse 23 : He went and there he had another vision. Controlled Again. Verse 24 says: "Then the spirit entered into me, and set me upon my feet, and spake with me, and said unto me, Go, shut thyself within thine house." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 191 All this is spirit mediumship, the same as is expe- rienced among Spiritualists the world over today. Again Ezekiel Is Controlled. Ezek. VIII. , 1 : A spirit controls Ezekiel. Verses 2, 3 and 4 : He has a vision. Spirit Suspended Ezekiel by Lock of Hair. Levitation. Verse 3 : "And he put forth the form of a hand (a materialized spirit hand), and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God (under spirit influence) to Jerusalem," etc. Verse 4: "And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there (at Jerusalem), according to the vision that I saw in the plain." This was a fulfillment of the vision he saw in the plain. No modern medium was ever known to be lifted into the air and transported across the country by a spirit hand holding a lock of his hair. This is very wonderful spirit phenomena, if true. Jehovah's Continued Threatenings. The remainder of this chapter is a message from Spirit Jehovah ; the last verse threatens the poor Israel- ites with his "fury" and says He "will not spare nor pity." Was this a genuine spirit communication from Spirit Jehovah ? or was it the medium Ezekiel prophesying out of his own mind? Chapter IX. is another spirit communication. Verse 5 : "And to the others he (the Lord) said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite ; let not your eyes spare, neither have ye pity : 192 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Verse 6: "Slay utterly old and young, both maids and little children, and women, but come not near any man upon whom is the mark." Verse 7 : "Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain." And they did so. Oh, how terrible is Jehovah ! Chapter X. is a nightmare of visions. Visions and Levitation. Ezekiel XL, Verse 1 : "The spirit lifted me up and brought me unto the east gate of the Lord's house," etc. Verse 24: Ezekiel is taken up by the spirit and brought him in a vision unto Chaldea. Chapter XII., Verse 21 : "And the word of the Lord (another spirit communication) came to me, saying:" The message follows in which the spirit says their visions shall no more fail. In Verses 26 to 28 another spirit message is given him. Fraudulent and Incompetent Mediums. Ezekiel XIIL, 1 : "And the word of the Lord (a spirit message) came unto me saying." Verse 2 : "Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel, that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, hear ye the word of the Lord." Verse 3 : "Thus saith the Lord God, Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing" (These are incompetent mediums.) Does the validity of the scriptures rest upon these unworthy mediums and false prophets of Israel? Jehovah Condemns Fraudulent and Foolish or Incompetent Mediums. Ezekiel XIIL, Verse 6 : "They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The Lord saith : and the Lord SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 193 hath not sent them : and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word." Lying and Vain Mediums. Verse 7 : "Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The Lord saith it; albeit I have not spoken?" Verse 8: "Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Be- cause ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord God." False Prophets. Verse 9 : "And mine hand shall be upon the proph- ets that see vanity, and that divine lies : they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord God." Women Mediums Prophesy Out of Their Own Hearts. Ezekiel XIII., Verse 17 : Jehovah, speaking through Ezekiel, says: "Likewise thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, which prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them." Prophets Prophesy Lies, Says Jehovah. Verse 22 : "Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad, and strengthened the hands of the wicked ; that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life." Verse 23 : "Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people 194 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE out of your hand; and ye shall know that I am the Lord." All this and much more Jehovah, a spirit, gave to Ezekiel through his mediumship. Spirit Readings Ezekiel Gave to Elders. Chapter XIV., Verses 1 to 12: Certain elders of Israel came to Ezekiel and he gave them a sitting or a reading. Verse 2 : "And the word of the Lord" (the spirit message) came to Ezekiel. Ezek. XIV., Verse 3 : Spirit Jehovah tells Ezekiel, the medium, that "these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumbling block of their iniquity before their face." He then asks Ezekiel, his medium, if he should be inquired of by them. Jehovah Refused to Communicate. Verse 4: Jehovah says, such persons coming and inquiring of him, he "will answer them according to the multitude of his idols." Jehovah Deceives His Mediums. After all this condemnation by Jehovah of his me- diums who practice fraud, "divine lies," "prophesy out of their own hearts," and "follow their own spirit and have spoken vanity," "and have seen nothing," "and the Lord hath not sent them," I say, after all this he takes the blame upon himself and still says he will punish the mediums. Verse 9 : He says : "And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I, the Lord, have deceived that prophet; and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel/' SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 195 Is it divine justice to deceive a prophet and then destroy him for it ? Punishes Mediums, Likewise Their Clients. Verse 10 : "And they shall bear the punishment of their iniquity ; the punishment of the prophet shall be even as the punishment of him that seeketh unto him." Why should Jehovah punish the prophet if He had deceived that prophet? Was the prophet who trusted in Jehovah to blame if Jehovah deceived him? Or was Jehovah to blame for deceiving him? In any other department of human endeavor Jehovah would be con- sidered the transgressor, but it is different in the Christian Bible. Children, wives, men and cattle were made to suffer even unto death because their superiors and possessors did wrong. Christians' God Puts Forth a Riddle. Ezekiel, Chapter XVII., 1 : "And the word of the Lord came unto me (Ezekiel), saying:" Verse 2 : "Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel. " Verse 3 : "And say, Thus saith the Lord." Then follows what seems to be a simple riddle, that would hardly be considered worthy of notice if given by a mortal. It does not appear worthy of the God of this universe, to say the least. Jehovah and Samson are chief riddle makers of the Bible. (See Judges XIV., 8 to 20.) Another Message. Ezek. XX., Verse 2 : This is another spirit message : "Then came the word of the Lord unto me saying." Lord Refuses to Communicate or to Be Interviewed by the Elders of Israel. Verse 3 : "Son of man, speak unto the elders of 196 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God, Are ye come to enquire of me ? As I live, saith the Lord God, I will not be enquired of by you." Verse 31 : "For when ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the fire (Spiritualists never do that), ye pollute yourselves with all your idols (Spiritualists worship no idols), even unto this day; and shall I be enquired of by you, O house of Israel? as I live, saith the Lord God, I will not be enquired of by you." Impressional Mediumship. Verse 32 : "And that which cometh into your mind shall not be at all, that ye say," etc. Verse 35 : "I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face." Priests and Prophets Bad. XXIL, 26 : "Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things," etc. Verse 28 : Her prophets, "Divining lies" and "seeing vanity," "when the Lord hath not spoken." Spirit Speaks to Him, Ezekiel Says. XXIV., Verse 1 : "And the word of the Lord (a spirit message) came unto me, saying: Then follows the long spirit communication to the end of the chapter. Ezekiel XXIII. should not have been placed in the Bible. Jehovah Will Not Repent. Chapter XXIV., Verse 14: Jehovah says, "I, the Lord, have spoken it ; it shall come to pass, and I will do it; I will not go back, neither will I spare, neither will I repent," etc. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 197 Greatest Materializing Seance from Dry Bones — Ezekiel the Medium* Ezekiel XXXVII, Verse 1 : "The hand of the Lord was upon me and carried me out in the spirit of the Lord and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones." Verse 2 : It says of these bones : "There were very many in the open valley ; and, lo, they were very dry." Verse 3 : "And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? and I answered, "Lord God, thou knowest." Verse 4: "Again He said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord." Verse 5 : "Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones, Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live." Verse 6 : "And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live ; and ye shall know that I am the Lord." Materialized a Great Army. Verse 7: "So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied there was a noise, and behold, a shaking and the bones came together, bone to his bone." Verse 8: "And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above ; but there was no breath in them." Verse 9: "Then said he (the spirit) unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord God, Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live." 198 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Verse 10: "So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceeding great army." Christians who scoff at Spiritualists because they who believe in spirit materialization believe without having seen materialization, that this "exceeding great army" of bones was clothed with "sinews and flesh." They believe the spirit told Ezekiel to "say to the wind," "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain that they may live." That Ezekiel did so, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, "an exceeding great army." Christians believe this Bible story of materialization of spirits. Spiritualists do not believe it, though they do believe in spirit materializa- tion. They have never seen a whole army of spirits materialized at one time, nor have they seen old dry bones take on flesh, and life, and stand upon their feet. This is spirit materialization at wholesale. Again Ezekiel Is Controlled. XL., Verse 1 : Ezekiel says : "The hand of the Lord was upon me, and brought me thither." Verse 2 : "In the visions of God brought he me into the land of Israel, and set me upon a very high moun- tain, by which was as the frame of a city on the south." Clairvoyance — Ezekiel Saw a Spirit Man Who Carried Him Away. Verse 3 : "And he brought me thither, and, behold, there was a man, whose appearance was like the ap- pearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed ; and he stood in the gate." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 199 This Dead Man Speaks to Him. Verse 4 : "And the man said unto me, Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all that I shew thee: for to the intent that I might shew them unto thee, art thou brought hither : declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel." Spirit With a Measuring Rod. Verse 5 tells of a measuring rod in this spirit man's hand, with which he measured the building. Verse 6 : He begins measuring everything, and con- tinues measuring things to the end of this chapter. This Spirit Man Communicates. The reader should note the fact that this spirit con- trol was not Jehovah the Lord, but was a spirit man who is not reported to have controlled Ezekiel before. He is called "a man," and "the man/' which is one more of the many statements that spirits and angels are men, and that they return and communicate with mortals. Chap. XLI. contains twenty-six verses of added measuring. Chapters XLII. and XLIII. : This spirit man con- tinues measuring. Chapter XLIII., Verse 3, speaks of visions four times. Spirit mediums of today have visions. Levitation. Verse 5 : So the spirit took me up and brought me into the inner court. Was this not levitation by spirit power? 200 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Verse 6: "And I heard him speaking unto me out of the house ; and the man stood by me." Priests Commanded Not to Shave Heads. Chap. XLIV., 20: "Neither shall they shave their heads, nor suffer their locks to grow long; they shall only poll their heads." Verse 21 : "Neither shall any priest drink wine when they enter into the inner court." Priests Must Not Marry Widows. Verse 22 : "Neither shall they take for their wives a widow, nor her that is put away : but they shall take maidens of the seed of the house of Israel, of a widow that had a priest before." (See also Lev. XXI., 10 to IS.) Was This Fortune Telling? What would Christians say if a spirit of Modern Spiritualism should dictate such a message as this to his mediums? Spirit Jehovah dictated this message, telling whom priests should marry. Fortune tellers of today give advice on marriage. Was Ezekiel and his spirit control fortune tellers, according to this scripture ? Priests and Prophets of Jehovah Well Cared For Verse 30 : "And the first of all the first fruits of all things, and every oblation of all, of every sort of your oblations, shall be the priests : ye shall also give unto the priest the first of your dough that he may cause the blessing to rest in thy house." Priests must have bread. Priests Must Not Eat That Which Dies of Itself Verse 31 : "The priests shall not eat of anything SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 201 that is dead of itself, or torn, whether it be fowl or beast." Ezekiel XLIV. should be revised. The book of Ezekiel is almost one continuous spirit message, the spirit of Jehovah and another man's spirit communicating through the mediumship of Ezekiel, who has several different phases of mediumship. The Book of Daniel — Vegetarians — Daniel One; Also Would Not Drink Wine. Daniel, Chapter I., Verse 8: But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank : therefore he requested of the prince of eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Vegetarians' and Meat Eaters' Contest. Verses 11 to 16: Daniel had them put himself and three others on a vegetarian diet as a test against the meat eaters, and Daniel won the contest. Four Vegetarians Developed Mediumship. Verse 17: "As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams." Four Best Mediums. Verse 19: "And the king communed with them: and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. Mediums Ten Times Better Than Magicians and Astrologers. Daniel, Chapter I., Verse 20: "And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of 202 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologer^ that were in all his realm." Spirit mediums of today are many times better than magicians and astrologers. Modern Mediums Also Vegetarians. Modern mediums are often led by spirits to abstain from eating meat and from drinking wine, while devel- oping, and afterwards. Spiritualists understand the benefit derived by ab- staining from meat eating and from strong drink while developing spirit mediumship. The author and his good wife, by advice of the spirit friends, ate no pork for twenty-eight years, and much of that time abstained entirely from eating meat of any kind. Dreams Troubled the King. Chapter II, Verse 1 : Nebuchadnezzar, the king, had dreams whereby his spirit was troubled. Verse 2 : "Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans for to show the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king." Verse 3 : The king tells them he had dreamed a dream that troubled him. King Puts Them Under Severe Test Conditions. Verse 4: The Chaldeans told him to tell them his dream. '■ -!W3^ Verse 5 : "The king answered and said to the Chal- deans, The thing is gone from me : if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill :" SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 203 Verse 6 : "But if ye shew the dream, and the inter- pretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards, and great honors: therefore, shew me the dream and the interpretatibn thereof." Verse 7 : "They answered again, and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation thereof." Tests — King Asks a Strong One. Verse 9: "But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you ; for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me till the time be changed : therefore, tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpreta- tion thereof." Was the king reasonable in these demands ? Chaldeans Protest. Verse 10: "The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter; therefore there is no king, Lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean." Verse 1 1 : "And it is a rare thing that the king re- quireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods (gods are spirits), whose dwelling is not with the flesh." Verse 12 : "For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon." Verse 13 : "And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain." 204 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Verse 14 : "Then Daniel answered with council and wisdom to Arioch, the captain of the king's guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon." Verse IS : "He answered and said to Arioch, the king's captain, Why is this decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel." Dream — Daniel Asks Time to Interpret. Verse 16: Daniel asked the king for time and he would shew him the interpretation. Verses 17 and 18: Daniel went and consulted with his three companions. A Dark Seance. The 19th verse says : "Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven." Verses 20 to 24 : Daniel praises the Lord for reveal- ing this thing to him, and in the 24th verse, he tells Arioch, the king's captain, not to destroy the wise men of Babylon, but to take him before the king and he would interpret his dream. Verse 25 : He took Daniel before the king and he explained that he would interpret his dream. Verse 26 : The king asked Daniel if he could inter- pret the dream. Verse 27 : "Daniel answered in the presence of the king and said: The secret which the king hath de- manded, cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king;" Daniel Interprets His Dream. Verse 28: "But there is a God in heaven (spirit guides are called gods throughout the scriptures), that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the King SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 205 Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these :" Daniel Teaches Mental Mediumship. Verse 29 : "As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter ; and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass." Daniel Gives Himself No Credit. Verse 30 : "But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall know the interpretation to the king and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart." Daniel Tells King His Dream, Then Interprets It. Verses 31 to 46: After telling the king his dream, he says : "This is the dream ; and we will tell the in- terpretation thereof before the king." Then follows his interpretation of this not wonderful dream. Verse 46: "Then the King Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshiped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him." Following this, the king gave Daniel presents and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and Daniel saw that his three companions were well provided for. Such has been the life of mediums of every age. At times they are persecuted, and at times they are worshiped. This is only one of the many spirit tests and revelations of scripture given through spirit me- diums of that day. 206 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Nebuchadnezzar an Arbitrary Idolater. Dan. III., Verses 1 to 6 : Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, and commanded all people, nations and languages to fall down and worship this golden image. Threatens to Burn Disobedient. Verse 6 : "And whoso f alleth not down and worship- eth, shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burn- ing fiery fufnace." Fire Mediums. The remainder of this chapter tells that Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego, who would not bow down and worship Nebuchadnezzar's god of gold, were cast into the fiery furnace that was heated seven times as hot as "it was wont to be heated." Verse 21 says they were bound with their clothes on and cast into the fiery furnace. Verse 22 says that the furnace was so "exceeding hot the flames of the fire slew the men who put these men in the fire." Verse 23 : The three men fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. An Angel Appears in the Fire With Them. Verse 25 : The king looked into the furnace and saw "four men walking in the midst of the fire and they have no hurt." One of them was an angel. Angels are spirits of men. Verse 26 : The king told them to come out of the fire and they came out. Verse 27 says : "The king's councillors being gath- ered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 207 Some people who believe this story is God's infallible truth, may think Spiritualists a bit weak-minded to believe spirits can return to mortals. Spirit Phenomena Convert the King. Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said : "Blessed be the God of Shadrach (Sha'drak), Me- shach (Me'shak), and Abed-nego (A-bed'-ne-go), who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god except their own God." Verse 29 : The king says : "Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, shall be cut to pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill ; because there is no other god (spirit guide) that can deliver after this sort." D. D. Homes' Fire Mediumship. Verse 30 : "Then the king promoted Shadrach, Me- shach and Abed-nego in the province of Babylon." Here is another case of spirit phenomena converting the hard-headed unbeliever. An angel or spirit was present and figured in these phenomena just as there was with Daniel D. Homes, the wonderful medium, when spirits controlled him to carry about the room his two hands full of live coals, and to lay his head in a bed of live coals without singeing a single hair of his head, as testified to by titled men and other leading people of Europe and America. Such phenomena are from God if recorded in scripture, but are of the devil when produced in Modern Spiritualist seances, say some Christians. 208 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Spirit Voice Comes to King. Daniel IV., 31 : "While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven saying, O King Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken : the kingdom is departed from thee." Dream Interpreted by Daniel. Verse 32: Daniel interprets a second dream of King Nebuchadnezzar, which was a bad one for the king, and was fulfilled in the same hour as follows : Nebuchadnezzar Insane ; Eats Grass. Verse 33 : The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar, and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws." Recovers His Mind. Verse 34 : "At the end of the days, I, Nebuchadnez- zar, lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine under- standing returned unto me; and I blessed the Most High." Verse 36: "His reason returned unto him, and he was established in his kingdom." Spirit Hand Writing on the Wall at Belshazzar's Feast. Chap. V., Verse 1 : "Belshazzar, the king, made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand." Verse 2 : "Belshazzar, while he tasted the wine, com- manded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father, Nebuchadnezzar, had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem ; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines might drink therein." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 209 Idolatry of Belshazzar, King of Babylon. Verse 3 : They brought them and these people drank out of them. Verse 4: "They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone." Materialized Hand at Belshazzar's Feast. Verse 5 : "In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaster of the wall of the king's palace, and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote." This was spirit phenomena such as has occurred in the writer's parlor, and for that reason he must believe it true. Spirit Phenomena Frightens the King. Verse 6 : "Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed and his knees smote one against another." Reward for Reading Spirit Writing. Verse 7: "The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom." Verse 8: "Then came in all the king's wise men; but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof." Verse 9 : "The king was troubled and his lords were astonied" ( astonished ) . 210 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Verses 11 and 12: The queen told him of a man in whom was the spirit of the holy gods (good spirits), and she named Daniel, who had interpreted the old king's dream. Handwriting on Wall Interpreted. Verses 24 to 31 : Daniel interprets the writing on the wall. Verse 25 : "And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN." Verse 26: "This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE: God hath numbered thy kingdom and fin- ished it." Verse 27 : "TEKEL : Thou art weighed in balances and art found wanting." Verse 28 : "PERES : Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and the Persians." Verse 29 : "Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom." Verse 30: "That night was the king slain." VI. , 3 : "Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him (i. e., he had a good spirit guide or control) ; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm." Verses 4 to 10 : The presidents and princes got to- gether, because of jealousy of Daniel, no doubt, and arranged "to establish a royal statute," "that whosoever shall ask a petition of (or pray to) any god or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions," and King Darius signed the decree. What a lot of freak kings there were in Bible times ! SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 211 Verse 10 : "When Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house ; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he had aforetime." Verses 11 to 15: These men saw Daniel praying, went to the king, had him arrested and cast in the lions' den. Daniel in the Lion's Den. Verse 16: "Then the king commanded and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, He will deliver thee." Verse 18 : The king didn't sleep all night. Verse 19: He went to the lions early in the morn- ing. He was anxious to learn whether Daniel was still alive. Verse 20 : "And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel ; and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions ?" Verse 22 : Daniel answers : "My God hath sent his angel (spirit) and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me : forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me ; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt." One believing this may be counted a Spiritualist Verse 23 : "Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, be- cause he believed in God." 212 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE It is plain to be seen, because Daniel was a medium, "The angel (or spirit) shut the lions' mouths/' Daniel said. Verse 24: "And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives (they punished the innocent as usual) ; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den." Comment is unnecessary here. Spirit Phenomena Convert Darius. Verse 26 : King Darius was fully converted and is- sued a decree that all his people should tremble and fear the God of Daniel, for he is the living God and steadfast forever. King Darius was another convert made by spirits. Daniel Clairvoyant and Clairaudient. Daniel, Chap. VIII., Verse 2: Daniel says three times that he had a vision, and in the 13th verse he was clairaudient ; he says he heard one saint (a spirit) speaking to another saint. He relates their conversa- tion. A Spirit Man Appears and Talks. The 15th, 16th and 17th verses tell of the "appear- ance of a man," — a man's voice was heard. Daniel in a Trance. Verse 18 : Daniel "was in a deep sleep" (in a trance) while the spirit was speaking with him, and the spirit man controlled him and stood him on his feet. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 213 Spirit Man Interprets Vision. Verses 19 to 26: The spirit man interpreted the symbolic vision Daniel had, as told in the first fourteen verses of this chapter. Verse 27: "And I, Daniel, fainted, and was sick certain days : afterward I rose up and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood the vision. ,, How exactly like the experiences of modern me- diums some of these were. Man Gabriel — A Long Message from His Spirit. Daniel IX., Verses 21 and 22 : The spirit man Gabriel came to Daniel again and said : I am come to show thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter and consider the vision." This is Spiritualism and he who believes it is a Spir- itualist, and he who does not believe it is an infidel, not believing the Bible. Daniel Has Another Vision. Chap. X., Verse 1 : "In the third year of Cyrus, King of Persia, a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar ; and the king was true, but the time was long; and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision." Often prophecies of modern mediums are longer in coming true than they expect, though the time may not have been set. Just as in this case with Daniel. Verse 2: "In those days, I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks." Verse 3 : "I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three full weeks were fulfilled." 214 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Another Spirit Man Appears. Verse 5 : "Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, a certain man (spirit) clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz." Verse 6 continues the description of this spirit man. Daniel Only One Who Saw the Vision. Verse 7 : "And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision : for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves." This Was a "Great Vision." Verse 8 : "Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength." These are sometimes the experiences of modern me- diums after being controlled by spirits, especially when they are undergoing development. Daniel Entranced Again. Verse 9: "Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep (entranced) on my face, and my face toward the ground." If this is true, then spirits talk to mortals and mes- sages come from the dead. A Spirit Man Strengthens Daniel. Verse 19: The spirit man speaks to Daniel again, and strengthens him, and Daniel said to him, "Let my Lord speak, for thou hast strengthened me." This book is one of the most reasonable books of the Old Testament. Yet parts of it might be improved. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 215 A Spirit Lifts Daniel Up. Verse 10: "And, behold, an hand touched me (a spirit hand), which set me upon my knees and upon the palm of my hands :" This Spirit Man Speaks to Daniel. Verse 1 1 : "And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright : for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. ,, When spirits influence or control one, it is often the case that they feel weak and tremble, though it does not harm them. Verses 12 to 15: This spirit man talks kindly and lovingly to Daniel. Daniel Again Entranced. Verse 15: Daniel was evidently entranced by this spirit "man." Daniel an Inspirational Speaker. Verse 16: A spirit similar to the sons of men touched his lips with inspiration and he opened his mouth and spake. Verse 17 : This talking took his strength. Verse 18: Another spirit man strengthened him. Very often such things occur in Spiritualism. Mediumship of Daniel Wonderful. Daniel was a good medium, according to scripture. He was often in a trance. He was clairvoyant, clair- andient, and had visions. He interpreted dreams, fore- told the future, tamed the lions, withstood the fiery furnace. He interpreted the spirit writing on the wall, and was an inspirational speaker. 216 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE The Book of Hosea — Hosea a Medium. Aside from its teachings of spirit return and spirit mediumship, there is nothing in the Book of Hosea that is spiritual or elevating. Hosea L, 2 : The Lord speaks to Hosea. In Verses 4, 6, and 9, Spirit Jehovah names three babes. Israelites Too Numerous to Number. Verse 10 : "Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sands of the sea, which cannot be meas- ured or numbered." The Prophet Is a Fool, Says Hosea, the Prophet. Chapter IX., Verse 7 : He says : "The prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is mad" (insane). Were not these chosen people of God a queer lot? Not Spiritualism. Hosea III., Verse 1: The Lord (Spirit Jehovah) spoke to Hosea, told him to "love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress." Hosea Buys This Woman. Verse 2: "So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and a half homer of barley." Was this the market price of such women in that early day? No spirit of modern times ever ordered a medium to buy an outcast woman. The Bible would be improved by eliminating the entire Book of Hosea. XII., 2: "The Lord hath also a controversy with Judah." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 217 Verse 4: "Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed; he wept and made supplication unto him: he found him in Beth-el, and there he spake with us." Verse 10 : "I have also spoken by the prophets, and have multiplied visions and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets." Chap. XIII. is a communication from Spirit Jehovah. It is full of threatenings, and in the 16th verse he con- demns innocent infants and women to terrible deaths. May heaven help those who believe that this is the work of the good God of heaven. The Book of Joel — Coming of Spiritualism Foretold by Joel. Chapter L, Verse 28, says: "And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh ; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions." Verse 29: "And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit." This is all the Spiritualism there is in the three chapters of the Book of Joel. The Book of Amos — Jehovah Reveals His Secrets. Amos III., 7, says: "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secrets unto His servants the prophets." Amos Becomes a Medium. VII., 15 : "And the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go prophesy unto my people Israel." Spirits today take mediumistic persons from the farms, shops, etc., and develop their spiritual gifts or 218 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE faculties, and they go and prophesy (prophecy is more than foretelling the future), as did these Bible mediums. Book of Obediah. Obediah's one chapter tells of his vision, which is a kind of prophecy ; but seems to be of little importance to the people of this day. The Book of Jonah — Jonah a Medium; Receives a Spirit Message. Chap. I., 1 : "The word of the Lord (a spirit mes- sage) came unto Jonah," etc. Verse 3 : "Jonah fled from the presence of the Lord, or spirit, went to Joppa, took a ship going to Tarshish, paid his fare." Cast Lots to Find Who Was the Cause of the Storm. Verse 7 : "So the lot fell upon Jonah." Verse 8 : "Then said they unto him, tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us: What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? What is thy country? and of what people art thou?" Lord Talks to a Fish. Chap. II., 10, says : "And the Lord (Spirit Jehovah) spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land." Are modern spirit phenomena "puerile" ? Chap. III., 10 : Israel's God again repents. The Book of Micah — Micah a Medium. Chap. I., Verse 1 : The word of the Lord (a spirit message) came to Micah, . . . "which he saw concern- ing Samaria and Jerusalem." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 219 The spirit of the Lord in His message to Micah condemns the poor Israelites and the cities of Jerusa- lem and Samaria. It is a message of woe, of accusa- tion and pessimism ; a message of war and a prophecy of distress. No Visions or Answer of God. Chap. III., Verse 6, says : "Therefore, night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision ; and it shall be dark unto you that ye shall not divine (foretell the future), and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark unto them." Verse 7 : "Then shall the seers be ashamed and the diviners confounded: yea, they shall all cover their lips ; for there is no answer of God! 3 This shows that there was no communication with the God of Israel other than through "diviners," "seers," or "prophets"; and seers and prophets are always mediums. All messages from Jehovah came through mediums. Controlled by the Spirit. The 8th verse says : "But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the Lord (that is, he is inspired or con- trolled by this spirit), and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin." None should question this statement after reading all of Micah. Priests Teach for Hire ; Prophets Divine for Money. Micah III., 11: "The heads thereof judge for re- ward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money ; yet will they lean upon the Lord." 220 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Book of Nahum. Chapter L, Verse 1, speaks of Nahum's vision. Again Israel's God Is Jealous. Verse 2 : "God is jealous, and the Lord revenge th ; the Lord revengeth, and is furious ; the Lord will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies." This is not "Our Father," the God of Jesus, and we have never come in contact with a human spirit pos- sessed of so many mortal weaknesses as this God of Israel is said in this verse to possess. Prophecy of the Automobile. Nahum II., 4: "The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall jostle one another in the broad ways : they shall seem like torches, they shall run like lightning." If this is not a prophecy of the automobile, of what is it a prophecy ? Book of Habakkuk — Spirit Gives a Message. Chap. II., 2 : "And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon the tables, that he may run that readeth it." A Vision to Speak. Verse 3 : "For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak and not lie : though it tarry, wait for it ; because it will surely come ; it will not tarry." Jehovah in Anger. Chapter III., 11, 12: He predicts judgments and declares that "the sun and moon stood still in their SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 221 habitation," and he says that his Lord "didst thresh the heathen in anger." This prophet, like all the rest of them, is pessimistic and threatens the people with terrible calamities in the last of his book. Book of Zephaniah — Zephaniah a Medium; He Receives a Spirit Message. Chapter I., Verse 1 : "The word of the Lord (spirit message) came unto Zephaniah, the son of Cushi," etc. Jehovah's Terrible Spirit Message. Verse 2: "I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the Lord." (See also Verses 3, 4, 14, 15; 111,4, 14.) The Book of Haggai — Haggai a Medium — A Message to Haggai. Chap. I, Verse 1, says : "The word of the Lord came to Haggai." The "word of the Lord" is always a spirit message. It can be nothing more and nothing less. The two chapters of the Book of Haggai consist principally in a spirit message from Jehovah. Haggai the Lord's Messenger. Verse 13 : "Then spake Haggai, the Lord's messen- ger, in the Lord's message unto the people, saying, I am with you." The Book of Zechariah — Zechariah a Medium; Receives a Spirit Message. Chapter I, Verse 1 : "The word of the Lord" came to Zechariah. Verse 2 : "The Lord hath been sore displeased with your fathers." 222 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Verse 3 : "Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts." Verse 7: "The word of the Lord came to Zecha- riah." (This was a spirit message.) Verse 8 : This communicating spirit saw "by night" "a man riding upon a red horse," "and behind him were there red horses speckled and white." Verse 9 : "Then said I, O my Lord, what are these ? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew thee what these be." Spirit Called by Different Names. In this chapter the spirit who talked with him is called "angel," "Lord," "Angel of the Lord," "My Lord," "The angel," and "Man." (See 8th and 9th verses. In Chap. II., also. Jehovah Indignant Seventy Years. Verse 12 : "Then the angel of the Lord answered and said: O Lord of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these three score and ten years ?" So the Lord was indignant toward Israel for seventy years. Could he enjoy the harmonies of heaven while in such a mood as that for seventy years ? Verse 13 : "And the Lord answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words." Jehovah Again Jealous. Verse 14 : "The Lord of hosts is jealous . . . with a great jealousy." Does jealousy enter heaven, a supposed state of perfect happiness? SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 223 Verse 15 : He is "displeased." The remainder of this chapter shows that Zechariah was a symbol medium, seeing four horns, and four car- penters, and the angel tried to interpret the meaning of these symbols. This spirit is seen by this medium, and the spirit gives him a message. Dead Man Returns After Nine Hundred Years. Chapter III., Verse 1 : "And he shewed me Joshua." Joshua had been dead nine hundred and seven years, according to the Christians' Bible Chronology. So this medium saw the spirit of this long-time dead man, and we ask the Christian doubter again : Do the dead return? Zechariah Has a Wonderful Vision. Zech. III., 1 : Zechariah sees the dead Joshua, the angel of the Lord, and Satan. Verse 2 : The Lord talked to Satan and Zechariah heard him. So this medium was both clairvoyant and clairaudient. Spirit Joshua Clothed in Filthy Garments. Verse 3 : "Now Joshua (after more than nine hun- dred years in spirit life) was clothed with filthy gar- ments, and stood before the angel." It would seem that Joshua, the great Joshua, who came out of Egypt with the Israelites and who was with them, surviving the forty years of deprivation in the wilderness ; that Moses solemnly and definitely gave authority in connection with Eleazar, the priest, over the people. "And after this was done God Him- self gave Joshua a charge by the mouth of the dying lawgiver." (Smith's Dictionary of the Bible, subject 224 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Joshua.) I say it would seem strange that the great Joshua, who had done so much to help Jehovah, and after nine hundred years in spirit life, should be clothed "with filthy garments." Zech. III., 4, 5 : And at the command of this angel of the Lord, the others removed Joshua's "filthy gar- ments, gave him a new suit of clothes and set a fair mitre upon his head." Verse 6 : "And the angel of the Lord protested unto Joshua, saying," Verse 7 : "Thus saith the Lord of hosts." Then follows some strange talk, a part of which seems to be giving the spirits charge over the material affairs of Israel. An Angel or Spirit Talked to Zechariah. Chap. IV., Verse 1, says : "And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep." Verse 2 tells what the angel said to him. Verse 6 says: "Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerub- babel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my p A Symbol Medium. Chapter V., Verse 1 : This medium sees more sym- bols, and the angel that talked with him explained (?) their significance. He saw a "flying roll," twenty cubits long and ten cubits in breadth. (A cubit is sup- posed to be 18 to 22 inches, or the length of a man's forearm ; sometimes the width of the hand added.) An "ephah" (measure) was shown by the spirit, and a "talent of lead" ("greatest weight of the Hebrews"). And a woman that sat in the midst of the ephah (meas- ure) ; but greatest of all the symbols was the following: SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 225 Verse 9 : "Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings ; for they had wings like the wings of a stork; and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven." Modern mediums, so far as known, never see spirit women with wings of a stork. More Symbols But Unexplained. Zech. VI., 1, 2, 3 : Zechariah has another vision of "chariots," "red horses," "mountains of brass," "black horses," "white horses," "grizzled and bay horses." Again the Angel Talks to Him. Verse 4 : "Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are these, my Lord?" Following this is the explanation that does not ex- plain. No one knows what these symbols mean when he has finished reading the explanation. Such nonsense as these symbolic visions become, be- cause of the explanation that does not explain, make them utterly valueless. There is nothing in modern spirit communication so utterly useless as this whole account of this "prophet's" visions. Yet the manner in which the messages and visions are given is proof of spirit return, spirit com- munication, clairvoyance and clairaudience. The Book of Malachi— The Old Testament's Last Prophecy. Malachi IV., Verse 5, says : "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord." At the time this prophecy was made Elijah had been dead four hundred and ninety-nine years, and it was literally fulfilled, according to the New Testament. 226 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE See Matt XL, 14; XVII., 3 to 12; Mark IX., 3, 4; Luke L, 17 ; IX., 30. Elias and Elijah were one and the same person ; and though he was a dead man, he came back and communicated. Malachi's reputation as a prophet is saved in this, the last prophecy of the Old Testament. MY GOD. I never could picture a righteous God Who sat on a golden throne ; A mighty Jehovah of flame and flood Who rules us by fear alone ; Whose fingers were steeped in his subjects' blood, Who spoke like the tempest roar, Whose greatest delight, if you doubted his might, Was to punish forevermore. I never could see how that wonderful God Who tutored the song-birds and bees, Who painted the flowers and gave them perfume, Who sculptured the mountains and trees, Could be the same God they would teach me to fear, And picture Him cruel and grim. If I lived forever, I fear I could never Find love in my bosom for Him. Then prate not to me of a jealous God, Who sits on a golden throne, A mighty Jehovah of flame and flood, A ruler by fear alone. But tell me of one who is fashioned of love, And more he can never be ; For my God IS love — the purest of love, God head of Divinity. — Bert B. Herrington SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 227 NEW TESTAMENT SPIRITUALISM Contrasting the New Testament With That of the Old. Let us now proceed to learn if the God of the New Testament is not a far different and much better spirit than Jehovah. God of Jesus a Loving Father The God of Jesus was a "Loving Father," an all wise and Good God, a God of infinite mercy and love, and a God of all nations, including the Jews. He was the antithesis of the Jewish God, Jehovah. He was not a God of war, but was a God of infinite peace, and never gave orders through his New Testament me- diums to slaughter innocent men, women and little children — "everything that breathed." Spiritualism Versus Spiritism. There is a great difference between Spiritualism and Spiritism. The term Spiritism does not imply spir- ituality. One may be a Spiritist, believing in spirit communion, and at the same time may possess little spirituality. Spiritualism is spiritual. Spiritism is not spiritual. To be a true Spiritualist one should live an upright and noble life. He should learn that "spiritual things 228 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE are spiritually discerned," and his aspirations should ever be to do good and be good. Israelites and Other Nations Spiritists. The Old Testament Bible is conclusive proof that nearly all the people of Israel and the tribes with whom they were almost always at war were Spiritists. Tribal Gods. Their gods all were tribal gods who were supposed to have power to win battles, put curses upon their enemies, and aid their friends in all their efforts, and in every way. Judaism Versus Christianity. Jehovah, the God of Moses and the Israelites, was a tutelary deity, while the God of Jesus and of Chris- tianity was Our Heavenly Father, the Universal Deity, or God of the universe. Other nations and tribes had their gods or spirit guides, who came to their prophets (mediums) as Jehovah came and communicated with Moses and the other mediums of Israel. Jehovah through his prophets made war continually upon the tribes and nations "round about" Israel. But the God of Jesus made war upon no nation of the earth. His teachers, Jesus, His apostles and disciples, all taught peace, love and goodness. They never or- dered the slaughter of a single child or woman. In this work we have shown that Jehovah was a close communion spirit and greatly lacking in Spirituality. These tribal gods were supposed to speak through mediums called "men of God," "prophets," "seers," etc., and the poor people, including the Israelites, were possessed of a worshipful fear of these mediums. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 229 Their word was law and gospel until their promises and predictions failed, when they were classed as "false prophets." Jehovah Not God of Jesus. Jehovah, the God of the Israelites, was altogether a different being from the God whom Jesus of Nazareth was wont to call "My Father." Certainly the New Testament God was a great improvement over, and a grand evolution from, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. If there ever was a demonstration of the truth of evolution, it is shown in the spiritual advancement from the teachings of Moses to the teachings of Jesus, and there has been a wonderful evolution from Jesus' teachings of Christianity to the teachings of Modern Spiritualism. Nevertheless the fundamental principles of Judaism, Christianity and Modern Spiritualism all rest absolutely upon the facts of the spirits of the dead appearing to men; of these spirits producing certain physical phenomena; of their inspiring men and women to utter sublime and spiritual truths; of their entrancing and taking control of mortals and in influencing them to do things spiritual. If this is not true of the scrip- tures, then nothing can be proven by them. Modem Spiritualism has the positive, the unimpeach- able truth, and the demonstration of the fact that our loved ones who have died still live, are about us and do manifest their presence and communicate with us. Bible Terms Defined. "Messias," or "Messiah," "Christ," and "Prophet," are synonymous terms, and all four of these words have no better definition than "spirit medium." A Messiah is a medium, a prophet is a medium, a Christ is a me- dium. All such people have mediumistic gifts, medium- 230 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE istic power, mediumistic faculties, and through their organisms, spirits of the past ages have manifested to mortals in exactly the same manner as they manifest to us today. Mark VIIL, 29: "Peter saith unto him, Thou art the Christ" (the spirit medium). John I., 41 : Andrew says : "We have found the Messias" (spirit medium), which is, being interpreted, the Christ." John IV., 29 : "Come see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?" (spirit medium). Jesus a Prophet. Luke VII., 16 : "And there came a fear on all : and they glorified God, saying, A great prophet is risen up among us, and that God hath visited his people." See also John VI., 14. Jesus the Messias. John IV., 25, 26: Jesus says he is the "Messias." A Messias is a medium, therefore Jesus was a spirit medium. Prophets, Seers and the Anointed Are Called "Men of God"; They Are Mediums. Ps. CV, 14 : "He suffered no man to do them wrong : yea, he reproved kings for their sakes." Verse 15 : Saying, "Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm." Spiritually Anointed. Luke IV., 18 : Jesus says : "The spirit of the Lord is upon me (i. e., he is controlled by the spirit of the Lord), because he hath anointed me to preach the gos- pel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 231 hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised." Heb. I., 9 : Paul says : 'Thou hast loved righteous- ness, and hated iniquity ; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows." That is to say, God has endowed him with spiritual gifts or faculties above his fellows. Sons of God Are All Mediums. John I., 12 : "But as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God (mediums), even to them that believe on his name." In other words, Jesus develops the mediumship of all who believe m him. The Book of Matthew — Does the Religion of Chris- tianity Rest on Five Dreams of Joseph? First Dream. Matt. I., 20 : "But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that which is con- ceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. ,, Second Dream. II., 12 : "And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way." Third Dream. Matt. II., 13 : "And when they were departed, be- hold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a 232 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word : for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him." Fourth Dream. Verse 19: "But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt," ^ Verse 20 : "Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel : for they are dead which sought the young child's life." Verse 21 : "And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel." Fifth Dream. Verse 22 : "But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into ports of Galilee/' Verse 23 : "And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth : that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene." Spirits Commune with Joseph in These Five Dreams. In the first chapter, 20th verse, the angel of the Lord communicated with Joseph in a dream. Chap. II., Verse 12 : It was God who warned Joseph in a dream. Verse 13 : It was the angel of the Lord who appeared to him in a dream and directed him what to do. Verse 19 : It was the Angel of the Lord. V^.rse 22 : It was God who warned him. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 233 It may have been that the writer intended to convey the idea that God sent his angel in all these dreams to Joseph. It is God's angels (spirits) who communicate with mortals in Spiritualism today. Are not these five dreams of Joseph about all that the great Christian world has upon which to base its belief in the Immaculate Conception and Deity of Jesus ? If these five dreams are not infallibly true, then is not the teachings of Christianity that "J esus was Al- mighty God" a mistake? People of those early days believed in dreams much more than the Spiritualists and others do in these days. However, truth is eternal, and the truths that Jesus taught and demonstrated will live forever. If the church has erred in its interpretation of the truths he taught, or there are errors in their translation, time will surely eradicate them. "Truth is mighty and will prevail, The eternal years of God are hers, While error wounded writhes with pain, And dies amid her worshipers." Jesus Tempted of the Devil. Matt. IV., 1 : "Then Jesus was led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil." Verses 2 to 4 : The tempter came to Jesus after he had fasted forty days and nights and became enhun- gered, and told him, if he was the Son of God, to "command that these stones be made bread." Jesus did not do it, nor give any reason why he did not, "But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that pro- ceedeth out of the mouth of God." 234 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Verse 5 : Then the devil took Jesus and set him on the pinnacle of a temple. Who that believes the teachings of the church, which says that Jesus was Almighty God, believes that the devil set him on the pinnacle of the temple? How can anyone help doubting the scriptures or the teachings that Jesus was God ? Verse 7: Jesus' reply was entirely evasive. Verse 8: "The devil took him upon an exceeding high mountain and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them." Did he who made the world need to be shown his own handiwork ? And did the devil think one could see around the world from the top of an exceeding high mountain? Verse 9 : The devil continues : "And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee if thou wilt fall down and worship me." Were all these things the devil's that he should give them to the Almighty ? Angels Minister to Jesus. Verse 11 : "Then the devil leaveth him (Jesus), and, behold, angels came and ministered unto Him." This is Spiritualism: angels minister unto mortals today. People Sat in Darkness and Saw the Light. Verse 16: "The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death, light is sprung up." Modern Spiritualism has brought this "light to mil- lions of those who sat in darkness regarding the future life," and to "those who sat in the region and shadow of death," comforting the sorrowing, in unnumbered cases today all over the civilized world and in the same SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 235 manner as it was done by the noble Nazarene in those early days, namely : by teaching the spiritual philosophy and demonstrating its truth through the production of spirit phenomena. Mediumship of Jesus — He Begins Preaching. Matt. IV., 17: "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent : for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Christ's Sermon on the Mount. V., 17: Jesus says: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. " The Spiritualism he taught and demonstrated was fulfilling the spiritual teachings of the law and gospel of his day, just as Spiritualism is fulfilling the teachings of Jesus, in its present-day philosophy and phenomena. Jesus Holds Classes, Teaching His Apostles. Chapters V., VI., VII., are devoted to teaching his apostles what they may expect to meet, and how to carry on the mediumistic work they are to do. False Prophets. VII., 15: "Beware of false prophets (fraudulent mediums), which come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly, they are ravening wolves." Verse 16 : "Ye shall know them by their fruits." Jesus Healed the Leper. Matt. VIII., 1 : "When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. ,, Verses 2 to 4 : Jesus healed the leper, and told him not to tell any man of it, but to continue in the Jewish church. 236 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Heals Absent Patients. Verses 5 to 13 : Jesus heals the centurion's servant at a distance without seeing him. This is being done by Spiritualists today. Jesus taught Spiritualism and practiced mediumship. Verses 14 and IS : Jesus cured Peter's wife's mother of fever. Spirit Obsession. Verse 16: Jesus healed people "possessed with dev- ils : and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick." Jesus Like Modern Mediums Takes on Conditions. Verse 17 : "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses." Modern mediums often take on the condition of their sick patients while healing them. Jesus Controls the Weather. Matt. VIII., Verses 23 to 27 : Jesus and his disciples went on board a ship. A great tempest arose and the ship was covered with the waves. Jesus was asleep, "and his disciples awoke him, saying, Lord save us: we perish." Verse 26: "And he saith unto them, O ye of little faith? Then he arose and rebuked the winds and the sea ; and there was a great calm." Believers Do Works of Jesus. In John XIV., 12, Jesus says : "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also ; and greater works than these shall he do ; because I go unto My father." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 237 "Come now, let us reason together" (Isaiah I., 18). Jesus controlled the wind and the waves of the sea, and says believers on him should do the same. Did anyone ever know of a single instance in which anyone claiming to believe in Jesus ever controlled the weather ? Devils Cast Out of Men Into Swine. Matt. VIII., 28 to 34, tell of Jesus meeting two men who were "possessed with devils." Mark V., 2, says there was one man, and the 9th verse says : "These devils gave their names as "legion." (Luke VIII., 27, says it was "a man which had devils." Mark V., 13, says : "They were about two thousand" of these swine that these unclean spirits entered, "and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and were choked." Matt. VIIL, 32, says : "And behold the whole herd of swine ran down a steep place into the sea, and per- ished in the waters." Spiritualists do not believe in one real personal devil, not to mention a drove of devils numbering "two thou- sand or more," as is claimed in this case. Jesus Teaches That Sin Causes Palsy and Forgive- ness Cures It. Matt. IX., Verse 2 : "And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed : and Jesus seeing their faith, said unto the sick of the palsy : Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee." (Mark II., 5 to 11; Luke V, 20, 23, 24; XVII., 19.) Jesus a Mind Reader. Matt. IX., Verse 3: "And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth." 238 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Matt. IX., 4: "And Jesus knowing their thoughts, said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?" Verse 5 : "For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee ; or to say, Arise, and walk ?" Forgives Sins. Verse 6: "But that ye may know that the Son of Man hath power on earth to forgive sins (then saith he to the sick of the palsy), Arise, take up thy bed and go unto thy house." Verse 7 : "And he arose and departed to his house." Woman Healed by Touching His Garment. Matt. IX., 18 : A certain ruler came to Jesus and said his daughter was even now dead, but that Jesus could save her. Jesus went to see her, and on his way a woman diseased for twelve years was healed by touch- ing his garment. Verses 20, 22 : Jesus said to her, "Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole." (See also Mark V., 27; Luke VIII, 27 to 48.) Music Used When Jesus Raised the "Not Dead." Verse 23 : "And when Jesus came unto the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, Verse 24 : "He said unto them, Give place : for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn." Verse 25 : "But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 239 Jesus was an excellent magnetic and spiritual healer. Jesus Restores the Sight of the Blind. IX., 27 to 30: Jesus gives sight to two blind men, and then tells them to "see that no man knows it/' but they "spread it abroad." Obsession Cured. Verse 32 says : "A dumb man possessed with a devil was brought to him who was made dumb by the devil's influence." Verse 33 says : "And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake : and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel." Verse 34: "But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of devils." In John VII., 20, the Jews accuse Jesus of having a devil. And today the Adventists, Russellites and other Christian opponents of Spiritualism are proving themselves followers of the Pharisees and other Jews of ancient days in declaring that "Spiritualism is of the devil." Verse 35 : "And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people." Modern mediums also preach the gospel of the king- dom, the kingdom of heaven, and heal the sick, and teach the people the spiritual truths, most of which Jesus taught. Chapter X. : Jesus called together his twelve dis- ciples. They were all mediums, as will be shown by the forthcoming scripture references. 240 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Names His Disciples; Gives Them Power to Raise Dead. This chapter gives the names of his disciples (see also Mark III., 17, 18, 19), and he gives them power to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and to cast out devils (8th verse). Go Forth Empty Handed He instructs these mediums to take no money of any- kind with them, not to take two coats, neither shoes, etc., and says: "For the workman is worthy of his hire." They were all well paid for their services, as we shall show further on. Jesus Teaches Apostles Spiritual Science. Matt. X., 16, 17, 18: He tells them they shall be persecuted for practicing their gifts. Inspirational Speaking, Jesus Taught the Disciples. Verse 19: "But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak." (See also Luke XII., 12.) Verse 20 : "For it is not ye that speak, but the spirit of your Father which speaketh in you." Is not this spirit control ? Prophecy Failed or Fulfilled, Which? The 23rd verse says : "But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another : for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel till the Son of Man be come." If this means the second coming of Christ, this prophecy has not yet been fulfilled, as the apostles went SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 241 over the cities of Israel, in their life-time, and Christ has not come yet. If this prophecy means he would return and materialize as a spirit to his disciples, then it was fulfilled, because he did return to them many times after his death. Matt. XI., Verse 11 : Jesus praises John the Baptist. Reincarnation; Did Jesus Teach It? Verse 14: He says of John: "This is Elias which was for to come." Apparently meaning that John the Baptist was Elias reincarnated in mortal form. Jesus Called a Winebibber and Gluttonous. Verse 19 : The Son of Man came eating and drink- ing, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous and a wine- bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners." Jesus Heals in Secret. Matt. XII., 15 : He heals them all. Verse 16 : "And charged them that they should not make him known." Verse 22 : He healed "one possessed of a devil, blind and dumb :" "Insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw." Spirit Phenomena; Is It of the Devil? Jesus, like modern mediums, was accused of pro- ducing spirit phenomena by the power of the devil. And this accusation came from the church of that day, as it does now from the church of this day. The Phari- sees were a religious order, a class of Jews, and they opposed him. Verse 24 : "But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beel- zebub, the prince of devils." (Luke XI., 15.) 242 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Jesus a Mind Reader — Answers Their Accusations. Verse 25 : "And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself shall not stand :" Verse 26 : "And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?" Verse 27 : "And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges." (See also 28th to 30th verses.) Blasphemy Against the Holy Ghost Not Forgiven. Verse 31 : Jesus says : "All manner of sin and blas- phemy shall be forgiven unto men; but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost (spirit control) shall not be forgiven unto men/' Verse 32 : "And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him ; but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost (spirit control or the communicating spirit) it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come." (See also Luke XII., Verse 10.) Christians who believe in this message that Jesus gave should be very careful how they declare that spirits who communicate with mortals today are "dev- ils," because this is blasphemy and a sin that shall not be forgiven, Jesus says. Pharisees Skeptical — Scribes and Pharisees Ask Jesus for a Test. Matt. XII., 38 : "Then certain scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign (a test) from Thee." Verse 39: Jesus refused to give them a test and referred them to Jonah and the whale story as a "sign" or "test." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 243 Prophecy Not Fulfilled. Verse 40 : Jesus says : "For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly ; so shall the son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." This prophecy was not fulfilled, according to the report of scripture. Jesus was but thirty-six hours in the sepulcher. Why Speak in Parables? Chap. XIII. , 10: His disciples asked him why he spoke to the people in parables. Verse 11 : "Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given," said Jesus. Verse 13 : He further says : "Because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand." Then why preach to them at all may be asked ? Disciples Clairvoyant and Clairaudient. Verse 16: "But blessed are your eyes, for they see. and your ears, for they hear." Verse 17: "For verily I say unto you, that many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them." Then some prophets and righteous men are not clair- voyant nor clairaudient. This is true today, and thousands of people are devel- oping mediumship so they may see and hear. Verse 41 : "The Son of Man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all 244 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE things that offend, and them which do iniquity." (His angels are his spirit helpers.) Verse 42: "And shall cast them into a furnace of fire : there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth." Jesus Not Accepted as a Prophet by His Own People. Verse 54: "And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom and these mighty works ?" Jesus Carpenter's Son and Has Brothers and Sisters. Verse 55: "Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas ?" Verse 56 : "And his sisters, are they not all with us ? (A number of them.) Whence then hath this man all these things?" Prophet Without Honor. Verse 57: "And they were offended. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house." Verse 58 : "And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief." Modern mediums have like experiences. Reincarnation ; Governor Believes in It — Says Jesus Was John the Baptist. Matt. XIV., 1 : "At that time Herod the tetrarch (governor) heard of the fame of Jesus." Verse 2 : "And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist ; he has risen from the dead." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 245 Miracle of Loaves and Fishes. Verses 15 to 23 : His disciples asked Jesus to send the people into the villages to buy victuals. "Verse 16: "But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart ; give ye them to eat," Verse 17: "And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves and two fishes" Verse 18 : "He said, Bring them hither to me." Verse 19 : "And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves and two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude." Verse 20 : "And they did all eat, and were filled : and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve bas- kets full." Verse 21 : "And they that had eaten were about five thousand men besides women and children." (Mark leaves out the women and children.) Jesus fed 5,000 (Matt. XIV., 15 to 21). See also Mark VI., 38 to 44; Luke IX., 13 to 17; John VI., 5 to 13, and Mark VIII., 1 to 10. Jesus fed 4,000 (Matt. XV., 38; XVL, 10). Another Dark Seance — Jesus Walks on the Water. Verse 22 : Jesus sent the multitudes away and placed his disciples in a ship and sent them to the other side. Verse 24: "But the ship was now in the midst oi the sea, tossed by waves : for the wind was contrary." Verse 25 : "And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them walking on the sea." Disciples Afraid of a Spirit. Verse 26 : "And when the disciples saw him walking 246 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear." (See Mark VI., 49, 50.) How strange that they should fear a spirit ! I have known several fine mediums that were frightened when a spirit appeared, but usually good mediums, well de- veloped as the disciples were, are happy when spirits appear to them. We are always glad to see them. Matt. XIV., 27 : "But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I ; be not afraid." After Jesus was crucified He came to them so often that they got over their fear of a spirit. Verse 28 : "And Peter answered him and said, Lord if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water." Peter Walks on the Water. Verse 29: "And he said, Come. And when Petei was come down out of the ship he walked on the water to go to Jesus." Peter Gets Frightened and Sinks. Verse 30 : "But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid ; and began to sink ; he cried, saying, Lord, save me." Verse 31 : "And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand and caught him, and said unto him, Q thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" Verse 32 : "And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased." Who was there to hear Jesus ask Peter why he doubted ? Was Matthew there ? The good Christians find no difficulty in believing this story, and yet they often call Spiritualists super- stitious who state that they have seen gravitation over- come. by spirit power. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 247 Jesus Heals Absent Patient. Matt. XV., 22 to 28 : Jesus heals, or drives a devil out of the Canaanitish woman's daughter, who was a distance from him and he did not see her. This is healing the sick at a distance, similar to the way some Spiritualist mediums heal today. Though it is a ques- tion regarding evil spirits causing the disease. Verses 29, 30: Multitudes came to Jesus in the mountain and he healed them. Another Miracle of Loaves and Fishes. Verses 32 to 39 are a repetition of the other miracle of feeding five thousand ; but only four thousand were fed this time, and He had only "seven loaves and a few little fishes" with which to feed them. Pharisees and Sadducees Want a Test. XVI., 1 : "The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and, tempting, desired him that he would show them a sign from heaven" (a spirit test). Verses 2 to 4 : Jesus calls them hypocrites and re- fuses them a test, referring them to Jonah and the whale. Reincarnation Believed In. Matt. XVI., 13: Jesus asks His disciples, "Whom do men say I the Son of Man am?" Verse 14: "And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist; some Ellas; and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets." These people must have believed in reincarnation. (See Luke IX., 7 to 10,20.) Verse 15: "He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?" 248 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Not God but Son of God. Verse 16: "And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the anointed, the Son of the living God." Revelation from Heaven. Verse 17 : "And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-joni : for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which art in heaven." (A spirit communication revealed it. This is clear.) Jesus Builds His Church on the Rock of Spirit Communion. Verse 18: Jesus says: "And I say unto thee that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." That is to say, Jesus builds his church on this rock of revelation from heaven (spirit communion), but not on Peter himself as the church interprets it. Peter said, "Thou art the Christ," but it would be better understood today if in place of saying Jesus the Christ, or Jesus the anointed, we should say Jesus the medium. The meaning is the same in this instance. Return After Death ; Jesus Promises To. Verse 27 : Jesus promises to come back from beyond death with his angels. He did appear to many after his death. Prophecy Not Fulfilled. Verse 28 : "Verily, I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 249 Jesus a Materializing Medium. Matt. XVII., 1 : "And after six days (Luke IX., 28, says it was eight days after), Jesus taketh Peter, James and John, his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart." Jesus a Trance Medium; Transfigured. Many Bible prophets were trance mediums. Verse 2 says: "And (Jesus) was transfigured be- fore them : and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light." We have seen modern mediums enveloped in a halo of light while transfigured, and can believe Jesus was in that condition, as stated. Moses and Elias Materialize. Verse 3 : "And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with Him." They Had Been Dead Many Years. Now these were not angels of a special creation. Some theologians claim angels are separate and supe- rior to the spirits of the dead. There were two dead men. Moses, according to Christian chronology, had been dead fourteen hundred and eighty-two years ; therefore he must have been quite "dead"; and this story says that after all those years he came back and talked to Jesus. If so, then the dead do return. Chariot of Fire, Elijah's Ascension. 2nd Kings II., Verse 11: Elias — formerly called Elijah — went up in a chariot of fire nine hundred and twenty-eight years before he and Moses appeared on the mount of transfiguration. In the nature of things 250 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Elias must have been dead, because in that many years he must have died a natural death, if nothing had over- taken him. But he was taken on board a chariot of fire and started for heaven. This being a chariot of fire and horses of fire in which this poor man was aviating, it is only just to conclude that he was cremated at once; therefore, all things considered, Elias must also have been quite dead, and both he and Moses appeared and talked to Jesus. Many theologians are preaching these days on the subject: "Do the Dead Return?" And as the Bible is their infallible guide, I would respectfully suggest to those who seem in such a great doubt about the return and communication of spirits, that they take this text for a sermon on that subject, and that they keep before their audiences the fact that this scripture states positively that Moses and Elias appeared unto Jesus and his three apostles ; that they talked with Jesus, and that they were surely dead. This Materializing Seance Occurred in the Dark. Crudens Concordance, subject, "Transfiguration," says : "It is thought that this transfiguration happened in the night ; and from thence proceeded the sleep with which the apostles were oppressed. Moreover, St. Luke observes that the next day they came down from the mountain (Luke IX., 37), therefore they had passed the preceding night there." Opponents of Spiritualism who condemn dark circles, how do you like this, coming as it does from an accepted Christian authority? Jesus Christ held a dark seance for materialization of two dead men, Moses and Elias, and He was the medium and was entranced. Thus Spiritualism is proven true by the Bible. These phenomena of spirit return were among the SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 251 many "signs," tests and evidences that Jesus produced in proof of His Messiahship or mediumship. In this scripture, as in many other parts of the Bible, are to be found the plain, simple statements that the so-called dead came back and communicated with men. Signs Follow Believers. Jesus said : "And these signs shall follow them that believe." (Mark XVI., 17.) Whom do these signs follow ? They follow the Spir- itualists, but do not follow the Christians. The Spir- itualists have the different phases of mediumship, in- cluding spirit materialization, therefore the Spiritual- ists must be the true followers of the noble Nazarene. (See also Mark IX, 2; Luke IX, 28.) Devil Cause of Insanity. Matt. XVII, 14 : "A certain man" came and kneeled down to Jesus, saying: Verse 15 : "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is lunatic, and sore vexed, for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water." This looks as though the patient was afflicted with epilepsy, sometimes called "falling fits," and had be- come insane. Medical authorities of today tell us that this falling sickness sometimes exists as a hereditary disease, that "It is generally caused by worms; indi- gestible food; teeth-cutting; diseases of the brain and kidneys ; fright ; passion ; distress of mind," and that, "It is a chronic disease, and frequently ends in insanity." We truly believe that scientific men of today would accept the medical fraternity's diagnosis of this case in reasonable preference to the statement of the scriptures. That is, that this "certain man's" son's sickness was the 252 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE result of natural causes, and was not caused by the devil, as the scriptures teach. Isn't it true in this case that science is preferable to revelation? Science is the true savior of the world because it reveals true knowl- edge. Science is God's truths and the investigation thereof is producing the true Revelation of God. Truth is the savior of the world, and reason is its interpreter. Science and Christian revelation disagree. The rev- elations of Spiritualism harmonize perfectly with science. Faith to Remove Mountains. Verse 20: Jesus said to his disciples, "For verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place, and it shall remove ; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." Was Jesus an extremist? Did he ever remove any mountains, or did any of his followers remove any by faith ? It is generally believed in all Christian countries that the only way to remove mountains is by the use of pick and shovel, dynamite, and the steam shovel, and I am going to guess that no intelligent Christian believes that a mountain ever was or ever can be removed by faith. There is nothing in Modern Spiritualism that equals the Nazarene's claims for producing "miracles" of this kind by the use of faith alone. Money in This Fish Business. Verse 24 : "And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money (poll-tax) came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute ?" Verse 25 : "He saith, yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What think- SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 253 est thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, 01 of strangers ?" Verse 26: "Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children fret." Verse 27 : "Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money : that take and give unto them for me and thee." If people could pay their income taxes that way by being Christians, what throngs of people would join the Christian church at once ! There is nothing like this in Spiritualism. Is this like ancient witchcraft? or is it like modern "fortune telling" ? Apostles to Occupy Twelve Thrones of Israel — Prophecy Not Fulfilled. Matt. XIX., 28: Jesus says to his apostles, "Ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." (Luke XXII, 30, same.) Fig Tree Miracle. Matt. XXL, 19: "And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward forever. And presently the fig tree with- ered away." (See Mark XL, 12, 13, 20, for more.) Dark Trumpet Seance. Matt. XXIV, 29 : Makes it exceedingly dark. Verse 31 says : "And he shall send his angels (spir- its) with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall 254 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other/' Prophecy Not Fulfilled — Was Jesus an Adventist? Verses 34 and 35 almost make Jesus an Adventist; and this prophecy that the end of the world would come before that generation passed away, like all similar prophecies made by Adventists, never came true. A True Prophecy. Chap. XXVI., 21 : Jesus foretells his own crucifix- ion, and told his disciples that one of them should betray him. Verse 32: Jesus told them He would return after death, and go before them into Galilee ; and He did so. Jesus Tells Peter He Will Deny Him — Another Prophecy Fulfilled. Verse 34: "Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, that this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. " Verse 35 : "Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples." Verses 48, 49 : Judas betrayed Him with a kiss. Jesus Has Legions of Spirit Helpers. Verse S3 : "Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?" Verse 54: "But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?" Verse 56: "Then all the disciples forsook him and fled." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 255 Peter Denies Jesus. Verse 74: "Then began he (Peter) to curse, and to swear, saying, I know not the Man. And immediately the cock crew." Verse 75 : "And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice, And he went out and wept bitterly." Persecutors Ignorant of Spiritual Laws. These persecutors of the pure and good Man of Nazareth were utterly ignorant of the laws governing mediumship, as is clearly shown in the following: Matt. XXVIL, 29: They put a crown of thorns upon his head. Verse 30: "And they spit upon him and took the reed and smote him on the head." Verse 31 : They mocked him. Verse 34 : "They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall." Verse 39: "And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads." Verse 40: They said: "If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross." Persecutors of Jesus; Who Were They? The following scripture tells just who did it : Verse 41 : "Likewise also the chief priests mocking htm, with the scribes (lawyers) and elders, said," Verse 42 : "He saved others ; himself he cannot save, [f he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross and we will believe him." Verse 43 : "He trusted in God ; let him deliver him now, if he will have him : for he said, I am the Son of God." 256 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Verse 44: "The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth." Luke XXIL, 64, says : "And when they had blind- folded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy who is it that smote thee ?" These ignorant priests, lawyers and elders of the church were as ignorant of the necessary conditions for the production of spirit phenomena as some few people of their professions appear to be today. The very air was full of murder, and brute force ruled the day. There was no one spiritual there, ex- cepting the dear medium Jesus, but he was beautifully spiritual, for he said : "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." This was indeed spiritual. God bless him. True mediums know more about his sufferings than others have capacity to comprehend. Jesus suffered death at the hands of the priesthood, the elders of the church and the officers of the law, for the crime of teaching Spiritualism and demonstrating, through his mediumship the truth of a life after death for mankind. A Very Dark Seance. Matt. XXVIL, 45 : "Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour." Verse 46: "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is to say, My God, My God, why hast thou for- saken me ? Spirit Phenomena Very Powerful. Verse 51 : "The temple was rent from top to the bottom, and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent." Powerful spirit manifestations, these ! SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 257 Resurrection of Dead Bodies. This was not spirit materialization. Verse 52 : "And the graves were opened ; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose." Verse 53 : "And came out of the graves, after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many." In all the seances of Modern Spiritualism that we ever attended, and all we ever read about, there never was a dead body that broke out of the ground, went into a city and appeared to anyone. Even Spiritualists — who are sometimes called "dead easies" by Christians — cannot believe this story. Jesus' Body Disappears. Verse 62 : Because Jesus had said He would rise on the third day, the Pharisees next day after the "prepa- ration," Verse 66: "Went and made the sepulchre secure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch." This was done next day after Jesus' body was put in the sepulchre. Chap. XXVIII., 1 : Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, on the first day of the week, came to see the sepulchre. Spirit Appears; Rolls Back the Stone. Verse 2 : "And behold, there was an earthquake : for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat on it. This was a dark seance, and these were pretty strong spirit phenomena, and Christians claim to believe in them. 258 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Was Matthew present? If not, how did he know these details? He must have been omnipresent, as he gives details of transactions in many localities, some from behind closed doors. Verse 3 says: "His (the angel's) countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow." Did Matthew know this was the truth ? Spirit Speaks to Her. Verse 5 : "And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye, for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified." This was spirit communion. Verse 6 : "He is not here : for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." Verse 7 : The spirit tells the women to go and tell the disciples that Jesus "is risen from the dead, and that he would go before them into Galilee, and that they should see him. This is a spirit communication, nothing more, nothing less. Jesus Materializes. Verse 9: "And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, 'All hail! (Thus the dead speak.) And they came and held him by the feet and worshiped him." Spirit of Dead Jesus Speaks. Verse 10: "Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid; go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see Me." Jesus a Spirit; Arranges for a Seance. Verse 16 : "Then the eleven disciples went away into a mountain where Jesus (a spirit) had appointed them." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 259 Disciples Doubted When They Saw Him. Verse 17 : "And when they saw him, they worshiped him ; but some doubted. " Why should these mediums and teachers of Spiritual- ism doubt their own eyes? Jesus' Second Materialization — His Spirit Spoke, Though He Was Dead. Verse 18 : "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, "All power is given unto Me in heaven and on earth. ,, Verse 19: "Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost :" Spirit of Jesus with Disciples Always. Verse 20: "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you : and, lo, I am with you always even unto the end of the world. Amen. ,, Do the dead return ? Indeed they do ! The Book of Mark. Having made record of the Spiritualism of the Book of Matthew, and as Mark, Luke and John are largely duplicate records of what is written in Matthew, we shall only make reference to those passages that are copies of those in Matthew, but we shall record all of the Spiritualism that is not mentioned therein. Spirit Voice from Heaven. Mark I., 11, says: "There came a voice from heaven saying, Thou art my beloved son in whom I am well pleased." Mark did not hear this voice; he only heard or read what someone else said about it, and no one knows who heard that voice, but as Spiritualists 260 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE often hear those spirit voices from heaven it is easy for them to believe this might be true. Spirit Drives Jesus Into Wilderness. Verse 12: "And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness." What spirit drove him into the wilderness? If Jesus was God, as claimed by the Christian creeds, could any spirit drive him into the wilderness ? Angels Minister Unto Jesus. Verse 13 : "And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan ; and was with the wild beasts ; and the angels ministered unto him." Angels minister to all their mediums today. If Jesus was God, was God tempted of Satan thirty days? Jesus Practices His Mediumship Secretly. Verse 45 : Jesus practiced his mediumship secretly for fear of arrest, the same as modern mediums some- times do. Jesus a Clairvoyant. Chap. II., Verse 8: "And immediately, when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves," etc. Clairvoyance is identical with spir- itual perception. Verses 3, 4, 5 : The crowd was so great they could not reach Jesus, so they broke open the roof and let a palsy patient on his bed down where Jesus was. "Son, thy sins be forgiven thee," said Jesus. Jesus Heals Sick on Sabbath. Mark III., 2, 3, 4 : "Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath days?" etc. Verse 5 : Jesus angry, heals withered hand. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 261 Jesus Ordains His Twelve Disciples. Verse 14: "And he ordained twelve that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach/' And they, like some modern mediums, are unedu- cated ; think of it. Verse 15: "And gave them power to heal sickness, and to cast out devils. " Jesus Accused of Having a Devil. Verses 22 to 27: The scribes (lawyers) say he casts out devils by the prince of devils; and Jesus shows that if so, the devil would be destroying his own kingdom. The same accusation is made against Spiritualism today and is answered in the same way Jesus answered it as per this scripture. Verses 28. 29: Jesus says : All sins excepting the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost (the communicat- ing spirit) shall be forgiven the sons of men. Mediumship Held Sacred by Jesus. Verse 29 : "But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost (the communicating spirit) hath never for- giveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation/' Jesus Himself a Carpenter and Has Four Brothers Some Sisters. VI., 3 : "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him." Unbelief a Hindrance to Spirit Manifestations. Verse 5 : "And he could there do no mighty work 262 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE save that he laid hands upon a few sick folk and healed them." Verse 6: "And he marvelled because of their un- belief." Jesus Sends Out Disciples Two and Two. Verse 7 : He gave them power over unclean spirits. Verse 8: "Commanded them to take nothing with them save a staff only ; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse :" Verse 9 : Not two coats. Verse 10: "And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye department from that place." Cursed for Not Entertaining His Disciples. Verse 11: "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city." (Matt. X., 14, 15 ; Luke IX., 1, 5.) Jesus pronounced this curse. Was it doing justice to the innocent people of the city to curse them all for one man's act? Jesus Drives Out an Absent Devil. Mark VII., 25 to 31 : Jesus cast out a devil from the Greek woman's daughter and did not visit her at all. Jesus Feeds Four Thousand. VIII., 1 to 10: Jesus feeds four thousand with seven loaves and a few small fishes. (See Matt. XV., 38.) Pharisees Want Tests. Verse 11: The Pharisees seek a "sign from heaven" (a spirit test) through Jesus. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 263 Verse 12 : Jesus refuses to give them a test. Verses 16 and 17: Jesus read the minds of the disciples. Verse 23 : He healed a blind man with "spit" (sa- liva) and magnetism. Reincarnation Believed. Verse 27: Jesus asked his disciples, "Whom do men say that I am ?" Verse 28: "And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias ; and others, One of the prophets." Verse 29: "But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ" (the Mediator, or Medium). Jesus Foretells His Own Future. Verse 31 : Jesus tells them he must suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes, "and be killed, and after three days rise again." Transfiguration and Materialization. Mark IX., 1 to 9: Is a repetition of the story of Moses and Elias materializing upon the mount of trans- figuration. Verses 14 to 30 : Jesus casts a "dumb and deaf spirit" out of a young man, who probably had epileptic or "falling fits." Jesus Heals Poor Blind Bartimeus. Chap. X., 46 to 52, tells the pitiful story. Jesus Teaches Disciples Inspirational Speaking. Mark XIIL, 11: "But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what 264 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate; but what- soever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye : for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost" (spirit control, or the spirit influencing). This is excellent Spiritualism. The spirit speaks through the disciples, Jesus says. In the remainder of this chapter Jesus is very pessimistic with the exception of the following : Jesus Promises to Return as a Spirit. Verse 26 : Jesus says : "And then shall they see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory." Verse 27: "And then shall he send his angels and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven." Unfulfilled Prophecy of Jesus. Verse 30 : "Verily I say unto you, that this genera- tion shall not pass till all these things be done." Jesus coming in the clouds, stars fall, sun and moon give no light, etc. All these prophecies failed. Mediumship of Jesus Again Demonstrated — Foretells Occurrences. Mark XIV., 13 : "And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water : follow him." Verse 14 : "And wheresoever he shall go in, say to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?" SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 265 Verse 15 : "And he will show you a large upper room furnished and prepared ; there make ready for us." Verse 16 : "And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them ; and they made ready the passover." (See Luke XXII. , 10 to 13.) Prophecy Fulfilled. Verses 17, 18: This prophecy was fulfilled. Jesus came with the twelve and they held the passover. This scripture testifies to the truth of the mediumship of Jesus. Such phenomena is of frequent occurrence in Spiritualism. Jesus Foretells His Betrayal. Verse 18: "And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me." Verse 19: One after the other asked "Is it I?" "Is it I?" Ate With Their Fingers. Verse 20 : "And he answered, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish." (See also Matt. XXVI., 23; John XIII., 26.) They ate with their fingers ; knives, forks and spoons were not used in eating in those days, and they dipped or sopped their bread in the one dish. Jesus Promises to Return After Death. Verse 28: "But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee." This promise he fulfilled. (See Matt. XXVIII., 7 to 11.) Jesus Returns — Disciples Believed Not. Mark XVI., 9, 10, 11: Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, arid when she told them they "believed not." 266 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Verse 12 : "After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. " Verse 13 : "And they went and told it unto the resi- due : neither believed they them." Verse 14 : "Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen." Signs Shall Follow Believers. Mark XVI., 17 : "And these signs shall follow them that believe: in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues ;" Verse 18 : "They shall take up serpents ; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover." Spiritualists have some of these signs which prove they are the true believers. Christians do not have them. Are they the true believers? Jesus, Though Dead, Follows His Disciples' Lectures With Tests. Mark XVI. , 20 : "And they went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord (after his crucifixion) working with them, and confirming the word with signs (tests) following. Amen." Jesus had been crucified and was "dead" at this time, and this scripture says he was working with his dis- ciples and confirming their teachings with "signs" which are tests or proofs of the truths of Spiritualism, and the resurrection of the dead, and of the presence and power of the spirit Jesus. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 267 Jesus was the spirit guide of the apostles, as the scriptures amply prove. This is pure Spiritualism. Of the doubting Christian once more we will ask : Do the dead return? Does the Bible teach Spiritualism? The Book of Luke — Luke's Only Evidence, Memory and Hearsay. The Gospel of St. Luke rests entirely on his memory and on hearsay. Luke, Chap. I., Verse 1, says : "Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us." Hearsay Evidence. Verse 2 : "Even as they delivered them unto us which from the beginning were eye-witnesses, and min- isters of the zvord;" Verse 3 : "It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus." No one knows who Theophilus was to whom the Book of Luke is addressed, nor exactly how it comes to appear in the Bible. An Angel of the Lord Appears. Verse 11 says: "And there appeared unto him (Zacharias, a priest) an angel of the Lord," etc. Verse 12 : "And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him." Miraculous Conception of John. Verse 13 : "But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard: and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John." 268 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE In this Book of Luke he quotes the exact words of angels to mortals, of mortals to angels, of mortals to mortals, etc., including the exact words of Jesus on many occasions ; could he have been present always, and did his memory serve him accurately if he were? Spirit of Another Man Returns — Claims to Be Gabriel. Verse 14 : The angel speaks and says : "And thou shalt have joy and gladness ; and many shall rejoice at his birth." (The birth of the child that Gabriel promised Zacharias's wife.) Verse 15 : The angel tells him that this unborn child shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink, and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost (spirit power) from his mother's womb. Elias to Be Boy's Spirit Guide. Verse 17 says: "And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias/' etc. Verse 18: "And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this ? for I am an old man, and my wife is well stricken in years." Spirit of Man Gabriel Speaks to Zacharias. Verse 19 : "And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to show thee these glad tidings." Gabriel was a spirit man. (See Daniel VIII., Verses 15 to 18.) Dan. IX., 21, says: "Yea, while I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel whom I had seen in the SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 269 vision in the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. " Gabriel was a spirit man, and this dead man returned. Zacharias a Medium. Luke I., 11, 20: Spirit Gabriel told Zacharias that he should be dumb and not able to speak until the babe was born, because of his unbelief. Was this not severe punishment for unbelief ? Verses 11 to 22 : Zacharias had a vision in the tem- ple. He was visited by the spirit Gabriel who con- versed with him. This is positive evidence that Zacha- rias was a medium. Verse 26 : Six months later this angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth. Gabriel, a Spirit Man, Visits Mary. Verses 27, 28, 29 : This spirit man Gabriel visited the Virgin Alary, and made strange promises. Mary a Medium. Verse 29: Mary saw this spirit of the dead man Gabriel. This is evidence that she was clairvoyant, and that dead men do return. If he was materialized, then Mary was a materializing medium. Verses 30 and 33 : This spirit talked to Mary, prom- ised her a babe, and named it Jesus. Jesus to Occupy the Throne of David. Verse 32 says : "He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest, and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David." This prophecy of the spirit Gabriel was never ful- filled. Jesus never occupied the throne of David. 270 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Verse 41 : "And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost" (spirit influence), therefore Elizabeth was a medium. All three of these persons saw the dead man Gabriel, and he talked to Zacharias and the Virgin Mary. So the dead do return and communicate with mortals, for the Bible says they do. Named Babe — Regains Speech. Verse 57 : The promised babe is born. Verse 59 : They named him Zacharias. Verse 62 : "And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called." Verse 63 : "And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marveled all." Verse 64 : "And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake and praised God." Zacharias Controlled to Preach. Verses 67 to 79 : "The medium Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost (spirit power), and prophesied, saying:" His prophecy follows. Birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Luke II., 7 : Jesus born and laid in a manger. Spirits Manifest Through the Shepherds. Verses 8, 9 : The angel of the Lord came upon the shepherds, who were watching their flocks in the fields by night, and they were sore afraid. Spirit Communion and a Test. Verses 10 to 12: This angel of the Lord gives a spirit communication to the shepherds and says, "This shall be a sign (a test) unto you." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 271 Great Materializing Seance Verse 13 : A multitude of spirits appear praising God. Verse 15 : These angels went away into heaven. Simeon of Jerusalem a Medium. Luke II., Verse 25 : "And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon ; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost (spirit influence) was upon him." Verse 26: "And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost (spirit impression or influence) that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ" (the Lord's mediums or mediators). Spirit Control. Verse 27 : He was brought "by the spirit into the temple." Verse 28 : He took Jesus and blessed him. Verse 29 : Then he was ready to die. Woman 88 Years Old a Prophetess or Medium. Verse 36: "And there was one Anna, a prophetess (medium), the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser, of great age." Verse 37 : "A widow of four score and four years." Verse 38 : "She coming in at that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord." Jesus, Twelve Years Old, Astonishes the Wise Men. The remainder of this chapter tells of the 12-year- old Jesus astonishing the wise men of the temple. 272 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Mediumship of John. Luke III., Verse 2: "The word of God (a spirit message) came unto John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness." Verse 3 : "And he came unto all the country about Jordan preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins." The word of the Lord, or spirit message, comes to hundreds of modern mediums whom we know and have met in our long ministerial labor for the cause of Spir- itualism, and these hundreds of inspired men and women went forth and preached the new gospel of Spiritualism just as John, the son of Zacharias, did, and as Jesus, Peter, Paul, and many other disciples and apostles of Jesus, after the word of the Lord or the spirit messages came to them. John's Preaching and Teachings. Verse 7: John calls his audience "Generation of vipers." How like his master Jesus. Verse 1 1 : John says : "He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none ; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise." Be Content with Your Wages. Verse 14: He told the soldiers, "Be content with your wages." Would the workingman uphold such preaching today? Verse 15: People wondered if John was not the Christ. Verse 16 : John disclaims the honor. Verse 19: He reproved Herod for evils he had done. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 273 Verse 20 : And Herod shut John up in prison. A Spirit Voice from Heaven — Heaven Opened — Dove Materialized. Verse 21 : Jesus baptized by John, and "praying, the heavens were opened. ,, Verse 22: "And the Holy Ghost (spirit power) de- scended in bodily shape like a dove upon him (upon Jesus), and a voice from heaven (a spirit voice), which said, Thou art my beloved Son ; in thee I am well pleased." Jesus Thirty Years Old. Verse 23 : And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli. Jesus' Genealogy. Here begins Luke's genealogy of Jesus, which con- tradicts entirely Matthew's genealogy of the Man of Nazareth, and ends with this chapter. (See Matt. I., 1 to 17.) Jesus Led by the Spirit While He Is Under Full Control. Chap. IV., Verse 1 : "And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost (under full control of the spirit), returned from Jordan, and was led by the spirit into the wilder- ness." This is as plain and clear Spiritualism as language can make it. Our modern mediums have been led into the forests, not to be tempted of the devil, but to dig roots, and gather herbs, which the spirits leading them prescribed as medicine for certain people who were ill. The writer knows of many such cases, and in every 274 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE one the patient was cured of his illness. So it is easy for Spiritualists to understand how Jesus was led into the wilderness by a spirit, though they may question Luke's idea that the purpose was to tempt him of the devil. Jesus Under Spirit Control. Verse 14 : "And Jesus returned in the power of the spirit into Galilee." That is to say : he returned under spirit influence or control, the same as he went into the wilderness. Jesus a Mind Reader. Luke VI., 8: "But he knew their thoughts," etc. John the Baptist Greatest Medium. Chap. VII., 28 : Jesus says : "For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet (spirit medium) than John the Baptist/' Verse 33 : "For John the Baptist came neither eat- ing bread nor drinking wine; and ye say he hath a devil. ,, Mary Magdalene Possessed of Seven Devils. Chap. VIII., Verse 2 : "And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalena, out of whom went seven devils." Disciples Did Not Know That Jesus Was God. Verse 25 : "And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid, wondered, saying one to another, What manner of Man is this ! for he com- mandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him." Devils Driven Into Swine. Verses 26 to 40, repeat the story of the legion of devils SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 275 being driven out of one man. (Matt. VIII., 28, says two.) Did Jesus Raise the Dead? Verses 41 to 56 tell the story of raising the "dying" and "dead" daughter of Jairus, the ruler of the syna- gogue. Verse 42 says she lay dying. Verse 49 says she is dead. Verse 52: Jesus said to her friends, "Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth." So she was not dead. Jesus only awakened her. Verse 53 : "They laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead." This shows little respect for Jesus, whom they trusted so much, does it not ? Verses 54 and 55 : "Jesus took her by the hand, saying, Maid, arise. And her spirit came again, and they gave her food. Do the Dead Return? Luke IX., 30: "And, behold, there talked with him two men (spirits), which were Moses and Elias." Verse 31 : "Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem." This is spirit communion. Moses and Elias had been dead for centuries and they talked to Jesus about His coming crucifixion. If so, The dead do return. Another Dark Seance — Moses and Elias Materialize. Verses 28 to 36 tell the story. Under the heading, "Transfigured," Crudens Concordance says: "It is thought that this transfiguration happened in the night ; and from thence proceeded the sleep with which the 276 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE apostles were oppressed; moreover, St. Luke observes that the next day they came down from the mountain (Luke IX., 37) ; therefore they had passed the pre- ceding night there. Further on he speaks of this materializing seance as "convincing proof that Jesus was the Messiah." If so, are not all materializing mediums Messiahs? If not, why not ? A Spirit Voice Is Heard. Verse 35 says : "And there came a voice out of the cloud saying, This is my beloved Son : hear him." Epilepsy or the Devil? Luke IX., Verses 37 to 44, tells again of the man's son afflicted with epilepsy or falling sickness. Verse 39 : "And, lo, a spirit taketh him." Verse 42 : "And as he (Jesus) was yet acoming, the devil threw him down and tare him. And Jesus re- buked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his Father." (See also Matt. XVII., 15 to 18.) Mind Reading Again. Verse 47 : "And Jesus perceived the thought of their heart," etc. Disciples Forbid Casting Out Devils. Verse 49 : Disciples forbid one who was not a dis- ciple casting out devils. Verse 58 : Jesus has not where to lay his head. Jesus Instructs His Mediums. Luke X., Verse 1 : Sends out seventy of his disciples, two and two. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 277 Verse 3 : "Go your ways ; behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. " Modern mediums meet similar conditions frequently. Verse 4 : "Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes : and salute no man by the way." That is, he sent them barefooted and as paupers. They would have been called tramps today, and have been liable to arrest, not having visible means of support. Verses 5 to 8 : He tells them to enter into the house where they are welcome, and remain eating and drink- ing such things as they give : for the laborer is worthy of his hire. "Go not from house to house." They were not allowed to board around like a "coun- try school marm" in former times, and they should not be obliged to do so. Jesus was right. Jesus Teaches Hell; Curses Cities. Verses 9 to 17: Jesus pronounces a curse on the cities that will not receive his apostles. Verse 15 : Sends them down to hell. Jesus Develops Mediums — Gives Them Great Power. Verse 19: "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy : and nothing shall by any means hurt you." Spirits Subject to the Seventy Disciples. In preparing his seventy elders for their field work, after telling them that "nothing shall by any means hurt them." Verse 20 : He says : "Notwithstanding in this rejoice 278 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven." Mediumship Given By Our Heavenly Father. Luke XL, Verse 9 : "Ask and ye shall receive," etc. Verse 10 : "For every one that asketh receiveth," etc. Verse 13 : "If, ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit (spirit me- diumship or spirit power) to them that ask Him." Some Christians despise, condemn and refuse this power of the Holy Ghost, but Spiritualists court it, receive it, and are blessed by it. Verse 14 : Jesus casts out a devil that was dumb. Some Ministers Are Saying This of Modern Mediums. Verse 15: "But some said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub, the chief of devils." Others Want a Spirit Test. Verse 16 : "And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven" (a spirit test). Again Jesus Reads Their Minds. Verse 17: "But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth." Verse 18 : "If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand ? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub." This same argument may be brought by Spiritual- SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 279 ists when they are accused of being deceived by the devil. They Want More Tests. Verse 29: "And when the people were gathered thick together he began to say, This is an evil genera- tion : they seek a sign." Were they evil because they asked for proofs of the claims of Jesus? It seems to us they had a perfect right to ask for a sign or a proof of his claims. Modern mediums are not so sparing of their tests as the Bible gives us to understand Jesus was. Jesus completes this verse as follows : "And there shall no sign be given it (this "evil generation"), but the sign of Jonas, the prophet." Verse 30 : "For as Jonas was a sign unto the Nine- vites, so shall also the son of man be to this generation." Jesus Teaches Disciples Inspirational Speaking. Luke XII. , 11 : "And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say," etc. More Spiritual Science. Verse 12 : "For the Holy Ghost (spirit control) shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say." Spirit mediums of today depend upon the inspiration of the spirit influences when they speak by inspiration. This is Spiritualism, and Jesus taught it. Verse 13 : "And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inher- itance with me." Verses 14, 15 : Jesus scorned to use his mediumship 280 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE for such commercial purposes, just as modern mediums often do. Jesus Promises to Return After Death. Verses 37, 38, 40 : Jesus teaches that he will return to the disciples after his death, and while they are still living on earth. Obsession or Was It Disease? Chap. XIII., Verse 11., Luke says: "The woman had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself." Verse 16: Jesus says: "Satan had bound her, lo, these eighteen years." Was the lady afflicted with "a debilitated condition, an unsound, unhealthy state, a disease," as Webster de- fines the word infirmity, or was it "Satan," the devil, who obsessed her? This shows the lax way in which the writers of the scriptures expressed themselves, and the uncertainty at times of their exact meaning. Evil Spirits Cannot Return, Says Jesus. XVI., 22 : "And it came to pass that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom : the rich man died and was buried." All three were dead. The rich man was in hell. Abraham and Lazarus were in heaven and they con- versed together. Verse 23 : "And (the rich man) in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom." Jesus' Teachings of Hell Fire. Verse 24 : "And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 281 the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue ; for I am tormented in this flame." Verse 25 : "But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and like- wise Lazarus evil things : but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. " Verse 26 : "And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed : so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence." That is, evil spirits cannot get out of hell to return to earth, and the rest of this chapter makes that point clear. This scripture contradicts some of the other teachings of the Bible, and of the Christian church ; especially does it contradict spirit obsession, and also the claims of those who attribute the occurrences of the seance rooms to evil spirits impersonating our spirit friends ; because the spirit of the great Abraham in this scrip- ture is made to say that no evil spirit can get out of hell to return to us. Verse 27: "Then he said (the rich man), I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldst send him to my father's house :" Verse 28 : "For I have five brothers ; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment." Verse 29: "Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets : let them hear them." Return of Dead Causes Repentance? Verse 30: "And he said, Nay, Father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent." 282 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Does Jesus Contradict His Own Teachings? Verse 31 : "And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." Contradicts Spirit Obsession. According to this quoted scripture, evil spirits are in hell. It sounds the doom of men possessed of riches. They go to hell, and these evil spirits must stay there , they cannot get out. "There is a great gulf fixed : so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot ; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence," says this scripture. And because the rich man could not get out of hell, he tried to send word to his five brothers that he was in hell, and to warn them against getting rich, for riches would send them to hell. This surely contradicts Jesus' own teachings of spirit obsession. If spirits are sentenced to hell for their evil doings and cannot get out to come back to earth, spirit obsession is not possible. It also contradicts a future resurrection, for there are no resurrections. Thus Luke makes Jesus contradict his own teachings. Jesus Heals Ten Lepers. Luke XVII., Verses 12 to 20: Jesus healed ten lepers without touching them. Jesus Corroborates Burning of Sodom, Verse 29 : Jesus corroborates the burning of the city of Sodom with fire and brimstone from heaven. He says : "But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 283 Prophecy Fulfilled. Chap. XVIIL, Verses 31 to 34: Jesus foretells his own crucifixion. Verses 35 to 43 : He healed the blind beggar, say- ing: "Thy faith hath saved thee." Prophecy Never Fulfilled. Luke XXL, 32 : "Verily I say unto you, This gen- eration shall not pass away till all be fulfilled. An Angel Strengthens Jesus. Chap. XXIL, Verse 43 : "And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven strengthening him." Angels are powerful and give strength to their me- diums today in their work, as any medium can testify. Therefore, Jesus being a man and a medium, it would be the most natural thing that his spirit guides, the angels, should strengthen him. This Scripture, if true, proves the truth of spirit communion. Poor Conditions for Tests. Verse 63 : "And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him." Verse 64: "And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee ?" This is about the way some men test our mediums in their attempted exposures of today. Spirits Appear and Talk at the Sepulchre. Luke XXIV., 4 : "And it came to pass as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men (spirits) stood by them in shining garments." 284 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE The 23rd verse says they saw them in "vision." Verse 5 : They ask : "Why seek ye the living among the dead?" Verses 9, 10 and 11 : "Mary Magdalene, and Joanna and Mary, the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apos- tles." (See Matt. XXVIII, Verses 1 to 8.) Apostles Unbelievers. "And the apostles believed them not." These apostles were great unbelievers. Spirit of Jesus Materializes. Luke XXIV, 13 to 15: Jesus appears to two ol them. Verse 15: "And it came to pass, that while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them." Verse 16: "But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. Jesus assumed to know not of the crucifixion and these men did not know it was he, and they told him of the vision the women had had of him at the sepulchre. Jesus, a Spirit, Calls Them Fools to Believe Prophets. Verse 25 : "Then he (Jesus) said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken." Jesus, a materialized spirit, said this. Jesus, a Spirit, Expounds Scripture. Verse 27 : He expounded the scriptures unto them at great length. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 285 Jesus, a Spirit, Dines With These Men. Verse 30: "And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them." Jesus Dematerialized. Verse 31 : "And their eyes were opened and they knew him, and he vanished out of their sight." Materializes Again. Verse 36: "And as they thus spake, Jesus himseli stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you." Spirit Terrifies Disciples. Verse 37 : "But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit." Why should these mediums be so skeptical and doubt- ing and why afraid of a spirit. Flesh and Bones Materialized. Verses 38 and 39: Jesus tries to prove he is there with his flesh and bones. Verse 41 : Still they believed not. Spirit of Jesus Eats Fish. Verse 42 : "And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of honeycomb." Verse 43 : "And he took it and did eat before them." Disciples Wait Spirit Power. Verse 49: Jesus (a spirit) says to the disciples: "But tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high" (spirit power). 286 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Again Jesus Dematerialized. Verse 5 1 : "And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven." The Gospel According to John. The Book of John contains much Spiritualism. God, No Man Hath Seen. John I., 18: "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son which is in the bosom of the father, he hath declared him." Sons of God Are Spirit Mediums. Jesus Develops His Converts' Mediumship. Verse 12 : "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the Sons of God (spirit mediums), even to them that believe on his name." Clairvoyant — John Is One — Jesus Under Spirit Control. Verse 32 : "And John bare record saying, / saw the spirit descending from heaven like a dove and it (the spirit) abode upon him." (That is, the spirit influenced or controlled Jesus.) Jesus Baptizes with Spirit Power. Verse 33 : John says : "And I knew him not. (John did not know who he was to baptize.) But he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the spirit descending and remain- ing on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost" (spirit power). Why do not modern ministers baptize with the Holy Ghost? (spirit power). Is it because they are not in possession of it? SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 287 Verse 34 : "And I saw, and bear record that this is the Son of God." Verse 41 : "He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ" (the medium). Jesus the Son of Joseph. Verse 45 : "Philip findeth Nathaniel and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Jesus Clairvoyant. Verses 47 to 51 : He saw Nathaniel clairvoyantly, who was under a fig tree at the time, and he read his character, which converted Nathaniel. Jesus' First Miracle, So-Called — Turned Water Into Wine. Chap. II., Verse 6: "And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece" (90 gallons or more). Verse 7 : "Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim." Verse 8: "And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it." Verse 9: "When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was (but the servants which drew the water knew) : the governor of the feast called the bridegroom." Verse 10 : "And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine ; and when men 288 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now." Verse 11 : "This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him." Strange that they should believe on Him because he turned water into wine. Sleight-of-hand men do that today as a trick. One would think it would have been a more godlike thing to have turned wine into water, and then endowed his disciples with the power to do it, and handed the thing down to the ministers of the present generation. It might have been a great help to the W. C. T. U. in their fight for present-day prohibition. Paul No Prohibitionist. 1 Timothy V., 23 : "Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities. " Test Jesus Gave Woman at Well. John IV., Verse 16 : "J esus sa ^h unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither." Verse 17 : "The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband :" Verse 18: "For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly." Verse 19 : "The woman saith unto him, Sir, I per- ceive that thou art a prophet." Does this not read something like modern "fortune telling?" SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 289 Jesus Says He Is the Messias. Verse 25 : "The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things." Verse 26: "Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he." Verse 27 : His disciples came and marveled that he talked with the woman. Verses 28, 29 : "Then the woman went into the city and saith to the men, Come see a man, which told me all things that ever I did : is not this the Christ ?" Easily Convinced. Verse 39: "And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did !" John IV., Verse 40 : "So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them : and he abode there two days." Mediumship of Jesus Proves Him Savior of the World. Verse 41 : "And many more believed because of his own word ;" Verse 42: "And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world." Thus the "tests" or "signs" Jesus gave proved to them that he was the Savior of the world. All true mediums are helping to save the world. Tests ; Must Have Them. Verse 48: "Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe." 290 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Verse 49 : "The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die." Jesus Heals Absent Patient. Verse 50 : "Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way ; thy son liveth" (51st to 54th). This afterwards proves true. John V., 1 to 9 : Jesus heals one at the pool of Bethesda, though a multitude of people were there sick. As a medium he might have been able to heal only one ; as Almighty God he should have been able to heal all of them if He were pleased to do so. Jesus Upholds Working on Sabbath. Verse 14: Sin caused this man's sickness. Verse 16: Jews sought to slay Jesus because he healed on the Sabbath day. Jesus Contradicts Moses. Verse 17: "But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work." This was a good answer. God makes the wheat grow, the berries to ripen, the birds to hatch, etc. In fact, everything in nature goes on the same on the Sabbath as on any other day, and if God works on the Sabbath why should not His children do the same ? Moses Contradicts Jesus. Exodus XXXI., Verse 15 : Spirit Jehovah gives or- ders through Moses, his medium, as follows : "Six days may work be done ; but in the seventh is the sab- bath of rest, holy to the Lord : Whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath-day he shall surely be put to death." In this, as in every other contest or difference in SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 291 their teachings, the author of this book casts his vote for the noble Man of Nazareth. Walks on Water. John VI. , 16 to 28: Jesus walks on the water, but John gives a very brief account of it, not mentioning Peter's attempt to do the same, and other important de- tails found in this evangelist's writings. People Not Convinced; Wanted More Tests. Verses 30, 31 : These people were still skeptical after witnessing the miracle of the loaves and fishes, and "They said therefore unto him, What sign (test) showest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? What dost thou work?" They Would Not Believe. Chapter XII., 37 : "But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him." Spirit Control Says He Came from Heaven. Chap. VI., Verse 42: "And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know ? How is it then that he saith, I am come down from heaven?" Was it not his spirit control speaking through Jesus who said this ? We think it was. Words of the Spirit Not Believed. Verse 63 : Jesus says : "It is the spirit that quick- eneth (that inspires); the flesh propheteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life." 292 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Verse 64 : "But there are some of you that believe not." Jesus' Disciples Left Him. Verse 66: "From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him." His Brethren Did Not Believe in Him. The Jews, infidels and all other unbelievers in Jesus are condemned by Christians for their unbelief in Him. Why should they believe in Him who never saw Him, when his own associates, the disciples and brethren did not believe in Him. John VII., 5 : "For neither did his brethren believe in Him." Matt. XXVIII. , 17: They saw Jesus, but some doubted. Mark XVI, 11 : "They believed not." Verse 14: "Afterward he (Jesus) appeared unto the eleven (apostles) as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen." Luke I., 18, 19, 20 : The angel, with whom Zacharias counciled, struck him dumb because of his unbelief. John VI., 36 : "But I said unto you, That ye also had seen me, and believed not." John VI., 64: Jesus said to his disciples: "But there are some of you that believe not." Verse 66: "Many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him." John VIII. , 13 : The Pharisees who saw him and heard him did not believe. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 293 In John X., 25, Jesus tells the Jews that they "believed not." Verse 26: He repeats the statement. John XII., 37: "But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him." They were even more skeptical of the works of Jesus than the Christian opponents of Spiritualism are of the work of mediums of today. And this is a sur- prising fact, since Jesus is considered the Creator of all things. Jesus and the Jews Call Each Other Devils. VIII., 44 : Jesus tells the Jews : "Ye are of your father, the devil. " Verse 48 : The Jews tell Jesus he hath a devil, "Thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil. " Verse 51 : "If a man keep my sayings he shall never see death" (everlasting life). Verse 52 : The Jews say, "Now we know that thou hast a devil." Jesus Calls These Jews Liars. Verse 55 : "And if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you." Was Jesus Older Than Abraham? Verse 57 : "Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?" Verse 58: "Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am." Was this Jesus' spirit guide speaking through Him? Many sayings attributed to Him indicate it, as does this scripture. Jesus Healed with Clay and Spittle. John IX., 6 : "When he had thus spoken he spat on 294 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay." (See also Mark VIII., 22 to 26.) If the above should occur in Michigan today (1922) the perpetrator of this terrible act of healing a blind man with spittle and mud would be liable to arrest, fine and imprisonment under the law, for "mud" and "spit- tle" or nearly any other article or process of healing is considered practicing medicine in this great state of the Union. From Verse 7 to 41, the controversy goes on between the believers and the unbelievers. Jews for Jesus and Against Him. John X., 19: "There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings." Jews Say He Hath a Devil and Is Mad. Verse 20 : "And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad (insane) ; why hear ye him?" Verse 21 : "Others said : These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?" Priests Seek to Kill Jesus. John XL, 48 to 57 : This chapter tells how fright- ened the chief priests and Pharisees were, fearing that Jesus, the Spiritualist, would convert the entire nation with his "signs" and "tests" of spirit power, and they planned to kill him, one who was so good and so inno- cent. But innocent, honest and truth-loving Spiritual- ists, all along down the centuries from that day to this, have suffered persecution. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 295 A Spirit Voice. Chap. XII. , Verse 28: "Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. " Verse 29 : "The people therefore that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered : others said, An angel spake to him. ,, Would it not be easy to distinguish the voice of a spirit from thunder? Verse 30: "Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes." It came to convert them with the truth of spirit pres- ence, no doubt. Like Some Modern Converts. Verse 42 : "Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him (on Jesus and his mediumistic work), but because of the Pharisees they did not con- fess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue" (out of the Jewish church). Verse 43 : "For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God." How much this is like the modern "twilight Spiritual- ist," who is delighted to attend a seance, but instructs everyone not to speak of it, because it would injure his standing in the church and community, though his spirit mother or other spirit friend may have begged him to come out and acknowledge its truth. Such a person is to be pitied. Spiritualism of Jesus — Many Mansions in My Father's House. XIV., 2 : "In my father's house are many mansions : 296 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." Verse 3 : "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am there ye may be also." Verse 4 : "And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know." This is what Spiritualism teaches. Our spirit friends return and tell us they have a home prepared for us when we shall enter the spirit world. More Spiritualism. Verse 12 : "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also ; and greater works than these shall he do ; because I go unto my Father." These works are of His mediumship and he promises those who believe on him they shall do greater medium- istic work than he did. Jesus Will Send Comforter. Verse 16: "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter (spirit communion), that he may abide with you forever ;" Verse 17: "Even the spirit of truth: whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him : but ye know him ; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." In this Jesus is clearly referring to their mediumship. Verse 18: Jesus says, "I will not leave you com- fortless : I will come to you." Verse 19: "Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me (they are clairvoyant) : because I live, ye shall live also." # SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 297 In the 21st verse, Jesus says : "He that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." Does this not answer the question of the many ministers' subject of dis- courses: "Do the dead return ?" They Shall Have Spirit Influences. Verse 26 : "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost (spirit influence, or spirit control) whom the Father will send in My name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, what- soever I have said unto you." What has the Holy Ghost taught Christians since Christ's time? Verse 28: "Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you, . . . for my Father is greater than I." Jesus fulfilled this promise to return. Jesus Instructs His Mediums. John XV., Verse 18: "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me." Verse 19 : "If ye were of the world, the world would love his (its) own ; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." Jesus to Send the Comforter. Verse 26 : "But when the Comforter is come, whom I Will send unto you from the Father, even the spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall tes- tify of Me:" That is : the spirit of truth, which Jesus promises to send shall testify of him. 298 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Verse 27 : "And ye also shall bear witness because ye have been with me from the beginning." Modern mediums are hated and despised by the world's people who think they are deceivers preying upon innocent and sorrowing humanity. It is the same today as it was then ; and the mediums are as innocent of wrong now as at that time. The Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, comes to mediums today as Jesus fore- told in the above. This Prophecy of Jesus Fulfilled. John XVI., Verse 2 : "They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service." How true this has all come. Thousands of mediums, like the apostles, to whom Jesus was speaking, have been put to death as witches, possessed of devils, as supposed by their persecutors, and they who took the lives of these innocent men and women — mostly women — thought, as Jesus said, that they were doing "God's service." This day our inspired mediums, though they are not put out of the synagogues, are seldom permitted to hold services in them, and "men of God," ministers of the gospel, are not permitted to teach the same doctrines in many of the churches that Jesus Christ taught, a la Dean Edward, Dr. B. F. Austin, Rev. Moses Hull and many others who have been turned away or obliged to leave the Christian pulpit for these reasons. Thus this prophecy of the Medium of Nazareth has been literally fulfilled. Jesus Foretells Coming of Modern Spiritualism. Verse 7: He says: "Nevertheless I tell you the SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 299 truth ; it is expedient for you that I go away : for if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you, but if I depart, I will send him unto you. Verse 8 : "And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment." Spirit communion has been an accomplished fact through all the ages ; and every religion is founded upon its phenomena and truth; and strange to say, every religion cites its holy records of spirit appear- ances, spirit phenomena, and spirit communion as proof of the genuineness and truth of that religion, but each of them condemn the claims of other religions as to these phenomena, calling their manifestations spu- rious, or of the devil. Especially is this true regarding their attitude toward Modern Spiritualism. Modern Spiritualism fulfills Jesus' statement, in that "it is the Comforter," it "reproves the world of sin," makes for righteousness, and "guides men unto truth." Verse 12: Jesus says: "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now." Spirit Messenger Is the Comforter. Verse 13 : "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of Truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth : for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak : and he will show you things to come" (i. e., foretell the future). This spirit of truth shall not speak of himself, "but whatsoever he shall hear that shall he speak'' therefore it is plain to be seen that this spirit of truth is a spirit messenger or spirit guide, and this spirit messenger is "the Comforter." How true ! How beautiful! 300 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Do the Dead Return? John XX., Verse 11 : "But Mary stood without the sepulchre weeping : and as she wept, she stooped down and looked into the sepulchre. " Mary Saw Two Angels (Angels Are Spirits). Verse 12: "And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain." These Spirits Communicate. Verse 13 : "And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou ? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him." Jesus Materializes to Mary. A Real Spirit Manifestation. Verse 14 : "And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus." Spirit Talks to Mary. Verse 15 : "Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weep- est thou? Whom seeketh thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away." Jesus, Though Dead, Talks to Man. Verse 16 : "Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni. Which is to say, Master." Verse 17: "Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my father : but go to my SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 301 brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father ; and to my God, and your God." Verse 18 : Mary went and told them she had spoken with Jesus. Again Jesus Materializes. Verse 19: The evening of that day Jesus appeared to the eleven, when the doors were shut, and said, "Peace be unto you." Verse 20 : Showed them his hands and side. The Spirit Speaks Again to Disciples. Verse 21 : "Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you : as my father hath sent me, even so send I you." Holy Ghost Given by Breathing on Them. Verse 22 : "And when he had said this he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost" (spirit influence). Verse 23 : "Whosoever sins ye remit, they are re- mitted unto them ; and whosoever sins ye retain, they are retained." Thomas, One of Jesus' Apostles, a Skeptic. Verse 24: "But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came." Verse 25 : Thomas would not believe the other dis- ciples when they told him they had seen Jesus, unless he could see the print of the nails in His hands and put his finger into them, and thrust his hand into His side Jesus Materializes. Verse 26 : "And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them ; then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in their midst, and said, Peace be unto you." 302 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Thomas Converted — A Convincing Spirit Test. Verse 27 : "Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands ; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side : and be not faithless, but belie ving." Doubting Thomas Convinced. Verse 28: "And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God." Evidently he was greatly astonished. Verse 29: "Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed : blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." A Similar Modern Experience. At a seance held at the home of George W. Taylor in Lawton, N. Y., in 1882, a spirit appeared in full form. A man in the front row whispered to his neigh- bor, saying, "That looks like Uncle Otis." He replied, in a whisper: "I could tell if I could see his right hand." Thereupon the spirit raised his hand palm downward, and before the thirty persons present, a very large wen grew on the back of the hand of the spirit. "My God !" exclaimed Mr. Avery, "that is Uncle Otis. Look at that wen on his hand." It was explained that Uncle Otis in this life had a wen, tumor, or cist on the back of his hand which was as large as a hen's egg. If Jesus could materialize holes in His hands and in His side to convince a doubting Thomas in an ancient seance, why could not Uncle Otis materialize a wen on the back of his hand to identify himself to his friends in a modern seance? If he could not, why not? SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 303 Tests, Many Given. Verse 30: "And many other signs (tests) truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. ,, Slate Writing Modern. In a seance with Charles E. Watkins at North Col- lins, N. Y., in the year 1881, with doors open, the sun shining in, we all sat at a table holding two slates, with a bit of pencil between them, in our hands above the table. We heard the pencil writing and finally three raps on the slates, indicating that the writing was completed. All let go of the slates but Hon. Norman Sprague, of East Aurora, N. Y., who retained them, removed the top slate, read the message, and cried out, "Merciful God ! that is from my mother and in her own handwriting. It is her own signature/' and he wept for joy. It is easy for Spiritualists to understand how it affected the doubting Thomas when he discovered that he was really in communication w r ith his master, Jesus. But it is not so easy to understand why Thomas, who had been the daily companion of Jesus, and had seen the demonstration of spiritual phenomena so often through his mediumship, should be so skeptical of them when Jesus appeared to him. Jesus' Fourth Materialization. John XXL, Verse 1 : "After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias ; and on this wise showed he himself ." Verse 2 : "There were together Simon, Peter and Thomas, called Didymus, and Nathaniel of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebidee, and two others of his disciples." 304 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Verse 3 : They (the disciples) went fishing but caught none. Verse 4 : Jesus appeared on the shore. Verse 5 : Jesus asks if they have any meat. They answer no. Verse 6 : He tells them to cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude. Materialized Spirit of Jesus Cooks a Fish Breakfast. Verses 7 to 15: Jesus cooks a fish breakfast and invites his apostles to dine with him. Some ministers and other Christian opponents of Spiritualism have declared that modern spirit messages are frivolous and puerile. Can anyone of sound mind conceive of Al- mighty God frying fish for the breakfast of a few ignorant fishermen ? How can one help doubting such teachings ? There is nothing like this in Modern Spir- itualism. Closing Chapter of John. Verse 14 says : "This is now the third time that Jesus showed himself to His disciples after that he was risen from the dead/' Expected Jesus to Rule Israel. Verses 21 to 24 : Jesus taught, and it was expected that some, at least, of the disciples should live until He came back from the dead to rule Israel. Jesus' Works Would Make Big Book. John winds up his gospel as follows : Verse 25 : "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 305 This is a very extravagant statement for a gospel writer to make, but he was an evangelist and if, like our modern evangelists, a la Billy Sunday, it may not be counted so great an extreme after all. But if we judge John's writings by this last statement, it is doubtful if they would stand the test. The Books of Acts. The Book of Acts is supposed to have been written by Luke. Like the Book of Luke, it is addressed to Theophilus. Acts I., 1 : "The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and to teach." Spirit of Jesus Communicates. Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he, through the Holy Ghost (spirit power), had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen. That is to say : Jesus, after he had arisen, gave com- mandments to the apostles. Jesus Materialized Forty Days. Verse 3 : "To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things per- taining to the kingdom of God." So the dead do come back? Jesus Commands Apostles After His Death. Acts I., 1, 2, 3, tells about it. Wait for Holy Ghost. Verses 4, 5 : Jesus told the apostles not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait until they "shall be baptized 306 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE with the Holy Ghost (spirit power) not many days hence." Verses 6, 7 and 8 : The spirit of Jesus communicates with the disciples again. Jesus Dematerialized. Verse 9: "And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud re- ceived him out of their sight." Two Spirit Men Appeared to Them. Verse 10: "And while they looked steadfastly to- ward heaven as he went up, two men stood by them in white apparel." These were "men," and he who would try to distin- guish between angels and spirits of men, though he has no scripture to sustain such claim, may take notice that these were spirit men dressed in white clothing. Verse 11: These two spirits, "Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come An like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." These two "men in white apparel" who appeared and communicated when Jesus ascended were spirits of men. Disciples Hold a Seance in an Upper Room. Verse 13 : "And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and AnHrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James, the son of Alpheus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas, the brother of James." Verse 14: "These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 307 the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren (Jesus' brothers). This made good conditions for a seance. His family took part. This Was a Large Seance. Verse 15 : Peter stood up and said there were about one hundred and twenty. The results of this seance was the choice of one to fill the place of the apostle Judas. The Spirit Spake Through David. Verse 16 says: "The Holy Ghost (spirit con- trol) by the mouth of David spake before concern- ing Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus." Cast Lots to Learn God's Wishes. Verse 23 : "They nominated two for the office : Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias." Verse 24 : "And they prayed, and said : Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen." Verse 26 : "And they gave forth their lots ; and the lot fell upon Matthias ; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles." Pentecostal Feast a Regular Spiritualist Seance. Acts II., Verse 1 : "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all of one accord in one place" (i. e., in a condition of mental harmony, which is essential to good results in any spiritual seance). Verse 2 : "And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting" (where they were holding their sitting). 308 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Acts II. , 3 : "And there appeared unto them cloven tongues, like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. ,, It is perfectly clear to Spiritualists that these cloven tongues of fire were spirit lights, and such as are very common in Modern Spirit seances. The "rushing wind" is also often felt in those seances. Verse 4: "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost (controlled by the spirits) and began to speak with other tongues (not their own tongues) as the spirit gave them utterance." Evidently they were controlled by spirits of different tribes and nationalities, who spoke these different tongues through these mediums. Verse 5 : "And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven." All nations were there so far as the writer knew. Verse 6: "Now when this was noised abroad the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language." Verses 7 and 8: They "marveled" because these Galileans could speak all these languages. It is not so strange or wonderful to Spiritualists, because many mediums speak in different tongues or languages today. A German spirit may sometimes speak German through a mortal medium who does not speak German. A Frenchman or other nationality may speak his own language through certain mediums if he knows how to control one for that manifestation. The writer speaks from knowledge because he has been used by spirits to speak in different languages with which he was not acquainted, therefore he knows this is possible.* * See "A Future Life Demonstrated," by Rev. E. W. Sprague, p. 69. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 309 The 9th, 10th and 11th verses of this chapter name about eighteen different tongues these mediums were controlled to speak. The would-be wise skeptics were there and had their say, which showed their simple-mindedness, just as they show it today in such matters. They explained these phenomena as follows : Verse 13 : "Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine." They were as silly as some modern skeptics. Peter Gives a Discourse on Spiritualism. Verse 14 : "But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell in Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words :" Verse 15 : "For these are not drunken, as ye sup- pose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day." So early in the morning they had not had time to become intoxicated is what Peter is supposed to mean. Verse 16 : "But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel." Prophecy of Coming of Modern Spiritualism. Verse 17 : "And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh : and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams." Verse 18: "And on my servants and on my hand- maidens I will pour out in those days of my spirit; and they shall prophesy." (See also Joel II., 28, 29.) The above is a plain and clear prophecy of the com- ing of Modern Spiritualism. And he who believes this 310 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE story of the Pentecostal feast is a Spiritualist, and, of course, he who does not believe it is an infidel. Spir- itualists believe it. Jesus a Man and a Medium, According to Peter. Verse 22 : "Ye men of Israel, hear these words : Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know." This is Peter's statement of who and what Jesus was, and this is what most Spiritualists believe. Like all other true mediums, his spirit phenomena, including tests (signs), proved that his work was good and of God, and this shows that he was a man, not God. Pentecostal Seance and Peter's Lecture. Converts Three Thousand People. Was it the phenomena of speaking in tongues, the spirit lights, and the other physical phenomena of this great seance ; or was it the philosophy of Spiritualism taught in Peter's inspired sermon, or was it all of these together, that converted . these three thousand persons that day? Peter was a medium for both the physical and mental phases of mediumship, as is shown in this Bible record of this seance, and as is shown in many other scripture passages as well. It always takes both the phenomena and philosophy of Spiritualism to make a well developed Spiritualist. Acts II., 41. Peter an Ancient Billy Sunday. Peter was an ancient Billy Sunday, though Peter had facts and genuine spirit phenomena with which to win converts, and Billy Sunday has neither in his religion, but depends largely upon the use of slang to attract SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 311 his audiences and the fear of hell to convert them. Peter used neither of these. Spirit of Jesus Produces the Phenomena at Pentecostal Feast, Says Peter. Acts II., 32, 33 : Peter states that Jesus, who was then in the spirit world, "shed forth" these phenomena of the Pentecostal feast, "which ye now see and hear." This was a Spiritualistic seance, like unto many of these modern times, and the manifestations were pro- duced by spirits, this scripture states. Mediumship Promised All Converts. Verse 38: Peter promised all who repented and were baptized should receive the Holy Ghost (spirit power). This promise appears to be for all mankind. (See also 39th verse.) Disciples and Converts Communists. Verse 39 says : "For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." Three Thousand Converts in One Day. Verse 41 : "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized : and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." Verse 43 : "And many wonders and signs were done by the apostles." They were spirit mediums and their tests, called "signs," helped to make these converts. Communism Practiced. Verse 44: "And all that believed w r ere together, and had all things common ;" 312 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Verse 45 : "And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need." If all of the three thousand converts sold their pos- sessions and turned the receipts therefor over, it must have been a good day's work for the apostles who received it. Was the gospel free and without price in those days ? Acts, Chapter III., tells the story of the healing of a beggar who was born a cripple. Hypnotism Used by Peter and John. Verse 4 says : "And Peter fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us." Verse 7 : "And he took him by the hand (evidently magnetizing him), and lifted him up : and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength." Verse 8 : "And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple," etc. Verse 16: Peter gives the spirit Jesus the credit of healing this poor cripple. Magnetic and spiritual healing is wonderful. Through its application by Spiritualists it is healing thousands in every civilized country the world over today. These Spiritualist healers' rooms in Detroit are crowded daily with people who believe in it, a large majority of whom are members of Christian churches. Five Thousand More Converts Made. Acts, Chapter IV., Verse 4, says: "Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand" We are not told how many women converts there were. There were five thousand more converts. They were doing a big business and a profitable one. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 313 Communism ; More of It. Verse 32 : "And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed was his own ; but they had all things in common." Verse 34 : "Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of things that were sold." Verse 35 : "And laid them down at the apostles' feet : and distribution was made unto every man according to his need." Verses 36, 37 : "And Joses, having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet." Gospel of Jesus Not Free. As every new convert sold all his possessions and the apostles divided them with "all men as every man had need." It looks as though these mediums were pretty well paid for their services; anyhow their needs were all well provided for. If the three thousand converts made in one day and the five thousand another day sold all their possessions and turned all the money into the treasury of the twelve apostles, were they preaching the gospel, and preaching mediumship to prove its truth, "without money and without price" ? Peter and John Arrested. The apostles were making too many converts to please the Jewish priests and the Sadducees, so something must be done. 314 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Verse 2 : "Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead" (spirit return). Acts IV., 3 : "And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day : for it was now even- tide." Took them at night and put them in jail, just as they did mediums in New York recently. Priests and Sad- ducees did it. Verse 4 tells of the five thousand converts mentioned heretofore. Peter Under Spirit Control Again. Verse 8: "Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost (under spirit control), said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel," etc. Heals the Impotent Man by Power of Spirit of Jesus. Peter Says. Verse 9: "If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man by what means he is made whole ;" Verse 10 : "Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole" (healed). Peter and John Uneducated. Verse 13 : "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled ; and they took knowl- edge of them, that they had been with Jesus." Verse 14 : "And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 315 Ancient Spiritualism, or modern Christianity, like Modern Spiritualism, produced results, healed the sick, gave spirit messages, and materialized spirits to the view of men, and demonstrated its claims. Verse 16 : The apostles' opponents acknowledged that this was "a notable miracle" and they "could not deny it." Three Mediums Threatened by Priests and Officers. Verse 17: "But that it spread no further among the people, let us straightly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in his name." Here the "high priest," and "his kindred," the officers of the law, were bound to stop these mediums. How like some present-day ministers and officers of the law. Verse 18: "And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus." Verse 19: "But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God judge ye." Verse 20: "For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." Spiritualists of today feel likewise. Why should we forego healing the sick, comforting the sorrowing by receiving messages from their dead friends and dem- onstrating the truth of a future life for mankind? be- cause the priesthood and the elders object to our teach- ing its grand truths, which incidentally contradict some of their dogmatic creeds of total depravity, vicarious atonement, physical resurrection, etc. Some of the priesthood — Catholic and Protestant — are the real in- stigators of most of the laws against the practice of mediumship. They think Peter and John w r ere cruelly 316 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE wronged in this case, while they go on fighting Modern Spiritualism, persecuting Spiritualists and mediums. Verse 21 : "So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people : for all men glori- fied God for that which was done." It was not the people of that day who opposed the practice of mediumship. It was the church that did it, the same as today. Physical Manifestations by Spirits. Verse 31 : "And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost (spirit power), and they spake the word of God with boldness. ,, The above is a very common experience with Spir- itualists. Ananias and Sapphira Lie to the Spirits. Acts V., Verse 1 : "But a certain man named Ananias with Sapphira, his wife, sold a possession. " Verse 2 : "And kept back part of the price, his wife being privy to it, and brought a part and laid it at the apostles' feet." Ananias Struck Dead for Lying to the Spirit. Verse 3 : "But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost (spirit influ- encing) and to keep back part of the price of the land?" Peter must have received this fact from the spirit friends, as no one had told him. Verse 4 : Peter accuses him of lying to God. Verse 5 : Ananias fell down dead. Verse 6: They carried him out and buried him. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 317 Ananias' Wife, Sapphira, Killed Also. Verse 7 : Three hours after came his wife, not know- ing what her husband had done. Verse 8 : She told the same story. Verse 9 : "Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the spirit of the Lord ? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out." Verse 10: "Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost," and they buried her by her husband. To Those Who Believe This Story. Was it Peter, the Holy Ghost, or God who killed both of these good people for giving but half the price of their possessions to the apostles? Whoever did it, did a great injustice to them. But it probably caused others to give their all. Verse 12 : "And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders (spirit phenomena) wrought among the people ;" Verse 14 : "And believers were the more added unto the Lord, multitudes both of men and women." Were the Apostles Commercial Mediums? It certainly looks as though the apostles were out after the money. They made thousands of converts who sold all they possessed and put the money in their hands. And Ananias and Sapphira, his wife, were both struck dead for keeping back a part of the money received for their possessions. Is this not commercial mediumship with a vengeance ? and with two murders attached, if the story is true? Nothing like it ever occurred in Modern Spiritualism. 318 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Christians uphold the killing of Ananias and Sapphira for not giving their all to these mediums, but condemn modern mediums for accepting one dollar for a reading, calling it commercial mediumship. This is not Spirit- ualism. It is Spiritism. Oh, the injustice of it! Healed by Peter's Shadow. Verse 15: "They brought the sick into the streets, laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them." Verse 16 : A multitude came out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem bringing sick folks, "and they were healed every one." Is It a Crime to Heal People by Spirit Power? Verse 17: "Then the high priest rose up, and all that were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and were filled with indignation." Mediums Imprisoned. Verse 18: "And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison." \ This same spirit has often been manifested toward modern spiritual healers. An Angel Releases Them From Prison. This Was a Dark Seance. Verse 19: "But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors and brought them forth." Verse 21 : The high priest called the council together next morning and went to the prison. Verses 22 and 23 : They were not there and the doors were shut and guards around the door. Verse 25 : Someone told them the prisoners were teaching in the temple. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 319 Again Appstles Are Arrested. Verse 26 : "Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence : for they feared the people lest they should have been stoned. " Verses 27 and 28 : They were taken into court and questioned. Verse 29: Peter's plea was: "We ought to obey God rather than men." Would Slay Apostles. Verse 33 : This high priest and the chief priests took council to slay the apostles. Verse 34: A lawyer took their part and defended them, and persuaded them not to kill them. Verse 38 says: "For if this council or this work be of men, it will come to naught." Verse 39 : "But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it : lest haply ye be found even to fight against God." Apostles Beaten. Verse 40: The apostles were beaten (whipped) and commanded not to preach any more. Verse 42 : "And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ." In this they were just like modern mediums whom persecution does not stop. Stephen a Medium. Acts VL, Verse 1 : "The number of the disciples was multiplied," and they made many converts not- withstanding church persecution. Verse 5 : And the saying pleased the whole multi- tude : and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Ghost" (spirit power). 320 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Priests Are Converted. Verse 7 : Disciples multiplied, "And a great company of priests were obedient to the faith." Stephen's Phenomena Converts Them. Verse 8 : "And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. " Verse 10: "And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake." He had a wise spirit control whom they could not resist. Transfiguration. Verses 11 to 14: Men swear falsely (suborned men) against Stephen and his spiritual work. Verse 15 says : "And all that sat in the council, look- ing steadfastly on him (Stephen), saw his face as it had been the face of an angel." We have seen mediums transfigured under spirit con- trol in the same manner. Stephen Arrested — His Speech Before the Sanhedrim — His Execution. Stephen was a spirit medium, placed under "full" control and has a vision. VII., 51: Stephen accuses the Israelites and their fathers with resisting the Holy Ghost (spirit influence or control) and persecuting the mediums. Verse 52 : He accuses their fathers of slaying the prophets (mediums), and themselves as being mur- derers. Verse 53 says they received the law by disposition of angels. Verses 55, 56: Stephen under full control has a vision. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 321 Stephen Stoned to Death. Verse 57 : "Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord." Saul Held Their Clothes. Verse 58 : "And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul." Verse 59: "And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying Lord Jesus receive my spirit." Verse 60 : "And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep." And Stephen, like Jesus and thousands of others, died a martyr to the truth of Spiritualism and Mediumship. Saul After Assisting at Stephen's Execution Changed His Name to Paul. Acts VIII. , Verse 1 : "And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecu- tion against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles." Verse 2 : "And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him." Saul Persecuted Christians. Verse 3 : "As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and woman, committed them to prison." Oh, what terrible persecutions the poor Christians suffered at the hand of the church of that day ! Saul — later known as St. Paul — sent Christians, both men and women, to prison. 322 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE All Filled With Holy Ghost. Acts II., 4, says : "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the spirit gave them utterance. ,, Acts IV., 8: "Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them," etc. Acts IV., 31 : "And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness." Then Follows a Contradiction. Acts VIII., 14, says : "Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God (the spirit message), they sent unto them Peter and John :" Verse 15 : "Who, when they were come down, prayed for them; that they might receive the Holy Ghost:" Verse 16 : "For as yet he was fallen upon none of them : only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ." Is this not a contradiction by St. Luke? or is it an error in dates ? Simon the Sorcerer Attempts to Buy Spiritual Gifts. Verse 18 : "And when Simon saw that through lay- ing on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money." Verse 19 : "Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost." Peter True to His Mediumship. Verse 20 : Peter, offended, says : "Thy money per- SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 323 ish with thee because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money." Simon is but one of a class who are with us today, who would be Spiritualists at once if there were more money in it, and many of them are paying money to a certain class of mediums, expecting them to endow them with spiritual gifts, most of whom will never get them. The "gifts," or faculties of mediumship, cannot be bought or sold. Following this, Peter tells him he is in no condition to receive spiritual gifts, and gives him instructions how to live righteously. Philip a Medium for Levitation. Verse 26 : "The angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise and go toward the south, unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert." Verses 27 and 28 : An Ethiopian man was sitting in his chariot reading. Spirit Speaks Again to Philip. Verse 29 : "Then the spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot." Verse 38 : After preaching to this Ethiopian Philip baptized him. Levitation. Verse 39: "And when they came up out of the water, the spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more and he went on his way rejoicing." Verse 40: "But Philip was found at Azotus (about 30 miles away), and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Ceserea." 324 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Modern mediums have been carried around the room by spirit power, and gravitation is often overcome by this method, but there is no record of their being car- ried thirty miles. One Vision Converts Paul. Acts IX., Verse 1 : "And Saul (afterwards called Paul), yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest," Verse 2 : "And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any (Christians) in the way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. " Verse 3 : "And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus : and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven." Paul Clairaudient. Verse 4 : "And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me ?" Verse 5 : And he said, Who art thou, Lord ? "And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest ; it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." Verse 6: "And he, trembling and astonished, said, Lord, what wilt thou have me do ? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do." Materialized Voice of Jesus a Spirit. Verse 7 : "And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man." Jesus was dead. Do the dead return? SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 325 Saul Another of Jesus' Mediums. Acts IX., 8 : This made Saul blind and they led him to Damascus. Verse 9: "And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink." Spirit Gives Name of Street. Verses 10 and 11: Ananias of Damascus had a vision. The spirit of Jesus told him to go to Saul and named the street and the man of the house where he should find him. Verse 12 : This spirit told him that Saul had also a vision of Ananias coming and giving him his sight. Verses 13, 14: Ananias told the spirit he was afraid of Saul. He appears to have known him by reputation. Jesus Selects Paul as His Medium. Verse 15 : But Jesus told him that Saul had become a "chosen vessel" of his. That is, he had become his medium. Verse 17: "Ananias went and told Saul that Jesus who had appeared unto him had sent him, that he might receive his sight, "and be filled with the Holy Ghost" (spirit power). Paul's Own People Sought to Kill Him. Verse 18: Saul received his sight and was baptized. Following this, Saul preached in the temple there. The Jews, his own people, sought to kill him. The disciples let him down by the wall, in a basket, and he went to Jerusalem. What Christian Authority Says of Paul's Conversion. Dr. William Smith, of the University of London, in 326 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE his Dictionary of the Bible, page 700, speaking of Paul's conversion, says : "The sudden light from heaven; the voice of Jesus speaking with authority to His persecutor ; Saul struck to the ground, blinded, overcome ; the three days' sus- pense; the coming of Ananias as a messenger of the Lord; and Saul's baptism, — these were the leading features, in the eyes of the historian, of the great event, and in these we must look for the chief signifi- cance of the conversion. For we must not forget that, whatever we hold as to the external nature of the phenomena we are considering, the whole transaction was essentially, in any case, a spiritual communication. That the Lord Jesus manifested Himself as a living person to the man Saul, and spoke to him so that his very words could be understood, is the substantial fact declared to us. The purport of the three narratives is, that an actual conversation took place between Saul and the Lord Jesus. It is remarkable that in none of them is Saul said to have seen Jesus. How it was that Saul "saw" and "heard" we are quite unable to deter- mine." Spiritualists can truly say that they do know how he "saw" and "heard" — if the story is true— if Christians do not know, and the philosophy of Spiritualism can and does explain how these phenomena are produced. He goes on saying: "The light, and the sound or voice were both different from ordinary phenomena with which Saul and his companions were familiar, is unquestionably implied in the narrative. It is also implied that they were specially significant to Saul, and not to those with him. We gather, therefore, that these were real outward phenomena, through which Saul was SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 327 made inwardly sensible of a Presence revealed to him alone." Does "inward presence" explain the voice heard by the men who journeyed with him? We think not. Acts, Chapter IX., tells the story of Paul's conversion. His only reference to the outward phenomena attending his conversion is found in 1 Cor. XV., 8, "Last of all He was seen of me," and in Gal. I., 15, he says : "But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me by his grace." Verse 16: "To reveal his son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen : immediately I con- ferred not with flesh and blood." Evidently he conferred with and was guided by the spirit of Jesus. Such are the teachings of Spiritualism. Verse 26: The disciples were all afraid of Saul when he wanted to join them. They did not believe in his conversion. But when Paul proved himself a true convert and preached Jesus and Him crucified they took him with them. Verse 33 : Peter healed ^Eneas, who w r as bedridden eight years of palsy. Peter Raises the Dead Tabitha. Verse 40 : "But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed ; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes : and when she saw Peter she sat up." Verse 41 : "And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive." How did the writer of this story get the literal details of what Peter said and what both of them did, since Peter had put them all out of the room? Let us 328 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE be honest with ourselves, kind reader, for we want the truth. Jesus said: "The truth shall make you free." Did Peter raise the dead or was the woman in a trance ? This Whole Chapter Is Spiritualism. Acts X., Verses 1, 2 and 3 : Cornelius, a good man, has a vision, and the angel of God came and talked to him. Verse 5 : This spirit told him to send men to Joppa to call on Simon Peter. Verse 6 : The spirit told him who Peter lived with, and where to find the house, and said Peter "shall tell thee what to do." Verse 8 : Cornelius sent men to Joppa. Verse 9: About the time they arrived there Peter had gone up on the house top to pray. Peter Falls Into a Trance. Verse 10 : "And he became very hungry and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell in a trance." Peter Was Clairvoyant. Verses 11 and 12 tell what he saw. Peter Was Clairaudient. Verses 13 and 15 : A spirit voice spake to him. Verse 16 : Three times the spirit voice spake to him. Peter Doubts the Meaning of This Vision. Verse 17 : Peter doubted the meaning of the vision, and the men Cornelius sent "stood at the gate." Verse 18: "And called, and asked whether Simon which was surnamed Peter were lodged there." Spirit Tells Peter Three Men Seek Him. Verse 19: "While Peter thought on the vision (he SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 329 had just had) the spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee." Verse 20 : "Arise, therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing : for I have sent them." Verse 21 : Peter went down, told them he was the one they were seeking and asked : "What is the cause wherefore ye are come?" Verse 22 : They told him Cornelius sent them. Verse 23 : Peter took them in and lodged them, and on the morrow he took some of his friends and went with them. Another Great Seance and Spiritualist Meeting. Verse 24: Next day after that they arrived at Cesarea and Cornelius had invited in a company of friends. Verse 29 : Peter tells the company that he came to them as soon as sent for, without gainsaying (with- out questioning). Spirits Called by Different Names. Verse 30 : Cornelius tells of the "man in bright cloth- ing" coming to him (a spirit). In the third verse this man spirit was called "An angel of God" ; fourth verse, "Lord" ; seventh verse, "Angel" ; nineteenth verse^ "Spirit" ; twenty-second verse, "Holy angel" ; thirtieth verse, "Man." So it must have been the spirit of a man, as we Spiritualists claim. We have many such experiences as this one recorded in this tenth chapter of Acts, and they have always proved to be spirits of the so-called dead who plan and carry out the demon- strations as are recorded here. Spiritualists can believe this story because they knozv it is possible for spirits to do those things. 330 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE This was a great and good meeting. Peter preached a good sermon, and they had a fine seance. Whole Congregation Controlled. Verse 44 says : "While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost (spirit control) fell on all them which heard the word." That is, every one of that congregation was controlled by the spirits, "Jews and Gentiles." Verse 45 : "And they of the circumcision which be- lieved were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost (mediumship). Verse 46: "For they (those of the circumcision) heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized which have received the Holy Ghost (who have been controlled), as well as we?" Verse 48: "Then he commanded them to be bap- tized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry many days." Either a Spiritualist or an Infidel. With the exception of a whole congregation being controlled by spirits at once, Modern Spiritualism re- cords many similar experiences like the above which prove the possibility of the truth of this story. He who does not believe this story of Peter, Cornelius, and the spirits is an infidel; and he who does believe it true is a Spiritualist. It cannot be otherwise. Peter Tells Disciples the Whole Story. Acts XL, Verses 1 to 19, tells of Peter going up to Jerusalem, and his controversy with the other apostles SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 331 over his having held meetings with the uncircumcised. Peter explained about the wonderful spiritual meet- ing at Cesarea, how the Holy Ghost (the spirits) con- trolled the Gentiles, etc., and when they heard his story they were satisfied, because the spirits had done it all themselves. Dark Seance — Peter Released from Prison by Spirits. Acts XII., Verses 1 to 4 : Herod "killed James, the brother of John, with the sword and put Peter in prison, intending his doom." Verse 5 : "Peter was therefore kept in prison : but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. ,, Verse 6 : "And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with chains : and the keepers before the doors kept the prison. " An Angel Liberated Peter. Verse 7 : "And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him (controlled him) and a light (a spirit light) shined in the prison: and he (the spirit) smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands." Verse 8 : "And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals : and so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me." Verse 9 : "And he went out, and followed him ; and wist not (knew not) that it was true which was done by the angel ; but thought he saw a vision." Mediums are often dazed, as was Peter, after coming out of the control. 332 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Physical Phenomena. Verse 10: "When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his (its) own accord : and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him." Peter Under Spirit Control. Verse 11 says : "And when Peter was come to him- self, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectations of the people of the Jews." This was a real Spiritualist dark seance. Peter was the medium through whom the angel or spirit operated, lifting him up from between the two soldiers, striking off his chains, leading him to the door, or gate, of the city which was opened by spirit power, allowing the prisoner to walk out to freedom. Christians, to be Christians, must believe in the truth of this recorded seance. They declare that they do be- lieve it, and try to make themselves believe that they believe it. Dr. Rand Released from Prison. But when Christians are told that in the year 1855, Dr. Luke P. Rand and the Davenport brothers were locked up in the prison at Oswego, N. Y., and for the same offense for which Peter was incarcerated, namely, for demonstrating a life for mankind beyond the grave ; and that Dr. Rand was liberated by the spirits, the Davenport brothers made to remain in jail, and that Dr. Rand appeared O. K. in the court room of his own accord the next day, some Christians may not believe this. The occurrence is of too recent date. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 333 Our authority for the above statement is what Rev. Moses Hull told us of Dr. Rand's release from the Oswego, N. Y., prison; and from his published state- ments regarding it. In his book, "Encyclopedia of Spiritualism/' page 315, in speaking of Peter's release from prison, he says : "This was a powerful physical manifestation, but does the reader observe that it was in the night? If spirits could take the apostle out of prison in the night, as is here recorded, why could they not take Luke P. Rand out of jail at Oswego, N. Y., as it is recorded they did in 1855? In both instances the officers made about the same report. It was as follows : "The prison truly found we shut with all safety; and the keepers standing without before the doors ; but when we had opened, we found no man within." Mr. Hull mentions the case of Dr. Rand again on page 324, as follows : "The prison doors were opened and Peter was let out in exactly the same manner as was Dr. Rand re- leased from the Oswego, N. Y., jail in 1855." Peter Delivered from Prison Goes to Friends. Verse 12: "And when he (Peter) had considered the thing (after he had come to himself), he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord has sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews." Verse 12 : He went to the house of Mary the mother of John, "where many were gathered together praying." Verse 13 : "And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda." Verse 14: "And when she knew Peter's voice, she 334 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in and told how Peter stood at the gate." Early Christians Believed in Spirit Raps. Verse 15 : "And they said unto her, Thou art mad (insane). But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel." Did they think it was Peter's spirit guide? or that it was Peter's own spirit, and that he was dead ? It must have been one or the other. If so they believed that it was a spirit knocking at the door (spirit raps). Verse 16: "But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished." Verse 19: Herod commanded that Peter's keepers be put to death. Verse 21 : Herod made an oration. Verse 22 : "And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not a man." Herod Was Killed by an Angel. Verse 23 : "And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the Ghost." Isn't this wonderful ? No report has ever reached us of a case of a spirit or angel committing murder by killing a man in these days of Modern Spiritualism. The angels of Modern Spiritualism teach that murder is wrong, and the God of Spiritualism never sent angels to commit murder. Holy Ghost Talks to Them. Chapter XIIL, Verse 2 : "As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost (spirit control) said, SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 335 Separate me, Barnabas and Saul for the work where- unto I have called them." Some Christian juries doubt spirits speaking to mod- ern mediums, but assume to believe this Holy Ghost (spirit control) spoke to these prophets or mediums. Spirit Sends Them Away. Verse 4: "So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost (spirit control), departed unto Seleucia," etc. Spirits directed the work of the apostles. Fraudulent Mediums of Old. Verse 6: "And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar- Jesus." The Lord or Paul Struck Him Blind. Verse 9: "Then Saul (who also is called Paul), filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him," Verse 10: "And said, O full of all subtlety and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord ?" Verse 11 : "And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness ; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand." Paul evidently hated fraudulent mediums as badly as the genuine mediums of Modern Spiritualism do. No modern medium was ever known to use his sacred gift to strike a man blind. Modern Spiritualism teaches an entirely different doctrine. 336 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Verse 12 says : Paul's striking this Spiritualist im- postor blind converted a deputy. Signs and Wonders. Chap. XIV., Verse 3 : God "granted signs and won- ders to be done by their hands" (Paul's and Barnabas' hands). Would Make Gods of Paul and Barnabas. Verses 8 to 19: Paul heals a man born a cripple, and the people would worship them as gods, but they refused. Fifteenth chapter: They quarreled. Verses 6 to 12 : Peter settled the matter with them. Verse 32 : Judas and Silas are mediums. Apostles Quarrel. Verses 36 to 41 : Apostles quarrel and separate. Verse 39 : "And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other, and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus. Verse 40: "And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God." Spirits Forbid Them Preaching in Asia— The Holy Ghost Is Called a Spirit. Acts XVI., Verse 6: They were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia. Verse 7: The spirit "suffered them not" to go into Bithynia. They were led by the spirit as are modern mediums. Another Dark Seance — Paul Has a Vision in the Night. Was this not a dark seance ? SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 337 Verse 9: "And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; there stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia and help us." Verse 10 : "And after he had seen the vision, imme- diately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them." Such experiences are common in Spiritualism. In this the writer says we endeavored to go, as though he were one of them. Was Luke with the apostles on this occasion ? Why did not the spirit come in daytime ? This was a dark circle. Modern mediums often have visions and get spirit communications in the night the same as Paul did. Paul Drove a Good Spirit Out of a Good Medium. Verse 16: "And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying (soothsaying: foretelling or pre- dicting events — Webster). The prophets, apostles, seers, men of God, and Jesus himself, were men foretelling or predicting events. Verse 17: "The same followed Paul and us and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which show us the way of salvation." Verse 18: "And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour." She was doing the same work they were : teaching their doctrine and praising their work. Why should Paul drive out her control? Did her masters receive more "gain" than the apostles did ? 338 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Paul and Silas Imprisoned. Verse 19: "And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas and drew them into the market place unto the rulers." Verse 20: "And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city," Verse 21 : "And teach customs which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans." Romans Beat Paul and Silas With Many Stripes. Verse 22: "And the multitude rose up together against them, and the magistrates rent off their clothes and commanded to beat them." Dark Seance in Prison, Paul and Silas. Verse 23 : "And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely :" Verse 24 : "Who having received such charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks." Verse 25 : "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them," Verse 26: "And suddenly there was a great earth- quake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed." Verse 27 : "And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 339 Verse 28 : "But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm : for we are all here." Verse 29: "Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas." Good Results of This Dark Seance. Verse 30: "And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved ?" Verse 32 : "And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house." Verse 33 : "And he (the Warden) took them (Paul and Silas) the same hour of the night (this was a quick conversion), and washed their stripes (the stripes they had made by whipping them) ; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway." Verses 34, 35 : The jailer took them home, fed them a midnight supper. "And when it was day the magis- trates sent word to let them go." This was a night's experience and a dark seance to be remembered, was it not ? Some Christians say that Spiritualists hold their dark seances because their deeds are evil, but Spiritual- ists do not so accuse Christians in this case. Spirit- ualism teaches us to do good to those that hate and despitefully use us. Another Dark Seance, Jesus Comes. Acts XVIII., Verse 9 : "Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace :" Verse 10: "For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee : for I have much people in this city." 340 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Spirits today often warn mediums of danger. Holy Ghost Never Heard of by These Disciples. XIX., 2: "He (Paul) said unto them (certain dis- ciples), Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye be- lieved ? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost." How strange ! Paul a Developing Medium. Verse 6 : "And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost (spirit control) came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied." Paul Cures Obsession With Magnetized Cloth. Acts XIX., Verse 11: "And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul :" Verse 12 : "So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them." Paul Heals With Magnetized Articles. Verse 13 : "Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits, the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth." Verse 14: "And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests which did so." Verse 15: "And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know ; but who are ye ?" Verse 16: "And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 341 This obsessed man seems to have been a good medium for this evil spirit. Verse 19 : "Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together and burned them before all men : and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. " What a mighty impulse these evil spirits gave to true Christianity. Verse 20: "So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed." Verse 26 : Paul says : "They be no gods which are made with hands." The remainder of this chapter tells of the "uproar" that the disciples created among the Ephesians, "And they cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians." Paul Raised the Dead (?). Acts XX. : Paul was like some modern mediums, long winded, and liked to be heard for his much speaking." Verse 7 says he "continued his speech until mid- night." Verse 8 : "And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together." Verse 9: "And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep : and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead." Verse 10 : "And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him." That settles it ; the boy was not dead. 342 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Paul Talks Until Morning. Verse 11 says Paul "talked a long while, even till break of day." Paul Earns His Own Living. Verse 34: "Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me." Spirit Tells Paul Not to Go to Jerusalem. Chap. XXL, Verse 4: "And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days : who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem. " Verse 5 : "And they all brought us on our way, with wives and children." How like our own missionary work. Numbers of the faithful accompanied us to boats, trolley cars, railroad depots, etc., when we departed from towns we visited while in the missionary field of Modern Spiritualism. Mrs. Sprague and myself spent thirteen years of very active work as missionaries of the National Spiritual- ists' Association of the United States of America, and our experiences were in many ways similar to Paul's and the other disciples and apostles of Jesus. Though we were never whipped nor imprisoned, we were some- times threatened by anonymous letters, and by vicious opposers. Evangelist Philip's Four Daughters Mediums. Verse 9: "And the same man (Philip) had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy." Another Medium Came. Verse 10: "And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judea a certain prophet, named Agabus." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 343 A Peculiar Though Real Spirit Prophecy. Verse 1 1 : "And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands, and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost (the spirit influence). So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that own- eth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the gentiles." Ancient mediums, like modern ones, did their work in peculiar ways. Why could not Agabus have told Paul that he would be bound hand and foot when he went to Jerusalem, just as well as to bind himself to show it. He told after binding himself that they would bind the owner of the girdle. Spiritualists can explain this, but no one else knows why? Christians are not able to explain many Bible passages that Spiritualists can. Paul Tells of His Conversion. Acts XXII., 1 to 22 : Paul tells to the Jews particu- lars of his conversion. Verses 23 to 30 : Paul was arrested, and they went about to kill him. They beat him (whipped him). They put him in bonds. Prophecy Fulfilled. Verse 30 recalls the prophecy, and shows the ful- fillment of the one Agabus mentioned in Acts XXL, 10, 11, in which he told Paul he would be placed in bonds. If Agabus had done this in the state of Michi- gan in these days he would have been liable to arrest and imprisonment for foretelling the future, "fortune telling." The Christians are the authors of this law in Michigan. They are so afraid people will be de- ceived by fortune tellers that they are willing to violate 344 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE the Constitution of the State, and the sacred religious rights of the people as granted by the Constitution of the United States, because Spiritualism, not "fortune telling," is proving the errors of their old theology and demonstrating a future life for mankind. Jesus, a Spirit, Entrances Paul. Acts XXII. , 17: Paul says: "And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance ;" Verse 18: "And saw him (Jesus) saying unto me, "Make haste and get thee out of Jerusalem : for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me." Verses 19, 20, 21 : Jesus, a spirit, communicates with Paul. Jesus was Paul's spirit guide, and was caring for his safety in this case, as the spirit guides of modern me- diums do when permitted. Paul Saved from Death Again. Paul gets out of being whipped by claiming he is a "Roman free born." XXIII., Verse 6: Paul escapes death by claiming to be a Pharisee. They uphold him against the Sad- ducees. Sadducees Materialists; Pharisees Spiritualists. Verse 8: "For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit : but the Pharisees confess both." Spirit Communion Is of God. Verse 9: "And there arose a great cry; and the scribes (lawyers) that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 345 if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God." Paul Shut in Castle to Save His Life. Verse 10 : "And when there arose a great dissension the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the castle. " Another Dark Circle. Verse 1 1 : "And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul : for as thou hast testified of Me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. ,, Jews Sworn to Kill Paul. Verses 12 to 15: Certain Jews bound themselves under a curse to neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. Verses 16, 17 : Paul's sister's son heard about it and he went and told Paul. Paul sent the centurion (an officer who has command over a hundred soldiers) with the boy to the chief captain, and he told him secretly that they were going to kill Paul. Verse 23 : The chief captain took two hundred sol- diers, and seventy horsemen, and two hundred spear men in the night, and took Paul from prison and car- ried him to Felix the Governor, which probably saved his life. Chap. XXV., XXVI., tells of Paul's trial and two years in prison. Jesus, a Spirit, Speaks to Paul. XXVI., 14: Paul says he heard a voice speaking 346 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE to him in the Hebrew tongue, and he tells what that voice said. Verse 15 : Paul asked who was speaking to him, and the voice said, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest." Paul, a Prisoner, Sails for Italy. Acts XXVII., Verses 1 to 9 : Tells of places visited along the coast. Paul Foretells the Future. Verse 9: Sailing was slow and dangerous, and "Paul admonished them." Verse 10: "And said unto them, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. " Let us remember Paul was a medium and these things were given him by his spirit guide, as will be shown in what follows. Verses 11 to 20 tell of the storms with which they met, and Verse 20 says : "And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away." Verse 21 : Paul tells them they should have heark- ened unto him and not left "Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss." Spirits Show Paul the Ship Will Be Lost. Verse 22 : "And now I exhort you to be of good cheer : for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship." Another Dark Seance. Verse 23 : "For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 347 Spirit Guide Talks to Paul. Verse 24: "Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee." Verse 25: "Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me." . Foretells Shipwreck — Prophecy Is Fulfilled. Verse 26 : "Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island." Verses 27 to 44 give report of the shipwreck, which was a fulfillment of Paul's prophecy. A spirit revealed this to Paul in the night ; he gave it to his comrades, and it all came true. This is Spir- itualism of the Bible. Cast on an Island — Barbarous People. Acts XXVIII., Verses 2 to 6 : Paul is bitten by a viper. "The barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand. They said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet vengeance sufifereth not to live." Verse 5 : Paul "shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm." Paul Called a God. Verse 6: Because Paul's hand did not become swollen and he did not drop dead, they "said he was a god." They frequently made gods of men in those days. Paul Heals the Heathen. Verses 7 to 11 : Paul healed the sick father of the barbarian chief, which brought others who were sick to him, whom he healed. 348 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Verse 11: "And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria/' Verse 16 : They arrived at Rome. Verse 17 to 21 : Paul called the chief of the Jews together and told his story and pleaded his case; and they said they had received no letters out of Judea concerning him and knew no harm of him. Verse 22 : "But we desire to hear what thou think- est : for as concerning this sect, we know that every- where it is spoken against." Christianity was sixty years old at that time, and was far more unpopular than Spiritualism has been in the seventy-five years of its existence; and this is another proof that history is repeated in the coming of new religions into the world. Though the coming of Modern Spiritualism is but the repetition of the coming of Ancient Christianity, which was Ancient Spiritualism. It comes now, with added facts and phe- nomena with its years of growth and natural evolution. It brings the same spiritual phenomena to prove its source, and its eighteen hundred years of human ex- perience and scientific attainment added to its grand philosophy. Paul a Bible Spiritualist. Verse 23 says : "There came many to him into his lodging ; to whom he expounded and testified the king- dom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets from morning till evening." There was no New Testament of God's Word at that time, so Paul preached from the Jewish Old Testament. Esaias Followed Paul's Lectures With Tests. Verse 25 says: "After that Paul had spoken one SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 349 word, Well spake the Holy Ghost (spirit control) by Esaias the prophet (the medium) unto our fathers." Verses 26, 27 and 28 record these spirit messages. It was customary for the apostles to follow their lectures with messages, or to let the other prophets (mediums) do it. Paul Continues Teaching Spiritualism. Verse 30 says : "And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house and received all that came in unto him." Verse 31 : Preaching the kingdom of God and teach- ing those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him. For two whole years taught his Master's religion of Spiritualism and very likely practiced his mediumship in one place unmolested. Paul a Developing Medium — Imparts Spiritual Gifts. Romans L, 11 : Paul in this Epistle to the Romans says : "For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift (of mediumship), to the end ye may be established." Spiritual gifts of mediumship establish their pos- sessor in the knowledge of the future life for man- kind ; and Paul longed to impart unto others some spirit- itual gifts that they, too, might know and be happy in this knowledge. It is this desire that inspires the author to write this book. Mediums Are Called Sons of God in Scripture. Romans VIIL, 14, says : "For so many as are led by the spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Many of the mediums of the Bible supposed their 350 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE spirit guides were God, or spirits of the Lord sent from God on special errands. Paul Speaks Proudly of His Mediumship. XV., Verse 18: "For I will not dare to speak of any of these things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed." Verse 19: "Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the spirit of God (spirit phenomena) ; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ." The author of this book and many other modern mediums have had similar experiences. Traveling over vast portions of country, preaching Spiritualism and demonstrating its truths "Through mighty signs (tests) and wonders, by the power of the spirit." This is Spiritualism of the Bible. First Corinthians — Paul an Inspirational Speaker. 1 Cor. II., 1 : "And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God." Verse 2 : "For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified." Not Paul's Wisdom But Spirit Power Demonstrated That Converted Them. Verse 4 : "And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstra- tion of the Spirit and of power" Through his mediumship was given the demonstra- tion of spirit power. This is Spiritualism as plainly and clearly as words can express it. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 351 The rest of this chapter differs very little from the teachings of Modern Spiritualism. Paul's Spirit Control Opposes Divorce. VII., 10: "And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, (his spirit guide and control), Let not the wife depart from the husband ;" Verse 11: "But, and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband; and let not the husband put away his wife." The above is a spirit's message. Paul Himself, Not the Spirit, Speaks on Marriage. Verse 12 : "But to the rest speak I, not the Lord (not the spirit) : If any brother hath a wife that be- lieveth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away." Verse 13 : "And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him." Verse 14 : "For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband : else were the children unclean ; but now are they holy." Paul Favors Divorces. Verse 15: "But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or sister is not under bondage in such cases : but God hath called us to peace." Verse 16 : "For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?" Follow Own Impressions. Verse 17: "But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk 352 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE (i. e., follow one's own good impressions). And so ordain I in all churches." Paul closes it by saying: "And I think also that I have the spirit of God." That is, the spirit of the Lord is giving this to him. Paul a Medium — Apostles Mediums. Chap. IX., Verse 1 : "Am I not an apostle? have I not seen Jesus Christ, our Lord ?" Eight Phases of Mediumship Mentioned in One Chapter. 1 Cor. XII., 1 : "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant." "Spiritual gifts," according to Modern Spiritualism, are spiritual faculties of men, and these faculties con- stitute what is now called "spirit mediumship." Verse 4 says : "Now there are diversities of gifts (different phases of mediumship), but the same spirit." Verse 7 : "But the manifestation of the spirit is given to every man to profit withal." That is saying, that every man can have spirit mani- festations, and that they are profitable to all. Does the Bible teach Spiritualism ? Dear reader, please use your own good judgment in making your decision ; let your reason decide this important question after carefully analyzing the contents of the scriptures without prejudice. Phase No. 1. Verse 8 : "For to one is given by the spirit the word of wisdom." Phase No. 2. "To another the word of knowledge by the same spirit." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 353 Phase No. 3. Verse 9: "To another the gifts of healing by the same spirit." Phase No. 4. Verse 10: "To another the working of miracles." (The production of physical phenomena.) Phase No. 5. "To another prophecy." Phase No. 6. "To another the discerning, of spirits" (clairvoyance). Phase No. 7. To another divers kinds of tongues. Phase No. 8. "To another the interpretation of tongues." Verse 11 : "But all these worketh that one and the selfsame spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will." Spirit mediums of today possess all these and many other phases of mediumship, and in the practice of them are blessing the world. No Christian Church of Today Properly Officered According to Paul. Verse 28: Paul says: "And God hath set some in the church, first, apostles (the preachers), secondarily, prophets (mental mediums), thirdly, teachers (those teachers of the children's Sabbath schools, Bible classes, etc.), after that miracles (mediums for physical phe- nomena), then gifts of healings (mediums who heal by spirit power like modern mediums, or the same as Jesus and the apostles healed), helps (good, all-around 354 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE workers such as we now have in all churches), gov- ernments (business directors or trustees, such as all now have), diversities of tongues (mediums who speak in unknown tongues). " The churches of Modern Spiritualism are fully equipped according to this list of officers arranged by Paul and carried out by God, according to Paul, in this verse. Spiritualist Churches Fully Equipped. The First Spiritualist Temple of Detroit has four pastors (apostles), of which I am one. It has eight hundred members at this writing, among whom are a goodly number who are filling successfully the other seven offices mentioned by Paul. But where is there one Christian church in this land that is officered according to this supposed edict of God, given through the instrumentality or mediumship of Paul? Until Spiritualism is accepted by the Christian church, it never can be officered in accordance with these instructions of the holy book. Verse 29 : Paul continues, "Are all apostles ? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of mira- cles ?" (physical phenomena). Verse 30: "Have all the gifts of healing? all speak with tongues? do all interpret ?" Verse 31 : "But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way." Spiritualists possess these "gifts" and practice them regularly. In this they are the true followers of these teachings of the scriptures. Chapter on Charity. 1 Cor. XIII., Verse 1 : "Though I speak with the SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 355 tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. " Chapter on Speaking in Tongues. Chap. XIV., Spiritualists are the only people who understand clearly the meaning of "speaking in tongues. ,, They alone have had seventy-five years' experience with this phase of mediumship. The author of this work has had forty years' experience, his wife and himself being mediums who have many times been controlled to speak in languages of which they have no knowledge. The Christian church is not able to give an intelligent explanation of the source from which this foreign lan- guage comes, the purpose for which it is given, or what are the effects of this manifestation. It is numbered with other spiritual gifts of the scripture. (See 1 Corinthians XII., Verse 10.) Even Paul, who says so much about this phase of spirit mediumship, gives no evidence that he was aware of the great value of it. It is one of the most far-reaching assistants in the work of one's mediumistic development. Modern Spiritualism has revealed and made plain much of the scriptures that was entirely misunderstood by the Israelites or the early Christians. Many Chris- tians oppose the doctrine or teachings of spirit return, and claim all messages from the invisible spheres come from God, or the devil, or the angels of God, or emis- saries of the devil, but never the spirits of good men or good women. To all such people I would say, Was it God, his angels, the devil, or evil spirits, who spoke the eighteen different languages or "tongues" at the Pentecostal 356 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE feast through the mediumship of the apostles? or was it spirits of men of the eighteen nations or tribes that spoke through them ? Acts II., 4, says : "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost (spirit influence or control), and began to speak with other tongues as the spirit gave them utterance. " The author has been controlled for an hour at a time, on different occasions, to speak languages of which he knew absolutely nothing; and with persons present carry on conversations in foreign tongues, therefore, he naturally feels that he is better qualified to give an opinion on this subject that one who has never 'had this experience. (See also seventh to twelfth verses of this second chapter of Acts.) Unknown Tongues. 1 Cor. XIV., 1 : Paul says, "Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy." Paul thought prophecy was the best spiritual gift of them all, as he explains in this chapter and elsewhere. Verse 2: "For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him ; howbeit in the spirit he speak- eth mysteries." It is evident that Paul did not know the great value of speaking in tongues as we Spiritualists of today understand it?* Verse 3 : "But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort." Verse 4: "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church." * For an explanation see "Spirit Mediumship, How Developed and Safely Practiced," page 56, by Rev. E. W. Sprague. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 357 Paul Favors Speaking in Tongues. Verse 5 : "I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edification." Verse 6 : "Now, brethren, if I come unto you speak- ing with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowl- edge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine ?" Verse 13: "Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret." Verse 14 : "For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful." Paul Sings Under Spirit Control. Verse 15: "What is it then? I will pray with my spirit, and I will pray with my understanding also ; / will sing with the spirit/' Evidently under control of a foreign spirit and in a foreign language which he does not understand, be- cause he follows with the statement : "And I will sing with my understanding also." When he sings with the spirit he sometimes does not understand; sometimes he does understand. This is plain: he sings under different controls just as modern mediums do. Paul Speaks in Tongues, More Than All. Verse 18: Paul says: "I thank God I speak with tongues more than ye all." Conscious Spirit Control Better Than Unconscious. Verse 19: "Yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice 358 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE I might teach others also, then ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. " 1 Cor. XIV., 21 : "In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people ; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord." Tongues Are for a Sign. Verse 22: "Wherefore tongues are for a sign (test or proof), not to them that believe, but to them that believe not : but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe." If your wife, daughter, or other relative or friend speak in an unknown tongue, it is a "sign," test, or proof, to you, an unbeliever, that there is something in it. To one who knows that such things occur it is nothing new or surprising. Therefore, as Paul says, Tongues are for a sign to them that believe not, but not to them that believe. Unbelievers May Think Them Insane. Verse 23 : "If therefore the whole church come to- gether into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned" (those not fa- miliar with speaking in tongues), or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?" (insane). Verse 24: "But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all." That is, he is converted by their prophesying, but not by their speaking in tongues, Paul seems hardly logical in this, else it requires further explanation. Some might think one insane when speaking in tongues, while others would see in it a sign or proof of spirit's mani- festation. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 359 Paul Says Prophets Make Converts by Giving Tests. Verse 25 : "And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest, and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth." Like Men of Today They Had Their Peculiarities. Verse 26: "How is it then, brethren? When ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, sing a certain song, or ride a hobby? hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying." Paul Gives Instructions How to Conduct a Seance. Verse 27 : "If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two or at the most by three, and that by course, and let one interpret." Verse 28: "But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church ; and let him speak to himself, and to God." Paul Wanted Orderly Seances. Verse 29 : "Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge." Verse 30: "If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace." Verse 31 : "For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all be comforted." Verse 32 : "And the spirits of the prophets are sub- ject to the prophets." This is fine Spiritualism, and is taught and practiced in Spiritualist churches and seances everywhere. If the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets as Paul here states, then Spiritualism is true, and good Christians believing it should rejoice with the Spiritualists. 360 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE God Not the Author of Confusion. 1 Cor. XIV., Verse 33 : "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints." Paul wants the seances carried on with order and according to law. Paul Narrow Minded in Some Things. Paul, like other people, has his peculiar ideas, idio- syncrasies, etc. Of course he was a bachelor, and had no high regard for women, as is shown throughout his teachings. Women Must Not Speak in Church. Verse 34 : Paul says, "Let your women keep silence in the churches : for it is not permitted unto them to speak ; but they are commanded to be under, obedience as also saith the law." Verse 35 : "And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in church." Mediums Must Believe Paul's Teachings. Verse 37 : "If any man think himself to be a prophet (a medium) or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord." If so, then the above article on woman keeping silence in the churches is a commandment from the Lord. Spiritualists do not believe the Lord (the spirit) is opposed to women speaking in the churches, because there are more inspired women speakers than there are inspired men in Spiritualism. This was but a personal view of the bachelor Paul. Verse 38: "But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 361 Forbid Not to Speak in Tongues. Verse 39: "Wherefore, breathren covet to prophesy, and forbid them not to speak in tongues." Verse 40: "Let all things be done decently and in order." Paul Speaks of Jesus' Many Appearances. 1 Cor. XV., Verse 3 : "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures ;" Verse 4 : "And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures :" Verse 5 : "And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve." Verse 6: "After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once ; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some have fallen asleep." Verse 7 : "After that He was seen of James ; then of all the apostles." Paul Sees the Spirit of Jesus. Verse 8: "And last of all he was seen of me also, as one born out of due time." Verse 9: "For I am least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God." Do the "Dead Return?"— Paul Tells of His Mediumship. Verse 10: "But by the grace of God I am what I am : and his grace which zvas bestowed upon me was not in vain ; but I labored more abundantly than they all. Yet not I, but the grace of God (spirit influence), which was with me." 362 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE How well mediums know this fact ! Verse 11 : "Therefore whether it were I or they (the spirits), so we preach, and so ye believed." Jesus Says He Is a Man. John VIII. , 40: Jesus says: "But now ye seek to kill me, a man who hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God : this did not Abraham." This "man" Jesus returned often after his death, as is amply shown by the scripture. Many passages of scripture are herein mentioned which state that the so-called dead return, but if there were no scripture whatever teaching it, it would make no difference with the fact, for Modern Spiritualism furnishes the absolute scientific proof and demonstra- tion of its truth. Paul Preaches the Resurrection of the Dead. This entire chapter teaches the resurrection of the dead. It is a sermon by Paul on the subject, and con- tains much that is in perfect harmony with the teach- ings of present-day Spiritualism. ' 1 Cor. XV., 16 : "For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:" Verse 17 : "And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain." Verse 18 : "Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished." Verse 42 : Paul, speaking of the resurrection, says : ''So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption ; it is raised in incorruption." Verse 43 : "It is sown in dishonor ; it is raised in glory : it is sown in weakness ; it is raised in power." Verse 44 : "It is sown a natural body ; it is raised a SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 363 spiritual body. There is a natural body and there is a spiritual body." This last verse is one of the cardinal principles of the teachings of Modern Spiritualism, and most of the others are accepted as true by Spiritualists. Paul Teaches Immortality. Verse 49 : "And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly." Verse 50 : "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God ; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption." Paul Contradicts Adventism. Verse 51 : "Behold, I show you a mystery ; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. " Resurrection of Dead Not Physical. Verse 52 : "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump : For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." Verse 53 : "For this corruptible must put on incor- ruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. ,, Verse 54 : "So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory." O Death Where Is Thy Sting? Verse 55: "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory ?" After preaching so much Spiritualism, and having seen and communicated so often with the spirit of 364 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Jesus, Paul, like all other spirit mediums, can, with consistency rejoice in the knowledge of a future life, and undoubtedly uttered these words in heartfelt sin- cerity: "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" The medium is one who knows the dead are not in the graves, but are living in their spiritual bodies, and loving while seeking to bless those they have left be- hind. Oh, how beautiful and how blessed is this Spiritualism ! Second Corinthians. In 2 Cor. XL, 8:, Paul says: "I robbed other churches, taking wages of them to do you service. ,, This shows that Paul was paid for his services. Spirit Not Inspiring Paul to Boast. Verse 17: "That which I speak I speak it, not after the Lord (i. e., not under influence), but as it were foolishly in this confidence of boasting." That is : We must understand it is not the spirit of the Lord inspiring him to boast. Thus Paul explains the difference between his own control and that of the spirit controlling him. Paul Persecuted, Whipped and Imprisoned for Teaching and Demonstrating Spiritualism. Verse 23 : "Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool), I am more; in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft." Verse 24: "Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one." Verse 25 : "Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 365 I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day have I been in the deep ;" Verse 26 : "In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine ozvn countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren ;" Verse 27 : "In weariness and painf ulness, in watch- ings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness." Verse 28: "Besides those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches." This poor man was terribly persecuted for practicing his mediumship and teaching the "resurrection of the dead" (Spiritualism). (See this entire chapter for more of this.) Visions and Revelations of the Lord. 2 Cor. XII., Verse 1 : "It is expedient for me doubt- less to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord." A Man Caught Up to the Third Heaven. Verse 2: "I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell : God knoweth), such an one caught up to the third heaven" (third sphere, Spiritualists call it). Verse 3 : "And I knew such a man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell; God knoweth). Verse 4 : "How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard inspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter." Modern mediums have similar experiences. 366 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Verse 5 : "Of such an one will I glory : yet of my- self I will not glory, but in mine infirmities." Paul Asks For and Gets a Message From His Spirit Guide. 2 Cor. XII. , 8 : "For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me." Verse 9 : "And he said unto me, 'My grace is suffi- cient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weak- ness/ Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ (of the spirit) may rest upon me." Signs of an Apostle (Mediumship) Paul Practiced. Verse 12: "Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and won- ders, and mighty deeds" (i. e., spirit phenomena). Proof of Paul's Mediumship Wanted. XIII., 3: Paul says: "Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you." (See Verses 5 and 6, in which Paul retaliates.) Verse 13 : Paul says : "The communion of the Holy Ghost (spirit communion) be with you." This scripture shows that Paul is a medium, without doubt. Book of Galatians — Cursed for Preaching Other Gospels. Galatians I., 8: "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 367 Angels from heaven teach a different doctrine from that today. Verse 9 repeats the sentiment recorded in the eighth verse. Gospel of Spirit of Jesus Revealed Through Paul. Verse 11: "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man." Verse 12 : "For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. ,, That is the way in which the author of this book acquired a knowledge of the Gospel of Spiritualism of this day. It was given him by the spirits, in its phe- nomena, science, philosophy and religion, and this scripture is thoroughly understood and appreciated by him. Paul Follows Spirit Direction. Galatians II., 1, 2: Paul went up to Jerusalem, taking Peter. He says : "I went up by revelation (that is, by spirit direction), and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach unto the Gentiles. " The Book of First Thessalonians — Paul's Prophecy Fails. 1 Thessalonians, Chapter IV., Verse 15 : Paul says: "For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord (i. e., by spirit communication), that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not pre- vent them which are asleep/' Some of them are to be alive when Jesus comes. He was to come before that generation passed away. Paul, in this, proves himself not an infallible prophet. Physical Resurrection. Verse 16: "For the Lord himself shall descend 368 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the arch- angel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first." Verse 17 : "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air : and so shall we ever be with the Lord." Verse 18: "Wherefore comfort one another with these words." They all died centuries ago, and Jesus has not come for them yet. Best Thing in Thessalonians ; Spiritualists Endorse It. 1 Thess., Chap. V., Verse 19: "Quench not the spirit." Verse 20 : "Despise not prophesyings." Verse 21 : "Prove all things ; hold fast that which is good." Spiritualists do not quench the spirit, but welcome their presence and aid. They do not despise prophesyings but encourage them because they believe in them, and love them. And they of all religious people are the only ones to prove all things which their religion teaches ; and surely they never let go of a good thing because they know "that which is good," and so "hold fast" to it. These are the true teachings of Spiritualism, and the very best things in the book of 1st Thessalonians. Second Thessalonians. 2 Thess. I., 7 : Jesus accompanied by "mighty angels." Verse 8: Paul's God, a God of vengeance. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 369 Verse 9 : "Punishing with everlasting destruction." II., 4: Paul says Jesus is God. Verse 8 : The Lord shall consume the wicked. Signs and Lying Wonders. Verse 9: Paul thinks Satan has all power to work signs and lying wonders. God Sends Strong Delusions. Verse 11 : "And for this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they should believe a lie." Damned for Unbelief. Verse 12 : "That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unright- eousness. " These prophets were a queer lot. Could a good God send strong delusions to deceive a child of His own creation, that the child might be damned ? Would it not be more Godlike to send truths to guide His children in the right way, as the God of Modern Spiritualism is doing today through His heavenly evan- gels, our own dear spirit friends ? First Timothy — Used to Oppose .Spiritualism IV., 1 : "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 ;" Verse 2 : "Speaking lies in hypocrisy ; having their conscience seared with a hot iron ;" Paul No Vegetarian. Verse 3 : "Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be re- ceived with thanksgiving." 370 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Paul Opposes Physical Culture. Verse 8: "For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." Mediumship Must Not Be Neglected. Verse 14 : Paul tells Timothy not to neglect his gift of mediumship. He says : "Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy," etc. Second Timothy — Jesus Abolished Death, Paul Says. 2 Timothy I., 10 : "But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abol- ished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel" How true this is ! He, like all other mediums, brought the knowledge of life after death to light, by his teach- ings, and by demonstrating through his mediumship, the gospel of Spiritualism. Spiritualism certainly does abolish death, and Paul learned this truth when the spirit of the crucified Jesus came and communicated with him when on his way to Damascus. Verse 11 : "Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles." Paul was called to this service by the spirit world. Just as the author of this work was called to it. Jesus Raised From the Dead, Says Paul. 2 Timothy II., 8 : "Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to the gospel." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 371 That is to say : he appeared to Paul and others after his death. All Scripture Inspiration from God, Says Paul. 2 Tim. III., 16 : "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, or correction, for instruction in righteousness. " Notwithstanding this statement of Paul, some of the Old Testament would seem to have been inspired by God's adversary instead. IV., 7 : Paul says : "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." The author of this work, now in his seventy-fifth year and after forty-one years in the active, every-day serv- ice of the same great cause of religious truth, teaching and demonstrating the blessed truths of Spiritualism and the "Resurrection of the Dead," as did he, can say with Paul, I have fought a good fight, I have nearly finished my course, I have kept the faith, and I am ready when called. Paul's Spirit Guide Strengthens Him. Verse 17: "Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear ; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion." Modern mediums' spirit guides strengthen them this way, God bless them. Book of Titus — God Renews Spirit Power. Titus III., 5, 6 : God renewed the Holy Ghost (spirit power) which he shed on them abundantly through Jesus Christ (the medium). Book of Hebrews — Angels are Spirits. Chap. I., 7 : "And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire." 372 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE These were guardian angels — spirit guides. Ministering Spirits. Verse 14 : "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of sal- vation ?" Angels or Spirits Speak. Heb. II., 2 : "For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward." Verse 3 : "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation," etc.? Gifts of Spirit Power. Chap. II. , Verse 4 : "God also bearing them witness both with signs and wonders, and divers miracles (physical phenomena), and gifts of the Holy Ghost (spirit power), according to his own will." This is Spiritualism. Verse 5 : "For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak." Mediums Partakers of the Heavenly Calling. Chap. III., 1 : Paul says : "Wherefore, holy breth- ren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus." Verse 7 says : "Wherefore, as the Holy Ghost saith (spirit control saith), Today if ye will hear his voice." That is, ye shall hear the. voice of the spirit speaking today if you will. Once a Convert to Spiritualism Always One. Chap. VI., 4: "For it is impossible for those who SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 373 were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost (spirit communion), to fall away." (See Verses 5, 6.) There are no backsliders among true Spiritualists. Compassed About with Cloud of Witnesses. XII., Verse 1 : "Wherefore seeing we also are com- passed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run w r ith patience the race that is set before us." These are the teachings of Modern Spiritualism. We are compassed about with a multitude of witnesses. Big Company of Angels. Verse 22 : "But ye are come ... to an innumerable company of angels." Verse 23 : "And to the spirits of just men made perfect." Entertain Angels Unawares. XIII., 2 : "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers : for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." Strangers are sometimes mediums and in entertain- ing such strangers their angel guides might be with them, and one would possibly, if conditions were right, get from them a spirit message. Thus one may enter- tain angels unawares. This is splendid Spiritualism. First Epistle of Peter. Chapter I., Verse 1 : "Peter an apostle of Jesus Christ." Verse 25 : "But the word of the Lord (spirit com- munion) endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you." 374 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Peter, being a medium, appreciated spirit communion, and preached it to them. Spirits in Prison. III., 19 : Jesus preached to the spirits in prison. What good could his preaching do them, if there were no progression after death, as is taught by orthodox Christianity. Gospel Preached to the Dead. Chapter IV., Verse 6 : "For this cause was the gos- pel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live accord- ing to God in the spirit." This favors Spiritualism, as it teaches progression after death. Second Epistle of Peter — Add Knowledge to Your Faith. Chapter I., Verse 5, says : "Add to your faith virtue ; and to virtue knowledge." There are but two ways to add knowledge to one's faith in the life to come; one way is to investigate Modern Spiritualism, and the other is to die, and learn its truth from that side of life. Prophecy Not of Private Interpretation. Verse 20 : "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation." Is this not narrowness personified ? Verse 21 : "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (spirit power). SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 375 False Prophets. Chapter II., Verse 1 : "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damna- ble heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction." First Epistle of John — Try the Spirits. Chap. IV., 1 : "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God : because many false prophets are gone out into the world." If every opposer of Spiritualism would follow the above advice given by John, and do it honestly, prayer- fully, and thoroughly, with a desire to find the truth, and willingly and gladly accepting the truth when dis- covered, there would be no more opposers of Spiritual- ism, but all such would find its blessed truth, and they would become its advocates. The Book of Revelation — Jesus, a Spirit, Controls John. Rev. I., 9: John was in the Isle of Patmos and received a spirit message. Verse 10: "I was in the spirit (under spirit control) on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet." A Spirit Talks to John. Verse 11 : Jesus, a spirit, talks to John, giving him instructions what "to write in a book" and send to the seven churches of Asia. A Voice Spake and John Tries to See It. Verse 12: John says: "And I turned to see the voice that spake with me." 376 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Did he expect to see a voice ? John Sees a Spirit; Describes Him. Verse 13 : "He saw one, like unto the son of man." Then follows a minute and peculiar description of this son of man, his clothes, his voice, his countenance, etc. Verse 17. John says : "And when I saw him I fell at his feet as dead, and he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not ; I am the first and the last." This is the spirit of Jesus who is communicating. Jesus Dead, Says He Is Now Alive. Verse 18 : Jesus, a spirit, says : "I am he that liveth, and was dead ; and, behold, I am alive forever more, amen ; and have the keys of hell and of death." These keys consist of the phenomena and the philoso- phy of Spiritualism, for they do unlock the mysteries of death and the hereafter. Verses 19, 20, 21 : Jesus, the spirit, who showed John the vision, explains it. A Long Spirit Message. Chapters II. and III. : Jesus gave John a long spirit message for the seven churches of Asia ; and some parts of it seem too weak and commonplace to come from such an exalted spirit as Jesus of Nazareth ; and much more so to come from Almighty God. The spirit Jesus closes this strange and remarkable communication to John the Revelator as follows : Verse 22 : "He that hath an ear let him hear what the spirit saith unto the churches." SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 377 A Trumpet Seance. Rev. IV., 1 : "After this I looked and, behold, a door was opened in heaven (John became clairvoyant) : and the first voice which I heard (this was clairaudience, or an independent spirit voice) was as it were of a trum- pet talking with me." If it was a trumpet, it was a spirit talking through the trumpet. Spirits do communicate through trumpets even unto this day. John Under Spirit Control. Verse 2 : "And immediately I was in the spirit (under spirit control) : and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne." The rest of this chapter reads like one relating a bad dream. What it reveals is not made known. Nothing in Spiritualism like it. The same may be said of the fifth and sixth chapters. A Vision of John's. Chap. VIII. : John has a strange and incomparable vision. Heaven Was Silent for Half an Hour. Verse 1 : "And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour." Verse 2 : John saw seven angels with seven trumpets. Angels Talk Through Trumpets. Verse 6 : "And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound." The remainder of this chapter and of Chapter IX. are devoted to an explanation of these very strange 378 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE spirit communications given through trumpets. We know of no such trumpet work as this in Spiritualism. Chap. X., 1 : "And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven," etc. This and the eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth chap- ters are filled with strange, weird and incomprehensible statements that make them almost valueless. Beast Does Miracles. XIII., 13 : "And he (the beast) doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men." This was a wonderful beast John saw ; he had seven heads, ten horns, etc. (See first verse, then the whole chapter.) This is not Spiritualism. Was John beside himself ? Chap. XIV., 13 : "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth. Yea, saith the spirit, that they may rest from their labors ; and their works do follow them." This chapter tells of several angels that John saw. Chap. XV., 1 : "And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues ; for in them is filled up the wrath of God." Verse 6: John sees seven angels come out of the temple having seven plagues, etc. Verse 7: "And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth forever." We have never heard anything like these statements from any modern mediums, and must admit this is not Spiritualism. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN' BIBLE 379 John's Vision of 144,000 Virgin Men. Rev. XIV., 2 : "And I heard a voice from heaven," etc. Verse 3 : John tells of a new song that no man but these one hundred and forty-four thousand which were redeemed from the earth could learn. Verse 4: "These (men) are they which were not defiled with women ; for they are virgins," etc. Is this not paying a poor compliment to women? Spiritualists of today never have such peculiar, weird and unreasonable visions as some that John the Revela- tor is said to have received. Angel with Gospel to Be Preached to Men. Verse 6 : "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." This vision is being beautifully carried out today the world over. The angels of heaven are bringing the Everlasting Gospel of Spiritualism to every nation of earth, and all the world is being blessed in a thousand ways thereby. Verse 13 : "And I heard a voice from heaven." Verses 14 to 19: John saw three angels, and heard one "cry with a loud cry." Verse 20 says : "And blood came out of the wine- press, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs." A flood of blood unto the horse bridles, four or five feet deep, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs. That is : two hundred miles. What caused so much blood to flow from the wine- press? From whence came it into the wine-press? 380 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE What came it there to do? What purpose was there in flooding the country with blood? Nobody knows, and this is from the Book of Revelation. Wrath of God in Bottles. Chapter XV., Verse 1 : John has another vision of angels and plagues. Verse 7 : "And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God." A supposed prescription for a sin-sick world. Beasts of this sort do not give modern mediums bottled "wrath of God." But there may be bootleggers dealing in bottled wrath of Satan, or the devil, in certain society among men outside of Spiritualism and Spiritualists, even in these days. Chapter XVI. : Tells of the different angels appear- ing and pouring out their vials of wrath upon the seat of the beast ; upon the great river Euphrates ; upon the earth; upon the sea; upon the sun; into the air. All these brought great calamities, this scripture says. Verse 13 : John saw three spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon. Verse 14 : "For they are the spirits of devils working miracles," etc. Oh, what a strange and peculiar medium was St. John the Revelator! Verse 21 : "And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent." (A talent is 57 pounds. See Webster.) Such mediumship as this is not present in the Spirit- ualism of today. Chap. XVII., 1 : One of the seven angels so often mentioned with vials of wrath talked with John. SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 381 This chapter deals with things of little interest to the average mortal. It attempts to explain the meaning of John's vision of the woman riding a beast with seven heads and ten horns, etc. Chap. XVIII. , 1 : John saw another angel. Verse 2 : The angel cried with a strong voice : Baby- lon the great is fallen. Verse 4 : John says : "And I heard another voice from heaven." Prophecy and Remarkable Spirit Phenomena. Verse 21 : "And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great mill stone and cast it into the sea, saying : Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down and shall be found no more at all." Some doubt the possibility of a spirit moving a small table. Chap. XIX., 10 : "And I fell at his feet to worship him (the spirit), and he said unto me, See thou do it not : I am thy fellow servant and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus : Worship God : for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." Chap. XX., 1 : "And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand." Verse 2 : "And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil and Satan, and bound him a thousand years." Verse 3 : "And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled : and after that he must be loosed a little season." 382 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE Heaven Described by an Angel. Rev. XXL, 10 : "And he carried me away in spirit (under spirit control) to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God." Verse 11 : "Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal." Verse 12 : "And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel." Verse 13 : "On the east three gates ; on the north three gates ; on the south three gates ; and on the west three gates." Verse 14: "And the wall of the city had twelve foundations and in them the names of the twelve apos- tles of the Lamb." XXL, IS : "And he (the angel or spirit) that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof." Heaven's Dimensions and Form Given. 16 : "And the city lieth four square, and the length is as large as the breadth ; and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and breadth and height of it are equal." Heaven Is Fifteen Hundred Miles Square. A furlong is one-eighth of a mile (40 rods), conse- quently heaven is fifteen hundred miles square, accord- ing to this angel's measurements and the claims of St. John the Divine. Verse 17: "And he measured the wall thereof, an SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE 383 hundred and forty and four cubits (264 feet), accord- ing to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. " Was this not a wonderful spirit manifestation? Verse 18 : "And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass." Does anyone believe heaven is pure gold ? Spiritual- ism teaches that heaven is a condition, and not neces- sarily a particular location. Two people may be in the same place and one in hell and the other in heaven ; one in a state of happiness, the other in a state of unhappiness and misery. Does it not look as though some of the Bible mediums drew largely upon their imagination ? Verse 19 says the city was "garnished with all man- ner of precious stones." Verses 19, 20, names those precious stones. Verse 21: "Every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold." Verse 23 : No sun needed. "The glory of God did lighten it." Verse 25 : "There shall be no night there." Spirit of Old Prophet Returns and Communicates. Chap. XXIL, Verse 8: "And I, John, saw these things and heard them, and when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things." Verse 9 : "Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God." In this message the spirit says that he is one of the 384 SPIRITUALISM OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE dead prophets. If he tells the truth, the dead do return and communicate with the living. Kind reader : In this work we have given the plain facts regarding the Spiritualism of the Bible. It makes no difference whether one is a Christian, an infidel, o£ a Spiritualist; here are the facts as recorded in the Bible; they speak for themselves. In some parts of scripture we learn of witchcraft; some parts of it teaches materialism ; that is, that death is the end of man's existence, and not all of its teach- ings are practical for this day. The most important and helpful part of the scriptures is the Spiritualism they teach, all of which is recorded in this work for your perusal, or the student's study, when he chooses to seek a good and true understanding of the scriptures and their teachings. The author has spent years of diligent labor in the study of the scriptures, and in this is giving the readers the benefit of his honest, prayerful researches. Conclusion. The fundamental principles of Christianity — the teachings of a future life awaiting mankind beyond the tomb, and the supposed evidence thereof, depends en- tirely upon the accuracy of the recorded work of the prophets, seers or spirit mediums of the Bible. As it is, true Christianity rejects all modern revelation. May this work prove of assistance to Bible believers and unbelievers, and in freeing men from some of their erroneous ideas regarding religion and the Christian Bible. And may it shed forth its much clearer light for the benefit of those who wish to know if the Bible teaches Spiritualism. May its readers be blessed as heaven has blessed its author. "He who would ivrite things which will live, must live the things which he ivrites." Books Written by Rev. E. W. Spragu« A NEW BOOK: "AU the Spiritualism of the Christian Bible, and the Scripture Directly Opposing It." ALSO THE MATERIALISM OF THE BIBLE PROPHETS Let us take the Bible at its real, true value, but not at the estimate of fanatics. This book is a New Revelation, as well as a Scientifie Interpretation ol these Scriptures. It has a large index which enables the reader to turn at once to any of the phases of Mediumship, such as "Dark Circles, " "Trumpet Speaking," * 'Clairvoyance, ' ' "Slate Writing, " "Trance," "Spirit-materialization/ ' and to all the other phases of mediumship, and to all Scripture teach- ing Spiritualism; and also to all the Scripture directly opposing it. It quotes many hundreds of passages of Scrip- ture that teaches Spiritualism, and is a complete text book of the Spiritualism of the Bible. This is a book of 400 pages. It contains a good portrait of the author, and is neatly bound in cloth, embossed in gold Price, postage paid, $4.00. ANOTHER NEW BOOK: "Was Jesus of Nazareth God or Man, Christ or Spirit Medium?" LET THE BIBLE DECIDE This book amply proves by the Scriptures that , Jesus of Nazareth was born of earthly parents as are other children. The testimony of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Peter, and of Jesus Himself declares it. The Scriptures themselves plainly show that He was a wonderful Spirit Medium possessing both the mental and physical phases; that His parents were both mediums, that He had a large band of Spirit guides or guardians; that He was an Inspirational Speaker; a Test Medium; a Medium for Spirit Voices; a Mind Reader; that He gave private readings; was a Trance Medium, and a Materializing Medium. And that He taught Spiritualism and demonstra- ted its truth by the exercising of His own Mediumship. It is a book of 180 pages, is neatly bound in cloth, embossed in gold, and contains a good por- trait of the author. Price, postage paid, $2.00 SPIRIT MEDIUMSHIP IT'S VARIOUS PHASES-HOW DEVELOPED AND SAFELY PRACTICED A Compendium of Psychic Science for Seances, Circles, Psychic Classes and Individual Use --The Medium's Companion and Guide. Modern Spirit-Mediumship is the rock upon which Spiritualism rests. The development of a safe and sane medium- ship is of the most vital importance. It contains 137 pages, also an excellent por- trait of the author, and is bound in full cloth, embossed in gold. Price, postage paid, $1.25. SPIRIT OBSESSION A FALSE DOCTRINE AND A MENACE TO MODERN SPIRITUALISM The doctrine of SPIRIT OBSESSION is the child of ancient witchcraft and has no legitimate place in Modern Spiritualism. Many opponents'of Spiritualism are vigorously promulgating it in their insane desire to destroy this heaven-born spiritual philosophy. Obsession is as untrue as the Christian doctrine of the devil and eternal punishment. This book contains 153 pages, a good portrait of the author, and is bound in cloth and em- bossed in gold. Price, postage paid, $1.25. PAMPHLETS A New One, Entitled: "False Prophets or Fraudulent Mediums of the Chris- tian Bible.' ' This is a drastic reply to the many books, pamphlets and articles published in the sectarian journals of the Adventists, Russellites, Baptists and by other Christian (?) opponents, attacking and condemning Spiritualism, Spiritualists and their Mediums. It is written in defense of the dear, faithful and loyal Mediums, without whom this world would never have known any- thing about a life after death. Price, postage paid, 40c. Reincarnation — True or False? Are the Theosophic Claims of Reincarnation Proven by Modern Science and the Spiritual Philosophy? The author for years has been investigating the subject of reincarnation. He has interviewed mortals and spirits, visited mummies, etc., in search of facts regarding the subject, and he gives the reader the benefit of his investigations. The claim that some persons retain memories of former lives is thoroughly explainea and ac- counted for, as are other strange and mysterious beliefs unon which reincarnation is based. Price, postage paid, 40c. Adventism and the Devil An Open Letter and Reply to Evangelist A. V, Cotton's Denunciation of Spiritualism The Adventists, Russellites and some others calling themselves Christians, are avowed foes of Modern Spiritualism. They neglect no op- portunity to condemn it. This book exposes their false claims, and shows that the Bible teaches Spiritualism; that the devil is not the author of the phenomena of Spiritual- ism, etc. Price, postage paid, 35c. Testimonies of Leading Scientists and Theol- ogians Who Are Believers in Spiritualism. Price, postage paid, 15c The Science of Spirit Communion ANALYZED AND EXPLAINED Price, postage paid, 15c # w % ADDRESS REV. E. W. SPRAGUE 975 W. Canneld Ave. - DETROIT, MICH. INDEX Page 385 Among Gods but One Jeho- vah 166 An Angel Acts in War 155 Apostles Arrested 319 Angel Claims He Is God. . . 28 Ananias and Sapphira Killed for Lying 316, 317 Angel Released Them from Prison 318 Angel Baked Cake for Eli- jah 129 Apostles Beaten 319 Angels Came to Lot 23 Abraham Doubts Message from God 20 All Filled with the Holy Ghost 322 Another Great Seance and Meeting 329 Add Knowledge to Faith.. 374 Angels Minister to Jesus.. 234, 260, 283 Army Officers Atone for Terrible Crimes 61 Apports of Quail 55 Ax Swims 140 Apostles to Occupy Twelve Thrones of Israel 253 Angels Talk Through Trumpets 37? Angels with Gospel to Be Preached to Men 379 Balaam's Ass Clairvoyant and Talks 59, 60, 61, Balaam's Ass and Eve's Serpent Talking Mediums Blasphemy Against Holy Ghost Not Forgiven 242 Bible Contradictions 47 Be Content with Your Wages Big Company of Angels... Black Magic, Was This? 30, 32, Birth of Jesus Best Thing in Thessalo- nians Spiritualists En- dorse Believers to Do Work of Jesus Bitter Water of Jealousy. . 62 62 272 373 34 270 367 296 53 Compassed About with a Cloud of Witnesses 373 Cursed for Not Entertain- ing His Disciples 262 Clairvoyance 79, 140, 148, 162, 178, 198, 212, 243, 260, 286, 287, 300, 328, 376 Clairaudience 172, 174, 212, 243, 324, 328 Cursed for Preaching Other Gospels .., 366 Page Christians' God Puts Forth a Riddle 195 Cast Lots 50, 80, 87, 105, 149, 21S, 307 Casting Lots, Christian Au- thority for It 80 Commercial Mediiimship. . . 64, 317 Communism Practiced. 311, 312 Coming of Spiritualism Foretold 217, 309 Chariot of Fire 249 Contradictory Statements of Spirits -18, 322 Conscious Spirit Control Better than Unconscious. 357 332 275 160 Dr. Rand Released from Prison Dead Raised by Elijah, Page 127; Elisha, 138; Paul, 341; Peter, 327, Dead Snail' Not Be Raised. Dark Seances 26, 27, 47, 57, 60, 94, 97, 122, 150, 151, 164, 204, 234, 245, 250, 256, 336, 338, 345, 346 Dark Seance, Aaron's Rod Blossoms 57 Dark Seance in Prison, Paul and Silas 338 Dark Seance, Peter Re- leased from Prison 331 Dark Trumpet Seances. .36, 253 Death to Approach Seance Room 53, 58 Do the Dead Return? 275, 300, 361 Dreams Trouble King 202 Disciples Wait Spirit Power 285 Divination 27, 29, 113 Disciples Afraid of a Spirit. 245 David and Uriah's Wife. . . 118 Devils Cast Out of Men Into Swine 237. 5>™ Devil Cause of Insanity 251 Divorce Court Greatest of Bible 156 Disciples Did Not Know Jesus Was God 274 Disciples Doubted When They Saw Him.. 259, 265, 284 David Feigns Insanity Ill Death for Not Accepting Jehovah 153 Disciples Forbid Casting Out Devils 276 Damned for Unbelief 369 Disciples Hold Seances. 306, 307 Daniel Interprets King's Dream 204, 205, 208 Daniel in Lions' Den 211 Dead Man Returns After 900 Years 223 For convenience, the second words under each letter division of this Index are placed in alphabetical order. 386 INDEX Page Dedication of Solomon's Temple 150 Definitions of Bible Terms. 10, 12, 15, 16, 229, 329 E Entertain Angels Un- awares 373 Elijah a Fire Medium, De- feats Baal's Prophets 128 Elisha Begins Doing Mira- cles 134, 135 Exodus Continues Record of Spirit Communion 48 Elijah Controls Weather. . . 126 Elijah Consumes Fifty with Fire from Heaven 131, 132 Elijah's Chariot of Fire. 132, 134 Early Christians Believe in Spirit Raps 334 Elisha's Corpse Raises Dead 142 Ephod Described Ill, 112 Eat Everything 18 Evangelist's Four Daugh- ters Mediums 342 Esaias Followed Paul's Lectures with Tests 348 Eat It Not but Sell It 71 Expected Jesus to Rule Is- rael 304 Epilepsy or the Devil 276 Eight Phases of Medium- ship 352 Evil Spirits Jehovah Sends. 88, 165 Evil Spirits from the Lord . 108, 109, 111 Evil Spirits Driven Out by Music 108 Evil Spirits Cannot Return. 280 Elias to Be Unborn Boy's Spirit Guide 268 Elisha's Two She-Bears .. 135 Fire and Brimstone from Heaven 23 Flesh and Bones Material- ize 285 Fraudulent and Incompe- tent Mediums 192, 335 Five Dreams of Moses — Does Christianity Rest on Them? 231, 232 Fasts Forty Days 129 Fire Mediums and Medium- ship 49, 57, 86, 90, 128, 131, 132, 134, 149, 151, 171, 206, 249 Fire Mediumship of D. D. Holmes 207 False Prophets 193, 235 Faith Removes Mountains. 251 Familiar Spirit Condemns Others 173 Forgives Sin 238 Fiery Serpents Sent to Kill People 59 Page Fortune Telling or Fore- telling the Future 102, 125, 200 Fig Tree Miracle 253 G Gods Are Spirit Guides 165 Give Angels Charge Over Thee 166 Golden Calf Worshiped 44 Gold Cure First on Record. 45 God Does Not Lie nor Re- pent 62, 107 God Dwells in Thick Dark- ness 122 God Hardens Pharaoh's Heart 31 Gods, Many, Taught. 18, 36, 166 God of Jesus a Loving Father 227 Gifts of Spirit Power 372 Genealogy of Jesus 273 Gospel of Jesus Not Free. . 313 Gospel of Jesus Revealed to Paul 367 Gospel Preached to the Dead 374 God Repents 83, 107, 18? God Renews Spirit Power. 374 God Sends Strong Delu- sions 369 God Seen 40, 69, 75 God Not Seen 286 Gideon's Test with a Fleece of Wool 85 Guess Work of Mediums.. 189 H Hosea Buys This Woman. 216 His Brethren Did Not Be- lieve in Jesus 292 Heals by Spirit Power of Jesus 314 Heaven's Dimensions and Forms Given: It Is 1,500 Miles Square 382 Holy Ghost: Meaning of Term 12 Holy Ghost Given by Breathing on Them 301 Holy Ghost Talks to Them. 334 Holy Ghost Never Heard of by These Disciples 340 Hagar in Wilderness 19 Herod Killed by an Angel. 334 Healings 314, 318, 338, 347 Healers Poorly Paid 171 Human Slavery Upheld by Jehovah 39 Hypnotism Used by Peter and John 312 Hezekiah Wants Proof that He Will Be Healed 144 Handwriting on Wall In- terpreted 210 Heaven Silent for Half an Hour 377 Hate Your Enemies, Jeho- vah Teaches 39 INDEX 387 i Page Israelites and Other Na- tions Spiritists 228 Israel Crosses Jordan on Dry Land 76 Imprisoned Jeremiah for Practicing" Mediumship. . 187 Impressional Mediumship.. 196 Inspirational Speaking and Speakers.... 178, 215, 279, 350 Israelites Worship Other Tribal Gods 99 Jesus a Trance Medium... 249 Jesus a Spirit, Arranges for a Seance 258 Jesus a Materializing Me- dium 249 Jesus, a Spirit, Eats Fish and Dines with Men. .285, 304 Jesus Accused of Having a Devil 261, 294 Jesus a Man and Medium According to Peter 310 Jesus Abolished Death, Says Paul 370 Jesus, a Spirit, Speaks to Paul 345 Jesus, a Spirit, Controls John 342, 375 Jesus a Clairvoyant 260, 287 Jesus a Carpenter and a Carpenter's Son — Has Brothers and Sisters. 244, 261 Jesus a Developing Me- dium 277 Jesus a Prophet and Mes- sias 230 Jesus a Mind Reader 237, 242, 274 Jesus' Body Disappears. 257, 286 Jesus Baptizes with Spirit Power 286 Jesus Builds His Church on Rock of Spirit Com- munion 248 Jesus Commands Apostles After His Death 305 Jehovah a God of War 35, 73, 99, 130, 188 Jehovah Condemns His Own Prophets 184 Jehovah Does Not Repent. 107, 167, 196 Jesus Dematerializes. .285, 306 Jehovah Defeated by Char- iots of Iron 82 Jehovah Deceives His Me- diums 194 Jesus' Disciples Left Him. 292 Jehovah Enslaved Israel 70 Years 186 Jehovah's Example in War. 66 Jesus Feeds 4,000 People. . . 252 Jesus Foretells Coming of Modern Spiritualism .... 298 Jehovah Forbids It, Then Makes Images Himself.. 37 Page Jesus Gives Spirit Tests... 288 Jesus Has Legions of Spir- it Helpers 254 Jehovah, Jeremiah's Spirit Guide, Deceived Him 182 Jehovah Jealous 63,69, 70, 71, 82, 220, 222 Jesus Led by the Spirit While Under Control. 273, 274 Jesus Materializes 258, 259, 284, 285, 300, 301, 303, 304, 305 Jesus Materialized Cooked Fish Breakfast 304 Jesus Materialized 40 Days. 305 Jehovah No Woman Suf- fragist 66 Jehovah Not Omnipotent.. 22 Jehovah Not God of All Nations 51 Jehovah Not God of Jesus. 129 Jehovah Not God of the Valley 130 Jesus Names Disciples, Gives Them Power to Raise the Dead 240 Jesus Not Accepted as a Prophet by His People. . . 244 Jehovah One of Many Gods 33 Jehovah Orders a Perpet- ual Sunday Dinner 52 Jehovah Orders Sins Put on a Goat 50 Jehovah Orders Many Slain 46, 59, 63, 73, 75, 77, 79, 105, 120 Jehovah Orders Isaiah to Walk Naked Three Years 174 Jesus Ordains His Twelve Disciples 261 Jesus Practiced Medium- ship Secretly 260 Jesus Promises to Return After Death 264, 265, 280 Jehovah Punishes Inno- cent — David Protests.... 148 Jeremiah Questions Jeho- vah About His Lying. . . . 181 Jehovah Repents. .. .45, 83, 105, 107, 148, 167, 184, 187 Jesus Returns, Disciples Believe Not 265, 292 Jehovah Refuses to Com- municate 194, 195 Jesus Says He Is the Mes- sias 289 Jehovah Sells His Chosen People Into Slavery 83, 84, 88, 184, 186 Jesus Sends Out Disciples Two and Two 262 Jephtha Sacrifices His Daughter 88 Jeremiah Says Jehovah Deceives the People 179 Jesus Selects Paul as His Medium 325 388 INDEX Page Jehovah Says He Is God, Then Makes a Prophecy That Never Comes True. 27 Jehovah Says He Is God. 20, 176 Jehovah the Spirit Guide of Israel's Mediums 17 Jehovah Tries to Prove He Is God 176 Jehovah the Savior 176 Jehovah Terrible 71, 74, 79, 152, 221 Jehovah Tells Saul to Slay Men, Women, Children, and Sucklings 105 Jesus, Though Dead, Fol- lows Disciples Lectures with Tests 266 Jesus Teaches Sin Causes Palsy 237 Jehovah Thinks Earth Rests on Water 37 Jesus Tempted of the Devil 233 Jesus Teaches Hell, Curses City 277, 280 Jesus to Occupy Throne of David 269 Jesus the Son of Joseph.. « 287 Jesus Teaches Spiritual Science and Inspirational Speaking 235, 240, 263, 276, 279, 297 Jesus Upholds Working on Sabbath 290 Jesus Under Spirit Control. 286 Judaism vs. Christianity... 228 John's Vision of 14,000 Vir- gin Men 379 Jehovah, Was He God?. 14, 31 Jehovah's Wrath and An- ger 44, 56, 60, 63, 68, 69, 83, 84, 88, 120, 124, 162, 173, 188, 191, 220 Jacob Wrestled with God . . 26 Jehovah Weary of Burnt Offerings 170 Jesus Walked on Water... 245 Jesus' Works Would Make a Big Book 304 K Killings: Jehovah Kills 50,- 070 Men 98 Kills 70,000 120 Killed 185,000 142 Kills 70,000 147 Kills Seven Sons for Sins of Father 120 Kills Relatives for Teach- ing Other Religions 71 Kills King for Consulting Other Gods 131 Kills Males, Saves Fe- males for Selves 73 Kills Uzza 117 King Sends Wife to a Me- dium 123 Page L Lies and Liars. . .22, 94, 111, 141, 180, 193, 293, 316, 317 Looking at Brass Snake Cures Snake Bite 59 Lord Hearkens to Voice of Man 75 Luke's Only Evidence Is Memory and Hearsay. . . 267 Lord or Paul Struck Him Blind 335 Lying Spirits from God De- ceive Ahab 153 Levitation.190, 191, 192, 199, 323 M Moses Angry, Smashes Slates 45 Mediums Called Sons of God 349 Materialization of Spirits. 17, 20, 33, 56, 69, 79, 151, 190, 249, 258, 263, 267, 271, 275, 284, 285, 300, 301, 339 Moses and Elias Material- ize 249, 275 Materialization of a Dove. . 273 Materialized Hand at Bel- shazzar's Feast 209 Materialized Great Army from Dry Bones 197 Materializes "Back Parts". 46 Materialized Spirit Eats a Veal Dinner 21 Ministering Angels or Spir- its 164 Mediums and Priests Drunkards 75 Mediums Better than As- trologers 201 Miraculous Conceptions and Births — Isaac's, page 24; John's, 267; Samson's, 89, 90; Samuel's, 95; Un- named Child's 137 Man Caught Up to Third Heaven 365 Moses Contradicts Jesus.. 290 Miracles Done by Beast. . . . 378 Miracles — Elisha Makes Little Food Feed 100 Men 139 Miracles — Elisha Neutral- izes Poison 138 Medium Elisha Well Paid. 141 Mediums for Finding Water 34 More Fraudulent Mediums. 185 Mediumship Given by Our Heavenly Father 278 My God (A Poem) 226 Mediumship Held Sacred by Jesus 251 Mediums Imprisoned 318 Money in Fish Business. . . 252 Mediumship, Job Develops. 162 Moses Kills a Man 28 Mental Mediumship, Dan- iel Teaches 205 INDEX 389 Page Mediumship Must Not Be Neglected 370 Mediums Must Believe Paul's Teachings 360 Marriage 26, 73, 91, 96, 181, 185, 351 Mediumship, Moses Well Paid for His 68 Materialist No More — Solo- mon's Views Changed... 170 Mediumship of a Soldier. . . 146 Mediumship of Daniel Wonderful 315 Mediumship of Paul 361 Mediums of Bible... 36, 65, 78, 79, 88, 90, 94, 96, 100, 101, 112, 117, 118, 121, 123, 126, 136, 145, 146, 150, 159, 171, 177, 178, 189, 216, 217, 218, 221, 230, 269, 270, 271, 272, 274, 319, 325, 342, 352 Materialism of Bible, 160, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 176, 177 Mediums of Bible Require Pay 100, 123 Mediumship of Jesus.. 235, 264 Miracles of Loaves and Fishes 245, 247 Mediumship of John 272 Miracles of Samson and Foxes 92 Mediumship of Jesus Proves Him Savior of the World. 289 Mary Possessed of Seven Devils 274 Mediums Partake of the Heavenly Calling 372 Mediumship Promised All Converts 311 Moses Questions Spirit Guide 54 Mind Reading 276, 278, 279 Moses' Rod Turns to a Ser- pent 29 Moses' Rod Wins Battle. . . 34 Mediums Receive Presents. 123 Ministering Spirits.. 25, 58, 82, 129, 234, 260, 283, 318, 372 More Spiritualism 296 Mediums Threatened by Priests and Officers 315 Mediumship Turns Saul Into Another Man 102 Music Used in Seances, in Raising the Dead, and Curing Obsession 102, 108, 109, 117, 136, 146, 149, 151, 153, 238 Moses Writes His Own Obituary 75 N Named Babe, Regained Speech 270 No Christian Church Prop- erly Officered 353 Page Nebuchadnezzar Eats Grass, Then Recovers His Mind 206, 208 Numbering Israel 147, 216 Names of God of Moses 12, 32, 48 No Vision or Answer of God 219 Nothing Very Spiritual in Leviticus 53 Once a Spiritualist, Always One 372 Obsession Cured 239 Obsession Contradicted... 282 O Death Where Is Thy Sting? 363 Other Fraudulent Bible Mediums 183 Obsession, or Was It Dis- ease? 280 Opposing Spiritualism. .51, 72, 73, 145, 155, 172, 173, 369 Ordained Unworthy Ones. . 123 Prophets and Mediums Same 15 Prayer Answered by Spirit Message 143 Paul Asks and Gets a Spirit Message 366 Prophecy and Spirit Phe- nomena 381 Peter an Ancient Billy Sun- day 310 Paul a Developing Medium. 340 Paul and Silas Imprisoned. 338 Peter and John Arrested. . 313 Peter and John Unedu- cated 314 Priests and Prophets Well Cared For 200 Priests and Prophets Shed Blood 186 Priests and Prophets Bad 186, 196 Paul, a Prisoner, Sails for Italy — Foretells the Fu- ture 346 Paul a Bible Spiritualist. . . 348 Prophets Contradict Each Other 185 Poor Conditions for Tests. 283 Paul Cast on an Island — Called a God 347 Paul Cures Obsession — Heals with Magnetized Cloth 340 Prophets Deceitful 183 Peter Denies Jesus 155 Prophets Divine for Money 219 Peter Delivered from Pris- on 333 Paul Drove Good Spirits Out of Medium 337 Prophesies Evil 179 390 INDEX Page Prophets False. .73, 179, 180, 183 Paul Follows Spirit Direc- tions 36? Pentecostal Feast 307 Prophecy Fulfilled 20, 24, 114, 124, 130, 254, 255, 283, 298, 343, 34? Prophecy Not Fulfilled 19, 52, 243, 248, 253, 254, 264, 283, 367, 375 Paul Gives Instructions How to Conduct a Se- ance 359 Prophet Is a Fool, Says Hosea the Prophet. 216 Palmistry Indicated 161, 167, 168 Persecutors Ignorant of Spiritual Laws 255 Punishes Mediums and Their Clients 195 Powerful Manifestations.. 151 Priests Must Not Marry Widows 200 Prophecy Not of Private Interpretation 374 Paul No Vegetarian 369 Paul No Prohibitionist 288 Prophets No More 165 Paul Opposes Physical Culture 370 Proof of Paul's Medium- ship Wanted 366 Persecutors of Jesus, Who Were They? 255 Prophecy of the Automo- bile 220 Prophets Prophesy Lies, Says Jehovah 193 Paul Proud of His Medi- umship 350 Physical Phenomena by Spirits 316, 332 Peter Preaches Spiritual- ism 309, 369 Paul Persecuted for Dem- onstrating Spiritualism.. 364 Paul Preaches Resurrec- tion of Dead 362, 367 Peter Released from Prison by Spirits 331 Prophets, Seers and An- ointed Are Called Men of God 330 Prophets Speak Vision Out of Own Hearts 183 Paul's Spirit Guide Strengthens Him 371 Paul Sings Under Control. . 357 Paul Shut in Castle to Save His Life 345 Paul Saved from Death 344 Paul Says Prophets Make Converts by Giving Tests 359 Paul Sees Spirit of Jesus. . 361 Priests Seek to Kill Jesus. 294 Paul Speaks of Jesus' Many Appearances 361 Page Peter Says Jesus (Dead) Produced Phenomena of the Pentecostal Feast. . . 311 Pentecostal Seance Con- verts 3,000 People 310, 311, 312 Paul's Control Opposes Di- vorce 351 Peter Tells Disciples Whole Story 330 Paul Tells of His Conver- sion 343 Paul Contradicts Advent- ism 363 Peter True to His Medium - ship 322 Paul Teaches Spiritualism — Imparts Spiritual Gifts. 349 Peter Walks on the Water. 246 Return After Death, Jesus Promised to 248 Romans Beat Paul with Many Stripes 338 Reincarnation Believed, 241, 244, 247, 263 Revelation from Heaven. . . 248 Reward for Reading Spirit Writing 309 Resurrection of Dead Not Physical 363 Resurrection of Physical Bodies 257 Return of Dead Causes Re- pentance 281 Rainbow Sign in Heaven. . . 18 Saul Among the Prophets. 103 Signs and Wonders 336, 339 Samuel a Child Medium. .. . 96 Samuel a Developing Me- dium 100 Stephen Arrested and Exe- cuted 320, 321 Spirits Appear to Mortals 23, 24, 206,257,267,270, 283, 285 Samuel Accepts Pay for Mediumship 100 Saul a Medium for Evil Spirits Ill Simon Attempts to Buy Spiritual Gifts 322 Samuel and Saul Quarrel.. 106 Solomon Builds a Spirit Cabinet 121 Solomon Builds Temple by Spirit Instructions 150 Saul's Brutality 104 Spirit Cabinet Ordered by Jehovah 41 Spirit Cabinet Captured by Enemies 43 Spirit Communion Is of God 344 Spirits Called by Different Names 329 INDEX 391 PAGE Spiritualist Churches Fully Equipped 354 Saul Changes His Name to Paul — Persecuted Chris- tians 321 Spirit Called by Different Names 222, 329 Spirits Control Mediums 62, 84, 91, 92, 104, 110, 162, 190, 191, 197-, 219, 270, 271, 286, 291, 314, 332, 357, 375, 377 Spirit Control Says He Came from Heaven 291 Spirits Commune with Jo- seph in These Five Dreams 232 Saul Disobeys Jehovah 105 Spirit Drives Jesus Into Wilderness 260 Samuel Destroys Enemies with Thunder 104 Seven Days' Cattle Slaughter 152 Samuel Established as a Medium 98 Spirit Forbids Them Preaching in Asia 336 Spirit Guides 40, 166, 178 Spirit Guides Leave Medi- ums 94, 188 Spirit Guides Are Gods. . . . 165 Spirit Guides Inspire Other Mediums 44 Spirit Guides Make Money for Mediums 70 Spirit Guide, Jehovah a Powerful One 55 Spirit Gave Name of Street 325 Saul Held Executioners' Clothes 321 Saul Himself Goes to Kill David and Is Controlled. 110 Seances Held. . . .54, 56, 151, 329 Saul Hides, Spirit Finds Him 104 Spiritualism Is Not Spirit- ism 127, 188 Speaking in Tongues 355, 356, 357 Spirits in Prison -, 374 Spirit Messages and Com- munications 34, 41, 48, 56, 60, 64, 78, 102, 118, 124, 126, 129, 131, 132, 150, 153, 154, 156, 159, 172, 177, 190, 195, 196, 199, 212, 213, 215, 220, 221, 232, 270, 288, 300, 305, 310, 344, 345, 366, 375, 376, 381, 383 Spirit Messages Precious.. 96 Samson's Morals 93 Sadducees Materialists, Pharisees Spiritualists.. 344 Spirit Man Returns, Says He Is Gabriel 268 Spirit Man Strengthens Daniel 214 Spirit Men with Wings 189 PAGE Spirit Man Gabriel Visits Mary 269 Spirit Man Interprets Vi- sion 313 Spirit Man Appears 214, 306 Spirit Messenger the Com- forter 299 Symbol Mediums 224, 225 Spirit Match Making 26 Spirit of an Old Prophet Communicates 383 Spiritualism of Jesus — Many Mansions 295 Spirit Obsession 236 Signs, or Tests, Follow Be- lievers 251. 266 Spirit of Jesus with Disci- ples Always 259 Sons of God Are Spirit Me- diums 231, 286 Saul Obsessed 108, 109 Stops Onflow of River with Old Coat 133 Spiritualism of New Testa- ment 227 Sleight of Hand — Does Je- hovah Teach It? 29 Spirit Produces Earthquake 57 Spirit Power Kills People. 49 Spirit Power Gets Water from a Dry Bone 93 Supposed Prophecy of Coming of Christ 172 Spirit Phenomena Remark- able 127 Saul Prophesied Naked. . . . 110 Spirit Phenomena Fright- ens King 209 Spirit Phenomena Converts Priests 320 Spirit Phenomena, Is It of the Devil? 241 Spirit Phenomena Converts Kings 207, 212 Spirit Phenomena Very Powerful 256 Seraphim Produce Physical Phenomena 171 Spirit Power Converted Them 350 Spirit Readings by Deborah 85 Samuel Refuses to Pardon Saul 107 Spirit Readings Nathan Gives David 118 Spirit Reading Ezekiel Gave to Elders 194 Spirits Show Paul Ship Will Be Lost 346 Spirit Slate Writing 40, 44, 45, 47, 71, 303 Selecting Soldiers by Spirit Direction 87 Spirits Subject to the Sev- enty Disciples 277 Saul Sent Men to Take Da- vid and All Were Con- trolled 110 392 INDEX PAGE Sun Stopped by Isaiah 148 Sun Stopped by Joshua 7? Samuel's Spirit Message to Saul 102 Spirit Soldier Communi- cates 78 Spirits Speak to Mortals 268, 283, 300, 301, 307, 323, 328, 342, 345, 372 Spirit Sends Them Away.. 335 Spirit Terrifies Disciples.. 285 Spirit Tests or Signs Wanted 86 Spirit Tests or Signs. 117, 125, 155, 242, 247, 251, 262, 266, 270, 278, 288, 289, 291, 302, 303, 366 Spirits Talk About De- stroying Sodom 23 Spirit Tells Paul Not to Go to Jerusalem 342 Spirits Told Him She Was Coming 124 Spirit Tells Samuel Saul Is Coming 101 Saul Tears Samuel's Man- tle 107 Samuel Tells Saul the Asses Are Found 101 Spirit Used Thunder to Win Battle 99 Spirit Voices 23, 61, 175, 208, 224, 225, 258, 259, 273, 276, 295, 324, 347 Spirit Writing 149, 154 Spirit with Measuring Rod. 199 Spirit Writes on David's Skin 149 Spirit Writing on Wall at Belshazzar's Feast 208 Sacrifices: What Good Did They Do Jehovah? 152 Seances Well Paid For 42 Strong Wine for Jehovah's Use 65 Spirits with Swords 60, 78, 148, 149 T Trances 214 Abram Entranced 19 Balaam in a Trance 63 Daniel Entranced.. 212, 214, 215 Jesus Entranced 249 Peter in a Trance 328 Paul in a Trance 244 Thomas a Skeptic 301 Tongues Are for a Sign .... 358 Tithings — Buy Strong Drink with Them 72 Thomas Converted 302 Ten Commandments a Spirit Communication. 37, 38 Test Conditions Demanded. 202, 203 Ten Commandments Given on Slates 44 page Ten Commandments Given Through Trumpet 88 Telepathy — Did Solomon Believe in It? 170 Turns Earth Upside Down, Scatters Inhabitants Abroad 175 Trumpet Message from Heaven 39 The Old Testament's Last Prophecy 225 Tutelary or Tribal Gods 131 228 Teachings of Spiritualism.' 168 Trumpet Seances 253, 377 Thousands Slain with Jaw- bone of an Ass 92 Try the Spirits 375 Tongues: Forbid Not to Speak in Tongues 361 Transfiguration 48, 250, 263, 320 U Unbelief a Hindrance to Spirit Manifestations 261 V Vegetarians and Meat Eat- ers Contest 201 Vegetarians Develop Medi- umsElp 201 Visions 19, 26, 168, 170, 171, 189, 192, 213, 214, 220, 223, 324, 328, 365, 377, 379 W Whole Congregation Con- trolled 330 What Christian Authority Says of Paul — Paul's Conversion 325 Widow's Cruse of Oil 126 Wait for Holy Ghost 305 Was Jesus an Adventist?. . 254 Was Jesus Older than Abraham ? 293 Would Make Gods of Paul and Barnabas 336 Women Mediums 85, 145, 156, 193, 269, 342 Women Must Not Speak in Church 360 Women Mediums Prophesy Out of Own Hearts 193 Where No Vision People Perish 168 Witches Ordered Killed.. 10, 39 Walked on Water 291 Wrath of God in Bottles. . . 380 Woman of Tilndor a Me- dium; Samuel Dead 112 Word of God Is a Spirit Message 122 Wickedness of Prophets and Priests 180 Why Slay Apostles? 319 Woman, 88, a Prophetess or Medium 271 Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. 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