The Ministration Of Good Angels

The Ministration Of Good AngelsIllustration.Moses On The Nile. "He shall give His angels charge over thee." Ps. 91:11.1. Of what family does Paul speak in Ephesians?“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whomthe whole family in heaven and earthis named.”Eph. 3:14, 15.2. By what name are the members of this family called?“Now there was a day whenthe sons of Godcame to present themselves before the Lord.”Job 1:6.“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be calledthe sons of God.”1 John 3:1.3. By what name are those composing the family in heaven commonly known to us?“And I beheld, and I heard the voice of manyangelsround about the throne.”Rev. 5:11.4. Did angels exist before the death of any of the human family?“So He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the garden of Edencherubim.”Gen. 3:24.Cherub:“A creature of a sacred and celestial nature.”—Gesenius.5. Who witnessed the laying of the foundations of the earth?“Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who[pg 524]laid the corner-stone thereof; whenthe morning starssang together, and allthe sons of Godshouted for joy?”Job 38:6, 7.6. How many of these beings did John see around the throne?“And I beheld, and I heard the voice ofmany angelsround about the throne; ... and the number of them wasten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.”Rev. 5:11.7. What does Paul say of their number?“But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and toan innumerable company of angels.”Heb. 12:22. See also Dan. 7:10.8. Are angels of a higher order of beings than man?“Thou hast made hima little lower than the angels.”Ps. 8:5.Notes.—There are different orders of angels:“Cherubim”(Gen. 3:24);“Seraphim”(Isa. 6:2, 6);“Archangel”(1 Thess. 4:16; Jude 9).Some of their names are:“Michael”(Dan. 10:13, 21; 12:1; Jude 9);“Gabriel”(Dan. 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19);“Uriel”(2 Esdras [Apocrypha] 4:1, 36; 5:20. See 1 Chron. 15:5);“Ariel”(doubtless of angelic origin. See Ezra 8:16).Michaelmeans,“Who islikeGod,”and hence is a fit title for Christ.Gabrielsignifies,“Thestrengthof God,”an appropriate name for the angel or being who stands next to Christ (Dan. 10:21).Urielmeans,“Thelightof God;”Ariel,“Thelionof God.”9. Is Christ ever called an angel?“Behold, I sendan Angelbefore thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.”Ex. 23:20. See verse 23; Acts 7:38; and margin of 1 Cor. 10:4.“The Angel of His presencesaved them.”Isa. 63:9.“Michaelthe Archangel.”Jude 9. See also Dan. 12:1; 1 Thess. 4:16.Note.—Angel meansmessenger. In Mal. 3:1, Christ is called“themessengerof the covenant.”10. What is said of the strength and character of the angels?“Bless the Lord, ye His angels,that excel in strength, that do His commandments, harkening unto the voice of His word.”Ps. 103:20.11. What description is given of Gabriel in Daniel?“His body also was like theberyl, and his face as the appearance oflightning, and his eyes aslamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in color topolished brass, and the voice of his wordslike the voice of a multitude.”Dan. 10:6.Note.—Similar descriptions are given of God, the“Ancient of days,”in Dan 7:9; and of Christ,“the Son of man,”in Rev. 1:13-15[pg 525]12. What was the appearance of the angel that rolled away the stone from the sepulcher at the resurrection of Christ?“His countenance waslike lightning, and his raimentwhite as snow.”Matt. 28:3.13. What shows that the angels sent to Abraham and Lot were real beings?“And he [Abraham] took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, andthey did eat.”“And he [Lot] made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, andthey did eat.”Gen. 18:8; 19:3.14. What reason does Paul give to encourage us to entertain strangers?“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers:for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”Heb. 13:2.15. In his dream at Bethel, what did Jacob see?“And he 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.”Gen. 28:12.16. To whose authority are the angels subject?“Jesus Christ: who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God;angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him.”1 Peter 3:21, 22.Note.—In Joshua 5:13-15, Christ is called“captain of the Lord's host.”17. In what work are angels engaged?“Are they not allministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”Heb. 1:14.18. What scripture indicates that each child of God has an accompanying angel?“Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaventheir angelsdo always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven.”Matt. 18:10.Note.—Another has said:“Christians who live in the light of God's countenance are always accompanied by unseen angels, and these holy beings leave behind them a blessing in our homes.”19. How is their watch-care over God's people expressed?“The angel of the Lordencampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.”Ps. 34:7.[pg 526]Illustration.Daniel In The Lions' Den. "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them." Ps. 34:7.[pg 527]20. By what means were the three Hebrews protected while in the fiery furnace?“I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth islike the Son of God.... Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hathsent His angel, and delivered His servantsthat trusted in Him.”Dan. 3:25-28.21. When cast into the lions' den, how did Daniel say he had been saved from death?“My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before Him innocency was found in me.”Dan. 6:22.22. When surrounded by the Syrian host, what did Elisha say, and for what did he pray, to encourage his frightened servant?“And he answered,Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee,open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man;and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.”2 Kings 6:16, 17.23. What does the psalmist say of the chariots of God?“The chariots of God are twenty thousand, eventhousands of angels.”Ps. 68:17.24. By what means were the apostles delivered from prison?“The angel of the Lordby nightopened the prison doors, and brought them forth.”Acts 5:19.25. How was Peter delivered later?“The angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.... And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.... They came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.”Acts 12:7-10.Note.—“What we call physical law is no obstruction to angelic ministrations. Bolts and bars and prison gates disappear at their volition, and dungeons like palaces shine in their presence. No place can be so dismal, no cavern so deep and dark, no Inquisition cell so hidden and[pg 528]fetid, no fortress so strongly guarded, that they cannot find quick and easy access, if a child of God is there.”—“Footprints of Angels in Fields of Revelation,”by E. A. Stockman, pages 74, 75.26. When Elijah was about to take a forty days' journey, how was he strengthened for it?“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. 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.”1 Kings 19:7, 8.27. After His forty days' fast and temptation in the wilderness, how was Christ strengthened?“Then the devil leaveth Him, and, behold,angels came and ministered unto Him.”Matt. 4:11.28. How was Christ strengthened while suffering in the garden of Gethsemane?“Andthere appeared an angel unto Him from heaven, strengthening Him.”Luke 22:43.29. Are the angels interested in the plan of salvation?“Which thingsthe angels desire to look into.”1 Peter 1:12.30. Are they interested in the conversion of men?“Likewise, I say unto you,there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”Luke 15:10.31. Before whom are we said to speak?“Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin;neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?”Eccl. 5:5, 6.32. For what must men give account in the judgment?“But I say unto you, Thatevery idle wordthat men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”Matt. 12:36. See also Eccl. 12:13, 14.33. Out of what will they be judged?“And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judgedout of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.”Rev. 20:12.34. What shows that the actions of men are recorded?[pg 529]“And the Lord harkened, and heard it, anda book of remembrance was written before Himfor them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name.”Mal. 3:16. See also Isa. 65:6; Jer. 2:22.35. In the judgment how many angels minister before God?“A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him:thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.”Dan. 7:10.Note.—Since the angels are our ministering spirits, and our lives are open before them, it is reasonable to infer that they make the record of our lives. Then when the books are examined, they will of necessity be present, to minister before God.36. What does Christ promise overcomers?“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, butI will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels.”Rev. 3:5.37. What protection has God promised His people during the seven last plagues?“There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. ForHe shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.”Ps. 91:10-12.38. When Christ comes, who will come with Him, and what will they do?“For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Fatherwith His angels.”“Andthey shall gather together His electfrom the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”Matt. 16:27; 24:31.39. Where will all the saints then go?“Then we which are alive and remainshall 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.”1 Thess. 4:17.Note.—We shall then have the privilege of seeing and conversing not only with the good and blest of all ages, but with the angels who have ministered to us during our earthly pilgrimage.O, may Thine angels, while I sleep,Around my bed their vigils keep;Their love angelical instil,Stop every avenue of ill!May they celestial joys rehearse,And thought to thought with me converse.Bishop Kent.[pg 530]The Dark Ministries Of Bad AngelsIllustration.Satan's Entrance To Eden. "The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me." John 14:30.1. Against whom do we wrestle?“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, butagainst principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness[margin,wicked spirits] in high places [margin, heavenly places].”Eph. 6:12.Note.—“The facts of history concur with the statements of revelation in forcing upon us the unwelcome conviction that the human race is subject to the malevolent influence of an organized and all-pervading demonism. Alike in the career of nations and in the phenomena of personal destiny the presence of demoniacal skill and power is often prominent, frequently dominant, always evil.”—“Footprints of Angels in Fields of Revelation”by E. A. Stockman, page 2.2. To what place were the angels that sinned cast?“For if God spared not the angels that sinned, butcast them down to hell[Greek,tartarus, a place of darkness], and delivered them intochains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.”2 Peter 2:4.3. What is Satan himself called?“Thegod of this world.”2 Cor. 4:4.“Theprince of this world.”John 14:30.“Theprince of the power of the air.”Eph. 2:2.4. How numerous are these wicked spirits, or fallen angels?[pg 531]“And He asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name isLegion: for we aremany.”Mark 5:9.5. What is the chief occupation of Satan and his angels?“And He was there in the wilderness forty days,tempted of Satan.”Mark 1:13.“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about,seeking whom he may devour.”1 Peter 5:8. See Rev. 12:9, 12; 16:14.Notes.—“In undiminished possession of their intelligence and strength, they constantly assault us in every weakness, through every avenue, by every means, by methods foul or fair.... Whom they cannot destroy they cease not to worry, torment. They inspire evil tempers; arouse dark passions; instil ill will; beget malice, envy; impose care, fear, distrust; suggest deceit, fraud, and all the forms of crime.”“Supremely do they revel in the criminal domain. They foster falsehood, incite revenge, fan jealousy, beget quarrels, help on thefts, robbery, and arson, further divorces, plan defalcations, instigate murders. They run the saloons and edit thePolice News.”—“Footprints of Angels in Fields of Revelation,”pages 9, 10, 22.6. What are we admonished not to do?“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:neither give place to the devil.”Eph. 4:26, 27.Note.—Those who give vent to anger or retain old grudges, who parley with temptation or tamper with vice, who indulge in intemperance, pride, foolishness, or levity, or give way to any other weakness, give place to the devil; that is, they give the devil an opportunity to work through them—give him an advantage over them. We should therefore close every avenue to Satan and his angels. We should suppress anger, be sober and watchful, and nip in the bud every prompting to sin.7. What spirits stand ever ready to deceive and ruin those who are off guard or bent on going astray?“And the Lord said, Who shall persuade [margin, deceive] Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?...And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the Lord, and said, I will persuade him.And the Lord said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, andI will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And He said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.”1 Kings 22:20-22. See 2 Thess. 2:10, 11.8. With what were many possessed in Christ's time?“And they brought unto Him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which werepossessed with devils.”Matt. 4:24.Note.—Vampire-like, evil angels take possession of, and make their abode with, all over whose minds and bodies they can gain control. Only through Christ can this demoniacal captivity be broken. Until this is done, one in this condition is led captive by Satan“at his will.”His self-control and power to resist temptation are gone. See 2 Tim. 2:26.[pg 532]9. How do evil spirits sometimes treat those thus possessed?“And as he was yet a coming,the devil threw him down, and tare him.”Luke 9:42.Note.—Those under demoniacal control are simply the sport and plaything of the evil spirits possessing and controlling them.10. As we near the closing scenes of human probation, why may we expect an increase in demoniacal manifestations?“Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea!for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.”Rev. 12:12.Note.—Acquainted, as they are, with the laws of nature, Satan and his angels raise storms and scatter disease and death as far as lies within their power; and, as enemies of God, they likewise pervert the truth and disseminate error as far as possible. Far better, also, than the inhabitants of the world, do they know that the end of all things is fast approaching, and that their time to work is short.11. Concerning what have we been definitely informed?“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, thatin the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.”1 Tim. 4:1.12. What class of God's servants have evil angels, through wicked men, seemed to make special objects of attack?“Which ofthe prophetshave not your fathers persecuted?”Acts 7:52.Notes.—“Of all classes of men employed by the Heavenly Father in the work of redemption, none are more fiercely hated by the wicked angels than the whole line of the prophets; for from the first to the last they foretell the final and eternal overthrow and utter extinction of the‘powers of darkness,’the‘spirits of disobedience.’”—“Footprints of Angels in Fields of Revelation,”page 14.Evil angels also incite men and nations to war, and by this means divert their attention from things pertaining to the kingdom of God, and so take peace from the earth. Rev. 16:14. This will end in Armageddon.“Familiar with the laws which govern mental conditions, the fallen hosts ply all their specious arts to excite personal suspicions and animosities, and to create national resentments and bloody conflicts, their chief delight being to compass the destruction of peace and the banishment of concord from the earth, to embitter the poor children of sin and sorrow against each other, and turn our world into an arena of strife and crime.”—Id., page 22.13. What will be the final doom of Satan and his angels?“Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire,prepared for the devil and his angels.”Matt. 25:41.“And the day that cometh shallburn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neitherrootnorbranch.”Mal. 4:1. See Rev. 20:9.[pg 533]SpiritualismIllustration.Saul And The Witch Of Endor. "They are the spirits of devils, working miracles." Rev. 16:14.1. What is Spiritualism defined to be?“A belief that departed spirits hold intercourse with mortals by means of physical phenomena, as by rapping, or during abnormal mental states, as in trances, or the like, commonly manifested through a medium; spiritism.”—Webster.Spiritism:“The theory that mediumistic phenomena are caused by spirits of the dead.”—Webster.Note.—“The very central truth of Spiritualism is the power and possibility of spirit return, under certain conditions, to communicate with those in the material form.”—N. F. Ravlin, Spiritualistic lecturer, of California.2. Did this doctrine exist in ancient times?“Regard not them that havefamiliar spirits, neither seek afterwizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God.”Lev. 19:31.Note.—“The phenomenal aspect of modern Spiritualism reproduces all essential principles of the magic, witchcraft, and sorcery of the past. The same powers are involved, the same intelligences are operating.”—F. F. Morse, in“Practical Occultism,”page 85.3. How does God regard sorcerers?“And I will come near to you to judgment; andI will be a swift witness against the sorcerers.”Mal. 3:5[pg 534]4. What does He say of the teachings of enchanters and sorcerers?“Therefore harken not ye to ... your enchanters, nor to your sorcerers, ... forthey prophesy a lie unto you, to remove you far from your land.”Jer. 27:9,10.Notes.—Rev. F. B. Meyer, of England, gives the following warning against dabbling in Spiritualism:“I have known several families that have been cursed by having recourse to clairvoyants and mediums. There are grave dangers in these things; and when occult powers are used for selfish ends, it is possible for men and women to be filled with evil spirits, as was the girl at Philippi. People are fools to play with the dregs of the spirit world.”—Present Truth, Sept. 7, 1911.“I am perfectly certain that the whole movement known as modern Spiritualism is in the hands and under the direction of the father of evil spirits; in other words, is thoroughly and unmistakably diabolical.”—Dr. C. Williams, of London, England.5. Before their entrance into Canaan, what instruction did Moses give Israel concerning these things?“When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. 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, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God.”Deut. 18:9-13.Notes.—Whoever consults or has to do with mediums or any who profess to receive instruction or communications from the spirits of the dead, disregards this plain instruction, and places himself upon the enemy's ground. Ever since Satan told that first lie in Eden, when he denied thatdeathwould be the result ofsin, in the very face of death itself, he, working upon man's natural dread of death and upon his distress at the thought of being separated from loved ones, has been endeavoring to persuade men to believe that the dead are not dead, and that men do not die. Idolatry, heathenism, Spiritualism, occultism, and the whole brood of false isms of this kind, it will be noticed, deal very largely withdeath. This, of itself, indicates their origin, and should be a warning to all to let them alone—to have nothing whatever to do with them. They are from beneath, and not from above. However promising or pleasing they may be at first, they are downward and destructive in their tendency, and ultimately lead away from God, into unbelief of His Word and into sin. They promise life by denying death, and apparently“make good”Satan's lie in Eden, through the ministration and manifestations of evil angels representing themselves to be the spirits of the dead.In a sermon on“Spiritualism an Imposture,”Rev. T. De Witt Talmage said:“Spiritualism takes advantage of those who are weak and morbid[pg 535]with trouble. We lose a friend. The house is dark, the world is dark, the future seems dark. If we had, in our rebellion and weakness, the power to marshal a host and recapture our loved one, we should marshal the host. Spiritualism comes in at that moment, when we are all worn out by watching,—all worn out, body, mind, and soul,—and says:‘Now I will open that door; you shall hear the voices. Take your places around the table; all be quiet now.’... O, I hate Spiritualism, because it takes advantage of people when they are weak, and worn out, and morbid under life's bereavements and sorrows!... If Spiritualism had its way, it would turn the world into a pandemonium of carnality. It is an unclean and adulterous system.”6. Under the theocracy of Israel, what was the law concerning witches and those who had familiar spirits?“Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.”Ex. 22:18.“A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death.”Lev. 20:27.Note.—This shows how dangerous and deadly everything of this character is in God's sight.7. With what is witchcraft classed by Paul, and what does he say to those who are guilty of such things?“Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies.... I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”Gal. 5:20-23.8. What should one do if asked to inquire of a familiar spirit?“And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter:should not a people seek unto their God?for thelivingto thedead?”Isa. 8:19.Note.—Giving the sense of this passage, Dr. Adam Clarke says:“Should not a nation seek unto its God? Why should you seek unto the dead concerning the living?”But this is exactly what Spiritualism teaches men to do,—to seek unto thedeadconcerning theliving.9. What instruction does the apostle John give touching this subject?“Beloved, believe not every spirit, buttry the spirits whether they are of God.”1 John 4:1.10. By what are we to try them?“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”Isa. 8:20.11. Should we allow ourselves to be influenced by signs or wonders performed by those who would try to lead us away from God and His law?[pg 536]“If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;thou shalt not harken unto the words of that prophet; or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear Him, and keep His commandments, and obey His voice.”Deut. 13:1-4.12. How much do the dead know of what is going on among men?“Thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away. His sons come to honor, andhe knoweth it not; and they are brought low, buthe perceiveth it not of them.”Job 14:20, 21.13. Do the dead knowanything?“For the living know that they shall die: butthe dead know not anything.”Eccl. 9:5.“His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth;in that very day his thoughts perish.”Ps. 146:4.14. What scripture forever precludes the idea that the dead come back to earth to communicate with the living?“Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished;neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun.”Eccl. 9:6.15. Then when miracles are performed by spirits purporting to be those of our dead friends, to what shall we attribute them?“For they arethe spirits of devils, working miracles.”Rev. 16:14.16. What will be one characteristic of last-day apostasies?“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith,giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.”1 Tim. 4:1.Notes.—The following items illustrate a condition widely prevalent:—“‘A lawyer with a national reputation, well known to me,’said J. L. Hall, of New York,‘never begins the preparation of a difficult case without getting“advice from the other side,”as he describes the search.... Another distinguished man of New York City once asserted to me that he had his familiar spirit with which he talked as freely as with a human companion,’”—Washington Herald, May 8, 1911.A noted Brooklyn divine some years ago, not realizing that he was voicing Spiritualistic views, gave expression to the following:“What are our departed Christian friends, who in this world had their joy in the healing[pg 537]art, doing now?—Busy at their old business. No sickness in heaven, but plenty of sickness on earth.”—Christian Herald, July 8, 1882.Writing concerning“Communion With the Departed,”General Booth, of the Salvation Army, said:“Through all my history, my personal intercourse with the spirit world has been but limited. I have not been favored with many visions, and it is but seldom that I dream dreams that impart either pleasure or profit; and yet I have a spiritual communion with the departed saints that is not without both satisfaction and service. And especially of late the memories of those with whom my heart has had the choicest communion in the past, if not the very beings themselves, have come in upon me as I have sat at my desk or lain wakeful on my bed in the night-season. Amongst these, one form, true to her mission, comes more frequently than all besides, assuring me of her continued partnership in my struggle for the temporal and eternal salvation of the multitudes—and that is my blessed, my beautiful wife!”—War Cry, Nov. 27, 1897.“Dr. Joseph Parker, of the City Temple, London, has openly declared that he prayed to his departed wife every day. He said that he never came to the City Temple to preach without asking her to come with him. He further says: I encourage my friend to pray to his wife, and to pray God to ask her to come to his help. She will be more to him than twelve legions of unknown angels.”—The Living Church, Nov. 14, 1899.“The emperor Nicholas ... has fallen under the influence of a Spiritualist named Philipp, who rules the emperor to such an extent that His Majesty makes no important decision, even in relation to family life, without consulting his Spiritualistic guide.”—Melbourne Age, Nov. 15, 1902.In a statement given put Dec. 20, 1910, soon after the death of Mrs. Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, Mrs. Amelia Stetson, one of the leaders of the Christian Science Church of New York City, said:“Mrs. Eddy, who was the female Christ, will return to earth. I am watching and waiting for the manifestation of Mrs. Eddy in the semblance of human form. It may come today, it may come next week, it may not come for ten years, but it will surely come.... The millennium is at hand. Mrs. Eddy is not dead. She is still alive, and when she appears again on earth, it will be as herself—as Mary Baker Eddy.”“A message purporting to come from Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, through Mr. William T. Stead, the noted English journalist, shortly after the former's death, says,‘There is no death; all is life; all is freedom,’”—Signs of the Times, Feb. 28, 1911.And soon after Mr. Stead himself went down on the“Titanic,”April 15, 1912, Spiritualists in different parts of the world received numerous messages purporting to have come from him.17. How does Satan deceive the people?“And no marvel; for Satan himself istransformed into an angel of light.”2 Cor. 11:14.18. What role do his agents assume?“Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also betransformed as the ministers of righteousness.”Verse 15.19. Will Satan and his agents attempt to counterfeit the coming of Christ, and work signs and wonders to confirm their pretentious claims?[pg 538]“Then if any man shall say unto you,Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets,and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”Matt. 24:23, 24.20. What will be one of the last great signs performed by this means, to fasten men in deception?“And he doeth great wonders, so thathe maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.”Rev. 13:13, 14.21. What scripture shows that Satan is to work with special power and deceptive wonders just before Christ's second coming?“Whose coming isafter the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish.”2 Thess. 2:9, 10. See also Rev. 12:12.22. While many will be deceived by these wonders, and accept of the false Christs that appear, what will those say who have maintained their love for the truth, and patiently waited for Christ's return?“And it shall be said in that day,Lo,thisis our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us:thisis the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.”Isa. 25: 9.23. What warning has been given us through the apostle Peter?“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour,”1 Peter 5: 8.Wicked spirits gather round thee,Legions of those foes to God—Principalities most mighty—Walk unseen the earth abroad;They are gathering to the battle,Strengthened for the last deep strife;Christian, arm! be watchful, ready.Struggle manfully for life.

Illustration.Moses On The Nile. "He shall give His angels charge over thee." Ps. 91:11.

Moses On The Nile. "He shall give His angels charge over thee." Ps. 91:11.

1. Of what family does Paul speak in Ephesians?

“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whomthe whole family in heaven and earthis named.”Eph. 3:14, 15.

2. By what name are the members of this family called?

“Now there was a day whenthe sons of Godcame to present themselves before the Lord.”Job 1:6.“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be calledthe sons of God.”1 John 3:1.

3. By what name are those composing the family in heaven commonly known to us?

“And I beheld, and I heard the voice of manyangelsround about the throne.”Rev. 5:11.

4. Did angels exist before the death of any of the human family?

“So He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the garden of Edencherubim.”Gen. 3:24.

Cherub:“A creature of a sacred and celestial nature.”—Gesenius.

5. Who witnessed the laying of the foundations of the earth?

“Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who[pg 524]laid the corner-stone thereof; whenthe morning starssang together, and allthe sons of Godshouted for joy?”Job 38:6, 7.

6. How many of these beings did John see around the throne?

“And I beheld, and I heard the voice ofmany angelsround about the throne; ... and the number of them wasten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.”Rev. 5:11.

7. What does Paul say of their number?

“But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and toan innumerable company of angels.”Heb. 12:22. See also Dan. 7:10.

8. Are angels of a higher order of beings than man?

“Thou hast made hima little lower than the angels.”Ps. 8:5.

Notes.—There are different orders of angels:“Cherubim”(Gen. 3:24);“Seraphim”(Isa. 6:2, 6);“Archangel”(1 Thess. 4:16; Jude 9).Some of their names are:“Michael”(Dan. 10:13, 21; 12:1; Jude 9);“Gabriel”(Dan. 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19);“Uriel”(2 Esdras [Apocrypha] 4:1, 36; 5:20. See 1 Chron. 15:5);“Ariel”(doubtless of angelic origin. See Ezra 8:16).Michaelmeans,“Who islikeGod,”and hence is a fit title for Christ.Gabrielsignifies,“Thestrengthof God,”an appropriate name for the angel or being who stands next to Christ (Dan. 10:21).Urielmeans,“Thelightof God;”Ariel,“Thelionof God.”

Notes.—There are different orders of angels:“Cherubim”(Gen. 3:24);“Seraphim”(Isa. 6:2, 6);“Archangel”(1 Thess. 4:16; Jude 9).

Some of their names are:“Michael”(Dan. 10:13, 21; 12:1; Jude 9);“Gabriel”(Dan. 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19);“Uriel”(2 Esdras [Apocrypha] 4:1, 36; 5:20. See 1 Chron. 15:5);“Ariel”(doubtless of angelic origin. See Ezra 8:16).

Michaelmeans,“Who islikeGod,”and hence is a fit title for Christ.Gabrielsignifies,“Thestrengthof God,”an appropriate name for the angel or being who stands next to Christ (Dan. 10:21).Urielmeans,“Thelightof God;”Ariel,“Thelionof God.”

9. Is Christ ever called an angel?

“Behold, I sendan Angelbefore thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.”Ex. 23:20. See verse 23; Acts 7:38; and margin of 1 Cor. 10:4.“The Angel of His presencesaved them.”Isa. 63:9.“Michaelthe Archangel.”Jude 9. See also Dan. 12:1; 1 Thess. 4:16.

Note.—Angel meansmessenger. In Mal. 3:1, Christ is called“themessengerof the covenant.”

10. What is said of the strength and character of the angels?

“Bless the Lord, ye His angels,that excel in strength, that do His commandments, harkening unto the voice of His word.”Ps. 103:20.

11. What description is given of Gabriel in Daniel?

“His body also was like theberyl, and his face as the appearance oflightning, and his eyes aslamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in color topolished brass, and the voice of his wordslike the voice of a multitude.”Dan. 10:6.

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

12. What was the appearance of the angel that rolled away the stone from the sepulcher at the resurrection of Christ?

“His countenance waslike lightning, and his raimentwhite as snow.”Matt. 28:3.

13. What shows that the angels sent to Abraham and Lot were real beings?

“And he [Abraham] took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, andthey did eat.”“And he [Lot] made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, andthey did eat.”Gen. 18:8; 19:3.

14. What reason does Paul give to encourage us to entertain strangers?

“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers:for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”Heb. 13:2.

15. In his dream at Bethel, what did Jacob see?

“And he 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.”Gen. 28:12.

16. To whose authority are the angels subject?

“Jesus Christ: who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God;angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him.”1 Peter 3:21, 22.

Note.—In Joshua 5:13-15, Christ is called“captain of the Lord's host.”

17. In what work are angels engaged?

“Are they not allministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”Heb. 1:14.

18. What scripture indicates that each child of God has an accompanying angel?

“Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaventheir angelsdo always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven.”Matt. 18:10.

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

19. How is their watch-care over God's people expressed?

“The angel of the Lordencampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.”Ps. 34:7.

Illustration.Daniel In The Lions' Den. "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them." Ps. 34:7.

Daniel In The Lions' Den. "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them." Ps. 34:7.

20. By what means were the three Hebrews protected while in the fiery furnace?

“I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth islike the Son of God.... Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hathsent His angel, and delivered His servantsthat trusted in Him.”Dan. 3:25-28.

21. When cast into the lions' den, how did Daniel say he had been saved from death?

“My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before Him innocency was found in me.”Dan. 6:22.

22. When surrounded by the Syrian host, what did Elisha say, and for what did he pray, to encourage his frightened servant?

“And he answered,Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee,open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man;and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.”2 Kings 6:16, 17.

23. What does the psalmist say of the chariots of God?

“The chariots of God are twenty thousand, eventhousands of angels.”Ps. 68:17.

24. By what means were the apostles delivered from prison?

“The angel of the Lordby nightopened the prison doors, and brought them forth.”Acts 5:19.

25. How was Peter delivered later?

“The angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.... And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.... They came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.”Acts 12:7-10.

Note.—“What we call physical law is no obstruction to angelic ministrations. Bolts and bars and prison gates disappear at their volition, and dungeons like palaces shine in their presence. No place can be so dismal, no cavern so deep and dark, no Inquisition cell so hidden and[pg 528]fetid, no fortress so strongly guarded, that they cannot find quick and easy access, if a child of God is there.”—“Footprints of Angels in Fields of Revelation,”by E. A. Stockman, pages 74, 75.

26. When Elijah was about to take a forty days' journey, how was he strengthened for it?

“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. 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.”1 Kings 19:7, 8.

27. After His forty days' fast and temptation in the wilderness, how was Christ strengthened?

“Then the devil leaveth Him, and, behold,angels came and ministered unto Him.”Matt. 4:11.

28. How was Christ strengthened while suffering in the garden of Gethsemane?

“Andthere appeared an angel unto Him from heaven, strengthening Him.”Luke 22:43.

29. Are the angels interested in the plan of salvation?

“Which thingsthe angels desire to look into.”1 Peter 1:12.

30. Are they interested in the conversion of men?

“Likewise, I say unto you,there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”Luke 15:10.

31. Before whom are we said to speak?

“Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin;neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?”Eccl. 5:5, 6.

32. For what must men give account in the judgment?

“But I say unto you, Thatevery idle wordthat men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”Matt. 12:36. See also Eccl. 12:13, 14.

33. Out of what will they be judged?

“And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judgedout of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.”Rev. 20:12.

34. What shows that the actions of men are recorded?

“And the Lord harkened, and heard it, anda book of remembrance was written before Himfor them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name.”Mal. 3:16. See also Isa. 65:6; Jer. 2:22.

35. In the judgment how many angels minister before God?

“A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him:thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.”Dan. 7:10.

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

36. What does Christ promise overcomers?

“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, butI will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels.”Rev. 3:5.

37. What protection has God promised His people during the seven last plagues?

“There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. ForHe shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.”Ps. 91:10-12.

38. When Christ comes, who will come with Him, and what will they do?

“For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Fatherwith His angels.”“Andthey shall gather together His electfrom the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”Matt. 16:27; 24:31.

39. Where will all the saints then go?

“Then we which are alive and remainshall 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.”1 Thess. 4:17.

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

O, may Thine angels, while I sleep,Around my bed their vigils keep;Their love angelical instil,Stop every avenue of ill!May they celestial joys rehearse,And thought to thought with me converse.Bishop Kent.

O, may Thine angels, while I sleep,Around my bed their vigils keep;Their love angelical instil,Stop every avenue of ill!May they celestial joys rehearse,And thought to thought with me converse.

O, may Thine angels, while I sleep,

Around my bed their vigils keep;

Their love angelical instil,

Stop every avenue of ill!

May they celestial joys rehearse,

And thought to thought with me converse.

Bishop Kent.

The Dark Ministries Of Bad AngelsIllustration.Satan's Entrance To Eden. "The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me." John 14:30.1. Against whom do we wrestle?“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, butagainst principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness[margin,wicked spirits] in high places [margin, heavenly places].”Eph. 6:12.Note.—“The facts of history concur with the statements of revelation in forcing upon us the unwelcome conviction that the human race is subject to the malevolent influence of an organized and all-pervading demonism. Alike in the career of nations and in the phenomena of personal destiny the presence of demoniacal skill and power is often prominent, frequently dominant, always evil.”—“Footprints of Angels in Fields of Revelation”by E. A. Stockman, page 2.2. To what place were the angels that sinned cast?“For if God spared not the angels that sinned, butcast them down to hell[Greek,tartarus, a place of darkness], and delivered them intochains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.”2 Peter 2:4.3. What is Satan himself called?“Thegod of this world.”2 Cor. 4:4.“Theprince of this world.”John 14:30.“Theprince of the power of the air.”Eph. 2:2.4. How numerous are these wicked spirits, or fallen angels?[pg 531]“And He asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name isLegion: for we aremany.”Mark 5:9.5. What is the chief occupation of Satan and his angels?“And He was there in the wilderness forty days,tempted of Satan.”Mark 1:13.“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about,seeking whom he may devour.”1 Peter 5:8. See Rev. 12:9, 12; 16:14.Notes.—“In undiminished possession of their intelligence and strength, they constantly assault us in every weakness, through every avenue, by every means, by methods foul or fair.... Whom they cannot destroy they cease not to worry, torment. They inspire evil tempers; arouse dark passions; instil ill will; beget malice, envy; impose care, fear, distrust; suggest deceit, fraud, and all the forms of crime.”“Supremely do they revel in the criminal domain. They foster falsehood, incite revenge, fan jealousy, beget quarrels, help on thefts, robbery, and arson, further divorces, plan defalcations, instigate murders. They run the saloons and edit thePolice News.”—“Footprints of Angels in Fields of Revelation,”pages 9, 10, 22.6. What are we admonished not to do?“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:neither give place to the devil.”Eph. 4:26, 27.Note.—Those who give vent to anger or retain old grudges, who parley with temptation or tamper with vice, who indulge in intemperance, pride, foolishness, or levity, or give way to any other weakness, give place to the devil; that is, they give the devil an opportunity to work through them—give him an advantage over them. We should therefore close every avenue to Satan and his angels. We should suppress anger, be sober and watchful, and nip in the bud every prompting to sin.7. What spirits stand ever ready to deceive and ruin those who are off guard or bent on going astray?“And the Lord said, Who shall persuade [margin, deceive] Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?...And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the Lord, and said, I will persuade him.And the Lord said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, andI will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And He said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.”1 Kings 22:20-22. See 2 Thess. 2:10, 11.8. With what were many possessed in Christ's time?“And they brought unto Him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which werepossessed with devils.”Matt. 4:24.Note.—Vampire-like, evil angels take possession of, and make their abode with, all over whose minds and bodies they can gain control. Only through Christ can this demoniacal captivity be broken. Until this is done, one in this condition is led captive by Satan“at his will.”His self-control and power to resist temptation are gone. See 2 Tim. 2:26.[pg 532]9. How do evil spirits sometimes treat those thus possessed?“And as he was yet a coming,the devil threw him down, and tare him.”Luke 9:42.Note.—Those under demoniacal control are simply the sport and plaything of the evil spirits possessing and controlling them.10. As we near the closing scenes of human probation, why may we expect an increase in demoniacal manifestations?“Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea!for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.”Rev. 12:12.Note.—Acquainted, as they are, with the laws of nature, Satan and his angels raise storms and scatter disease and death as far as lies within their power; and, as enemies of God, they likewise pervert the truth and disseminate error as far as possible. Far better, also, than the inhabitants of the world, do they know that the end of all things is fast approaching, and that their time to work is short.11. Concerning what have we been definitely informed?“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, thatin the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.”1 Tim. 4:1.12. What class of God's servants have evil angels, through wicked men, seemed to make special objects of attack?“Which ofthe prophetshave not your fathers persecuted?”Acts 7:52.Notes.—“Of all classes of men employed by the Heavenly Father in the work of redemption, none are more fiercely hated by the wicked angels than the whole line of the prophets; for from the first to the last they foretell the final and eternal overthrow and utter extinction of the‘powers of darkness,’the‘spirits of disobedience.’”—“Footprints of Angels in Fields of Revelation,”page 14.Evil angels also incite men and nations to war, and by this means divert their attention from things pertaining to the kingdom of God, and so take peace from the earth. Rev. 16:14. This will end in Armageddon.“Familiar with the laws which govern mental conditions, the fallen hosts ply all their specious arts to excite personal suspicions and animosities, and to create national resentments and bloody conflicts, their chief delight being to compass the destruction of peace and the banishment of concord from the earth, to embitter the poor children of sin and sorrow against each other, and turn our world into an arena of strife and crime.”—Id., page 22.13. What will be the final doom of Satan and his angels?“Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire,prepared for the devil and his angels.”Matt. 25:41.“And the day that cometh shallburn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neitherrootnorbranch.”Mal. 4:1. See Rev. 20:9.

Illustration.Satan's Entrance To Eden. "The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me." John 14:30.

Satan's Entrance To Eden. "The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me." John 14:30.

1. Against whom do we wrestle?

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, butagainst principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness[margin,wicked spirits] in high places [margin, heavenly places].”Eph. 6:12.

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

2. To what place were the angels that sinned cast?

“For if God spared not the angels that sinned, butcast them down to hell[Greek,tartarus, a place of darkness], and delivered them intochains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.”2 Peter 2:4.

3. What is Satan himself called?

“Thegod of this world.”2 Cor. 4:4.“Theprince of this world.”John 14:30.“Theprince of the power of the air.”Eph. 2:2.

4. How numerous are these wicked spirits, or fallen angels?

“And He asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name isLegion: for we aremany.”Mark 5:9.

5. What is the chief occupation of Satan and his angels?

“And He was there in the wilderness forty days,tempted of Satan.”Mark 1:13.“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about,seeking whom he may devour.”1 Peter 5:8. See Rev. 12:9, 12; 16:14.

Notes.—“In undiminished possession of their intelligence and strength, they constantly assault us in every weakness, through every avenue, by every means, by methods foul or fair.... Whom they cannot destroy they cease not to worry, torment. They inspire evil tempers; arouse dark passions; instil ill will; beget malice, envy; impose care, fear, distrust; suggest deceit, fraud, and all the forms of crime.”“Supremely do they revel in the criminal domain. They foster falsehood, incite revenge, fan jealousy, beget quarrels, help on thefts, robbery, and arson, further divorces, plan defalcations, instigate murders. They run the saloons and edit thePolice News.”—“Footprints of Angels in Fields of Revelation,”pages 9, 10, 22.

6. What are we admonished not to do?

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

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

7. What spirits stand ever ready to deceive and ruin those who are off guard or bent on going astray?

“And the Lord said, Who shall persuade [margin, deceive] Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?...And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the Lord, and said, I will persuade him.And the Lord said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, andI will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And He said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.”1 Kings 22:20-22. See 2 Thess. 2:10, 11.

8. With what were many possessed in Christ's time?

“And they brought unto Him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which werepossessed with devils.”Matt. 4:24.

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

9. How do evil spirits sometimes treat those thus possessed?

“And as he was yet a coming,the devil threw him down, and tare him.”Luke 9:42.

Note.—Those under demoniacal control are simply the sport and plaything of the evil spirits possessing and controlling them.

10. As we near the closing scenes of human probation, why may we expect an increase in demoniacal manifestations?

“Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea!for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.”Rev. 12:12.

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

11. Concerning what have we been definitely informed?

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

12. What class of God's servants have evil angels, through wicked men, seemed to make special objects of attack?

“Which ofthe prophetshave not your fathers persecuted?”Acts 7:52.

Notes.—“Of all classes of men employed by the Heavenly Father in the work of redemption, none are more fiercely hated by the wicked angels than the whole line of the prophets; for from the first to the last they foretell the final and eternal overthrow and utter extinction of the‘powers of darkness,’the‘spirits of disobedience.’”—“Footprints of Angels in Fields of Revelation,”page 14.Evil angels also incite men and nations to war, and by this means divert their attention from things pertaining to the kingdom of God, and so take peace from the earth. Rev. 16:14. This will end in Armageddon.“Familiar with the laws which govern mental conditions, the fallen hosts ply all their specious arts to excite personal suspicions and animosities, and to create national resentments and bloody conflicts, their chief delight being to compass the destruction of peace and the banishment of concord from the earth, to embitter the poor children of sin and sorrow against each other, and turn our world into an arena of strife and crime.”—Id., page 22.

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

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

13. What will be the final doom of Satan and his angels?

“Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire,prepared for the devil and his angels.”Matt. 25:41.“And the day that cometh shallburn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neitherrootnorbranch.”Mal. 4:1. See Rev. 20:9.

SpiritualismIllustration.Saul And The Witch Of Endor. "They are the spirits of devils, working miracles." Rev. 16:14.1. What is Spiritualism defined to be?“A belief that departed spirits hold intercourse with mortals by means of physical phenomena, as by rapping, or during abnormal mental states, as in trances, or the like, commonly manifested through a medium; spiritism.”—Webster.Spiritism:“The theory that mediumistic phenomena are caused by spirits of the dead.”—Webster.Note.—“The very central truth of Spiritualism is the power and possibility of spirit return, under certain conditions, to communicate with those in the material form.”—N. F. Ravlin, Spiritualistic lecturer, of California.2. Did this doctrine exist in ancient times?“Regard not them that havefamiliar spirits, neither seek afterwizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God.”Lev. 19:31.Note.—“The phenomenal aspect of modern Spiritualism reproduces all essential principles of the magic, witchcraft, and sorcery of the past. The same powers are involved, the same intelligences are operating.”—F. F. Morse, in“Practical Occultism,”page 85.3. How does God regard sorcerers?“And I will come near to you to judgment; andI will be a swift witness against the sorcerers.”Mal. 3:5[pg 534]4. What does He say of the teachings of enchanters and sorcerers?“Therefore harken not ye to ... your enchanters, nor to your sorcerers, ... forthey prophesy a lie unto you, to remove you far from your land.”Jer. 27:9,10.Notes.—Rev. F. B. Meyer, of England, gives the following warning against dabbling in Spiritualism:“I have known several families that have been cursed by having recourse to clairvoyants and mediums. There are grave dangers in these things; and when occult powers are used for selfish ends, it is possible for men and women to be filled with evil spirits, as was the girl at Philippi. People are fools to play with the dregs of the spirit world.”—Present Truth, Sept. 7, 1911.“I am perfectly certain that the whole movement known as modern Spiritualism is in the hands and under the direction of the father of evil spirits; in other words, is thoroughly and unmistakably diabolical.”—Dr. C. Williams, of London, England.5. Before their entrance into Canaan, what instruction did Moses give Israel concerning these things?“When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. 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, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God.”Deut. 18:9-13.Notes.—Whoever consults or has to do with mediums or any who profess to receive instruction or communications from the spirits of the dead, disregards this plain instruction, and places himself upon the enemy's ground. Ever since Satan told that first lie in Eden, when he denied thatdeathwould be the result ofsin, in the very face of death itself, he, working upon man's natural dread of death and upon his distress at the thought of being separated from loved ones, has been endeavoring to persuade men to believe that the dead are not dead, and that men do not die. Idolatry, heathenism, Spiritualism, occultism, and the whole brood of false isms of this kind, it will be noticed, deal very largely withdeath. This, of itself, indicates their origin, and should be a warning to all to let them alone—to have nothing whatever to do with them. They are from beneath, and not from above. However promising or pleasing they may be at first, they are downward and destructive in their tendency, and ultimately lead away from God, into unbelief of His Word and into sin. They promise life by denying death, and apparently“make good”Satan's lie in Eden, through the ministration and manifestations of evil angels representing themselves to be the spirits of the dead.In a sermon on“Spiritualism an Imposture,”Rev. T. De Witt Talmage said:“Spiritualism takes advantage of those who are weak and morbid[pg 535]with trouble. We lose a friend. The house is dark, the world is dark, the future seems dark. If we had, in our rebellion and weakness, the power to marshal a host and recapture our loved one, we should marshal the host. Spiritualism comes in at that moment, when we are all worn out by watching,—all worn out, body, mind, and soul,—and says:‘Now I will open that door; you shall hear the voices. Take your places around the table; all be quiet now.’... O, I hate Spiritualism, because it takes advantage of people when they are weak, and worn out, and morbid under life's bereavements and sorrows!... If Spiritualism had its way, it would turn the world into a pandemonium of carnality. It is an unclean and adulterous system.”6. Under the theocracy of Israel, what was the law concerning witches and those who had familiar spirits?“Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.”Ex. 22:18.“A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death.”Lev. 20:27.Note.—This shows how dangerous and deadly everything of this character is in God's sight.7. With what is witchcraft classed by Paul, and what does he say to those who are guilty of such things?“Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies.... I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”Gal. 5:20-23.8. What should one do if asked to inquire of a familiar spirit?“And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter:should not a people seek unto their God?for thelivingto thedead?”Isa. 8:19.Note.—Giving the sense of this passage, Dr. Adam Clarke says:“Should not a nation seek unto its God? Why should you seek unto the dead concerning the living?”But this is exactly what Spiritualism teaches men to do,—to seek unto thedeadconcerning theliving.9. What instruction does the apostle John give touching this subject?“Beloved, believe not every spirit, buttry the spirits whether they are of God.”1 John 4:1.10. By what are we to try them?“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”Isa. 8:20.11. Should we allow ourselves to be influenced by signs or wonders performed by those who would try to lead us away from God and His law?[pg 536]“If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;thou shalt not harken unto the words of that prophet; or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear Him, and keep His commandments, and obey His voice.”Deut. 13:1-4.12. How much do the dead know of what is going on among men?“Thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away. His sons come to honor, andhe knoweth it not; and they are brought low, buthe perceiveth it not of them.”Job 14:20, 21.13. Do the dead knowanything?“For the living know that they shall die: butthe dead know not anything.”Eccl. 9:5.“His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth;in that very day his thoughts perish.”Ps. 146:4.14. What scripture forever precludes the idea that the dead come back to earth to communicate with the living?“Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished;neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun.”Eccl. 9:6.15. Then when miracles are performed by spirits purporting to be those of our dead friends, to what shall we attribute them?“For they arethe spirits of devils, working miracles.”Rev. 16:14.16. What will be one characteristic of last-day apostasies?“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith,giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.”1 Tim. 4:1.Notes.—The following items illustrate a condition widely prevalent:—“‘A lawyer with a national reputation, well known to me,’said J. L. Hall, of New York,‘never begins the preparation of a difficult case without getting“advice from the other side,”as he describes the search.... Another distinguished man of New York City once asserted to me that he had his familiar spirit with which he talked as freely as with a human companion,’”—Washington Herald, May 8, 1911.A noted Brooklyn divine some years ago, not realizing that he was voicing Spiritualistic views, gave expression to the following:“What are our departed Christian friends, who in this world had their joy in the healing[pg 537]art, doing now?—Busy at their old business. No sickness in heaven, but plenty of sickness on earth.”—Christian Herald, July 8, 1882.Writing concerning“Communion With the Departed,”General Booth, of the Salvation Army, said:“Through all my history, my personal intercourse with the spirit world has been but limited. I have not been favored with many visions, and it is but seldom that I dream dreams that impart either pleasure or profit; and yet I have a spiritual communion with the departed saints that is not without both satisfaction and service. And especially of late the memories of those with whom my heart has had the choicest communion in the past, if not the very beings themselves, have come in upon me as I have sat at my desk or lain wakeful on my bed in the night-season. Amongst these, one form, true to her mission, comes more frequently than all besides, assuring me of her continued partnership in my struggle for the temporal and eternal salvation of the multitudes—and that is my blessed, my beautiful wife!”—War Cry, Nov. 27, 1897.“Dr. Joseph Parker, of the City Temple, London, has openly declared that he prayed to his departed wife every day. He said that he never came to the City Temple to preach without asking her to come with him. He further says: I encourage my friend to pray to his wife, and to pray God to ask her to come to his help. She will be more to him than twelve legions of unknown angels.”—The Living Church, Nov. 14, 1899.“The emperor Nicholas ... has fallen under the influence of a Spiritualist named Philipp, who rules the emperor to such an extent that His Majesty makes no important decision, even in relation to family life, without consulting his Spiritualistic guide.”—Melbourne Age, Nov. 15, 1902.In a statement given put Dec. 20, 1910, soon after the death of Mrs. Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, Mrs. Amelia Stetson, one of the leaders of the Christian Science Church of New York City, said:“Mrs. Eddy, who was the female Christ, will return to earth. I am watching and waiting for the manifestation of Mrs. Eddy in the semblance of human form. It may come today, it may come next week, it may not come for ten years, but it will surely come.... The millennium is at hand. Mrs. Eddy is not dead. She is still alive, and when she appears again on earth, it will be as herself—as Mary Baker Eddy.”“A message purporting to come from Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, through Mr. William T. Stead, the noted English journalist, shortly after the former's death, says,‘There is no death; all is life; all is freedom,’”—Signs of the Times, Feb. 28, 1911.And soon after Mr. Stead himself went down on the“Titanic,”April 15, 1912, Spiritualists in different parts of the world received numerous messages purporting to have come from him.17. How does Satan deceive the people?“And no marvel; for Satan himself istransformed into an angel of light.”2 Cor. 11:14.18. What role do his agents assume?“Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also betransformed as the ministers of righteousness.”Verse 15.19. Will Satan and his agents attempt to counterfeit the coming of Christ, and work signs and wonders to confirm their pretentious claims?[pg 538]“Then if any man shall say unto you,Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets,and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”Matt. 24:23, 24.20. What will be one of the last great signs performed by this means, to fasten men in deception?“And he doeth great wonders, so thathe maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.”Rev. 13:13, 14.21. What scripture shows that Satan is to work with special power and deceptive wonders just before Christ's second coming?“Whose coming isafter the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish.”2 Thess. 2:9, 10. See also Rev. 12:12.22. While many will be deceived by these wonders, and accept of the false Christs that appear, what will those say who have maintained their love for the truth, and patiently waited for Christ's return?“And it shall be said in that day,Lo,thisis our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us:thisis the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.”Isa. 25: 9.23. What warning has been given us through the apostle Peter?“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour,”1 Peter 5: 8.Wicked spirits gather round thee,Legions of those foes to God—Principalities most mighty—Walk unseen the earth abroad;They are gathering to the battle,Strengthened for the last deep strife;Christian, arm! be watchful, ready.Struggle manfully for life.

Illustration.Saul And The Witch Of Endor. "They are the spirits of devils, working miracles." Rev. 16:14.

Saul And The Witch Of Endor. "They are the spirits of devils, working miracles." Rev. 16:14.

1. What is Spiritualism defined to be?

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

Spiritism:“The theory that mediumistic phenomena are caused by spirits of the dead.”—Webster.Note.—“The very central truth of Spiritualism is the power and possibility of spirit return, under certain conditions, to communicate with those in the material form.”—N. F. Ravlin, Spiritualistic lecturer, of California.

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

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

2. Did this doctrine exist in ancient times?

“Regard not them that havefamiliar spirits, neither seek afterwizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God.”Lev. 19:31.

Note.—“The phenomenal aspect of modern Spiritualism reproduces all essential principles of the magic, witchcraft, and sorcery of the past. The same powers are involved, the same intelligences are operating.”—F. F. Morse, in“Practical Occultism,”page 85.

3. How does God regard sorcerers?

“And I will come near to you to judgment; andI will be a swift witness against the sorcerers.”Mal. 3:5

4. What does He say of the teachings of enchanters and sorcerers?

“Therefore harken not ye to ... your enchanters, nor to your sorcerers, ... forthey prophesy a lie unto you, to remove you far from your land.”Jer. 27:9,10.

Notes.—Rev. F. B. Meyer, of England, gives the following warning against dabbling in Spiritualism:“I have known several families that have been cursed by having recourse to clairvoyants and mediums. There are grave dangers in these things; and when occult powers are used for selfish ends, it is possible for men and women to be filled with evil spirits, as was the girl at Philippi. People are fools to play with the dregs of the spirit world.”—Present Truth, Sept. 7, 1911.“I am perfectly certain that the whole movement known as modern Spiritualism is in the hands and under the direction of the father of evil spirits; in other words, is thoroughly and unmistakably diabolical.”—Dr. C. Williams, of London, England.

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

5. Before their entrance into Canaan, what instruction did Moses give Israel concerning these things?

“When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. 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, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God.”Deut. 18:9-13.

Notes.—Whoever consults or has to do with mediums or any who profess to receive instruction or communications from the spirits of the dead, disregards this plain instruction, and places himself upon the enemy's ground. Ever since Satan told that first lie in Eden, when he denied thatdeathwould be the result ofsin, in the very face of death itself, he, working upon man's natural dread of death and upon his distress at the thought of being separated from loved ones, has been endeavoring to persuade men to believe that the dead are not dead, and that men do not die. Idolatry, heathenism, Spiritualism, occultism, and the whole brood of false isms of this kind, it will be noticed, deal very largely withdeath. This, of itself, indicates their origin, and should be a warning to all to let them alone—to have nothing whatever to do with them. They are from beneath, and not from above. However promising or pleasing they may be at first, they are downward and destructive in their tendency, and ultimately lead away from God, into unbelief of His Word and into sin. They promise life by denying death, and apparently“make good”Satan's lie in Eden, through the ministration and manifestations of evil angels representing themselves to be the spirits of the dead.In a sermon on“Spiritualism an Imposture,”Rev. T. De Witt Talmage said:“Spiritualism takes advantage of those who are weak and morbid[pg 535]with trouble. We lose a friend. The house is dark, the world is dark, the future seems dark. If we had, in our rebellion and weakness, the power to marshal a host and recapture our loved one, we should marshal the host. Spiritualism comes in at that moment, when we are all worn out by watching,—all worn out, body, mind, and soul,—and says:‘Now I will open that door; you shall hear the voices. Take your places around the table; all be quiet now.’... O, I hate Spiritualism, because it takes advantage of people when they are weak, and worn out, and morbid under life's bereavements and sorrows!... If Spiritualism had its way, it would turn the world into a pandemonium of carnality. It is an unclean and adulterous system.”

In a sermon on“Spiritualism an Imposture,”Rev. T. De Witt Talmage said:“Spiritualism takes advantage of those who are weak and morbid[pg 535]with trouble. We lose a friend. The house is dark, the world is dark, the future seems dark. If we had, in our rebellion and weakness, the power to marshal a host and recapture our loved one, we should marshal the host. Spiritualism comes in at that moment, when we are all worn out by watching,—all worn out, body, mind, and soul,—and says:‘Now I will open that door; you shall hear the voices. Take your places around the table; all be quiet now.’... O, I hate Spiritualism, because it takes advantage of people when they are weak, and worn out, and morbid under life's bereavements and sorrows!... If Spiritualism had its way, it would turn the world into a pandemonium of carnality. It is an unclean and adulterous system.”

6. Under the theocracy of Israel, what was the law concerning witches and those who had familiar spirits?

“Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.”Ex. 22:18.“A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death.”Lev. 20:27.

Note.—This shows how dangerous and deadly everything of this character is in God's sight.

7. With what is witchcraft classed by Paul, and what does he say to those who are guilty of such things?

“Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies.... I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”Gal. 5:20-23.

8. What should one do if asked to inquire of a familiar spirit?

“And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter:should not a people seek unto their God?for thelivingto thedead?”Isa. 8:19.

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

9. What instruction does the apostle John give touching this subject?

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, buttry the spirits whether they are of God.”1 John 4:1.

10. By what are we to try them?

“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”Isa. 8:20.

11. Should we allow ourselves to be influenced by signs or wonders performed by those who would try to lead us away from God and His law?

“If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;thou shalt not harken unto the words of that prophet; or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear Him, and keep His commandments, and obey His voice.”Deut. 13:1-4.

12. How much do the dead know of what is going on among men?

“Thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away. His sons come to honor, andhe knoweth it not; and they are brought low, buthe perceiveth it not of them.”Job 14:20, 21.

13. Do the dead knowanything?

“For the living know that they shall die: butthe dead know not anything.”Eccl. 9:5.“His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth;in that very day his thoughts perish.”Ps. 146:4.

14. What scripture forever precludes the idea that the dead come back to earth to communicate with the living?

“Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished;neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun.”Eccl. 9:6.

15. Then when miracles are performed by spirits purporting to be those of our dead friends, to what shall we attribute them?

“For they arethe spirits of devils, working miracles.”Rev. 16:14.

16. What will be one characteristic of last-day apostasies?

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

Notes.—The following items illustrate a condition widely prevalent:—“‘A lawyer with a national reputation, well known to me,’said J. L. Hall, of New York,‘never begins the preparation of a difficult case without getting“advice from the other side,”as he describes the search.... Another distinguished man of New York City once asserted to me that he had his familiar spirit with which he talked as freely as with a human companion,’”—Washington Herald, May 8, 1911.A noted Brooklyn divine some years ago, not realizing that he was voicing Spiritualistic views, gave expression to the following:“What are our departed Christian friends, who in this world had their joy in the healing[pg 537]art, doing now?—Busy at their old business. No sickness in heaven, but plenty of sickness on earth.”—Christian Herald, July 8, 1882.Writing concerning“Communion With the Departed,”General Booth, of the Salvation Army, said:“Through all my history, my personal intercourse with the spirit world has been but limited. I have not been favored with many visions, and it is but seldom that I dream dreams that impart either pleasure or profit; and yet I have a spiritual communion with the departed saints that is not without both satisfaction and service. And especially of late the memories of those with whom my heart has had the choicest communion in the past, if not the very beings themselves, have come in upon me as I have sat at my desk or lain wakeful on my bed in the night-season. Amongst these, one form, true to her mission, comes more frequently than all besides, assuring me of her continued partnership in my struggle for the temporal and eternal salvation of the multitudes—and that is my blessed, my beautiful wife!”—War Cry, Nov. 27, 1897.“Dr. Joseph Parker, of the City Temple, London, has openly declared that he prayed to his departed wife every day. He said that he never came to the City Temple to preach without asking her to come with him. He further says: I encourage my friend to pray to his wife, and to pray God to ask her to come to his help. She will be more to him than twelve legions of unknown angels.”—The Living Church, Nov. 14, 1899.“The emperor Nicholas ... has fallen under the influence of a Spiritualist named Philipp, who rules the emperor to such an extent that His Majesty makes no important decision, even in relation to family life, without consulting his Spiritualistic guide.”—Melbourne Age, Nov. 15, 1902.In a statement given put Dec. 20, 1910, soon after the death of Mrs. Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, Mrs. Amelia Stetson, one of the leaders of the Christian Science Church of New York City, said:“Mrs. Eddy, who was the female Christ, will return to earth. I am watching and waiting for the manifestation of Mrs. Eddy in the semblance of human form. It may come today, it may come next week, it may not come for ten years, but it will surely come.... The millennium is at hand. Mrs. Eddy is not dead. She is still alive, and when she appears again on earth, it will be as herself—as Mary Baker Eddy.”“A message purporting to come from Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, through Mr. William T. Stead, the noted English journalist, shortly after the former's death, says,‘There is no death; all is life; all is freedom,’”—Signs of the Times, Feb. 28, 1911.And soon after Mr. Stead himself went down on the“Titanic,”April 15, 1912, Spiritualists in different parts of the world received numerous messages purporting to have come from him.

Notes.—The following items illustrate a condition widely prevalent:—

“‘A lawyer with a national reputation, well known to me,’said J. L. Hall, of New York,‘never begins the preparation of a difficult case without getting“advice from the other side,”as he describes the search.... Another distinguished man of New York City once asserted to me that he had his familiar spirit with which he talked as freely as with a human companion,’”—Washington Herald, May 8, 1911.

A noted Brooklyn divine some years ago, not realizing that he was voicing Spiritualistic views, gave expression to the following:“What are our departed Christian friends, who in this world had their joy in the healing[pg 537]art, doing now?—Busy at their old business. No sickness in heaven, but plenty of sickness on earth.”—Christian Herald, July 8, 1882.

Writing concerning“Communion With the Departed,”General Booth, of the Salvation Army, said:“Through all my history, my personal intercourse with the spirit world has been but limited. I have not been favored with many visions, and it is but seldom that I dream dreams that impart either pleasure or profit; and yet I have a spiritual communion with the departed saints that is not without both satisfaction and service. And especially of late the memories of those with whom my heart has had the choicest communion in the past, if not the very beings themselves, have come in upon me as I have sat at my desk or lain wakeful on my bed in the night-season. Amongst these, one form, true to her mission, comes more frequently than all besides, assuring me of her continued partnership in my struggle for the temporal and eternal salvation of the multitudes—and that is my blessed, my beautiful wife!”—War Cry, Nov. 27, 1897.

“Dr. Joseph Parker, of the City Temple, London, has openly declared that he prayed to his departed wife every day. He said that he never came to the City Temple to preach without asking her to come with him. He further says: I encourage my friend to pray to his wife, and to pray God to ask her to come to his help. She will be more to him than twelve legions of unknown angels.”—The Living Church, Nov. 14, 1899.

“The emperor Nicholas ... has fallen under the influence of a Spiritualist named Philipp, who rules the emperor to such an extent that His Majesty makes no important decision, even in relation to family life, without consulting his Spiritualistic guide.”—Melbourne Age, Nov. 15, 1902.

In a statement given put Dec. 20, 1910, soon after the death of Mrs. Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, Mrs. Amelia Stetson, one of the leaders of the Christian Science Church of New York City, said:“Mrs. Eddy, who was the female Christ, will return to earth. I am watching and waiting for the manifestation of Mrs. Eddy in the semblance of human form. It may come today, it may come next week, it may not come for ten years, but it will surely come.... The millennium is at hand. Mrs. Eddy is not dead. She is still alive, and when she appears again on earth, it will be as herself—as Mary Baker Eddy.”

“A message purporting to come from Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, through Mr. William T. Stead, the noted English journalist, shortly after the former's death, says,‘There is no death; all is life; all is freedom,’”—Signs of the Times, Feb. 28, 1911.

And soon after Mr. Stead himself went down on the“Titanic,”April 15, 1912, Spiritualists in different parts of the world received numerous messages purporting to have come from him.

17. How does Satan deceive the people?

“And no marvel; for Satan himself istransformed into an angel of light.”2 Cor. 11:14.

18. What role do his agents assume?

“Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also betransformed as the ministers of righteousness.”Verse 15.

19. Will Satan and his agents attempt to counterfeit the coming of Christ, and work signs and wonders to confirm their pretentious claims?

“Then if any man shall say unto you,Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets,and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”Matt. 24:23, 24.

20. What will be one of the last great signs performed by this means, to fasten men in deception?

“And he doeth great wonders, so thathe maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.”Rev. 13:13, 14.

21. What scripture shows that Satan is to work with special power and deceptive wonders just before Christ's second coming?

“Whose coming isafter the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish.”2 Thess. 2:9, 10. See also Rev. 12:12.

22. While many will be deceived by these wonders, and accept of the false Christs that appear, what will those say who have maintained their love for the truth, and patiently waited for Christ's return?

“And it shall be said in that day,Lo,thisis our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us:thisis the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.”Isa. 25: 9.

23. What warning has been given us through the apostle Peter?

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour,”1 Peter 5: 8.

Wicked spirits gather round thee,Legions of those foes to God—Principalities most mighty—Walk unseen the earth abroad;They are gathering to the battle,Strengthened for the last deep strife;Christian, arm! be watchful, ready.Struggle manfully for life.

Wicked spirits gather round thee,

Legions of those foes to God—

Principalities most mighty—

Walk unseen the earth abroad;

They are gathering to the battle,

Strengthened for the last deep strife;

Christian, arm! be watchful, ready.

Struggle manfully for life.

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