nity.

Warnings Against Evil Spirits.

The Scriptures plainly point out the working of these agents of
wickedness, and warn us against them. In 1 Tim. 4:1, we read: "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." This
shows that these spirits make it an object to seduce, or deceive, to draw
men away from the true faith, and cause them to receive, instead, the
doctrines they teach, which are called "doctrines of devils;" and this
scripture is written to put men on their guard against them.

Again Paul says: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this
world, against spiritual wickedness [margin, 'wicked spirits'] in high
places." Eph. 6:12. And he adjures his readers to put on the whole armor
of God to be able to resist them.

The apostle Peter exhorts to the same purpose: "Be sober, be vigilant;
because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about,
seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith." 1 Peter
5:8, 9. If our ears do not deceive us, a good deal of this roaring is
heard in the ranks of Spiritualists, where, by invisible rapping, agitated
furniture, clairvoyance, clairaudience, writing, speaking, marvels, and
wonders, he seeks to set the world on tiptoe of curiosity and expectation,
and bewilder men into a departure from the faith and the acceptance of the
doctrines of devils. He is cunning enough not to "roar" in a way to
frighten and repel, but only to attract attention, and lead multitudes,
through an overweening curiosity and wonder at the marvels, to come
thoughtlessly within the sphere of his influence.

The prophet Isaiah also has something to say directly upon this subject:
"And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar
spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people
seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?" Isa. 8:19. That is, is
it consistent for living people to go to dead ones for their knowledge?
The following verse shows where we should go for light and truth: "To the
law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is
because there is no light in them." The time has certainly come when many
are saying just what the text points out, and seeking to the dead, to
familiar spirits, and wizards,