rred in Spiritualism; and until they do take
place, the second coming of Christ is not accomplished.

Many seek to dispose of such testimony as this, by making it all
figurative, or meeting it with a bold denial, as in the case of the
resurrection of the body. And the way has been too well prepared for this
condition of things, by much of the teaching of popular orthodoxy, which
turns the early records of the Bible into childish allegory, perverts the
true doctrine of the coming and kingdom of Christ, and denies the
resurrection of the dead, by destroying its necessity through the
immortality of the soul. On the vital point of the resurrection, Dr.
Clarke makes this noteworthy remark:--

"One remark I cannot help making,--The doctrine of the resurrection
appears to have been thought of much more consequence among the
primitive Christians than it is _now_! How is this?--The apostles
were continually insisting on it, and exciting the followers of
God to diligence, obedience, and cheerfulness through it. And
their successors in the present day seldom mention it! So the
apostles preached, and so the primitive Christians believed; so we
preach and so our hearers believe. There is not a doctrine in the
gospel on which more stress is laid; and there is not a doctrine
in the present system of preaching which is treated with more
neglect."--_On 1 Corinthians 15_ (_original edition_).(3)

In view of the way the Bible has been treated by its professed friends, it
is no wonder that infidelity prevails, and Spiritualism prospers.

3. _They Deny the Bible._--The denial of God and Christ, as set forth above
is, of course, a denial of the Bible; and not much need therefore be added
on this point. We quote only a few representative utterances. Doctor Hare
("Spiritual Science Demonstrated," p. 209) says:--

"The Old Testament does not impart a knowledge of immortality,
without which religion were worthless. The notions derived from
the gospels are vague, disgusting, inaccurate, and difficult to
believe."

As to the Old Testament, it would seem doubtful whether Mr. Hare ever read
far enough to find (1) Job exclaiming: "For I know that my Redeemer
liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and
though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see
God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not
another;