“FROM THE DEVIL."

Taranaki Daily News, 14 January 1922, Page 5

“FROM THE DEVIL."

SPIRITUALISM ATTACKED SORCERY IN A NEW CLOAK. A STRIKING ADDRESS. "Spiritualism as a Satanic delusion,** was the subject on which Mr. T. D. Whittle, evangelist, spoke at the Seventh Day Adventist camp meeting at New Plymouth last night, and the speaker relied on Biblical quotations in his challenge against the creed. “Sniritualism is either from Heaven direct, or else it is from beneath,” aaid Mr. Whittle, “and the Bible is the Book to enlighten us on the subject. I know no other source to turn to. We can’t take spiritualism on its credentials ; that is too, much.” In intimating that he intended to review the matter to show that spiritualism was from the devil, he said it was just as well tc be frank about it. Spiritualism was attracting world-wide attention; it was perhaps no exaggeration to say that it had made millions of new adherents. It came with such wonderful claims that it was receiving the attention of everyone. Leaders of spiritualism claimed that it solved the mystery of death; if this was so it was a tremendous revelation; if it was not co then it was a tremendous deception. In attacking spiritual* ism, he desired to say that he did not wish anything to be taken as personal. He believed spiritualists to bo honest and sincere, though they were sadly amiss. It had been looked upon as human trickery, but he thought his hearers could put that theory out of their minds. It came from the spirit world, but it was not whkt it claimed to be. There was a strong affinity between the ancient Sorcery and spiritualism, said the speaker. He quoted from Webster’s dictionary, the dafini tion of necromany as “The pretended* act of communication with the spirits of the dead.” Spiritualism was stated to be the belief that certain alleged phenomena were caused by the presence of departed spirits. Many excerpts from the Bible were next quoted by the speaker, and he pointed out that in Revelations, 21st chapter, sorcerers were included with the refuse of the earth. How were they to connect spiritualism with this old practice? He believed it was the same thing in a new cloak, for what was the life and breath of spiritualism but the seeking of spirits? Spiritualism came to-day clothed in the garment of the Bible, but they only used this because it was in a Christian land where the Bible was revered. It was only for camouflage. A voice: “Not true.”

The speaker proceeded to assert that the spiritualists had no right to the Bible, as it discredited their claims

clearly and fully. Ute was continuing his argument on these liqee when there., was a little diversion through several interjections from the voice (a woman). “The people will find out,” she said in response to one of the speaker's quotations.

When the address concluded the interjector, evidently a supporter of spiritualism, wanted to put several questions, but the lecturer said he could not delay the meeting and invited written questions. This drew an exhortation to “hear our side,” and the remark, “You won't give the spiritualists’ side. We have got the right to speak as well as you.” The speaker again intimated that he could not delay the service further. It was noticeable, however, that after the meeting the oppositionists were engaged in friendly debate with the challengers of spiritualism, and quotations iweJPe bandied about freely. The parties an equable frame of mind despite HMfch debate, for one who upheld the spiritual-* istic code remarked at the eonchmxm: “Of course we are all brothers and sisters.”