Modern spiritism; its science and religion - SpiritArchive.org

SPIRITISM AND CHRISTIANITY 231
conflict between what is evil and Satanic and that
which is truly good and Divine. The conflict is seen
to perfection in the scene at Philippi, and the
spiritual man, with the Word of God in his hand, is
said to be able to discern between the two the
psychic and the "pneumatic." This book is,
indeed, a small endeavour to do the same, for
the author regards the psychic side, at any rate, of
Modern Spiritism as essentially evil in its origin and
tendencies, and Christianity or true Spiritualism,
as of God, and tending only to the good of
humanity.
Wisdom of
Jewish Prophets
Sir Wm. Barrett, referring to our subject, says,
most aptly, "The ground of the Jewish prophets
was most wise; but in the New Testament the
warnings are somewhat different: 'Try the spirits,'
not turn a deaf ear. The spirits seem mainly psychic ;
that of the Kingdom of God is truly spiritual, and
modern spiritism is mainly psychic, true spiritualism
is really spiritual. Every thoughtful and reverent
mind must admit the peril to -faith in a risen Lord;
and there is a destined warning against making a
religion of spiritism."*
"To study psychical phenomena," he continues,
"as a branch of science is another matter."
Communication with the spirit-world may be with
good or bad spirits. Christianity fosters all communication
with the supreme good the Holy
Spirit of God. The evil are what are specially forbidden
"Beware of seducing spirits."
*
"On the Threshold of the Unseen," p. 34.