SPIRITUALISM.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 16358, 30 September 1913, Page 4

SPIRITUALISM.

DENOUNCED BY CANON M'MURRAY.

"WHOLLY AND ENTIRELY EVIL," [From Our Correspondent.] AUCKLAND, September 29.

Spiritualism and the pursuit of the occult were made the subject. of a thorough-going denunciation by the Rev Canon M'Murray in a sermon preached at St Mary's Cathedral yesterday morning.

Scripture mado it quite clear, he said, that, whilst the holy angels were aippointed by God to succour the righteous on earth, there were also evil spirits that urged man to sin and death._ Much was heard of the very pernicious and harmful practice of spiritualism, which, unfortunately, had an attraction for many.' Some .'indulged in spiritualistic practices in'the hope that they might cfraw nearer to God, others were moved > by tho spirit of scientific investigation, whilst many wore urged on by mere curiosity. Many, again, were misled by the spiritualist s claim that he could place them once more in communion with their loved ones who had left this world. Thoy were told that tho departed could speak to them, write to them, or even appear to them. The most terrible denunciation of spiritualism in Scripture, said Canon M'Murray, was in the story of the death 1 of Saul, who had sought out the witch of Endor in the hope of speaking with Samuel, the prophet, who was dead. "So Saul died for his transgressions, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it, and inquired not of the Lord. Therefore he slew him and turned tho kingdom unto David, the son of Jesse."

Spiritualism, continued tho preacher, denied the deity of Christ and dishonoured the Holy Spirit. It had dona nothing to lift man near God. It was condemned by its fruits as wholly and entirely evil. This he could say after much study of spiritualistic books. Medical testimony had shown that it was disastrous to mind and body. Personally, he had known a number of persons who practised spiritualism and! not one of those who did so assiduously and for any length of time failed to shown signs of mental deterioration, sometimes verging on lunacy. He would appeal earnestly and with all his power to everyone to shun it as a thing abhorred of God. Tho old Gospel was the best comforter, and the Christian who practised spiritualism was giving up a glorious reality for a deadly counterfeit.