A key to the spiritual palace

Introduction

An apology may be thought necessary by some for presuming to obtrude a book on the notice of the reading public, and at an age and time, when multitudes of authors are laboring in every department of literature ; and the press is teeming, not only with the productions of thi3 age, but literary caterers are busy in dressing up those of past ages of every description, in every variety of form, endeavoring to adapt them to the capricious tastes of the moderns.

With regard to the following dialogue between myself and son, and the motives which have induced me to publish it, I would beg leave to say, that I am the father of a large family, and have long been an inhabitant of the State of Ohio. Indeed my recollection goes back to the time when this goodly State was only a territory and containing but a few thousand inhabitants, and of course I suffered all the privations incident to a border life, and among them and not one of the least was the want of an opportunity for obtaining an education. None but those who lived in those early times and were actors in those scenes, and sufferers by the then existing state of things, can realize, what those hardships were which were then endured, and none but an interested spectator, situated as I have been, during a long course of years, can appreciate the changes which have taken place, not only as to facilities for acquiring an education but means for intellectual improvement in all respects. None but such can fully realize the entire change which society has undergone during the time above mentioned, by the employment of steam, and the telegraph and other agents, in commerce, in manufacture, and in the dispensation of daily intelligence over the land. It is distinctly within my recollection when it was considered more of an enterprise to go to Philadelphia, and return in the bridle paths across the mountains, than it is now to make the journey and voyage to San Francisco. Of course, within my recollection, canals, turnpikes and M'Adamized roads, have been a novelty, and have now become nearly an absolute idea.

■j

I have also with great satisfaction witnessed remarkable ehanges in the religious world. It was after my arriving at the age of manhood that the first missionaries sailed from this country, and who had made such a remarkable impression on the heathen world, particularly in the islands of the Pacific, and in connection with missionaries of other countries have accomplished the same in Hindoostan and China.

This small volume may be said to embrace two prominent subjects, namely: Spiritual Manifestations, and the prophecies of the bible, particularly those of Daniel, and the book of Revelations of St. John, with regard to each of which, I would here offer a few remarks :

With respect to spiritual manifestations, I will just say in the outset that I have no sympathy with what is called spirit rappings, or those performances got up on the exhibition principle by itinerate lecturers for money, and as a matter of amusement often for the irreligious and the profane, and who profess to call the spirits of the departed back to this world, often to answer the most trifling questions, and at the same time perhaps holding up the religion of the bible to ridicule. To all such doings I must here enter my hearty dissent, but my views on the subject are that spiritual communications are received in the exercise of faith, and in answer to prayer in such a manner as is agreeable to the will of God, in short, in such communications as the people of God have received in all ages, and many examples of this are to be found in the bible.

A large portion of this work is devoted to the prophecies. I have for many years endeavored to be a careful reader of the Bible. In this book I have found many prophecies which have been written by different men in different ages, and countries ; and marked with peculiar characteristics, for it is remarkable to what degree they agree upon the same general figures. This is not strange, however, when we take into consideration in what manner the prophecies as well as historical preception, and other portions of the Bible have been written, for we learn from the sacred text "that all scripture is given by the inspiration of God," and the Bible writers were therefore employed only as amanuensis by the Holy Spirit, regardless of the age in which they lived, or the language in which they wrote. I have lived to see prophecies fulfilled, which were written several thousand years ago ; such particularly as relate to the spread of the gospel, and the present moment is full of promise; for nations, as such, are being converted to Christ, and systems of Paganism heavy with age, are falling before the power of divine truth. Such things strengthen the faith of believers.

Study and reflection on these subjects have furnished me with a pleasant and profitable employment, during the intervals of business, for many weary hours during past years. I ought perhaps, in justice to myself, to say that what I have written on the subject of prophecy, are my own original views, for I have consulted no commentaries. Not but that we should avail ourselves of all the aids within our reach when studying the word of God, but it would seem to me in reasoning from the divine goodness, that God in giving a revelation of his mind and will to his creatures, should give it in a form and in substance that will render it intelligible to them, without note or comment, and what is true with regard to revelation as a whole, is equally true with regard to it in all its important parts, the prophecies for instance. I think there can be but little doubt but that any common mind, under the influence of prayer and faith can understand all that is needful to know, with regard even to prophecy, though this is generally supposed to be one of the most difficult subjects in the word of God. Their is nothing superfluous in the Bible, not a prophecy in it, but will be litterally fulfilled. Neither law, gospel nor prophecy shall fail in their design, or of a full and perfect accomplishment in their own proper time and places.

I may perhaps repeat the remark I have made, that I am the father of a family. Several of my children have arrived at mature years, and they, and my friends and acquaintances know that the principles I here profess, of reverence to the Bible, in all its teachings, my duties to God and my fellow men, have actuated me during my life, and I know and fully believe, that all their hopes of eternal life, as well as mine, are based on the word of God, which contains the threatenings of the law, the promises of the gospel and the prophecies respecting the future glories of the church; and I would fain leave my children and friends my views on some of these all important subjects as a legacy, but one that is not subject to the changes, and reverses which often attend the gold and silver, or lands bequeathed to surviving friends. Should my expectations in these respects not be disappointed I shall consider that the labors I have devoted to these subjects have not been in vain.

THE AUTHOR.

A KEY TO THE

SPIRITUAL PALACE.

1. Son. Having read and heard much for some time past on the subject of spiritual manifestations in different forms, is it your opinion, father, that spirits can communicate with human beings in this life ?

Father. I think they can, and for the following reasons : God created mankind with sufficient capacity to accomplish all and every thing which he intended should be their duty, both to himself and their fellow beings, they being ministering spirits sent forth to minister to the heirs of salvation. It is necessary, therefore, that they should be endowed with power to fulfil that mission.

2. Son. Is there any proof in God's word, to show that spirits can communicate with men in this life ?

Father. We find many accounts in the historical parts of the bible, favoring such a belief. In First Kings, 22d chapter, from the 19th to the 23d verse, inclusive, we find :

19. And he said, hear thou, therefore* the word of the Lord : I saw the Lord sitting on the throne and all the host of Heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left.

20. And the Lord said, Who shall pursuade Ahab that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? And one said on this manner and another said on that manner.

21. And then came forth a spirit and stood before the Lord and said I will persuade him.

22. And the Lord said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and 1 will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shall persuade nim and prevail also ; go forth, and do so,

23. Now therefore, behold, the Lord hath put a lyimg spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the Lord hath spoken evil concerning thee.

Again in first Samuel 28th chapter, from the 7th to the 16th verse inclusive :

7. Then said Saul unto his servants, seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a waman that hath a familiar spirit at En-dor.

8. And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night, and he said, I pray thee,, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee.

9. And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards out of the land : wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me te die ?

10. And Saul sware to her by the Lord, saying. As the Lord liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.

11. Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.

12. And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice ; and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hj!- 4ved me ? for thou art Saul.

13. And the king said unto her, Be not afraid : for what sawest thou ? And the Woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth.

14. And he said unto her, What form is he of ? And she said, An old man eometh up ; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself,

15. And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up t And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philestines make war against me, and God is departed from me and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams ; therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall no.

16. Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the Lord is departed from thee, and become thine enemy ?

Then again in the 8th chapter of Daniel, 13th verse :

13. Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?

And in the 10th chapter of Daniel, 16, 17, 18 and 19th verses :

16. And, behold one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, my lord by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.

"17. For bow can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord ? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.

18. Then there came agaia and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me.

19. And said, man greatly beloved, fear not : peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthed, and said, Let my lord speak ; for thou hast strengthened me.

All these passages speak of information being given of future things, and which had not been revealed until suitable periods of time had elapsed for their revelation, and they are still obscure, but will be more fully revealed as the people of God shall become more prepared by general light on these subjects. And it has always been a given fact, that angels have been appointed messengers to make known particular events, and we have the same proof that the spirits of just men have also been employed at different periods in the same employment of making known to men God's mind and will in some particular cases, and we have no reason to doubt but that such events will be more fully made known to mankind by the same agents if properly applied to in the right way.

3. Son. But why did not God reveal to us in his word the power which he intended to confer on these spirits, and that he would send them on some occasions to communicate with man?

Father. It was no part of God's intention to reveal this. His plan of revelation was confined to a few facts, and first, he revealed to us his own character and power, and how that power had, and would be generally exercised, and that it was unlimited and uncontrollable, both on mind and matter, and that he had brought both into existence by his power ; also, that he had given suitable laws to govern both; also, that his power, and the perfections of his attributes, were meted out to his created beings, in strict justice, according to the relation they bear to him, he revealed to man his creation in God's image and likeness ; that is, he was made capable of obeying God and delighting therein. And it pleased God to make a covenant with man and to test his obedience, and this with the Fall. God has revealed to man, and as God was just and merciful, it was right and proper that he should make known to hi m the way he might still be happy, and the danger he would be in, in case he disobeyed or neglected to do the will of his Creator. He was pleased to make a covenant with man, for it had all the elements of a covenant, condition, reward or punishment, and it pleased God to reveal all this to man. And it pleased God to reveal a plan of redemption which would raise man to the highest elevation to which he was capable, and would bring a revenue of glory to God from all intelligent beings, and this God has revealed to man, and given them assurance of their triumph through the seed of the woman, which is Christ.

He has made known the way through which man should be raised to this elevated position, through another covenant, of which his son Jesus Christ is the head and the party with whom the fulfilment belonged. He also revealed to man his dut} r to God and his fellow beings, and that this duty should consist in implicit confidence in him, and should be performed with a congenial feeling to his will, as he lias revealed it in his word, and that victory over sin and its consequences should be achieved through Christ, the head of the covenant. This work of grace is carried on principally by his word and spirit, and God says : "His word shall not return unto him void, but shall accomplish that vvhereunto he has sent it," and he employs every dispensation of his providence, to assist in carrying forward his grand scheme of benevolence, of free grace, to his people, and he will have it redound to his own glory, and if men will rebel against God they will not be suffered to annoy the righteous, but will be sent to where they will be rewarded according to the demerit of their crime of disobedience. But all men should be employed on God's side in carrying out the great contest which is going on between sin and holiness, and w T ill be on one side or the other. The tenor of these things has been revealed, but God was not under any obligation to make known to man the exact way in which he would employ all his agents in this contest, but merely says of angels and spirits, that they "should be ministering spirits sent forth to minister to the heirs of salvation," and as evil spirits, have in all ages of the world been permitted to be employed in opposition to God, and man's good ; we cannot have a reasonable doubt that good spirits are employed on God's side, and for man's good, and this warfare has aways existed when any great good was to be accomplished.

4. Son. Why should it become necessary for departed spirits to be employed in communicating with men in this life ?

Father. In order to answer this question, I must make known to you something of the nature of God's government. He governs by suitable laws, and by the influence of his spirit. These laws, although not written in Heaven, are nevertheless binding on them, and in place of written law, they are supplied by the influence of his spirit operating on them, as they are spirits of the same nature of God ; but with limited power, such power as God has given and intended should be exercised in carrying out his purposes of grace and benevolence, and in showing forth his glory to intelligent beings. These spirits are necessarily employed in God's service, and he has given them any necessary power to carry out any of his plans of mercy which he may think proper, to have them perform as ministering spirits. Thus you can see that it is most natural and proper that spirits as well as angels should be employed to take part, it being the great contest, between light and darkness, and is the only question of importance compared with ail others ; to it almost all other events are of minor importance.

5. Son* Where do evil spirits get their power to carry on this opposition ?

Father. In as much as men are rational beings, God permits evil men and evil spirits to act out their nature in operating on men, influencing them in order to have them choose the good or the evil as they may feel inclined at the time, but always restraining their power so as to leave men to the freedom of choice.

6. Son. Does God ever make use of bad men and evil spirits to do good ?

Father. He often makes use of them in doing good to his people and in advancing his cause But this will not be their motive, for they will always have another object in view, which will be agreeable to their nature, they do not desire the glory of their Creator, yet he will turn it into such a train as to glorify himself, and bring about the good. This was the case in the transaction of the sale of Joseph into Egypt by his brethren ; they did it through envy and evil, intending to put him aut of the way ; but God meant it for good, and in the wickedness of the act of Potiphar's wife in having Joseph cast into prison, when he was innocent, is no less to the point, for had he not been put in prison, he in all probability would not have had the opportunity of interpreting to the chief baker and the chief butler their dreams . This interpretation was the means to bring him before King Pharoah, and of his advancement to a place in which he could be the instrument of great good. And in the account of the temptation of Job, we see good brought out of the action of an evil spirit, represented as Satan appearing among the sons of God.

7. Son. Does God make use of good men and good spirits in a way of permission to do evil ?

Father. He does make use or permit them to do evil, for good men do not always do right, and if the action is not right it may do evil, it must neeessarily be by permission ; but it is done either from weakness, ignorance or temptation, and is never done from choice, and when they see or feel the evil they will repent, for the nature of a Christian is not to do evil but good, for he desires to please God in all his actions, and if a good spirit does evil, it must be by permission, and is intended of God for good, and when men do not desire the truth, God suffers the spirit to operate so as to have the prophets prophesy smooth things, so that men may have such prophesy as they wish, but most generally evil spirits are employed in falsehood, as good spirits do not incline to dissemble from the truth, and if they do, it is permitted of God, so that he may bring on just punishment, and thereby bring about a great good.

8. Son. But how do departed spirits make known their mind, or answer questions put by a third person ?

Father. They answer by a delighted power, for if they had this power of themselves, they would be doing that which God alone claims to do ; this power comes from God either by permission or by command, the same power being necessary in both cases.

9. Son. But how do the "mediums" get the answer?

Father. The influence of the spirit of God operates on the departed spirit, and also that of the medium, so as to give the answer either in writing or some other way by the medium.

10. Son. Are they good spirits that answer ?

Father. Not always ; there are evil spirits as well as good.

1 1 . Son. In what way can there be a correct answer obtained? Father. By obtaining from God some good spirits by prayer,

which he may send, and not one of our own choosing; for if we choose one ourselves, we do not trust to God, but to ourselves, and the spirit of our choice, and if God chooses to permit a spirit to come, he may also permit the spirit to answer incorrectly and with no certainty.

12. Son. Why do you say there are evil spirits, and that they have liberty to communicate with the living ?

Father. God in all ages of the world dealt with the human race as rational beings, and by his providence so arranged that good and evil should be set before them, and in carrying out this great scheme of mercy in the plan of redemption through Christ, He permitted the opposition party to act as he did when He permitted Satan to appear in the form of a serpent, and tempt our first parents, and as He did the magicians in Pharoah's day, and in many ages of the world, and as He will do until the plan of redemption is fully completed in the final triumph of God's people, and as evil spirits are opposers of the good cause, they must have permission to act as well as good ones.

13. Son, Is it right to ask a good spirit obtained by prayer any question we chose to ask ?

Father. No ; it is not right to ?sk any question of a worldly nature, if we do the spirit will not be permitted to answer us correctly. We should confine ourselves to the rule God himself observed in giving inspiration ; but anything which we desire to know in order to be made better or wiser in relation to our duty to God or to mankind ; or anything in explanation of his word which would be of practical use to us. I suppose we might inquire of the Lord by a spirit, anything of a moral nature, or anything which would be right to ask in prayer; you will observe that God revealed spiritual instruction, only always avoiding worldly matters, unless so connected with the tenor of the matter to be revealed, as to make it necessary, and he left such matters as the way he meant to act in particular cases, such as the destruction of the old world by water, saving Noah and his household. Such matters he chose to have revealed by spiritual communication ; and by the same means was Moses called to be a redeemer of Israel from Egyptian bondage ; and by spiritual direction was the Israelites directed in all their journe}dngs from first to last ; and this has been the guide of the people of God in all ages, in particular cases, and in great events. They almost always trusted to the spirit and direction which w r as given them, and when properly sought for and relied on, was a safe guide. We may expect the same spiritual direction in almost all the great events and changes which are yet to take place, and this will be done either by God himself or some of his servants, which are undoubtedly employed by him in the great contest going on between Christ, the head of the church, and Satan, the opposer and enemy of the church.

14. Son. Do you think it possible to obtain the truth from an evil spirit, if applied for in a proper manner?

Father. I do think there might be a correct answer obtained, as God might have the true answer given, if our desires were correct, and we did not make choice of a particular spirit.

15. Son. But suppose we did name the spirit, were it to be a good one, knowing the person before death, could we obtain a correct answer ?

Father* In as much as God often bears with our infirmities, if our desire is to obtain an answer, w r hieh would be for our improvement, as to moral duty to man, or our allegiance to God, I think the answer would be given correctly, but it should be submitted to God's pleasure in order to have the true answer given.

16. Son. If we should inquire of an evil spirit, one whom we supposed to be so before death, could we expect to obtain a correct answer, it being an evil spirit indeed ?

Father. In such a case we could not rely on obtaining a correct answer for two reasons ; first, because we appeal to the wrong source, and secondly, because our desires could not be right in such a case, even if we wanted the true answer.

17. Son. What frame of feeling is necessary for a medium to be in to give the answer of the spirit ?

Father. The medium should be willing to receive the impression and await in a passive state, and hold themselves ready, and if to write, put themselves in that position, and allow the hand to be moved at the will of the spirit.

18. Son. What is necessary in* relation to the person who puts the questions to the spirit ?

Father. He must be in a calm mood, desiring the truth as he would desire an answer to prayer. If he would obtain a correct answer, he must also apply for a spirit which God may choose to send, and he must ask in faith and with submission to God.

19. Son. Do you think all persons are mediums, and able to get the correct answer on moral or spiritual matters ?

Father. I do not think they are, for they have not all got the qualifications necessary to obtain the truth or a correct answer.

20. Son. What are the qualifications necessary for a medium to possess in order to obtain a true and correct answer.

Father. It is necessary that the, medium should be a believer in the existence of the Supreme Being, and also that he has given his word by inspiration to be a rule of life, to which we are under obligation to be conformed, or at least to feel their accountability to God. or such as will feel so when they come to years of discretion.

21. Son. Why do you believe that a medium who does not .believe in the Supreme Being, nor in the inspiration of the Scriptures, cannot be a medium, by whom to obtain the truth ?

Father. Because they are not such a person as would be suitable to be employed in a good, cause, and certainly one that a good spirit would not wish to communicate by, and far less would God be willing to employ in a good cause, an unbeliever in himself and in the revelation by the spirit. It would be doing violence to his liberty of conscience to compel him to exercise faith in, and submission to God, whom he believed not to exist.