Spiritism and Magic in Transitional Eras
Witchcraft - Spirit of Persecution in Christian Churches - Causes of the Unpopularity of Spiritism - Alchemists - The Philosopher's Stone and Elixir Vitae.
The history of Spiritism and Magic recedes from view and becomes dim to the eye of the superficial observer, as the night of ruin and decay deepens into impenetrable gloom, and settles over the splendid Orient and the classic beauty of Greece and Rome.
With the extinction of national life and glory in these once powerful dynasties, the spiritualistic influences they diffused throughout the world seem to wane, and finally vanish from the page of history, becoming only a memory, a tradition, or a sacred myth.
But this absence of metaphysical life from physical history is more apparent than real. Many causes combined to prejudice public opinion against the belief in Spiritism, yet Spiritism stretching forward in one unbroken chain of influence from ancient to modern times, has never ceased to exist, and the changes effected by altered conditions, altered opinions, and the rise and fall of dynasties, have no more succeeded in obliterating spirit manifestations from the page of human destiny, than the overshadowing pall of midnight crushes out the fragrance and bloom of the flowers it effectually conceals.
The early Christian Fathers not only retained their faith in the power and ministry of Angels and Spirits, on earth, but they proved that faith by the works of the Spirit, which they performed as their Master commanded them, and for some centuries after His death they looked with suspicion on those who failed to render this important testimony to their belief in Christianity.
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