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Chicago, Illinois: W. B. Rose, 1132 Washington Boulevard, [ca. 1925]. 12mo (7.25” x 5”), printed wrappers. 48 pp. CONDITION: Very good, sunning to lower wrapper, creasing to a few pages.

A revised and expanded edition of this scarce anti-Spiritualist Christian tract which offers a critical window into the early twentieth century occult revival and argues that the practice of spirit-communication in Spiritualism is real but part of a grand diabolical plot.

Consisting of extensive biblical quotations paired with anonymous testimonies and selections from nineteenth century newspapers, spiritualists, and critics of spiritualism, this work provides a history of the movement from the Fox Sisters to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s tenure as the President of the Spiritualists’s National Union, providing a purported account of one of the group’s meetings. In addition to referencing obeah (or African magic) and linking spirit mediumship to demonic possession and insanity, the author connects Spiritualism to ancient spirit cults and cites Rev. B. T. Roberts’s assertion that the practice is one of the secrets used to tempt Eve in Genesis: “Ye shall not surely die.” The table of contents identifies the work’s nine arguments as to why spiritualism should be “avoided and condemned”:

1. Because it has been strictly forbidden by God Himself; 2. Because Spiritualism substitutes faith in demons for faith in the living God; 3. Because it supersedes the authority of God’s Word by a pretended new revelation; 4. Because of its daring denial of the Deity of Jesus Christ; 5. Because it blasphemously dishonors the Holy Spirit; 6. Because of the disastrous consequences it often entails, even in this life, on those who indulge in it; 7. Because of the fearfully pernicious character of its doctrines; 8. Because, as Spiritualists themselves admit, deceiving spirits exist by millions; 9. Because of the awful consequences denounced against it in the world to come.

Born in England, Dr. Albert Sims was a Bible scholar and evangelist based in Toronto, Canada, who also wrote in support of temperance and against tobacco. Other works by Sims include The Sin of Tobacco Smoking and Chewing (1878); Bible Salvation and Popular Religion Contrasted (1884); Shining lights, or, Sketches of eminent saints of different ages, nations and churches… (ca. 1889); Honey from the Rock of Ages (1890); Valuable Bank Notes, or, God’s immutable promises, searched, tested, and found true (ca. 1902), and Startling signs of great world changes soon to take place (ca. 1918).

Based in Chicago, William B. Rose was a minister who published hymnals and Bible study materials from at least 1909 to 1924. Other works Rose published include Voices of Praise, with William B. Olmstead, David S. Warner et al. (1909) and Inspirational Songs for Sun day School, Social Worship, Missionary and Evangelistic Work, with N. W. Fink and J. B. Lutz (1924).

OCLC records three copies of this title, but not this W. B. Rose edition.

Item #7207

Price: $295.00