(The reader should always turn to the Bible and read the passages referred to.)

Ques.

What does Scripture teach in regard to Hypnotism?

ANS.-The Word of God is a Book of principles rather than of detailed commands and prohibitions. Of course these latter are not lacking-often a "Thus saith the Lord" pointing unmistakably to what is according to His will or the reverse.

We are living in these closing days of the age in the midst of a vast number of "divers and strange doctrines." Many of these, as "Spiritism," are' but false and Satanic cults under a different name. Others are not so manifestly evil, but, under specious names, profess to bring something new to our attention. These are frequently connected with some form of oriental teaching from India- we might say almost invariably some form of Pantheism, which is a practical denial of men's accountability to God, and therefore in no need of the atoning work of our blessed Lord Jesus Christ.

In general all such systems of error can be detected by the question, "What think ye of Christ?" It will almost invariably be found that there is a denial, in some form or other, of His Godhead or His perfect Humanity, or of His atoning sacrifice. Salvation, instead of being by grace through faith, is due to some form of self-culture, character-building, or the like.

Our Lord has said, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me" (John 10:27). We may be sure that His voice is not in all these modern doctrines.

It may be objected that it is not fair to class Hypnotism with these doctrines. It is claimed that it is based upon well-known physiological laws, and that it is of value as a healing agency. We can only reply that it is largely based upon the influence of the will of another upon a weaker or more susceptible subject. There is but one will which has the right to control man, the will of One who is light and love, and who will not abuse the confidence reposed in Him. To surrender every power to Him is highest wisdom, but He alone has the right to enter into the inner chambers of the heart, and to control it, "as the rivers of water are turned." Indeed He does not, even with His almighty power, violate man's individuality, or enter unbidden into the soul. The despairing helpless sinner turns to Him in answer to His question, "What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee?" with the cry,

"Lord, I would Thy mercy see;
Lord, reveal Thy love to me;
Let it penetrate my soul,
All my heart and life control."

Shall we say anything like that, in part or whole, to any one but the Lord Jesus?

Hypnotism may be defined as the control of the will of another over our thoughts, feelings, etc., so that the person under the spell is an automaton acting under the will of another. The word "control" is familiar in spiritism, and the "trance" into which the medium falls is much like the helplessness of the subject under hypnotic influence.

How different is the work of the Spirit of God. His vehicle of communication with man is the Word of God, addressed to the mind, the conscience, of one who is awakened to hear the message of God. That there is the accompanying power of His sovereign grace is blessedly true, but it does not set aside the individuality.

Therefore let the child of God turn from anything which savors of the "spell" or "charm" of an agency which is not of God. S. Ridout