Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1843-05-03
East Bethel, April 80, 1913. "
For the Vermont telegraph.
WHO, WHAT, AND WHERE IS THE
. DEVIL! -.....
PATrEN DAVIS.

DEVIL! -
Mr. Editor AS there appears 10 be |
great diversity of opinions among "profess- T
ed Christians" as wei! as worlds people"
as to the " personal identity" Of the above I
named individual, and still greater diver |
silly as to his character and acts some con-
tending that such and such things and doc |
lraes come from the devli-otherS that they
proceed from the Father Of mercies-I con- !
slider il vastly important, when darkness and
doubt hang over the subject, and polemical
writer's disagree, to obtain aud spread before
the public all the information in my power.
In fact Tam myself partly undecided on
this point. In this situation, fortunately
listened 10 an elaborate sermon on the sub
ject, 10 this village, last Sunday 10 the fore
noon. With view 10 elicit further inform
alton aud discussion, | will here give
brief abstract CT the substance of the sermon,
from memory, hoping, Mr.. Editor, that you
will give US your views as TO the truth o. The
positions contained in in aud that the au-
| thor of the sermon, or some other person,
on some future occasion will answer few
queries subjoined at the close. ~
Text: Peter, v: s. BE sober, be vigil
ant; because your adversary, The devil, as
roaring lion waikelh about, seeking whom
| he may devour." See Revelation, xii: II
Introduction. Some are Of opinion that
The devil is an imaginary being. Others
that he is real-bul hold him ia contempt,
as being from whom no great danger can
be apprehended. Both these classes are
wrong; for he is represented as powerful
and arriul, who must DE watched with vigil
ance, and from whom great danger may be
| expected. IT," -. ..~.-
Who is the devil the scriptures teach. and
what is his Bible history The name, dev-
H. occurs fifty times or mere, and various
other epithets, (some quoled,) many times
more. Represented as fallen angel, and
probably the chief and highest Of the angels
before his fall His sin, many suppose was,
rejecting Christ as the mediator-for the
gospel mentions that he sinned against the
truth. When God commanded all the an
gels 10 bow dowG and worship Jesus, then
il probably was that satan, in the pride Of
MS heat rebelled, and was cast off forever
Ia his fall, he carried or led away many Of
he inferior angels with him, who, as the
enemies OF mankind, are permitted to tempt
and draw them from their allegiance 10 God
" He walketh to and fro in the earlh,n as iu
Job and The tex. He is aruful, powerful
and subtle. He tempted aud was the
cause of the downfall of Eve and Adam
and many others. Is invisible, but not ON
|, nipotent. Has numerous other subordinate
spirits, acting under him to do his bidding
on The earth, as the ministers of evil.
So far as the history Of the devil or faller
angels goes, there is The same evidence il i
correct, as The history of Abraham, or Noah
or others mentioned in the Bible. Their,
exists the same evidence that there are tai
) len angels, or bad spirits, as that there ART
} good angels, or those who never ELI Wit
j ness the case Of satan tempting Christ, aat
when he failed, angels came and ministeret
/ unto him. There are many devils, for thei
! name is "legion," aud they are eVerywher,
a doing evil OH the earth, as the good angel
? are doiag good. Man has the same powe
TO reject the evil influences OF the devil, a
, he has those Of his fellow man. ..... = ...~
II Cannot agree with Priesiy, that the dew
, ii is only an abstract principle of evil"
Tor il does not appear 10 accord with the
? scriptures. Il is one of the arts The devil il
I he is moi a real, but an imaginary being
Tor then he can operate against them more
7 securely, and without fear OF detection, &c
7 II would be TO the interests oil a thiet o.
: murderer lurking about the village. il the in
t, habi1anls could be made TO disbelieve Ii, FOL
: then his chance for the commission OF crime
E would be greater, &c. .=.. III. ~.
S The foregoing are some Of the principal
e features of The discourse, 10 which | wist
: to add few queries, which suggested them
' selves while listening, hoping they viii
E lead to inquiry and reflection. II The car
o nal heart is emily against God" and every
Z mans heart, until renewed by divine grace
I is carnal, what more devil is needed TO &C
y complish maa's downfall? He is certainly
d ruined, unless Omnipoteuce inlerPoses Il
q save him. What need then Of devil, 1,
o Il have more important matters to attend to