The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-11-30
THE CTURE ASON

THE ECTURE SEASON.
~~>~~>~>~~>~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Alleged VVitchcraft OF the Bible.
The second lecture this subject was delivered
last Sunday evening, by the Rev. Mr.. James j.
Shock, at the Evangelical Lutheran church, Nal
berry street, Of which he Is . minister. The por-
tons treated Of were the mirsclss Of the Egyptian
magi," call Scripture texts having reference to
witchcraft or sorcery," and ''the demoniacsl pos
sessions Of the Now Testament
The reverend gentleman selected as his text
"The Word Of the Lord is pure, enlightening the
eyes'-l9 Psalms, 8 YER He had, no trusted, salts.
factorily proved on the last Sabbath evening, thai
the Scriptures were pure from containing any
account Of witchcraft in the raising Of Samuel,
and they showed much more consistently with
reason and revelation. that the whole was well
managed deception, or If not, that 1t was tho work
Of God, he having caused the prophet to appear
contrary to the womans expectation, and by means
quite ond the rules Of her art for the purpose Of
Furnishing wicked and idoIstrous woman; and he
every charge bearing on this subject. First, with
reference to the con petiton between the Egyptian
magi ana Moses-Moses was sent by the Lord on
q mission to deliver his people out Of the hands Of
the Egyptians, and, to show his Divine authority.
was empowered to perform miracles, which he did
to the number Of eleven, which the lecturer reconted,
as set forth in the book of Exodus. beginning ct
the 7th chapter) BIT Pnaraoh's heart was
hardened, and he endsavored to persuade hinseh
that Moses was not commissioned by God He
therefore sent out invitations to his magioiaAs TO
try their ski, and it would seem by the Languages
the translation. that they actually did in three in
stances succeed IN producing tho some elects, -
tnInipg tho rods into serpents the water into bleod,
and calling forth frogs from tho land. But this
was not certain. the original was capable
of different translation but suppoing il
we're 80, it was no proof that IL was dsI
by connection With any evil spirits In fass
seeded in the three nrst instances, they eertAinl
failed in the fourth-turning the dust into lice
These competitions trials Of the magicians' skin
again, took place in the palace, or in some small
rooms adjoining, where many contrivances migh
have been had and concealed tor tho purpose ofaid-
ing in receptions, than which we see many more
wonderful in the present days Of enlightenment, and
but which, ia the dark and supsrstitous days Of the
Egyptians would be ascribed to magic IL Was
said they did "by their enchantments;" but
this did not necessarily imply any more than
mere skill in deception; and, Ia the fourth case,
being one beyond their skill. they signally failed.
Add to al this that Pharaoh was naughty and
proud, and sought to deny Moses's authority, and
therefore wishes TO be deceived rs preext for not
releasing nation Of valuable slaves, and should
have little difficulty IN convincing ourselves that the
sacred Scriptures afforded not the slightest foanda-
ton for belief in tbs existence Of witchcrafs The
passages in the Bible having reference TO witch
craft next considered, ana frat, (l3th Dsutero
pomy to the l4th verse)-"I If there arise among
you q prophet, or dreamer Of dreams, and
giyeth thee q sign or q wonder" 80. This
passage he explained Ms referring to pretsn-
ders, and instapced some cases rs showing
persons ignorant Of astronomy-an eclipse OF the
moon or the euu, which was sign or wonder
which would come to pass la Matthew, chap. "a,
YER "a, "For there shall arise false Christs and
false prophets, and shall show great signs and won
ders: insomuch that if 1t possible, they shall
deceive the very elect" bore on the same point;
harA tha rtrxspa uNxlr
with us much, II no. more, propriety be read "giv
out In Acts, chap 8, yer 9, and following, ",
read OF certain man called Simon, who bewitche
the people with sorceries;.but he was pretendor e
the face OF the passage itself; and the won
rendered bewitched." sgcided In the original
astouDded, amazed, or COMPOUNDED the judo
mept, or that they did not know how TO OK.
plain or understand the effects he produced
but the word bewitohed was used being the popular
idea, and better understood In Deuteronomy,
chap Is, YER 10 and IL Exodus, chap. %, YER lS;
toned, and were ordered to be put to death; bat
the word /" witch " did not necessarily mean people
who had contract with the devil, but who pre-
tended to practice sorcery. In the New Testament,
the tenn they were popularity kno xn by. in order
that he might be understood; but he did not thereby
admit allow that hey Lad powers Of witchcraft,
S S hs rh s1 Il. sosDs
usipg the term .forune-teler or s'spirtual rap
PER" would be any proof. be believed they were
capable, S those titles (Which they themselves
aslumed) would imply, of telling fortunes or COM
mnnicatipg with departed spirits. IL might be
asked if It applied to mere pretendcrs, why such
severe penalty as death shoult have been awarded!
In the first place, the word might DO translated
'poisoner by drugs" or In many other ways more
consistent with the text and context, than by the
word switch " And here he would observe that,
at the time the translation was compiled,
the belief in withcraft was almost universal.
ard Bishop Hutchinson bad remarked that
King James bimSf having written . work On
dsmonology to prove it was contrary to the Scrip
lures, the traosstors employed by him may easily
cordsnce with this view but for which circumstance
the word "witch" would not have been 20 fire.
quently used But If this were not so, the punish
ment Of death for the pretence was quite reconcile
able with these passages. One great end Of the
Mosaic law was to condne the knowledge Of the
true God to the breasts Of the select people. God
was a jealous God, and visited heavily the sin
of abandoning him to seek after other and false
Gods, whether idols or evil spirits The prophets Of
Baal were An example Of this, who we're put 70
death, not because they succeeded in their witch
witch, therefore, was one whJ pretended attempt.
ed to perform sorcery, though she had NO conneo-
tion with the devil except that he induced her So
pretend, or those askipg counsel Of false deiaeS
which. in their theocracy, was idolstry. Inc per
sons spoken Of in the New Testament IS Deme
sspossessed Of evil spirit" he explained mean
ing those afflicted with violent diseases, ana m
speaking of whom the sacred wnsors s,e~
the popular language, not iniemng sSy 20
In Connection with them. The dsmsel meotionsd
IN Acts chapter I6 verse 10, IS having sprib of
d;vinstion. y and who brought her master much
saip by ,oethsaying" svidsnty had ~ Der nspirer