The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-03-24
FIFTH AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH.

SATAN, HID bI REV. d.
THOMAS ABMITAGE.
DR.. Armitage preached on the subject of Satan
His Agencies You have noticed. said the Doctor.
that Satan has been treated of exclusively among
malignant spirits because there are not two devils
spoken Of in the New Testament. but only
Wherever the word "devils in the plural the
word should always be translated demons" "cvil
spirits" This word devils" in our English version
ia responsible for much of the fog around the whole
subject of satanic being and operations Our Lord
distng ushed between Satan and other evil spirits
when he said to the devil, "Get thee behind me
Satan. and when He said to Peter, Smon, Satan has
desired YOU" What. then. is the difference between
Satan ana demons? This difference is defined by i'm
pcaon when the foes of Lord charged that He
out demons by Beelzebub the prince OF the demons.
Here then, ii appears that the difference betwe On
Satan and demons IL not so much in nature in
rank demons being the SUBJECTS and soldiers. to
speak, of this malicious chief As their leader
he is called, by pre-emnence. the wicked one" the
''enemy" and the prince
sArAs's AGENCY ON THE SPIRITS OF THE TEMPTED.
You will naturally put the question. In what way
does this agency of Satan act upon the spirits Of the
tempted? 1t might be sufficient answer to this
question to say that the whole philosophy OF sug-
gestion. good and bad between spirits is among the
most subtle and mysterious things imaginable. No
man. Living or dead mas yet d,s,overed now one
persuasion much less can any describe the secrecies
BY which God or Satan; angel or demon moves the
such SDHSA' perfection that was was conveyed IN
doors upon the invisible wings OF the
air. Men conveyed flower to each other, and death
lurked in Its perfumed leaves; letter sent,
and it's fragrant pages carried with them fatal infec
ton. Purple and fine linen conveyed the scent OF
musk, and destruction blightcd the body that
them, and the very atmosphere In which men moved
was laden with all that noisome in pestence.
But far able to understand vehicles a
thousand times more delicate and intangible
used for the flow of intcr-suggcstion between spirits.
both for good and bad ends. No man, therefore,
tell how an impure thought desire or motive in
vades pure bosom, In an evil hour, disturbing its
tranquility and polluting its holy sanctuary, and
perpetrating sacrilegc upon its affairs by unseen
hands Neither he tell me how polluted tenn
pie is purified. swept and garnished" by the at
tracting. drawing and purifying influences of god
spirit, whether IL be that of weeping child. ten
der mother, q self-sacrifcing friend-a spirit
bodied disembodied natural supernatural.
human divine.
But Satan employs earthly ministers well rs the
unseen. Man tempts man by open effronery Of all
goodness to aid aud abet nil sin. Men tempt others
with hard thoughts against God with bitter feelings
against each other and with impure thoughts Many
authors are tempters Of nation, OF age to bad
feelings, principles and practices. man will pol
lutte little child by breaking down all his restraints.
by dragging him into the very slough of depravity
Another will plot by the day and month to reduce
conhdfng. stainless victim to ruin; he will invoke
every fascination Of manner, intellect and wit to
effect his black purposes Are not such men hends,
so foul that they make the devil blush2