The evening times., 1899-02-20
THE WITCH OF ENDoR.
DR.. Radcliffe breaches "a Sermon ON
Modern SpirituaIism.


Modern spiritualism was the theme of
sermon delivered by the Rev: Dr.. Wallace
Radcliffe Pastor of the New York Avenue
Presbyterian Church, at last nights serv-
ice. DR.. Radcliffe preached from the text,
Bring ME up Samuel" found in Sam
uel. i, and gave as his subject The
Witch of Endor."
DR.. Radcliffe began his discourse by mar
rating the circumstances which impelled
Saul TO proceed to the Cave of Endor for
the purpose of consulting a witch and as
certaining through the medium of her in
carnations a method of overcoming the
PhilistineS, which were then surrounding
his city. Dr. Radcliffe said that it was
long step from the boy David to Saul at
Endor, from Samuel 10 the heather witch.
Nor was that difference comprehended i'm
mediately. The Godlike David glowed in
his youth with grace. Saul at Endor was
fearful and almost overcome of his own
dark spirit. He stood trembling at the
thought of the presence of hosts of the
Philistines. In his tribulation there were
three courses for Saul-to sit down discon-
solate, repent, or seek counsel of hell.
He sought counsel of hell. He cried, not
in penitence, but in utter selishness and
fear, and sought the Witch of Endor at
night.
The difference between David and Saul
was not in SHINING but in their way of
coming out of it. David was right and
Saul wrong at heart. David emerged from
sin sobbng. and Saul defiant. Saul sought
the Witch of Endor, and, to the astonish-
ment even of the witch, Samuel appeared
as an apparition. Samuel spoke with
words that carried indignation, warning.
and judgment. He told Saul that on the
morrow he would be with him, his king
dom would be taken from him, and the
host of Israel destroyed by the Philistines.
Much question, because much mystery, had
gathered around the incident
Dr. Radcliffe asserted that 1t was neither
delusion nor necromancy. The Witch of
Endor was only a witch in name Expert
ence, reason, and scripture branded all
the magic of necromancy as false and an
imposition. There was no witchcraft at
Endor. When Samuel appeared it was an
apparition. All record confirmed the be-
lief that it was an appartion of God.
Through the interposition of God the dead
appeared. Samuel, speaking in words OF
fearful judgment, told not what had been
done but what would be.
Dr. Radcliffe maintained that the Incl
Gent at Endor gave no confirmation or sup
port to what was commonly regarded as
spiritualism. Modern spiritualism had to
have some medium. Samuel did not have
TO have the room darkened to pull peoples
hair, TO find longhaired adventureFs able
to speak in a foreign voice and accent.
Modern spiritualism did not present any
such gods as Samuel. The best 1t could
do was TO produce a spiritual photograph,
and even that was passe. Neither did it
stand the test of time. Samuel told what
was to be.
Where, asked DR.. Radcliffe, was the
spiritualist that could tell what would
happen in the future; where, for example,
the dead wife had put the husbands win
ter fiannels. Modern spiritualism was also
inconsistent and repudiated the revelation.
the grace and word of God, the life of vir-
tue, and the fact OF the atonement. 1t
erected for itself according TO its own ne
cessites.