It is fondly supposed that heathen superstitions have disappeared before the civilization of the nineteenth century. But the word of God and the stern testimony of facts declare that sorcery is practiced in this Christian age and Christian nation as verily as by the old-time magicians. The ancient system of magic is, in reality, the same as that which is now known as modern Spiritualism. Satan is finding access to thousands of minds by presenting himself under the guise of departed friends. The Scriptures of truth declare that “the dead know not anything.” Their thoughts, their love, their hatred, have perished. The dead do not hold communion with the living. But true to his early cunning, when in the form of a serpent he deceived the mother of our race, Satan employs this device to gain control of the minds of men. {LP 138.3}

Tåbeligt nok troede man at hedens overtro var ude af det nittende århundrede civilisation. Men Guds ord og strenge vidnesbyrd om kendsgerninger, erklærer at trolddom praktisere i denne kristne tidsalder og kristne nation lige så meget som af troldmændene i gammel tid. I virkeligheden er det gamle trolddomssystem det samme som det der nu kendes som moderne spiritisme. Satan finder adgang til tusindevis menneskesind ved at vise sig selv under afdøde venners forklædning. Sandhedens skrift erklærer at "den døde ved ingen ting." Deres tanker, deres kærlighed, deres had er gået fortabt. Den døde har ingen fællesskab med den levende. Men ligesom i hans første forklædning, da han var i en slanges form, bedragede han vor slægts moder, brugte Satan sin list til at få kontrol over menneskenes sind.