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like unto fire and it sat upon each of them。〃 Here is a very definite and
clear account of a remarkable sequence of phenomena。 Now； let us
compare with this the results which were obtained by Professor Crookes in
his investigation in 1873； after he had taken every possible precaution
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against fraud which his experience； as an accurate observer and
experimenter； could suggest。 He says in his published notes： 〃I have seen
luminous points of light darting about； sitting on the heads of different
persons〃 and then again：
〃These movements； and； indeed； I may say the same of every class of
phenomena； are generally preceded by a peculiar cold air； sometimes
amounting to a decided wind。 I have had sheets of paper blown about by
it。 。 。 。〃 Now； is it not singular； not merely that the phenomena should be of
the same order； but that they should come in exactly the same sequence；
the wind first and the lights afterwards？ In our ignorance of etheric
physics； an ignorance which is now slowly clearing； one can only say that
there is some indication here of a general law which links those two
episodes together in spite of the nineteen centuries which divide them。 A
little later； it is stated that 〃the place was shaken where they were
assembled together。〃 Many modern observers of psychic phenomena have
testified to vibration of the walls of an apartment； as if a heavy lorry were
passing。 It is； evidently； to such experiences that Paul alludes when he says：
〃Our gospel came unto you not in word only； but also in power。〃 The
preacher of the New Revelation can most truly say the same words。 In
connection with the signs of the pentecost； I can most truly say that I have
myself experienced them all； the cold sudden wind； the lambent misty
flames； all under the mediumship of Mr。 Phoenix； an amateur psychic of
Glasgow。 The fifteen sitters were of one accord upon that occasion； and；
by a coincidence； it was in an upper room； at the very top of the house。 In
a previous section of this essay； I have remarked that no philosophical
explanation of these phenomena； known as spiritual； could be conceived
which did not show that all； however different in their working； came from
the same central source。 St。 Paul seems to state this in so many words
when he says： 〃But all these worketh that one and the selfsame spirit；
dividing to every man severally as he will。〃 Could our modern speculation；
forced upon us by the facts； be more tersely stated？ He has just
enumerated the various gifts； and we find them very close to those of
which we have experience。 There is first 〃the word of wisdom；〃 〃the word
of knowledge〃 and 〃faith。〃 All these taken in connection with the Spirit
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would seem to mean the higher communications from the other side。 Then
comes healing； which is still practised in certain conditions by a highly
virile medium； who has the power of discharging strength； losing just as
much as the weakling gains； as instanced by Christ when He said： 〃Who
has touched me？ Much virtue〃 （or power） 〃has gone out of me。〃 Then we
come upon the working of miracles； which we should call the production
of phenomena； and which would cover many different types； such as
apports； where objects are brought from a distance； levitation of objects or
of the human frame into the air； the production of lights and other wonders。
Then comes prophecy； which is a real and yet a fitful and often delusive
form of mediumshipnever so delusive as among the early Christians；
who seem all to have mistaken the approaching fall of Jerusalem and the
destruction of the Temple； which they could dimly see； as being the end of
the world。 This mistake is repeated so often and so clearly that it is really
not honest to ignore or deny it。 Then we come to the power of 〃discerning
the spirits；〃 which corresponds to our clairvoyance； and finally that
curious and usually useless gift of tongues； which is also a modern
phenomenon。 I can remember that some time ago I read the book； 〃I Heard
a Voice；〃 by an eminent barrister； in which he describes how his young
daughter began to write Greek fluently with all the complex accents in
their correct places。 Just after I read it I received a letter from a no less
famous physician； who asked my opinion about one of his children who
had written a considerable amount of script in mediaeval French。 These
two recent cases are beyond all doubt； but I have not had convincing
evidence of the case where some unintelligible signs drawn by an
unlettered man were pronounced by an expert to be in the Ogham or early
Celtic character。 As the Ogham script is really a combination of straight
lines； the latter case may be taken with considerable reserve。 Thus the
phenomena associated with the rise of Christianity and those which have
appeared during the present spiritual ferment are very analogous。 In
examining the gifts of the disciples； as mentioned by Matthew and Mark；
the only additional point is the raising of the dead。 If any of them besides
their great leader did in truth rise to this height of power； where life was
actually extinct； then he； undoubtedly； far transcended anything which is
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recorded of modern mediumship。 It is clear； however； that such a power
must have been very rare； since it would otherwise have been used to
revive the bodies of their own martyrs； which does not seem to have been
attempted。 For Christ the power is clearly admitted； and there are little
touches in the description of how it was exercised by Him which are
extremely convincing to a psychic student。 In the account of how He
raised Lazarus from the grave after he had been four days deadfar the
most wonderful of all Christ's miraclesit is recorded that as He went