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centuries and illuminating an incident which has always been obscure。
＇6＇ Published at sixpence by the Light Publishing Co。； 6； Queen
Square； London； W。C。 The same firm supplies Dr。 Ellis Powell's
convincing little book on the same subject。
When we translate Bible language into the terms of modern psychic
religion the correspondence becomes evident。 It does not take much
alteration。 Thus for 〃Lo； a miracle！〃 we say 〃This is a manifestation。〃 〃The
angel of the Lord〃 becomes 〃a high spirit。〃 Where we talked of 〃a voice
from heaven；〃 we say 〃the direct voice。〃 〃His eyes were opened and he
saw a vision〃 means 〃he became clairvoyant。〃 It is only the occultist who
can possibly understand the Scriptures as being a real exact record of
events。 There are many other small points which seem to bring the story of
Christ and of the Apostles into very close touch with modern psychic
research； and greatly support the close accuracy of some of the New
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THE VITAL MESSAGE
Testament narrative。 One which appeals to me greatly is the action of
Christ when He was asked a question which called for a sudden decision；
namely the fate of the woman who had been taken in sin。 What did He do？
The very last thing that one would have expected or invented。 He stooped
down before answering and wrote with his finger in the sand。 This he did a
second time upon a second catch…question being addressed to Him。 Can
any theologian give a reason for such an action？ I hazard the opinion that
among the many forms of mediumship which were possessed in the
highest form by Christ； was the power of automatic writing； by which He
summoned those great forces which were under His control to supply Him
with the answer。 Granting； as I freely do； that Christ was preternatural； in
the sense that He was above and beyond ordinary humanity in His
attributes； one may still inquire how far these powers were contained
always within His human body； or how far He referred back to spiritual
reserves beyond it。 When He spoke merely from His human body He was
certainly open to error； like the rest of us； for it is recorded how He
questioned the woman of Samaria about her husband； to which she replied
that she had no husband。 In the case of the woman taken in sin； one can
only explain His action by the supposition that He opened a channel
instantly for the knowledge and wisdom which was preter…human； and
which at once gave a decision in favor of large…minded charity。 It is
interesting to observe the effect which these phenomena； or the report of
them； produced upon the orthodox Jews of those days。 The greater part
obviously discredited them； otherwise they could not have failed to
become followers； or at the least to have regarded such a wonder…worker
with respect and admiration。 One can well imagine how they shook their
bearded heads； declared that such occurrences were outside their own
experience； and possibly pointed to the local conjuror who earned a few
not over…clean denarii by imitating the phenomena。 There were others；
however； who could not possibly deny； because they either saw or met
with witnesses who had seen。 These declared roundly that the whole thing
was of the devil； drawing from Christ one of those pithy； common…sense
arguments in which He excelled。 The same two classes of opponents； the
scoffers and the diabolists； face us to…day。 Verily the old world goes round
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THE VITAL MESSAGE
and so do the events upon its surface。 There is one line of thought which
may be indicated in the hope that it will find development from the minds
and pens of those who have studied most deeply the possibilities of
psychic power。 It is at least possible； though I admit that under modern
conditions it has not been clearly proved； that a medium of great power
can charge another with his own force； just as a magnet when rubbed upon
a piece of inert steel can turn it also into a magnet。 One of the best attested
powers of D。 D。 Home was that he could take burning coals from the fire
with impunity and carry them in his hand。 He could thenand this comes
nearer to the point at issueplace them on the head of anyone who was
fearless without their being burned。 Spectators have described how the
silver filigree of the hair of Mr。 Carter Hall used to be gathered over the
glowing ember； and Mrs。 Hall has mentioned how she combed out the
ashes afterwards。 Now； in this case； Home was clearly； able to convey； a
power to another person； just as Christ； when He was levitated over the
lake； was able to convey the same power to Peter； so long as Peter's faith
held firm。 The question then arises if Home concentrated all his force
upon transferring such a power how long would that power last？ The
experiment was never tried； but it would have borne very； directly upon
this argument。 For； granting that the power can be transferred； then it is
very clear how the Christ circle was able to send forth seventy disciples
who were endowed with miraculous functions。 It is clear also why； new
disciples had to return to Jerusalem to be 〃baptised of the spirit；〃 to use
their phrase； before setting forth upon their wanderings。 And when in turn
they； desired to send forth representatives would not they lay hands upon
them； make passes over them and endeavour to magnetise them in the
same wayif that word may express the process？ Have we here the
meaning of the laying on of hands by the bishop at ordination； a ceremony
to which vast importance is still attached； but which may well be the
survival of something really vital； the bestowal of the thaumaturgic power？
When； at last； through lapse of time or neglect of fresh cultivation； the
power ran out； the empty formula may have been carried on； without
either the blesser or the blessed understanding what it was that the hands
of the bishop； and the force which streamed from them； were meant to