the vital message(主信)-第18章
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question； and are not aware of the vast amount of concurrent evidence
which appears to give us an exact picture of the life beyond。 They despise
documents which cannot be proved； and they do not； in my opinion；
sufficiently realise that a general agreement of testimony； and the already
established character of a witness； are themselves arguments for truth。
Some complicate the question by predicating the existence of a fourth
dimension in that world； but the term is an absurdity； as are all terms
which find no corresponding impression in the human brain。 We have
mysteries enough to solve without gratuitously introducing fresh ones。
When solid passes through solid； it is； surely； simpler to assume that it is
done by a dematerialisation； and subsequent reassemblya process which
can； at least； be imagined by the human mindthan to invoke an
explanation which itself needs to be explained。 In the next and final
chapter I will ask the reader to accompany me in an examination of the
New Testament by the light of this psychic knowledge； and to judge how
far it makes clear and reasonable much which was obscure and confused。
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CHAPTER V
IS IT THE SECOND DAWN？IS IT THE SECOND DAWN？
IS IT THE SECOND DAWN？IS IT THE SECOND DAWN？
There are many incidents in the New Testament which might be taken
as starting points in tracing a close analogy between the phenomenal
events which are associated with the early days of Christianity； and those
which have perplexed the world in connection with modern Spiritualism。
Most of us are prepared to admit that the lasting claims of Christianity
upon the human race are due to its own intrinsic teachings； which are quite
independent of those wonders which can only have had a use in startling
the solid complacence of an unspiritual race； and so directing their
attention violently to this new system of thought。 Exactly the same may be
said of the new revelation。 The exhibitions of a force which is beyond
human experience and human guidance is but a method of calling
attention。 To repeat a simile which has been used elsewhere； it is the
humble telephone bell which heralds the all…important message。 In the
case of Christ； the Sermon on the Mount was more than many miracles。 In
the case of this new development； the messages from beyond are more
than any phenomena。 A vulgar mind might make Christ's story seem
vulgar； if it insisted upon loaves of bread and the bodies of fish。 So； also； a
vulgar mind may make psychic religion vulgar by insisting upon moving
furniture or tambourines in the air。 In each case they are crude signs of
power； and the essence of the matter lies upon higher planes。 It is stated in
the second chapter of the Acts of the Apostles； that they； the Christian
leaders； were all 〃with one accord〃 in one place。 〃With one accord〃
expresses admirably those sympathetic conditions which have always been
found； in psychic circles； to be conducive of the best results； and which are
so persistently ignored by a certain class of investigators。 Then there came
〃a mighty rushing wind；〃 and afterwards 〃there appeared cloven tongues
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
