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most wonderful of all Christ's miraclesit is recorded that as He went
down to the graveside He was 〃groaning。〃 Why was He groaning？ No
Biblical student seems to have given a satisfactory reason。 But anyone
who has heard a medium groaning before any great manifestation of
power will read into this passage just that touch of practical knowledge；
which will convince him of its truth。 The miracle； I may add； is none the
less wonderful or beyond our human powers； because it was wrought by
an extension of natural law； differing only in degree with that which we
can ourselves test and even do。 Although our modern manifestations have
never attained the power mentioned in the Biblical records； they present
some features which are not related in the New Testament。 Clairaudience；
that is the hearing of a spirit voice； is common to both； but the direct voice；
that is the hearing of a voice which all can discern with their material ears；
is a well… authenticated phenomenon now which is more rarely mentioned
of old。 So； too； Spirit…photography； where the camera records what the
human eye cannot see； is necessarily a new testimony。 Nothing is evidence
to those who do not examine evidence； but I can attest most solemnly that
I personally know of several cases where the image upon the plate after
death has not only been unmistakable； but also has differed entirely from
any pre… existing photograph。 As to the methods by which the early
Christians communicated with the spirits； or with the 〃Saints〃 as they
called their dead brethren； we have； so far as I know； no record； though the
words of John： 〃Brothers； believe not every spirit； but try the spirits
whether they are of God；〃 show very clearly that spirit communion was a
familiar idea； and also that they were plagued； as we are； by the intrusion
of unwelcome spiritual elements in their intercourse。 Some have
conjectured that the 〃Angel of the Church；〃 who is alluded to in terms
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which suggest that he was a human being； was really a medium sanctified
to the use of that particular congregation。 As we have early indications of
bishops； deacons and other officials； it is difficult to say what else the
〃angel〃 could have been。 This； however； must remain a pure speculation。
Another speculation which is； perhaps； rather more fruitful is upon what
principle did Christ select his twelve chief followers。 Out of all the
multitudes he chose twelve men。 Why these particular ones？ It was not for
their intelligence or learning； for Peter and John； who were among the
most prominent； are expressly described as 〃unlearned and ignorant men。〃
It was not for their virtue； for one of them proved to be a great villain； and
all of them deserted their Master in His need。 It was not for their belief； for
there were great numbers of believers。 And yet it is clear that they were
chosen on some principle of selection since they were called in ones and
in twos。 In at least two cases they were pairs of brothers； as though some
family gift or peculiarity； might underlie the choice。 Is it not at least
possible that this gift was psychic power； and that Christ； as the greatest
exponent who has ever appeared upon earth of that power； desired to
surround Himself with others who possessed it to a lesser degree？ This He
would do for two reasons。 The first is that a psychic circle is a great source
of strength to one who is himself psychic； as is shown continually in our
own experience； where； with a sympathetic and helpful surrounding； an
atmosphere is created where all the powers are drawn out。 How sensitive
Christ was to such an atmosphere is shown by the remark of the
Evangelist； that when He visited His own native town； where the
townspeople could not take Him seriously； He was unable to do any
wonders。 The second reason may have been that He desired them to act as
His deputies； either during his lifetime or after His death； and that for this
reason some natural psychic powers were necessary。 The close connection
which appears to exist between the Apostles and the miracles； has been
worked out in an interesting fashion by Dr。 Abraham Wallace； in his little
pamphlet 〃Jesus of Nazareth。〃＇6＇ Certainly； no miracle or wonder working；
save that of exorcism； is recorded in any of the Evangelists until after the
time when Christ began to assemble His circle。 Of this circle the three who
would appear to have been the most psychic were Peter and the two
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fellow…fishermen； sons of Zebedee； John and James。 These were the three
who were summoned when an ideal atmosphere was needed。 It will be
remembered that when the daughter of Jairus was raised from the dead it
was in the presence； and possibly； with the co…operation； of these three
assistants。 Again； in the case of the Transfiguration； it is impossible to read
the account of that wonderful manifestation without being reminded at
every turn of one's own spiritual experiences。 Here； again； the points are
admirably made in 〃Jesus of Nazareth；〃 and it would be well if that little
book； with its scholarly tone； its breadth of treatment and its psychic
knowledge； was in the hands of every Biblical student。 Dr。 Wallace points
out that the place； the summit of a hill； was the ideal one for such a
manifestation； in its pure air and freedom from interruption； that the
drowsy state of the Apostles is paralleled by the members of any circle
who are contributing psychic power； that the transfiguring of the face and
the shining raiment are known phenomena； above all； that the erection of
three altars is meaningless； but that the alternate reading； the erection of
three booths or cabinets； one for the medium and one for each materialised
form； would absolutely fulfil the most perfect conditions for getting results。
This explanation of Wallace's is a remarkable example of a modern brain；
with modern knowledge； throwing a clear searchlight across all the
centuries and illuminating an incident which has always been obscure。