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that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God."

The first lesson here taught is, that "the Holy Ghost, or medium power," was imparted by having the apostles' hands laid on the ones to be developed. The Hon. John Hay, of Texas, is now a developing medium, who does nothing else but go from place to place and develop mediums, by putting his hands on them. He, being en rapport with the spirit world, brings subjects in closer connection with spirits, by himself acting as a conductor to bring Heaven's blessings to them.

The second lesson taught in this chapter was, that Simon, though a medium, did not understand developing mediumship. He was not a developing medium, and supposed the power could be purchased with money. The third lesson is, that money can not purchase this gift. If the person has not the organism for it is not naturally a medium, though he might offer all the gold in California, he has "neither part nor lot in this matter."

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Simon was not alone in not being a developing medium. Philip, the great preacher and healer, brought to view in a former part of this chapter, lacked this power. So when those who were made believers by Philip's preaching and works, were developed as mediums, developing mediums had that work to do. Verses 14 and 15 say, "Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John, who, when they were come down,

prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost."

The angels conversed with Philip as freely as they ever do now with any mediums. In verse 26 of this chapter we read, " And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south, unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert."

The man who was riding in the chariot was converted and baptized. Then occurred a wonderful physical manifestation, recorded in the following words: "And when they were come up out of the water, the spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, and the eunuch saw him no more, and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotas: and passing through, he preached in all the cities until he came to Cæsarea."

I find hundreds of persons to-day, who have no trouble at all in believing this declaration, who would not believe me under oath, when I tell them that I have been carried around a room sixteen feet square, by spirit power alone. When I state, and prove by good witnesses, that Andrew Potts, of Harrisburg, Penn., was carried by the spirits from Harrisburg to Mechanicsburg, a distance, I think, of seven and a half miles, inside of four minutes, I will be called a credulous fool, and my witnesses knavish liars. O, that church people could be induced to believe that the same God who superintended matters in the days of Philip, still lives. How soon would they learn that, "The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be: and that which is done is that which

shall be done; and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? It hath been already, of old time, which was before us." (Eccl. i. 9, 10.)

This Book of Acts now introduces another character, who becomes so much of a star that all others are eclipsed. The reader needs rest and a chance for reflection before he is introduced, so permit me to continue the argument in a new chapter.

CHAPTER XVII.

MORE OF THE SAME.

Saul of Tarsus. A good Manifestation. - The Points stated. — Ananias Medium.-Did Paul see Jesus? - Another Case of healing. - Reanimation of Dorcas. Cornelius's Vision.-A Test. - Peter's Entrancement. - Another Test.-Angel, Spirit, Man.- - Peter's preaching. Spirits eating and drinking. A second Edition of Pentecost. Peter's Defence before his Jew

ish Brethren. Agabus prophesies under Spirit Power.- Peter released by Spirits. Particulars of the Case. - Peter at the Gate, his Angel. Is this true?-Elymas's psychological Blindness. - Paul on the Appearance of Je sus. - Paul heals a Cripple. - Narrative of Paul and Barnabas. Who is the Man of Macedonia? - Who is the Lord?- Paul and the female Medium. Who was the Spirit cast out? - Paul and Silas let out of Jail. — Prison shaken and Bands fall off in the Dark. - Iron Rings removed. - Strange Gods, - Apotheosized Men. - Heathen Gods once Men. Developing Circle at Ephesus." Handkerchiefs and Aprons."- A Minister denying his Bible.— The Spirits and the Sons of Sceval.- An Accident. — Paul prophesies. - Another Medium prophesies. — Paul relates his spiritual Experience. — Paul in a Trance. Takes sides with the Pharisees. - Communication to the Sailors. -A Ship saved by Spirits. Among Barbarians.- A Snake Bite. -Success as a Healer. — A few Questions.-A word of Warning.

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NEARLY all of the remainder of the Book of Acts is devoted to the history of one of the most wonderful mediums of ancient times. He was formerly called Saul of Tarsus, but for reasons not necessary to name here, his name was afterward changed to Paul.

In chapter ix. 3-9, is the account of the wonderful manifestation which took this young and able lawyer out of the rarks of the opposition, and made a believer and medium of him. It reads as follows: "And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus and suddenly

there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he, trembling and astonished, said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink."

Spiritualists claim that every point in this narrative meets its resemblance in modern Spiritualism. The following points are worth noting.

1. "A light from heaven," that is, a spirit light, appeared.

2. "The voice of Jesus," that is, a spirit voice, called out, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" 3. Paul saw the spirit of Jesus, but the others did not.

4. "And when his eyes were opened." This implies that his eyes were closed when he saw Jesus, so that he did not see with his natural eyes, but as mediums generally see spirits, with his spiritual vision.

This man, while physically blind, "saw in a vision a man named Ananias coming and putting his hands on him that he might receive his sight." (vs. 12.)

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