IX AGNOSTICISM AND CHRISTIANITY 339 



argument that it is susceptible of the fullest 

 development ; and that it sometimes leads to con- 

 clusions unexpected by those who employ it. To 

 my mind, it is impossible to refuse to follow Dr. 

 Newman when he extends his reasoning, from the 

 miracles of the patristic and mediaeval ages back- 

 ward in time, as far as miracles are recorded. 

 But, if the rules of logic are valid, I feel com- 

 pelled to extend the argument forwards to the 

 alleged Roman miracles of the present day, which 

 Dr. Newman might not have admitted, but which 

 Cardinal Newman may hardly reject. Beyond 

 question, there is as good, or perhaps better, 

 evidence for the miracles worked by our Lady of 

 Lourdes, as there is for the floating of Elisha's axe, 

 or the speaking of Balaam's ass. But we must go 

 still further ; there is a modern system of thauma- 

 turgy and demonology which is just as well 

 certified as the ancient. 1 Veracious, excellent, 



slight knowledge of chemistry, are not unlikely, with no less 

 audacity, to suggest an "option between fire-damp and miracle" 

 in seeking for the cause of the fiery outburst at Jerusalem. 



1 A writer in a spiritualist journal takes me roundly to task 

 for venturing to doubt the historical and literal truth of the 

 Gadarene story. The following passage in his letter is worth 

 quotation : " Now to the materialistic and scientific mind, to the 

 uninitiated in spiritual verities, certainly this story of the 

 Gadarene or Gergesene swine presents insurmountable difficulties ; 

 it seems grotesque and nonsensical. To the experienced, trained, 

 and cultivated Spiritualist this miracle is, as I am prepared to 

 show, one of the most instructive, the most profoundly useful, 

 and the most beneficent which Jesus ever wrought in 

 the whole course of His pilgrimage of redemption on earth." 

 Just so. And the first page of this same journal presents the 

 following advertisement, among others of the same kidney : 



" To WEALTHY SPIRITUALISTS. A Lady Medium of tried 



