All human history records evidences of this gift and this power, and not belonging to any class of persons that can be dominated by natural methods; given only to such as the power itself seeks out. Not conferred because of any merit or any demerit; not the result of any position of place or power; not the result of any system of education, still has in some sort been perpetuated upon the earth.

In the Christian Church, under a sort of apostolic succession, in the Hebraic Church according to the line of prophets, are those who are publicly endowed with the gift of the spirit by hereditary descent.

In the Indias, by severe asceticism, certain orders of Brotherhood have existed who cultivated the spiritual gifts by refusing that which would pander to the senses, and by turning their attention to the spiritual instead of the material part of man. Undoubtedly much of this retirement, severity and asceticism of life has brought about strained and altogether perverted ideas of what we mean by the "working of miracles." But certain it is that where human beings are in the peculiar condition, whether it be brought about by abnormal states, or whether it be the result of a distinct inpouring of spiritual gifts, the power of performing these wonders is made manifest in the East.

It was customary, first, for the power to manifest itself in the form of healing, of moving objects without physical contact, and of performing the various wonders accredited now. Then the possessor of these gifts was taken in charge by the Brotherhood, having authority over all of those who are endowed with the gift of the spirit, and the lines of life marked out for them were severely followed. It was believed that those set apart for the working of wonders should pursue no ordinary avocation, should not engage in commercial trade, should not in any way have the gift interfered with by the usual pursuits of life, and should separate themselves, as far as possible, from bodily contact and desires, or whatever in the body would mar the beauty and accurateness of that gift. This was the more desirable, since in those ages freedom of opinion, or distinct recognition of the gift, was only possible when under the distinct and recognized acceptance of the orders of Brotherhood.

The Brotherhood embraced in many countries of the East those of various degrees, as priests or oracles, who presided in the temples; and very seldom could any one become initiated as priest or sacred worker in any capacity unless he was endowed with some of the gifts of the spirit.

The wonder-workers of the East may be divided into two classes: those who had the gifts of the spirit, and thereby performed through the gift the wonders outside of the sacred orders; and the sorcerers or imitators who, as to-day, not possessing the gift of the spirit, claim to perform the same things by sorcery or sleight of hand. This was so in Israel. Certain orders of sorcery were forbidden, but there were distinct gifts of the spirit that were recognized.

In Egypt there were the worshipers at the true shrine of Osiris and Isis, while there were others who worshiped but the symbol; and the Brazen Serpent was but the visible imitation of the serpent of life and fire that encircled the Egyptian temples. Within those temples none but those having spiritual gifts could ever preside; within those temples none but those endowed from Jehovah could ever officiate. But outside, in the different schools of philosophy, and led on to that imitation that belongs to mankind in every age, there were those who wrought miracles by the deceiving of the senses, similar to the illusionists of to-day - those careful and clever performers, who, by deceiving the senses seem to imitate the genuine gift of the spirit.

But as much do they differ as the artificial flower from the living flower that sheds its fragrance all around; as much as the carved statue differs from the living man; as much:is the superficial word spoken only externally differs from the word of truth conveyed from the heart and life of man below .

Side by side the false and the true in human history have been handed down to you. But there are those in Christendom who deny to the East any real working of miracles; who deny that in India, or Persia, or Assyria, or any remote nation of antiquity, these wonders were performed; that in Judea there were evidences of Jehovah's power; but reserve to the children of Israel and to the Christian dispensation all evidences of the working of miracles.

But this denial is unfounded. If in the far kingdoms of the East there were no wonder-workers, who was it that discovered the presence of the Star of Bethlehem when Jesus came? If there were no wonder-workers, how was it there came out of the East wise men to worship at the shrine of the meek and lowly Nazarene? Who was it that bestowed upon him the wonderful constellation and the signs of the sacred orders of the East?

And who was it that through all the Old Testament, and even in Egypt, gave to Moses and to Aaron the symbols of the most high Jehovah from the Egyptian temples? And how was it that through the entire record of the Children of Israel these two powers - the spiritual, that was genuine in the East and that which was false among the Children of Israel - seem to have perpetual conflict, if there was no other recognition of Deity outside of those who were supposed alone to have the thought and revelation of the most high God?

Why was it that the word Jehovah was borrowed from the Egyptian temples, the signification of which was only known to those initiated in the most sacred mysteries of the order of Egypt - the future, the present and the past, the only infinite God? And that this word was never used by the Children of Israel, until after their bondage in Egypt? Why was it that all of the symbols used by Moses after he led the Children of Israel through bondage, were the symbols of the sacred orders of Egypt instead of that of Abram? And why was it also that at the time of the birth of Christ, the only symbol used to designate his coming, was that symbol that alone was known in Persia, and through Persia was formerly known in Egypt? This star constituted the sacred symbol of the Orient, not of the Children of Israel. And why was it that all these symbols, as well as these terms were not only used to herald the coming of Christ, but the accepted indication of the Messiahship in the Orient?