he 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
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