- 4 - • A state of frenzy invariably indicates that a low spirit has taken possession of a medium. The presence of good spirits is always accompanied by peace and quiet. The ravings of the priests of Baal as described in the Bible, the frenzied motions of the Bacchantes at the pagan feasts of the Greeks and the Romans, the dancing dervishes of our times, as well as the numerous similar exhibitions given by modern mediums must be ascribed to the influence of evil spirits. These spirit beings could also be seen by the clairvoyants of those times. Persons endowed with the gift of clairvoyance or other mediumistic powers through which they could enter into communication with the spirit world were known back then as “Pneumatics”, a term derived from the Greek word “pneuma”, which means “spirit.” In the present age, which no longer knows anything of the laws of spirit communication, the word “pneumatic” is interpreted as “gifted in spirit”, thus creating the impression that it was the spirits of those persons themselves that were the cause of the wondrous phenomena. In reality, however, the “pneumatics” were either full-fledged “mediums”, or persons having a mediumistic talent, or else individuals gifted with the power of clairvoyance or clairaudience. Thus “pneumatics” were not only those who were in touch with the good spirit world, but also persons who were in contact with the evil spirits, the laws governing such communication being the same in both cases. Oratio ad Graecos 15, p. 70: Demons also become visible to people, showing themselves in order to create the belief that they are something proper.” “Their airy, fiery bodies are easily and often seen, although, to be sure, only by ‘pneumatics’, but the fact that they are seen, and frequently seen, is certain,” says Tatian. The airy and fiery bodies of the demons mentioned above are the odic bodies. All spirits have odic bodies, but their appearance differs according to the sphere each spirit inhabits. It is true also that the idols spoke and performed miracles. Not even the Christians could deny this fact, since it was a matter of general knowledge. It was on this that the heathens based the belief that the idols they worshipped were living spirit creatures and endowed with great powers. They asked: “How is it that certain images work miracles, unless the beings to which we erect our statues are deities? It is surely not likely that lifeless, immobile images should develop power by themselves, without someone moving them.” To this the Christian, Athenagoras, replies: Athenagoras leg. 23, p. 116: “We Christians do not deny that in certain places, cities and countries, miracles have occurred in the name of the idols, but we do not regard them to be gods.” Of a statue of a certain Neryllius in Troas he relates: “It is believed that this statue prophesies and heals the sick. The inhabitants of Troas therefore offer sacrifices to it, and bedeck it with gold and wreaths. It is likewise reported that of the statues of Alexander and Proteus in Parion, the one of Proteus can prophesy; to the other, that of Alexander, offerings and festivals are dedicated at the expense of the state, as to a god who will hear his worshippers.” Athenagoras does not deny the phenomena, but he maintains that those who bring them about are evil spirits.
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