The Biblical account of this transaction (Acts xxii. 17-21) is brief and natural, and there is no claim or indication that the trance was peculiar or miraculous. Paul, in his visions, guidances, and miracles, never assumed to be more than human, or unlike other imperfect men, in his experiences.

Has anything done greater harm to the Bible than the glamour that has been put upon it, and the distance which has been assumed between the events therein related and those which are common to all mankind? The laws which govern the psychical, moral, and spiritual experiences of men are uniform and unchangeable. Otherwise the whole higher economy is chaotic and unreliable.

If an exalted vision of the Divine, a guidance from the inner Spirit of Truth, a miracle of healing, or an interview with one who has passed into the Unseen—one or all of these—is possible in one age, then, under like conditions, it is possible for all time. If the Bible were brought near and humanized, it would become clear, practical, and harmonious. Its teachings and history would be spiritually natural and evolutionary. The grandest work of the present time is its rescue from the literalism, strangeness, and dehumanization with which it has been burdened. It is thereby honored and made congruous. The multitude of warring sects has come from its literalization. It is a natural and simple record of the experiences of men of varying condition, some of whom were spiritually developed in eminent degree. It is inspired because it inspires.

Transcriber’s Note

Variations in spelling or hyphenation were not changed.

The following changes have been made to the text:

	[page 45], single quote changed to double quote after “Defend him!”
	[page 153], “occuping” changed to “occupying”
	[page 182], “houshold” changed to “household”
	[page 425], “proanos” changed to “pronaos”
	[page 458], quote mark added after “circles.”