es contrary to natural laws. These wondrous
acts were depended upon by him to convince the people that he was the
expected Messiah: "Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear
and see: the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers
are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor
have the gospel preached to them."[10]

Jesus assured his disciples that they too would be able to perform
miracles: "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name
shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they
shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not
hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover."[11]
"He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and
greater works than these shall he do."[12]

Jesus set great store by these marvels that only magicians attempt
nowadays. Ministers of the apostolic succession cannot cast out devils
or take up serpents, and they are affected by deadly drinks the same as
others. Jesus had a primitive idea of the value of such magic. Either he
sought to deceive the gullible, or, as is more likely, was himself
overcredulous. It is important to remember that Jesus stressed the value
of enchantment and advised his successors to conjure in his name.

If the miraculous had not been connected with the name of Jesus, it is
probable that he never would have been heard of. His ethical teachings
alone would not have won for him the exalted position that has come from
the stories of his miraculous birth, life and ascension. In other words,
his fame rests upon the supernatural side of his life that is now
discredited by many of his followers.

_Eternal Life_

The remarks of Jesus on the subject of death were not accurate. "If a
man keep my saying, he shall never see death."[13] "Whosoever liveth and
believeth in me shall never die."[14]

Apparently Jesus referred to natural death, in which case he was
utterly mistaken; but if he meant that believers in him should live
forever in heaven, even so he gave a false impression; for there is no
evidence that life after death is assured to Christians more than to
others. Unbelievers were also to have eternal life, though in torment.

_Raising Lazarus_

Jesus took advantage of opportunities, even of death, to create dramatic
effects. The eleventh chapter of John shows that when Lazarus was
reported ill, Jesus said, "This sickn