PRICE 25 C Itt/?S. J LIIT1B ON THE PHILOSOPHY OF MESMERISM. (THE PROCESS OF MAGNETIZING.) BY REV. JOHN BOVEE DODS. &e i NEW YORK. FOWLERS AND WELLS, PHRENOLOGICAL CABINET, 131 NASSAU STREET. AND BY BOOKSELLERS GENERALLY. SIX LECTURES PHILOSOPHY OF MESMERISM, DELIVERED IN THE MARLBORO' CHAPEL, BOSTON. BY JOHN BOVEE DODS. REPORTED B V g,A HEARER. & h 'J'i TENTH THOUSAND. NEW YORK: FOWLERS AND WELLS, PHRENOLOGICAL CABINET, 131 NASSAU STREET. AND BY BOOKSELLERS GENERALLY. 1 849. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1847, By FOWLERS &. WELLS, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern District of New York. STEREOTYPED l!Y BURNS & BANK 11 SPRUCE STREET ADVERTISEMENT TO THE IMPROVED AND STEREOTYPED EDITION. Within one month after these highly popular lectures were first delivered, an edition of three thousand copies was published and sold, and 21 second edition called for, which has also been exhausted, and the demand is still increasing.* Under these circumstances the author was pre- vailed on to revise, enlarge, and so improve the work as to render it, if possible, even much more desirable. The merits of the work may be inferred from this fact: an audience of over two thousand people, composed of the most intelligent citizens of New England, was held six evenings in suc- cession, chained in the most profound silence, listening to these truly philosophical lectures, and * This work has recently been re-published in England, and has been favorably received by the most, scientific men of Europe. iv ADVERTISEMENT. witnessing surgical operations without pain; and other experiments, at once convincing, and full of great practical utility to every human being. The author, Dr. Dods, is a man of extensive experience and general information. He first qualified himself for the medical profession, then engaged in the study of theology, and has been in the ministry for more than twenty years, and is favorably known as a lecturer on many of the natural sciences. s. R. WELLS. Phrenological Cabinet, 131 Nassau street, New York. CONTENTS. LECTURE I. ANIMAL MAGNETISM, INTRODUCTORY LECTURE ON .... page 7-17 Invitation by Members of the Legislature to lecture on the Science of Animal Mag- netism—Wresting the Science from the hands of ignorant and designing Individ- uals—Skepticism—The cry of Humbug and Collusion supplies the place of sound argument—Galileo, Harvey, Fulton—The Science of Phrenology—Truth can never die—Denouncing before investigation—Mesmerism embraced by men whose names will live always—Animal Magnetism an inappropriate Name—Mind, and its powers—The Law of Equilibrium—The Earth not Eternal—Mountains—Wa- ter—Experiments—Electrical Science—Causes of Thunder and Lightning—The Nervo-vital Fluid passing from one Body to another—The Nervous System— Blood—Brain—Insensibility—Who can and who ought to be Mesmerized—Phys- ical Energy—Process of Magnetizing. LECTURE II. MENTAL ELECTRICITY, OR SPIRITUALISM..........18-29 The Why and Wherefore of Mesmerism—Experiment—Fact—Physical, Mental, and Moral Power—A Lesser Power may Mesmerize a Greater Power—Galvanic Bat- tery—Coloring of the Blood—Voluntary and Involuntary Motion—Power of the Will—Execution of Criminals—Experiments on the Body after death—The Corpse made to move—Attraction and Repulsion—Insanity—Time requisite to produce Insensibility—A Child can Mesmerize its Father—Importance of being Mesmerized. LECTURE III. AN APPEAL IN BEHALF OF THE SCIENCE.........50-44 The Power of the Creator—The Origin of Matter—John Milton—The World not created out of Nothing—The Eternal Existence of Electricity—Spirit and Matter —The Gradual Creation of Plants—The Sun pure Electricity—Worlds Electrically and Magnetically suspended—Experiments with the Electrifying Machine—The Magnet—The Beauty, Order, and Harmony of all the Laws of Nature. 6 CONTENTS. LECTURE IV. THE PHILOSOPHY OF CLAIRVOYANCE............44-58 Mind—Motion—The Brain—The Expansion and Contraction of Bodies by Heat and Cold—Vision without the Natural Organs—Somnambulism—Dreaming— Catalepsy—Dr. Patterson—Well-authenticated facts—An Appeal to Medical Gen- tlemen—Great Feats of Climbing and Walking on House-tops in the Dark while in a State of Unconsciousness—Painting in the Dark—A Remarkable Fact—Seeing, Hearing, Tasting, and Smelling—The Transparency of Objects—Magnetic or Gal- vanic Light—Distinguished Clairvoyants in the United States—Additional Ex- periments—Philosophy of Hearing—Amputated Limb—Hon. T. G. Greenwood —A Fact. LECTURE V. THE NUMBER OF DEGREES IN MESMERISM..........60-71 The First Degree—Attraction by the Magnetizer—Second Degree—Third Degree— Fourth Degree—Fifth Degree—Clairvoyance—Communication—Experiment— Why is not Magnetism more generally understood—Objections answered— Demosthenes—Cicero—The Methodists—Muscular Power—Concentration—The Dangers and Abuse of Mesmerism—Every blessing abused—Crime—Causes— Magnetizing a part, and not the whole body—A Surgical Operation—A Broken Arm—A Tumor extracted without Pain—Rev. John Pierpont testifies publicly to the Truth and Utility of Mesmerism—The Wonderful Power to Charm all Pain. LECTURE VI. OUR SAVIOUR AND THE APOSTLES.............73-82 The right to think for ourselves—Restrictions—The Command of Christ to his Apostles to Heal the Sick, as well as to Preach—Miracles—Palsied Arm—The Saviour and the Woman—The Apostolic Power—John the Revelator—Trans- figuration—Moses and Elias—The Crucifixion of Christ—His Resurrection, &c. —Dr. Channing on Dying without Pain. ANIMAL MAGNETISM. LECTURE I. Ladies and Gentlemen : It is with much pleasure that I present myself before you this evening, to lecture upon the science of Animal Magnetism. I do this by special invitation from several distinguished members of both branches of our legislature, now in session in this city; and this thronged congregation of more than two thousand hearers speak the interest which is awak- ened in the bosoms of our citizens in relation to this subject. This dense and anxious crowd too plainly manifest the high expectations which are entertained of the feeble abilities of the speaker to do it justice— expectations which I am fully sensible I shall be unable to answer. Leaning, however, upon the solid grandeur of truth, and believing that to be stirring eloquence and living power, I have, therefore, even as things now are, with all your roused expectations crowding upon me, but little to hazard, for I am fully sensible that I am standing before a learned and an intelligent congre- gation. And when I inform you that I have never written any thing upon this subject, and am, therefore, obliged to speak from the fortuitous suggestions of the 8 LECTURES ON moment, I am conscious that you will do me justice, by making every reasonable allowance. It is not my profession to lecture upon this subject. I have other means for my subsistence, and for that of those who depend upon me. Circumstances have called me into the field. Many, very many ignorant individuals, who know nothing of the human system, nor of the common principles of any science, have gone into the field as lecturers on Animal Magnetism, and by making it a mere puppet-show, have brought it into degradation in the public mind. Such persons are doing the cause, which is one of benevolence and mercy, an irreparable injury. They had better qualify them- selves for the work, or else retire from the field. In this state of things, I was urged, by several scientific gentlemen, to step forward in defence of the cause of righteousness and truth, and to lend my aid in raising it from the dust, in wiping off the sneers of men, and in placing it on a foundation where it should command not only the attention, but the respect and admiration which are justly due to it from men of science and talents. In this city, I find but one noble spirit laboring and toiling, who is well qualified for the work, and who is deserving a better patronage than he receives.* As these are the circumstances under which I have en- tered the field, so, of course, I visit those places only where I am invited to lecture upon this science. I have had the subject of Mesmerism under consider- ation for about seven years, reading all that came in my way for and against it. Five of these years I re- mained a stubborn, a most confirmed sceptic, and * Dr. Gilbert. ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 9 refused even to attend a lecture, or to witness an ex- periment, until I was persuaded by a particular friend of mine to accompany hrm, and see and hear for myself. I am, therefore, prepared to make all due allowance for honest sceptics ; and, in their opposition to me during this course of lectures, I shall maintain an entire em- pire over my feelings; and being fully sensible of their condition, I well know how to sympathize with them. But there is yet another class of sceptics, who have witnessed experiments which they cannot resist, and still cry, " humbug and collusion !" Of these, there are two kinds. First, those who never investi- gate anything for themselves, and who do not know the definitions of the words, " humbug and collusion;" but who, nevertheless, use them very freely, because they have heard their minister, their doctor, or, per- chance, their schoolmaster, use them. They do it by imitation, on the same principle that the parrot imitates the sound of the human voice, and they do it just about as understandingly. Second, those who are talented, and desire to keep on the wings of the popular breeze, and catch the breath of fame. These may be known by the ridicule, wit, and sarcasm they employ, through the press and otherwise. But, "humbug and collusion" have become stereotyped words, and their use costs but little labor; and they answer most admirably to supply the place of sound argument and common sense in the most of minds. If my hearers will please turn their atten- tion to all the talented writers, who have, in various ages, vehemently opposed those now well-established sciences which, in their infancy, appeared incredible, and who assailed them with the bitterest invective and sarcasm, they will learn that they were men who were 10 LECTURES ON always studying what was popular, and who had a large share of self-esteem, and of the love of approba- tion. This test will hold good from the opposers of the earth's revolution on its axis, discovered by Galileo; from the scoffers at the science of the circulation of the human blood, discovered by Harvey, step by step, down to the scoffers at Fulton's application of steam- power,—yes, even down to the opposers of, and scoffers at, the brilliant science of Phrenology, which is now spreading with a power that can never be successfully resisted, a zeal that cannot be quenched, and a liv- ing energy that can never die. True, a candid man, as well as any other, may doubt a new science ; yet, how- ever strange or incomprehensible it may appear, he will not denounce till he has given the subject a candid in- vestigation. I am speaking of those only who denounce without investigation, and who can assign no other reason for so doing, but their own willing ignorance, or because the popular voice is against it. I am, however, proud in the reflection that the science of Mesmerism is embraced by men of the first talents and science in both continents, and whose names will live in the republic of letters, and shine with lustre long after those of fawning sycophants shall have been lost in unremembered nothingness. It is embraced here among us by a Pierpont, the Fowlers, a Gilbert, a Neal, and a Wayland. It is embraced by men who have forgotten more than those who cry " humbug and col- lusion" ever knew. I have been in the field as an occasional lecturer ever since October, 1841, and have uniformly advocated the same principles which I am now about to advance and sustain in the course of lectures I am pledged to deliver ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 11 in this city. This fact, many now present well know, who have heard me in other sections, or who have seen the substance of what I have now to offer on Mesmerism, reported by the editor of the Yarmouth- port Register, in March, 1842. I shall here contend for the same principles, and endeavor to sustain them by fair experiments, in electricity, galvanism, and com- mon magnetism. There is one apology, however, to be offered in favor of honest sceptics. It is this: Those who have lectured upon Mesmerism have not pretended to give any cause for the wonderful phenomena produced—have held them in mystery, and perhaps pronounced them inscrutable to the human intellect. Hence, it is not strange that thousands, under such an impression, should refuse to investigate a subject which its advo- cates held in mystery. That there are mysteries in Mesmerism I readily admit; but that there are more than in any other science, I deny. We may, for in- stance, tell the chemical properties of earth, water, and air, and the degree of warmth necessary to produce vegetation. But still no one can solve the mystery how an acorn becomes an oak, or a seed becomes a plant. There is no science in the universe, but what has some incomprehensibilities resting upon its face; but this circumstance is considered no objection to the truth of any science. Hence there is no reason why Mes- merism should be rejected on this ground. Yet thou- sands do reject it, because they contend that it is incomprehensibly strange! They know nothing but what is strange, and yet what is strange they cannot believe ! All the operations of nature going on around us are strange, and the only reason we have ceased to 12 LECTURES ON wonder is, because they are common. All such ob- jections are therefore futile. Before I proceed any further, I would remark that I consider " Animal Magnetism" a very inappropriate name. It should be called Spiritualism, or Mental Electricity, because it is the direct impulse of mind upon the minds and bodies of others. As it is the science of mind and its powers, so it is the highest and most sublime science in the whole realms of nature, and as far transcends all others as godlike mind transcends matter. Having made these introductory remarks, I now proceed more directly to the consideration of the sub- ject before me. In presenting before you "the why and the wherefore" of these interesting phenomena, and, in order to make them plain to the humblest ca- pacity, it will be necessary to associate the subject with other principles in philosophy which are well under- stood by all, and thus rise from the consideration of the more gross and dense particles of matter, step by step, up to those which are the most rarified and subtil of which we can form any conception. In doing this, I shall not take into consideration every possible grade or species of matter, but those substances only which belong to the great classifications of nature's empire. and which are the most obvious to every observer. In the first place, then, I contend that there is but one common law pervading the whole universe of God, which is the law of equilibrium. In perfect accord- ance with this law there is kept up a constant action and reaction throughout every department of nature. It is true there has been much written, and still more said, about the multiplicity and variety of the laws of animal magnetism. 13 ture. But this is, at least to me, wholly unintelligible. While, however, I contend for but one common law, it is still conceded that this law is so varied as to be perfectly adapted to all the variety of substanees in being. On this principle the earth is certainly not eternal, for were it so, the hills and mountains would long ago have been washed to a level by the storms of heaven; yes, it would have been done by the gentle descending dews. Indeed, I hazard nothing in saying, that even the mountains of solid granite would have been crumbled into atoms ages ago, by the very opera- tion of the particles of air—" the fingers of Time;" because every thing in nature is tending to an equi- librium. Having begun at the grossest particles of matter, let us now rise gradually in our contemplations, step by step, up to those that are the most rarified and subtil of which we can form any conception. Water is a body lighter than earth. Let a canal be dug of one hundred feet in depth, one hundred in width, and a thousand feet in length. Let a strong lock be constructed across its centre, and one half filled with water. Let the gate be hoisted, and the water in the one division will fall, and in the other rise, until an equilibrium of height is attained. Nature, having gained her end, is then at rest. And the action of this element will be great in proportion as it was thrown out of balance. The rush will be at first tremendous, but continue gradu- ally to lessen until it finds its perfect slumber in equal height. The same is true in relation to our atmosphere, a sub- stance lighter than water. The air in this room is now rarified by heat, and is thus thrown out of balance with 2 14 LECTURES on the circumambient air, which is more cold and dense. Hence, through every key-hole and crevice there is a rush of this element into the room, which will continue until the equilibrium of density is attained. Then, and not before, nature, having gained her end, will be at rest. The air in one section of the globe is more rari- fied by heat than in another; and hence the gentle zephyrs of heaven are continually fanning the human brow with a touch of delight, and carrying health to human habitations. If this element be thrown still farther out of balance, we witness the stirring gale; and if carried, in this respect, to its extreme, we wit- ness the sweeping hurricane, or the roaring tornado, which prostrates human habitations in its mighty course, and bows the mountain forest to the earth. The same is true in relation to electricity, a substance more rarified and light than air. If two clouds are equally charged with this subtil fluid, they may pass and repass each other, or mingle into one, yet not a flash of lightning will be seen. But if they are une- qually charged, or what is called in electrical science, " positively and negatively charged," then the heavens will stream with forked lightning, till both clouds are equally charged. By long drought and heat, electricity becomes very unequally diffused throughout the atmos- phere. One portion of air contains a much greater quantity than another, and when thus thrown out of balance to a certain extreme, nature can hold out no longer. A reaction must take place. Convolving clouds roll the heavens in darkness—the lightnings flash, the thunders roll, and the war of elements con- tinues until the electric fluid is equally diffused through- out the atmosphere, and also equalized with the earth. animal magnetism. 15 Nature, having thus gained her end in the equilibrium produced, is at rest—all is calm. If we pass on from inert matter to animated nature, we shall find that the same law there also holds its em- pire. If, for instance, a healthy child, three or four years of age, be permitted to sleep every night for a year or two between two very old, decrepit grandparents, it will pine away, and if not removed, perchance it may die. There is, perhaps, not one under the sound of my voice, but what has heard the remark, that " it is very unhealthy for young children to sleep with very old, in- firm people." It is even so, and parents should beware. The child is full of animal life, and its nervous system is charged with the vital fluid, secreted by the brain. This gives that suppleness to the limbs, and that buoy- ancy to the heart which we witness in the young. The grandparents lack the proper quantity of this nervo- vital fluid, which occasions that rigidity of the limbs we witness in the aged. The same common law of equilibrium that pervades the universe, is here also in operation. The nervo-vital fluid passes from this child to the two aged persons in conjunction. The child loses, and they continue to revive, and as this little one can never bring those infirm persons up to an equilib- rium with itself, so it must go down to them. Nature will have her equilibrium, if she has it in death. Once more : there is in the nervous system no blood. By the nervous system I mean the brain and all its ramifications. The blood belongs exclusively to the circulating system, which embraces the veins and arte- ries. I grant that the blood-vessels pass round the convolutions of the brain; but in the nerve itself there is no blood, and the whole mass of brain is but a congeries 16 LECTURES ON of nerves. These are charged with a nervo-vital fluid, which is manufactured from electricity. Hence, the circulating system containing the blood, and the nervous system containing the magnetic fluid, are not to be blended, but distinctly considered. Now, as a human being may lack the proper quantity of blood in his cir- culating system, so he may lack the proper quantum of the nervo-vital fluid in his nervous system. This is certainly rational. And, moreover, it may be easily known when such is the case. When we see persons, who, on hearing suddenly some good or bad news, are thrown into great excitement, tremor, and agitation, we may be certain that their nervous systems lack the due measure of the nervo-vital fluid. Now let a person whose brain is fully charged, come in contact with one whose brain is greatly wanting in its due measure of this fluid, and let the person possessing the full brain gently and unchangeably hold his mind upon the other, and by the action of the will, the fluid will pass from the full brain to the other, until the equilibrium between the fluids in the two brains is attained. The sudden change in the receiving brain produces a coolness and a singular state of insensibility. This is magnetism; and it is in perfect accordance with all the principles of philosophy in the known realms of nature. If any one denies the operation of the law of equilibrium in this case, then he here makes a chasm, amidst the immensity of God's works, which he can nowhere else discover. I have clearly shown him that, from the grossest matter in the universe, step by step, through every grade, up to electricity, the same law holds its empire, and matter is continually equalizing itself with matter. On this principle, it will be readily perceived that, if animal magnetism. 17 a person has a great deficiency of the nervo-vital fluid, he can be mesmerized the first sitting, and probably in an hour's time, or a much less period. These we call easy subjects. But if the deficiency be less, it will take a longer period in proportion, and if the brain have nearly its proper quantity of fluid, then the effect pro- duced, at the first sitting, will be small, yet still it will be visible. From the premises laid down, and in accordance with the law of equilibrium, it will probably be said, that only few persons can be mesmerized. This, however, is not correct. I contend that every person in existence can be, and indeed ought to be thrown into the mesmeric state. This, I am well aware, is contrary to the opinion of the advocates of this science. The most liberal cal- culation I have as yet heard, is that about one in nine of the human family can be mesmerized. But every one can be, and that, too, in perfect accordance with the principles laid down. Let two persons of equal brains, both in size and fluid, sit down. Let one of these in- dividuals remain perfectly passive, and let the other ex- ercise his mental and physical energies according to the true principles of mesmerizing, and he will displace some of the nervo-vital fluid from the passive brain and deposit his own in its stead. The next day let them sit another hour, and so on, day after day, until the acting brain shall have displaced the major part of the nervo- vital fluid from the passive brain and filled up that space with his own nervous force, and the person will yield to the magnetic power, and sweetly slumber in its inexpres- sible quietude. 2* LECTURE II. Ladies and Gentlemen : On the last evening, I had the pleasure to deliver before you my introductory lec- ture on the science of Spiritualism, and to explain "the why and the wherefore" of the effect produced. I clearly showed that Mesmerism was in perfect ac- cordance with the universal law of nature, which I call the law of Equilibrium ; and, as I, in concluding my lec- ture, contended that every person in the world could be mesmerized, some, as I suspected would be the case, have to-day argued that, according to the principle laid down by the speaker, two brains of equal power can no more mesmerize each other, than one of a less power can mesmerize a greater; and hence, that the argu- ments of the lecturer are contradictory and irreconcila- ble. But this objection is by no means valid. It is readily conceded that two brains equally full and healthy cannot affect each other, admitting both persons to be equal in muscular energy, and to make at the same time the same mental and physical effort. But, if one person sit down and passively resign himself, and an- other even of less power and less nervo-vital fluid exert aJ his energies, then the law of equilibrium requires that there shall be an effect produced in the passive object equal to all the power exerted by the active agent. Hence, a weaker person can mesmerize one of superior power, and the same persons may alternatelv animal magnetism. 19 throw each other into the mesmeric state. I have known the instance where a small girl, only nine years of age, mesmerized a young man twenty years old, and of uncommon strength. Though it is a well known law, that two bodies of water will seek a level when a communication is made between them, yet it is equally true that, by a pump, water may be thrown from a lower to a higher cistern; and who will deny that it is in perfect accordance with the law of equilibrium ? Surely, no one. It is by physical energy that the air is removed from the pump, and the circumambient air pressing upon the water in the cistern, causes it to rise till an equilibrium of height is attained—exactly equal to all the powers employed. But so far as the mes- meric state is concerned, it will be remembered, that man, in acting on his fellow-man, exerts not only a physical, but a mental, and moral power. These must all be taken into consideration, and duly weighed, in order to form a correct idea of the law of equilib- rium in the employment of the magnetic forces. If this common law in nature extended no farther than merely to bring substances that are out of balance down to a common level, then all action in the various elements would soon cease. It will be remembered that no one kindred element ever disturbs itself, or ever throws itself out of balance. It requires another element to do this. The water would always keep on a perfect level with itself, throughout the globe, if air and heat never disturbed it. By heat it is rarified into vapors, carried over the globe in aerial conductors, condensed by cold into drops, and rained upon the mountains and more elevated portions of the g^obe, and then again seeks its level with the 20 lectures on parent ocean. So there is a power that rarities the air, and the denser portions rush to its aid, and the winds are in action to keep up a perfect balance in its own empire, while air, abstractly, could never disturb itself. Hence it is even the law of equilibrium by which one portion of water is thrown out of balance with itself; and the same is also true in relation to the atmosphere. If heat, which is but the action of electricity, rarifies the water so as to cause it in subtility to approximate itself, then surely it is according to the law of equilibrium that water is thrown out of balance with itself by for- cing it into a partial equilibrium with some more rarified substance. Carrying out this principle, and applying it to Mesmerism, it will be readily understood not only how two persons of equal power may mesmerize each other, but even how one of less physical power may mesmerize a greater, and yet the whole be effected in perfect accordance with the law of equilibrium. Having made these remarks, which the occasion seems to demand, I will now proceed to a direct consi- deration of the nervo-vital fluid in the human brain. It is admitted, that the air we breathe is composed of two substances, namely, oxygen and nitrogen. Their relative qualities are about one-fifth oxygen and four- fifths nitrogen. But these are not all. It is evident, that hydrogen and electricity are also component parts of air. Oxygen and electricity are the principles of flame and of animal life, while nitrogen extinguishes both. There is not a single square inch of air but what contains more or less electricity. The air in its com- pound state is drawn into the lungs. The oxygen and electricity are communicated to the blood, which is charged with iron, while the nitrogen is disengaged ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 21 and expired. This iron, which gives color to the blood, is instantly rendered magnetic under the influence of electricity, analogous to the needles in the galvanic bat- tery, which become magnets merely by induction. The blood itself is, at the same time, oxydized by the oxygen of the air, and instantly becomes cherry red. This oxygen generates an acidity in the blood, in some de- gree answering to the solution of the sulphate of copper in the galvanic battery. The blood, thus magnetically prepared at the lungs, is thrown upon the heart, and forced into the arteries. Hence, arterial blood is red. It is propelled to the extremities, driven into every pos- sible ramification, and is collected and carried back in the veins, through the other ventricle of the heart, to the lungs, for a fresh supply of the electro-magnetic power. Hence, venous blood is dark, and is unfit to be thrown into the arterial system a second time till it has again come in contact with the oxygen and electri- city of the air. The blood, thus discharged, is pro- pelled through its living channels, and this friction causes the electro-magnetic power to escape from the circulating system into the nervous system, for which it has a strong affinity, and, being secreted by the brain, it becomes the nervo-vital fluid, or animal galvanism. It is important here to remark, that the blood, in its friction through the arteries, has given off its electro- magnetic power into the nervous system. The blood, thus freed, assumes a dark appearance in the veins, and becomes entirely negative. The lungs, being charged with a fresh supply of electricity, become positive. Hence the blood is drawn from the veins to the lungs on the same principle that the negative and the positive in electricity rush together. 22 LECTURES ON From the above observations, it will be tcrceived that every muscle of the human body, every organ and gland, is polar, and by the negative and positive prin- ciples, as above noticed, animal life is sustained and perpetuated through the action of the lungs and blood. We thus perceive that the nervo-vital fluid is manu- factured out of electricity, taken into the lungs at every inspiration. It completely charges the whole brain, when that organ is in a healthy state. The nerves composing the brain, are of three kinds, namely: the nerves of sensation, the nerves of voluntary motion, and the nerves of involuntary motion. I make these three divisions, so that I may be the more readily under- stood when speaking of nervous action. I desire you to bear in mind that these three classes of nerves are all charged with the nervo-vital fluid, which is exactly prepared to come in contact with mind. We put forth a will. That will stirs the nervo- vital fluid in the voluntary nerves. This fluid causes the voluntary nerves to vibrate. The galvanic vibra- tion of these nerves contracts the muscles. The mus- cles, contracting, raise the arm, and that arm raises foreign matter. So we perceive that it is through this concatenation, or chain, that the mind comes in contact with the grossest matter in the universe. It is evident that there is no direct contact between mind and gross matter. There is no direct contact between the length of a thought and the breadth of that door. Nor is there any more direct contact between my mind and hand, than there is between my mind and the stage upon which I stand. Thought cannot touch my hand ; yet it must be true that mind can come in contact with matter : otherwise, I could not raise mv animal magnetism. 23 hand at all by the energies of my will. Hence, it must be true, that the highest and most subtil of inert mat- ter in the universe, being the next step to spirit, can come in contact with the mind. And electricity, changed into nervo-vital fluid, (which is living galvan- ism,) is certainly the highest and most etherial inert substance of which we can form any conception. Hence, as before remarked, it must be true, that we put forth a will. By the energies of that will this gal- vanic substance, or nervous fluid, is proudly stirred; that stirring vibrates the nerves; this vibrates and contracts the muscles; the muscles raise the arm, and that arm moves dead matter. Notwithstanding the plausibility of this argument, it will yet be said that, as physiologists contend that no one can explain through what medium the mind comes in contact with matter, nor even how a muscle is made to contract, and raise the arm, and as the lecturer has undertaken to explain it, we have a right to demand positive proof. This demand being rational, I will en- deavor to meet it. I am, then, to prove that the nervo- vital fluid, (which is perfect galvanism,) is indeed the agent by which we contract the muscles and raise the arm. That being done, my point is gained, and the medium through which mind comes in contact with matter is established. I would first remark, that it is common when crimi- nals are executed, that their bodies are delivered over to medical men for dissection. Now take a human body, and let it be conveyed from the gallows to the charnel-house, and laid upon the dissecting-table. Let a continuous shock from a strong galvanic battery be given, and the muscles of the dead man will contract, 24 LECTURES ON and exhibit many frightful contortions. Many interest ing experiments of this character have been published. The dead man has been known to spring upon his knees, jolt them upon the floor, make violent gesticulations with his hands, move his head, roll his eyes, and chatter his teeth. The student, unused to such ghastly exhibi- tions, has left the room, or fainted away; and even the experienced physician has started back with horror at the frightful contortions which he himself had made. Now, what was it that contracted the muscles of this dead man ? There is but one answer to the question. It was galvanism. And what is galvanism, but electri- city in a changed form; so that, instead of giving the system a sudden shock, like electricity, it merely pro- duces a singular vibrating sensation upon the nerves, which causes the muscles to contract ? It is nothing else. Electricity, galvanism, magnetism, or attraction and repulsion, are but different dispositions of the same common fluid. Now, as galvanism contracts the mus- cles of a dead man, and is the only power known that, when artificially applied, can contract the muscles of the living, so it must be the agent employed by the will to contract the muscles, and enable us to perform all the voluntary motions of life. Whatever may be the opinions of others, I consider this argument irresistible, and shall hold it as such, until it be fairly refuted. It must now appear plain to every candid mind, that by the action of the will, and the exercise of all the men- tal powers, the nervo-vital fluid, this living galvanism, is continually thrown off from the voluntary nerves, and through the respiratory organs is again supplied. There is still, however, a greater waste. The involuntary nerves throw off another large portion through the action animal magnetism. 25 of the heart and lungs, and the digestive apparatus. And the nerves of sensation, also, do their part in throw- ing off this fluid. Let me here particularize. The nerves of sensation are those by which feeling is con- veyed to the mind. The voluntary nerves are those through which the mind gives motion to those parts of the body that are under the control of the will. The involuntary nerves are those that give motion to such parts of our system as are not under the control of the will. None but the involuntary nerves pass to the heart, stomach, and liver. So the heart will throb, the stomach digest its food, and the liver secrete its gall, when we are awake or asleep, whether we will it or not. But to the lungs go both the voluntary and involuntary nerves. The involuntary ones are, however, the most numerous, so that though a man may hold his breath and keep the lungs in suspension till he faints, yet the involuntary nerves will get the mastery, and restore him. Through these three sets of nerves the galvanic fluid is continu- ally wasting and passing from the whole system. That I am correct, as to the nature of this nervous fluid, is certain. Take an animal, and tie off the invol- untary nerves that lead to the stomach, and digestion will instantly cease. Then pour a moderate current of galvanism from the battery into the stomach, and diges- tion will immediately commence. Hence, I have clearly proved that the nervo-vital fluid, secreted by the brain, is of a galvanic nature, and is manufactured from elec- tricity which we breathe into the lungs every inspira- tion we take. And I have, moreover, proved that this electro-magnetic power is the only matter that can come in contact with mind, and is the only agent by which the will contracts the muscles. Hence, the conclusion 26 lectures on is absolutely unavoidable, that, by the concentration of the mind upon an individual, and by the action of the will, this fluid can be thrown upon another person till his nervous system is fully charged. This is .Mesmer- ism. Having these important facts before us, we perceive that the subject is one of momentous interest. The ner- vous system, embracing the brain and all its ramifica- tions, when once diseased, seems to baffle all medical aid and skill. Hence, those upon whom fits of derangement are permanently settled, are abandoned as hopeless ; and of both of these states, we are all more or less in danger. Those persons, particularly, who, on hearing the least good or bad news, are thrown into tremor and agitation, are in danger. Their brains lack the proper quantity of the nervo-vital fluid. It will be remembered that in the nerves of the brain there is no blood. The blood is exclusively confined to the veins and arteries, while the nerves are charged with this nervo-vital fluid—a galvanic substance. Now if the veins and arteries are filled with blood, and if the nerves are fully charged with the gal- vanic fluid; in one word, if the circulating system and the nervous system are in perfect balance, health and firmness are the result. But if the circulating system lack its proper quantity of blood, then languor and de- bility of body are the result. But if, on the other hand, the nervous system lack its proper quantity of galvanic fluid, then nervous excitability is the result, and the per- son is in danger of fits, der .ngement, and all the nervous diseases that attend the human race. This is evident from the following facts : Take a person who has a suf- ficiency of blood in the circulating system, but who. at the same time, has not enough of the galvanic fluid in ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 27 his nervous system. By some circumstance the blood is suddenly thrown to his head, and the veins and arte- ries which pass round among the convolutions of the brain are swelled with this pressure. The nerves com- posing the brain not being sufficiently filled and braced with the galvanic fluid, spasmodically collapse, and a fit is the result. How often do persons, who suppose they are well, suddenly drop down dead in the streets ! How often has a father or mother retired to rest, and appa- rently in health, yet in the morning the children found one or the other a corpse ! Here, through eating too much, or some other cause, the blood was suddenly pro- pelled to the brain, and the nerves, not being sufficiently braced with the galvanic fluid, collapsed, and by apo- plexy, instant death ensued. Even the bosom compan- ion, slumbering upon the same pillow, never felt a mo- tion. Now if these persons had been mesmerized, no such calamity would have ensued. Their nervous system, by which I mean the whole brain and all its ramifica- tions, would have been charged from a full and healthy brain, and having been thus charged, it would have stood the war of internal elements, and outrode the rush- ing storm. In the light our subject now stands, we perceive how vastly important it is that every person while at ease, or even in health, should be operated upon until the brain is magnetically subdued. As stated in my first lecture, one person can be mesmerized in an hour or less, anoth- er in two hours, and so on up to thirty hours. Let a healthy friend of yours sit down, one hour each day, until he subdues your brain. No person should mes- merize more than one hour in twenty-four. The exer- 28 LECTURES ON tion is so great, he will injure himself if he do. But here is the glory of this science. Though you may la- bor an hour each day for twenty or thirty days in suc- cession, yet what you gain, you hold, until the work is accomplished. And not only so, but after the brain is once magnetically subdued, you can then throw the per- son into the state in five minutes. Yes, a child ten years old can then mesmerize a giant father. Your brain be- ing magnetically subdued, it is worth hundreds of dollars to you. You are then ready for the day of distress. Come what may—toothache, headache, tic doloreux, neuralgia, or any pain of which you can conceive; let some one mesmerize you and then wake you up, and the pain is gone. The whole process need not occupy more than ten minutes. Should you fall and break your arm, then let some person mesmerize the arm only, which can be done in one minute. You are free from pain, and though in your wakeful state, yet you can look quietly on, and see the bones put to their places. Your arm can then be kept in the mesmeric state, and thoroughly and rapidly healed without having ever experienced one single throb of pain. Or by simply mesmerizing your arm or leg, you can sit in the wakeful state and see them amputated, and feel no pain. But if you neglect to have your brain magnetically subdued, then when the day of distress comes upon you, as it might require several hours to put you into this state, it will then be too late to avail yourself of the blessings this science is calcula- ted to bestow. It is not only a preventative of fits, insanity, and of the most frightful nervous diseases, and a safeguard against pain, but it will cure fits, if no congestion of the brain has taken place. It never fails to remove the ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 29 ague and fever, however long it may have been upon the individual, and will prevent any fevers prevalent in northern climates, if the individual be mesmerized as soon as taken. Here, then, are opening before us new fields of action, where those who have hearts of benevolence may freely roam at large, and find ample scope for the full gratifi- cation of all their sympathetic and Christian feelings, and those who scoff and sneer at this science, do scoff and sneer at human wo and human pain, and know not what they do. 30 LECTURES ON LECTURE III. Ladies and Gentlemen : The two lectures I have had the pleasure to deliver, and the successful experi- ments I have, during the last two evenings, performed in your presence, have awakened opposition, and the excitement has truly become tremendous. Hundreds cannot gain admittance into this capacious chapel, and the breathless anxiety and stillness of this crowded congregation, show the deep and stirring interest which you feel in the science of Mesmerism, which is the sci- ence of mind and its godlike powers. For many ages men have turned their attention to matter, and confined all their investigations to the realms of material philoso- phy. It is true, that here and there a noble spirit has turned his attention to scan the nature and powers of the human mind itself. But she seemed to close her laboratory against their entrance, and forbid them to lay their hands upon her sacred shrine. In this condi- tion, there was no alternative but to judge of mind itself from its vast and complicated operations, both mental and moral. But that the mind itself could directly pro- duce a physical rsult by its own living energies, seems never to have entered their hearts. But new fields of thought are opened to the human soul, and the mysteri- ous and wonderful powers of the living mind are now seen and felt. Circumstances require me to say that I regard not the opposition or the scepticism of men. I challenge investigation both as to the experiments I per- form, or the arguments I offer. I stand mailed with im- animal magnetism. 31 mutable truth ; and hence, on this subject, am invulner- able to ever)' attack. Truth is immutable, cannot bend to circumstances, and must stand independent of the belief or unbelief of men. It must soar on towering wing far above the reach of scorn, and sooner or later triumph over all opposition. I now come to speak of mind and its powers. I have clearly shown that the will raises the arm through the agency of electricity. Perhaps I should not call it electricity, but nervo-vital fluid, or galvanic fluid, manufactured from electricity taken in at the lungs. The will is not an attribute of the mind, but the result of all the attributes brought into council and action. It is the executive of the mind. The question now comes up in proper order before us : Is there any powei in mind to produce a result by simply willing it ? I con- tend that there is, while the opposers of Mesmerism con- tend that there is not. Mesmerism, then, must stand or fall on the existence or non-existence of such a power. And first, let me appeal to you as Christians. If you deny that mind, or spirit, has any power to produce a physical result, then how does the Creator govern the universe ? How can his Spirit come in contact with matter so as to produce any physical results ? The creation and government of the world are represented in scripture as the result of the divine will. " He doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of earth." The creation of the world and all its appendages is represented as the effect of his will. " He said, let there be light, and there was light." " He spake, and it was done ; He commanded, and it stood fast." If, then, the infinite Spirit, by holding his will unchangeably upon all the multifarious objects 32 LECTURES on of creation, moves unnumbered worlds, and governs the universe, then there is also an energy and power in the human spirit proportionate to its greatness. If you grant that the infinite Spirit, by putting forth an infinite will, can produce infinite results, then surely a feeble finite spirit, by putting forth a feeble finite will, can pro- duce a feeble finite result. I only ask you, as Christian philosophers, the admission that the same cause shall produce the same effect. If, however, you deny the correctness of this conclu- sion, then I have only to say, that you furnish the atheist with a weapon by which he is sure to defeat you. Argue as long as you please, and even drive the honest atheist from any other ground, he will at last say: "Well, admit there is a God, yet he can do nothing." Your Bible says, " God is a spirit." Hence, he has no hands, feet, nor physical body, as we have. He may, therefore, will and will to all eternity ; yet he can do nothing, because spirit, by its mere mental action, can- not come in contact with, nor in the least affect matter. We know this, says the atheist, from observation and experience. " And what can we reason but from what we know ?" A human being, for instance, may sit down and exercise all his mental energies. He may will and will to endless ages, yet he can do nothing—can- not produce the least physical result, unless he uses his hands or comes in bodily contact. I now ask those Christians who deny that the mind has such power as we are contending for, how can they answer this argu- ment of the atheist ? I contend that they are not able to meet it. There is no human ingenuity beneath these heavens that the Christian opposers of the mesmeric power, can summon to their aid adequate to the task. ANIMAL magnetism. 33 Indeed, it implies a contradiction in terms, and involves them in the following compound dilemma: If the infi- nite Spirit, by the energies of his will, can produce infinite results, then a finite spirit, by its will, can pro- duce a finite result. But a finite spirit, by its will, can- not produce any result, so an infinite spirit, by its will, cannot produce any result! Of this dilemma, they may take either horn. Now for the consistency of these sapient opposers. They admit that the infinite Spirit, by its will, governs the universe, and produces infinite effects, and yet deny that a finite spirit, by its will, can produce the least physical effect; which is most philo- sophically absurd ! But, if a finite spirit, by its living energies, can produce a finite result, then there is a God, and the heavens do rule. I am willing to meet any in- telligent clergyman in controversy who denies the truth of Mesmerism; and before this enlightened congrega- tion, who shall be our jurors, I will either make him acknowledge the mesmeric power, or drive him to atheism. I will leave him no other alternative. We have, thus far, confined our inquiries to the fact, whether there was any power at all in mind to produce results independent of bodily contact. I now take a still higher stand, and deny, in total, that there is any power or motion whatever, in the whole immeasurable uni- verse, except in mind. There can be no power without motion, nor can there be motion except it originate in mind. I care not through how many concatenations of cause and effect you may trace motion, it is after all but secondary, and must be traced back to mind as its starting point. For instance : suppose a ball should lie at rest upon this floor. It would never stir unless mo- tion were communicated to it by some extraneous power. 34 LECTURES ON If another ball entered that door, and came in contact with the ball at rest, it would communicate motion to it by impulse, losing just as much as it communicated But here is no beginning of motion, and every one would look around for the cause. If, while gazing, you should see another ball enter the door, struck by a bat, you might not yet be satisfied whether that bat was held in a man's hand, or whether it was fastened in some ma- chinery prepared, and put in motion by human ingenu- ity. But you see a third ball enter the door, and not only discover the bat but the hand that grasps it. You are now satisfied. You know that the hand is connected with a body, and that body with a brain and mind. Now, in these three instances, there is no beginning of motion. The man's hand, the bat, and first ball, are but the three instruments through which motion was communicated to the ball at rest, and the man's mind was sole mover. As the subject of Mesmerism is directly connected with the powers of mind, and as this is the pivot on which the question between its advocates and opposers must eventually turn, you will permit me to take a wider range in this extensive field. There must be some me- dium through which the eternal mind comes in contact with gross matter, moves unnumbered worlds accord- ing to nature's law, and sustains and governs the un- bounded universe. That medium must be the finest, the most rarified, and subtil of inert matter in being. It must be the last link in the material chain of inert sub- stances that fastens on the mind. This is electricity. Hence, it is through electricity that the Great Spirit comes in contact with his universe. This is evident, because it is electricity, as it exists in the human sys- ANIMAL magnetism. 35 tern, through which our spirits come in contact with matter. We are but an epitome of God's universe, and in us is contained every variety of matter and substance in being. " The proper study of mankind is man;" and in this study, the most unbounded fields are opened to the range of human thought. It may now be asked, if electricity is that substance through which the Creator comes in contact with mat- ter, how then could he act when that splendid substance had no existence ? or, in other words, how could he create " all things out of nothing?" I deny the asser- tion, that God created all things out of nothing, and challenge the proof. Space and duration exist of neces- sity, and that space was eternally filled with primal matter, which I contend is electricity. The scriptures do not inform us that God created all things out of nothing, and surely philosophy cannot inform us how many nothings it will take to make the least conceiva- ble something ! Though it is the commonly received opinion that all things were created out of nothing, yet in all ages of the Christian church, there have been some eminent men of all denominations, who have re- jected this idea, and contended that all things were cre- ated out of some substance. I have not time to refer to those persons this evening, yet permit me to name one. A more orthodox man than John Milton never lived, as all know who have ever read that astonishing production of the human intellect, his "Paradise Lost." He was at war with the idea that all things were cre- ated out of nothing. I will present you with an extract from his " Treatise on Christian Doctrine," volume 1, pages 236 and 237. As I quote from memory, I may not be correct in every word. 36 LECTURES ON He says: "It is clear, then, that the world was Framed out of matter of some kind or other. For, since action and passion are relative terms, and since, conse- quently, no agent can act externally, unless there be some patient such as matter, it appears impossible that God could have created this world out of nothing; not from any defect of power on his part, but because it was necessary that something should previously have existed capable of receiving passively the exertion of the divine efficacy. Since, therefore, both scripture and reason concur in pronouncing that all these things were made, not out of nothing, but out of matter, it necessarily follows that matter must always have ex- isted independent of God, or have originated from God at some particular point of time." So you perceive, Milton contends that both scripture and reason teach that all things were made out of mat- ter. I am under no obligations to prove that all things were not made out of nothing, for no man is bound by the rules of logic to prove a negative. But I will, for a moment, depart from this established rule of schoolmen, and undertake to prove that all things were not made out of nothing. To this end, I will call into my service the following argument: We raise an axe, and at a single blow cut in two a piece of wood one inch in diameter. Now it is certain that this wood was not severed instantly in all its parts. If it were, then the lower part would have been cut at the same instant that the upper part was, which is per- fectly absurd, and therefore impossible. The axe certainly passed gradually through that wood, and pro- gressively separated one grain after another. This you all perceive. By instantly, we are to understand, ANIMAL magnetism. 37 that no time shall elapse between the accomplishment of any two objects. It may, however, be said, that there are bodies that move with greater velocity than this axe. I will, then, take another. There is nothing with which we are acquainted, that moves with greater velocity than light; its motion being about twelve mil- lion miles in a minute. Hence, the passage of a ray of light from the sun to the earth, would be about eight minutes. It is, therefore, absurd to say that a ray of light could be at the sun and at the earth at the same instant, as it would allow no time for its passage. I will now apply the above argument to the subject be- fore us. If something were created out of nothing, it could not, in the nature of things, have been done progres- sively or gradually, because the instant it became the least possible remove from nothing it would be some- thing. It must, in the very nature of things, remain nothing till it becomes something, because there is no possible process by which it can be gradually brought forward into something, for there is no existing medium between something and nothing. Now, if nothing were created into something, it must have been done instantly; and if instantly, then it must have been something and nothing at the same instant, which is the climax of absurdity. It is just as absurd as to contend that the piece of wood before mentioned was severed at the bottom at the same time that it was at the top, or that a ray of light could be at the sun and the earth at the same instant. I shall hold this argument sound until some one is able to refute it. Hence, I contend for the eternal existence of primal matter, which is electricity. But even this primal mat- 4 38 LECTURES ON ter does not exist independent of Deity. It is the natu- ral atmosphere "or substance emanating from Him. It is evident that every substance in being has its atmos- pheric emanation, by which it may be detected before we arrive at the body. I say atmospheric emanation, because I know of no other more convenient term, by which I can express my ideas. For instance, the rose, and every species of the flower tribe, have their emana- tions, which like an atmosphere surround them, and by which we detect their existence before we come in con- tact with them. For the sake of perspicuity, suffer me to call it atmospheric emanation, which in the above cases is detected by smell. The same is true of every species of trees and plants in being. The same is true of every species of earth, and rock, and mineral, in exist- ence. Each substance has an atmospheric emanation peculiar to itself, and by which it can be discovered by man, or by some other living creature. The camel on the desert will detect water twenty miles distant. The same is true in relation to all the races and tribes of ani- mated beings. Each has its own peculiar atmospheric emanation, by which it may be detected by some other creature, by some instinctive sense of which we have little or no conception. As, then, every substance in being has its own peculiar emanation, so the atmospheric emanation of the self-existent Spirit, is electricity, which. proceeding forth from Him, does not therefore exist in dependent of him. It will now be said that, on this principle of reasoning, the speaker will make it out that spirit itself is matter. If by spirit you mean that which has neither length, breadth, nor thickness, nor occupies any space, then I have only to say that it is a mere chimera of the human animal magnetism. 39 brain, a nonentity, a nothing ! Does Deity fill all space ? Then he is of course a substance, a real, living, acting and thinking being; otherwise, as Christians, we use words without knowledge, when we say that he fills im- mensity with his presence. But it may be said that mind is thought, reason, and understanding, and then be asked, whether thought, reason, understanding, etc., occupy any space ? But I deny that these are mind. Thought, reason, and understanding are not mind, but the effects of mind. Mind is something supremely higher than all these. I yet ask what is that which thinks, reasons, and understands ? It is the mind. Then mind is something distinct from those effects by which it is made manifest. What, then, it may be asked, is mind ? I answer, it is that substance which has innate or living motion; and the result of that motion is thought, reason, understanding, and, therefore, power. As electricity is the highest and most subtil of inert substances, as it fastens on mind, and is, therefore, more easily moved than any other inert substance in being, so mind is the next step above electricity, is the crowning perfection of all other substances in immensity—is liv- ing motion; and the result of that motion is thought and power. It is the living Spirit from whom emanates electricity, and who, out of that electricity, has created all worlds. Hence, the Creator is a real substance or being, possessing personal identity, and is infinite in every perfection of his adorable character. Electricity, which is an atmospheric emanation from God, and which is moved by his will, is that substance out of which all worlds and their splendid appendages were made. Hence, it will be perceived, that electricity contains all the original properties of all the various 40 LECTURES on substances in being. All the varieties of the universe around us—all the beauties and glories of creation upon which we look with so many thrilling emotions of de- light, were produced from electricity, which is the inex- haustible fountain of primal matter. By the living ener- gies of the Divine Mind, electricity was condensed into globes ; not instantly, but gradually. The heaviest par- ticles took the lowest point, or common centre, of our globe, and so on, step by step, lighter and lighter, till we reach the surface, which is a vegetable mould. On this we find water, a substance still lighter than earth; next air, which is lighter than water, and so on till we reach the sun, which is the highest point in relation to our sys- tem, because it is the common centre. The sun is, therefore, pure electricity. Hence, the twenty-nine globes, belonging to our system, are electrically, geolo- gically, and magnetically made. They are but twenty- nine magnets revolving around our sun as a common centre. The sun, being pure electricity or primal matter, is but an emanation from the Deity. It is, consequently, in a positive state. Hence, electricity is continually passing from the sun, as a common centre, to the twen- ty-nine surrounding worlds ; on the same principle that it passes from a positive to a negative cloud. Having done its duty in giving light, heat, and vegetation, as well as magnetic power to globes, it is returned by re- action to the sun, and these two motions form the vor- tices that roll worlds around him. It is impossible that there can be any inherent attraction and repulsion in matter. Attraction and repulsion are but different dis- positions of electricity. The best magnets are now made from the galvanic battery. Hence, electricity, animal magnetism. 41 galvanism, and magnetism are but in substance one and the same fluid, and as this is primal matter, an emana- tion from the Eternal Mind, so all the powers of attrac- tion and repulsion originate in Deity. His will comes in contact with electricity, and through that subtil agent he moves the whole immeasurable universe in accor- dance with nature's law. All worlds are in motion. They roll rapid as the lightning's blaze, and in the most apparent confusion ; yet all is calm, regular, and harmo- nious. God is, therefore, connected with his universe, and superintends all its multifarious operations. Though he is thus intimately united to inert matter, yet he is dis- tinct from the whole. " Thou apart, Above, beyond; O tell me, mighty Mind, Where art thou 1 Shall I dive into the deep 1 Call to the sun? or ask the roaring winds For their Creator ? Shall I question loud The thunder, if in that the Almighty dwells ? Or holds he furious storms in straitened roins, And bids fierce whirlwinds wheel his rapid car 1 The nameless He! whose nod is nature's birth ; And nature's shield the shadow of his hand; Her dissolution his suspended smile! The great First Last! pavilioned high he sits In darkness, from excessive splendor borne, By gods unseen, unless through lustre lost. His glory, to created glory, bright, As that to central horrors ; he looks down On all that soars, and spans immensity." Worlds are not only electrically, geologically, and magnetically made, but they are electrically and mag- netically suspended and moved by the immediate ener- gies of the Divine Mind. Here is an image in paper costume. I will attach it to this electrizing machine and charge it. See! those papers are now all suspended, and being equally charged, they repel each other. I 42 LECTURES ON will now put my fingers near them. See! how they are attracted by my hand. They touch me, give off their electricity, become equalized with my fingers, and then fall. Here, then, is suspension, attraction, and re- pulsion, by electricity. It may, however, be said, that if worlds are moved by electricity, that they must ne- cessarily move as quick as lightning. This does not follow. Here is an orrery, with which the most of you are acquainted. I attach it to the electrical machine, and charge. You see it is moved by giving off electri- city at its points. But though electrically moved, yet it does not move as quick as lightning. The magnet I hold in my hand was charged from the galvanic battery, and by one single stroke of the battery from the prongs of this magnet towards the bow, I can destroy all its magnetic powers, and by reversing the action, I can just as suddenly restore them. I have now clearly shown that all motion and power originate in mind, and as the human spirit, through an electro-magnetic medium, comes in contact with matter, so the infinite Spirit does the same, and through this medium he governs the universe. Hence, those who deny the mesmeric power, must, to be consistent with themselves, deny that there is any medium through which mind can come in contact with matter, or else deny that mind, abstractly considered, has any power to produce results. But the denial of either of these is a denial of an all-powerful, self-existent Spirit, the Cre- ator and Governor of the universe. But, on the other hand, how sublime the idea, that God is electrically and magnetically connected with his universe ; that, by the energies of his own will, he has condensed and formed worlds from electricity, which is but the atmospheric ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 48 emanation of his own spirit, and that by electricity he sustains, rolls, and governs them from age to age. And how sublime the idea, that he has " poured spirit from spirit's awful fountain, and kindled into existence a world of rationals." He has poured himself through all his works, and stamped upon them beauty, order, and harmony, which are but the reflected impressions of his OWn SPLENDOR. 44 LECTURES ON LECTURE IV. Ladies and Gentlemen : It is a source of gratifica- tion to me that public attention, in Boston and vicinity is completely awakened to the interests of Spiritualism, and that they are giving this subject that investigation which its importance demands. We live emphatically in an age of investigation and improvement, when light seems to be pouring in oceans on our world ; and he who shuts his eyes, and then scoffs and sneers because others open theirs and see, is not only recreant to duty, but does society an irreparable wrong. But those who remain in scepticism much longer on the subject of Mesmerism, will be suspected either of ignorance or dishonesty. I make this remark, because there is no possible apology that any man of common sense should remain in scepti- cism another day. He can go home and try it upon his children or friends, and test its power, and know its truth, and this every man is bound to do who desires to mitigate human pain, and assuage human woes. The subject is one of paramount consideration, and is wor- thy of your best affections, your most ardent zeal, and your warmest hopes. In my last lecture, I took into consideration mind and its powers, and the medium through which it comes in contact with matter. This medium is electricity, and is that eternal, primal matter out of which all other sub- stances were made. It fills immensity of space; and ANIMAL MAGAETISM. 45 worlds are successively and continually formed by the condensation of electricity under the living and ever-act- ing energies of the Eternal Mind. We are floating in an immensity of space that knows no bounds, like the mote in the sunbeam. This is peopled with swarming worlds, in number beyond an angel's computation ; and the residue, which has not yet become the abodes of life, order, and beauty, is filled up with primal matter still in its electrical state. Hence, the work of creation has been going on from eternity, and will continue to pro- gress so long as the throne of the self-existent Jehovah endures, without ever arriving at an end in the sublime career of creation. New brother creations are, there- fore, every moment rolling from his omnific hand, and that creating fiat will never, never cease. All this is effected by the energies of mind. In my last lecture, I stated, and, as I thought, conclu- sively proved, that thought, reason, understanding, etc., were not mind, but merely the results of mind, and gave what I considered conclusive evidence. I, moreover, stated that mind was a substance that occupied space, that it possessed living motion, and that the result of that motion was thought, reason, and power, and gave what I considered proof. But it seems that both of these positions have been disputed, and hence I will once more touch these two points. If thought, reason, and understanding are mind, then our minds are annihilated every night in sleep. Be- cause, if all the organs of the brain are wrapped in profound slumber, then there is not a single thought stirring in the whole intellectual realm. It will not an- swer to parry the force of this argument, by saying that the action of blood upon the brain produces thought, 46 LECTURES on and that this action is suspended in slumber, because the blood flows and acts upon the brain in sleep as well as when we are aw.ike; and hence we should, on this principle, think and reason when asleep nearly as well as when awake. This, however, is not the case. If, then, thought and reason are mind, I must insist that, in profound slumber, the mind is annihilated, for thought is gone. Hence it is plain, that thought, reason, and understanding are not mind, but the effects of mind. I will now take a different argument from the one offered in my last lecture, to prove that mind is a sub- stance that has innate motion, and that this motion produces thought. It is admitted on all hands, that the mind resides in the brain, not in the blood-vessels, but in the nerves themselves. Now, if the nerves are very much expanded by heat, it is impossible to sleep. By lying perfectly still upon our beds, there is a coolness steals over the brain. The nerves, by coolness, are made to contract. They continue gently to shrink until they press upon the living substance that they contain, and stop its motion. That moment all thought ceases. Recollect, mind is that substance whose nature is motion, and the result of that motion is thought. By pressure, by force, it is stopped, and thought is gone. The mo- ment our rest is complete, a nervous warmth comes over the brain. The nerves expand, leave the mind disengaged, it resumes its motion, and thought is the result. As cold shrinks, and heat expands the nervous system, so that we alternately sleep and wake under this double action, so the mind is a living, self-moving, and invisible substance, which is capable of being com- pressed sufficient, at least, to prevent its motion. Having made these remarks, which the circumstances ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 47 of the occasion seemed to require at my hands, I now invite your attention to what is called by sceptics the in- comprehensibility and marvellousness of magnetic sleep ; and who, on this account, openly avow the impossibility and inconsistency of any one being thrown into such a state ; and who, whenever they witness experiments to test it, freely use the stereotyped words, "humbug and coLLUsion," and that, too, with great emphasis, without being able, however, to detect this great, this wonderful imposition on public credulity ! The greatest objection to the truth of the science of Mesmerism arises from the circumstance, that the sub- ject can see in a manner different from the ordinary mode of vision. That any person can see out of the templar region, or out of the top, or back part of the skull, and through solid walls, and in the darkest night, they contend is too preposterous to be believed. I deeply regret to say that medical men not only give counte- nance to such declarations made by the common mass, but are engaged in making the same themselves. But I seriously appeal to them whether they have never seen any patients in a certain state of the nervous system, in- duced by disease, where they could thus see, and when sensation was so perfectly extinct that amputation might have taken place without pain? Have they never seen a case of catalepsy ? If not, have they never seen in med- ical works well-authenticated cases of this disease report- ed ? Surely they will not deny these things. I further in- quire, have they never seen a case nor heard one reported, where patients in a state of catalepsy have been entirely clairvoyant? where they have seen, as no person in the ordinary way of vision can see ? I am conscious that ..hey will not hazard their medical reputation by giving 48 LECTURES ON these interrogatories an unqualified denial. Of all per- sons beneath these heavens, medical gentlemen should be the last to sneer at the idea of clairvoyance, or even to- tal insensibility of a person in the magnetic state. Catalepsy is a sudden suppression of motion and sen- sation; a kind of apoplex/, in which the patient is in a fixed posture. If the case be an aggravated one, the pa- tient is sometimes senseless and even speechless. To bring this subject directly and plainly before you, I will relate to you an incident which was stated to me about six months ago by Dr. Patterson, an eminent physician of Lynchburg, Virginia. A young lady was taken sick. Her physician, who lived some eight or ten miles distant, was sent for. He found her in a state of catalepsy. Though there was no sensation in her body, yet she had occasional fits of talking. He prescribed, stated that he should be there the next evening, and left. The evening came, and a most tremendous storm of rain, with high winds, set in. The darkness was profound. As the fam- ily were seated in silence and anxiety in the same room where the patient lay, some one said, " Well, our doctor will not be here to-night." The sick lady answered : " Yes he will; he is coming now ; he is riding on horse- back, and is all drenched with rain." the family suppos- ing this to be a mere reverie of the brain, a touch of de- lirium, made no reply. Nearly an hour passed on ; and the storm continuing with unabating violence, one of the pensive group again broke the silence, and exclaimed with a feeling of regret, " Well, it is certain our doctor will not be here this dark stormy night!" The sufferer again answered, " Yes he will; he is most here now; there he is hitching his horse ; he is coming to the door." They heard the raps ; the door was opened, and in came ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 49 the doctor. I no w ask, how did this lady in a state cf cat-. alepsy see the physician several miles distant, through the walls of her house, and in so dark a night 1 This report was given in a medical journal and well authenticated. And moreover, there are many of a sim- ilar character ; and of these facts medical men are well aware. Now I appeal to them, who are present on this occasion, that if it is possible to throw the nervous system into a condition by disease, so that the patient can see in a manner entirely distinct from the ordinary mode of vis- ion, then, how can they, without presumption, affirm that a person cannot be thrown into a similar state by Mesmerism ? It is proved by medical works that such a state of the brain is possible ; and who will take upon himself to affirm, that it can be induced by no other means than disease ? As a state of catalepsy is thus fre- quently attended with clairvoyance, and with total insen- sibility, so that amputation could be performed without pain, then why should we marvel when we see the same identical phenomena clustering around Mesmerism ? I have only to say that our surprise is wholly gratuitous. I appeal to medical gentlemen present. Have you never seen a case of natural somnambulism? There are hundreds of them occur in this city ;* and, in every town there are those who rise in their sleep, perform labors, and return to their beds without knowing it. In this state they have gone to the top of house-frames, walked on the ridgepoles, and safely descended. They have, in the darkest nights, walked over dangerous and rapid streams on a mere scantling in safety, where a slight loss of balance would have been death, and where it would be impossible for them to have crossed in their wakeful state. Women have arisen, and in 5 50 LECTURES ON this state have done the nicest needle-work. And how did these see? Surely not with the natural organ of vision. A young lady at boarding-school, learning to paint miniatures, and on preparing one for examination- day, found that she could be excelled by the other pupils. It worried her much, and to her suprise she found in the morning, that her picture had greatly ad- vanced under the delicate touch of some experienced hand. She charged the deed upon her teacher, who disclaimed all knowledge of the fact. But on the next morning the picture was nearly finished, but the trans- gressor could not be found. The Preceptress being strongly suspected, secretly sat up and watched. In the dead of night, when all was still, the young lady arose, and in a dark room arranged her work, mixed her colors, and began to paint. Her Preceptress lit a lamp, entered the room, and saw that lady finish her picture. She then awakened her. How did she see how to mix her colors, and to give the nicest touch with her pencil where no human eye in the wakeful state could discern an object ? Such facts as these, and even more won- derful, are well known to medical gentlemen. Now, if persons can by some cause be thrown into somnambu- lism upon their beds, then reason teaches that they may be thrown into the same state and even a much deeper sleep by the magnetic power. We will now take into consideration the philosophy of Clairvoyance. It is evident that seeing, hearing, feeling, tasting, and smelling, belong exclusively to the mind. And as we have already clearly proved that electricity is the only substance that can come in con- tact with mind, so it is through the agency of this fluid that sensations are transmitted to the mind. Hence, it animal magnetism. 51 is through the medium of electricity that we see, hear, feel, taste, and smell. The power of sight being in the mind, it is evident that we never saw anything out of our eyes. The whole of this congregation, with all their different costumes, their various complexions and different appearances, and all their relative distances from each other, are struck upon the retina of the speaker's eye, on about the bigness of a quarter of an inch. By the agency of electricity, it is conveyed through the optic nerve to the mind where it is seen. Hence, we never saw a piece of mat- ter, but only its shadow, the same as when you look in- to a mirror, it is not yourself, but your image that you see. Electricity is that substance that passes through all other substances. Air cannot pass through your cranium, nor through these walls, nor metallic substan- ces. But as all these have countless millions of pores, electricity can pass through them. Now if our nervous system could be charged with the nervo-vital fluid, so as to render the brain positive, and thus bring it into an exact equilibrium or balance with external electricity, then we should be clairvoyant. Because the nervous system being duly charged, and even surcharged, the great quantity of this fluid passing in right lines from the mind, as a common centre, and in every direction through the pores of the skull, renders it transparent. Uniting with external electricity which passes through these walls and all substances, which are also trans- parent, the image of the whole universe, as it were, in this transparent form, is thrown upon the mind, and is there seen, and seen, too, independent of the retina. On this principle, the whole of those objects which are opaque to natural vision, are rendered transparent to 52 LECTURES ON the clairvoyant, and he sees through walls m succes- sion, and takes cognizance of their relative distances, on the same principle that we in a wakeful state could look through said walls if they were thin, transparent glass. On this principle, if the subject be charged too much or too little, he cannot see clearly. Or if the night be rainy, or even damp, and unfavorable to electricity, then experiments in clairvoyance must fail, or be very im- perfect. The subject must be magnetically charged exactly to that degree which will bring him into mag- netic equilibrium with external electricity. Then, if the night be favorable, the experiments will most likely prove successful. For the sake of perspicuity, I will take another posi- tion. Why can you see through that window ? You answer, because the glass is transparent. But why is it transparent ? You again answer, because upon every square inch of its surface there are several thousand pores, and the glass is of that chemical property that it will admit the rays of atmospheric light to pass through them. This is philosophically correct. But remember, it is not the window that sees, but it is the inhabitant in the house that looks out of the window. The ques- tion now arises, why can you not see through that wall ? If you answer, because it is opaque, yet the query arises, why is it opaque ? The wall has certainly as many pores upon the square inch as that glass. The answer :s, because the wall is of that chemical property that resists the rays of atmospheric light; and where no light passes through the pores of a substance, that substance must be opaque. This is so far philosophically correct. We are now ready to ask, why can you see through the eye ? Because it is formed on the transparent prin- ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 53 ciple, has a certain number of pores upon the square inch, and, by the skill of the Creator, it is so constituted as to chemically receive the rays of atmospheric light. But you will please to bear in mind that it is not those translucent orbs that see, but it is the inhabitant in the earthly house that looks out of those windows of the soul. Even the good book says, when speaking of the faded vision of the aged,—" and those that look out of the windows shall be darkened"—thus calling these eyes but the windows of the soul. It is the spirit only that sees—that alone possesses the inward living eye ; for take the spirit from its earthly house, and what can these eyes—these windows of the fleshly tabernacle —see? They can see just as much as the hands or feet, but no more. Let another question be here/pro- posed. Why can you not see through the skull ? You will again answer—because it is opaque. But I again ask, why is it opaque ? You reply—because it chemi- cally resists the rays of atmospheric light, and will not allow them to pass through its pores, even though they are as numerous as the pores of the eye. This answer is also philosophically correct; and in this wonderful constitution of the human cranium is made manifest the wisdom of the Creator. For were light admitted through it upon every portion of the brain, it would stimulate its organs to such an unnatural degree as to render the mind incapable of manifesting itself through them in a harmonious and rational manner. Indeed, it would be inconsistent with the continuance of life itself. As the remarks now made are perfectly simple, and can be comprehended by all, I will now ask—if there were a light so much finer than atmospheric light, and of that peculiar property that it could be made to pass f>* 54 LECTURES ON through all substances in existence, could you not then see through that wall as easily as through that glass ? Certainly; because the wall would be rendered trans- parent through the action of that light, and wherever light passes, there must exist the possibility to see ob- jects. The question then naturally presents itself to the mind—is there such a light ? I answer—there is, and it is magnetic, or galvanic light. It exists not only around, but within us. Go into a dungeon of total dark- ness, and strike your head a sudden blow, and you will see a flash of light. From whence comes that light ? It is within you : it is the nervous fluid—the living light of the brain, which is of a galvanic nature. By this concussion it was thrown into confusion, forced from its accustomed channels, and laid suddenly at the footstool of the living mind ; and the mind saw the flash. Hence, it is electrically that we see, and hear, and feel, and taste, and smell. All mesmeric subjects cannot, how- ever, see with the same brilliancy in clairvoyance, when the brain is surcharged with this light. The most dis- tinguished clairvoyants now in the United States, are Jackson Davis, Lucius E. Burkmar, and Walter S. Tar- box, who have astonished thousands ; and by their ex- aminations of the diseased, and saving the lives of many, have rendered themselves the benefactors of suffering humanity. This galvanic light can be conveyed to the brain independent of the natural eye—the outward organ of vision. That the above principles are correct, and that taste, seeing, etc., are electrically conveyed to the mind, try the following experiments. Take a half dollaivand a piece of zinc of the same size : touch them separately to the tongue, and you will not perceive any taste ; but ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 55 put the tongue between them, and, in this position, touch the edges of the two pieces together over the end of the tongue, and you will taste a pungent acid. This taste is produced electrically. Zinc contains a greater por- tion of electricity than the silver, and when they come in contact it gives it off to the silver, and conveys the sensation of taste through the glands to the mind. In further proof of this being electricity, put the half dol- lar against the gums under the upper lip ; open the mouth, and lay the zinc upon the tongue: by moving the tongue up and down, you will touch the pieces to- gether, and every time they come in contact you will not only perceive the same taste before described, but you will see a flash of lightning. Now that this light- ning is seen directly by the mind, and independent of the natural organ of the eye, you may enter a dark room, and in the darkest night—close your eyes, and even bandage them,—and yet when you touch those pieces, as described, you will see the flash, even when one from the heavens could not be seen. This flash is conveyed through the nervous system directly to the mind, where alone exists the power of vision. This is not only proof that taste and sight are electrically con- veyed to the mind, but also that electricity is that sub- stance which alone comes in contact with mind. It is the same in relation to the other senses. Even hearing is not produced by the concussion of the par- ticles of our air, but by the vibration of the particles of electricity conveyed to the mind, and in that tremulous manner through the organ of the ear coming in direct contact with mind. It is impossible, in the nature of things, that so gross* a substance as air can pass the barriers of the ear and enter the brain to produce any 56 LECTURES ON sound. But it may be said, that though the particles of air do not enter the brain, yet with a vibrating motion they strike the drum of the ear and convey sound to the mind. This cannot be, because there is no air in the brain itself; and hence, there is no internal aerial me- dium through which sound could be transmitted to the mind, even if we admit that the concussion of the par- ticles of external air conveyed it to the drum. I yet ask, what is the internal medium beyond, through which that sound is conveyed to the mind ? There is no air there ; and if it be a vacuum, then no sound whatever can be conveyed. The truth is, that the same substance in tremulous motion, which conveys sound to the drum of the ear, also passes through it into the nervous system, and conveys its oracle to the very throne of the living mind. This is electricity, which is the only correspond- ent or mediator between mind and matter, laying its brilliant hand upon both parties, and bringing them into communication. The sense of smell exists in the mind, and from sur- rounding substances the sensation is electrically con- veyed to it. But as smell is so nearly related to taste, the same argument may be applied to both. I will therefore proceed to notice the sense of feeling. It is generally said that the sense of feeling is in the nerves. But I contend that it belongs exclusively to the mind, the nerves being the mere medium through which it is electrically conveyed to the mind. Indeed, all our sensations, whether of seeing, hearing, feeling, tasting, or smelling, are conveyed to the mind, through the nervous system, from their correspondent organs, which are but the mere starting points, or inlets of sen- sation. And as the nervo-vital fluid, which is of an animal magnetism. 57 electric nature, is the only substance that acts through the nerves, so electricity is the agent which conveys all our sensations to the mind. Though it is said that feel- ing is diffused over the whole system, yet, strictly speaking, this is not true. All feeling is in the mind. It is evident that the mind resides in the brain. It is not diffused over the whole nervous system, for when we might be as sensible that thought proceeded from the hand or foot, as from the head. In this case, the loss of a hand or foot would be the loss of some portion of our minds. The spinal marrow is but a continuation of the brain. Branches shoot out, and from these, oth- er branches in infinite variety, until they are spread out over the whole system ten thousand times finer than the finest hair-sieve,—so fine that you cannot put down the point of a cambric needle without feeling it, and you cannot feel unless you touch a nerve. Hence you per- ceive how very fine the nervous system must be ! Of this system, the brain is the fountain, and is the local habitation of the mind. Now touch the finger to any object, and that touch produces a corresponding action upon the brain, and through the agency of the electro-magnetic fluid, that sensation is conveyed to the mind. It is the mind that feels it, and by habit we associate the feeling with the end of the finger. But amputate the arm, and then touch the correspondent nerve at the end of the stump and he will yet associate the feeling with the end of the finger. But the feeling is not even in the end of the stump. It is in the mind which has its residence in the brain. I knew a blacksmith .who had his leg amputated above the knee.. When healed, he put on a wooden leg 58 LECTURES ON and resumed his labors in the shop. He could feel his leg and toes as usual, and many times in a day, he would, without reflection, put down his hand to scratch his wooden leg. Being unlearned and superstitious, he supposed that his leg was buried in an uncomfortable position, and therefore, haunted its wooden substitute. He dug it up, placed under it a soft cotton bed, and re- buried it; but all to no purpose. He made the circum- stance known to his physician, who told him to find the corresponding nerve on the stump, and he could cause the itching sensation to cease. He did so, and the diffi- culties were at once overcome. A gentleman called upon me, in October, 1842, at the house of the Hon. T. J. Greenwood, in Marlboro'. He stated, that he injured his arm, the cords contracted and drew up his fingers, so as perfectly to clench the hand. It gave him great pain, and the arm was ampu- tated just above the elbow. And though three years had passed away, he said there was yet a constant pain as though the fingers*were drawn up; and from that contraction the pain seemed to proceed. Now the whole of this difficulty was felt in the brain. If I may be allowed the expression, the brain has its legs and arms, and toes, and fingers. Or allow me to go entire- ly back. It is the mind which has its limbs and all its lineaments of form, and from which all form, proportion, and beauty emanate. I observed a moment ago, that the spinal cord was but the brain continued. Now let a knife be inserted between the joints of the spine, and let this cord be sev- ered, and all the parts of the body, below the incision, will be paralyzed. You may now cut or burn the legs, but all feeling is gone ; neither can they be moved by the animal magnetism. 59 will. The will cannot come in contact with flesh and blood, only through the electro-magnetic fluid. The mind is in the brain, and as the spinal marrow is severed, so the lower parts are separated from the fountain of feel- ing. The communication of the electrical influence is destroyed between the extremities and the mind, and hence, the extremities can convey sensations to the mind no more. I might continue the argument to an indefinite extent to prove that all our senses (seeing, hearing, feeling, tast- ing, and smelling) are in the mind, and that these sensa- tions, through their corresponding organs, are electrical- ly conveyed to the mind, through the nervous system, but I forbear, aud proceed, as usual, to the anticipated exper- iments of the evening. 60 LECTURES ON LECTURE V. Ladies and Gentlemen : We are again assembled to take into consideration the subject of Mesmerism. Its growing interest in the public mind is manifest, by the increasing throngs that assemble in this chapel, to inves- tigate its claims to truth and science, and the multitudes that are obliged to retire, unable to gain admittance. As several notes, since my entrance into this house, have been handed me, I shall be obliged to omit intro- ductory remarks, and attend to two or three important requests. An inquiry is made as to the number of degrees or states into which a subject may be thrown. In reply to this, I would say, that there are but five degrees which have, as yet, come under my observation. The first degree is, when the hands or even the whole body of the subject can be attracted by the conjoint action of the mental and physical energies of the magnetizer. The second degree is, when the hands, or body of the subject, can be attracted by the mental energies alone, or by the physical energies independent of any mental effort. The third degree is, when the subject can neither hear nor answer any person but the magnetizer and those who are in communication. The fourth degree is, when the subject can taste what the magnetizer tastes, and smell what he smells. The fifth degree is clairvoyance. I would not be understood that these five degrees always ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 61 occur in the order I have now stated them; but I mean that there are these five different degrees. Some never seem to go further than the third degree, and no surgical operation should be performed, unless the subject be put completely into this third state, so that no voice but the magnetizer's can be heard. It can then be performed without any pain. Another inquiry is made, whether any person can put himself into communication with the subject without the magnetizer's consent ? I answer, yes. Any person may put himself into communication by ardently fixing his attention upon the subject while another is magnetizing him, especially if he sits near him. Or he may do it by touching, or too freely handling him. He may do it by violently throwing his hands towards him, and within a foot of his body. Or, lastly, he may take two or three electric shocks from a charged Leyden jar, within eight or ten feet of the subject, being careful to fix his eyes firmly upon him while taking the shock. The second or third shock, the subject will start with him who receives it—and when he starts he is in com- munication. A third inquiry is made, whether any one but the magnetizer can awaken the subject ? Certainly, any per- son who is put in communication with him can take him out of the state. Or by a firm determination, he can awaken himself. In fact, he may be put in bed, and in a few hours, say from eight to fourteen, he will come out of it the natural way. A fourth, and last inquiry is made, if magnetism be true, why has not more of it been seen, at least in some small degree, in different ages ? I answer, that its his- tory dates back to a very early age which I cannot now 6 62 LECTURES ON pursue, but would refer to " Fascination, or the Philos- ophy of Charming, illustrating the principles of life in connection with spirit and matter," published in New York city b"y Fowlers & Wells ; also to the American Phrenological Journal. They are conducted with great ability, and should be in possession of every family. But the inquirer asks, " why has not more of it been seen, at least in some small degree, in different ages ?" I answer, it has been seen and felt. Have you never read the bold, lofty, and full-gushing eloquence of De- mosthenes, whose thunders roused Greece into action, and moved her sons as the wind in its rushing majesty moves the sublime magnificence often thousand forests 1 This was but the magnetic principle, the lightning of the mind, by which they were electrified, and made to act as one man against the powers of Philip. The same is true of Cicero, who shook the Roman senate with his voice, and beneath the electric glance of whose awful eye, even Cataline quailed. I am well aware that you will call this sympathy. But what is sympathy ? It is the nervo-vital fluid thrown from a full, energetic brain, upon another of kindred feeling. That brain being roused affects another, and that still another, till the whole assembly are brought into magnetic sympathy with the speaker, and by him are moved as the soul of one man. As a further answer to this question, I will notice one fact more; and in doing this, I shall remove what has long been considered as a stigma on a large and respect- able denomination. I mean the Methodists. Ever since that class of Christians had a religious existence in the United States, persons have fallen down into a species of trance. Other denominations call this delusion, and many call it deception, because such things never occur ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 63 in their meetings. But there is no deception in this—it is really the magnetic state—or more properly the spi- ritual state. Every preacher cannot do it, and as it is done without contact, comparatively few are subjects of it- But take a preacher of strong muscular powers ; one who has large concentrativeness, and eye of lightning, and a warm, a sincere, and ardent soul. He enters a tent at camp-meeting, where there are fifteen or twenty persons. He kneels down and prays most fervently; he rises and sings most devotionally. He is in close contact with his little group. He begins to exhort most sincerely; and soon the deep fountains of his soul are broken up. A female, perchance, is moved to tears. His concentration being large, he keeps his eye steadily fixed upon her, and he wills and desires, that she shall feel as he feels, and be converted to God. At length she falls into this singular state. She has gone there in the preacher's feelings, and in his feelings she will come out of it. Now, if he would follow my directions, he could restore her in two minutes. I will pledge myself to arouse any one from this magnetic state in five minutes. Dr. Cannon, of this city, took a lady out of this state a few weeks ago, in Provincetown, who was thrown into it in a religious meeting, and who appeared nearly lifeless. A report of this was published in the " Christian Freeman." Now all these are really mag- netic effects that we have seen, and for many years in succession. So the inquiries are all answered, and I hope, to the satisfaction of the inquirers and the congre- gation. I must now proceed to notice the dangers and abuses of Mesmerism. It is often said by its opposers, that 04 LECTURES ON even if it be true, yet it is dangerous, because it can be abused, and therefore ought not to be practised. But do you know of any blessing beneath these heavens but what has been, and still continues to be abused ? No, you do not. Do you know of a more common blessing than taste ? yet to gratify their taste, millions on millions have gone down to a drunkard's tomb ! Mothers have been more than widowed, and children more than or- phanized. They have been beaten and abused, and suffered cold, and hunger, and nakedness. Under it, crimes have been committed, and the state prisons filled with wretched men. Human beings have also by mil- lions gone down to their graves through excess in eating. But is taste a curse because men abuse it ? and must it, therefore, be struck from the catalogue of Heaven's mercies ? All answer, no. Acquisitiveness, benevo- lence, and com') tiveness can be abused, and so can all the organs of the human brain. But ought they not on that account to be indulged ? Once more: there is not a greater blessing than the Gospel of Christ. It teaches us to love and forgive our enemies; to resist not evil, and to do unto others as we would that they should do unto us. It is calculated to moderate our feelings in prosperity—to, comfort us in the day of adversity—and to sustain us under all "the troubles and disappointments incident to mortal life. When our parents, friends and children are on their dying bed, we can shake the farewell hand of mortal separation, with the hope of meeting them again in future realms. And not only so, but when we lie down upon the bed of death, and the embers of life feebly glimmer in the socket of existence, then the Gospel of Christ points us to brighter scenes—scenes beyond the tomb. ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 65 Yet men have abused that gospel, and one denomination has risen up against another, and doomed each other to the stake Rivers of human blood have flowed in the holy wars* But is the gospel a curse, and should it be struck from existence merely because men abuse it? No, is the answer of every Christian heart. Then the objection fails. One thing must settle this point. There is nothing that God has established as a law in our na- ture, but what was designed to be a blessing to his creatures. The magnetic principle is not of man, but one the Creator has established, and is, therefore, a blessing. And if it could not be abused, it would diffei from all other blessings he has bestowed on man. But it is said, that a man upon the high-way may be thrown into the state and robbed. But I deny that any person can be thrown into the state against his will, if he will at the same time use physical resistance. And when in the magnetic state, he has twice the strength to resist, and defend himself, that he has when out of it. We generally know with whom we have to deal, and surely we would not suffer an enemy, nor the unprinci- pled, to put us into the mesmeric slumber. But if you wish to be safe, and are really fearful of consequences, I will give you a rule of action. It is this : never allow any one to magnetize you unless it be in the presence of a third person. Observe this rule, and no danger arising from this source will ever cross your path. Having answered these objections, I will now show you where there are real dangers. In the first place, though every person can be mesmerized, yet there are but few who can be easily thrown into this state. The greater proportion, by far, would require several hours of hard labor. Hence, when one is found who is easy 6* 66 ■ LECTURES ON i to m«esmerize, curiosity is awakened, and every one wish es to make the trial of his power and skill. One mes- merizes this individual in the morning, another in the eve ning, and a new set of operators perform the same tas k on the next day, and so on. Now, in such cases, tb ere is that mixing and crossing of all these different fl uids in the subject's brain, which, if persisted in too 1 ong, will prove injurious, even if all these magnetizers are healthy persons. If you mesmerize a person, and thoroughly wake him, yet the whole of that fluid does not completely pass from his brain short of a week. Select one healthy magnetizer, and continue him. If you change to another, then wait a fortnight before you allow him to operate. Too much care in this respect cannot be taken. But I point out to you a still more se- rious danger. There are persons who undertake to mesmerize others, who have some local disease, or are in feeble health. By so doing, they injure themselves, and also the sub- ject. ' Such persons have no nervo-vital fluid to spare, and what little they have is in a diseased state, and unfit to be thrown upon the nervous system of another. I care not what the disease may be, by long persisting in mesmerizing a person, that disease will be, at length, communicated to the subject. Great caution, in this re- spect, should be observed by both parties, if they would not impair their health. Weakness of lungs, and even consumption, may be, by thirty or forty magnetizings, brought upon an individual, and send him to his grave. I therefore seriously admonish you to beware of this common danger. Never allow any person of a poor constitution to put you into this state: and I also warn those who are diseased, or even in delicate health, never ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 61 to mesmerize others, for they will, by so doing, inflict upon themselves a serious injury. But, on the other hand, there is no danger in a healthy person magnetizing those who are diseased. As the operator imparts the nervo-vital fluid, and~does not re- ceive any in return, he is in no danger of taking the dis- ease of his patient. Caution is, however, to be observed in taking the patient out of this state. He should not make the upward passes in such a manner as to throw the fluid on himself. If he do, he is in some danger of contracting the disease. An experienced magnetizei will understand how to avail himself of this caution. Once more: there are persons who undertake to mag- netize others who are entirely ignorant as to the mode of operation, and frequently bring persons into serious difficulty by getting alarmed, or otherwise thrown out of bias in their feelings. Several cases of this kind I have been called to attend to, in various sections, and some of a very serious character. No persons should undertake to mesmerize others until they shall have learned of some experienced magnetizer how to perform it, and made themselves acquainted with all the difficul- ties that may cluster around it. Having attended to these important points, I will now turn your attention to local magnetism. By local mag- netism, I mean the magnetizing of some part of the human body without charging the whole brain. Hence, the finger, the hand, the arm, the leg, yes, even the eye- lid, the lip, or the tongue, may be mesmerized while the person is in the wakeful state, and so may be any of the phrenological organs. It is true, that this cannot be so easily done on persons who have never been mesmerized at all, as on those who have been thrown into the state. 68 LECTURES ON If the brain has been once magnetically subdued, then there is no occasion, even if the amputation of a limb is to be performed, to magnetize any other part than the one to be subjected to the operation. If a person be very hard to mesmerize, then it will be proportionally difficult to mesmerize any limb. But it will be borne in mind, that however long it may take in successive sit- tings to magnetically subdue the brain, yet after that is once accomplished, then the person can, in future, be wholly mesmerized at any time in five minutes, and locally so in a much less period. Hence, should an arm be broken or mutilated, it will only be necessary to put that limb into the magnetic state, and it can be set or amputated without pain; and thus, by occasionally re- newing the mesmeric action, it can be kept in this state and healed, without ever experiencing any suffering whatever. I perceive that some smile in view of these state- ments. They are truly so wonderful, that incredulity adjures us to reject them. But they are, nevertheless, Heaven's unchanging truths, which cannot bend to cir- cumstances, nor shape themselves to the belief cr scep- ticism of men. They stand out in bold relief, and bid defiance to the sneers and scorns of mankind. A surgi- cal operation has just been performed in Lowell on a lady while in the mesmeric state. A tumor was ex- tracted from the shoulder, where it was necessary to cut to the depth of two inches. Dr. Shattuck was the magnetizer ; and in the presence of several medical men of Lowell, one of whom was the operator, this tumor was removed without the slightest sensation of pain. This was not done in a corner, but publicly, and in the presence of several hundred spectators. It is too late ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 69 in the day to cry " humbug and collusion," for the bat- tle is fought, and the victory is won, and the scale has turned in favor of truth, and turned with most prepon- derating weight, and on the stereotyped argument " humbug and collusion," is written " tekel." . Well authenticate d facts, and medical reports of ope- rations in surgery and dentistry, performed under the energies of Mesmerism, in both continents, and without pain, are continually reaching us. And with this flood of light pouring upon the world, and when men of the first talents and science in the republic of letters, and out of all the various professions and denominations, are among its advocates, scepticism is not only waning, but justly losing its popularity. Those men have seriously investigated and weighed the matter, and they severally declare, as did the Rev. Mr. Pierpont, on the last eve- ning, before two thousand hearers, in this house, " I have no belief nor unbelief on this subject. I know, I KNOW it to be so !" And now I ask, what ought the mere opinion, or the expressed unbelief of even an honest sceptic, to weigh against the absolute and certain knowledge of an equally honest, intelligent, and scienti- fic man, whose character is above suspicion ? I leave the candid to judge, and have only to say, that in the face of modesty, they have no right to call this science " humbug and collusion." Others pretend that the science of Animal Magnetism was condemned by the French Committee in Paris, among whom our illustrious Franklin was numbered. And as it received its condemnation under the scrutiny of such minds, therefore they conclude that it has no foundation in truth. There always have been, and still are. men who dare not think for themselves, but wholly 70 LECTURES OIV lean upon the opinions of others. Their father, their doctor, their lawyer, and their minister, thought thus and so, and they think just so, too. Their fathers put down a central stake, gave them their length of line, and bid them travel round jn that circle of revolving thought till the day of their death! All beyond that circle is darkness ! Their field of thought is as exactly measured off to them, and just as legally bequeathed to them, as their farms. They received them both by inheritance. For the one they never labored, and for the other they never thought ! And they never questioned the truth of the one, any more than they did their title to the other! But surely the French Committee did not deny the truth of the experiments produced, nor pronounce them " humbug and collusion." They simply decided that the evidence adduced was not sufficient to prove that the magnetic state was caused by a fluid proceeding from the magnetizer. They attributed the singular effects they witnessed to the power of the imagination. But it will also be remembered, that this committee were not all agreed, and hence appeared the remonstrance of the minority, which it would be well for modern sceptics to read, side by side with the report. Many sceptics have been obliged, like the French Committee, to admit certain results as being truly won- derful, and, like them, attribute it to the force of the imagination. But to believe that the imagination can bring human beings into a state where limbs can be am- putated, tumors cut out, teeth extracted, and broken bones set, and the whole healed without experiencing one throb of pain—to believe, I say, that the imagina- tion can do all these wonders, in giving such boundless animal magnetism. 7j triumph over pain, requires a far greater stretch of cre- dulity than to believe in the magnetic power 1 And surely if the imagination possesses the wonderful charm to bring the nervous system into a condition w'nere we can bid defiance to pain, and gain a complete victory over the whole frightful army of human woes, th xen surely the science is equally important, possesses the same transcendent claims upon our benevolence, a jid the man who discovered that the imagination po ssessed this charm is worthy of the united thanks of all human-kind ; and being dead, his bones are worthy to r< ^pose with the great men of the universe. In this case, it will only be necessary to change its name, and call i Lt__The science of the wonderful power of the huiv xan imagination to charm all pain. 72 lectures on LECTURE VI. Ladies and Gentlemen : In the first four lectures I delivered of the present course, I brought forward the philosophy of Mesmerism, and flatter myself that I have not only succeeded in establishing it as a science, but have shown it to be one of transcendent interest to the human race. Here love and benevolence stretch out a healing hand over a world groaning and travailing in pain. Those groans, by that silken hand, shall be hushed, and those pains be removed. There is a powei basined up in the fountains of the soul, that has long been dormant. But it is rousing up and stirring itself for some mighty action, and is already beginning to gush forth in healing streams on the world. This science is in its infancy, is imperfectly understood, but yet it breathes the breath of mercy as a sovereign cure for all human woes. In my last lecture, I answered several notes of inquiry, pointed out the dangers of Magnetism, refuted several common objections in relation to its abuses, noticed the utility of the science in performing painful surgical operations, and took a friendly glance at the conduct of men in justifying their scepticism by pleading the general issue of the Report of the French Com- mittee, and concluded by touching lightly upon the power of the human imagination. I now stand before you in .the confident conviction ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 73 that much good will result from my labors to the cause of benevolence and mercy. I am urged to repeat my course of lectures next week, but it will be out of my power to comply with this request at that time, but have consented to do so, week after next. As this will be my closing lecture for the present, I can render you no greater service than to show what connection this sub- ject has with divine revelation. I am well aware that many will call me an enthusiast, and sneer at, and con- demn me for thinking independently. But when the path of duty is plain, and when I am once satisfied of truth, I then go on, and reason, fearless of all conse- quences. Under such circumstances, I have nothing to do with the inquiry, what will men think of me ? I care not what they think, and much less do I care what they say. I suffer no man to invade the sanctuary of my civil and religious rights, and dictate to me how I shall think, or what I shall believe, or what I shall proclaim. I therefore hold no one responsible for what I shall advance in this lecture, nor do I know as there is one, with whom I am connected, who will endorse my ideas. I believe the doctrine of our Saviour to be a perfect doctrine, and exactly adapted to the bodies as well as to the souls of men. I believe that he is our example to follow, and as he went about doing good, healing sick- ness, and relieving distress of body, as well as preaching the gospel to heal the moral maladies of the soul, so it is our duty to do the same. It is, moreover, most evi- dent that his doctrine, to the full extent he commanded his apostles to preach it, was to go down to all subse- quent ages, so long as human beings should have a habitation on earth. And our Saviour just as much com- manded his apostles to heal the sick, as he did to preach 7 74 LECTURES ON the gospel. Now I cannot believe that one half of the power and mercy of his doctrine should cease with the ministry of his apostles, and the other half continue. I cannot believe that its healing efficacy, so far as the body is concerned, should cease, and what was applica- ble to the soul should continue. U this be so, then what a favored generation of Christians existed in that day, so far, at least, as healing the body was concerned. It was said, in the apostolic age," Is any man sick, let him send for the elders of the church, and let them lay their hands upon him and pray, and the sick shall recover." I believe this now, and so far as we have power and faith, it can be accomplished now as well as ever. There is a difference between a miracle and a gift of healing. If an arm be palsied, we know that the diffi- culty exists in the brain, and that nothing more is neces- sary than to throw upon it a sufficient quantity of the nervous fluid to bring it into healthy action. The moment this is accomplished, the difficulty existing in the arm, which is but secondary, will be relieved. To restore this, would be a gift of healing, but not a miracle. What, then, would be a miracle ? Answer: amputate an arm, and then cause a new one to grow out. Though healing diseases is sometimes called a miracle, yet when speaking of them specifically, they are not so denominated. Paul says, " God hath set some in the church ;- first, apostles; secondarily, prophets; thirdly, teachers ; after that, miracles, then gifts of heal- ings, helps, governments," etc. And there is not a scrap of evidence that these things were ever to cease while the generations of men endured. Now if our Saviour restored a palsied arm, then there must something have passed from him to the person ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 75 healed, in perfect accordance with the principles of ani- mal life. It must, therefore, in this case, have been the nervous fluid, as this was the only substance that could have restored this arm. It is undeniably true, that there was always some- thing passed from our Saviour, when he exercised the gift of healing, to the person whom he restored. In evidence of this, you will recollect, that on one occasion, when he was called to visit a sick person, a multitude followed after, and thronged him. As he passed by, a woman, who had been afflicted with an issue of blood for twelve years, touched the hem of his garment, and was made whole. He turned himself around, and said, " Who touched me ?" His disciples exclaimed, " Master, the multitude throng thee, and sayest thou, ' Who touched me ?' But he perceived that virtue had gone out of him." The word virtue, in this instance, does not mean moral goodness. It means force, power, efficacy ; the same as when we • say a medicine has great virtue in it. Our Saviour so lived, and breathed, and moved in the divine Being, that he became one in communication with him ; so that when the Father willed, he felt that will—He himself then willed, and it was accomplished. So, if any one bowed in reconciliation to God, he became one with the Saviour, so that the Redeemer, also, felt that one's will. Such was the case of this woman. She willed in faith to be healed. The Saviour felt that will—He willed, and it was done. Now every being has power in proportion to the energy of his own will; but the energy of the will, depends upon the intrinsic greatness of that being's mind. And as a miracle is a thing performed by the energy of the will, 76 LECTURES ON so that mind must be great in power and goodness, that is capable of performing a miracle. We sit down, and put forth the energy of a thousand wills, and at last produce but a small result. The apostolic power was far greater, and in the same ratio, their results were more splendid and glorious. But still they had not the power of Christ. The leper said, " Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. Jesus stretched forth his hand, and touched him, and said, I will, be thou clean, and his leprosy was cleansed." By a word, he put to right disabled limbs, and drew back life and warm gushing health to their abode. He put forth a greater energy—and said to the winds and waves, Peace! be still! His will fastened upon electricity in the heavens, equalized that fluid hushed the winds, and calmed the waves. He opened the blind eye to the splendor of the noon-tide blaze, and instantly penciled on its retina, the universe. He opened the deaf ear, and poured into its once silent, but now vocal chambers, the harmony of rejoicing nature. He spoke, and the dead stirred in their graves, and rose up from their icy beds before him, and walked. That same dread voice shall speak with a living energy, that the very heavens shall hear, and the dead shall rise to die no more, and turn their eyes from the dark, ruinable tomb on the scenes of eternity ! Mind and will in the Creator, still more increased, move unnumbered worlds. That same will, now infinite and immutable, puts forth creative energy. He spake, and it was done ; He com- manded, and it stood fast; laid the measures thereof, and stretched the line upon it when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy. Hence, every grade of mind, from the humblest up to ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 77 apostolic greatness; up to angel and archangel, cheru- bim and seraphim; up to Jesus Christ, till it reach the infinite Jehovah, has power proportionate to its great- ness and goodness. Hence, it will be readily under- stood, that a miracle is nothing more than a result pro- duced by mind itself, independent of all physical energy, except that one substance which is put into motion by the living mind. It may perhaps be said, that the apostles were inspired to heal, and as we are not inspired, therefore we do not possess the gift to heal. On this principle I might reply, that the apostles were inspired to preach, and as we are not inspired, therefore, we have no gift to preach! I grant that the apostles were inspired to preach and to heal, because it was not possible, that at the starting point, they had any other means for pre- paration. But now men preach, not by inspiration, but because they feel it to be their duty. So men must now heal because they feel it to be their duty. It is by no means to be expected that we can come up, at once, to apostolic power. No; our faith is too weak. But let us bring up our children in the faith as we ought, and they will learn to mesmerize as naturally as they learn to walk. Their concentrativeness will become largely developed. Their children will be born with more favorably developed heads, and become greater in goodness, until at length the whole apostolic power will return to the earth in all its primitive splen- dor. It is Spiritualism, because it is the innate power of the living mind, executed through the agency of the will. It is that power which created worlds, for this was done by the will of God. It is that power by which world? are governed, and creatures ruled, for this is 78 LECTURES on also done by the will of God. It is that power by which we make impressions reciprocally upon each other, for this is done by the will of man. And lastly, it is "that power which shall awake the dead from dreamless slumber into thoughts of heaven," for this will be done by the will of God, and there is no medium, only electricity, through which he can come in contact with his creatures. I will now bring forward a few cases from Scripture, to show that the living have been thrown into a singular slumber by the very presence of immortal beings. In- deed, there is scarcely an instance where angels have appeared to men, but what it has had this effect. I will bring forward those that first strike my mind, regardless of their arrangement. It will be remembered, that when John the Revelator was in the isle of Patmos, he had this vision: " And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks, and in the midst of the seven candlesticks, one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hair were white like wool; as white as snow, and his eyes were as a flame of fire ; and his feet like unto fine brass as if they had been burned in a furnace, and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars, and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. And when I saw him I fell down at his feet as one that is dead." Here then, is a singular slumber approximating death. Our Saviour, when he was transfigured on Mount Tabor, took Peter, James, and John with him. For a moment he was changed into his resurrection splendor, ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 79 and met Moses and Elias in glory. The sacred his- torian, in describing the scene, says, " And his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment became shining, ex- ceeding white as snow, white as the light, so as no fuller on earth can white them, and there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. And Peter and them that were with him were heavy with sleep ; and Peter said, Lord, it is good for us to be here. Let us build here three tabernacles ; one for thee, one for Moses, and one for Elias; not knowing what he said." That is, when he came out of this sleep he did not recollect what he had said. They were thrown into this state by the very presence of these minds. Do you remember that after our Lord had eaten his valedictory supper with his disciples, he went into the garden of Gethsemane, and commanded them to watch? He went a few steps from them and prayed in agony, and sweat as it were drops of blood falling to the ground. The guardian angel of Jesus Christ appeared from heaven strengthening him. The apostles fell into a deep sleep. Though this was a scene of great interest to them, yet it seems that the presence of this angel thus affected them. He was nailed to the cross between two malefactors, to darken his glory and blot his name. The Jews were nis accusers, and the Romans his executioners. Hence, the world was combined against him, while his own disciples forsook him in that dark hour of peril. The universe thus combined against him, mocking and de- riding him, and covering him with disgrace, even nature herself stepped forward as it were, and with a mighty hand wiped off that disgrace, and sustained him in his majesty. The sun withdrew his light, rolled back his 80 LECTURES ON chariot, midnight darkness spread her robe of sack- cloth upon his brilliant disc, and hung the world in the dark shroud of mourning. Earthquakes awoke from »■ their tartarean dens and thundered. The earth shook, the rocks rent, the graves opened, all nature roused up and there brought to a centre all that is grand, awful, and sublime in her realms, as the magnanimous sufferer ex- pired ! He was conveyed to his tomb, and Roman sol- diers were there stationed to guard it. Soldiers whose business it was to die,—who had been brought up in tented fields of war, and who had from childhood en- countered hardships and toils, fatigues and dangers. They were men, who had often bared their bosoms to the shafts of battle, and undismayed listened to its stormy voice, and who knew not what it was to quail beneath the glance of a mortal eye. Such men as these, were stationed to guard that tomb, and hold the Prince of Life in death. But— " An angel's arm can't snatch him from the grave; Legions of angels can't confine him there." On the morning of the third day, the last grand scene in this interesting drama was opened. The guardian angel of Jesus Christ was once more dispatched from the eternal throne. He descended from heaven, and an earthquake shook creation. He approached the tomb of the Holy Sleeper, and stood before it. " He rolled back the stone from the door of the sepulchre and sat upon it. His countenance was like the lightning, and his raiment white as snow; and for fear of him, the keepers did shake, and become as dead men!" What, I ask, was it that threw them into this slumber, with feelings of a cold shuddering fear, so nigh ap- proaching the dead ? I answer, it was the will of this ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 81 angel, whose countenance was like the lightning, that sunk them into a motionless sleep. It was his will which struck the vibrations of terror through the dark chambers of their souls, and withered them to the earth. I should like to notice the circumstance of Paul being caught up into the third heavens—whether out of the body or in the body, he could not tell—of Peter falling into a trance when he went upon the house-top to pray, and of Zacharias being struck dumb in the temple ; but time will not permit. I close, by returning my sincere thanks to the Modera- tors, for the good order they have preserved; to the various Committees, for their patient examinations and impartial reports of the experiments performed; and to the ladies and gentlemen, for their faithful attendance and respectful attention, and also for the good feelings they have uniformly manifested towards the lecturer during the entire course, which is now brought to a termination. 82 THE SOUL THE SEAT OF PAIN. NOTE.--FROM CHANNING. " We are created with a susceptibility of pain, and severe pain. This is a part of our nature, as truly as our susceptibility of enjoyment. God has implanted it, and has thus opened in the very centre of our being a fountain of suffering. We carry it within us, and can no more escape it than we can our power of thought. We are apt to throw our pains on outward things as their causes. It is the fire, the sea, the sword, or human enmity, which gives us pain. But there is no pain in the fire or the sword, which passes thence into our souls. The pain begins and ends in the soul itself. Outward things are only the occasions. Even the body has no pain in it, which it infuses into the mind. Of itself, it is incapable of suffering. This hand may be cracked, crushed in the rack of the inquisitor, and that burnt in a slow fire; but in these cases it is not the fibres, the blood-vessels, the bones of the hand which endure pain. These are merely connected, by the will of the Creator, with the springs of pain in the soul. Here, here is the only origin and seat of suffering. If God so willed, the gashing of the flesh with a knife, the piercing of the heart with a dagger, might be the occasion of exquisite delight. We know that, in the heat of battle, a wound is not felt, and that men, dying for their faith by instru- ments of torture, have expired with triumph on their lips. In these cases, the spring of suffering in the mind is not touched by the lacerations of the body, in consequence of the absorbing action of other principles of the soul. All suffering is to be traced to the susceptibility, the ca- pacity of pain, which belongs to our nature, and which the Creator has implanted ineradicably within us." ¥Ofi£S ON THE NATURAL SCIENCES, PUBLISHED BT FOWLERS AND WELLS, PHRENOLOGISTS, NO. 131 NASSAU STREET, NEW YORK. FOR SALE BY OUR AGENTS, AND BOOKSELLERS GENERALLY THROUGHOUT THE UNION. 8 --—-------H WORKS ON THE NATUEAL SCIENCES, PUBLISHED BY FOWLERS AND WELLS. O. S. & L. N. TOWLER. 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In short, we regard this work as not only the most important of any which has before been written on the Science, but as indispensably necessary to the Student, who wishes to acquire a thorough knowledge oi Phrenological Science."—New York Review. O. S. FOWLER. HEREDITARY DESCENT: ITS LAWS AND FACTS APPLIED TO HUMAN IMPROVEMENT. A new and improved Edition. Illustrated with Twenty-five Engravings. 12mo. Cloth, 75 cents ; paper, 50 cents. " That the physical, mental, and moral qualities are transmissible, no one will deny. How important, then, that we understand the conditions of the body and mind, which produce either favorable or unfavorable impressions on the yet unborn. The import- ance of this subject is immense, and should be examined by all."—Literary Messenger. " This work developes those laws which govern the hereditary tendencies ot our nature, and classifies under their appropriate heads, the diseases which are frequently transmitted from parent to offspring, proving conclusively, that Insanity, Scrofula^ Apoplexy, Consumption, and other diseases, as well as Vices, Virtues, lalents ot Various 'Kinds, etc., etc., are inherent throughout families and nations. The ob- ject of the work is to show how to improve offspring, by producing qualities the most desirable. Every parent should possess a copy."—Daily Globe. DR. ANDREW COMBE. THE PRINCIPLES OF PHYSIOLOGY APPLIED TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF PHYSICAL AND MEN- TAL EDUCATION. To which is added Notes and Obser- vations, bv O. S. Fowler. From the improved Edinburgh Edition, with illustrations. 8vo. Cloth, 75 cents. "This work has received the highest degree of approbation both ^^ope and America that it is possible for man to bestow. Messrs. Fowler ana Wells deserve much credit for bringing out the new and ^"^f.^1^^ " b&™ WomZ I to all others. It is printed on large type, and should be read by every ivian, uuiau. and Child in the land."—N. Y. Tribune. I FOWLER AND WELLS' PUBLICATIONS. O. S. FOWLER. RELIGION, NATURAL AND REVEALED: OR THE NATURAL THEOLOGY AND MORAL BEARINGS OF PHRENOLOGY, Including the Doctrines Taught and Duties Inculcated thereby, compared with those enjoined in the Scriptures, together with a Phrenological Exposition of the Doc- trines of a Future State, Materialism, Holiness, Sins, Rewards, Punishments, Depravity, a Change of Heart, Will, Foreordina- tion, and Fatalism. Tenth Edition, enlarged and improved. 8vo. Cloth, 75 cents ; paper, 50 cents. " The momentous inquiry,' What is the true religion V is answered in this work, by showing what religious creeds and practices harmonize, and what conflict, with the nature of man, as unfolded by this Science. If ever our various religious opinions are to be brought into harmonious action, it must be done through the instrumentality of Phrenological Science."—Christian Freeman. BY THE SAME AUTHOR. PHYSIOLOGY, ANIMAL AND MENTAL; APPLIED TO THE PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION OF HEALTH OF BODY AND POWER OF MIND. With Twenty-six Engravings on Wood. 12mo. Cloth, 75 cents; mail edition, 50 cents. " This will be found a more valuable work for the use of the people generally, than any other which has yet been written. It is free from technicalities, and may be easily understood and applied by every individual. The whole subject of Physiology is thoroughly examined, and all the necessary information relative to our physical well-being imparted. " The author takes strong grounds against the use of Tobacco, Tea, Coffee, Liquor, and stimulant ingredients generally. Those portions relating to the effects of different kinds of food on the body and mind are particularly valuable. The causes and cure of Consumption should be read by every youth in the land. By understanding the laws of life and health contained in this work, much agony and suffering might be avoided, and many valuable lives prolonged. Although but recently published, this work has already passed through several editions."—Hunt's Merchant's Magazine. BY THE SAME AUTHOR. SELF-CULTURE AND PERFECTION OF CHARAC- TER ; INCLUDING THE MANAGEMENT OF YOUTH. Improved Stereotyped Edition. 12mo. Cloth, 75 cents ; paper, 50 cents. " Self made or never made," is the motto of the author. This is a capital work, and in our opinion the best of the kind in the English language. It is really a gem. No individual can read a page of it without being improved thereby. We wish it were in the hands of every young man and woman in America, or oven the world. The great beauty of this work consists in the fact, that it tells us how to cultivate or restrain the organs of the brain, and establish an equilibrium. With this work, in connection with Physiology, Animal and Mental, and Memory and Intellect- ual Improvement, we may become fully acquainted with ourselves, (they being related to each other,) comprehending as they do, the whole man. We advise all to read these works."—Common School Advocate. FOWLER AND WELLS' PUBLICATIONS. O. S. FOWLER. MEMORY AND INTELLECTUAL IMPROVEMENT: APPLIED TO SELF-EDUCATION AND JUVENILE INSTRUCTION. Twentieth edition, enlarged and improved. With twenty-six engravings. 12mo. Cloth, 75 cts.: paper, 50 cts. " The subject of Mental and Physical Education is beginning to attract public atten- tion. Many of the old-fashioned systems have already passed away, and no more plausible or reasonable plans have yet been adopted than those presented by Mr. Fowler. The science of Phrenology, now so well established, affords us important aid in developing the human mind, according to the natural laws of our being. This, the work before us is pre-eminately calculated to promote, and we cordially recommed it to all. A good memory cannot be overrated."—Democratic Review. MRS. L. N. FOWLER. FAMILIAR LESSONS ON PHYSIOLOGY AND PHRE- NOLOGY: DESIGNED FOR THE USE OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES. Illus- trated with sixty-five engravings. Stereotyped edition. 12mo. Cloth, $1: school edition, in boards, with embossed leather back, 75 cents. " The above are the titles of two distinct books, each complete in itself; yet being but parts of one great subject, they may be appropriately classed and studied together. These works are prepared for, and adapted to, the comprehension of children, and we hope to see them immediately adopted as text books in all our common schools. The natural language of each organ is illustrated by beautiful wood cuts, and the books are brought out in a style well adapted to the family circle, as well as the schoolroom."—Teachers' and Parents' Companion. " We acknowledge having drawn many precious hints from their pages, by which we have been enabled to correct some important errors. A single leaf from these works is worth a million yellow-covered novels."—Vermont Phcenix. JEjf" The price of Phjsiology, cheap edition, is 25 cents; Phrenology, do., 60 cents L. N. FOWLER. MARRIAGE: ITS HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY; WITH A PHRENOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL EXPOSITION OF THE FUNCTIONS AND QUALI- FICATIONS FOR HAPPY MARRIAGES. Twelfth edi- tion, amply illustrated with engravings. 12mo. Cloth, 50 cents : paper, 37i cents. " It contains a full account of the marriage forms and ceremonies of all nations and tribes from the earliest history, down to the present time, some of which are curious, and extremely interesting. As a matter of history, we deem it worthy a place in every public and private library. Besides the history, a phenological and physiological exposition of the male and female organizations are fully given; also, illustrations showing what temperaments are by nature best adapted to each other. Those who have not yet entered into the matrimonial relations, should read this book, and those who have, may profit by a perusal. An excellent present for either sex."—N. Y. Illustrated Magazine. y - o FOWLER AND WELLS' PUBLICATIONS. DR. J. G-. SPURZHEIM. EDUCATION: FOUNDED ON THE NATURE OF MAN; WITH AN APPENDIX BY S. R. WELLS. Containing an illustrated description of the Temperaments, and a brief analysis of all the Phrenological Organs. With a por- trait of the author. 12mo. Embossed muslin, 75 cents ; mail edition, 50 cents. " We regard this volume as one of the most important that has been offered to the public for many years. Every page is pregnant with instruction of solemn import; and we would that it were the text book, the great and sovereign guide, of every male and female in the land, with whom rests the responsibility of rearing or educating a child."—Bost. Med. and Surg. Jour. " It is worth its weight in gold."—Evening Gazette. " We hope soon to see it introduced into all the libraries, public and private. The beautiful style in which it is published, renders it in every way suitable for a pres- ent, nor could a more valuable one be given."—N. Y. State Journal. APPROVED BY FOWLER AND WELLS. THE PHRENOLOGICAL BUST. DESIGNED ESPECIALLY FOR LEARNERS: Showing the exact location of all the Organs of the Brain fully developed, which will enable every one to study the science without an instructor. It may be pack- ed and sent with safety, by express, or as freight, (not by mail,) to any part of the globe. Price, including box for packing, only &1 25. " This is one of the most ingenious inventions of the age. A cast made of plaster of Paris, the size of the human head, on which the exact location of each of the Phrenological organs is represented fully developed, with all the divisions and classifications. Those who cannot obtain the services of a professor, may learn in a very short time, from this model head, the whole science of Phrenology, so far as the location of the organs is concerned."—N. Y. Daily Sun. REV. JOHN BOVEE DODS. LECTURES ON THE PHILOSOPHY OF MESMER- ISM AND CLAIRVOYANCE. With instruction in its process and practical application. Illustrated with a likeness of the author in the act of producing magnetic sleep. New and enlarged edition. 12mo. Muslin embossed, 50 cents : cheap edition, only 25 cents. " The merits of the work may be inferred from this fact: an audience of over two thousand people, composed of the most intelligent citizens of New England, was held six evenings in succession, chained in the most profound silence, listening to these truly philosophical lectures, and witnessing surgical operations without pain • and other experiments, at once convincing, and full of great practical utility to everv human being. J " This work has been recently re-published in England, and has been favorably received by the most scientific men of Europe." 0 — FOWLER AND WELLS' PUBLICATIONS. 0. S. FOWLER. LOVE AND PARENTAGE: APPLIED TO THE Im- provement OF OFFSPRING; Including important directions and suggestions to lovers and the married, concerning the strongest ties and the most sacred and momentous relations of life. 12mo. Illustrated. Price, 25 cents. " To all who have ever tasted the sweets of Love ; or felt its sting, or consummated its delightful union, or who anticipate its hallowed cup of tenderness, or expect to fold its "dear pledges" in parental arms—more especially to woman, the very embodi- ment of this angelical emotion—to all who would enjoy its heavenly embrace, avoid its pangs, or render their prospective children healthy, and talented, and lovely, 1 dedicate these love-inspiring pages."—The Author. " As the title indicates, it is a work of great importance, relating, as it does, both to the present, and the rising generations."—N. Y. Emporium. BY THE SAME AUTHOR. AMATIVENESS: OR, EVILS AND REMEDIES OF EXCESSIVE AND PERVERTED SEXUALITY; In- cluding warning and advice to the Married and Single. Being a Supplement to " Love and Parentage." 12mo. Price, 12£ cents. " The object of this work is to spread information in regard to the regulation and legitimate exercise of one of the most, if not the most important faculties of the human organization, the perversion of which has produced more misery than can possibly be estimated."—Publis)ter. " While a prudish delicacy has covered up the subject, and seemed shocked at the bare mention of it, this under-current has been wearing away the health and happiness of individuals and the community, till it absolutely forces itself upon our attention, and calls loudly for a remedy. Silence and ignorance have been tried, and they are found to favor the evil : the only reasonable course, then, is to diffuse knowledge in regard to the matter. Let all have light; let the evil be thoroughly exposed, and proper motives be brought to bear against it, and its prevalence will soon be sensibly diminished. The object of this work is, to aid in spreading such information aa may serve to prevent disease and restore health."—George Gregory BY THE SAME AUTHOR TEMPERANCE AND TIGHT LACING: FOUNDED ON THE LAWS OF LIFE, as developed by the sciences of Phrenology and Physiology; Showing the injurious effects of stimulants, and the evils inflicted on the human constitution, by compressing the organs of animal life. Illustrated with appropriate engravings. 8vo., one volume. Price, 12£ cents. " Natural waists or no Wives," " Total abstinence, or no Husbands," are the mottos of the author. " This is not only the most profound Temperance document we have ever seen, but its principles will apply with equal force to every thing heating and stimulating in its nature."—Journal of Health. " These works should be placed in the pews of every church throughout the length and breadth of the land. The two curses, intemperance and bad fashions, are de- stroying more human beings yearly, thai, all other causes; to arrest which, these little (great) works will render effectual aid. —Dr. Beecher. 0------------------------------------ FOWLER AND WELLS' PUBLICATIONS. 0. S. FOWLER. MATRIMONY: OR PHRENOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY APPLIED TO THE SELECTION OF CONGENIAL COMPANIONS FOR LIFE. Including directions to the married for living together affectionately and happily. Illustrated. Octavo. Price, 25 cents. " The object is to show the influence of the domestic affections over the weal or wo of man ■ the nature and conditions of true love, how to make a proper choice ot husband or wife how to conduct courtship, and augment the affections of a companion Were this work more generally read, and its principles applied, much matrimonial discord would be prevented."—Hunt's Merchant's Magazine. " Judging from the popularity of the work, (rising of 60,000 copies having been so.d in the United States, besides having been republished in London,) we can only say, no man or woman, married or unmarried, should fail to possess a copy ot the work."—Saturday Visitor. , j- • ij This work has recently been republished in London, and several editions sold. BY THE SAME AUTHOR. SYNOPSIS OF PHRENOLOGY: DESIGNED FOR THE USE OF PRACTICAL PHRENOLOGISTS. Amply illustrated. Of which one hundred and seventy-five thousand copies have been sold. 12mo. Price, single copy, 63 cents. " The proportionate size of the Phrenological organs of the individual examined, and, consequently, the relative power and energy of his primary mental powers; that is, his moral and intellectual character and manifestations, will be indicated by the written figures, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7: figure 1 signifying very sj.iall ; 2, small ; 3, mod- erate ; 4, average ; 5, full ; 6, large ; 7, very large. In order to render the indications still plainer, these figures will be written in the table opposite to the organs marked, and in the perpendicular column headed " Full," "Large," or "Small," according as he has the organs full, large, or small. Adjoining these written figures will be references to " Phrenology Proved," "■*> U bpfnff" J . tS ' araountinS to 8everal thousand, to which a constant addition is being made, by travellers in our own, and voyagers to other countries." N. B. Any works named in this Catalogue may be ordered and received by return of the first mail, at a trifling expense, by enclosing in a letter the requisite amount and directing the same, post paid, to FOWLERS AND WELLS, 131 Nassau Street, Naw York. tp- Smat. coin, from six j> nfty cents, or several bank notes, may be enclosed in a letter and sent i™ man 10 the pablishers, without increasing the postage. =u '■> a leuer, ana sent by PROSPECTUS OF THE WATER-CURE JOURNAL AND HERALD OF REFORMS. VOL. VII. FOR 1849. (PRIESSNITZ, FOUND KR OF THE WATER-CURE.) JOEL SHEW, M. D., EDITOR. It will be the object of this Journal to explain, in a manner suited to the capacity of all, the new and celebrated system called Hydropathy, or the Water Cure. This new system embraces a wide range of particulars, all o' which rmy be 9tnted in the general term, THE PHILOSOPHY OF HEALTH. Bathinc, Clothing, Air. Ventilation, Food, Drinks. Tobacco, or whatever tends to the pre- servation or the destruction of the body or mind, will be 'reated in this Journal. THE WATER-CTTRE, now well established, is peculiarly favorable in the treatment of all the maladies, both chro- nir and acute, to which the human Body is subject. We hope, also, to teach our readers the best modes of preventing disease. Reforms, of whatever kinds, we shall promulgate ; and we shall endeavor to adapt our Journal to the wants of society. THIS JOURNAL will be published monthly, (commencing in January. 1849.) containing thirty-two octavo pages of the best matter with refere.x e to the application of this system, on the following TERMS IN ADVANCE : Single copy, one year, . . $1 00 I Ten copies, one year, . • • »< «» Five copies, " " • • 4 00 | Twenty copies, . . . . io > u To receive attention, letters and orders must, in ALLcases.be post-paid, and directed to FOWLERS AND WELLS, 131 Nassau street, New York.