personal experience of a physician by ellis, john, 1815-1896

8/14/2019 Personal Experience of a Physician by Ellis, John, 1815-1896

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Title:PersonalExperienceofaPhysician

Author:JohnEllis

ReleaseDate:September,2004[EBook#6481][Yes,wearemorethanoneyearaheadofschedule][ThisfilewasfirstpostedonDecember20,2002]

Edition:10

Language:English

Charactersetencoding:ASCII

***STARTOFTHEPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKEXPERIENCEOFAPHYSICIAN***

ProducedbyAvinashKothare,TomAllen,JulietSutherland,CharlesFranksandtheOnlineDistributedProofreadingTeam.

PERSONALEXPERIENCEOFAPHYSICIAN,

WITH

ANAPPEALTOTHEMEDICALANDCLERICALPROFESSIONS;

AND

ANAPPENDIX,


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AREVIEWOF"CHRISTANDTHETEMPERANCEQUESTION"INTHECHRISTIANUNION.

BY

JOHNELLIS,M.D.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTERI.PERSONALMEDICALEXPERIENCEOKAPHYSICIAN.

CHAPTERII.WHYEVERYPHYSICIANSHOULDEXAMINEHOMOEOPATHY.

CHAPTERIII.DANGERSTHATRESULTFROMTHEALLOPATHICTREATMENTOFDISEASES.

CHAPTERIV.PERSONALRELIGIOUSEXPERIENCEOFAPHYSICIAN.

CHAPTERV.THEDAWNOFANEWDISPENSATION.

CHAPTERVI.ANEWDAYTOOUREARTH.

CHAPTERVII.THEWANTSOFTHECHRISTIANCHURCH.

CHAPTERVIII.RESTRAININGANDCURINGSPIRITUALANDNATURALDISEASES.

CHAPTERIX.PERSONALEXPERIENCECONTINUEDANDEFFORTS.

CHAPTERX.FINALAPPEALTOTHECLERGY.

ADDENDUM.AREVIEWOF"CHRISTANDTHETEMPERANCEQUESTION,"INTHE"CHRISTIANUNION."

PERSONALEXPERIENCEOFAPHYSICIAN.

CHAPTERI.

Wealladmitthateveryonewhoattemptstoactasaphysician,shouldstrivetoqualifyhimself,orherself,fortheworkbyobtainingthebest


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educationwhichourmedicalschoolsafford;fortophysiciansareintrusted,notsimplythepropertyormoney,buttheverylivesoftheirfellow-citizens.Astheresponsibilityisgreat,sothedutyofpreparingone'sselfbeforecommencingpractice,andofkeepingfullyabreastofallnewandvaluablediscoveriesintheartofhealing,isequallygreat.Aphysicianshouldnotbeledblindlybyhisteachersandprominentmedicalwriters,andsostronglyconfirmhimselfinthetheoriesandviewswhichtheyproclaimthathecannot,withoutprejudice,examinenewviewsandtheorieswithduecare.IthasbeensaidthatwhenHarveydiscoveredthetruecourseofthecirculationoftheblood,therewasnotasingleprofessorinthemedicalcollegesofEnglandoverfiftyyearsofage,whoeverbelieved"theheresy,"ashisdiscoverywascalled.Howeverthismayhavebeen,itiscertainthatprofessorsandprominentmedicalwritersarenotalwaysthefirsttoseeandrecognizethetruth,evenwhenitisclearlypresentedtotheirnotice.

AnativeofwesternMassachusetts,Istudiedmedicinewithanintelligentandworthyphysicianinmynativetown,andattendedtwoandone-halfcoursesofmedicallecturesattheBerkshireMedicalCollege,atPittsfield,Mass.,andgraduatedin1841;andduringthefollowingwinterIattendedtheMedicalCollegeatAlbany,N.Y.,devotingalargeportionofmytimetodissecting.AfterfinishingatAlbany,IvisitedvariousplacesinwesternandcentralMassachusetts,andoperatedoneyesforstrabismusorcross-eyes,--anoperationwhichhadthenbeenrecentlyintroducedfor

thatdeformity;afterwhichIsettledatChesterfield(Mass.),andcommencedpracticingmedicine,whereIremainedaboutoneyear.

OnedayIvisitedNorthampton,and,callingonaphysicianwithwhomIwasacquainted,Ifounduponhistableahomoeopathicbook."Why,"Iexclaimedwithastonishment,"youarenotstudyinghomoeopathy,areyou?""Yes,"hereplied,"Iamstudyingit,andtryingtheremediescautiously;"andhewentontodescribecaseswhichhehadtreatedsatisfactorilybytheuseoftheremedies,andamongthemacaseofpleurisyandoneofintermittentfever,andhewoundupbysaying:"Now,ifyouwillgodownthestreettoabook-storeandpurchase'Hull'sJahr,'intwovolumes,Iwillgiveyouhalfadozenhomoeopathicremedies,andyoucantrythemforyourself."

Herewasadilemma.NeveruntilthathourhadIeverheardhomoeopathyspokenof,byeitheramedicalprofessororoneofmyprofessionalbrethren,exceptwithcontemptandridicule."But,"Isaidtomyself,"ifthereisanytruthinhomoeopathyIoughttoknowit,andIcannottreatthisphysician'stestimonywithcontempt;anditisadutywhichIowetomyfellow-men,andespeciallytomypatients,toinvestigatethenewsystemcarefully."Iimmediatelywentandpurchasedthebooks,andhegivemesixbottlesofmedicine,andItookthembackwithmetoChesterfield.IremembermakingbutoneHomoeopathicprescriptionbeforeleavingChesterfield,andthatwasforacaseofuterinehemorrhage,whichIhadtreatedunsuccessfullyforsometimewithallopathicremedies.IlookedovermyHomoeopathicbookscarefullyandfoundthatChina(cinchona)wasindicated.Asthatremedywasnotamongthebottlesofmedicatedpellets

whichmymedicalfriendhadgivenme,IdirectedthatonedropoftheordinarytinctureofPeruvianbarkshouldbedroppedintoaglassofwater,andthat,afterstirringitwell,oneteaspoonfulofthesolutionthusmadeshouldbegiventhreeorfourtimesaday.Thepatientcommencedimprovingimmediately,andwassoonwell.

SoonafterthatIremovedtoGrandRapids,Michigan,andcommencedanewthepracticeofmedicine.IthenhadneithertheknowledgenorthefaithinhomoeopathywhichIthoughtwouldjustifymeintreatinganyseriouscaseofdiseasewithhomoeopathicremedies;butIdidnotneglecttostudythe


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newbooks.Oneday,afriendofmyyoungerdays,whowasresidingatGrandHaven,cameintomyofficeandsaidthathehadbeensufferingfromthetoothacheforseveraldays,andthathedidnotliketohavethetoothextracted,andhewantedtoknowifIcoulddoanythingforitwithoutextractingit.ItoldhimthatIhadrecentlyobtainedsomehomoeopathicbooksandremedies,andthatIhadnoticedthatremedieswerespokenoffortoothache.SoIlookedovermybooksandselectedBelladonnaastheremedysuitableinhiscase,andgavehimadoseofitandotherdosestotakewithhimifheneededthem.Wetalkedintheofficeforashorttime,andthenwewalkeduptothehotelwherehewasstopping;asweentered,hestoodstillamomentandremarked:"Well,mytoothdoesnotacheasseverelyasitdid."Isawhimweeksafterward,andhetoldmethathehadnothadthetoothachefromthehourhetookthemedicine.

Awayinthatnewplace,thenavillageofaboutonethousandinhabitants,withnohomoeopathicphysicianwithinahundredmilesofme,Icommencedcautiouslytheuseofthenewremedies;firstinmildcasesofdisease,andincaseswhereAllopathictreatmentfailedtoproducethedesiredeffect.AmongthefirstoftheseriouscaseswhereIusedtheremedieswasacaseofpneumonia.Ayoungmanhadbeenverysickwiththatdiseaseformanydays.Ihadresortedvigorouslytotheantiphlogistictreatmenttheninvogue;aconsultingphysicianwascalled,andatlastwetoldthefamilythatourpatientcouldnotliveuntilthenextmorning.Ithensaidtotheconsultingphysician:"Ihavesomehomoeopathicremedies;supposewetry

them?"Hisreplywas:"Itdoesnotmakeanydifferencewhatyoutry;hewillnotliveuntilmorning."UndersuchcircumstancesIfeltthatIwasjustifiedintryingthenewremedies.IaccordinglydissolvedafewpelletsofAconiteinaglassofwater,andofBryoniaalb.inanotherglassofwater,anddirectedthatateaspoonfulofthesolutionofAconiteshouldbegivenonceanhourforfivehours,andthatasimilardoseofBryoniabegiveninsteadofAconiteeverysixthhour.Isatdownbyhisbedsideandwatchedhiscasefortwohours.AttheendofthatperiodIfoundthathispulsewasfivebeatslessfrequentinaminute,andthathisbreathingwasalittleeasier.Thenextmorningallofhisdangeroussymptomshaddisappeared,andinareasonableperiodoftimehewasrestoredtohealth.Italkedwiththeconsultingphysicianabouthisunexpectedrecovery,andwewere,disposedtothinkthatwehadmadeafalseprognosis,andthathe

wouldhaverecoveredanyway.Still,thecasemadesomeimpressiononme;sothatinthenextcaseofpneumoniatowhichIwascalled,Iresolvedtotrythesameremediesinthesameway.Thepatientwasamanaboutfortyyearsofage.UndertheactionoftheAconiteandBryoniathepatientaboutheldhisown,neithergainingnorlosingveryperceptiblyforaboutthreedays.AttheendofthatperiodIbecamealarmed,andfeltthatifthepatientweretodieIshouldbeguiltyofthecrimeofmanslaughter.Idiscontinuedthetreatment,andresortedtothethenregularantiphlogistictreatment;thepatientimmediatelybegantogetworse,andattheendofthreedaysmorehewasaverysickman.IthencametotheconclusionthatmypatienthaddonemuchbetterunderthehomoeopathictreatmentthanhehadundertheAllopathic,andIdiscontinuedthelatterandreturnedtotheformer,givingtheAconiteandBryonia.Thepatientceasedtogrowworse;

heheldhisownfortwoorthreedays,thenhebegantoimprove,andwassoonrestoredtohealth.FromthatdaytothisIhaveneverbledapatientsufferingfromeitherpneumoniaorpleurisy,neitherhaveIappliedablister,orgivenacathartic,oranAllopathicdoseoftartaremetic,oranopiate,oranyformofalcoholicorfermenteddrinks,eitherduringthecontinuanceoftheabove-nameddiseasesorduringconvalescence;norhaveIeverregretted,inasingleinstance,nothavingdoneso.

Duringthefalloftheyearwehadmanycasesofdysenterywhichwereveryobstinate,continuingoneortwoweeksorlonger,attendedbyafever


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approachingatyphoidcharacter.IfoundtheAllopathictreatmentunsatisfactory,astherewerequiteanumberofdeaths.SoIconsultedmyhomoeopathicbooksandconcludedtotrytheremedies;butatthattimeIhadonlythesixcarefullypreparedremediesgivenmebythephysicianinNorthampton,andIfoundthatIneededsomeotherremedies;soforArsenicumIusedadropofFowler'ssolutionofarsenicinaglassfulofwater,givingateaspoonfulofthesolutionthuspreparedforadose,andIalsousedthetinctureofColocynthandotherremediesinthesamemanner.EvenwiththehelpofsuchcruderemediesIfoundthatIcouldgenerallycontrolthediseasefarmorespeedilyandwithgreatercertaintyandsafetythanbyAllopathictreatment.

Iwascalledtoattendayoungmanwho,whilestoopingovertosetatrapinthewoods,wasmistakenforabearbyacomradewhowashuntingwithhim,andshotthroughtheneck.TorestrainsecondaryhemorrhageIwasobliged,inordertosavethelifeofmypatient,toligaturebothcarotidarteriesattheintervalofonlyfourandone-halfdays,which,atthattime,hadneverbeendonesuccessfullyatanintervaloflessthantwelvemonthsbetweentheoperations.Mypatientdidnotsufferfromheadsymptoms,asIwasfearfulhewould,buthislungsbecameseriouslycongested.IresortedtotheAllopathictreatmentwithoutaffordinganyrelief;and,ashewassteadilygettingworse,IconsultedmyhomoeopathicworksandgavehimAconite,adropofthetinctureinaglassofwater;ofthesolutionthusmadeIdirectedateaspoonfultobegiveneveryhour;

thisgavepromptrelieftotheactivesymptomsofcongestion.ForacoughwhichremainedIgaveafewdosesofbelladonnapreparedinthesamemanner,andallofthesymptomssoondisappeared.IreportedthiscasetotheNewYorkJournalofMedicine,anditwastransferred,eventothehomoeopathicprescriptions,totheAmericaneditionofVelpeau'sgreatworkonsurgery.

IfoundwhenIwenttoGrandRapidsthattheintermittent,remittent,andperniciousfevers,whichprevailedinthatplaceandinthesurroundingcountry,weregenerallytreatedbytheresidentphysicianswithmercurialorothercatharticremedies,followedoraccompaniedbyQuinineandbrandyorfermenteddrinkscontainingAlcohol,andopiateswheretheyweresupposedtobenecessary.AsIbegantolookintohomoeopathy,Ifirst

prescribedIpecacforthevomitingwhichsometimesattendedthesefevers,onedropofthetinctureinaglassofwater,andgivingateaspoonfulfromtheglassforadose.ForwaterydiarrhoeasIgaveFowler'ssolutionofArsenicinthesamemanner,andinbothinstancesgenerallywithverysatisfactoryresults.Asmyconfidenceinthehomoeopathictreatmentofdiseasesincreased,IsenttoNewYorkandobtainedanassortmentoftheremediesandmorebooks,andwasthenmuchbetterpreparedtoprescribesuccessfully.IsoonfoundthatbytheiruseIcoulddispensewithcatharticremediesandthusavoidthedangerofcausingamedicinalirritationofthebowels,whichitissometimesdifficulttocontrol.IalsofoundthatIcoulddomuchbetterwithoutAlcoholinanyform,inthetreatmentofthesefevers,thanwithit;andIsoonceasedtousebrandy,wine,beer,etc.

AstoQuinine,thatremedywillunquestionablyinterrupttheparoxysmsofintermittentandremittentfeverspromptlyifitisgivenatthepropertimeandinsuitabledoses;and,iftheattackisthefirstthepatienthaseverhad,areturnofthediseasemayatleastsometimesbepreventedbygivingonceaweekintwoorthreedoses,atanintervaloftwelvehours,aboutthequantitywhichwouldberequiredtointerruptthediseaseinthefirstinstance.Thesedosesshouldbegiventhedaybeforethediseaseisexpectedtoreturn.Ifounditmuchbettertogiveabouttwolargedosesofquininethantogivethesamequantityin1or2graindoses.Ireported


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theresultsofmyexperimentsandobservationsintheuseofQuinineatGrandRapidstothe_NewYorkJournalofMedicine_(allopathic).Inallinstanceswherelifeisindangerfromareturnofaparoxysmofintermittentorremittentfever,thepatientcanberescuedfromimmediatedangerbygivingQuinineindosessufficienttopreventareturnoftheparoxysm.Inallothercases,andperhapseveninsuch,wecanrelysafelyonhomoeopathicremediesinminutedoses.QuinineinAllopathicdoseswillrarelycurethedisease,excepting,itmaybe,asnamedabove,inafirstattack.Ifthepatienthaseverhadmorethanoneortwoattacks,itisalmostsuretoreturnagainandagainfortwoseasons,complicatedwithsymptomscausedbytheremedy,inspiteofAllopathicdosesofquinine;whereasbytreatingthepatienthomoeopathically,exceptinoldcases,youwillnotsuddenlyinterrupttheparoxysms,fortheymaycontinueoneortwoweeks,orevenafewdayslonger,butwhentheyceasethereisgenerallytheendofthedisease,andthepatientspeedilyregainshisordinarystateofhealthinsteadoflingeringalongwithfrequentreturnsofthediseaseforgenerallytwoseasons,ashedoeswhenquinineisused.Oldcasesofintermittentfeverarefrequentlycuredpromptlybyinfinitesimaldosesofhomoeopathicremedies.IhaveneverseenAllopathicdosesofQuininedoanygoodintyphoidfevers.And,astotheuseofcathartics,frommyobservationIsoonbecamesatisfiedthatavastnumberofliveshavebeenlostbytheiruseincasesofremittentandtyphoidfevers,thetendencytoirritationofthemucousmembrane,whichexistsespeciallyinthelatterdisease,beingoftenfatallyaggravatedbycatharticremedies.

IfoundtheprejudicesostrongagainsthomoeopathywhenIcommencedmyinvestigations,thatIgenerallysaidnothingaboutthekindofremediesIwasusing,andsometimesdisguisedtheremediesbymixingwithsugarorpulverizedliquoriceroot,orbymixingordissolvingtheminwater.

Ihavegiventheabovedetailstoshowhowcarefullyandpatiently,stepbystep,Icommencedmyinvestigations,andwatchedtheactionofremedieswhengiveninaccordancewiththeHomoeopathiclawofcure,andcomparedtheresultswiththeresultswhichfollowedtheuseofAllopathicremedies.

IremainedatGrandRapidstwoyears.DuringthatperiodIgraduallysubstitutedtheHomoeopathictreatmentofdiseasesfortheAllopathic,as

fastasIfoundIcouldcurethevariousdiseaseswhichcameundermyobservationwithmoresafetyandcertaintybytheformermethodoftreatmentthanbythelatter.

NowIasktheintelligent,conscientious,andphilanthropicreader,DidIdorightordidIdowronginthusinvestigatinghomoeopathyandusingcautiouslytheremediesforthecureofthesick,asIfoundthemmoreefficaciousandsafethantheremedieswhichIhadbeentaughttouseandhadusedpreviously?Ifitwasmydutytothuscriticallyexaminethenewmethodoftreatment,whenmyattentionwasseriouslycalledtoit,andtocautiouslytrytheremediesonthesick,isitnotclearlythedutyofeveryAllopathicphysicianinourlandtodothesame?Tothusearnestlycalltheattentionofphysiciansofeveryschooltotheimportanceof

investigatinghomoeopathy,andcarefullyusingtheremediesforthecureofthesick,andtoentreatthemnottostopandbesatisfiedwithcrudedoses,suchasdropdosesoftincturesandthefirst,secondorthirddilutionsortriturationsofremedies,assomehavedone,ismysoleobjectinwritingthesepages.ThemostdecidedandsatisfactorycureswhichIhaveeverwitnessedhavebeeneffectedbythethirtiethandtwohundredthdilutions.But,accordingtomyexperience,itisnotwelltoconfineone'sselfabsolutelytoeitherhighorlowdilutions,assomehavedone;butifyouaresatisfiedthatyouhaveselectedtherightremedy,insteadofchangingtheremedywhenyoudonotseerelieffromitsuse,changethe


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dilutionfromlowtohighorhightolow,asthecasemaybe.Icoulddetailmanycasestoshowtheimportanceofdoingthis.Nophysicianshouldlaborspeciallytosustaineitheratheoryorpreconceivedideas,buttocurehispatientspromptly.Thehealthandlivesofourfellow-beingsaretooimportanttobetrifledwith.

DuringtheearlyyearsofmypracticeofhomoeopathyIwascalledtoseeayoungmanrecentlyattackedwith"epilepticfits."AshewasgoingimmediatelytoNewYork,withhissister,IadvisedthemtocallonthelateDr.JohnF.Gray,withwhomIbecameacquaintedduringmyfirstvisittoNewYork.OnreachingNewYorktheycalledonDr.Gray,andtheyoungmanremainedunderhistreatmentforseveralweeks.OfDr.Gray'streatmentofthispatient,sofarasremedieswereconcerned,Iknowonlyofasingleremedywhichhegave,whichwasNitrateofsilver,whichIunderstoodwasgiveninasomewhatcrudeform,andnoteveninalowcentesimaldilution.Theyoungman,findinglittleornobenefitfromthetreatment,wenttohishomeinGeorgia,afterwhichIreceivedaletterstatingthathehadnotbeenessentiallybenefitedbyDr.Gray'streatment,andrequestingmetoprescribeforhim.InresponseIsenthimthe30thdilutionofNuxvomica,whichhetookandsoonrecoveredfromthedisease,andneverhadanyreturnoftheparoxysms.Dr.Graywasalowdilutionist.

Ontheotherhand,duringmysecondorthirdvisittoNewYorkIcalledonDr.EdwardBayard,whowasahighdilutionist.Ifoundhiminpoorhealth.

Hehadbeensuffering,ashetoldme,forsometimefromasubacuteirritationofthemucousmembraneofthebowels,withloosepassages,andsomefebrileexcitement.Heaskedmetoprescribeforhim.AfteracarefulinquiryastoexistingsymptomsIsaidtohim,"Mercuriusvivusoughttocureyou."Herepliedthathehadtakenitrepeatedlywithouttheslightesteffect.Iaskedhimwhatdilutionofthisremedyhehadtaken.Herepliedthathehadtakenthe30thand200thdilutions.Isuggestedthatheshouldtakethe3dtrituration."Why,"heexclaimed,"Ihavenotprescribedthe3dtriturationofmercuryformanyyears,andIdonotknowasIhaveanyinmyoffice."But,onlookingaround,hefoundabottleofthesecondcentesimaltrituration;andIsaidtohim:"Thatwillanswer.Youcantakeadoseofthatnow[whichhedid]andrepeatitthreeorfourtimesbetweennowandto-morrownight,afterwhichtakeadoseofthe30thor200th

dilutionofsulphur."ThenexttimeIsawhimhetoldmethatmyprescriptioncuredhimpromptly.

ThatthecarefultreatmentofdiseasesbytheuseoflowdilutionsofHomoeopathicremedies,whencomparedwiththeAllopathictreatment,iswonderfullysuccessfulIwellknow;foritwasbythesuccesswhichattendedtheuseofthelowdilutionsthatIwasledintothenewpractice,asthousandsofothergraduatesofallopathiccollegeshavebeen.Still,Iknowverywellbyexperiencethatthelowdilutionists,inaverylargenumberofcases,failtocurepatientspromptly,andinmanycasesfailtocurethematallwhentheycouldcurethempromptlybytheuseofthehighdilutions,oftenbytheverysameremedywhichtheyhavebeenusing.Iwascalledtoseeapatientsufferingfrompuerperalanaemia,with"nursing

soremouth."Shewasgreatlyexhausted;herstomach,whichwasveryacid,wouldretainverylittlenourishment.ShehadbeenunderAllopathictreatmentforsometimewithoutexperiencinganyrelief.IgaveheralowdilutionofPulsatilla,whichaffordedhernorelief.ThenIselectedotherremedies,fromwhichshederivednobenefit.AfterthatIgaveherthe200thdilutionofPulsatilla,thefirstdoseofwhichproduced,asshedeclared,achangeforthebetterwithinanhour,andsherapidlyrecoveredunderitsuse.AladywhohadfortwowintersbeensenttoFloridabyherAllopathicphysicianforaseverecough,attendedbythephysicalsignsofindurationofthesummitofoneofherlungs,calledonmeearlyinthe


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fall,sayingthatherphysicianadvisedhertogoagaintoFlorida,butthatshedidnotliketogo,andwantedmetoprescribeforher.AfterexamininghersymptomscarefullyIgaveherasingledoseofSulphur,200thdilution;attheendofaweekshewasbetter,attheendofanotherweekmuchbetter,andattheendofthethirdweekshehadbutfewsymptomsremaining,forwhichIgaveonlyonedoseofArsenicum,200th,whichcompletedthecure.

HavingpracticedmedicinefortwoyearsatGrandRapids,IspentawinterEastandvisitedNewYork,makingtheAcquaintanceofHomoeopathicphysicians,andconversingwiththemaboutthenewsystemoftreatingdisease,attendingmedicallecturesandclinicsatthetwoAllopathiccolleges.IrememberverywellattendingaclinicattheCollegeofPhysiciansandSurgeons,heldbythelateProf.WillardParker,whenalittlechildwasbroughtinsufferingfromwhoopingcough.Prof.Parker,lookingarounduponthestudents,said:"Here,gentlemen,isacaseofdiseasewhich,likethesmall-pox,measles,andscarletfever,runsadefinitecourse;ifyouwillletthepatientsalonetheywillgenerallygetwell,butifyoucommencedosingthemyouwilloftenbringoncomplicationsandtheywilldie."Thisstatement,comingfromamedicalmanofhisprominence,surelywasworthyofconsideration.

AfterspendingthewinterattheEastIwenttoDetroit,Mich.,andopenedanofficeinconnectionwithDr.P.M.Wheaton.IpracticedinDetroitfor

fifteenyears,exceptingthatduringthelastsixyearsofthattimeIspentapartofeachyearatCleveland,givingacourseoflecturesontheTheoryandPracticeofMedicineattheWesternHomoeopathicMedicalCollege,ofCleveland,Ohio.

WhenIwenttoDetroittheprejudiceagainsthomoeopathywasverystrong,especiallyamongphysicians.AnattemptwasmadetopassabillthroughtheLegislatureofMichiganwhichwouldvirtuallyprohibitthepracticeintheState.ThebillpassedtheSenate,but,owingtothepromptactionofthefriendsofhomoeopathyinexposingthedesignoftheadvocatesofthebill,itwasdefeatedintheHouseofRepresentatives.ThepresenceoftheAsiaticcholerain1849inthecity,andthesuccesswhichattendedthehomoeopathictreatmentofthatdisease,wasinstrumentalincallingthe

attentionoflargenumbersofthemostintelligentandinfluentialcitizenstothenewpracticeandestablishingituponafirmbasis.Whenthediseasefirstappearedinthecity,wefurnishedthefamilieswhichwewereaccustomedtoattend,andallotherswhodesiredthem,withVeratrumalbumandCuprummetallicum,whichhadbeenearnestlyrecommendedbyHomoeopathicphysicianselsewhere,whohadhadexperienceintreatingthedisease,aspreventiveremedies,adoseortwoofeachtobetakendaily.Asaresult,veryfewamongthefamilieswhichwewereaccustomedtoattendwereattackedwiththedisease,andinsuchcasesasoccurredthediseasewasgenerallyreadilycontrolled.Asarule,themosttroublesomecaseswhichwehadtotreatwerethoseinwhichOpiumormorphineinsomeformhadbeenadministeredbeforewewerecalled.Insuchcasesitwasexceedinglydifficulttogetasatisfactoryresponsefromourremedies,however

carefullyweselectedthem.

TheAsiaticcholeraisaviolentdiseaseandrapidinitsprogress,andifseverecasesofthisdiseasearetobetreatedsuccessfully,itmustbebyremedieswhicharepromptintheiraction.Itisherethathomoeopathicremediesshowtheirsuperiorityoverallotherremediesormethodsoftreatment,fortheyactuponthediseasedorgansinthedirectionofthedisease,andthusexciteapromptreaction.Homoeopathicremedies,whenproperlyused,donotbenumb,nordotheyseriouslyaggravateexistingdiseasedaction;andtheyneithercausediseasedactioninwellorgans,nor


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reducethequantityofblood,norlessenthevitalityoftheorganismandtheabilitytoreactagainsttheencroachmentofdiseasedaction,asdoestheallopathictreatment;and,consequently,ifapatientdiesthephysicianandhisfriendshavetheconsolation,atleast,ofknowingthathedidnotdiefromthetreatment.

Iwellremember,whilepracticinginDetroit,attendingaprominentcitizen,alawyer,whohadasevereattackofpneumonia;and,whilerecoveringfromit,hewentonenightintoacoldroomtosleep,andthisbroughtonarelapsewhichinvolvedbothlungs,andmypatientbecameverysick.OnedayonvisitinghimIfoundanAllopathicphysiciansittingbyhisbedside.Iwastoldthathesimplycalledasafriend.AsIenteredhearoseandwalkedoutintothehall.Ifollowedhim,andaskedhimwhathethoughtofmypatient.Herepliedverypromptly:"Hewilldie!hewilldie,sir!!Heoughttohavebeenbled,blistered,andphysickedlongago,butitistoolatenow."Ireplied:"Hewillnotdie,sir,fortheveryreasonthathehasnothadthetreatmentyouname;hehashisbloodandvitalenergies,unimpairedbythetreatment,tosustainhim."Andhedidnotdie,butrecovered,andwasappointedGovernorofoneoftheWesternTerritorieslongafterthat.

Afterhavingpracticedmedicineforfifteenyears,exceptthemonthsIwasabsentatClevelandthelastsixyearsofthetime,IwasinvitedtofillthechairofTheoryandPracticeintheNewYorkHomoeopathicMedical

College.ThisinvitationIaccepted,andremovedtoNewYorkandtookupmyresidencethere,andcommencedpracticeagaininanewfield.Abouttheyear1868Iinventedanewprocessforrefiningpetroleumbytheaidofsuperheatedsteam,andspenteighteenmonthsindevelopingtheprocessatBinghamton,N.Y.,andthenreturnedtomypracticeinNewYorkCity.Intheyear1873Igaveupthepracticeofmedicine,andinconnectionwithtwogentlemenwhowereinterestedinsellingoils,Icommencedtherefiningofpetroleum,manufacturingtherefrommachineryandotheroils;towhichbusinessIhavedevotedmyattentioneversince.Ihaveattendedchieflytothemanufacturingdepartmentandmypartnerstotheselling.

Ihavebeenfrequentlyasked:"Whydidyouquitthepracticeofmedicine?Wasnotthatausefulbusiness?"Yes,itwas;butIhadcometofeelthat

therewerefieldsforgreaterusefulness--infact,thatitwasvastlymoreimportanttoteachpeoplethelawsofhealthandlife,andtostrivetoleadthembypreceptandexampletoshunthecausesofdisease,thanitwastocurethemwhentheyweresick--thatpreventionwasbetterthancure.Consequently,whenIsawbeforemeareasonablysureprospectofbeingabletomakeagooddealmoremoneyattherefiningbusinessthanIcouldeverexpecttomakeinthepracticeofmedicine,Icouldbutfeelthat,bytheaidofareasonableportionofthemoneythusmade,IcouldperformafargreaterusethanIcouldbypracticingmedicine.This,then,wasthereasonformygivingupagoodandusefulprofessionandpracticeformypresentbusiness.WhatIhaveattemptedtodoforthebenefitofsufferinghumanitysinceIgaveupthepracticeofmedicine,Iwillnameinafuturechapter.

CHAPTERII.

WHYEVERYPHYSICIANSHOULDEXAMINEANDTESTHOMOEOPATHY.

Iwasbornintheyear1815,andonthe26thofNovember,1891,was76yearsofage.Ihavenotpracticedmedicineasabusinessformanyyears,


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andIneverexpecttopracticeagain.Astomoney,mypresentbusinessgivesmeallIneed,andmoneytospareforbenevolentpurposes.Idonotexpect,nordoIdesire,toreceiveonecent,directlyorindirectly,forthewritingofthispamphlet,orforthemoneywhichIexpecttospendforpaper,printing,binding,andsendingit,postpaid,toeveryphysicianandclergymanintheUnitedStatesandCanadawhosenameIcanget.IdoitbecauseIbelieveandhopeitwillbeausefulworkandinstrumentalindoinggood,andthatmanywhoarewillingandwaitingwillfindusefulsuggestionscontainedinitspages,andthatthroughtheirinstrumentalityhumanitymaybebenefited.

AfewyearsafterIbecameaconverttoHomoeopathyImetinarailroadcaravenerableprofessorfromthecollegewhereIgraduated.Weweremutuallypleasedtoseeeachother,andafterourcongratulationswereoverIremarkedtohimthat,sofarastheadministrationofremedieswasconcerned,Ihaddepartedsomewhatfromthe"generalprinciples"whichheusedtoinculcate,andthatIhadbecomeaHomoeopathist.TheProfessorlookedupwithastonishmentandexclaimedmostearnestly:"Iamsorrytohearthat!Iamsorrytohearthat!"HemanifestednottheslightestdesiretoknowwhyIhadmadethechange,butwasreadytodenounceandcondemn.Itwouldbeuselesstotalktosuchaman.Beforeonecanseeanewtruth,howeverplainitmaybe,hemustbewillingtoeitherexaminethequestioncarefullyhimself,ortoheedthetestimonyofthosewhohaveexaminedit.Fortunately,allphysicianshavenotbeenliketheaboveProfessor;for

therehavebeenthousandswhowereeducatedinandgraduatedfromAllopathicschools,someofthemgray-hairedmen,who,likemyself,havecarefullystudiedHomoeopathyandcautiouslytestedtheremediesuponthesick,whohavebecomeconvertstothenewpractice,andwhohaveeverafterrelieduponitsremediesinthetreatmentofthesick.NointelligentphysicianofanyotherschoolhasevercarefullyreadtheHomoeopathicworks,andhastoanyconsiderableextentcautiouslyusedtheremediesinthetreatmentofseverecasesofvariousdiseases,withoutbeingabletoseethevastsuperiorityoftheHomoeopathicovertheAllopathictreatmentofdisease;andnoone,withoutprejudice,andwillingtoseethetruth,willeverdosowithoutbeingconvinced.Canaman,witheyesopen,onaclearday,gooutatnoontimeanddeclarethatthesundoesnotshine?Hemaymakesuchadeclarationwhileshutupinacellarorcavern,orifhe

neveropenshiseyes.Asonewhohaspatientlyanddiligentlystudiedandpracticedbothsystems,IsaywithouttheslightesthesitationthatHomoeopathy,asasystemofpractice,isassuperiortoAllopathyasthedirectlightofthesunistothereflectedlightofthemoon;infact,muchoftheallopathicpracticeofto-dayisbutareflectionofthehomoeopathiclight.Whatintelligentphysicianto-daybleeds,blisters,salivates,orvomitshispatients,asstudentsweretaughttodobypreceptors,professors,andbooksfiftyyearsago?Andwhyissuchtreatmentsofrequently,tosaytheleast,discardednowbyAllopathicphysicians?IsitnotlargelybecausethesuccesswhichresultsfromtheHomoeopathictreatmentofdiseases,hasconvincedAllopathicphysiciansandtheirpatientsthatsuchviolentdisease-creatingmeasuresandremediesareunnecessary?

Homoeopathyisstrictlyascientificsystemofmedicine.Itisbaseduponalawofnature--"_Similiasimilibuscurantur_,"orthelawthatremedieswillcuresymptomsanddiseasessimilartothosewhichtheywillcausewhentakenbyhealthypersons.Itiswonderfulwithwhatcare,skill,andperseverancethenewMateriaMedicahasbeendeveloped,mostlybyintelligentphysicians,commencingwithHahnemann,takingthedifferentremediesinvaryingdoses,andcarefullyandpatientlywatchingthesymptomsthatfollow,andwritingthemdowndayafterday;andthen,whensimilarsymptomsoccurincaseofdisease,givingtheremediesand


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carefullywatchingandwritingdowntheresults.Allopathicphysicians,asarule,havenottheslightestconceptionofthevastamountofpatientandperseveringlaborinthisdirectionwhichhasbeendonebyphysiciansaswelleducatedastheyare,andmostofwhomhavegraduatedinthesameschools,whohavedevotedtheirlivestothiswork.Arenotthesefactsworthyoftheconsiderationofeveryphysicianintheworldwhodesiresthehighestgoodofhisfellowmen?Itiswellknowntoeveryintelligentphysicianthatthereissometruthinthehomoeopathiclawofcure,andthatithastosomeextentbeenrecognizedfromtheearliestperiodsofmedicalhistory.Acatharticremedy,eveninAllopathicdoses,willsometimescureadiarrhoea,andanemeticwillsometimescureanauseatedstomach;butsuchremedieswhengiveninlargedosesdonotalwayscure,ortheywouldgenerallybeusedbyAllopathists;theysometimesseriouslyandevendangerouslyaggravatethedisease,sothatthevitalforcesdonotreactandthuseffectacure.Nitrateofsilverandacetateofzinc,whichappliedtowelleyeswillcauseirritationandinflammation,areoftenappliedtoinflamedeyes.Thekinepox,whichisasimilardisease,iswellknowntoeitherpreventormateriallymodifysmallpox;andsoIcouldgoonenumeratingcaseswhereAllopathicphysicianstreattheirpatientsinaccordancewiththeHomoeopathiclawofcure.ThegreatdiscoveryofHahnemannwasnotsomuchtheHomoeopathiclawofcure,forsomeknowledgeofthatwaspossessedbeforehisday,butthepracticalapplicationofthatlawtothecureofdisease.Hefoundbycarefulexperimentsthatdiseasescanbecuredbyremedies,whichwhengiventothewellwillproducesimilar

symptomsordiseases,indosessosmallasnottoseriouslyaggravatetheexistingdiseaseorsymptoms;andthatalldiseasesmaybethustreatedwithasuccesshithertounknown.Thisdiscoverywasaccompaniedbythemostcarefulexperimentsbyhimandhisfollowersuponthemselves,toascertainwiththegreatestpossiblecaretheeffectsofvariousremediesuponthehealthy,soastobeabletomakeaccurateprescriptionsforthesick.Hereyouhavemostcarefulscientificinvestigationandexperimentsastotheactionofremediesuponthewellandsick,made,notbypretendersorquacks,butbywelleducatedphysicians,thatshouldcommandtheadmirationandrespectofeveryintelligentmanandeducatedphysician.

Astothedosesgiventothesick,whichhavebeensuchastumbling-blocktoourAllopathicbrethren,theirsizeissimplytheresultofthemost

carefulexperiments.EveryonecanunderstandthatifwegiveanAllopathicdoseofIpecactoapatientalreadysickandvomiting,orofVeratrumalbumtoapatientsufferingfromAsiaticcholeraorcholeramorbus,wewillalmostcertainlyaggravatethedisease,perhapstoafatalextent;foritisthereactionofthevitalforcesofthesystemagainstthenewexcitementcausedbytheremedy,whichovercomesthisnewexcitementandthediseasedactionatthesametime.Now,iftheactionoftheremedyissoseverethatnoreactionfollows,then,ofcourse,nocurefollows,andevendeathmayresult.

ThegreatbeautyandexcellenceoftheHomoeopathicsystemofmedicineconsistsintheabilitytotreatpatientssuccessfullythereby,withoutmakingwellorganssick,oraggravatingexistingdiseasedaction,or

creatinganoppositediseasedstate,asyoudowhenyougiveacatharticremedyinacatharticdoseforconstipation;inthatcasethereaction,ifreactionfollows,isnotintherightdirection,consequentlytheconstipationisoftenaggravated.Ihavehardlyeverseen,exceptingincasesofmechanicalobstruction,asevereandtroublesomecaseofconstipationthathadnotbeencausedbytheuseofcatharticremedies.Soifwegiveanopiate,oranastringent,foradiarrhoea,wecanseethatitisadirectefforttorestrainthediseasebyforce,asitwere,andwenecessarilyhavetogivelargedoses;and,ifthevitalforcesreactagainstthismedicinalintrusion,thereactionisnotinthedirectionof


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health.Itistruethatthevitalforcessometimesovercomethediseasedactioninspiteofthemedicinalaction;butitdoesnotalwaysdothis,andsubacuteandchronicdiarrhoeasaretheresultoftheuseofsuchremediesinsomecases.Tocreatediseaseofawellorganforthesakeofcuringdiseaseinanotherorgan,asisdonewhenblistersareappliedtotheskinfordiseasesofinternalorgans,andwhencatharticsaregivenfordiseasesoftheheadorlungs,everyonecanseeisaroundabouttreatment;andwhilepatientsmaysometimesbebenefitedbythiscallingoff,asitwere,theattentionofthevitalforcesfromthediseasedactioninotherorgans,stillitisnotaverysatisfactorytreatmentasawhole;foryoumaylessenthevitalpowerofresistanceagainstdiseasedaction,andmayevencauseseriousdiseaseoftheorganassailed.Irepeat,oneofthegreatbeautiesofHomoeopathyliesinthefactthatwhenremediesaregiveninaccordancewithitslawofcure,theydonothavetobegivenindisease-creatingdoses.

Hahnemanntellsusthatasingledoseofthe30thdilutionofAconite,whichcontainsbutthedecillionthofadropofthetinctureoftheremedy,willcureacutepleurisyintwenty-fourhours.Ihavethustreatedpatientssufferingfrompleurisywithasingledoseofthatremedy(itshouldbegivensoonafterthecommencementofthedisease),andattheendoftwenty-fourhourshavefoundthepainandfeverallgone,andtheskinmoistandcool;andinoneinstancewithintwodaysthepatientwasonhiswaytoCalifornia.Ihaveneverseenanysuchsatisfactorycuresofthat

diseasefromanykindofAllopathictreatment,norfromthelowdilutionsofAconiteoranyotherHomoeopathicremedy.

HereafterIshallcallattentionofbothphysiciansandtheclergytothecausesanddifferentmethodsofrestrainingorcuringbothspiritualandnaturaldiseases;forthereisthemostbeautifulanalogyorcorrespondencebetweenthemethodsoftreatingnaturalandspiritualdiseases,andtheymustbeconsideredinconnectionifwewouldclearlyseethetruth.

CHAPTERIII.

THEDANGERSTHATRESULTFROMTHEALLOPATHICTREATMENTOFDISEASES.

Thistreatmentofdiseases,moreinthepastthanatpresent,consistslargelyingivingandapplyingremediesindisease-creatingdoses.Theantiphlogistictreatmentconsistsofblood-lettingandtheuseandapplicationofreducingremedieswhichdirectlyorindirectlylessentheinflammatoryorfebrileaction;butitismanifestthatwhileitmaylessentheactivityofthediseasedsymptomsitalsolessensthevitalityofthesystemasawhole,andconsequentlyitspowertoresistandovercometheexistingdiseasedaction;sothatitisaseriousquestionwhetherinmanycasesmoreisnotlostthangained,anditiscertainthat,owingtothe

lossofbloodandstrength,convalescencewillbemoretedious.Thentheuseofremedieswhichcauseactivediseasedactionisnotalwayssafe.Myownmother,attheageof51years,whileindelicatehealth,wastakenwithaseverepaininherside.Aphysicianwascalled.Shethoughtanemeticwoulddohergood.Thephysiciangaveherone,andshediedduringitsoperation,orimmediatelyafterward.Herphysicianwassoaffectedbythissuddenandunexpectedresultthathehadtogoandliedown.AtthattimeIwasbut10yearsold.

Intyphoidfeverthereisatendencytoirritationofthemucousmembrane


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ofthesmallintestines;and,asIhavealreadystated,Iamsatisfiedfromobservationthatwhencatharticsaregivenduringthisdiseasethisirritationisoftenmostseriouslyaggravated,anddeathnotunfrequentlyfollowsasaresult.

ButthegreatestdangerandevilwhichresultfromtheAllopathictreatmentofdiseaselie,notinthedirectionofthesuddendeathswhichsometimesresultfromtheuseofitsremedies,butintheliabilityofpatientstobeledintothehabitualuseofadrugthathasaffordedthempalliativereliefduringsickness,andthecountenancethusgivenfortheuseofsuchdrugsbythelaityduringhealth.Perhapsasarulepoisonoussubstancespalliatethesymptomswhichtheycause,orwhichfollowtheiruse.Acatharticremedywillpalliatethecostivenesswhichfrequentlyfollowstheuseofcatharticremedies.Opiumwillpalliatethesleeplessnessandsufferingthatfollowwhenthepatientleavesofftheuseofopiateswhichhehasbeentakingfordisease;andalcoholandallfluidsandremedieswhichcontainanappreciablequantityofalcoholwillpalliatethecoldnessofthesurface,craving,anddistresswhichfollowwhenapatientwhohasbeentakingsuchremediesattemptstodiscontinuetheiruse.Andthusthepatientisledtocontinuetheremedybecauseitmakeshimfeelbettereverytimehetakesit;and,consequently,heisledonasnaturallyaswaterrunsdownhill,untilhebecomesaslavetohisappetite.

Now,cannoteveryconscientiousandintelligentmanseewhatanimmense

blessingtohisfellowmenitwouldbeifallphysicianswereabletotreattheirpatientsassuccessfullybytheuseofHomoeopathicremediesanddosesasbytheuseoftheso-calledAlcoholicstimulantsandNarcotics,whichareenslavingandruiningsomany,andthusbeabletodiscardanddiscountenancetheuseofallsuchremedies?Howcanhonest,conscientiousphysiciansdisregardandtreatwithcontemptthetestimonyofphysicianswhohavebeeneducatedinthesameschoolswiththemselves,butwhohaveusedtheirreasonandfreedomtoinvestigatethenewpracticeandtestthecurativeactionofitsremedies,whentheyassurethemthattheyhavetreatedtheirpatientsfarmoresuccessfullybytheuseofHomoeopathicremediesthantheyeverhavedonebytheuseofnarcotics,alcoholicandfermenteddrinks,andotherAllopathicremedies?Howcanphysiciansdisregardthetestimonyofmultitudesofpatientswhohavebeenthuscured?

WhyshouldnoteveryphysicianstudyHomoeopathyandtesttheremediesonthesick?Hecandoitcautiously;hehasallofhisoldremediesbyhim;whathashetolose?Iftheydonotrelievehispatient'ssufferingsmoresafelyandpromptly,heisnotobligedtocontinuetousethem.Isitasensibleandrationalcourseforanyonetoallowhimselftobesostronglyconfirmedintheviewsofprominentprofessors,teachers,andbooks,thathecannotwithoutprejudiceexaminenewtruthsandnewmethodsoftreatingdiseases,andevennewtheories?Shouldnotamanstrivetokeepabreastoftheageinwhichheisliving?Takeit,forinstance,inregardtotheactionofalcoholonlivingstructures.Noothermanhaseverexperimentedsocarefully,patiently,andthoroughlyashasDr.Richardson,ofEngland,andtheresultsofhisexperimentsappealtothecommonsenseand

observationofeveryunbiasedman.Heshowsconclusivelybyitsactionthatitshouldneverhavebeengiveninavastmajorityofthecasesofdiseasewhereitisgivenbyphysicians;yetwhatattentionispaidtohistestimonyanddemonstrations,whicheverydisinterestedphysiciancanseetobetrueifhewill?

Dr.Richardsonhasalsoshownconclusivelythatalcoholparalyzestheminutecapillaryvessels,sothatwhilethebloodisforcedintothemthroughthearteriesbytheheart,itdoesnotflowoutoftheseminutevesselsintotheveinsasrapidlyasitdoesduringtheirhealthyaction;


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consequentlythesevesselsarecongestedandunnaturallydistendedwithblood;thefaceandsurfaceofthebodybecomered,owingtothepresenceofanunnaturalquantityofbloodinthesevessels.Noristhisall.Theheatofthebodyisgeneratedbychangesgoingoninthebloodandflowswiththeblood,andconsequentlythesurfaceofthebodybecomes,fromthepresenceofthisexcessofblood,unnaturallywarm;buttheheatisrapidlyradiatedfromthesurface,consequentlythebody,asawhole,becomescooler.Dr.Richardsonfoundbycarefulexperimentthat,whilethesurfacewaswarmer,internallythebodywascoolerandlessabletostandthecold;andhealsosubstantiatedthetruthofhisexperimentsbyexperimentsonpigeons.

IwillallowCanonWilberforce,ofSouthHampton,England,todescribehisexperiment.WhileattendingareceptionduringhisrecentvisittoNewYorkhewasaskedthefollowingquestion:--

Dr.E.P.Thwing:"IwouldliketoasktheCanon,asaphysician,ifthefeelingastoalcoholicmedicationinEnglandhaschangedforthebetter;forinstance,theaspectoftheBritishMedicalAssociationtowardthissubject?"

CanonWilberforce:"Ibelievethatisonepointinwhichwearegoingfurthestahead.Ithinkthatthewholeaspectofthemedicalquestionischanging,mainlyundertheinfluenceofthatdistinguishedmanofscience,

Dr.Richardson.HeisoneoftheleadingscientificmindsofGreatBritain.Hehasbeensuccessfulinhisexperimentsandasboldasalioninhisutterances,andheisleadingscientificthoughtinthisdirection.Hehasprovedoverandoveragain,touseacommonphrase,thatfromthemonarchonthethronedowntothemaggotinthecheese,everyhealthybeingisbetterwithoutalcohol.Theotherdayhewasstayingwithme.Ihavethegreatestpossibleobjectiontoexperimentinguponlivinganimals,buthedescribedtomeanexperimentonpigeons.Itwasnotaverypainfulexperiment;indeed,therearesomepeoplewho,Iamafraid,wouldliketohavetheexperimentmadeuponthem.Hetriedtoinducethepigeonstotakepeassoakedinalcohol.Theyrefusedtodosoatfirst;butafterawhiletheywerepleased,andtheyselectedthepeassaturatedwithalcohol.Onecoldnightheturnedthepigeonsout,andonthefollowingday,whenhewas

examiningthem,strangetosay,allthosepigeonsthatatethealcoholizedpeaswerefrozentodeath,andthosethatremainedteetotalerswereperfectlysafeandsound."

Thedrinkingofalcoholicliquorsgeneratesnoheat,itsimplyholdstheheatinthecongestedblood-vesselsuponthesurfaceofthebody,whereitiswasted,andthusthetemperatureofthebodyasawholeislowered.

Thegreatestmortalitywhichresultsfromtheuseofintoxicatingdrinksdoesnotresultfromwhatisrecognizedasdrunkenness,butfromwhatisrecognizedasmoderatebutsteadydrinking.Thedrunkardafterhisspreesusuallyhasseasonsofabstinence,duringwhichhehasachancetorecuperateorregainstrengthandvigor,andconsequentlydrunkardsoften

livetoanadvancedage;butthesteadydrinkerhasnosuchseasonsofrest,buthisface,byitsalmostconstantlycongestedappearance,showstheconditionofhisinternalorgans;fortheeffectofalcoholistoparalyzetheminutecapillaryvesselsthroughoutthebodyandfillthemwithblood,whichproducesrednessuponthesurfaceandasensationofwarmth.Theseparationofwasteandworn-outmaterialsandtheirremovalislargelyeffectedthroughtheseminuteblood-vessels,anditisthroughthemthatnourishmentreachesallthestructuresofthebody;consequently,thealmostconstantstateofcongestionoftheseminutevessels,whichresultsfromregular,moderatedrinking,interferesveryseriouslywiththischange


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congestedfaceofthesteadydrinker,orhis"rumblossoms,"andrememberthatthecapillaryvesselsofhisbrainandotherinternalorgansareinasimilarstate,andthensayifyouthinkhehasbeenstrengthenedbyalcoholicdrinks.

Irememberverywellwhenayoungman,whenaneighboringfarmerwassickandunabletogatherhishay,thattheyoungmenintheneighborhoodsetadaywhentheywouldmeetandgatherhishayforhim.When,onthedayset,wemetinthefield,andtheneighboringyoungmennoticedthatmybrotherandmyselfhadnobottleofciderbrandywithus,theyexclaimedwithdelight,"Wewilllayyououtbeforenoon."Aspiritedcontestwithourscythescommencedingoodearnest.Buttheydidnotlayusout;theyweregladtoseekandlieintheshadeoftreestorest,whilewewereabletocontinueourwork.Itiswellknownthatmenwhoarepreparingthemselvesfor,orengagingin,featsrequiringgreatstrengthandendurancearebeginningtofindthattheymustletintoxicatingdrinksalone.Itissomethingmarveloustoseewithwhattenacitysomanyphysiciansholdontotheideathatfermentedwine,beer,brandy,andwhiskeyarestrengthening.Thisideacomes,toagreatextent,fromthecustomwhichprevailsofgivingsuchdrinkstopatientswhoarerecoveringfromfevers,acutediseases,andfromtheeffectsofotherdebilitatingcauses.Manyphysicianshavebeensoaccustomedtogivethesedrinkstopatients,undersuchcircumstances,thattheyhavenottheslightestideahowmuchbettertheywoulddowithoutthem.

AfewyearsagoImetaGermanwomanwhosehusbandIknewwell,andhadreasontofearthatbeerdrinkingwasdoinghimgreatharm.Isaidtoherthat,onherhusband'saccount,sheshouldneverletanotherdropofbeerenterherhouseifshecouldhelpit."Why,"sheexclaimed,"Icannotdowithoutbeer.Isuffersomuchduringandafterconfinement,andamsoweak,andhavesolittlemilkformychild,thatmydoctorsaysthatImusthavebeertogivemestrength."Shewasthenexpectingtobeconfinedwithinafewmonths.Irepliedtoherbysaying:"Ihaveattendedagreatmanymorepatientsduringconfinementthanyourphysicianhaseverattended,andafterthefirstthreeyearsofmypractice,Inevergavetoasinglepatientbeer,fermentedwine,whiskey,orbrandy,oranyotherintoxicatingdrink.Now,ifyouwillfollowmyadvice,youwillhaveavery

differenttimefromwhatyouhaveeverhadbefore;andmyadviceisthatfromthistimeforthyoudonottasteasingledropofbeer,wine,oranyotherintoxicatingdrink."Shesaidshewouldfollowmysuggestions.Imetheragainwhenherchildwasafewmonthsold,andshelookedlikeanotherwoman.Shecameuptomeandsaid:"Well,Doctor,Ihavefollowedyouradvicestrictly.Ihavenottastedbeer,wine,oranyotherintoxicatingdrink,andIneverbeforehadsuchacomfortabletimeduringmyconfinement.Ineverwassostrongorgainedmystrengthsorapidly.Ineverhadsomuchnurseformychild,andIneverhadsuchagood-naturedbabybefore."Shewasthemotherofseveralchildren.

Sucharetheresultsofthetwomethodsoftreatment.

Thereisnosurerwaytoretardandoftenpreventrecoverythantogivepatientsdrinksorevenremedieswhichcontainanappreciablequantityofalcohol.Wherethetendencytorecoveryisstrongtheywillrecoversoonerorlaterinspiteofthetreatment;butinsomecasesthephysicianmaykeepadelicate,nervouspatientsickaslongashegivesalcoholinanyform;andinthemostcriticalstageoftyphoidfever,pneumonia,andotherdiseaseswherethepatientneedsnourishment,andthatimpuritiesshouldberemoved,thereisnomoredangeroustreatmentthantogivealcoholinanyform,whichinterfereswiththeseprocessesbyparalyzingandcongestingthecapillaryvessels.Hotwaterandnourishment,cautiouslysupplied,are


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whatsuchpatientsrequire,notalcoholicstimulants.

Thehabitoftakingeitheropiumormorphineinourcountryhasverygenerallyresultedfromtheprescriptionsofphysicians.Thepatientmayobtainpalliativerelieffromitsuse,butsufferswhenheattemptstoleaveitoff;consequently,withoutfullyrealizingthedangerwhichheincurs,hecontinuestheremedyuntilheisenslaved.

Withtheexceptionofalcohol,Iknowofnomoredangerousmedicinetogiveduringthecriticalstagesofinflammatory,febrile,andotherdiseasesthanAllopathicdosesofopiuminanyform.Thisanodyne,byitsretarding,benumbing,andstupefyingeffectsuponthebody,oftendestroysthepowerofreactionatthecriticalstageofthediseasewhenthevitalforcesshouldbeleftfreetoact,andconsequentlyinmanycasespatientsdiewhowouldnotdieiftheywerenotundertheinfluenceofthisdrug.Patientswilloftengoveryneartotheborderlineandyetrallyifkeptfreefromtheso-called"stimulants"andnarcotics,andsimple,plainnourishmentiscautiouslygivenandthebodykeptwarm.

Physiciansaresometimesresponsibleforthehabitofusingtobaccoamongtheirpatrons.Itisgenerallyinchroniccasesofdiseasewheretobaccoisprescribed,and,asarule,whenitisonceprescribedbyaphysicianthepatientneverthinksofgivinguptheuseoftheremedy;nor,sofarasIhaveknown,arephysicianswhoprescribetobaccooften,ifever,carefulto

directpatientstodiscontinueusingtheremedyassoonasthesymptomsofthediseasefromwhichtheyaresufferingarerelieved.Ofcourse,aphysicianwhoneglectstodothisseriouslyneglectshisduty.Itissafetosaythatfewphysicianseverprescribethesmokingorchewingoftobaccoasaremedyfordiseaseswhodonotusetheweedthemselves,fortheycangenerallyfindmuchbetterandsaferremedies.

Ifaphysicianlovesintoxicatingdrinksandhasbecomeaslavetothem,heactuallyfeelsthattheydohimgoodeverytimehedrinks,forbyrelievingthesymptomstemporarilywhichtheyhavecausedtheyactuallymakehimfeelbetter;andwhatismorenaturalthanthatheshouldprescribethemforhispatients?Here,then,itcanbeclearlyseenthatthereisgreatdangerinemployingphysicianswholoveintoxicatingdrinks,tobacco,oropiuminany

form;fortheybelieveintheefficacyofthesepoisons,andtheywilloftenprescribethemwhenaphysiciannotaddictedtotheirusewouldnotthinkofdoingso.

IhavealludedtosomeofthedangerswhichattendandtheevilswhichoftenresultfromtheAllopathictreatmentofdiseases.Everyonecanseethattheyareformidableenoughandthattheymerittheseriousattentionofeveryloverofhisrace.Theskillfulhomoeopathicphysicianisabletoavoidthesedangersandevils,forhedoesnotusedisease-creatingorappetite-begettingdosesofanyremedy.

Wenoticethatthosehavingthemanagementofourrailroadsarebeginningtoseethat,fortheprotectionofthepropertyoftheownersandlivesof

theirpatrons,itisnotsafetoemploymenwhodrinkintoxicatingdrinksatall;foritiswellknownthatlargenumbersofthosewhodrinkaresoonerorlatersuretobecomeunreliableandcareless.Isitnottimethatphysiciansshouldceasetoacceptasstudents,andthatourmedicalcollegesshouldceasetograduateandsendforthasphysicians,menwhodrinkintoxicatingdrinks?Shouldnotmedicalprofessorsandteachershaveasmuchregardforthehealthandlivesofmen,women,andchildrenasthemanagersofourrailroads?

Again,itiswellknownthattheuseoftobaccotendstoprevent


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development,impairhealth,andtomakemenmoody,ifnotcareless,anditnotunfrequentlyleadsthem,especiallywhenyoung,todisregardtherightsandfeelingsofothers.Weseemenandboyssmokingwhereveritisnotstrictlyprohibited,evenlightingtheircigarsandcigarettesastheyleaveourelevatedrailroadstations,andwalkingdownthestairsbeforeladiesandgentlemen,thuscompellingthosewhofollowtobreathetheatmospherewhichtheyhavepolluted.Asafairillustrationofthespiritsofrequentlymanifested,Iwilldescribealittleincidentwhichoccurredinmypresence.Ayoungman,perhapstwentyyearsold,stoodinalineofmenapproachingthepayingteller'swindowinoneofourbanks,vigorouslysmokinghiscigar.Anelderlygentlemanbehindhimaskedhimifhewouldbesokindasnottosmoke.Theyoungmanimmediatelystraightenedhimselfupinamostself-importantmannerandexclaimed:"WhatdoyouthinkIcareifitisoffensivetoyou?"

Inourrailroadcarssmokershavetoseparatethemselvesfromwives,children,andfriendsandgobythemselvesintoasmoking-carorapartment,andwhy?simplybecausetobaccosmokeisunpleasanttoeveryman,woman,andchildwhoisnotaccustomedtoit;andthesmoker'sbreathoftensmellssostrongofthesmokewhenhiscigarisgonethatitisexceedinglyunpleasanttosensitivepersons.Whyshouldourmedicalcollegesgraduateyoungmentogoforthforthepurposeofattemptingtohealsick,sensitive,andnervouspatients,whosmokeorchewtobacco,andthusareunpleasanttomanyandabadexampletoall?Havewenotenoughcleanly

youngmen,ofgoodhabits,tosupplyallthephysiciansweneedinourcountry?Asmokingphysician,byhisbreathandbadexampletotheyoung,maydoavastdealmoreharmthanhecaneverdogoodasaphysicianintheworld.

Theuseofanintoxicatingwineasacommunionwineinsomanyofourchurches,andtheeffortsofsomanyclergymentojustifyitsuse,togetherwiththeprescriptionofintoxicatingdrinksbyphysicians,arethechiefsupportswhichto-daysustainourdistilleries,breweries,andsaloons,andtheprevalentdrinkinghabitsandconsequentdrunkenness.Letallofourclergy,churches,andphysicianswithdrawtheirpatronageandsanctionofintoxicatingdrinks,anditwouldnotbemanyyearsbeforethemanufactureandsaleofsuchdrinkswouldbeprohibitedthroughoutthelengthand

breadthofourland.Thatdaywillsurelycome,foranewageisopeningupbeforeusverydifferentfromthepast.TheLordiscomingatthisdayinthe"cloudsofheaven"withpowerandgreatglory.Oldthingsarepassingawayandallthingsarebeingmadenew--newheavensandanewearth.

SirAstleyCoopersays:"Ineversufferardentspiritsinmyhouse,thinkingthemevilspirits.Ifthepoorcouldwitnessthewhitelivers,thedropsies,ortheshatterednervoussystemswhichIhaveseen,theconsequencesofdrinking,theywouldbeawarethatspiritsandpoisonsaresynonymousterms."

Againhesays:"Wehaveallbeeninerrorinrecommendingwineasatonic.Ardentspiritsandpoisonsareconvertibleterms."

Dr.Benj.Richardsondeclaresittobehisopinionthattheadministrationofalcoholwillbecome,likeblood-letting,athingofthepast,thatitispassingintothesamepositionasblood-letting.He,asastudent,waseducatedtobleed;hewaseducatedintheemploymentofalcohol;hesawtheeffectsoftheapplicationofthesetestedbycomparison,andhehas,inoneinstanceasmuchasintheother,cometoconsiderthemasbehindtheage,andbothasremediesbelongingtoadepartedanddeceivedgeneration.--TheDawn(English),Nov.19,1891.


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Icannotclosethischapterwithoutagainearnestlycallingtheattentionofallphysicianstothegreatdangertolifewhichresultsfromgivingalcoholinanyformtopatientsinverycriticalcases,orastheyareatorapproachingthecrisisintheirdisease,infeversandininflammatorydiseases,suchaspneumonia,etc.

Sincewritingtheprecedingpages,infact,sincemostofthemwereintype,myattentionhasbeencalledbynoticesinourpaperstothefactthatchampagnewasgiventoastarvingman,andthatafewdropsofbrandyweremixedwiththemilkgiventoachildinasimilarcondition,orsufferingfrommarasmus;andwithinaweekaphysicianwhohastraveledextensivelyandlecturedbeforemedical,theological,andliteraryorganizations,andwhohasfrequentlybeeninconsultationincriticalcases,describedinmyhearingseveralcasesofpneumoniawhichhevisited,whichwere,asheexpressedit,drunk.Whenaskedbytheattendingphysicianwhathewouldsuggest,healwaysreplied,"Stopgivingyourpatientsalcoholicliquids;"andwithasingleexception,outofalargenumber,andthatwasacomplicatedcase,recoveryfollowed.WhilepracticinginDetroitIwascalledtoseeaprominentcitizenwhowassufferingfromtyphoidfever.Hisphysicianshadtoldhisfamilythathewoulddie,butthatthe"stimulants"theyweregivinghimmightkeephimaliveafewhours.Ifoundhimdelirious,withcold,clammyextremitiesandalmostpulseless.Istoppedhis"stimulants"atonceandgavehimHomoeopathicremediesandnourishment,andthenextdayhewasoutof

danger.Nomoredangeroustreatmenthaseverbeenadoptedthantogiveapatientinacriticalstageofdiseasealcoholinanyformorquantity.Everyintelligentphysicianoughttobeabletoseethatthisistrue.Irepeat,alcoholparalyzestheminutecapillaryvesselsandveins(lookatthefaceofthedrinker)onthesurfaceofthebody,inthebrain(lookatadrinker'swordsandactions),stomach,lungs,andkidneys,andcongeststhemwithblood,throughwhichthestructuresarenourishedwithfoodanddrinkandpurifiedbytheremovalofdecomposedandeffetesubstances.Cannoteveryoneseethatthesevessels,whenthusparalyzedandcongested,cannotperformtheirdutyaswellastheycaninanaturalstate?Then,again,thetemperatureofthebodyisloweredinternallyanditsheatwastedfromthesurface.Whatpatientsinthecriticalstagesofdiseaserequirearewarmthapplied,ifneeded,tothesurfaceofthebodyand

limbs,andhotwater(notscaldinghot,ofcourse),milk,unfermentedwine,andothersimple,easilydigestedarticleswhichwillnourishandstrengthenthebodytakeninternally.

Itispossiblethatinsudden,severecasesofhemorrhage,alcoholmaysometimesrescueapatientfromfaintingandbleedingtodeath,bystoringthebloodinthecapillaryvesselsofthebrainandsurfaceofthebodytemporarilywhilethebleedingvesselscontract;buteveninsuchcasesotherremedies,ifathand,mayprovemorereliable.

Incasesofmarasmusinchildren,ifHomoeopathicremediesandnourishingarticlesfailtogiverelief,andthechildbecomesgreatlyemaciated,givethechildcautiouslysaltfatpork,fried,butnottoacrisp;givehima

pieceinhishand,toolargeforhimtoswallow,andseewithwhatavidityhewillchewandsuckit.Thefatincombinationwiththesaltwillsupplyawantinthechild'ssystem,andpatientswilloftenberestoredbythissimpletreatmentafterothermeasureshavefailed.

Evenifalcoholwereastimulant,assomeclaim,wecancertainlyseethattogiveittoapatientinastateofgreatexhaustion,eitherfromlackofnourishmentorfromaninabilitytotakenourishmentowingtodiseasedaction,istomostseriouslyendangerthelifeofthepatientandoftentodestroylife;foralcoholgivesnonourishment,andallunnatural


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excitementisnecessarilyfollowedbycorrespondingdepression,whichoftencarriespatientsincriticalcasesbelowthelivingpoint,anddeathfollows.

Iwillclosewiththefollowingfromthe_HealthMonthly_:--"ThetheorythatwhiskeyisnecessaryinthetreatmentofpneumoniahasreceivedablowfromDr.Bull,ofNewYork,whodiscoversthatintheNewYorkhospitalssixty-fivepercent.ofthepneumoniapatientsdiewithalcoholictreatment,whileinLondon,attheObjectLessonTemperanceHospital,onlyfivepercent.die.--_Ex._"

CHAPTERIV.

PERSONALRELIGIOUSEXPERIENCEOFAPHYSICIAN;ANDANAPPEALINBEHALFOFANEWDISPENSATION.

WeknowthatinvariousagesoftheworldtheLordhasrevealedaknowledgeofHimselftoman.IntheTenCommandmentswehavethelawsofspirituallife,inaccordancewithwhichwemustliveifwewouldenjoyspiritualhealth,preciselyaswemustliveinaccordancewiththelawsofnatural

lifeandhealth,ifwewouldenjoynaturalhealth.

Wearedependentuponrevelationforaknowledgeofthelawsofspiritualhealth,andofthecausesandmethodsforthecureofspiritualdiseases;buttheLordgivesus,ifwewillkeepHissayings,theability,bycarefulscientificstudyandinvestigation,toobtainaknowledgeofthephysicallawsofhealth,andthecausesandmethodsofcuringphysicaldiseases.Anditiswonderfulhowthenaturalinallrespectssymbolizesorcorrespondstothespiritual.

TotheJewishChurchtheLordrevealedsomuchknowledgeofHimself,andhowtheyshouldliveiftheywouldbeprosperousandhappyhereandhereafter,asthatChurchwaspreparedtoreceive;andHealsopromisedto

manifestHimselfinperson.AllChristiansbelievethatHefulfilledHispromisewhenJesusChristappearedonearth;butHedidnotcomeinthemannerwhichtheJewsatthetimeofHisadventexpected.Hecame,notasatemporalrulerorprince;consequentlytheytookHimforanimpostorandcrucifiedHim.ToHisfollowersanddisciplesHepromisedtocomeagaininthecloudsofheaven;butthecloudsofheavenmaynotbethecloudsofthematerialearth,anymorethanthespiritualkingdomwhichHecametoestablishwasanaturalkingdom;anditispossiblethatHissecondcomingmaynotbeinthemanneranticipatedbytheChristianChurchatthetimeofHissecondcoming.HeintimatedasmuchwhenHeinquiredifHeshouldfindfaithonearth.ShouldChristians,then,notwatchandpray,andheedthesignsofthetimes,lesttheyfollowtheexampleoftheJews,andrejectHimatHissecondcoming?Shouldnotclergymen,aswellasphysicians,be

ledinfreedomaccordingtoreason,andnotblindlybyprominentreligiousprofessors,clergymenandwriters,andcreedsformulatedinanageofcomparativedarkness?ShouldthetraditionsandcreedsofmenbeallowedtomakeofnoneeffecttheWordofGod?Dowenotseeallaroundussignsofamostwonderfulchangegoingonintheworld?ArethesechangeswhichwebeholdfromtheLord,orfromman?

IwasrearedintheBaptistChurch.Myfatherwasadeacon,andlaboredfaithfullytobringhischildrenintotheChurch.IwastaughtthatImustbeconverted,orgetreligion,beforebeingbaptizedorjoiningtheChurch.


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WhatwasmeantbybeingconvertedIneverfullycomprehended,butIinferredfromtheinstructionIreceivedthatitmeantaradicalchangeinone'sfeelings,theresultoffaithintheLord's"atoningblood;"andthatwhenthischangewaseffected,IshouldbeabletotellanexperiencesimilartowhatIhadheardotherstellbeforejoiningtheChurch,whichsometimesseemedquitemarvelous.Iattended"protractedmeetings"and"revivalmeetings."And,oneevening,IrememberhopingandalmostfeelingthatIfeltalittlechange,andIeventhoughtofannouncingmyfeelingsinthemeeting;butcautionprevailed,andIconcludedtowaituntilthenextdayandseeiftherereallywasanychangeinmyfeelings.Whenthenextdaycame,Icouldseenochange,andconsequentlyImadenoannouncement.Thus,Igrewupandcontinued,untilIwasoverthirtyyearsofage,outsideoftheorganizedChurch.Ialwaysrespectedreligion,theBible,andreligiousteachers,butInevergotconverted.

Ihadmanythingsduringchildhoodandearlyyouthtobethankfulfor.Myfatherandgrandfatherbeforehimwereaccustomedtogatherthefamily,nightandmorning,andread,orhavesomememberofthefamilyread,achapterintheBible,andthenprayerwasoffered.Now,whenthisisdoneregularly,andespeciallyiftheBibleisread,incourse,withhereandthereafewkindlyremarksbythefatherormother,noonecantellthegoodimpressionwhichismadeonthechildren;theylearntoreverencetheBible,and,whatisofexceedinggreatmoment,theyhearitreadthroughandthroughseveraltimesbeforetheyreachmanhood,andtheybecome

comparativelyfamiliarwiththegoodandlivingpreceptsthereincontained.TheSabbath-school,onceaweekforanhourortwo,isallverywell;but,inmyestimation,itisverylittle,comparedwithdailyfamilyworshipandacknowledgingtheLord,andaskingablessing.O,thatallChristianmenandwomencouldbearousedtotheimportanceofsuchreligiousobservances?

Someyearsago,IwentwithmywifeandafriendforasummeroutingtotheCatskillMountains,andspentafewdaysattheMountainHouse.Therewerealargenumberofgueststhere,ofthevariousreligiousdenominations.Thosereligiouslyinclinedhadestablishedthecustomofmeetingeverymorningaroundatable,inalargeroom,whenachapterfromtheBiblewasread,followedbysingingandprayer.Therehavebeenfew,ifany,incidentsofmywholelifethatIhavemorefrequentlythoughtof,orwith

greaterpleasureanddelight,thanofthoselarge,non-sectarian,and,asitwere,familygatheringsandsimpleservices.

Mymotherdied,asstatedinthefirstpartofthiswork,whenIwastenyearsold.Afterremainingawidowerforthreeyears,duringwhichperiodmygrandparents,wholivedwithus,diedandmyonlysisterwasmarried,myfathermarriedawidow,themotherofseveralchildren,agoodChristianwomanandamemberoftheBaptistChurch.

IhavealwaysbeenthankfulthatIhadastep-mother.Noownmothercouldhavebeenmorekind,orhaveexercisedastrongerinfluenceforgoodoverasonthanshestrovetoexerciseoverme.SheenteredourhomewhenIwasthirteenyearsofage,whenIneededamother'sinfluenceandcareperhaps

asmuchasatanyperiodofmylifeafterIhadceasedtodrawmynourishmentfrommymother'sbreasts.TearscomeintomyeyesasIrecallthepleasant,useful,andhappyeveningsandSundayafternoonswhichIspentwithher,whenwehappenedtobealoneinthehouse,readingandconversingabouttheinterestingstoriesintheBibleandotherreligiousbooksandpapersthatshethoughtwouldinterestme.Shemayhavehadfaults,yetIwasabouttosayIdonotrememberone;but,unfortunately,shehadone--shewasasmokeroftobacco.Yearsbeforeshehadbeentroubledwith"waterbrash,"andaphysicianwho,withoutmuchquestion,washimselfasmoker,advisedhertosmoke;soshecommencedsmoking.He


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didnottellhertostopsmokingassoonasshefeltrelief,asanyintelligentphysicianshouldhavedone,ifhewassounwiseastomakesuchaprescription;butitisaquestionwhethersheeverexperiencedanypermanentrelief;forshewasabright,intelligentwoman,andwouldhavebeenlikelytostopsmokingofherownaccordifshehadbeencured.Inmyestimationthephysicianwhomadetheprescriptionwasmuchmoretobeblamedthanshewasforthehabitwhichfollowed.Butseventyyearsagoverylittlewasknownastothefearfulslaveryanddiseasesandmortalitywhichresultfromtheuseoftobacco,comparedwithwhatisknownto-day.Thesinofignorancecannotbepleadedinextenuationofsuchhabitsto-day,asitcouldthen.

Astointoxicatingdrinks,Irememberhearingmygrandfather,whenhewasovereightyyearsold,aftertakingadrinkofcider-brandy,exclaim:"AgoodgiftofGod,iftakenwithfaithandprayer."

Fortunately,orprovidentially,Iwouldsay,thetemperancereformationcommencedsoonafter,andmyfatherandotherprominentmembersandtheclergymenoftheBaptistandCongregationalchurchesinourtowntookanactivepartinthenewmovement.Myfathersignedthepledgenottodrinkintoxicatingdrinks,andIfollowedhisexample;andIthanktheLordthatIdidso,foritgavemethestrengthandcouragetosay,"No,Ithankyou,Ineverdrink,"wheninvitedandtemptedtodrinkintoxicatingdrinks.Nointoxicatingdrinkshavebeenpubliclysoldinthattown(Ashfield,Mass.)

formanyyears.DuringarecentvisitthereIfoundthat,withinthepastthreeyears,therehavebeen61deathsinthetown,ofwhom15onlywereunder50yearsofage,whereas20wereover80years,ofwhom4wereover90yearsofage.Whatdoyouthinkofthat,Christianbrother?

IrememberverywellthefirstideasIhadofGodwhenaboy,whichIderivedfromthepreachingandprayingofministers.ItwasthatGodandourLordJesusChristweretwodistinctBeings.Wehadforatimeavenerablegray-headedoldmanwhopreachedoneSabbath,andayoungmanwhopreachedthenext.IthoughttheoldmanrepresentedGodtheFatherandtheyoungmanrepresentedJesusChrist.

WhenIarrivedatmanhoodandcameincontactwithmenofdifferent

religiousviews,andreadsomeoftheirwritings,thedoctrineoftheTrinitybecamemoreandmoreamysterytome.AtonetimeIwasslightlyinclinedtoUnitarianism,butIcouldnotreconciletheirdoctrineswiththeBible.YettheTrinitariansseemedtoteachdistinctlythatthereareeithertwoGods,possessingdifferentattributes,orthatJesusChristwasnotGod.Itdoesnotmakeanydifferencewhatwesaywithourlips;thequestionis,Whatdowe"thinkinourhearts"?WhenIheardabishopofoneoftheprevailingdenominationsstandupinhispulpit,asIhave,andrepresentJesusChristasstandingwithonehanduponthethroneofJehovah,andtheotherhandrestinguponthesinner'shead,pleadingwiththeFathertoforgivehimforhis(Christ's)sake,wastherenotinthemindofthatbishopadistinctideaoftwoBeings,possessingdifferentfeelingsandpassions?Now,werebothofthemGods,orwasoneofthemnot

God?AndwhenIheardprayerssofrequentlyterminatedbythephrase,"ForgiveusforChrist'ssake,"thequestionnaturallyarose,towhomweresuchprayersaddressed?Ifthereareanyintelligentrationalideasconnectedwiththephraseinthemindoftheoneusingit,hasnothisprayerunquestionablybeenaddressedtosomeGodoutsideoftheLordJesusChrist?WhoisthatGod?CanChristianmensafelyrejecttheexpressteachingofourLordHimselfwhenonearth,whenHedeclared:"IandmyFatherareOne;""Whosehathseenme,hathseentheFather"?andtheapostle'steaching,that"GodwasinChrist,reconcilingtheworlduntoHimself"?IsthereanyotherwaytotheFatheratthisdayexceptthrough


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thepersonoftheLordJesusChrist--Godmanifestintheflesh?IsHenotthe"AlphaandOmega,thebeginningandtheend,thefirstandthelast"?Why,then,praytoanunknownGod?IntheOldTestament,wearetoldthat"I,Jehovah,amyourSavior,andbesidemethereisnoSavior,"andintheNewTestamentwearetoldthatinJesusChristdweltallthefullnessoftheGodheadbodily.Heis"Immanuel--Godwithus."Letus,then,worshipHim--OneGodinOneDivinePerson.

Thedoctrineofelectionandpredestinationearlytroubledme.IcouldnotreconcileitwiththelovingkindnesswhichtheSacredScripturesproclaimascharacteristicofourHeavenlyFather.

Thedoctrineofjustificationbyfaithalone,"withoutthedeedsofthelaw,"astheoldhymnread,wasnotadoctrinewhichappealedtomyreason,butitwasaveryconsolingdoctrine.Everyyoungmanwhohasbeencarefullyrearedbyreligiousparents,andundertheinfluencesofachurch,expectstobeconvertedandgetreligionsometimebeforehedies,andtojoinachurch.Butifheenjoysgoodhealthandtheprospectoflivingformanyyears,especiallyifheistaughtthat,bymerelybelievingorhavingfaithatanytimeinthe"atoningbloodofChrist,"hecanescapetheconsequencesofhisevildeeds,thereisgreatdangerofprocrastination.

Aclergymanoncesaidtome:"Ifamanrepentsandgetsconvertedonehour

beforehisdeath,theworsehehasbeenorlived,thehappierhewillbe."ItseemstomebettertobeguidedbytheWordoftheLord,andtobelievethattheevildoershallnotgounpunished.TheLordcameintotheworldtosavemenfromsinandfromthepenaltyonlysofarastheyco-operatewithHim.Sinisthecause,thepenaltyistheeffect;andeffectfollowscauseasanormalandnecessaryconsequence.

Theyoung,aswellastheold,shouldbetaughtthegreattruth,thateverythoughtweharbor,andeverywordwespeak,andeveryactwedo,aidinbuildingupourspiritualorganism,andwilltellonoureternaldestiny,justasthenaturalfoodanddrinkweuse,andtheexercisewetake,willtellonthefuturehealthofourmaterialbodies,forgoodorevil;andthereisnoavoidingit.Ifamanorwoman,youngorold,wouldberightin

thefuture,hemustdorightinthepresent.Nooneshouldforgetthat,evenifwereachheaven,themansionwhichwewilloccupytherewilldependonourliveshere--everyonewillunitewiththoselikeHimself.Noonecantelltheimmenseharmwhichhasbeendonetoourrace,byteachingthateitherbyfaithalone,orthroughtheinfluenceoreffortsoftheclergy,mencanbesavedfromthepenaltiesorconsequenceswhicharesuretofollowanevillife.The"willingandobedient"shalleatthegoodoftheland.OurblessedLordtellsus:"Ifyekeepmycommandments,yeshallabideinmylove"(Johnxv:10).Thusbeautiful,symmetrical,spiritualorganismsarebuiltup,notby"sowingwildoats"duringyouth,anddisobeyingthedivinecommandmentsduringthesubsequentperiodoflife.Itiswellforall,youngorold,toremembertheWord:"Benotdeceived;Godisnotmocked:forwhatsoeveramansoweth,thatshallhealsoreap."(Gal.

vi:7.)Atthisdayweneedpracticaldoctrines,whichshallunitereligionandlife,orfaithandcharity,andsuchalonewillcommandtherespectofnon-churchgoers.

WhileayoungmanmyattentionwasearlycalledtothedoctrinesoftheUniversalists,buttheirdoctrinesdidnotseemtometoaccordwiththeSacredScriptures;nordidIthinkthatallmencouldbeequallyhappyhereafter,whenthereissuchavastdifferenceintheirconductandliveshere.Genuinehappinessistheresultofrightwillinganddoing;inotherwords,ofkeepingthecommandments.IhavenodoubtbuttheLorddesires


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thatallmenshouldthusliveandbehappy;butweknowthatallmenarenotwilling.Havingcreatedthemfreeagents,GoddoesnotcompelthemheretolovetheLordandtheirneighbor,whichlovesmanifestlyconstituteheaven;whatreason,then,havewetothinkHewillcompelthemtodoithereafter?Ifamandeliberatelyleadsanevillifehere,growingeverstrongerandmoreconfirmedinthatlife,untilhehasmadeevilhisgoodandrejoicesinit,whatreasonhavewetosupposeorassumethathewillchangewhenheentersthenextlife?IamwillingtoleavehiminthehandsoftheLord--hehaspassedfrommysight.Iwellremembertheremarksofmygrandmotherwhenshewaseighty-sixyearsofage,afewdaysafterthedeathofherhusband,mygrandfather.Shesaid:"Idonotfeartodie,forIfeelthatGodwilldomenoinjustice."Withinafewdaysshedepartedinpeace.

TheMilleriteexcitementcommencedwhenIwasayoungman.WhenIwasabouttwentyyearsoldIwastravelingincentralMassachusetts.OnenighttherewasameetingofMilleritesintheneighborhoodwhereIwasstopping,andIattendedthemeeting.Thespeakerwasveryzealousandearnestinhisremarks.Therewasacometwithquitealongtailthenvisible,andheseemedtothinkthatthatcomet,withitstail,mightsweepacrossthetrackofourearthandworkitsdestruction,whichheanticipated.Irememberverywellmyreflectionsonleavingthatmeeting.AfewdaysbeforeIhadstooduponthesideofahillnearthetrack,andhadseenforthefirsttimearailroadtrainonitswayfromBostontoWorcester.Isaid

tomyself:"Nowwehaverailroads,steamboats,frictionmatches,temperancesocieties,Sunday-schools,theBibletranslatedintovariouslanguages,whichbutafewyearsagowereunknown.Thisgreatcontinent,frombeingawilderness,inhabitedbyacomparativelyfewwildIndians,hasbeendiscoveredandisbeingdevelopedandcultivatedbycivilizedandChristianpeople,andgraduallybeingmadecapableofcontainingandsustaininghundredsofmillionsofinhabitants."Withallthesefactsbeforeme,Isaidtomyself,"Itlooksagreatdealmoreasthoughtheworldisjustbeginningtolive;infact,thataneweraisdawning,thanitdoesthattheworldisgoingtobedestroyed."FromthatnighttheMilleritedoctrinenevertroubledmeanymore,forIfeltthatIbeheld,inallthewonderfulinventionsbeingmadeandchangesgoingonintheworld,thedawninglightofabetterdayfortheinhabitantsofourearth.

CHAPTERV.

THEDAWNOFANEWDISPENSATION.

Webeholdthedawnofanewdaybeforeweseethesun,fromwhencethelightproceeds.

TheyoungintheBaptistChurch,nothavingbeenbaptizedininfancy,are

broughtuptofeelthattheyareoutoftheChurch,andthattheyhavetobeconverted,or"togetreligion,"beforetheyjointheChurch,insteadofbeingbroughtuptofeelthat,havingbeenbaptized,theybelongtotheChurchandmustbelieveitsdoctrines,andlivethelifewhichtheyteach.ThusIremainedoutoftheChurchuntilIwasoverthirtyyearsofage.AfterIwastwenty-threeyearsoldIattendeddifferentchurches,aswasmostconvenient.ForatimeIattendedtheEpiscopalChurch,whilestudyingmedicine;andafterIgraduatedIattendedtheCongregationalChurchforseveralyearsmorefrequentlythananyother;butIhadnothoughtofjoiningthatChurch,forduringthosedaysIalwaysthoughtthatimmersion


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wastheonlytruemodeofbaptism.

WhilepracticingmedicineinDetroit,agentlemanwhosefamilyIwasattendingaskedmeifIwouldnotliketoreadaworkon"HeavenandHell,"writtenbyEmanuelSwedenborg,whoclaimed,hesaid,tohavehadopenintercoursewiththespiritualworld,andtohavewrittenofwhathehadseenandheardinthatworld.Hesaidthathehadreadit,andbelievedthattheviewsthereincontainedwererationalandtrue.IfIhadeverheardofthematall,atthattime,IhadneverheardthewritingsofSwendenborgspokenoffavorablybefore.Outofrespecttothegentleman,Itookthebookhomewithme,butdidnotfeelsufficientinterestinittoattempttoreaditthroughincourse,butreadhereandthereafewpages;and,afterkeepingitafewweeks,Ireturnedittotheowner,feelingfromwhatIhadreadnointerestinitscontents.NotlongafterthisaladywhomIwasattendingaskedmeifIwouldnotliketoreadProfessorGeorgeBush'sreasonsforacceptingastruetherevelationscontainedinthewritingsofEmanuelSwedenborg.Well,Ithoughttomyself,ifthegentlemanwholentme"HeavenandHell,"ifmypatienthere,whoisaveryintelligentwoman,andProfessorBush,whomIhadunderstoodwasaverylearnedman,believethatSwedenborg'swritingscontaintruthsgoodanduseful,itmaybewellformetoreadthepamphletthenbeforeme.SoItookthebookhomewithmeandcommencedreadingit.AboutthattimeRev.GeorgeFieldcommencedthedeliveryofacourseoflecturesonCreationandthefirstchaptersofGenesis,treatingthesubjectfromthestandpointof

Swedenborg'swritings.Iattendedhislectures,whichaddedverymuchtomyinterest,andIreadBush'sreasonswithcare.ThenIobtained"HeavenandHell,"andreaditcarefullythroughwiththegreatestinterest.WhenasmallboyIrememberverywelllisteningwithfearandtremblingtoadiscoursedeliveredbyaclergyman,on"Godisangrywiththewickedeveryday,"inwhichthespeakerdweltuponthefearfulsufferingswhichtheLordhadinreserveforthewickedinahelloffireandbrimstone,wheretheyweretobetorturedforeverandever.

WhenIcametoreadSwedenborg's"HeavenandHell,"Ifoundaverydifferentandmorerationaldoctrinetaught--thatheavenconsistsinlovingtheLordandtheneighbor,orinreligiousobediencetothedivinecommandments;andthathellconsistsinlovingone'sselfandtheworld

supremely,orsensualandselfishgratification,withoutregardtouse;thateitherheavenorhelliswithinus,accordingtothecharacterofourrulinglove;thattheLordcastsnooneintohell,butdoesallHecan,withoutinterferingwithman'sfreedom,topreventmenfromgoingtohell;iftheygothere,theygooftheirownfreechoice,amongtheirlike,whereselfishnessinsomeformrulestheheartsoftheinhabitants;theywouldnotandcouldnotbehappyamongthosewhoareruledbylovetotheLordandtheneighbor;orbyobediencetothedivinecommandments.Thespiritualworldisamorerealworldthanthis;therefore,inthatworldthemotives,thoughts,andintentionsofmencannotbehiddenasreadilyasinthisworld;consequently,thereisagreatgulfbetweenheavenandhell.Oneisoppositetotheother.WhenlovetotheLordandtotheneighborrulesintheheartsofalltheinhabitants,thereisnoneedofpenallawsor

punishments,foreachoneisalawuntohimself,andallarestrivingtodogoodtoeachotherandtoall;consequently,unity,peace,andharmonyprevail.

Howdifferentfromthisishell,whereselfishnessprevails;wheretheloveofdominionoverothers,ortheloveofvainshow,theloveofacquiringunfairlythatwhichbelongstoothers,theloveofrichesforthesakeofbeingrich,andofselfishandsensualgratificationwithoutregardtouse,rulesintheheartsofalltheinhabitants.Weknowthatsuchpervertedpassionsmakeahellhotenoughhere;and,asdeathdoesnotchangethe


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characterofaman'srulinglove,theywillmakeahellhotenoughhereafter.ButtheLord,inHismercywhichendurethforever,byHisangelsgovernsthehellsaswellastheheavens,anddoesnotpermitvindictivepunishments.Allpunishmentsareforthebenefitofevildoers,torestrainandpreventthemfromdoingeviltoothersandthemselves,andfromsinkingtogreaterdepthsofwickedness;wemay,therefore,safelyleavetheinhabitantsofthatworldinHiscare.

Nomanorwomancanread"HeavenandHell"attentively,carefully,andprayerfullywithoutgreatbenefit.Itisclearlyshownthat,toescapehell,anevilmanhasbuttorepent,tolooktotheLordandshunevilsassinsagainstHim,andthattheLordisnorespecterofpersons,butthatHegivestoeverymantheabilitytodothis,ifheiswilling.WhenweexamineourselvescarefullyinthelightoftheSacredScriptures,anddiscoveranevil,ifweshunthatevilasasinagainsttheLord,Hekeepsusintheefforttoshunallevils,andenablesusmoreclearlytoseeotherevilstowhichweareinclined.HereisanopendoorforapproachingtheLord,freetoall;thereisnomysteryaboutit.Ifanevilmanistobereformed,hemustrepentorfaceaboutandcommencealifeofshunningevilsassinsagainstGod;otherwise,therewillbenoradicalchange,butamiserableshufflingfromoneevilhabittoanother.Evenifamanshunsoneevilhabit,likethesmokingorchewingoftobacco,becauseitinjureshishealthandislikelytodestroyhislife,andnotbecauseitisasin,andwithouttheacknowledgmentthatitisasin,heisalmostsuretoseek

asasubstitutesomeformofintoxicatingdrinks--opium,strongcoffee,ortea.Wemakeagreatmistake,asChristians,ifwetrytosubstitutecoffee-ortea-housesforsaloons;notthattheeffectsofcoffeeandteaareasperniciousasintoxicants,buttheyareunnecessary,andoftendiseasesandgreatsufferingresultfromtheiruse.Weshouldstrivetoshowmenandwomen,inthelightofthisday,whatsubstancesareunmistakablyinjurioustohealthandendangerlife,andstrivetoleadthem,bypreceptandexample,toshuntheiruseassinsagainstGod.

Afterreading"HeavenandHell"Ireadthe"TrueChristianReligion,"whichisthelastworkthatSwedenborgpublished,containingtheessentialdoctrinesoftheNewChristianChurch,ortheNewJerusalemnowdescendingfromGodoutofHeaven,"makingallthingsnew."Inthisworkitisclearly

shownthatGodisoneinessenceandinperson,andthatintheLordJesusChristthatoneGodismanifestedtomen.Godislove."InthebeginningwastheWordandtheWordwas,withGodandtheWordwasGod."HerewehavetheFatherorDivineLove,theSonorDivineWisdom,andtheHolySpiritorDivineProceeding,flowingfromtheFatherbecauseHeisabeingofinfinitelove,wisdom,andpower,throughtheSon,atrinityinunity.TheDivineBeingisnomorethreepersonsthanamanisthreepersons,becauseheiscreatedintheimageofGodandhasaffectionorlove,anunderstanding,orthoughts,words,andactsthatflowfromhislovethroughhisunderstandingouttowardhisfellowmen.AllthedoctrinesoftheNewChristianityarebasedupontheSacredScripturesandappealtoourhighestreason;andwearetoreceivethembecauseweseethemtobetrueandinstrictharmonywiththeWordwhenthelatteriscorrectlyunderstood.

ButIhaveneithertimenorspacetodiscussthesedoctrineshere.Iwillsimplysay,thatwhenwecometoseeclearlythatthereisbutoneGodwhosenameisone,whowasmanifestedinthepersonoftheLordJesusChrist,andthatwhososeethHimseeththeFather,thenanumberoffalsedoctrineswhichproceedfromandcoherewiththedoctrineofatri-personalDeitywilldisappearlikemistsbeforetherisingsun;andweshallbepreparedtoseeandunderstandtherestofthebeautifulandrationaldoctrinestaughtin"TheTrueChristianReligion,"andthemysteryofBabylonandallman-madecreedswilldisappearbeforethisnewrevelation


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fromourLordJesusChrist.

Afterreadingthe"TrueChristianReligion"IreadtheworkonDivineProvidence,whichgivessuchaclearviewoftheLord'sprovidentialcareovermenthatitstrengthensandencouragestheearnestseekeraftertruthwonderfully.ItisabookwhichshouldbereadbyeveryChristianmanandwoman.

Next,"TheAngelicWisdomConcerningtheDivineLoveandWisdom"throwsafloodoflightontheoriginofthematerialuniverseandallcreatedthings.InthisworkweareclearlyshownthattheLordisLoveitself,becauseHeisLifeitself:and"thatangelsandmenarerecipientsoflife;"and"thatallcreatedthingsinacertainimagerepresentman,"and"thatLoveisthelifeofman."

ButSwedenborg's"ApocalypseRevealed"wasoneofthemostsatisfactoryworksIeverread.Itopeneduptomeanewworldofthought,ofexpectation,hopeandjoy.Thereadingofthisworkandthefirstvolumeofhis"ArcanaCelestia"satisfiedmethattheSacredScripturesaredivineoraspecialrevelationfromGodtoman,anddifferfromallmerelyhumanwritingsasmuchasalivingmandiffersfromastatue;fortheyarefilledwithaDivinespirit.TheLordsays:"Mywordsarespiritandlife."

TheSacredScripturesarewritteninaccordancewiththelawof

correspondencebetweenspiritualandnaturalthings.Thespiritualisthecause,thenaturalistheeffect;andeffectsmustcorrespondtotheircausesineveryparticular.TheLordisthesunofthespiritualworldandthecreatorofallthings:consequentlyournaturalsuncorrespondstothespiritualsun,ortheLord.FromtheLord,orthespiritualsun,loveandwisdomproceed,andgivelifetoman'sspiritualbody;fromthenaturalsunflownaturalheatandlightwhichenablethenaturalbodytolive;naturalheatandlightthereforecorrespondtospiritualheatandlight,ortoloveandtruth,whichareheatandlighttothespiritofman.Throughthenaturalcloudsandatmospherewhichsurroundtheearthwereceivenaturalheatandlightfromthenaturalsun,aswereceivespiritualheatandlightorloveandtruthfromtheLordthroughtheliteralsenseoftheSacredScriptures;ConsequentlythecloudsofheaveninwhichtheLordwastocome

aretheliteralsenseofhisholyWord,unfoldingitsspiritandlifeandmanifestingtheFatherclearlytoHischildren.Thesunwhichwastobedarkenedwasnotthenaturalbutthespiritualsun,ortheLordobscuredtoman'sspiritualperception.WhenmenintheircreedsseparatedtheLordintothreepersons,andframeddoctrinesinaccordancetherewith,which,intheirestimation,wouldenablethemtoreachheavenbybelievingcertaindogmas,insteadofbyalifeaccordingtotheDivineCommandments,thenwasthesunindeeddarkenedinthemindsofmen.ThenatruefaithorknowledgeoftheLordwasdestroyedandthemoonbecameasblood.AtruefaithreflectsthelightorwisdomoftheLorduponman,asthenaturalmoonreflectsthelightofthenaturalsun.Watercorrespondstotruthuponthenaturalplaneofthemind,foritcleansesthenaturalbodyastruthcleanseshisspirit;italsocirculatesthroughoutthenaturalbody,

conveyingnourishmenttoallthestructuresofthebodyastruthcirculatesthroughthespiritualbody,conveyingthatwhichisgoodandtruetostrengthenanddevelopthespiritualbody.Itisowingtothiscorrespondencethatwaterisusedintheordinanceofbaptism,foritperformsthesameofficeforthenaturalbodythattruthdoesforthespiritualbody;itcleansesandconveysnourishment;andthereforebaptismbywatersignifiesthatmanistoberegeneratedbyreceivingandlivingaccordingtothetruth.ItisalsotheChristiansign--asignthatonebaptizedisoftheChristianChurch,orprofessestheChristianreligion.


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The"FruitoftheVine,"orpureunfermentedorunleavenedwine,hasbeenorganizedbytheLordinthevegetablekingdom;itthereforenotonlycontainswater,butalsoorganizednourishmentforthestructuresofthebody,whichsupplyinamostremarkabledegreethewantsofthebody,likeamother'smilktoherinfantchild;itthereforemostbeautifullysymbolizesblood,andcorrespondstospiritualtruth,unitedwithgoodfromtheLord,whichnourishesandbuildsupthespiritofman,whenhedrinksorappropriatesit,orwhenhelivesasdivinetruthteaches,shunningevilsassinsagainstGod.ItisconsequentlyusedappropriatelyintheMostHolySupper.

Ithasbeenmyaimabovetosimplygivethereaderaglimpseofthismostwonderfulandbeautifulofallsciences,andreallythefoundationofallsciences-thescienceofcorrespondencebetweennaturalandspiritualthings.Hewhoreadscarefullyandwithoutprejudicethe"ApocalypseRevealed"andthe"ArcanaCelestia,"withadesiretoknowandliveaccordingtothetruth,cannotfailtoseethattheSacredScripturesareplenarilyinspired,andareaspecialrevelationfromGodtoman;andthat,differentfromallmerelyhumanwritings,theycontainwithintheletteraconnectedspiritualsense.Thatthescienceofcorrespondenceswasonceunderstoodbytheinhabitantsofourearth,istobeseenintherelicswhichremaininamoreorlesspervertedforminthehieroglyphicsofEgypt,theidolatryamongmanynations,andsun-worship,wherethespiritualsignificationhasoftenbeenlostandmenhavecometoworship

thenaturalobjectsinsteadofthespiritual,whichtheyrepresent.Themythologicalwritingsofmanynations,andevenMasonry,containremainsofthisoncewellknownscience.ThefirstchaptersofGenesisandtheentireWordarewritteninstrictaccordancewiththisscience.ThefirstchaptersofGenesis,liketheParablesofourLord,werenotintendedtobeunderstoodliterally;theverynamesthereinshowthisclearly.Atreeoflife,atreeofknowledgeofgoodandevil,atalkingserpent,howcananymanforamomentsupposethesetobenaturaltreesandanaturalsnake?Doserpentsevertalk?thegardeneastwardinEden,andanArkwhichwouldnotholdthehidesandteethofalltheanimalsonearth--werethesetobeunderstoodliterally?

CHAPTERVI.

ANEWDAYTOOUREARTH.

"'BeholdHecomethwithclouds,'signifiesthattheLordwillrevealHimselfintheliteralsenseoftheWord,andwillopenitsspiritualsenseattheendofthechurch."--_A.R.23._

Achurch,wearetaught,comestoitsendwhenthetruedoctrinesoftheWordarefalsifiedbyitsmembers,tojustifyevilsoflife;orwhenthe

membersofachurchwhoareintheloveofrulingoverothersincivilandecclesiasticalaffairs,fortheirownaggrandizement,orforvainshow,orwholovemoneyorsensualgratificationwithoutregardtouse,strivetojustifythegratificationoftheirpervertedlovesandappetitesbyanappealtotheSacredScriptures,andthusframecreedsanddoctrineswhichexaltfaithandceremonialsabovealifeofcharity,andwhenmencometoliveinaccordancewithsuchfalsedoctrinesthechurchcomestoitsend.Atthesametime,thereremainsomewhoarestillinthegoodoflife,orstrivingtolivegoodlivesinobediencetotheDivinecommandments.SuchcomprisethecommonpeoplewhoreceivetheLordwithjoyatHiscoming,and


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followHim,amongwhomaNewDispensationofDivineTruthcommences.Suchmaybefoundbothamongtheclergyandlaity.TheendoftheworldistheendoftheDispensationorAge,andnotofthematerialearth--"Theearthendurethforever."

WearetoldbySwedenborgthattheangelsrejoicedgreatlythatithadpleasedtheLordtorevealaknowledgeofcorrespondencessodeeplyconcealedduringsomethousandsofyears;"andtheysaiditwasdoneinorderthattheChristianChurchwhichisfoundedontheWord,andisnowatitsend,mayagainreviveanddrawbreaththroughheavenfromtheLord."--_ConjugialLove_,532.

Sowearenottolookforthedestructionoftheprevailingreligiousorganizations,butfortherejectionoftheirfalseandirrationaldoctrines,andthereceivingofnewlightandlifefromtheLord.Andhowissucharesulttobebroughtabout?

ItwasapparentlytheopinionofSwedenborgthathiswritingswouldbereadbytheclergy,whowouldteachthedoctrinesthereincontainedtotheircongregations;andthustheglorioustruthsforthisnewEraorcrowningChurchwouldbespreadamongthepeople;for,inspeakingofthedescentoftheNewChurch,orNewJerusalem,fromGodoutofHeaven,hesaysitcanonlytakeplace"inproportionasthefalsesoftheformerChurchareremoved;forwhatisnewcannotgainadmissionwherefalseshavebefore

beenimplanted,unlessthosefalsesarefirstrootedout;andthismustfirsttakeplaceamongtheclergy,andbytheirmeansamongthelaity."

ThatSwedenborg'santicipationsaresurelyandsomewhatrapidlybeingrealizedatthistimeseemsbeyondquestion;forover30,000clergymenofthevariousreligiousdenominationsofourcountryhavealreadysentforandobtainedSwedenborg's"TrueChristianReligion"and"HeavenandHell,"andover25,000havereceivedhis"ApocalypseRevealed."Itisknownthatlargenumbersarereadingtheaboveworkswithgreatinterest,andthathundredsifnotthousandsarefullreceiversofthedoctrinesthereincontained,andthattheyareteachingthemtotheirpeopleasfastastheyfindtheycanreceivethem.Infact,manyofSwedenborg'swritingsweretranslatedintoEnglishbythelateRev.JohnClowes,RectorofSt.John's

Church,Manchester,England,who,formanyyears,withouteverbeingrequiredtoseverhisconnectionwiththeChurchofEngland,openlyandboldlytaughtthedoctrinesrevealedthroughSwedenborg.Mr.Clowessays:--

"Nothing,therefore,canbeplainerthanthattheNewJerusalemDispensationistobeuniversal,andtoextenduntoallpeople,nations,andlanguagesonthefaceoftheearth,tobeablessinguntosuchasaremeettoreceiveablessing.Sectsandsectarians,assuch,canfindnoplaceinthisGeneralAssemblyoftheransomedoftheLord.Allthelittledistinctionsofmodes,forms,andparticularexpressionsofdevotionandworshipwillbeswallowedupandlostintheunlimitedeffusionsofheavenlylove,charity,andbenevolencewithwhichtheheartsofeverymemberofthisgloriousNewChurchandBodyofJesusChristwilloverflow

onetowardanother.Menwillnolongerjudgeoneanotherastothemereexternalsofchurchcommunion,betheyperfectorimperfect;fortheywillbetaughtthatwhosoeveracknowledgestheincarnateJehovahinheartandlife,departingfromevil,anddoingwhatisrightandgoodaccordingtothecommandments,heisamemberoftheNewJerusalem,alivingstoneintheLord'snewTemple,andapartofthatgreatfamilyinheavenandearthwhosecommonFatherandHeadisJesusChrist.Everyone,therefore,willcallhisneighbor_Brother_,inwhomheobservesthisspiritofpurecharity;andhewillasknoquestionsconcerningtheformofwordswhichcomposehiscreed,butwillbesatisfiedwithobservinginhimthepurity


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andpowerofaheavenlylife."

"TheGentiles,"saysSwedenborg,"cannotprofanetheholythingsoftheChurchlikeChristians,becausetheyarenotacquaintedwiththem.""TheyareafraidofChristiansonaccountoftheirlives.""Thosewhohavelivedwell,accordingtotheirreligiousprinciples,areinstructedbytheangels,andeasilyreceivethetruthsoffaith,andacknowledgetheLord,""fortheyhavenotformedforthemselvesanyprinciplesoffalsityopposedtothetruthsoffaith,whichwouldneedtobefirstremoved."

"AlthoughGentilesarenotingenuinetruthsduringtheirlifeintheworld,theyreceivethemintheotherlifefromaprincipleoflove."

personal experience of a physician by ellis, john, 1815-1896

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