Notes and studies in the philosophy of animal magnetism and spiritualism : with observations upon catarrh, bronchitis, rheumatism, gout, scrofula, and cognate diseases / by John Ashburner.

  • Ashburner, John, 1793-1878.
Date:
1867
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Notes and studies in the philosophy of animal magnetism and spiritualism : with observations upon catarrh, bronchitis, rheumatism, gout, scrofula, and cognate diseases / by John Ashburner. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    allowed to rest on shelves till they could be re-digested; made the subjects of thought over and over again. They are new to the world; they are old to the author. Yet they will not be accepted as they should be, simply be- cause the world is not yet wise enough to reason fear- lessly. People think they must bristle up at any idea that appears new about religion. In fact, take the sub- ject of religion calmly, nothing now proposed can do aught but strengthen the bonds which tie it to the soul of man. Take religion as a matter to be strengthened and supported; these views will point out the means by which its foundations may be well buttressed. Many fear for their dogma of the Trinity. Spiritually con- sidered, the material doctrines which assail that dogma are here demolished, and we may fearlessly assert that no subject has ever been broached which avails itself of so many resources for the great object of fusing into one whole or really catholic system all the discordant plans of religious faith. This, however, is like parliamentary reform, for no party likes to compromise; all insist on orthodoxy, and phrenology alone can tell us why reli- gionists, and politicians, and men of deep science are such fools. We cannot afford to yield to the persuasions of bigots. Unhappily the world is made up of these silly and ob- stinate folks. We are averse to class our friends in this category. Some are so liberal, that we admire them for their freedom from all prejudice. But this is a very rare case. You will, no doubt, class those who are wedded to atheistical notions with the bigots. There are propor- tionably more bigots among the atheists than among any other class, having always regard to their numbers. Everything is relative. In relation to their numbers, out of all question, the atheists have more fierce bigots among them than any other class of persons. Their very creed is one of exquisite contempt for the opinions of others, and based, as their convictions are, upon a