BUCHANAN'S
JOURNAL OF MAN.

Creation’s Mysteries

“This has been written sixty or seventy years ago, written by a person of very broad, elevated mind, progressive, a teacher or writer—perhaps both. He had a great deal of will power, strong, and decisive, was very independent, not afraid to give his views, but had a great deal of opposition to his sentiments. He was of a scientific cast of mind, was acquainted with medical science, and was more interested in the brain than anything else. He would talk, lecture, and write about the brain, and had very correct views in advance of others. He is in spirit life now. There is a warmth and nearness in the impression as though he would be attracted to the science you are engaged in. His mind broadens out into different lines of thought in spirit life—things appertaining to what he was interested in here, and kindred subjects. He thinks you are developing in the right direction. I think he has communicated with you. I think he has an overshadowing approval of your work. He feels that you are in an original line of thought, not dominated by any other minds. There seems an overshadowing influence that stimulates you.”

"This was written sixty or seventy years ago by someone with a broad and elevated perspective—progressive, possibly a teacher or a writer, or maybe both. He had a lot of determination, was strong and decisive, very independent, and unafraid to voice his opinions, even though he faced considerable opposition to his ideas. He had a scientific approach, was knowledgeable about medical science, and had a particular interest in the brain above all else. He would discuss, lecture, and write about the brain, offering very accurate insights ahead of his time. He is now in the spirit world. There’s a warmth and closeness in the feeling, as if he would be drawn to the science you’re engaged in. His mind expands into different lines of thought in the spirit world—related to what he was passionate about here and similar subjects. He believes you are progressing in the right direction. I think he has reached out to you. He seems to approve of your work. He feels that you are pursuing original ideas, not swayed by the influence of others. There appears to be an overwhelming inspiration guiding you."

“If you consider the high development of the Caucasian race, it is repulsive to your sentiments to believe that man belongs to the animal kingdom as its highest link, and springs from this kingdom. Yet this feeling is false, and must be destroyed, since it originates only in self-conceit and it is not so very difficult to arrive at a juster view. Only go back to the time of Charlemagne or to that of Augustus, and observe the great mass of your forefathers, and you will find so great a difference, that you will be as much alarmed as if in the presence of Indians, when such a tribe of Germans is brought before you. Then go still further back into the pre-historic times, and form an image of the pile-builders and their mode of life, and of the cave-dwellers and their imperfect weapons and tools, and you will have to confess that these are separated from the present Europeans by a greater gap than are the uncultured inhabitants of the earth of to-day. And yet these cave-dwellers and pile-builders had already reached a high degree of culture in comparison with those who had preceded them by thousands of years; and if we thus join link to link in the chain backwards, we must come to the conclusion that the original men were but little distinguished in form and bodily structure, as well as in intellectual capacity, and at first hardly at all, from the animals standing next them, the four-handed ones.

"If you consider how advanced the Caucasian race is, it can be hard to accept that humans belong to the animal kingdom and evolved from it. But this mindset is misguided and needs to change, as it's rooted in arrogance, and it's not too difficult to see a clearer perspective. Look back to the times of Charlemagne or Augustus and see the state of your ancestors; you'll notice such a dramatic difference that you'd be just as shocked as if you were confronted with Native Americans when faced with that group of Germans. Then, go even further back to prehistoric times and imagine the people who built pile dwellings and their way of life, alongside the cave dwellers with their simple tools; you would have to acknowledge that they are much further removed from modern Europeans than today's so-called uncivilized peoples. Yet, these cave dwellers and pile builders had already reached a considerable level of culture compared to those who lived thousands of years before them. If we keep tracing our ancestry back, we must conclude that the original humans were not significantly different in form, structure, or intellect, to the point where they were barely distinguishable from their closest animal relatives, the four-handed ones."

“The assumption that God has created man perfect, i. e., in body, but without power of judgment, and that he obtained this only by transgressing a command and a prohibition, and thus by a crime, so that he first began to degenerate upon the awakening in him of the divine intellect and reason, we leave wholly one side as absolutely contradicted by positive science, and only inquire, how, then, did man originate in so low a form? There are but two answers to this question. The one is, that man was placed upon the earth by an outside power in full size, rudeness and stupidity, in order to be left to his fate there in an unknown land, and to struggle for his existence with unknown animals. Or, on the other hand, that man was developed in a quite natural way, according to the law of evolution, out of the class of animals standing next below him. You are aware that we do not favor the first view, but so much the more earnestly embrace the latter. According to the law of evolution and adaptation the talents and capacities of animals were steadily  changed in the course of thousands of years, following the changed relations of climate and soil, so as to fit themselves for the new conditions of sustenance and existence. In proportion as all nature became changed, so that at the end of a so-called geological period no comparison could be made with the beginning of the next preceding one, in that same proportion and measure the plants and animals had also changed, so that scarcely any more resemblance existed between these and those from which they originated. It is self-evident that amid such changes only those specimens continued to exist, which had adapted themselves in their progressive development in their organs and capacities in the best way to the new conditions of their existence. All those which had not thus changed lost the conditions of their existence and died out. But where did these organs and capacities, fitted to the newer relations, gain their form and development? In the mother-pouch of the female, undoubtedly! And of course this improvement advanced with each succeeding generation, so that animals which originally only lived in water, through gradual efforts to go on dry land also, to which, perhaps, they were forced to preserve their species, thereby changed the original fins into legs and later into web-feet by which they were adapted to live in water as well as on land (amphibia).

The idea that God created humans to be perfect, in terms of body, but without the capacity for self-judgment, and that they only gained this ability after breaking a rule and committing a sin, resulting in their decline once their divine intellect and reasoning awakened, is something we completely dismiss as being absolutely contradicted by established science. Instead, we inquire into how humans originated in such a primitive state. There are only two possible answers. One is that humans were placed on Earth by an external force, fully formed but crude and unintelligent, left to survive in an unfamiliar environment, grappling alongside unknown animals. The other is that humans evolved naturally, according to the laws of evolution, from the class of animals directly beneath them. You know we reject the first idea and fully support the second. According to the laws of evolution and adaptation, the abilities and characteristics of animals changed gradually over thousands of years in response to changing climates and soils, allowing them to adapt to new conditions for survival. As nature evolved, by the end of a geological period, there could be no comparison with the beginning of the previous one; similarly, both plants and animals evolved to the point that they bore little resemblance to their predecessors. It's clear that only those organisms that successfully adapted their traits and abilities to the new conditions survived. Those that did not adapt lost their chance at survival and became extinct. But where did these adapted traits and capabilities come from? Certainly, in the mother's womb! And this gradual improvement continued with each generation, so that animals that initially lived only in water eventually learned to move onto land, perhaps out of necessity to ensure their species' survival, transforming their fins into legs and eventually into webbed feet, allowing them to thrive both in water and on land (amphibians).

“Now likewise there was developed in the gigantic four-handed Saurians such a change in the mother-pouch of the female animals as the ever finer organized brain created, so that in the course of thousands of years, a creature was gradually developed which overstepped the last stage of the sense-developed understanding and comprehension, and was in a position, through the putting into activity of the upper and front brain, to distinguish evil from good and to think independently. Of these creatures, likewise, only those survive that had in themselves the capacity for further development, while the rest perished. The survivors were the original men; those that perished formed the intermediate link between man and the brute. Thus, out of the infinite efforts of nature to create a finer organized species from the four-handed Saurians, came forth not only men, but the failures, the apes. So man does not descend from the ape, but both have only one stock, which is the four-handed animals sprung from the flesh-devouring Saurians.

"In a similar way, a significant change occurred in the mother pouch of the female four-handed Saurians, influenced by the increasingly complex brain. Over thousands of years, this led to the gradual emergence of a creature that surpassed the last stage of sensory understanding and comprehension. This creature could distinguish between good and evil and think independently, thanks to the activation of the upper and front part of the brain. Among these creatures, only those with the potential for further development survived, while others did not. The survivors became the original humans; those that didn’t survive were the intermediary link between humans and beasts. Thus, from nature's countless attempts to create a more advanced species from the four-handed Saurians, not only did humans emerge, but also the unsuccessful attempts produced the apes. Therefore, humans did not evolve from apes; rather, they both share a common ancestor, the four-handed animals descended from flesh-eating Saurians."

“Thus we can settle whence man comes and how he arose, but that does not solve the problem whence comes life or how it arose, yet on this point I will give place to friend Spurzheim.

"Thus, we can determine where humans come from and how they came to be, but that doesn’t answer the question of where life comes from or how it originated. On this matter, I'll defer to my friend Spurzheim."

“Dr. Spurzheim then took control and spoke over half an hour in his peculiarly striking, logical and convincing way, yet it is quite impossible to repeat this discourse as it was given. It ran about as follows:

"Dr. Spurzheim then took charge and spoke for over half an hour in his uniquely engaging, logical, and persuasive manner, but it’s impossible to recreate this talk exactly as it was delivered. It went something like this:

“Worthy friends, friend Hahnemann has just given you an explanation of the origin of man to which I have nothing to add. The question whether the egg existed before the hen or the hen before the egg has often been called an idle one, and yet it obtrudes itself upon everybody. Our eyesight teaches that the egg comes from the hen, but at the same time also that the hen is developed from  the egg, and if we go farther back we are lost in infinity. The theological view that God put into the world all that exists, all animals from the smallest seen by the microscope to the largest gigantic creatures in pairs and fully grown, seems to solve the problem of the egg and the hen, but has long since been refuted by science, so that we need not further meddle with it, and so much the less as thereby the question of the origin of life is not even touched. Let us now make a violent leap from man out into infinite space and back millions of years before the origin of man upon the earth. What do we see there? Unnumbered worlds, all which, like the sun, have brought forth other worlds dependent on them, and these by their development taking place according to like uniform laws in their infinite differences in size and specific gravity, yet ever striving after the same great end, the production of beings endowed with reason, offer the most glorious picture of Godlike power and harmony. The worlds born of these suns (planets) all originated in like manner, since the parts lying along the circumference of the suns, by their motion in space cooled off the sooner, broke away in irregular masses, and while contracting into globular shapes and revolving upon their own axis, yet by the force of attraction and their original motion bound to the bodies, whirl around these and with these move on in space. And though these balls of glowing gas, as the earth for example in its origin, in contrast with the mother-body (sun) are somewhat cooled off, yet is the heat of the same still so great (some reckoning it at two or six thousand degrees while others hold it incomputable) that absolutely no life can exist within such balls of fire. But after the more solid parts are formed (granite, porphyry, etc.,) gradually by cooling off and contracting, and these are fused together into larger masses, then begin the ribs of the earth-structure, the rocky foundations of the super-structure, and as soon as the development of the earth is so far advanced that oxygen and hydrogen can be formed into water, which falls down in frightful masses upon the hot rocks and dissolves them on the surface, then begins the condition productive of cells and carbon entering into the connection, and the first plants are brought forth; the algæ first, then the lichens and ferns, which are developed into gigantic dimensions. Prior to and simultaneous with the formation of cells went on the production of crystals and the mineral as well as the vegetable kingdoms were further and further developed. Contemporary with the first plant-cells the conditions were plainly offered for the formation of the first life-cells. And now the question arises, What is life? Whence comes it? Although it is certain that in the process of development of the earth after its separation from the sun no life was present.

"Dear friends, Hahnemann has just given you an explanation about the origin of man that I have nothing to add to. The question of whether the egg existed before the hen or the hen before the egg has often been dismissed as pointless, yet it still arises for everyone. Our eyes show us that the egg comes from the hen, but they also show that the hen develops from the egg, and if we dig deeper, we get lost in infinity. The theological belief that God created everything that exists, all animals from the tiniest seen under a microscope to the largest creatures in pairs and fully grown, seems to answer the question of the egg and the hen, yet science has long disproven this idea. Therefore, we shouldn’t dwell on it, especially since it doesn’t even address the question of the origin of life. Now let’s make a big leap from humanity into infinite space and back millions of years before humans existed on Earth. What do we see there? Countless worlds, all of which, like the sun, have produced other worlds dependent on them. These worlds develop according to uniform laws despite their infinite differences in size and specific gravity, yet they all strive for the same grand aim: the production of rational beings, presenting a magnificent picture of divine power and harmony. The worlds formed from these suns (planets) all arose similarly, as the parts along the edges of the suns cooled faster, broke off in irregular pieces, and while contracting into round shapes and rotating on their axes, they remained bound by the force of attraction and their initial motion to the bodies they revolve around, moving through space with them. Even though these glowing gas spheres, like Earth in its origin, are somewhat cooled compared to the mother body (the sun), their heat remains so intense (some estimate it at two to six thousand degrees while others claim it’s incalculable) that no life can exist within such fiery spheres. But after the denser parts are formed (like granite and porphyry) and gradually cool and contract, fusing into larger masses, the foundation of the Earth’s structure begins to take shape. Once the development of the Earth reaches a point where oxygen and hydrogen can combine to form water, which then pours down in massive torrents onto the hot rocks and dissolves them on the surface, the conditions are set for the creation of cells and the entry of carbon into the process, leading to the emergence of the first plants. Algae appear first, followed by lichens and ferns that grow to enormous sizes. The production of both cells and crystals happens simultaneously, and both the mineral and plant kingdoms continue to evolve. Alongside the first plant cells, the conditions become clear for the formation of the first life cells. Now the question arises: What is life? Where does it come from? It is certain that during the Earth’s development after separating from the sun, no life was present."

“It is asserted that life is motion and is an attribute of matter; yet that is something wholly different from what is understood by the term. Thus far science has pointed out no distinction between dead and living protoplasm, and the affirmation that the primordial cells are the source of life is not tenable, since the cell is an organization that presupposes life, and so, at most, the original cell could be designated  as but the first expression of life. For a short time it was assumed that life came to the earth through meteors or parts of worlds that had gone to pieces, but this idea was soon given up, because neither the manifold nature of life nor the origin of the same could thereby be explained or determined, and thus the question was only pushed farther back, since what was desired to be known, was, how life originated on the world that was destroyed.

"It’s said that life is motion and is a quality of matter; however, that's entirely different from what we mean by the term. So far, science has not identified any difference between dead and living protoplasm, and the claim that the original cells are the source of life doesn’t hold up, since a cell is an organization that assumes life, so at most, the original cell could only be referred to as the first expression of life. For a brief period, it was thought that life arrived on Earth through meteors or remnants of shattered worlds, but this idea was quickly abandoned because neither the diverse nature of life nor its origin could be explained or determined this way, and thus the question was only pushed further back, as what people really wanted to understand was how life originated on the world that was destroyed."

“When, and under what circumstances, life began on the earth can not be accurately fixed, yet it is clear that at the time when the ocean still covered nearly all the earth and was so hot that not a single one of the now existing plants and living beings could then exist, the life in that ocean and on its bottom was so infinitely grand in its proportions that men can now form no adequate conception of the same. The force of growth as well as of decay was immense, and all that was grown or made by its decay only increased the mass of life-producing substance.

"When and under what circumstances life started on Earth can't be pinpointed, but it's clear that when the ocean still covered almost all of the planet and was so hot that none of the plants and living beings we know today could survive, the life in that ocean and on its seabed was so vast that people today can't fully grasp it. The forces of growth and decay were enormous, and everything that grew or resulted from decay only added to the overall mass of life-generating material."

“There are three theories as to the origin of living beings:

"There are three theories about how living beings originated:

“1. God made all animals, including man, in pairs and of full size.

"1. God created all animals, including humans, in pairs and at full size.

“2. The elements of physical nature and the forces dwelling in matter by a lucky arrangement of atoms developing living organs out of matter.

"2. The elements of physical nature and the forces residing in matter, through a fortunate arrangement of atoms, give rise to living organs from matter.

“3. An intelligent, intellectual force permeates matter, and wherever this in its development attains the conditions for the maintenance of life (and so a higher manifestation of force than in the mineral) it brings forth the intellectual life in the protoplasmic germ for the finest organism. Through the laws of inheritance, of change, of the multiplication of progressive development, of natural selection and of the persistence of the most gifted individuals, living beings are developed through all classes and species up to man.

"3. An intelligent, intellectual force runs through matter, and wherever this force reaches the conditions necessary for sustaining life (which represents a more advanced expression of force than in minerals), it produces intellectual life in the protoplasmic germ for the most complex organisms. Through the laws of inheritance, change, progressive development, natural selection, and the persistence of the most talented individuals, living beings evolve across all classes and species up to humans."

“With the first theory we need not concern ourselves further, as we have already branded it as hostile to reason and knowledge, although theologians have sought to maintain that Almighty God has made the earth with all that is in it and upon it, just as it now exists, and have even gone so far as to affirm in opposition to the effect of geological discoveries, that God himself had created or deposited the fossil remains of animals found under the bed of the Euphrates (the spot where paradise is said to have been) exactly there and in a petrified condition.

"With the first theory, we don't need to worry about it anymore, as we've already dismissed it as against reason and knowledge. Even though theologians have tried to argue that Almighty God created the earth and everything on it just as it is now, they’ve even claimed, in defiance of geological findings, that God himself created or placed the fossilized remains of animals found beneath the Euphrates River (the area where paradise is said to have been) right there and in a preserved state."

“The second theory seems more probable; it assumes that force and matter are one and the same, matter possessing force as a quality; but overlooks the fact that what is called matter first came forth as a product out of the glowing mass of primary gas or world-material, and hence that matter, or world-material, to which the life-producing force is attached, is to be sought away back before the time when began the formations of worlds in their incandescent state, whereby it is, of course, conceded that life in the ordinary sense was destroyed, if it really subsisted before the heating of the particles of matter.

"The second theory seems more plausible; it assumes that force and matter are essentially the same, with matter having force as a quality. However, it overlooks the fact that what we call matter originally emerged from the fiery mass of primary gas or world-material. Therefore, matter, or world-material, to which the life-producing force is connected, should be traced back to a time before the formation of worlds in their glowing state. This implies, of course, that life, in the usual sense, was lost if it actually existed before the particles of matter heated up."

“Another objection to this theory is this, that if organizations spring from the favorable union of atoms, this surrenders the rule to chance  and excludes a unitary order of the world, while failing to explain the origin of thinking, moral and reason-gifted beings; since, if thinking, reason and moral sentiment spring from matter, they must be attributes of the same; and since the product is always less than the producer, it follows that intelligence, reason and ethics must be present somewhere in matter in a concentrated form; and this reflection brings us quite naturally to the third theory.

"Another objection to this theory is that if organizations come from the fortunate combination of atoms, it means giving control over to chance and dismissing a unified order of the world, while also failing to explain the origin of thinking, moral, and reasoning beings; because if thinking, reasoning, and moral sentiment arise from matter, they must be characteristics of it. And since the product is always less than the producer, it follows that intelligence, reason, and ethics must exist somewhere in matter in a concentrated form; this thought leads us naturally to the third theory."

“The intellectual, divine principle penetrates matter as the positive element, which under definite conditions steadily works upon the negative element of the original substance and forces the same under constant changing of form and combining parts, to realize definite, universally similar ideas, and to attain definite aims; and wherever matter in the process of development offers certain conditions, there the intellectual element produces what is called life. And this takes for granted that life may spring up spontaneously there where there was no life before; and this fact has been established beyond all reasonable doubt. The juice of mutton, beef and a mixture of gelatine and sugar have been put in separate vessels, these made air-tight and exposed for a long time to a heat of as much as three hundred degrees of Fahrenheit, so as to be quite sure that all living germs were destroyed. Yet after the lapse of weeks in some cases and of months in others, living beings were developed in the vessels.

"The intellectual, divine principle penetrates matter as the positive element, which under specific conditions consistently acts on the negative element of the original substance and compels it, through constant changes in form and combinations of parts, to realize specific, universally similar ideas and to achieve definite goals; and wherever matter in the process of development offers certain conditions, the intellectual element produces what we call life. This assumes that life can emerge spontaneously in places where there was no life before; and this fact has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The juices of mutton, beef, and a mixture of gelatin and sugar were placed in separate airtight vessels and exposed to a heat of up to three hundred degrees Fahrenheit for a long time to eliminate all living germs. Yet, after weeks in some cases and months in others, living beings developed in the vessels.

“Under the relation of the earth as existing to-day, life would again be developed, if we were in a condition instantaneously to annihilate all life; yet the same results would not be produced as in the original period, because the needed materials are no longer present in the mighty masses, nor in the requisite fluid and gaseous conditions to attain so powerful effects, to which belong also as necessary conditions the far higher temperature and the greater humidity of the atmosphere of that epoch. In the first creative period the force as well as the material were present in colossal measure and then arose those gigantic plants and animals, which laid the foundation for all later organisms. Without the colossal ferns and lichens and palm-like growths of the early ages, the plants of to-day would have been impossible, and without the monstrous giant creatures of old, which became more and more refined through gradual adaptation to altered relations, the modern animal kingdom could not have arisen. This adaptation is one of the most wonderful phenomena in the history of the development of the earth and is found as well in the realm of plants as in that of animals. Originally there were only aquatic animals, but as the relations changed so that it became necessary, partly for the procuring of food and partly for the safety of the offspring, that animals should go on land, their attempts constantly repeated to do so, gradually produced a change in the limbs fitted for motion, and so came about the transformation of fins into wings in the creatures that wanted to rise out of the water into the air, which then had far more carrying power than at the present day.

"Given the current state of the earth, life could develop again if we were to instantly wipe out all existing life. However, the outcomes would differ from those in the original period because the necessary materials are no longer present in large quantities, nor are the required fluid and gaseous conditions available to create such powerful effects. Additionally, the much higher temperatures and greater humidity of that time are also essential factors. During the first creative period, both the forces and materials existed in massive amounts, leading to the emergence of those gigantic plants and animals that formed the basis for all later organisms. Without the enormous ferns, lichens, and palm-like growths of the early ages, today’s plants couldn’t exist, and without the massive ancient creatures that gradually refined through adaptation to changing conditions, the modern animal kingdom wouldn’t have developed. This adaptation is one of the most extraordinary phenomena in the earth's developmental history and is evident in both the plant and animal kingdoms. Initially, there were only aquatic animals; however, as conditions changed—requiring animals to move onto land for food and the safety of their young—repeated attempts to do so gradually led to changes in their limbs for movement. This transformation included evolving fins into wings in creatures that aimed to rise from water to air, which then had significantly more lift than it does today."

“Whatever may be said about the qualities of matter and the force united with it (more truly the force manifesting itself therein), it cannot be denied, that the plan of creation is a unitary one, moving  on according to definite laws and striving towards definite final results. This presupposes that a conscious idea lies at the basis of the creative plan, and this implies an original consciousness which we call God. God and nature are one, just as intellect and body are one in man. Nature, i. e., substance, changes according to the impulses that go out from God, but God remains unchanged. All that possesses form, all organization must be destroyed in the incandescent process of forming world-bodies, but the divine, the intellectual principle is indestructible; and when matter under the impulses that went forth from God, has reached the grade of development at which organization is possible, then the divine principle steps into force as the positive element, and that is life. This positive element works on and on, steadily producing higher forms and higher organizations, until in man it fashions itself into a self-recognizing, conscious and individual essence, which, as derived from God, is indestructible, and after the consummation of its earthly organism, is capable, as an individual, intellectual being, of an infinitely progressive development.

"Whatever can be said about the qualities of matter and the force associated with it (more accurately, the force that shows itself within it), it can’t be denied that the plan of creation is unified, moving according to specific laws and aiming for specific final outcomes. This assumes that a conscious idea is at the foundation of the creative plan, which implies an original consciousness that we call God. God and nature are one, just as intellect and body are one in a person. Nature, i.e., substance, changes according to the impulses that come from God, but God remains unchanged. Everything that has form, all organization, must be destroyed in the fiery process of forming celestial bodies, but the divine, intellectual principle is indestructible; and when matter, responding to the impulses that come from God, reaches the level of development where organization is possible, then the divine principle comes into play as the positive element, which is life. This positive element continues to operate, steadily creating higher forms and more complex organizations, until in humans it evolves into a self-aware, conscious, and individual essence, which, as derived from God, is indestructible, and after the completion of its earthly body, is capable, as an individual, intellectual being, of endless progressive development."

“So far man can attain by a chain of logical deductions; but to define the idea that lies at the basis of the world-order is impossible; just as also a man will never be in a condition to find out or to comprehend how the working of the intellectual element, upon the substance capable of change, is made possible. Life is the self-manifested working of the intellectual element upon matter. Man never understands the laws of life, though he can understand the laws necessary for the preservation of life, since he can deduce them from the outward manifestations of life. Man must be contented with this; he can never understand God; and since life is the expression of the divine activity, its origin must ever remain a mystery to him.”

"So far, humans can reach conclusions through logical reasoning; however, defining the idea that underlies the world’s order is impossible. Just as a person will never truly figure out or grasp how the intellectual aspect interacts with changeable matter. Life is the self-revealing action of the intellectual element on matter. Humans never fully understand the laws of life, though they can comprehend the rules needed to sustain life, as they can derive them from life’s external expressions. People must accept this; they can never fully understand God; and since life is the expression of divine activity, its origin will always remain a mystery to them."

A True Poet—the Poetry of Peace and the Practice of War.

“This seems like a poetical influence. I think the person who wrote this, was adapted to intellectual pursuits,—a man of fine powers of mind, but not fully progressed in thought. As far as he knew, at the time of this writing, he was appreciative of your suggestions, and of scientific progress. He was a cool-headed man,—not a light or superficial thinker, but thought on deep subjects. He was a brain worker; it makes my brain tired. I think he published books—poems. I think he was more a poet than a prose writer. He was not like Tom Moore—there was nothing light or superficial—his  poetry was grand, solid, deep, stirring. He could write upon warlike scenes, vividly and descriptively, but was not in favor of war. He would deplore any appearance of war, but he had a patriotic spirit, a proud spirit, and would defend the right and assail the wrong.”

"This feels like a poetic influence. I think the writer was suited for intellectual work—a person with great mental capacity, yet not fully developed in his thoughts. Based on what he knew when he wrote this, he appreciated your suggestions and valued scientific progress. He was rational—not a shallow thinker, but someone who pondered profound topics. He was a thinker; it really makes me think hard. I believe he published books—poems. He was more of a poet than a prose writer. He was nothing like Tom Moore—there was nothing light or superficial about him—his poetry was grand, substantial, deep, and moving. He could vividly and descriptively write about battle scenes but did not support war. He would mourn any suggestion of war, yet he had a patriotic spirit, a proud spirit, and stood up for what was right while criticizing what was wrong."

FREEDOM’S WARFARE. By Charles Mackay.

“At the bar banquet given Saturday night in honor of Judges Key and Trewhitt, Mr. Templeton of Knoxville related an incident which occurred during the war at a revival service held by his father in North Georgia.

“At the bar banquet held Saturday night to honor Judges Key and Trewhitt, Mr. Templeton from Knoxville shared a story that occurred during the war at a revival service organized by his father in North Georgia."

“About the time that Sherman was driving Johnson toward Atlanta,” said he, “some time in the early part of August, 1864, my father was conducting a revival at a little house called Pine Log Creek Church, about ten miles from Calhoun. The times were most terrible about then; murder, robbery and rapine were of daily occurrence, and the whole country was subject to visitations by marauding parties from both armies. One day the old gentleman was preaching a sermon of unusual power, and before he had gotten well under way a gang of Confederate soldiers rode up, and, dismounting out back of  the church, asked if they might be admitted to the church. Of course they were cordially invited in, and took prominent seats in the church.

“Around the time Sherman was pushing Johnson towards Atlanta,” he said, “in early August 1864, my dad was leading a revival at a small place called Pine Log Creek Church, about ten miles from Calhoun. Life was really tough back then; murder, theft, and violence were everyday events, and the whole area was overrun by marauding groups from both armies. One day, while my father was delivering a particularly powerful sermon, before he could really get into it, a group of Confederate soldiers rode up, dismounted behind the church, and asked if they could come in. Naturally, they were warmly welcomed and took prominent seats in the church.

“Not long afterward a cloud of dust was seen in the road from the opposite direction to what the rebels had come, and pretty soon the tramp of horses’ hoofs was heard, and it was soon discovered that it was a squad of Federal troops, and before the Confederates in the church could be apprised of the approach, they had ridden up to the door. Perceiving that religious services were being held, they alighted and asked to be admitted. They were told that there were Confederate soldiers in the church, but they insisted on going in, and they were admitted.

Before long, a cloud of dust appeared on the road from the opposite direction of the rebels, and soon the sound of horses’ hooves could be heard. It quickly became clear that it was a squad of Federal troops, and before the Confederates in the church could be warned about their arrival, the troops rode up to the door. Seeing that a religious service was happening, they dismounted and asked to be let in. They were told there were Confederate soldiers inside, but they insisted on entering, and they were allowed in.

“Naturally the strange spectacle created some consternation in the congregation, and for a time it seemed as if the confusion would break up the meeting. But my father raised his voice and began most fervently to plead a better life, beseeching his soldier hearers to become religious and abandon their sins. He preached with unusual force and power, the strange scene lending him inspiration. When he had concluded his sermon, as was the custom then, he invited those who were converted to come forward to the mourner’s bench and pray and talk with him on the all-important subject.

“This unusual scene understandably caused some concern among the crowd, and for a while, it looked like the meeting would break up in confusion. But my dad raised his voice and passionately urged his soldier audience to embrace a better life, asking them to turn to faith and leave their sins behind. He preached with remarkable intensity and power, inspired by the unusual situation. When he finished his sermon, as was customary at that time, he invited those who had found faith to come forward to the mourner's bench to pray and discuss the important topic with him.”

“Then it was that one of the grandest sights ever witnessed occurred. Those soldiers, enemies to each other, engaged in a bloody war, arose as one man, friend and foe together, and marched to the front of the church and kneeled together, Confederate by Federal, their muskets joining and crossing each other; their revolvers touching each other as they kneeled; their heads bowed upon the same altar, and their tears mingling almost in their deep contrition and profound feeling. All animosities were forgotten, all strife forgotten—they were together as brothers around a common altar.

“Then one of the most incredible sights ever happened. Those soldiers, enemies in a brutal war, stood up together as one, friend and foe, and marched to the front of the church, kneeling side by side, Confederates and Federals. Their muskets crossed each other, their revolvers touched as they knelt, their heads lowered on the same altar, tears mingling in their deep remorse and profound emotion. All animosities were forgotten, all conflict vanished—they were united as brothers around a shared altar.”

“After the service they met on the outside of the church, shook hands, pledged fraternity, and each party went off, taking opposite directions. They had been looking for each other, perhaps with murderous intent. They found each other, but they separated with love instead of hate, friendly instead of angry.”

“After the service, they met outside the church, shook hands, promised to be friends, and then each went their separate ways. They had been searching for each other, maybe even with harmful intentions. They found each other, but parted with love instead of hate, being friendly instead of angry.”

The Volapük Language.

“Volapük is the invention of the Rev. Father Johann Martin Schleyer, of Constance, Baden, Germany. He is an accomplished linguist, having for forty-six years been interested in the study of language. He can speak and write twenty-eight tongues, including the Chinese and three African languages, and is also eminent as a priest, hymnologist and religious editor. He invented his universal language in 1878, announced it in 1879, and had so far perfected it in 1881 as to publish in that year a small book, entitled “Entwurf einer Weltsprache für alle gebildte Erdbewohner” (“Plan of a Universal Language for all the Civilized Inhabitants of the Earth”). Thus the name, Volapük; vola meaning of the world, and pük language.

Volapük was created by Father Johann Martin Schleyer from Constance, Baden, Germany. He’s a skilled linguist with forty-six years of language study experience. He can communicate in and write in twenty-eight languages, including Chinese and three African languages. He’s also known as a priest, hymn writer, and religious editor. He developed his universal language in 1878, announced it in 1879, and by 1881 had refined it enough to publish a small book titled “Entwurf einer Weltsprache für alle gebildte Erdbewohner” (“Plan of a Universal Language for all the Civilized Inhabitants of the Earth”). Thus, the name Volapük; vola means “of the world,” and pük means “language.”

“Schleyer does not propose that Volapük shall supercede any living language. He has attempted to make it so scientific and natural, so regular in all the rules of construction, and therefore so easy to learn, that every educated person will acquire it next after the mother tongue; and he hopes that it will thus become the accepted medium for all international communications. With this end in view, he has formed it on the general model of the Aryan family of languages; that is, its signs represent letters and words, and not ideas; and the root words of which it is constructed, instead of being arbitrary sounds and signs, as in Bishop Wilkin’s philosophical language, or sounds that have a real or fancied natural meaning, as in Stephen Pearl Andrews’ “Alwato,” are taken principally from living languages, the English being more largely drawn upon than any other.

Schleyer does not claim that Volapük should replace any existing language. He designed it to be so scientific and natural, so consistent in its rules, that any educated person can learn it right after their native language. He hopes it will become the standard means of international communication. To achieve this, he based it on the general structure of the Aryan family of languages; the symbols represent letters and words, not ideas. The root words are primarily taken from living languages, with English being the most commonly used, rather than being random sounds and signs like in Bishop Wilkins’ philosophical language or sounds that have a real or imagined natural meaning like in Stephen Pearl Andrews’ “Alwato.”

“The alphabet employed is the Roman with some of the German dotted letters added, and the continental sounds are given to the letters. All words are phonetically spelled, so that there are none of the difficulties of orthography and pronunciation to be encountered which are so formidable in most natural languages.”

The alphabet used is the Roman one, with some additional German dotted letters, and the continental sounds are assigned to the letters. All words are spelled phonetically, removing the spelling and pronunciation challenges that make most natural languages difficult.

Progress of the Marvellous.

“Like every body else, in London they are interested in hypnotism, spiritualism, etc.—interested, I mean, as inquirers, not as believers, and I saw a table move round briskly under the pretty fingers of Mrs. Hunt and a young lady cousin of hers.

“Like everyone else, people in London are curious about hypnotism, spiritualism, and similar topics—curious as inquirers, not as believers. I witnessed a table move swiftly under the delicate touch of Mrs. Hunt and one of her young lady cousins.”

“The latest feminine sensation is Miss Ramsey, the Girton girl of twenty, who beat all the men at Cambridge this year in Greek; and what makes her success still more triumphant, is that the pretty little creature had only learned her Greek alphabet four years ago, while the men had all been pegging away at the language for ten years.

“The latest female sensation is Miss Ramsey, the 20-year-old Girton student, who outperformed all the men at Cambridge this year in Greek; what makes her accomplishment even more impressive is that this charming young woman only learned her Greek alphabet four years ago, while the men had been studying the language for a decade.”

“Prof. Stainton-Moses of University College, London, is certainly a trained scientist, and a man accustomed to weigh evidence, and tells me that with him spiritualism is not a matter of mere belief, but of actual, personal knowledge. A great deal of spiritual writing has been done through his own hand; not professionally, but for his own satisfaction. Holding Zoroaster or Aristotle in his left hand, and reading attentively, he has written out most extraordinary things with his right. For instance, one day—in answer, he thinks to a wish on his part for an especially strong test—his hand wrote of the death of a woman of whom he had never heard, giving her name and the time and manner of her passing away, etc. ‘But,’ he said, as he read it over, ‘I don’t see that this is a test. I could find it in a newspaper; I may have read it, and unconsciously remembered it.’ Instantly it was written, ‘No, that cannot be; she died but an hour ago, and when you see it in the paper you will have had your test.’ The next day  he searched the papers in vain, but on the second morning, there, in the death column, he found the announcement of the death, corresponding with what had been written through him, in every particular of name, date, and disease. Also he has seen spirits in friendly converse—entertained them at his own fireside.

Prof. Stainton-Moses from University College, London, is definitely a trained scientist used to evaluating evidence. He tells me that for him, spiritualism is not just a matter of belief; it’s actual, personal knowledge. He has written extensively on spiritual topics, not for a living but for his own enjoyment. With Zoroaster or Aristotle in one hand, and while reading closely, he has written some truly remarkable things with his other hand. For example, one day—in response to what he believes was a desire for a particularly strong test—his hand wrote about the death of a woman he had never heard of, providing her name and the time and circumstances of her death, etc. “But,” he said while reflecting on it, “I don’t see this as a test. I could find it in a newspaper; I might have read it and unconsciously remembered it.” Immediately, it was written, “No, that can’t be; she died just an hour ago, and when you see it in the paper, you will have had your test.” The next day he searched the papers in vain, but on the second morning, he found the announcement of her death in the death column, matching exactly the name, date, and cause of death that had been written through him. He has also seen spirits engaging in friendly conversation—entertaining them at his own home.

“I went, by invitation of Prof. Stainton-Moses, to a festal reunion of the ‘Spiritual Alliance,’ of which he is president, and I am bound to say that I met there men and women who seemed to me as sincere and earnest, and intelligent as one finds anywhere. Oh, and I saw Eglinton—the medium who is now what Home was—though he told me last night he meant soon to get out of the professional part of spiritualism. He is a singularly agreeable man, handsome, and with a look in his dark eyes as if they might easily see visions. I am told that he has lately married a very rich wife, and this may account for his intention to withdraw from spiritualism as a profession.”

“I attended, at the invitation of Prof. Stainton-Moses, a festive reunion of the ‘Spiritual Alliance,’ of which he is the president. I must say I met people there who seemed as sincere, earnest, and intelligent as you can find anywhere. Oh, and I saw Eglinton—the medium who is now what Home was—though he told me last night he plans to step away from the professional side of spiritualism soon. He is a remarkably pleasant man, good-looking, and there’s something in his dark eyes that makes it seem like he could easily see visions. I've heard he recently married a very wealthy woman, which might explain his intention to leave spiritualism as a profession.”

“Excitement is at fever heat in the Milford neighborhood, in the southern portion of this county, over the mysterious appearance of the most wonderful faces and figures upon the window glass of the houses in that section. The first appearance of these singular and most extraordinary pictures on the glass was at the residence of William Showalter, where the window panes all at once showed the colors of the rainbow, on which two days later the heads of people and animals were clearly visible. On the glass of another house a head and face resembling President Lincoln’s were to be seen. On another the form of a young girl bending over an infant, the body of a lion, the figures twenty-two, and a landscape were all visible, as distinctly outlined as any artist could have drawn them. Some of the most striking pictures are on the windows of the Milford Baptist Church, which are protected with shutters that are kept tightly closed. The people of Bracken county have not in years been more worked up over anything than they now are over these pictures.”

There's a lot of excitement in the Milford neighborhood, located in the southern part of the county, over the mysterious appearance of amazing faces and figures on the windows of homes in the area. The first sighting of these strange and extraordinary images happened at William Showalter's house, where the window panes suddenly showed rainbow colors, and two days later, the heads of people and animals became clear. On another house, there was a head and face similar to President Lincoln. On yet another, the image of a young girl leaning over an infant, the body of a lion, the number twenty-two, and a landscape were all outlined, as if drawn by a talented artist. Some of the most impressive images are on the windows of the Milford Baptist Church, which are protected by tightly closed shutters. The people of Bracken County haven’t been this excited about anything in years as they are about these pictures.

 Glances Round the World.

AMERICAN PROGRESS.

“Last summer I stood upon the White Hill at Prague, in Bohemia, where the thirty years war began and ended. There is no more suggestive spot in Europe. It recalled a picture of the horrors and desolation of war unequalled in history. The contest began when the continent was dominated by the German empire, and ended with the magnificent creation of Charles V. broken into numberless petty principalities. Like the contest of the 17th century, ours was both a civil and religious war. But the country came out of the conflict not like the old German empire, but a mighty nation.

“Last summer, I was standing on the White Hill in Prague, Bohemia, where the Thirty Years' War started and ended. There's no other place in Europe that brings such strong emotions. It reminded me of the unspeakable horrors and destruction of war, unlike anything else in history. The conflict began when Europe was under the German Empire and ended with the significant formation of Charles V, which broke apart into many small principalities. Like that 17th-century struggle, ours was both a civil war and a religious one. However, the country came out of the conflict not as the old German Empire, but as a powerful nation.”

“Vapid sentimentalists and timid souls deprecate these annual reunions, fearing they may arouse old strifes and sectional animosities. But a war in which 500,000 men were killed, and 2,000,000 were wounded, in which states were devastated and money spent equal to twice England’s gigantic debt, has a meaning, a lesson and results which are to the people a liberal education. We cheerfully admit that the Confederate, equally with the Federal soldier, believed he was fighting for the right, and maintained his faith with a valor which fully sustained the reputation of Americans for courage and constancy. The best and bravest thinkers of the South gladly proclaim that the superb development which has been the outgrowth of their defeat is worth all its losses, its sacrifices, and humiliations.

“Sentimentalists and cautious people criticize these annual gatherings, worrying they might revive old conflicts and regional rivalries. But a war that caused 500,000 deaths and 2,000,000 injuries, devastated states, and cost double England’s massive debt carries significance, lessons, and consequences that provide a deep education for the people. We readily recognize that both the Confederate and Federal soldiers believed they were fighting for what was right and showed a determination that maintained Americans’ reputation for bravery and perseverance. The most insightful and courageous thinkers from the South are eager to express that the remarkable progress arising from their defeat is worth all the losses, sacrifices, and humiliations endured.”

“In 1860 the developed and assessable property of the United States was valued at $16,000,000,000. One-half of this enormous sum was destroyed by the civil war, and yet so prodigious has been the growth of wealth that the estimate now surpasses the imperial figure of $60,000,000,000, and the growth at the rate of nearly $7,000,000 a day. Our wealth approximates one-half of that of all Europe.

“In 1860, the developed and assessable property of the United States was valued at $16,000,000,000. Half of this enormous amount was lost due to the Civil War, yet the increase in wealth has been so incredible that the current estimate now exceeds the staggering figure of $60,000,000,000, growing at nearly $7,000,000 a day. Our wealth is about half that of all Europe.”

“These unparalleled results can be protected and continued only by the spirit of patriotism. This is a republic, and neither Mammon  nor anarchy shall be king. The ranks of anarchy and riot number no Americans.”

“These unmatched results can only be protected and continued by the spirit of patriotism. This is a republic, and neither wealth nor chaos shall rule. The forces of chaos and unrest include no Americans.”

BRIGHT PROSPECTS.

DARK CLOUDS.

“I do not think I overstate the case when I say that the 200,000 saloons in this country have been instrumental in destroying more human life in the last five years than the 2,000,000 of armed men during the four years of the Rebellion. There is an irrepressible conflict upon us. This nation cannot endure half drunk and half sober any more than it could endure half slave and half free.”

“I don’t believe I’m overstating things when I say that the 200,000 bars in this country have led to more deaths in the last five years than the 2,000,000 soldiers did during the four years of the Civil War. We are dealing with an ongoing crisis. This nation can’t endure being half drunk and half sober any more than it could survive being half slave and half free.”

“There are about 215,000 retail liquor houses in this nation. Allowing 20 feet to each, it gives us an unbroken liquor front of about 781 miles. Just think of it! Seven hundred and eighty-one miles of profanity and vulgarity. Seven hundred and eighty-one miles of Sabbath-breaking. Seven hundred and eighty-one miles of drunkard-making. Seven hundred and eighty-one miles of filth, debauchery, anarchy, dynamite and bombs. [Applause]. Seven hundred and eighty-one miles of political corruption; seven hundred and eighty-one miles of hot-beds for the propagation of counterfeiters, wife-beaters, gamblers, thieves, and murderers.

There are about 215,000 liquor stores in this country. If we give each one 20 feet of space, it would create a continuous line of liquor outlets that stretches roughly 781 miles. Just think about that! Seven hundred eighty-one miles of profanity and vulgarity. Seven hundred eighty-one miles of violating the Sabbath. Seven hundred eighty-one miles of producing alcoholics. Seven hundred eighty-one miles of filth, excess, chaos, destruction, and violence. [Applause]. Seven hundred eighty-one miles of political corruption; seven hundred eighty-one miles of hotspots for counterfeiters, domestic abusers, gamblers, thieves, and murderers.

“In the High License City of Chicago, in the great Republican State of Illinois, there are, within five blocks of Halstead Street Mission, 325 saloons, 129 bawdy houses, 100 other houses of doubtful repute, theatres, museums and bad hotels, and only two places for the worship of Almighty God. (Cries of ‘Shame!’)”

“In the High License City of Chicago, in the great Republican State of Illinois, there are, within five blocks of Halstead Street Mission, 325 bars, 129 brothels, 100 other questionable establishments, theaters, museums, and awful hotels, and only two places to worship Almighty God. (Cries of ‘Shame!’)”

“The very rapid increase of insanity in the United States during the last two or three decades continues to be the subject of much discussion among alienists, and all those who are concerned in public charities. That a prime cause of this alarming state of things is the shipment to our shores of the enfeebled and defective of other countries, is now beginning to be understood, and both our own State Board of Charities and the National Conference of Charities and Correction have called on Congress to protect our society against the introduction of these depraved specimens of humanity, who speedily become a charge on the public, or transmit their weakness to their posterity.

The rapid increase in mental illness in the United States over the last two or three decades remains a significant concern for mental health professionals and those involved with public charities. It's becoming clearer that a major factor contributing to this issue is the arrival of vulnerable and troubled individuals from other countries. Both our State Board of Charities and the National Conference of Charities and Correction have urged Congress to take action to protect our society from this influx of individuals, who quickly become a burden on the public or pass their problems down to future generations.

“The statistics of insanity show that, in general, the proportion of the insane is greatest in the older States, where the foreign population is most numerous, and it is least where the communities are new, as, for instance, in the pioneer counties of Wisconsin. The South, which has drawn comparatively little from immigration, suffers from insanity to a much less extent than New England and New York; and it is an established fact that the Negro race is much less liable to insanity than the white. The average of insanity in New England is 1 to every 359 of the population; in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, 1 to every 424; while in the extreme Southern States the average is only 1 to 935.

“Statistics on mental illness show that the rate of insanity is generally highest in older states with large foreign populations, and lowest in newer communities, like the pioneer counties of Wisconsin. The South, having attracted few immigrants, experiences much less insanity compared to New England and New York. It is a well-known fact that Black individuals are significantly less prone to mental illness than white individuals. The average rate of insanity in New England is 1 in every 359 people; in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, it's 1 in every 424; while in the far Southern States, the average drops to just 1 in 935.”

“The West, like the South, is more free from insanity than the Northern seaboard States, the average being 1 to every 610 in the interior States, and 1 to 750 for the Northwestern States. In the far Western States and Territories it is only 1 out of 1,263, they being settled by a picked population, whose energy and soundness make them pioneers. It is note-worthy, however, that insanity is as frequent in the Pacific States as in New England, the explanation being that vice and indulgence prevail to an exceptional extent among the population drawn to the Pacific by the mania for gold. The average in Massachusetts, for instance, is 1 to 348; in California 1 to 345. It is also remarkable that the ratio of insanity decreases as we go west and south of New England, as these averages will show: New England, 1 to 359; Middle States, 1 to 424; interior States, 1 to 610; Northwestern States, 1 to 750; Southern States 1 to 629.

“Similarly, the West has lower rates of mental illness compared to the Northern coastal States, with an average of 1 in every 610 in the interior States and 1 in 750 for the Northwestern States. In the far Western States and Territories, the average is only 1 in 1,263, as these areas are settled by a select group of people whose energy and resilience makes them pioneers. However, it’s essential to note that mental illness is just as prevalent in the Pacific States as it is in New England, which can be linked to the high levels of vice and indulgence among the population that was drawn to the Pacific during the gold rush. For example, the average in Massachusetts is 1 in 348; in California, it’s 1 in 345. It’s also noteworthy that the rate of mental illness decreases as we move west and south from New England, as illustrated by these averages: New England, 1 in 359; Middle States, 1 in 424; interior States, 1 in 610; Northwestern States, 1 in 750; Southern States, 1 in 629.”

“The State where the proportion is highest is Vermont, 1 to 327; and New Hampshire comes next, with 1 to 329. We are at a loss to understand why insanity is so frequent in the District of Columbia, the average given being 1 to 189; but perhaps the large average in Vermont and New Hampshire may, in part, be due to the circumstance that those States receive the refuse of Canadian poor-houses, they having a much better organized system of charitable relief than the Dominion can boast of; and it is undeniable that some of the very  worst of our immigration comes from over the Canadian border. That immigration, too, is now great, and there are factory towns in New England where the population is largely made up of French Canadians.”

“Vermont has the highest rate at 1 in 327; New Hampshire closely follows with 1 in 329. We are perplexed by the high prevalence of mental illness in the District of Columbia, where the average is 1 in 189; but perhaps the high rates in Vermont and New Hampshire are partly due to those states taking in individuals from Canadian poorhouses, which have a much better organized system of charitable support than Canada can provide; and it's undeniable that some of the worst of our immigration comes from across the Canadian border. This immigration is significant now, and there are factory towns in New England where the population mainly comprises French Canadians.”

DEFECTIVE EDUCATION.

Miscellaneous Intelligence.

 CRANIOSCOPY.

A REBELLIOUS CONVICT.

A rebellious inmate.

Chapter VII.—Practical Utility of Anthropology in its Psychic Department.