An Essay on Demonology, Ghosts and Apparitions, and Popular Superstitions: Also, an Account of the Witchcraft Delusion at Salem, in 1692Thacher, James
Philosophy
An Essay on Demonology, Ghosts and Apparitions, and Popular Superstitions: Also, an Account of the Witchcraft Delusion at Salem, in 1692
Thacher, James
Superstition; Witchcraft; Witchcraft -- Massachusetts -- Salem
sometimes caused in the mind, without the presence or aid of external
objects, must have occurred to those who have had extensive
opportunities of practically observing human nature. With several
persons I have been acquainted, and those by no means of inferior
understanding, who have been firmly persuaded of the existence of the
spectres indicated by such nervous affections, and have, on such
occasions, held conversations with them, real on their part, imaginary
on the part of the supposed spectre. Such, perhaps, in general, are
the disciples of the Baron Von Swedenborg. But illusions of this
nature are not confined to this class of men alone.
POWER OF IMAGINATION.
Dr Van Cleve, of Princeton, was lately applied to as a physician on
behalf of a man who had reduced himself by intemperance, to a state of
very distressing nervous irregularity. He was continually disturbed by
visions, sometimes of the most fantastic kind. He often heard strange
voices, and would ask and answer questions, as if engaged in
conversation with some of his visionary personages. His disorder, the
doctor said, was evidently not of that species which is usually
denominated mania, but appeared to be wholly the effect of a habit of
nervous irregularity, delirium tremens, induced by previous
intemperance. But the Baron Von Swedenborg, in his most visionary
moments, was never surrounded by more extraordinary assemblages of
strange sights. A very striking example of the power of nervous
impression, occurred a few years ago in the Rev. James Wilson,
formerly assistant minister with Dr Rodgers, in the first Presbyterian
Church in New York. He was a native of Scotland, and was a man highly
esteemed for his good sense, and the soundness of his judgment;
although not distinguished for a warm and popular eloquence. Being
obliged for a time to relinquish the exercise of his ministry from a
hemorrhage in his breast, he employed himself for several years in
different occupations in Scotland and America, but chiefly in
presiding over an Academy in Alexandria, in the State of Virginia. The
expectoration of blood having ceased for a considerable time, his
conscience began to reproach him for indolence and self-indulgence, in
not renewing his ministerial functions. In this uneasy state of mind,
a vision, as he thought, of a man of very dignified aspect, stood at
the foot of his bed in the morning, after he was perfectly awake, and
surveying him steadily for some moments, commanded him to resume his
duties in the pulpit: but added, that as considerable error had crept
into the church, he should undertake to reform it according to the
model of the primitive age. Mr Wilson, conscious of his want of
eloquent talents, and reforming zeal, reasoned with the supposed
apparition, alleging his utter incompetency to the task imposed upon
him. The dialogue ended in a repetition of the command, and assurance
of ability and success. The good man, wholly unable to explain this
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