[30] On this subject a volume has recently been published, entitled “The Tongue not Essential to Speech: with Illustrations of the Power of Speech in the African Confessors.” By the Hon. Edward Twistleton. London: 1873. This book has been carefully and exhaustively criticized in “The Month,” for September, 1873. It will be sufficient here to remark that the modern scientific objections to this miracle, that, because in a certain case, by the skill of an operator, a tongue was so removed with marked dexterity in recent times, therefore the power of speech retained by the African Confessors was an ordinary event, are objections at once inconsequential and invalid. [31] “De Civitate Dei,” Lib. xxii. p. 8. [32] “Epist. Sti. Greg.;” “Hist. Bed.” Lib. i. c. xxxj. [33] _Vide_ “Sti. Bernardi Vita,” _in loco_, published by Mabillon. [34] They were examined on the spot, by virtue of a Commission from John III. King of Portugal, and were generally acknowledged, not only by Europeans, but also by native Mahometans and Pagans. The important and conclusive testimony of three Protestant writers--Hackluyt, Baldens, and Tavernier--is set forth in Bouhours’ “Life of Francis Xavier,” which our own poet, John Dryden, translated and published. [35] S. Matthew xv. 22-28. [36] S. Mark iii. 11. _Ibid._ iii. 15, 22-30. [37] S. Mark v. 2-15. See also S. Luke viii. 26-40. Instances of such power bestowed and exercised over unclean or deaf and dumb spirits may be found in the following:--S. Mark vi. 13; vii. 25-30; ix. 17-29. S. Luke iv. 33-37; ix. 38-42; xi. 14-26. Acts v. 12, 16; xvi. 16-18; xix. 13-20; xxviii. 3-6. [38] One of the most distinguished physicians in London recently assured the Editor that, in his judgment, numerous peculiar and remarkable cases both of epilepsy and madness could only be duly and rationally accounted for by the Christian theory of possession; and he himself declared that if the Church’s spiritual powers on the one hand, and the virtue of faith on the other, were more commonly put into practice than they are, many cures, by God’s blessing, might be looked for. [39] “The History of Cornwall,” by Fortescue Hitchins, Esq., in 2 vols. 4to. Helston, 1824. Vol. ii. pp. 548-51. [40] The parish of Little Petherick is six miles north of S. Columb, and three due south from Padstow. [41] Bishop Seth Ward, D.D.--Editor. [42] “No minister or ministers shall ... without the license and direction (_mandatum_) of the Bishop ... attempt upon any pretence whatsoever either of possession or obsession, by fasting or prayer, to cast out any devil or devils, under pain of the imputation of imposture or cosenage, and deposition from the ministry.”--Canons of 1604, No. 72.