The People's Common Sense Medical Adviser in Plain English: or, Medicine Simplified, 54th ed., One Million, Six Hundred; and Fifty Thousand — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
The People's Common Sense Medical Adviser in Plain English: or, Medicine Simplified, 54th ed., One Million, Six Hundred; and Fifty Thousand
John Stuart Mill · en
'The mind may be regarded as a force, the result of nervous action, and
characterized by the ability to perceive sensations, to be conscious, to
understand, to experience emotions, and to will in accordance therewith.
Of these qualities, consciousness resides exclusively in the brain, but
the others, as is clearly shown by observation and experiment, cannot be
restricted to that organ, but are developed with more or less intensity,
in other parts of the nervous system.'--HAMMOND.
Thus do the two extremes of theology and science meet upon a common
ground of dreamy emptiness, and we who confess our comparative ignorance
are comforted by the thought that some other things have been 'hid from
the wise and prudent and revealed unto babes.' Yet, while feeling thus,
it must be admitted that the existence of spirit and of a Creator do not
yet seem capable of logical demonstration. The denial of their existence
is not incompatible with a profound acquaintance with material forms and
their operations; and, on the other hand, the belief in their existence
and substantial nature, and in their powers as first causes, have never
interfered with the recognition of the so-called material forces, and of
the organisms through which they are manifested. At present, at least,
these are purely matters of faith; but although the Spiritualist (using
the term in its broadest sense as indicating a belief in spirits), may
feel that his faith discloses a beauty and perfection in the union,
otherwise imperceptible by him, there is no reason why this difference
in faith should make him despise or quarrel with his materialist
co-worker, for the latter may do as good service to science, may be as
true a man, and live as holy a life, although from other motives.
The differences between religious sects are mainly of faith, not of
works, and the wise of all denominations are gradually coming to the
conviction that they will all do God more service by toleration and
co-operation than by animosity and disunion. And so I hold that, until
the spiritualist feels himself able to demonstrate to the unbeliever the
existence of spirit and of God, as convincingly as a mathematical
proposition, there should be no hard words or feelings upon these
points. For the present they are immaterial in every sense of the word;
and so long as he bows to the facts and the laws of Nature, and deals
with his fellow men as he would be done by, so long will I work with
him, side by side, knowing, even though I cannot tell him so, that
whether or not he joins me in this world, we shall meet in the other
world to come, where his eyes will be opened, and where his lips will at
least acquit me of bigotry and intolerance."
* * * * *
CHAPTER XV.
THE HUMAN TEMPERAMENTS.