Hypnotism
There appeared in the city of
Paris, France, in 1784, during the reign of Louis XVI, a
Swiss physician whose name was Franz Anton Mesmer, who by
his experiments produced such an excitement among the
French that the government appointed a committee to look
into the matter. Mesmer performed many wonderful things;
people were healed of many supposed maladies, and many
were thrown into a state of trance. Some of Mesmer's
patients seemed too weak to stand the strain and were
thrown into convulsions and hysterical fits, in which the
bodily contortions were so great that it became necessary
to prepare a padded room for their safe keeping.
Mesmer's theory was that there was
an electrical or magnetic connection between the earth,
the planets, and all animated nature; that the means of
transmitting this current was a very fine and subtle fluid
which penetrated everything. Mesmer believed that this
magnetic fluid exercised an immediate action on the
nervous system, with which it embodied itself, producing
on the human body phenomena similar to those produced by
the loadstone or magnet. This fluid he called animal
magnetism.
That there is such a thing as
animal magnetism is a well known fact. Every person is
charged, more or less, with electricity. But God fixed a
law in nature to govern this the same as the nerves, the
heart, and every other involuntary organ or member of our
beings. When we abuse ourselves either by intoxicating
drugs or by mesmerism, or by any other invention of men or
devils, we need not be surprised to find ourselves
physical, mental, and moral wrecks. Mesmer claimed that
this magnetic fluid could be generated by the brain, and
could be projected to infinite distance into the brains
and bodies of susceptible persons, curing their diseases,
putting them to sleep, etc.
Mesmer's followers did not stick to
his teaching very closely, consequently there were several
theories offered to the public. Mesmerism was first given
public attention in America in 1837, when Dr. Hartshorn
introduced it in Providence, R. I. The notices given in
the newspapers of his mysterious success induced many to
try like experiments. In the year 1842 Dr.
Braid, of Manchester, England, offered to the world a new
theory, which he called, and which is still known as
hypnotism. Mesmerism and hypnotism are the same in effect,
but different in theory. The most common way of producing
the hypnotic trance is requiring the subject to gaze a
long time at some bright object.
THE SECRET OF HYPNOTISM.—I have
before me several books on hypnotism, all of which are
favorable to it, and all of them agree as to its source,
effect, etc. Besides this I have Prof. L. A. Harraden's
"Complete Mail Course of Twenty Illustrated Lessons
in Hypnotism," in which he gives full instructions
how to produce every known state of the hypnotic trance,
or "nerve sleep," as the word implies.
The secret and underlying
foundation of hypnotism lies in the attitude of the mind
of the subject. No one can be hypnotized who opposes it
and refuses to submit to a hypnotist. The secret lies in
the mind being subjective or objective. Anyone who will
submit to a hypnotic performer can be hypnotized. Those
who have weak will power and those who are easily
influenced are in more danger of being imposed upon by
hypnotism than persons who have strong individuality. Yet
men of strong minds make good subjects for hypnotists,
because they have the power to consciously subject their
minds to a hypnotic performer.
Hypnotism is not always manifested
in the trance state, but it has many different forms. Book
agents use it to influence people to buy their books.
Bankers, merchants, brokers, salesmen, and men in almost
every similar vocation of life resort to hypnotic
influence. Lawyers, public speakers, and even some
professed ministers of the gospel are guilty of reverting
to hypnotic power to influence their hearers. Numerous
scientific schools are springing up all over the world,
teaching hypnotism under different names as a business
qualification. A few weeks ago the writer received several
letters from "The Columbia Scientific Academy,"
of New York City, offering great inducements to learn what
is called the "Ki Magi'' system, which is a
conglomeration of personal magnetism, palmistry, and
hypnotism. Such deceptive schools generally offer their
students unlimited influence over other people, power to
heal all manner of diseases, and a fortune in a short
time.
Hypnotism is a state and condition
similar to that of somnambulism. Somnambulism, or sleep
walking is caused by a morbid state of the mind and
nerves, in which persons have been known to perform almost
every kind of work without haying any remembrance of the
same after waking. Dr. Hammond tells us of one woman who
would arise in the night and prepare the family breakfast
and return to bed without having the slightest remembrance
of it in the morning. Others have been known to write
letters, walk about on the housetop, go in bathing, and do
many things that they would fear to do while awake. This
state is known as involuntary somnambulism, while
hypnotism is supposed to be voluntary somnambulism. Those
who are natural or involuntary somnambulists are not
accountable for being in that condition, as it is brought
on by disease, and sometimes by deep sorrow.
This is conclusive evidence to me
that hypnotism in its simple form is not the direct
operation of evil spirits, as some believe, but an
abnormal condition of the mind and nerves of which Satan
may easily take advantage; and as we have before stated,
hypnotism is an outpost of spiritualism. As soon as the
inherent principles of animal magnetism are so operated
upon as to produce hypnotism it gives Satan every
advantage. Thus, while not purely of devilish origin
itself, hypnotism is dangerous and is much used by Satan
to destroy souls. In fact, to one who has light on the
same it is not only dangerous, but sinful.
We are sure that no Christian can
have anything to do with hypnotism and retain the grace of
God. I am convinced that those who continue far in
hypnotism are soon possessed with familiar spirits.
Professor Harraden gives us to understand that a person
may develop on the line of hypnotic telepathy till
"he will occasionally affirm that certain things are
happening in a distant state, and this is clairvoyance, or
the independent vision of subconsciousness." Had he
said, "This is the state of being possessed with
familiar spirits," he would have told more truth.
DANGERS OF HYPNOTISM.—Hypnotism
is extremely dangerous. He who indulges in it endangers
himself in every way, both morally and physically. In
spiritualism the subject surrenders soul, mind, and body
to the spirits of devils; and in hypnotism the subject
surrenders his will to a hypnotic performer, who is almost
invariably a child of the devil. Any man should think too
much of himself to give his mind, character, and
reputation into the hands of another person, to be used
for anything and everything. Says Prof. Harraden:
"While under its influence (the hypnotic sleep) his
faculties and senses will be under the control of the
operator, and he (the subject) will obey any command that
may be given him." "Will obey any command."
Does this not mean that hypnotism can be used for evil
purposes? Many a young lady has been robbed of her virtue
through the subtle influence of hypnotism; and by it many
a young man has been led to the brothel. And yet all
hypnotic advocates deny that it can be used for such
purposes.
At first it might be impossible to
induce a person to commit a criminal act; but every time a
person is hypnotized he becomes more perfectly under the
control of the operator. As proof of this I again quote
Prof. Harraden, who says in lesson three of his "Mail
Course": "Right here let me say, that if
possible when selecting your first subject, get one who
has been hypnotized before, as they are much easier
influenced."
Ever since the dawn of mesmerism it
has been a question of debate as to whether a subject in
the somnambulistic state can be induced to shed blood.
There once arose a dispute between the rival schools of
Nancy and Paris as to whether a subject of good moral
character could be induced at the suggestion of the
operator to commit a serious crime. This dispute led to
many experiments. Nancy maintained that it was possible,
while Paris held the negative. Paris said that although a
subject could be induced to commit an ostensible murder
with a paper dagger, yet if a real dagger were given, the
conscience would arouse and forbid the act. Nancy
disbelieving this prepared a man of straw and placed it in
the bed of a well known professor, which was kept a secret
from the students. Next a subject was chosen who was
ignorant of the straw man in the professor's bed. He was
then hypnotized and given a real dagger and told to go and
stab the professor through the heart. The subject at once
went to the professor's room and plunged the dagger into
the heart of the straw man. As Paris still doubted after
this experiment they were invited to take the place of the
straw man, but never accepted the invitation.
Hypnotists are taught from the
beginning to lie to their subjects and make them believe
their lies if possible. After instructing the operator to
promise the subject to make him do nothing
"ridiculous, or hurtful to his dignity," Prof.
Harraden says, "Even if you intend otherwise this
little fiction may be deemed pardonable in the interests
of science." He further says, "You will
certainly find later on that deceptions are so often
required as not to seriously affect your conscience."
Shame, shame on a man who will teach men to deceive for
filthy lucre and popularity!
Hypnotism is dangerous, and every
man end women who loves virtue and right should spurn it
and cry it down. It is an agent of the devil to destroy
soul and body. Every child of God should be warned against
all such tricks of the enemy of souls.
