PHRENOLOGY IN THE PULPIT. TESTIMONY OF REV. HENRY WARD BEECHER. stunted and does not thrive, they cannot tell how to make that grow. They don't know what to do to bring it forth. It is difficult for a minister of the gospel to set forth the truth intelligibly in respect to its relation to the human mind. I think it is partly because men have not been curious in respect to themselves, and partly on account of the many bewildering systems of mental philosophy that are in vogue in our day. For if there were none of these systems except the old schools of metaphysical philosophy, I would defy any man to obtain by means of them any clear idea about the soul, for at best they are of but little more value than so many cob webs. Men may study them, however, if they have a taste for them; if a man loves logic and discussion, let him take one of the old metaphysical mental philosophies, and he will have means of busying his mind until he grows tired of such business. But if a man wishes to know practically what he is made up of, if a man wishes a knowledge of human nature for definite practical purposes, there is no system which will aid him in acquiring that knowledge like the system of Phrenology not interpreted too narrowly or technically, but in its relations to physiology and the structure of the whole body. I may say here what I have never said in the pulpit, that the views of the human mind, as they are revealed by Phrenology, are those views which have underlayed my whole minis It is very hard for a minister of the gospel, standing before a promiscuous audience, to deal with the facts of their minds, and their inward lives. It is a melancholy fact, that men know less about that which is the very element of their being, than about anything else in the world. I suppose if I were to go among the intelligent men in my congregation. I could get every variety of information on subjects connected with the daily business affairs of life-upon questions of political economy, upon various questions of commerce, facts concerning the structure of ships, steamengines-I could collect any amount of information on all these, and a thousand other kindred subjects. But when I ask them what is inside of themselves, they can tell me of a great manufactory, and explain to me the operation and use of all the machinery in it; but upon the question of the machinery of their own minds, they cannot say a word. In regard to commercial matters, they know all about them; they have exami ned them, they have compared their ideas, on these subjects, and have classified them. They believe themselves to be immortal creatures, that they have throbbing within them a soul that shali live as long as God himself shall live; yet, when I ask them any questions in regard to their in ward nature, their only reply is, “I don't know, I don't know." They do not know what their reason is; they do not know what is the nature of their moral powers; they do not defi-try; and if I have had any success in nitely understand the nature or operation of any one faculty of their minds.. They understand the nature of the soil of the earth; they know what it is capable of producing; they know the use of the plough, and all the implements of agriculture; they know what to do with a plant that is not thriving, they are skilful to impart to it a fresh life, and make it flourish. But if any plant that ought to grow in the mind is bringing the truths of the gospel to bear practically upon the minds of men, any success in the vigorous application of truths to the wants of the human soul, where they are most needed, I owe it to the clearness which I have gained from this science. And I could not ask for the members of any family, nor of a church, any better preparation for religious indoctrination, than to put them in possession of such a practical knowholoty 7 qana di mosCbns blazu * An extract from a recent Sabbath morning sermon, delivered by Mr. Beecher to a very large congregation, reported verbatim by a phonographer; now first published. BALUS ledge of the human soul as is given by complimentary criticism ridicules the abPhrenology. I have avoided the use of the nomenclature of Phrenology in the pulpit as far as possible, because I did not wish to seem to be a mere teacher of a philo sophical system, while I was a minister of the truth as it is in Christ; but I have now been so long with you, that I am justified in making this statement. I may say, in regard to the objections sometimes urged against Phrenology, its tendency to materialism and fatalism, that the same objections may be made to any other system of mental philosophy. I do not think that such objections belong to Phrenology any more than to any system of intellectual science which you can possibly construct. Men's mere logical and speculative reason will always strand them upon the sands of fatalism or materialism; and it is the practical sense, the consciousness of actual liberty, that redeems us from a belief of the one or the other. Such doctrines dwell in the head but never in the hands. PROGRESS. surdity of the allotment system, as it calls the division of the brain, admitting that the brain is the organ of the mind and stating this to be a grain of truth, he says, tality of this grain of truth that renders "it is the smallness and the want of viPhrenology so useless." Now we say that acknowledged its power; the only reason that its benefits are not more widely spread abroad is, that people will let their foolish prejudices stand in the way of examination. With respect focitas peculiar advantages in the arts of painting and sculpture, it is not generally known how extensively it is consulted, and how many, without openly acknowledging where they have learnt their lesson, make their works accord with the teachings of Phrenologists. There are some amateurs and critics who also borrow their knowledge from the school of Phrenology, and among them we may reckon the writer of the Athenæum, who in the following number makes his observations on a head of Christ in alındst phrenological language. We are satisfied that no rational mind can dispute the seience of Phrenology, if they will fairly examine it; but it is lamentable to see how writers stoop to what they conceive to be a popular impression or prejudice. it is far from useless. Thousands have A discussion on Vegetarianism was held at the Young Men's Christian Association, Aldersgate-street, on the 10th of July. The subject attracted considerable interest. Those who have examined the subject had an opportunity of giving a reason for their faith; and those who had not examined into it, expressed various doubts and many prejudices. Health ought to be an object with the young, and we shall be glad to find that custom and fashion are more often questioned, and science appealed to, in reference to what we eat and drink. A discussion on Phrenology was opened by Mr. F Towgood at Camden Hall. Considerable interest was exhibited; several gentlemen expressed themselves supporters of the general truths of Phrenology. The subject has received more attention from the medical press lately, and though phrenologists are still called enthusiasts, and their system of divisions into organs ridiculed, it is evident that the truth is gradually creeping in amongst the members of the faculty. Dr. Winslow Forbes has written a work, in which he proves, by very extensive observations and experis The London Vegetarian Association met ence, that insanity is caused by physical on the 5th of July, and appointed a depudisease of the brain. How he can stop tation to attend the Anniversary at Manshort of acknowledging the truth of Phre-chester, where a large gathering is exnology, which is proved by partial insanity pected on the 26th of July. and evident disease of corresponding or gans, we are at a loss to comprehend. The Zoist has a phrenological examination of the two murderers, Barthelemy and Buranelli, whose casts have been taken, and whose characters were in entire accordance with their organization. Mr. GORGE COMBE has published a work entitled, Parenology applied to Painting and Scalpture." The Athenæum undertakes to review it, and with some o " LECTURES.-J. D. Holm, Esq, has delivered a course of twelve lectures on Phrenology at the Mesmeric Institute, which were well attended, especially by ladies. They were illustrated by a number of facts in comparative anatomy, by busts of various characters, and by instances in Mr. Holm's experience of life. This gentleinan has now reached his 80th year; he was the companion of Dr, Spurzheim. DEATH AND THE DOCTORS. BY R. T. TRALL, M.D. For full three thousand years or more, grim-visaged death has waged incessant and ruthless war on the human race. His emissaries have been fevers, palsies, inflammations, "joint-racking rheums," plagues, leprosies, choleras, dyspepsias, fluxes, constipations and diarrhoeas, and "all the ills that flesh is heir to." For nearly as long a period of time have the disciples of Esculapius done battle with this destroying angel. Their weapons have been bleedings, and vomitings, and sweatings, and purging, and calomel, and opium, and antimony, and cod-liver oil, and alcohol, and arsenic, and quinine, and prussic acid, and Epsom salts, and Glauber salts, and jalap, and ipecac, and senna, and cream tartar, and henbane, and dogsbane, and wolfsbane, and ratsbane, and catsbane, and deadly nightshade, and stimulants, and irritants, and pungents, and stupefacients, and intoxicants, and narcotics, and corrosives, and reducents, and revellents, and concoctants, and inspisants. In this warfare there have been arrayed on the side of death about one thousand diseases; and under the banner of Esculapius have enlisted more than three thousand medicines. But notwith standing this vast disparity of numerical force three to one versus death the latter has not only held his own, but, according to the confessions of the Escolapians themselves, continually gained ground, vide the language of Dr. Rush, We have done little more than to multiply diseases and increase their fatality." What meaneth this strange result? Esculapius is himself a host. He is represetited by one hundred thousand of the most learned men of the civilized world. All of these are studying incessantly to discover new remedies, as well as to apply the old ones skilfully. They wield the three thousand missiles of drug-medication with all the science of the schools of medicine, than which no institutions can boast of more learning. Why, then, do they continually dose ground Why does the human race, edsinge na to moinsqroo wilt zaw so far as constitutional stamina is concerned continually degenerate ? Here is a puzzle. Its true solution will cause humanity to stand aghast with horror! When the PEOPLE see the truth as it is in this matter they will cry, "save us from our friends!" They will implore of the Esculapians to be left to themselves; for they will have made the terrible discovery that they are suffering more from the assistance of the remedies, than from the assaults of the disease. They will have made the discovery that the human constitution, like the battle-ground of two contending armies is itself ravaged and ruined, whatever may become of them. They will have discovered that the struggle between death and the doctors, is very much like that between Russians and the Allies around Sevastopol. Between these belligerents as men, there is no cause of quarrel. But their leaders have raised a false issue, and deluded them with an abstraction, a phantasy, into a commotion and contention, whose only fruit is bloodshed and havoc.in A What is disease? Clearly the effect or penalty of violated laws or rather, the vital struggle to recover again the normal conditions. And what are the remedies of the doctors? Just as clearly, they are poisons; other causes of disease; and their use is a further violation of the laws of life. And their remedial effects, so called, are but the manifestations of the vital struggle against their injurious presence. Hence then, the doctor, so far from countera acting or neutralizing the emissaries of death, actually cooperates with them. The diseases of death, and the remedies of the doctor, instead of warring against each other, actually fraternize, and both war upon the vital domain! Will not this, indeed, be fearful discovery? And yet, sooner or later, it must be made-American Water-cure Journalı 3 el ordTltw en su edo 29veiled nsmet... ald is drow b... THE PHRENOLOGY OF THE PULPIT L NO. III. THE REV. HENRY MELVILLE. THE form of the head of this dis- be a strong disposition to cling tenatinguished individual is another proof of the truthfulness of Phrenology, The propensities are moderate but active, and give to the character that energy which enables the preacher to combat with those principles which he deems to be delusive and dangerous. Philoprogenitiveness indicates that the love of children is very strong, and there will be a passionate fondness for - the young and rising race. There will weighed; and the mind will be completely absorbed in the subject. The temperament of the reverend gentleman is a combination of the sanguine and nervous, and sometimes there will be a strong irritability of feeling, which will be accompanied with warmth of expression and passionate energy. Destructiveness and Secretiveness are rather large; the organ of Self-esteem is also large, and this combination will give force and dignity to the character. There will he perfect confidence in his own power, and a tender and most sensitive regard for place and position. There is a striking and beautiful development of the coronal or moral region. Firinness is large; it would be difficult for the reverend gentleman to alter his mind, and this development will give firmness and dignity to the character. This organ, combined with Self-esteem, would exercise too powerful an influence, if it were not for the controlling and modifying influence of Love of Approbation, which is generally found large in the heads of popular preachers and speakers. What the reverend gentleman believes to be true he will defend with all his might. Veneration is full and powerful,-there will be deep and solemn feelings of God, and all those passages which relate to the majesty, and power, and might, and glory of the Divine Being will be greatly loved, and quoted with deep and absorbing feelings of humility and adoration. Hope and Wonder are large. Ideality is very large and active; all that is beautiful and exquisite in nature is greatly beloved, and at all times there will be a keen and sensitive preparation of that which is poetic and eloquent. This organ, in combination with Comparison, generates those beautiful and fascinating thoughts which in some parts of the discourse drop so plentifully from the lips of the preacher. All the reverend gentleman's hearers should be careful not to let the ideal usurp the place of the practical; and, perhaps, the preacher would do well by striving a little to hold these faculties in abeyance. The organs of Acquisitiveness and Benevolence are equally developed. The reader will observe how prominent the reflective organs are. Causality has been well exercised. The reverend gentleman is a good logician, and an able expounder of what he deems to be the truth. All thinkers will have some degree of dogmatism, and it is not speaking disparingly of the reverend gentleman when we say that he is rather too dogmatic; and sometimes in desiring to prove a thing, we think he proves too much. There is, however, a close application of the mental powers; and if all the clergymen of the Church of England were as devoted to the interests of Zion as is the Rev. Henry Melville, there would be much more spiritual life in the land than there is at the present time. Individuality, Time, Tune, Locality, Weight, Order, and Combativeness are all large. There is great flexibility and compass of voice, and it is perfectly under the control of the speaker;-this may, in some measure, arise from the fact that the lectures and sermons are read, which practice greatly assists the voice; but we think, in many instances, greatly detracts from the force and power of the preacher. The organ of Language is large; in fact, the development throughout is such as to render the character almost perfect. If you wish to hear the English language in its beauty and simplicity-if you wish to listen to thoughts which are beautiful and sometimes exquisite, if you wish to hear a well-modulated and clear, articulation,-if you wish to listen to truths momentous and solemn, we should advise you to go, at |