LAWS AND METHODS OF MESMERIC AND
SPIRIT HEALING THE SAME.
Healing by spirit magnetism, or by a
magnetic healer, are, in principle, the same. A person of strong vital
power may magnetize by means of his own power and when susceptible of
spirit influence may unite their influence with his, or stimulate his to greater
activity. In the latter case, the sensitiveness acquired by sitting in a
circle increases the magnetic force.
The healer must be actuated by the
desire to alleviate suffering. He cannot display his gift at its best,
unless actuated by motives of purest benevolence. Nor can he heal all
cases, and be should heed his impressions which to attempt. He must
believe in the impressions thus received, and by his earnestness and
sincerity gain the confidence of his patients.
SHOULD WAIT FOR IMPRESSIONS.
Magnetic and spiritual healers make
a great mistake in not waiting for impressions as to whether or not they
can cure cases presented to them. They proceed with the declaration that
they can cure, and failure, which often follows, makes the patient lose
confidence in them, and far more disastrous to their power, they lose
confidence in themselves. I once saw perhaps one hundred people pass
before the celebrated Dr. Newton. He laid his hands on each and said,
"you are healed," with intense earnestness. There were many cured of
long standing diseases, and some marvelous cases, yet the greater number
experienced no effect.
"Why do you make that declaration?" I
afterwards asked him, "when in
many cases you necessarily must fail,
for there are organic changes which
magnetism cannot reach?"
"Do you not see," he replied, "that I
must be positive, and thus impress the mind, or I should fail in all
cases?"
"No," I said, "I do not agree with
you. Better wait and distinguish those you can help, and tell the others
the plain truth. Then they will not go away, as they now surely will,
condemning you as an impostor."
Magnetism has a wide field, but it is
not a universal panacea.
AS AN ANESTHETIC.
The state of complete concentration
is not susceptible to pain, whether
attained independently or by means
of an operator.
DIPSOMANIA AND INSANITY DEBARRED.
As so many cases of insanity
are clearly from perverted
sensitiveness, it has been suggested
that mesmeric control would be a panacea. Practically it is found that it
is difficult or impossible to influence the insane. Their mental
disturbance comes from the want of ability to concentrate thought and hold
it distinctly to the purposes of the will, which makes mesmeric control
inapplicable except in cases where this mental condition does not hold.
