LECTURE VII. A GENERAL CONSIDERATION OF MAN'S PSYCHOLOGICAL CONDITION AND POWERS. We will now examine the human mind in the next stage of its manifestation.I mean, in the Psychological State. ހ There has been a large amount of chicanery and unmeaning pretension connected with this branch of mental science, which has unquestionably done much toward confounding the ignorant, amusing the careless, and disgusting the man of science. All this I have frequently deplored.-Because it detracted much from the natural dignity of Truth, and has repelled many an honest investigator from the sublime realms of psychological philosophy, leading to the highest themes of contemplation. Having seen only the mountebank side of psychology, and not imagining that there could possibly be a higher and better phase to the subject, many minds have seized, with eagerness, upon a preconceived conviction-which the unenlightened portion of the scientific world generally entertain-that the wonderful phenomena of magnetism are mere delusions or mental hallucination. Perhaps it is necessary to remind you, that, naturally succeeding the ordinary or rudimental condition, is the psychological state, which I am about to consider. According to my interior impressions, the true psychological condition can be attained in two ways -one is natural, the other is artificial. This is true of all the subsequent states into which the human soul is constitutionally capable of ascending. The little plant can, naturally, attain unto its maximum growth by being left to struggle with the surrounding ob. structions, and thus, perhaps, acquire a greater power; or it may be assisted, by artificial and quickening means, to attain its highest development many weeks in advance of its natural period of maturity. So with the human mind. Some men naturally obtain an intellectual power and brilliancy of understanding at the proper period of life; but others, if duly influenced by a spiritual magnetism or encouraged by surrounding circumstances, may attain all the strength and illumination of mind, which characterize the naturally developed intellect, years too in advance of the ordinary season of such maturity. Now here, let it be duly understood, is the first legitimate indication of psychological principles. I affirm that an early or extraordinary development of mind may be accomplished by the influence of a spiritual magnetism, or by the encouragement which may be extended toward it by surrounding circumstances. That is to say, a human soul may be matured and unfolded, in some particular sphere, or in many departments of science and thought, years before the ordinary growth of intellect, by the psychological influence of spiritual powers and contiguous circumstances. And I may here add, that the psychological action of the mother's spirit upon the body and mind of her child, during the season of its utero-gestation and development, is the primary source of much pre-disposition to discord or harmony, to lowness or elevation of mind, which will, inevitably, more or less characterize the future physical and mental manifestations of the offspring. But it is deemed expedient to consider the principles of psychological science, as they exist in the constitution of nature, before we apply them to the various conditions of the human mind. The philosophy of positive and negative relationships has been already partially explained. But it is now time to make an appli cation of these reciprocal principles. When the mind once grasps. the doctrine of an infinite gradation of forms, series, degrees, essences, and elements-beginning with the lowest form of matter and reaching upward to the most interior soul of Deity—then it becomes comparatively an easy thing to comprehend the philosophy of positive and negative relations in the construction of the universe. But those who have been taught to regard nature as so many specific creations, without any reference to a regular system of harmonious and progressive developments, will find it somewhat difficult to recognize the psychological principles which universally pervade the territories of nature, and which bind all of her productions into one stupendous system of sympathetic cause and effect. Now to my interior perceptions, it is clear to a demonstration, that all the animated kingdoms of creation are intimately related—— like the human family-with near and dear friends, noble ancestors, and happy descendants. The earth may be regarded as the parental foundation of all these psychological sympathies. Here commences that progressive line of inferior and superior forces, which hath no termination. Thus the mineral kingdom is positive to the earth; the vegetable kingdom is positive to the mineral kingdom; the animal world is positive to the vegetable world; the human world is positive to the animal world; the spiritual world is positive to the human world; the angelic is positive to the spiritual; the seraphic to the angelic; and the Divine Mind is positive to the immeasurable universe. Between all these kingdoms and the Divine Being there are constantly existing the most intimate psychological sympathies. The series, degrees, and gradations of these positive and negative relations are altogether beautiful and innumerable. Now, it is solely in consequence of man's physical and mental supremacy to the animal and other creations of nature, that he is the center of a power which is positive to every thing beneath him. He is the highest source of psychological influence on earth. The viper will crawl out from its dark retreat, elevate its head, and fix its sharp, penetrating gaze upon the affectionate little songster 、 that sits on the bough of the waving tree. The glittering eye, flashing bewitchingly in the sunlight, arrests the little bird's attention. Their eyes meet. The positive viper, by the careful use of its psychological power, fixes the gaze of the negative bird, which does not fly away, because magnetically held by a strange infatuation— which might be considered a cross between admiration and astonishment. There is nothing that can do this to man, if he wills to the contrary. But the bird grows nervous. It feels drawn to the viper by a fascination, and repelled by fear. Its will-power is captured. It can not fly away into the open fields, and feel at liberty; but nervously jumps from bough to bough, spreads its tiny wings, and encircles the seducer's head. And finally-exhausted with fear, excitement, and infatuation-it draws close to the glittering eyes. and falls prostrate before the extended mouth of its relentless destroyer. The winged insect is, in the same manner, and according to the same psychological principles, infatuated by the flame of a candle. It will encircle the blaze for hours, and then willingly subjects itself to the disposal of the dissolving element. But man possesses a motive and a moral power, superior to that in the possession of any other creature. His positive influence is felt to an extent which is always proportionate to his own interior consciousness of supremacy. His intrinsic growth of soul is the measure of the real and permanent influence which he can exert upon the world. A man may have placed an unjust estimation upon the character and volume of his mental power, and may feel greater and more high-minded than he really should; nevertheless it matters not what opinion a man may entertain of himself, so long as he does his best honestly and energetically, for it will soon be discovered to what mental height he has in reality grown. His influence will invariably be extended to the full measure of his interior development, and no further. And as he mentally or spiritually unfolds, so the circle of his power is proportionably widened. So that one strong mind. may yet psychologize a world! His influence may be slightly felt at the outermost circle of humanity; but more upon the body of a nation, still more upon society, and most powerfully upon the innermost vitality of the family combination. Hence, in accordance with the last named fact, the psychological power of one mind is more available in the compact assembly; but its legitimate action is manifested very conspicuously upon the isolated individual. How common a thing it is to see affectionate companions grow to look, and talk, and walk, and think in a corresponding manner! Husbands and wives. are thus often regarded, by strangers, as brothers and sisters. In accordance with this principle of positive and negative action, the mother or the father imparts her or his likeness to the unborn child. This is an important fact of psychological science. It points us to the proper generation and improvement of our species. The strong mother of Napoleon marched in the battle array, before her child was born. Consequently, being herself powerfully magnetized by the spirit of war, she let flow the excitement of her soul, and the heated blood of her throbbing heart, through the unfolding constitution of her unborn child, and thus made an intrepid warrior! I have said that there are two ways to produce the psychological state, one is natural, the other artificial. But I am now impressed to fix upon your understandings this simple classification of the two causes of all the states into which the human soul enters. It is proper to divide all these mental conditions into states SPONTANEOUS SUPERINDUCED. Spontaneous psychology is identical with natural mental power; but superinduced psychology means mental power as specifically and prematurely developed by the direct action of individuals or |