The Medium and Daybreak, Vol. XIV, No. 679 (April 6, 1883)

A WEEKLY JOURNAL DEVOTED TO THE HISTORY, PHENOMENA, PHILOSOPHY, AND TEACHINGS OF SPIRITUALISM . Established : as a Moxthly--J une, 1 8 6 8 ; as a Weekly--April 8, 1870.] [Registered as a Newspaper. No. 679.-- VoL. XIV.] _ LONDON, A PR IL 6, 1883. [Price l^cL D R . B. W . R IC H ARDSO N, F.R .S. 210 THE MEDIUM AND DAYBREAK. A p r il 6, 1883. DR. B. W . RICHARDSON, F.R.S. he discovered the application of ether spray for the local abolition of pain in surgical operations. He intro HIS RECENT DISCOURSES ON " THE duced methylene bi-chloride as a general anaesthetic, ' and he discovered the controlling influence of nitrite PARALLELS OF RELIGION AND SCIENCE." of amyl over tetanus and other spasmodic affections. Organically, Dr. Richardson is a great man. He In addition to his biological researches, the Doctor is possesses the various elements of bodily structure in the most popular living writer on medical, sanitary, and large proportion, and in harmony favourable for exer scientific topics. Just a quarter of a century ago he cise. As a basis, there are excellent vital powers, well commenced the publication o f the l( Journal of Public held together by the mechanical apparatus, and Health and Sanitary Review," the first organ of its directed by a heavy brain. The powers of digestion, kind. The motto which he coined for it--" National assimilation and circulation are efficient, and, coupled health is national wealth," has passed into a proverb, with fully developed physique, and fine nervous sensi and done good service on many a tongue and pen. Dr. bility, give the possessor a keen perception of natural Richardson's contributions to medical literature have conditions, and ability to comprehend nature's laws. largely borne the complexion of philanthropic and pro He is in sympathy with nature, both to enjoy and com progressive interprises; such as the restoration of prehend. He is, therefore, intuitively normal-- life after various forms of apparent death ; the effects nealthy : that which is most fitting is most agreeable, of electricity on animal life ; instantaneous methods of and he can subsist upon regimen that would fail to killing animals for food ; the study of disease, new meet tte appetencies of those given up to artificial and remedies, etc. ; while his discoveries and speculations on morbid habits. Still, temperance, control, self-exami the nerve atmosphere, have worked in advantageously nation is ever the best course with such a powerful with the facts laid bare by the investigation of Spiri nutritive constitution; yet, there is not, strictly speak tualism, and tended to a better means of elucidating the ing, a tendency to grossness.' The organic quality,, phenomena of mediumship. high of its type, gives the preference to mental over sensual enjoyment. The respiratory and excretory In some sections of the community, Dr. Richardson functions are well performed, and the circulation is best known as a temperance reformer, on which energetic, so that the fluids are kept pure, and there is question he is undoubtedly the highest medical authority. a vast ability to perform work without functional de In his researches on the influence of alcohol on animal terioration. life, may be named his famous course of Cantor Lectures delivered before the Society of Arts; also, The brain indicates scientific, literary, and humani-3 " The Action of Alcohol on the Mind ; " " Results of tarian aptitudes. The Doctor is a man of a warm Researches on A lco h o l; " " Total Abstinence, a Course genial social nature; readily entering into sympathy with of Addresses ; " and his " Temperance Lesson Book," others, and apt at turning their services to the advan and ^Dialogues on Drink," popular manuals teeming tage of his own plans. He is very friendly and with instruction, and which we would warmly urge upon accessible, having but little haughtiness or restraint. the attention of our readers. In addition will be ; He has no false notions of dignity, but looks to the remembered his sketch of an ideal " Model City of | eventual merits and practical utility of all his acts and Health," to which he gave the appropriate name of ! relations with others. He may be found a peer amongst the highest, and next hour, it may he, in H yGiea . thorough sympathetic accord with those of a very To various academical honours conferred upon Dr. different position, if their motives be in the right direction. It is a mind of broad and- universal sym Richardson, there was added in 1 8 68,'a testimonial pathies, looking at Nature, as expressed in man, as a consisting of a microscope by Ross, and one thousand homogeneous realm; the same rule of right and guineas, presented by " six hundred of his medical purity extending its sway over every department. brethren and scientific friends." The intellect is largely developed, giving an accurate These particulars will assure our readers that Dr. perception of phenomena and ability to penetrate to Richardson is a Thinker and Man of ScienceBhat I their intrinsic meaning. He takes original views of merits and commands the highest attention. We things. The superior organs indicate a prophetic apti-S will now proceed to give a very brief outline of his tude, enabling the mind to foresee the requirements and three recent Lectures at the Unitarian Chapel, Little tendencies of mankind. The constructive and literary Portland Street. The first of the series given, on Sun faculties ably assist the knowing organs, and abundant day evening, March 11, was on-- language is the handmaid of both. The character is, therefore, versatile and expressive; is capable of T h e P hysical L if e . utilizing all knowledge to practical purposes ; inventive in adapting means to the required en d s; clear and In commencing his discourse, Dr. Richardson said that the comprehensive in the use of language and the presenta present critical period, when religion was travestied by some .i tion of a subject, yet neither verbose nor flighty. The who were in her ranks, and dogmatically denied by negative, industrial forces are very active. It is a restless, driv know-nothing, scientific teaching, was an opportune one foran ing, effective mind, and in adapting its possessions to exponent of science to declare that science is not his God, and the service of others, it seldom fails in commanding to urge the living of a good life, pure and undefiled. Religion commercial success in its own direction. and science, he contended, rest equally on human nature, and they should harmonise together. He might have asked science From the commencement of his professional career in vain for the use of one of her temples for these services; and equally vain would have been an appeal to the dogmatic Dr. Richardson has distinguished himself. In 1854, Churches. He respected the intention of both parties, forhe himself, on the side of science, would at one time have voted he gained the Fothergilian gold medal for. an essay on that her exclusive sphere should be exclusively respected and maintained. As a student of science, whose whole life had the diseases of the child before birth. In 1856, for been devoted to the investigation of matters appertaining to life and death, to health and disease, to good and evil, he had an essay on the coagulation of the blood, he gained the no hesitation in reasoning upon righteousness, temperance, uud judgment to come. He should not address himself to the A stley Cooper prize of �300. In the same year he high and mighty--to those who have made up their minds and cannot be changed--but to the masses whose ideas were not became a member of the Royal College of Physicians, fixed but in motion, and, consequently, in a condition to listen and be instructed. and he was elected a Fellow in 1861. He was elected Coming to the subject, Dr. Richardson said both science and a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1867; Croonian religion move on parallel lines--they are independent lines-- and they never need meet. Religion rested on tradition--on Lecturer, in 1873; and to other scientific honours the written Word ; science on God's other word--the universe. Religion is emotional; it has to do with feeling; it results in succeeding years. His experimental research, in from faith. Scienoe is phenomenal, resulting from sight. Henoe the Pauline description of the former, `i We walk by 1865, on contagious diseases resulted in his discovery faith, not by s i g h t a n d the old a d a g e ,Heaping we believe. pf a Bpeoifjp pejson he pnmetl ^ e p tin e ,'1 Jq kitf/ seeing we knew," ReJigtoqm y b� fapty tike April 6, 1883. TH E MEDIUM AND DAYBREAK. 211 through the ear, science to reach the intelligence through the S econd D iscourse-- T h e M oral and I ntellectual eye. Regarding the physical man, Paul's teaching was strik L ife. ingly^accurate. He tells us of a " natural body " and a "spiritual body." The natural body comes first, and it is Religion regards man as composed of the fleshly or earthy; the spiritual body comes secondly, and it isflm the carnal part, the feelings! and the spiritual nature, con Lord. ' And again, flesh and blood cannot endure Mfche phyJjgal stituting man in his animatrf^^^ctual, and moral manreturns to the earth, while the spiritual man is enSS'ed aspects. The pulpit presents three styles of preacher : with immortal life, and, advancing in uiteliigencejScontinues toprogress throughout the ages. �Paul's peculiar, intense, and the rude uncultured man, just awake from the sleep of graphic description of the two natures in man, warring with the flesh, addresses himself exclusively to the sensual each other, showed a deep insight into human nature. He taught that the spiritual man was superior to the physical, nature, and holds out hopes of enjoyment and the dread and, in fact, that the spirit could, as it were, look down on its of tortures in the life to come; the more cultured body. The Judaic teaihing on this point did not diffeSafrom preacher sets forth moral expediences and appeals to the Christian. In the Mosaic account of the creatMixhve had : the sentiments ; the spiritual-mindelPjphilo'sopher calls First|�du8lp| secondly, life ; thirdly; soul or spirit. !5rhe Mani- forth the most s fflm e and exalted powers and asp^ ^ H chseans taught the two principles of light and darkness; that tions of the mind and soul; and elevates thH whole man darkness rebelled and stormed the lig h t; that the GrE|t First hy an awakeninBBf his most l