In every instance I have known of mental alienation produced by religious excitement, I have noticed that the alienation was preceded by some unreasonable or fanatical conduct, which at the time was not so considered, but even pronounced, by those who were themselves zealously religious, commendable, and as evidencing advancement in religious attainments. I am now attending a young man whose mind is deranged, and his brain, as I apprehend, diseased; which disease was apparently induced by strong religious excitement, and long attendance on protracted meetings. After he became awakened and converted, as his parents and instructors supposed, he soon became distinguished for his zeal and engagedness, and for his ability in prayer. The consciousness of this distinction, and the praise which his efforts elicited, with probably an increased degree of excitement in his own mind on the general subject of religion, determined him to strive for higher excellence, and he resolved to pray more, and to commit the whole Bible to memory. His mother became somewhat alarmed at this, but her fears were partially allayed by the assurance of one of their religious teachers, that "young people were not apt to be too conscientious, or too much disposed to piety." The youth therefore continued on, constantly striving to make himself more perfect, and finally resolved literally to fulfil the scripture injunction to pray always. It was at this time that mental alienation was first perceived by his friends, though it had probably existed in a degree, for weeks or months. Measures were then taken to restore him; which, however, will probably prove unavailing; a constant pain in the head, sleeplessness and delirium, indicating settled disorder there. Now had this young man been strongly solicited by some sensual propensities, it seems to me highly probable that, like Origen, he might have endeavored literally to fulfil other supposed commands of scrip ture. Origen himself, though he ultimately became renowned for genius, industry and erudition, according to Mosheim, early exhibited a tendency to fanaticism; and in fact he never was distinguished for the soundness of his judgment. His father was a very devout man, and took great pains to instruct him in the Holy Scriptures, while yet very young. His son became renowned for his precocious genius and early piety. At the age of seventeen, he became eager to suffer martyrdom, but was prevented by his mother. He soon commenced a very austere life, living on the coarsest fare, going barefoot, and sleeping on the ground, (o) and soon after, construing Matt. xix. 12, literally, he emasculated himself. Judging from his subsequent course, I have no doubt he was made a better man by the operation, and that his conduct became more rational and less fanatical than it would otherwise have been. (p) (0) Sometimes an early tendency to fanaticism is checked, either by a change in the physical system or from some other cause, and then, though subdued it gives firmness and perseverance to the character. This appears to have been the case with Ignatius Loyola, John Wesley, St. Teresa, Whitfield, Adam Clark, George Fox, &c. all of whom exhibited in early life, many fanatical propensities, such as desire for martyrdom-extreme fasting, &c. &c. (p) Very numerous are the instances, in which nothing seemed wrong in the conduct, or calculated to detract from a reputation for piety, but the predominance of the sexual propensity. Dr. Gall has alluded to many such, as also, several other writers. There are some very striking instances given in "Mather's Magnalia," particularly the cases of Potter and of W. C.-vol. ii. p. 348 and 351. Of Flagellation. A religious society of Christians, called Flagellants, first arose in Italy in the year 1250, and afterwards spread over a large part of Europe. Something of the kind, however, prevailed in ancient times. At Sparta, a festival called Diamastagosis, was holden in honor of Diana Orthia, which received that name, because boys were whipped before the altar of the goddess. "These boys, called Bomonicæ, were originally free-born Spartans; but, in the more delicate ages, they were of mean birth, and generally of a slavish origin. This operation was performed by an officer, in a severe and unfeeling manner; and that no compassion should be raised, the priest stood near the altar with a small light statue of the goddess, which suddenly became heavy and insupportable if the lash of the whip was more lenient or less rigorous. The parents of the children attended the solemnity, and exhorted them not to commit any thing, either by fear or groans, that might be unworthy of Laconian education. These flagellations were so severe, that the blood gushed in profuse torrents, and many expired under the lash of the whip without uttering a groan, or betraying any marks of fear. Such a death was reckoned very honorable, and the corpse was buried with much solemity, with a garland of flowers on its head. The origin of this festival is unknown. Some suppose that Lycurgus first instituted it. Orestes first introduced that barbarous custom, after he had brought the statue of Diana Taurica into Greece. There is another tradition, which mentions that Pausanius, as he was offering prayers and sacrifices to the gods, before he engaged with Mardonius, was suddenly attacked by a number of Lydians, who disturbed the sacrifice, and were at last repelled with staves and stones, the only weapons with which the Lacedemonians were provided at that moment. In commemoration of this, therefore, the whipping of boys was instituted at Sparta, and after that the Lydian procession."-[Lempriere's Classical Dict.-art. Diamasta gosis. But the most noted Flagellants have arisen since the Christian era, and as before said, appeared in Italy about the middle of the 13th century. "A great multitude of persons," says Mosheim, "of all ranks and ages, and both sexes, ran about the streets of cities and country towns, with whips in their hands, lashing miserably their naked bodies; and they expected, by this voluntary punishment, by their frightful countenances and their distracted cries, to procure the divine compassion for themselves and others." But at length they became so turbulent, that the Emperors and Pontiffs issued decrees to put a stop to this religious phrenzy. After having been long restrained, they publicly appeared again in the 14th century, and produced greater excitements than before. Their re-appearance was also in Italy, in the neighborhood of Cremona. Suddenly a multitude, amounting to ten thousand persons, claiming the authority of a letter or writing sent down from heaven, issued from the surrounding cities and villages, and paraded the country, flogging themselves, and (in the first instance) begging. "The contagion spread with a rapidity which will afflict, but cannot surprise, the observer of religious absurdities; and in the course of ten years scarcely a country in Europe was exempt from its visitation. As they increased in numbers, they adopted some sort of system and method in their fanaticism; The which, though it may have varied under different circumstances, possessed the same general character. Naked from their loins upward, and marked on their front and back with red crosses, they spread themselves in numerous bands over the face of Europe. Twice every day, in the most public places, they performed their discipline, until blood flowed from their wounds; and they completed their duties by one nocturnal and private flagellation. Their appearance and character chiefly moved the enthusiasm of the Germans, who opened their doors, and entertained them at their tables. innocence of their demeanor, the severity of their discipline, the very singularity of their enthusiasm, attracted a multitude of proselytes; but as their numbers increased, their conduct no longer escaped reproach, and the offences of individuals threw suspicion and obloquy on the whole body. By thirty-three consecutive days of flagellation, they held themselves absolved from the most heinous sins, to the disregard of the salutary penance and indulgences of the Church. And lastly they maintained that stripes were more honorable than martyrdom; that the baptism by water had passed away, and given place to the baptism by blood; and that through this last alone, was there any road to salvation. At length they attracted the attention of the public authorities, and a dreadful persecution of them commenced, till finally, Pope Clement VI. proclaimed a holy war; the master of the Teutonic order marched against them; and after a solemn fast and public prayer, that God would aid him in the extirpation of His enemies, for the glory of His Holy name, he assaulted them and massacred eight thousand; the remainder, about two thousand more, were |