SOME OF THE CAUSES OF INSANITY

Sir,-I send you the following extract from a lecture delivered by Dr. Maudsley three or four years ago, on " Some of the Causes of Insanity." I believe it to be worthy of earnest consideration by the spiritualist and the orthodox—in fact, by all who interest themselves about religion—one of the most conspicuous elements in human life :—

"The question of religion as an agency influencing in a powerful manner the minds of men for good or evil; and therefore, predisposing or not to mental degeneracy, I must leave untouched, not only because of the difficulty and delicacy of the subject, but because of the impossibility of doing justice to so important a matter in a brief and incidental manner. If the task were attempted, it would be necessary to consider the effect of the religious creed professed on the thoughts, feelings, and conduct of men—in other words, on the intellect, the emotions, and the will. It has been said by no less a person than Emerson that as men's creeds mark a disease of the intellect, so their prayers mark a disease of the will. Now, without giving in our adhesion to that opinion, it would be permissible, and indeed desirable, soberly to attempt to estimate the influence of religious belief upon the common mind ; and this might, perhaps, best be done by systematically discussing three principal questions,—first, What influence a belief in the supernatural has upon the growth and progress of human thought—whether its natural tendency is to strengthen or enervate the intellect? Secondly, What is the practical effect worked on the hearts of men by the fear of punishment and the hope of reward after death—whether their feelings and desires are beneficially influenced, or are influenced at all, by possibilities which always seem afar off ; or whether, on the other hand, as some argue, their feelings are deadened and themselves blinded thereby to the certain laws by which their sins or errors are always avenged in this world on themselves or on others? And lastly, what is the practical effect produced on the character of the many by the belief that through prayer they may obviate the effects of their own want of foresight, or want of self-renunciation, and may rely on supernatural aid where the will fails. Also, what is the effect on their character of the profession of a belief in moral maxims and precepts which they cannot always reconcile with the exigencies of actual life—whether the natural tendency of these beliefs is to justify the will, and to fashion a strong character well qualified for the consistent conduct of life? According to the way in which these questions are answered will be the answer to the question, whether the religious creed of a nation, as entertained by the masses, predisposes, or not, to mental degeneracy."

. . . . . .-Yours,

Jan. 8.
N. A.

 The Argus 10 January 1872,