There are three points in connection with the above lecture on Hypnotism worthy of especial note. First. It was delivered by a professor in a leading university of the far western states. Second. It was delivered in a Presbyterian church. Third. It was delivered under the auspices of the Young Men's Christian Association. We copy only extracts from it. There was much in the lecture commendatory of Hypnotism. Among other things it was said: "It is the essential principle in all the various practices of healing by impressing the mind of the patient. It is the oldest instead of the newest form of the healing art." Again it was said, "Hypnotism may be used in forming character. Bad habits may be effectually obliterated."
It is difficult to see how an element as dangerous as this is admitted to be in many parts of the lecture, can be used in the formation of good character. If it is susceptible of this use, it would seem as though the suggestion that some method of vaccination against it be devised, is entirely out of place. The lecture is another evidence of the strange admixture of good and evil prevailing in the world of human thought.
Verily the great "red dragon, that old serpent, called the Devil and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world," is parading in high places and consorting with respectable company. It is high time some method of "vaccination" against him were being adopted.
