Man: his origin, nature, and destiny

Dedication

To all honest investigators, and independent thinkers; to those who have no respect for orthodoxy in Church or State, which is not based on Truth and Right; to those who have no regard for hoary precedents, and ancient errors ; to all who, without fear of sect or party, are willing to accept Truth wherever found; and especially to those who in the spirit of the Apostle Paul, are willing to "Prove all things; and hold fast that which is good," these pages are respectfully and earnestly dedicated by the

Author.

Paris, Texas, December 28, 1881.

Preface

t FULLY recognize the truth of Solomon's statement that "of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh." Yet I have written a book without any reference to the labor and expense incident to its preparation and publication. Whether the work shall be a success or a failure, ha3 not been considered. No calculation has been made of achieving literary distinction, or of realizing pecuniary profit from the venture. The reasons that have controlled me are : —

1st. A great love of the subject and a strong desire which long ago ripened into a fixed purpose to write a book on Man.

2d. The writing of the work necessitated a thorough study of the fundamental laws underlying Human Nature ; and that satisfactory answers be made to the momentous inquiries, Whence came I? What am I? And whither am I tending? As a responsible and progressive human being I have ever felt the profoundest interest in these great questions, and long have felt a desire to make a survey of Human Nature, taking the Bible as the beginning corner , and thence running

PREFACE.

in accordance with God's laws, natural and revealed, to establish the field notes of Man's being. And having established his premises, to trace his title back link by link to the great Sovereign of the universe. I desire, if possible, to determine my own status in the universe, and to have a definite faith as to my Origin, Nature, and Destiny, so that I may arrive at correct conclusions in reference to all the duties of life, and the better prepare myself for that progressive development in the spirit world to which we are so rapidly tending.

3d. I thought it proper and right to leave the result of my investigations, the conclusions arrived at, and the reasons therefor, in such durable form that my family friends and such of my fellow-men as felt disposed, might avail themselves of the use thereof. In the preparation of the work I have proceeded from the standpoint of the philosopher and aimed to accept truth, and reject error, no matter where found. When opinions are given, the facts and arguments upon which they rest are also given.

My attention has been given almost exclusively to the matter, and not to the manner; to the logic, and not the rhetoric of the work ; and the reader need not be informed of its many literary defects. The only effort has been to make the book systematic and orderly in its several parts ; to state its propositions and points clearly ; and, as far as possible, impress them on the mind of the reader. My experience as a teacher, lawyer, speaker, and writer, has taught me that in order to fix propositions and arguments in

PREFACE. 7

the minds of hearers and readers, it is necessary to deal much in review and repetition. It will accordingly be found that the same ideas, and sometimes the same language, is repeated in two or more of the chapters, and sometimes even in the same chapter. I have sought to be definite, pointed, and impressive, at the expense of literary excellence and rhetorical finish, because the object of the work is to discover and impress truths and not to acquire literary reputation. In the quest for truth, I have drawn largely on other authors, as the copious extracts contained in the book will show. Wherever important truths and facts were found bearing directly on the subject under consideration, I have not hesitated to quote liberally. And although there are some positions and opinions stated in the book that are peculiarly my own (at least I have not seen them elsewhere), yet by far the greater part of the views advanced can be found in authors who have preceded me. Among many writers consulted, I desire to express especial obligation to Alex. Campbell, Wilf ord Hall, Rev. Mr. Baldwin, Dr. J. R. Buchanan, Dr. W. C. Hurley, Prof. O. S. Fowler, S. R. Wells, A. J. Davis, Robert Dale Owen, Prof. A. Winchell, and Drs. A. J. Bellows and R. T. Trail.

The book is only a brief outline of the great subject of which it treats. It does not profess to be elaborate on any part of the ground. Covering so wide a field, it could only suggest the main objective points of the subject, leaving the reader to study the details in other works if he sees fit. I now " cast my bread upon the waters," with the hope that

8 PREFACE.

sooner or later, some fellow-being, hungry for the great truths of Human Nature, will find it and in some sense be benefited by even so plain and simple a food as is herein prepared.

And as we pass onward and upward in the glorious pathway of duty and progress — if a single fellow-spirit shall either in time or eternity express gratification for information or benefit received from reading these pages, I shall feel amply repaid for the labor and expense of writing and publishing the work.

E. L. Dohonet.

Paris, Texas, December, 28, 1884.

Contents

PAET I.

THE ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF MAN.

CHAPTEE I.

Chapter II.. The Progressive Development Op The Earth

Nature of Matter and its Original Condition — Impregnated by Spirit — The Universe a Great Sea of Fire-mist — Formation of Suns — System and Planets — Our Earth from the Sun; its Gradual Cooling and the Development of the Mineral, Vegetable, and Animal Kingdoms 38

Chapter III. The Several Types Op Man

The Black Races, Brown Races, and White Races — Winchell's Table of Races — Each Type or Species Created or Developed from the Mineral, Vegetable, and Animal Kingdoms, in accordance with fixed Laws — No such things as Miracles, as generally

understood 52

Chapter IV. The Noachian Family

The Conditions under which Noah began to Propagate the Adamic Stock anew on the Earth — The Division of the Earth among his Sons, Shem, Ham, andjapheth — Leading Outlines of the History and principal Characteristics of the Shemites, Hamites, and Japhethites — All the History-making Nations of Earth Descended from Noah's Sons — None of the Inferior Types of Men found among Them C8

Chapter V. The Pre-adamites, Or Revelation And Scientists Reconciled

Many Pacts Cited from Winchell and Quatrefages, Showing that Men Lived on the Earth Thousands of Years Prior to the Advent of Adam — These were the Inferior Types, such as the Negroes and Mongolians, whose Creation is Referred to in the First Chapter of Genesis, and who were on the Earth Thousands of Years before Adam. 84

PAKT II.

THE NATURE AND POWERS OF MAN.

Chapter I. Man Is Threefold, Body, Soul, And Spirit

This View sustained by both Science and Revelation — The Body at Physical Death returns to Matter in General — The Spirit goes to the Spirit World and Takes with it the Soul as its Spiritual Body — The Soul, the Spiritual Body Eef erred to by Paul in Corinthians — In the Case of the Righteous it attains to Eternal Life, at the First Resurrection at the Second Coming of Christ, and in Case of the Wicked Remains in the Spirit World Until the Judgment 115

Chapter II. The Body And The Temperaments

Temperaments based on the Three Divisions of the Body, (1) the Framework; (2) Vital Apparatus ; and (3) the Brain and Nerves — Dr. W. C. Hurley's System — Fowler and Wells' Division into Motive, Vital, and Nervous — The Physical, Vital, and Spiritual Suggested as a Better Nomenclature — The Temperaments Denned, and Examples of Distinguished Men Given ..... 135

Chapter III. Food, And The Laws Of Health

The Chemical Constituents of the Body; its constant waste, and the Necessity of Food to supply Vitality — Nature and Classification of Food — Dr. Bellow's Table — Brain Food, Muscle Food, and Heating Food, Defined and Described — How to Restore the unbalanced Temperaments by the Proper Use of Food — Distinction between Food and Poison — Quotation from Dr. Trail . 147

Chapter IV. The Mind Rhrenologically Considered

Mind can only be Considered by its Manifestations and its Instrument — The Brain its Instrument, and the Organs thereof Represent Other Faculties of the Mind — Gallian System as Maintained by Fowler and Wells — Division into Groups and Regions by Dr. J. R. Buchanan — Brain Considered by Regions, and the Balancing of the Regions of Animality, Violence , and Relaxation by those of the Intellect — Goodness and Power Shown — Also the Importance of the Animal Organs when Properly Controlled . . 171

Chapter V. The Mind's Relation To And Control Of The Body

Cerebral Physiology — Physiogonomy — Character in Voice, Movements, Handwriting, etc. — Mind's Control of Disease — Magnetic Treatment and use 185

Chapter VI. The Mind's Control Over Other Minds And Bodies

Animal Magnetism — Mesmerism — Mind Reading — Mental Telegraphy — Living Apparitions, etc. — Cases Cited . . . 206

Chapter VII. Spiritism

The Power and Influence of Disembodied Spirits over the Minds and Bodies of Men — Cases cited from the Bible of the different Kinds of Spirits who have Appeared to Man — Many Remarkable Cases Cited from History, and Conclusions and Deductions drawn 20G

Chapter VIII

man's relation to the spirit world.

Clairvoyance, Clairaudience — Dreams, Visions, etc. — Experience of A. J. Davis and Swedenborg Cited — Spirit World Described — Clairvoyant Aid in Removing Disease — Millennium, etc 233

Chapter I

man's duty to his creator.

Dependent on God, and subject to the Laws of his Being, Physical and Mental — The Punishment for Violated Physical Law ends with Physical Death — The Violation of the Laws of the Spirit and Soul, are punished both here, and in the Spirit World, unless the penalties are remitted — The Gospel Plan with the condition of pardon, both to the Sinner and the Believer 305

Chapter II

man's duty to himself and family.

His Duty to Himself to Obey the Laws of his Being, Physical and Mental — His Duty to his Family — Marriage and Divorce discussed — Importance of the Former and proper blending of the Temperaments — Importance of properly begetting, bearing, and raising Children — Their Support and Education — Education Denned and Explained — Prevailing Systems Criticised. 321

Chapter III

man's duty to the state.

Duties and Rights Reciprocal — All men and Women Equal in Natural and Political Rights — Right of Suffrage Discussed — Importance of the Ballot, and of Moral Character of Officers — Honesty, Competency, and Sobriety — The Principle of Taxation Discussed — The Liquor Traffic, The Laws of Labor, Commerce, and Money Considered,Necessity for Public Education. 331

Chapter IV. The Destiny Of Man

The Body returns to Dust, never to be Resurrected — The Spirit with the Soul, its Spirit Body, goes to the Spirit World, and there remains until the respective Resurrections — The Souls of the Righteous attain Eternal Life at the First Resurrection at the Second Coming of Christ — The Souls of the Wicked are Resurrected at the Judgment and are destroyed in the Lake of Fire Called the Second Death, or Hell — Their Spirits left in outer darkness • 343

Conclusion

Soul-Sleeping — Heaven and Hell — The Intermediate State — The Second Coming of Christ — The Two Resurrections — Eternal Punishment — Is the Intermediate State Probationary? — Importance of Accepting Christ While in the Flesh — The Great Duty of Man 859

PART L

THE ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF MAN.

Introduction

|HE most important subject to which the mind can be directed, is Man. More than two thousand years ago, a Greek philosopher expressed this idea, in the terse language, "Man know thyself." And the same great thought has been embodied in verse by the poet, Pope, in that grand couplet : —

" Then know thyself, presume not God to scan The proper study for mankind is Man."

The Origin of Man, may be considered from the standpoint of Reason ; but can be clearly solved, only by the aid of Revelation. The laws of Nature have been impressed upon the earth and its inhabitants for their government. It is our duty to study these laws, and conform to them, to the extent of our finite ability. Over this wide domain Revelation has shed but little light. Man must help himself to the limit of his own powers; and when his ability ends, God's aid begins. Revelation is to Reason what the telescope is to the natural eye. It supplies to Man knowledge necessary to his well being, which by his natural powers he is unable to acquire.

16 MAN.

In the consideration of the subject of Man, I shall pursue the inquiry from the standpoint of Reason, as far as the mind's eye can reach ; and shall then appeal to Revelation for additional light. Assuming first the attitude of the logician I proceed to answer the inquiry, What was the origin of Man? To say that he originated himself; or came by chance ; or is the product of some superior power, is to logically cover the entire ground. If Man originated himself, why is he born utterly helpless and almost unconscious ; unable to exist an hour, without the attention and care of others? And why does he not, by the same power, with which he originated himself, continue the present state of existence? We know by observation that many persons submit to physical death very unwillingly. If any man was ever sufficiently vain and impious to imagine he created himself, the pitiable delusion was forever dispelled in the utter helplessness of the dying moment. Nor is the creation of Man by himself any more incredible than that foolish idea of the Atheist, — that he came by chance. Such a preposterous proposition, is disputed by the very nature and organism of Man. The laws of his being, physical," intellectual, social, moral, and spiritual, all show perfect order, complete system and wise design ; and point to a superior Architect of infinite wisdom, power, and goodness. Man is, indeed, " a harp of a thousand strings," and all originally attuned, in perfect unison with Nature's great laws.

Well has an inspired writer said, "Man is fearfully and wonderfully made." It has been well said that we might as well suppose that a watch of the most skillfully wrought workmanship, with its complete system of wheels, cogs, springs, and other parts, had been evolved from gross matter and by mere chance thrown together in perfect adjustment, and set running so as to keep correct time, as to suppose that an organized human being, endowed with life, springs into existence by chance. Man, with his complete system of bones, held together by the ligaments, muscles and tendons ; enclosing the great vital machinery of the lungs, heart, arteries, and veins, filled with blood supplying life to every part of the system; and this supplied by the alimentary canal, consisting of the stomach and other organs, by which food is masticated, digested, and asssimilated, into life ; and all controlled by the wondrous brain and nervous system, which extends to every part of the body, and not only controls the muscles and voluntary action, but also the involuntary vital processes of the heart and lungs, upon which life depends every moment of its existence ; this wonderful living organism points clearly and conclusively to an All-wise Architect and an Omnipotent Creator and Preserver. But let us see if the more specific proposition of l ' spontaneous generation," as maintained by the great German philosopher, Haeckel, is any more probable than the general idea of chance. Prof. Haeckel, who stands at the head of the atheistic school of philosophy, and Prof. Darwin, the father of evolution, both maintain that Man has been evolved from the lower animals. That the immediate progenitor of Man, is an extinct species, a missing link between man and the gorilla ; that the latter was probably from the monkey ; the monkey from the next highest order of animal life, and so on down to the lowest form of animal existence called by Prof. Haeckel the Moner or Moneron. This primordial form of animal life, is said by Haeckel to consist of a single, simple element of matter, a mere animated mass of albumen, without organization or parts. And he insists that this lowest form of animal life comes into existence by "spontaneous generation." Prof. Darwin, however, parts companj* here, with this younger and more advanced evolutionist, and

18 MAN.

surrenders in the last ditch to the creative fiat. Darwin holds that " the powers of life were originally breathed by the Creator into a few forms or into one." In order that it may be seen that I have not misrepresented these distinguished evolutionists I will give quotations from their respective works, upon the point at issue.

In Darwin's Origin of Species, page 420, can be found the following extract, viz. : " There is a grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed by the Creator into a few forms, or into one." While in HaeckePs history of Creation, volume 1, page 75, can be found the following language, viz. : " The fundamental idea, which must necessarily be at the bottom of all natural theories of development, is that of a gradual development of all organisms, out of a single or out of a very few quite simple, quite imperfect original beings which came into existence, not by supernatural creation, but by spontaneous generation, or archigony, out of inorganic matter.' ' Upon this issue between Darwin and Haeckel, it appears that nature and truth are on Darwin's side. That animal life could spring from inorganic matter by spontaneous generation is an idea which could only have a lodgment in the mind of a German naturalist.

The argument, already submitted against the general doctrine of chance, applies with equal force to spontaneous generation from inorganic matter. Unorganized matter is dead, if the term death is used in opposition to organized life. We may as well talk of a stone lifting itself from the earth and poising in the air; or of a lifeless and decomposing corpse, of its own force, returning from the grave, as to say that inorganic matter, can of its own inherent powers, spontaneously burst into animal life. The universe and all that it contains when resolved back to its primal elements, consists of but two general parts, viz. : Spirit, which is life, and matter, which is dead until organized and animated by spirit in some of its many forms or modifications acting through some one or more of its many mediums. We are informed in the very beginning of Revelation that " God created the heavens and the earth; " that is matter generally. But that the " earth was without form and void; ,, that is the matter was unorganized and without life either mineral, vegetable, or animal. And it was not until " the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters," that the process of organic creation began. Then follows the beautiful account of the creation of the earth with its mineral, vegetable and animal kingdoms, beginning with organized matter and proceeding in progressive order, from the lower to the higher forms of life until the climax was reached in the creation of man. And even when the body of Adam was made of refined and organized matter, it had no animal life until " God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life," when " he became a living soul." That is when a spark of God's spirit was imparted to the organized matter of Adam's body, it " became a living soul," or in other words, human life began. The history of creation, both natural and revealed, clearly shows that there is no original life in the mineral, vegetable and animal kingdoms of earth outside of the spirit of God. That all forms of life existing on earth are delegated; originally imparted by God, through the operation of His spirit. But while Mr. Darwin frankly admits that inorganic matter can have no life, unless it is originally imparted by the Creator ; when once he gets his primordial forms endued with power from on high, he takes his departure on the line of evolution, which he follows into the deep dark waters of chance until he is overwhelmed by the billows of improbability. He holds that from the primor-

20 MAN.

dial form, called the Moneron, all the higher forms of life have been developed by evolution. The Moneron, you will remember, is simply an animated mass of albumen without sex, organization, or parts of any kind, which can only propagate itself by self-division. Let us ask Mr. Darwin how he spans the wide chasm between the Moneron and the organized life of the fish ? How he bridges the great gulf between fishes and birds ; or between the latter and animals, to say nothing of man?

We are answered that a passage has been effected over these great chasms in animal life, by a mysterious process called Transmutation of Species ; and that this transmutation has been effected by "Natural Selection" and " The Survival of the Fittest." But, Mr. Darwin, please explain how this principle of Natural Selection, can inhere in any form of animal life, sufficiently to vary the species. He answers it is only possible after considerable variation or modification of the species, by hereditary descent. I here make the reply of Wilford Hall, " There can be no possible variation in the descent from the Moneron, his primordial form ; because it has neither organization, sex, or parts, and only propagates itself by self-division. The only propagation possible by this creature, is another individual exactly similar, because a part of the same simple body." So the law of hereditary descent affords Mr. Darwin no relief; and we leave him forever chained to his own base, utterly unable by evolution to cross the first chasm in animal life.

Darwin's admission, that no variation of species is possible, except by and through the laws of hereditary descent is fatal to his theory. Outside of mathematics there is no natural law more certain and invariable in its cause and effect, than that of hereditary descent. I refer to that principle in nature, by which, under ordinary circumstances and in normal conditions, like always begets like. By this, however, I do not mean that every individual is exactly like its parent in both kind and degree. The law of individual existence and personal identity stands even above that of hereditary descent ; and here is the margin for the progress and improvement of the human race, and of all the animal species. So far as the essential nature of the type jr species is concerned, the stock remains the same from generation to generation. The difference between individuals of the same type or species being one of degree and capacity, and not of nature. The difference in degree and capacity between individuals of the same species, acting under different circumstances, and further modified by Mr. Darwin's law of Natural Selection, finally culminates in distinct varieties of the same type or species ; but never in the transmutation or complete change of the species. For instance, take the horse species, and by careful breeding and rearing, new and improved varieties can be and have been produced. But never has a case been reported of the horse species being transmutated into that of the cow, or that of the monkey, or that of man. Neither history nor geology records any such case. This much of evolution we concede to be true ; that when the progenitors, male or female, of a distinct type or species, have been created that it will propagate and perpetuate itself by ordinary generation, under operation of the sexual laws of its being. That the individuals produced will differ so much in degree and capacity that modified by time, place, circumstances, and natural selection, they will in turn produce new and improved varieties. This much of Evolution is true, and is a glorious doctrine ; because it not only allows the indefinite improvement of vegetables and animals ; but also opens up a grand high-

22 MAN.

way for the progressive improvement of Man, to the very highest degree of his most superior type.

In order to fully understand this subject, it will be necessary, in this connection, to refer very briefly to the classification of the animal kingdom, which has been adopted by such naturalists as Linnaeus and Cuvier. They divide it into divisions, classes, orders, genera, species, and varieties. Beginning with the lowest division, we have (1) radiata, (2) molusca, (3) articula, embracing worms and insects, and (4) the vertebrata, or such animals as have spinal columns ; and which last division is divided into four classes, (1) fishes, (2) reptiles, (3) birds, and (4) mamalia; at the head of which last class stands the genus homo or human race. According to this system each genus is divided into species, and species into varieties. A species is defined as embracing all individuals of the same nature and essential attributes. All, more or less similar, individuals descending from a single ancestral pair. Man, like every other genus, is divided into several species ; or to use a better term as suggested by Prof. Agassiz, the human race is properly divided into distinct types; such as the Negro, the Mongolian, and the so-called Caucasian, properly the Mediterranean, or as I term it, the Noachian race. Now, the point I make against Darwin is that while the species or type may be sufficiently varied by time, place, circumstance, and natural selection to produce new varieties of the same species, it never can be so varied as to cross the wide chasm between separate and distinct species or types, and thereby change a lower into a higher form of life.

To illustrate : The feline genus, embraces several species, such as the cat, panther, tiger, and lion. The canine genus embraces such species as the dog, wolf, fox, and jackal. The equine genus embraces such species as the horse, ass, and zebra. Now, take a species, the horse, for instance, and by careful breeding, you can produce new and improved varieties. And the same is true of the dog or any other type or speices. But you never can produce a fox from the dog family, or a zebra from a horse, or a lion from a cat, or a white man from the negro type ; because there is a gulf wider than that which separated Dives from Lazarus, between each separate and distinct type or species and every other such type or species. It is true that some of these types and species will cross, as the horse and ass, producing the mule ; the white man and negro, producing the mulatto ; but it has not yet been demonstrated that the progeny resulting from the cross is either permanent or fertile. And no ordinary generation, natural selection, or variation of species, will ever cross one of these gulfs. Hence I arrive at the conclusion again, that Darwin's theory of transmutation of species, has no foundation in Nature. We have now arrived at the general conclusion, that Man did not originate himself ; nor come by chance ; nor by spontaneous generation; nor has he been evolved from the lower animals. Therefore, it inevitably follows that he is the product of some power superior to himself. That power I hold to be the Supreme Architect of the Universe, with its perfect order and complete and endless system. So far as this earth and its systems are concerned, we see the most perfect order and progressive development of the Divine plan, proceeding from the lower to the higher forms of life, until the climax was reached in the creation of Man. No form or type of life was evolved from any other form or type ; but the original progenitors of each species or type were created in accordance with fixed laws, and then the stock propagated by ordinary generation. How these several creations of distinct types and species were effected through the operation of the laws of Nature, will be discussed in another part of the work. It implies the agency of a great first cause, whose grand effects are seen throughout the Universe. In the beautiful language of the psalmist, "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handiwork." So far as they pertain to this earth, the grandest and noblest of these effects is Man.

But the atheist is ready to say that the claim that each species was created is begging the question, because an assumption of miraculous power, a thing which he maintains has no existence, since it conflicts with the laws of Nature. In reply, I say that the maker of any system of laws is always above the laws themselves with power to suspend or repeal them. Whether God has ever suspended or repealed any of his laws, need not now be discussed ; that he possesses the power to do so is beyond question. But, I am willing to admit that God generally, if not universally, acts in accordance with his laws and not independently of them. And I incline to the opinion that the so-called miracles are simply exhibitions of divine power, in accordance with laws that are above the finite comprehension of man. We can have but little comprehension of the infinite wisdom, power and goodness of God.