Brain and mind; or, Mental science considered in accordance withthe principles of phrenology, and in relation to modern physiology . hich it inspires for the creeds, opinions, and theo-ries in religion and science which bear the authority ofgreat names and have endured for ages. It seems tomaintain the unenlightened devotee, says Mr. Combe,in a state of bigoted subjection to his priests; an emo-tion of profound and sanctified respect springs up in themind on contemplating tlie doctrines which they have in-stilled into him in his yo ith; and every suggestion of the 184 BRAIN AND MIND. understan
Brain and mind; or, Mental science considered in accordance withthe principles of phrenology, and in relation to modern physiology . hich it inspires for the creeds, opinions, and theo-ries in religion and science which bear the authority ofgreat names and have endured for ages. It seems tomaintain the unenlightened devotee, says Mr. Combe,in a state of bigoted subjection to his priests; an emo-tion of profound and sanctified respect springs up in themind on contemplating tlie doctrines which they have in-stilled into him in his yo ith; and every suggestion of the 184 BRAIN AND MIND. understanding, in opposition to this feeling, is expelled asprofane. In short, Veneration, when vigorous and unen-lightened, produces complete prostration of the mind be-fore the object to which it is directed. In another place, Mr. Combe says, very beautifully: As Nature has implanted the organs of Veneration andMarvelousness in the brain, and the corresponding senti-ments in the mind, it is a groundless terror to apprehendthat religion can ever be extinguished,* or even endangered,by the arguments or ridicule of the profane. Forms of. Fig. 86.—Veneration Large. worship may change, and particular religious tenets maynow be fashionable, and subsequently fall into decay; butwhile the human heart continues to beat, awe and venera-tion for the Divine Being will ever animate the soul; andthe worshij)er will cease to kneel, and the hymn of adora-tion to rise, only when the race of man becomes extinct. Nothing is more common in the hospitals for the in-sane, says Pinel, than cases of alienation produced bydevotional feelings excessively exalted, by conscientiousscruples carried to prejudicial excesses, or by religious ter- MORAL AND RELIGIOUS SENTIMENTS. 185 ror. Drs. Gall and Spurzheim saw in the hospital of Am-sterdam a patient in whom the organ of Veneration wasvery largely developed, and who was tormented with theidea that he was compelled to sin, and that he could notpossibly be saved.
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