HYPNOTISM.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 September 1922, Page 10

HYPNOTISM.

WHAT IS IT? (By Pastor L. Currow.) The word “hypnotism” is derived from the Greek adjective “hypnotikos,” meaning “inclined to sleep,” “putting to sleep,” which adjective, in turn, is derived from the Greek noun “hypnos,” meaning “sleep.” The general principles underlying hypnotism and its manifestation is recognised under a number of different names, among which are the following: “Personal magnetism,” “mesmerism,” “suggestion,” jar-phoonk,” “psychism,” “neuro-hypnotism,” “psychotherapeuties.” The Hindu conjurers of India practice hypnotism under the name of ‘‘jar-phoonk,” and one acknowledged to be the most expert occultists in the world. Some of its claims and inducements have been obtained by a perusal of the following wholesale invitation: “Send one and three-pcnce for our key to power. We aid all nations and religions to see the true light. Satisfaction guaranteed, or no remuneration will be accepted.” Hypnotism consists of two elements—(1) It is unquestionably a supernatural power; and (2) the hypnotist must have the mind or will of his victim. In determining whether it be a good or an evil thing, all that is necessary is to ascertain whether these two elements are used as God would use them, or in a Satanic manner. This question once settled decision as to its true nature need no longer be deferred. While speaking of power, let it be remembered that man has no power that he can justly call his own. He has a delegated power from God, the Creator, in whom, and by whom, all power in Heaven or on earth originates. Strictly speaking, Satan himself has no power, exerts no power, of his own. Even the evil influence and power he does exert, as well as his very existence, depend wholly upon God who created him. So, in speaking of power, whether jt be the power of God or that of evil, it is to be understood that the latter is merely the perverted or diverted power of God. Every good thing once perverted, or misused, or abused, becomes an evil thing. For example, perverted virtue becomes vice, perverted liberty becomes license, perverted love becomes lust, and perverted justice becomes injustice or oppression.

Now, what is the truth as to God and the human will? “The will is the governing power in the nature of man, bringing all the other faculties under its way.” The will is not the taste or the inclination, but it is the deciding power, which works in the children of men unto obedience to God, or unto disobedience. We are in constant peril until we understand the true force of the will. Therefore the very presence of wickedness and evil minded men in the world is an assurance to all that God ever allows men to choose the good, or the evil, according to his volition, and absolutely refuses to use his supernatural power in dethroning the human will. How, I ask, is it with the hypnotist? Does he show a godlike respect for the citadel of the soul? Plainly, he does not, for hypnotism is a spell, and assuredly a spell hinders the free action of ‘-the mind. The mind of the subject is entirely under the control of the operator, and hypnotism is that silent and mysterious force which enables one man to seize on its very throne the will of another, and make him conform to his slightest wish in every act and feeling.

From this alone it is evident that hypnotists, in thus enslaving the weak, are opposed to God, and are the work of the enemy of man’s soul. Hypnotism is Satanic deception. Hypnotism is not a genuine, scientific discovery, and the idea that it is acquired by hard study is false, for merely following the directions given in a pamphlet will make successful hypnotists of any who are willing to wreck the minds of their fellow beings. The ignorant and unscientific learn its use as easily and rapidly as do those who are intelligent. Whoever is willing to stop to such business can succeed, lor the principle involved is fully outlined in the definition of hypnotism. All the power that man of himself exerts upon the person to be hypnotised is that of obtaining the full consent- of his victim, and then pushing him over the precipice into the Niagara of Satanic power, a power demanding the full surrender of individuality.

’Twas the serpent that hypnotised Eve and eternity alone will reveal the ruin wrought. “Jannes and Jamvres” withstood Moses, and hypnotised Pharoah, and the results were ten plagues and the destruction of all the first born of Egypt, and the drowning of Pharoah and his hosts in the Red Sea. I have seen wrecks of manhood on the rocks of evil, wrecks of youth upon this shoal. Father and mother, in God’s name, I warn you to shun it; have nought to do with this sport of demons in the destruction of souls.