Psychologie

1828 · 19970 — Andover: Printed and Published by Flagg and Gould 1828. First edition. Original unbleached linen spine and drab boards printed paper spine label 7.5 x 4.75 inches 118 pages untrimmed. <br /><br />In anticipation of William James a pioneer American work on religious psychology and charismatic evangelical practice drawing in part on the physical manifestations of the Kentucky revivals: <br /><br />"But the apostasies in this connexion did not exceed nor equal those in Kentucky and Tennessee from 1800 to 1803 who were thus agitated who had visions trances and prophetic impulses. . . . M'Nemar admits that there was a great falling away and indeed in his opinion all returned to the world and went into bondage except the few who advance on to Shakerism. . . . His views seem to be that these phenomena were the result of God's power falling on the subjects externally thus indicating his desire to enter into their hearts by <i>shaking</i> them but as they proved obstinate all except those who adopted the <i>voluntary</i> shake and became Shakers the spirit deserted." <br /><br />Powers also attacks animal magnetism and Mesmerism noting that despite "the complete triumph of science and sound philosophy over all pretensions of Mesmer and his coadjutors in regard to magnetism there was originated in America by a Mr. Perkins a cause of delusion or precisely the same nature with the magnetism of Mesmer. And notwithstanding it arose into notice in less than eighteen years from the fall of Mesmer this imposition prevailed in all the United States." <br /><br />Powers arguing against revivalism and for a conservative evangelical orthodoxy also touches on the Salem Witch Trials medieval saints' cures and Wesleyan Methodism. For mention of this work in the context of religious revivals of the period see for instance Bratt James D. "Religious Anti-Revivalism in Antebellum America." <i>Journal of the Early Republic</i> 24 no. 1 2004: 65-106. See also Powers used specifically as an example of a skeptic of Mesmerism in Ogden Emily. <i>Credulity: a Cultural History of US Mesmerism</i>. Chicago Ill.: The University of Chicago Press 2018: 53-55. <i>American Imprints</i> 34862. <br /><br />Early ink ownership signature on the front paste-down; pencil note on the rear paste-down "Read July 1849." Rubbed and soiled; fragile linen rubbed exposing the printed binder's waste; some light foxing; a good sound copy. <br /> Printed and Published by Flagg and Gould books