Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1837-04-04
From the Times and Gazette.
OBJECTIONS TO PHRENoLoGY.

4 [ISS
OBJECTIONS TO PHRENOLOGY.
I. 1t is urged that Phrenology, if it be
true, leads to tatalism.--lf it be true it is
science, and how science can lead to fatality
is perfectly uncomfortable unless, indeed,
fatality be defined to be u declaration OF
uhat is true but we well know that in all
other sciences such teaching, though true,
and the result absolutely certain, is not so
regarded. If have weak arm and a
teacher of Gymnastics tells me that | can
never raise six hundred weight, it is fate
that is, it is" spoken" or said. Ifa phre.
biological demonstrator teach an individual
that he can never, on account the weak.
ness Of the organ Of size or color, become
Il portrait painter, it is fate no effort Of his,
will reverse Ii.
,. 1t is contcndcd that it destroys ac-
countability.-Any school boy knows that
accountability does not rest on the strength
or ~eakness Of a member or organ, but tine
US or abuse We make of them.
8. 1t is insinuatcd that Phrcnology leads
to materiaHsm.-ln its teaching it cannot !;
because Dr.. Spurzhiem taught that the
"bran was the rcccptical of soul and spir.
it," If men insis; that it does, it is no fault
of the science. That the soul after the
highest effort of mental energy should op-
crate less and lses efficiently through the
organs, till finally, in the imbecilty of old
age, her operations are scarcely perceptible,
is a dispensaiion of the God Of nature.-
The eye becomes dim, the car deaf, the
limbs palsicd that this should extend 10
he more delicate functions Of the brain, is
perfectly rational it has nothing 10 do with
the nature Of the soul, its immortality and
modes Of existence. 1t takes it as grantcl
that the immortality Of the soul is Demon
Stratcd in the Bible, and that IL is as it's
The immortality Of the soul is Bible truth,
and demonstrated onyon the face ofreveal-
cd truth, It's s'cncc, fact, known by It's
efficiency its mode unknown to us.-But
a science that teaches that the "som oper-
ates through the different organs,' can neve:
| lead To uIa.cra,.Sln.
A. II is surmiscd that it destroys the uni
ty of couscicniousness =; that if the soul op-
craze through the different organs, then
there is no unity.-We may as well insist
lat because it operates through the differ
cnt members OF the body there is no unity
OF conscicntiousncss.
5. is affirmed that Phrcnologists DIFF
fcr.-What has their difference to do with
The truth OF the science-do no: men differ
on crery thing, even the teachings of tho
word Of God.
6. |, is said it is not Of universal appA-
cation.-What science is There must be
hewcrs of wood and drawers Of water
"sculls that canno: teach and will notl:arn. l."
7. tits objected that there is a constant
change of the organs. So there is OF every
particle of the body, the size or energy OF
III. members, and yet anatomy and matsrla
mcdica obtain. But the change ofthese or
gaps their convergcncy or dlvergency !;
their activity or inactivity, is what Phrcnol.
ogy tcachcs-an important part OF the SCI
cuce-and why urge the teachings OF a SCI.
cncc against the science itself? Phrenology
is truc. because most Of the important Or
: pans have been located with absolute Ger.
faipty. Because anatomical examination
Of the brain confirms it. Because as a
theory it is the most perfect thing ever pre-
septedd TO the world, and too perfect not to
be time. Because it is confirmed by daily
cxpcyncnt and observation. Because 1t
alone solves the phenomena cfmnd which
obtain. Because it has resisted for thirty
years the most virulcnt attacks Of learned
men, and been sustained by its own merits.
Because it fourishes in an age ofscicnce in
the most scientific parts Of the world. Be.
E cause the skilliuI dcmonstrator can, in .fre
miuutes, dcvelope character rs perfectly and
+ more perfectly than one Ignorant OF ITS
principles could in fre years.; and because
it may be made to appear true by the aPpl',
cation of the science to amp mans physical
constitution.
Fully convinced of the truth and compar.
alive perfection oil the science, confident.
" (but rs TO myself, modestly) challenge
any objection to be urged which cannot be
answered to the fullness ofa rational con-
viction on the minds of more than two;hlrds
of the most intelligent and intellectual OF
the community.
JAMES S. OLCOTT.
Going the Whole Egmc--Pennsyylva'