Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1843-08-30
For the Telegraph.
PSYCHOLOGICAL REFORM--No. 1.

Mr.. Editor III wish 10 present TO the read
ers Of the Telegraph, some principles Of
physiology applied 10 the preservation Of
health. Probably all has been said on this
subject, that can be said in proof Of the
principles out il may be repeated, and ought
10 be, to every class Of readers. Perhaps
many are not aware that soevery much has
been said on this subject, simply because
they have not seen or heard it; and this is
my 6rst reason for saying something through
he Telegraph, to large, and trust, think-
ling class Of community, who should be
'pady to meet and adopt reform in every re-
|pect, where iI promises US real good. We
should not con6ne oar views Of reform TO
|mcr4ls, and the intellect, without taking in
10 consideration the condition of the agent
through which the manifestation Of morals
nnd intellect are necessarily made. mean
he body Of course. Cannot every one see
on a moments reflection, that the good or ill
condition OF the body must influence materi-
'nly, every exhibition OF mind or morals?
l,k any philosopher, or metaphysican in
rhris., ndom, TO point out any other medium
communication which mind has, save
through physical organisation. This last
lea is a self evident truth. This then, phi
oscpically, would seem to be the true start
ng point for every species Of human i'm
brovement. am conscious that no individ
bal will say, after half an hours close think
ns, that mind can acl just as we'll through
he medium Of diseased body, as a healthy
he. II is possible to build beautiful edi-
Ice, on a soft and artificial sand bank but
lis quite certain it will get out Of plumb
core il is flashed. IL then, men will ad-
hit that the body is the minds tool, or i'm
ement with which, and through which i
perates, they must also admit, that Il will
perale the most perfectly, and TO the best
lvantage, and accomplish the greatest
mount, with we'll shaped and every way
|srfect implement. A robust man with an
shaped, and pretty dull sythe, will cut the
lass Of 2 or acres in day; but give him
we'll shaped, we'll hung, and keen edged
tol, and mark the contrast. Will he not
Ecompish much more, and do it vastly bet
II, with less efort2 All this is plain mat !.
h Of fact. Then, if the principle that |
|ave propounded TO philosophers and meta
Ysiciaus be correct, le, the legilinilIe con.
fusion follow. The connection is so inti'
hate between mind aud body, thar the well
eing Of one, without exception, affects the
4er. Il is little strange, not very strange
bier, under the moral training which we
lave in,bibed from the pulpit, for fashion
hIe ,heologian with single rhetorical pc
nd will, with perfect ease, make heaven
hide difference between theology and phys
hlory. And more than that, theology is
|.6eJ. physiology unkhown or al best IN
oliced for have never known them as
uciated in the pulpit as they really are 10
he nature Of things, except al Oberlin where
rGctical physiology is held, as consilul'
hg an essential part Of true christianity.
vas about 10 say. il is strange that mer
mould so widely overlook physical education
attempting TO cultivate mind and morals
when the body is in reality the scatotdin4
which the mind stands, to perform all ~
perations. We labor with the mind in SCI
Ice, and find it difficult to perform what w
rst and we are apt 10 attribute the deiec
mind itself, and think that God has 10
Even US a sufficiency Of Intellect for sucl
pursuits. But look deeper; perhaps we hav
bot furnished the mind with its indispensi
lies for labor. The body, including ID
aiu Of course, primarily, which lcail lh
eaffJlding, is not firm enough; the min
oOks down upon il with trembling; y IS nc
Egh enough, so thatthe mind can reach IN
ksired roin,, by which mean, the orai
ma corresponding organs are not lars
nouah. Now the mind may wish to soa
aud wish 10 vain; because the approprla
,oudilions are wanting. Afer swallo%lr
poison we may wish pain TO cease, or alt
having labored 6 days out Of 2 tovery gre
excess as most farmers and mechanics
obliged to do under the present. order
aiags,-then breakfasting on portion
prk, and grease mingled with all our 9th
food, so as 10 constitute our siomachs In
al soap tubs, we 60 10 church, and wish du
ness and stupidity to leave US; bal zoe 10
i. rain. The conditions are wanting.
we wish FIR freedom from pain, and swim
stupidity, let Us look for, and remove
cAcsE. God will never give such indiv
uals clear apd vigorous minds BY answer
their prayers, when BY so doing he mus, c.
aadict the known laws BY which we
constituted, and related TO external thin