The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1881-03-04
Superstition.

Superstition has not only prevented
mankind from attaining a superior emil
hence of happiness, but, what is more de-
plorable, it has added in a great degree t.
an already extensive catalogue of earthly
miseries 1t is not by the ignorant alone
that superstitious beliefs are entertained,
but by my eminent men of the past and
present DR.. Samuel johnson was
firm believer in ghosts and second sight.
Josephus, the great Jewish historian, re-
lates that he witnessed the extraordinary
sight Of an evil spirit being induced to
leave the body of an afflicted patients
nostril. James VI, who was noted Tor
his intellectual attainments and theology
cal learning, was a firm believer In witch
craft. So deep a hold did this absurd
notion have on him that he published
work unfolding this doctrine. and act
ually prosecuted all who opposed the
belief Even Martin Luther, the sturdy
old reformer informs us that the devil
appeared to him and so enraged him that
he threw a heavy inkstand at him where
upon the father of all evil vanished.
Socrates, the sublimest character IN pro
fame history. firmly believed that he was
actuated and directed by a demon,
Blackstone, the author of the incom-
parable commentaries on the laws of
England. was an undoUbted believer in
witchcraft This list of superstitious
yotarics could be indefinitely extended,
but enough has been said upon the sub
iect
Some Of the ancient superstitiOns are
very pleasing, aud in the highest degree
poetic There Is supcrstitious belief
prevalent in the East that echpses OF the
m BON are caused by a demon who, out OF
tls malice of his nature atiiicts the
queen of the stars. Aad on these oc-
clsions the inhabitants leave their dwell
iugs, and, 10y pounding upon pans and
pots. and shouting and discharging fire
| arms, cndcavoring 10 brighten the mon
/ stcr away from his work Of destruction.
4 popular belief is that the sound pro
/ duccd by n little insect known as a
death watch protends the death Of
some relative or friend. That the noise
made by this little creature resembles
| the ticking Of a watch is undisputed, but
! that it in any wise forctells the dissolu-
ton OF a human being is absurd OBJ
servati1n has established the fact that
| these little insects infcst decaying timber
| and posts, aud that the peculiar noise IS
| caused by them III gnaWing and boring
| through the rotten wood hbers in quest
of food
The bowling of a homeless cur in the
Stiffness of the night has caused more
| dread than would the roar II of wild
beast And many who have brayed the
cannon $ mouth wiz tremble at the break
ing Of a loolting-glass.
The number thirteen IS supposed by
many to be uulucky, and if they find
/ themselves one of party of that num-
her they will depart with haste. Our
Saviour and his disciples were thirteen;
the original States of the American
Union were thirteen. Other instances
could ba cited to establish TINS principle,
were it necessary.
Supersitious doctrines, countless in
number, are founded on and magnified
by m ignorance OF the plainest truths Of
natural Silence. Ii we remove the cause
/ the effect viii cease. Let more attention
be given in the instruction of youth to
the medication Of the fundamental prin-
! ciples Of the sciences, and less to mere
ornamental studies, and the result viii
/ be advantageous to mankind.