The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1881-03-03
SuDerstitiOn.

Superstition has not only prevented
mankind from attaining q superior emil
hence of happiness, but, what is more de-
plorable, it has added in a great degree to
an already extensive catalogue of earthly
miseries. It is not by the ignorant.alone
that superstitious beliefs are entertained,
but by my eminent men Of the past and
present. DIR. Samuel johnson was a
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 for
his intellectual attainments and .theologi-
cal learning, was a firm believer IN witch
craft. So deep a hold did this absurd
notion have on him that he published a
work unfolding this doctrine, and act
ually prosecuted all who opposed the
belief. Even Martin Luther, the sturdy
old refofmer, informs Us that the devil
appeared to him and so enraged him thst
he threw q heavy inkstand at him where
upon the father of all evil vanished.
Socrates, the sublimest character npro-
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
votaries could be indefinitely extended,
but enough has been said upon the sub
ject.
Some of the ancient superstitions are
very pleasing, and in the highest degree
| poetic. There is q superstitious belief
prevalent in the East that eclipses OF the
moon are caused by a demon who, out OF
the malice of his nature, afflicts the
| queen of, the stars. And on these oc-
~casions the inhabitants leave their dwell
ings, and, by pounding upon pans and
pots, and shouting and discharging fire.
arms, e~ndeavoring to brighten the mon
| ster away from his work of destruction.
A popular belief is that the sound pro-
duced by a 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 q watchsis undispnted, but
that it in any wise foretells the dissolu-
ton of a human being is absurd. OBJ
servation has established the fact that
4 these little insects infest deeayng timber
aud posts, and that the peculiar noise is
caused by them in gnawing and boring
through the rotten wood fbers in quest
of food.
The bowling of a homeless cur in the
Stiffness of the night has caused more
dread than would the roaring of a wild
beast. And many who have braved the
cannon S mouth win tremble at the break
ing of a looking-glass.
The number thirteen is supposed by
many to be unlucky, and if they find
themselves one of a party. of that num-
Der they will depart with haste. Our
Saviour and his disciples were thirteen;
the original States of the American
Union were thirteen. Other instances
could be cited to establish this principle,
were it necessary.
Superstitious doctrines, countless In
number, are founded on and magnified
by an ignorance of the plainest truths OF
natural silence. If we remove the cause
the effect will cease. Let more attention
be given in the instruction of youth tx
the inculcation of the fundamental prin'
ciples of the sciences, and less TO mere
ornamental studies, and the result will
be advantageous to mankind.