The Dillon tribune., 1881-03-19
Superstition.

Superstition has not only prevented mai
kind from attaining superior eninence
happiness, but, what is more depiorabic,
has added in great degree to an alreac
extensive catalogue Of earthly ,niserics.
Is not by the ignorant alone that supers
tious beliefs are entertained, but by mar
eminent men OF the past at present. u
Samuel johnson was a firm believer
ghosts and second sight. Josephus, Il
great Jewish historian, relates that he w'
messed the extraordinary sight Ut an e>
spirit being induced to leave the body Of
afflicted patients nostril. James vi. vi
was noted for his intellectual attainment
and theological learning, Was firm heli<1
er in witchcrait. So deepa hold did IL
absurd notion have upon him that he pu|
lisheda work upl,olding this doctrine, al
actually pcrsecuted all who opposed Y
belief Even Martin Luther, the stu1
old rci,rmer, informs us that the devil
peared to him and so cnragcd hin, that
threw Il heavy ink>sand at him, whereby
the father of all evil vanished. s;ocratI
the s,.i,,imcst character in rrotanc histoI
iirmly believed that he was actuated a
directed by demon! Blackstone, the 4
thor Of the Incompatible commentaries
the laws oil England, was an ,,ndoubted
lever l., witchcratt. This list Of superb
tious votaries could be- indefinitely extend
hut enous,, has been said upon tine subis(
Some Of the ancient superstitians
very pleasing, and IN the highest desi
poetic. There is supcrstitious bei
prevalent in the East that eclipscs Of
moon are caused by demon who, out
the malice of his nature, atflicts the Duh
Of the stars. And on these occasions +
inhabitants leave their dwellings, and III
pounding upon pans and pots, and sh +
ing and discharging firearms, cndeavols
To trightcn the monster away from IL
work OF destruction.
\ popular belief is that the sound b.
duccd by Il little insect known as the 'dItt
watch" protends the death OF some relay.
or friend That the noise made by tllipit
tie creature resembles the ticking
a watch is undisputed, hut that in any lis
forctcll> the dissolution OF IL human bcik
absurd. Observation has establishedtt
fact that these: little insects int..st dsca III
timber and posts, and that the pccflh
noise is caused bv them in gnawing II,
boring through the rotten wood fiber,
quest Of food.
The bowling of homeless cur in q
stiffness of the night ',a. caused more Dire
than would the roa, ing ot a. wild lc.
And n,apy who have bravcd t:,e canno,
moutl, will tr.tnble 1T the breaking OF
lookiny-gla>s.
The number thirteen Is supposed
many t., bc uniucky, and il ti,cv find the
selves one OF Il party Of that number I'll
will depart with haste. Our Savior and
disciples were thirteen; the original Stat
OF the American Union were thir:e,
Other instances could b. cited to esta!,
this principle, were it necessary.
Superstitious doctrines, countless
number, are .p,,u.ied on aud mag.,i!;e.l
an ignorance OF th@ rl.lin.st truths
of natural science. Ii Nc remove the ia,
the effect will cease. Let more attenl
he given in the instruction ct youth 10
incubation ct the fundamental pr.n>ip
oil the sriences, and less To mere orN:,,ns
al studies, aud the result vii! be ;,>iva,
4co,.s to mankind.