The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1894-03-06
THE BRAEKHus CONTROVERSY.
DR.. Janson Makes Additional Remarks
Upon the Subject.

Upon the Subject.
The following communication will be
found both interesting and instructive:
Editor of The Astorian: In your Sun
day paper there appeared an article
signed "A Citizen" being ashamed to
sign his own name, in which Citizen
takes upon himself the defense of Mr..
Braekhus. 1t is entirely devoid of any
argument, and hence not worthy OF no
tice; but for the benefit Of "The Citi-
zen" himself and his like, who can only
regard an object in one light, shall
make a few additional remarks to my
former article. Like a good Christian,
when at loss to find any argument, he
becomes personal, and by insinuations
against my ability and my faith, he
hopes to draw the attention away from
the real facts of the case. From the
writer's statements it is evident that he
does not understand the meaning Of
the word "monomaniac." Allow me to
enlighten him on the subject, IL the ca
pacity of his brain is great enough to
grasp one sound thought Monomania
is the arrangement of a single faculty
of the mind, or with regard to a par
ticular subject only. One who is afilict-
ed with 1t Is a mono-maniac, or COM
monty spoken of as crank. He sim
ply suffers from one delusion, out of
which he cannot be reasoned by any
adequate methods for the time being.
This being the case, l doubt very
much whether, by the closest examina-
tion before or after DEATH we should
be able to detect any structural alb
normality OF the brain or any part of
the nervous system. No, worthy "Citi-
zen," in these cases we base our dag
nosis not so much on the physical ex-
animation as on the actions of the pa
tlent. do not think there requires any
medical science to come to a definite
conclusion in this case. You have only
two alternatives to choose between-the
man is either an impostor, or else he is
not responsible for his actions. In that
event / prefer to think him the latter,
as | should hate to think that any of
my fellow-beings could be so heartless
and devoid of all morals as to resort to
such religious moclxery. AS TO the
theory that he is inspired by the Holy
Ghost, none but an ignoramus and
religious fanatic will accept that, and
to one of these l classify my worthy
"Cltizen"
In the second chapter of the Acts of
the Apostles we have an example of the
aspostles speaking under the influence
Of the Holy Ghost. They all spoke in
language to suit the occasion. Parthi-
ans, Medes and Elamites etc. heard
these Galileans speak in their own
tongue, so as to be distinctly under
stood. Our friend Braekhus does not
speak anything bat Norwegian, and
not very good Norwegian at that Fur
ther these persons in the scriptures
who were baptized by the Holy Ghost
could drink poison, take up serpents
raise the dead, etc WIN our friend give
us these proofs of being inspired by the
Holy Ghost?
AS to my being Christian If idola-
try and Christianity are synonymous
terms. do not desire to be classified
as one. | evidently aspire higher than
my friend, "a Citizen" as | do not
look for my God in Bethany church.
What Citizen speaks of as wisdom
consider as common sense, and l think
II is the duty OF every man, who thor
oughly understands the situation. to
speak up and condemn such sacrillgious
rites as those practiced by Mr.. Braek-
hus.
IA Citizen" asks me why l do not re-
sort to hypnotism in my practice? How
does Citizen" know that l do not? To
some extent l have practiced it myself,
at least enough 70 convince me Of the
powerful effects which hypnotic sugges-
tions may exert upon the body and
mind. Even II | did not resort to IT, IL
would not be because did not have
faith in It. but because was not capa-
bic of using 1t right. a person may. for
Instance. criicise music, and atill not be
able to play any instrument himself
When Citizen" says that must be
afraid there win be quite few cen
verts. he Is right-converts who win
sooner or later be ripe for the insane
asylum. 1t may surprise Citizen 60
know that the statistics Of our asylums
show that In about So per cent OF our
insane women the insanity is directly
or Indirectly caused by religious cx-
cltement. Being physician who advo-
Gates prevention IN preference to cure,
/ am anxious to see such an abomlnable
practice as that resorted to BY Mr.
Braekhus stopped.
L. JANeEN, Al, p
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EXTENDED SYMPATHY.