The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-09-10
THE NEW PUBLICATIONS.
SOME OF THE LATEST BOOKS
 OF THE SEASON

I. Woodbridge RiIey'E Striking New
 Book on MormOnism-Its Introduc-
 tory Preface by Professor Ladd of Yale Tho RusseIIs of Chicago, by Emily
 Volume of Selected College Songs Forthcoming New BOOks-The Maga-
 zines, Etc.
 The rise and progress of Mormonism ! and the marvellous growth of the Nor mons as people must ever remain an interesting chapter in the history of the world religions, and one of the most in- teresting books on the subject is new work by I. Woodbridge Riley, the aim of which, as Mr. Riley states in the preface, is ito examine Joseph Smiths character and achievements from the standpoint of recent psychology" The author adds: "Sectarians and phrenol- ogists, spiritualists and mesmerists have Variously interpreted his more or less abnormal performances,-it now re- mains for the psychologists to have a try at them" MT. Riley writes his pre- face from New Haven. He was former ly instructor in English at New York university. He announces in his pre- face that "this study has been offered so the Philosophical Faculty of Yale university as thesis for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy" Materials for the work the author gathered at Salt Lake City in 1894 and these were util- ized in 1898 for Master in Arts thesis on 'The Metaphysics of Mormonism." Besides rare first editions and Church publications suppressed by the Utah saints, the author made use of some hitherto unpublished manuscripts for which he expresses thanks to various correspondents, and especially to Will liam Evarts Benjamin, of New York city. For suggestions and criticisms he expresses acknowledgements to Profes- sor Brewer of Yale's Sheff1elds Scienti- fio School, and to Professor Charles J. Bartlett, of Yale Medical school
 The book is also specially honored with an introductory preface by Pro- lessor Ladd, of Yale, in which Profes- sor Ladd says: "The rise and growth of Mormonism Is one of the most re- markable phenomena of the nineteenth century. It is deserving of thorough investigation, whether the investigation be conducted from the point of view of the sociologist, the psychologist or the student of politics or religion. Profess sor Ladd goes on to remark that cor rect understanding of the origin and de- yelopment of Mormonism can be gained only by the method which is applica- ble to all similar phases in the life of mlan,-that of historical and compara- tive psychology. Professor Ladd pro- nounces this essay of MT. Riley "a con- scientious and painstaking study of the founder of Mormonism. Without Jo- seph Smiths personality being taken into the account, no account can be given of the rise and growth of the re- ligious movement which he started. Man and environment were necessary for a new religion that should claim to be based upon a successor of revela- tons and miracles recorded for the world to pass judgment upon in the form of printed books. Professor Ladd further says: "The material for this study in psychology has been somewhat difficult to acquire and to handle. And so far as know no very thorough attempt at such a study of the personal sources of Mormonism has hitherto ever s been made There is plainly room for justifiable difference of opinion as to the relative amount of shrewd in- sight, self-deception, disease of imagf- nation and Judgment, and conscious, in- tentional fraud, which must be admit ted. am sure, however, that no student of such phenomena can fail to appreciate the value of the services rem dered by the author. The larger circle of readers who make no claim to special interest in abnormal psychology even when it manifested itself within the sphere of mans religious life, will find much to interest and instruct in this volume. I take pleasure, there fore, in thus briefly introducing MT. Rileys essay to all classes of readers"
 Such an endorsement as the above from so eminent an authority in his field as Professor Ladd bespeaks un- mistakably, the value of MT. Riley's con tribution In explanation of the success which attended the founders of Mor-
 
 checkered career, discloses his inherited cratic tendencies traced back through five generations and with convincing facts seeks to show that Smiths envi- ronnent and bodily conditions account for his visions and mysticism The Book of Mormon, as "A Record of the American Indians" is traced to the boys imaginative gifts and his life on the western frontier Furthermore, un- published manuscripts go far to show that in his Transcription of the Gold Plates Joseph was an occult crystal gazer. Finally to the chance discovery of hypnotism the author attributes Smiths abnormal influence over his fol- lowers as exorcist, faith healer and po- lygamist.
 The author, on page 167 says: Jo- seph's hypertrophy of imagination. was inherited; his aunt composed a vivid poem on death and the grave; his moth- CT "could almost see the flutter of de- mon wings;" his father had panorama of visions; his grandfather Mack com plained of his mind being imaginary, s but agitated Environment likewise had an influence. Brought up in the area swept by revivals,--the burnt over district as it was called,-his im- Il