The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-05-02
SLEEPING IN MEETING.

There is solace for both pulpit and
pew in a new explanation Of why peo-
pie so TO sleep In church, SAYS the
Literary Digest The man who sleeps
in sermon time does 80 because of self
hypnosis. according to French writ
er whose words. conveyed from a
French magazlDc. are given in the ST.
Louis Christian Advocate Ordinary
observers who are not scientists or
philosophers have formerly thought
people slept because they failed TO
find anything of interest in the SER
mon. and so became inattentive. then
drowsy. and finally yielded to the
deadening effect upon the senses and
slept But the scientific Freuchman
Is thus reported
'-The true explanation of the cause
of SO many nodding heads in pub
lie place of worship IS. in his opinion,
due to the members of the congrega-
tion concentrating their gaze for
long time on a single object. either
the countenance OF the preacher or
the pulpit, and thus unconsciously hyp~
nothing himself or herself If the writ
er's contention is correct, those who
sleep during the sermon are conse-
ouently the very members OF the con.
gregatlon who are entitled TO the high.
est praise for their conscientious ef-
fort TO follow the words of the
preacher.
This Is borne out by the fact that
during the preliminary portion OF the
church services the point of attention
constantly changes. and no sign OF
drowsinesS Is 10 be seen among the
members of the congregation. But It
Is only when the sermon commences.
with the head and body 1xt in one
position and with the eye selt-hypno-
HZed by resting on the bright space
oi window or the preachers lighted
lace. or some other source Of illumina-
lion In the pulpit or the body of the
church, the devout will fall Into
Numberous condition. The character
If the discourse or the tone of the
'oice Of the speaker docs not seem 10
yfect the result IN the slightest de
uee."
Clergymen have noted, sometimes
Sith modification. it is said that the
most devout hearers are occasionally
inflicted with the same drowsiness
which overcomes the goddess. The
spectacle of the venerable steward or
deacon sound asleep in the amen cor.
ner is far from cdifying, but not less
SD is the notifying fact that hearers
who stay awake and watch with. keen
attention every movement and listen
to every word of the speaker are of.
ten found on later examination TO
know nothing OF what was said by the
pulpit orator" The charitable French.
man, however. has an excellent ex.
cuse for this delinquent also:
"Slumber, however Is not always
produced by hypnotic influence OF
close attention TO sermons. Some
times the listener is plunged into a
trance. The eyes are directed straight
TO the face of the clergyman In the
pulpit The facial expression Is one
o, strained attention, the kind des
cribed 10 the report as 'breathlcss
and interested attention. and not one
word is lost so far as the scnae o
hearing IS concerned But of all tha,
was said and heard during this trance
the auditor retains no recollection.
Hence we have the reason why SC
many devout worShipere return from
church without the slightest motor
or the drift OF the sermon. .-.
They have concentrated their at
tention too closely upon the words
Of the preacher The only cure foI
this is inattentlon, Tho eyes shoulc
wander from time to time during IN,
sermon over the church, taking In tn,
forms and faces of other persons il