The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-11-27

answers correctly the greater number
Of questions proposed. He knew
before the contest began some of the
proposed questions and learned the
answers. He was told, without haV-
ina asked for the information, another
question that would be asked and
given the answer MIR. A was given
the prize. He learned the value Of
the prize and for the amount he
burned a candle and offered it up for
the souls in Purgatory. Did he COM
NIT sin, and what kind?
The prize evidently was obtained
through fraud Mr.. A was guilty also
of having deceived all who were
present. The only complete repara-
ton would be to acknowledge the
fault before the same gathering and
restore the prize to the one who
merited it. Was the sin mortal?
This would depend upon the degree
of injustice done to the whole number
present and to the one who was un-
justly deprived of the prize. The
manner of making reparation that
was adopted was certainly not accord
ing to good morals.
Publish as comprehensive list as
possible of great intellects that are
and have been Catholic, especially
since the Reformation.
This list would require more space
than is contained in many numbers
of this paper. 1t can be obtained in
the Catholic Encyclopedia which today
may be found practically in every
public library. This publication gives
also summary account of the par
ticular works for which each one was
famous. The encyclopedia comprises
sixteen volumes, having from seven
to eight hundred pages to each
volume. The index, a separate vol
ume, is convenient for references to
any great Catholic intellect or to any
subject of Catholic interest.
Will you please give briefly the
viewpoint Of the Catholic Church on
mental Healing" "TeIepathy" and
dreams that seem to tell of coming
eVents?'
These questions have this much in
common, that they exclude the ordi-
nary medium of producing in the phys
ical subject the supposed effect. Men
tai healing is attempted chiefly
through hypnotism. This is nervous
sleep produced artificially either
through the suggestion of the hypno-
fist or through the fatigue of the brain
from fixing the eye continuously for
time upon some particular object in
the possession of the hypnotist. Some
think that both the suggestion and
the fatigue produce the sleep. A nee
essary condition for the effect is that
the patient surrender his will to the
control Of the agent. Nervous, hys-
terical persons prove the most ready
subjects. Those strong in mind and
body are affected with difficulty and
only specifically.
Suggestions made to the hypnotic
subject have sometimes produced
good results. Patients who were ad.
dicted to alcoholism, for example,
have abandoned the habit, at least for
time; but relapse generally follow.
ed and fatally In no case has there
been a radical cure even in nervous
diseases.
That the effect of hypnotism can be
produced may not be questioned. Is
a person morally free to submit him
self to such treatment? The answer
is seen in the disposition required in
the patient; that he must submit tC
another the control of his mental ia
culties. Any temporary good effects
that might follow in some cases are
more than counterbalanced by the evil
effect on the mind of the patient. TIC
say the least, it is certainly very dan
gerous, morally, physically and in
tellectually. The council of Baltimore
forbids Catholics to attend hypnotic
seances, even if they be present only
through curiosity.
Telepathy, as more generally under
stood, includes hypnotic suggestions
and also the Intentional transference
of thought without any ordinary medi
um to the pereipient, who is under
no hypnotic influence and may be ever
at q great distance from the agent
Sometimes communications seem to be
carried to another far distant, with
out any intentional act of the agent
The death, or serious sickness of 8
friend, the summons of a priest to the
death-bed of repentant sinner, have
in many instances been made known
to persons at great distance, without
it would seem, any ordinary means Of
communication. In such cases We
must admit that the condolences, il
they be nothing more than this, were
at least remarkable.
Accepting the existence of suef
facts, what is their explanation? The
intentional transferenee of thought
without any ordinary medium, may
very often be explained by some. per
haps unconscious, gesture, facial ey
preston, muscular movement of tho
agent. or again, by fraud, collision be
tween the agent and the percipient, BY
habit, association of ideas, and sucl
like. We do not pretend, however
that these solutions would apply cor
rectly to all cases. Even less MAJ
they be used when the agent apparent
ly has no intention of communicating
any knowledge to the percipient. Ii
this class of cases various degrees O
accuracy are found in the impression.
received. There may be heard some