The Emmanuel Movement

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 5, 1909

The Emmanuel Movement

PREACHERS, physicians, and laymen continue to discuss the Emmanuel Movement. In a general way, it may be said that the physicians oppose the movement, preachers favor it, and laymen are in doubt, although there are exceptions in each class. In the Cleveland Medical Journal for July is an article on this subject by Dr. Wharton Sinkler, of Philadelphia, who summarizes his view in these words:—

The key-note of the treatment of psychotherapy by the followers of the Emmanuel Movement is hypnotism and suggestion, or suggestion without hypnotism. For many years hypnotism, as a method of treatment, has been before the profession. It has been tried by many, but has been discarded for two reasons: First, because it was uncertain and unreliable, and its effects were not lasting; and, second, because it was a dangerous procedure. . . . The subjects of frequent hypnotism have become much unbalanced mentally, and the victims of self-hypnotism.

In closing his article, Dr. Sinkler quotes the following statement from a fellow physician:—

Whatever Dr. Worcester [the founder of the Emmanuel Movement] may be in his own church clinic, the principles of psychotherapy to which he and his associates adhere, are based upon neither sound medicine, sound psychology, nor, to our lay-mind, upon sound religion.

From our own investigation of the principles upon which this movement rests, we are prepared to accept this view of it as being justified by the facts.