Mesmerism by John Harvey Kellogg

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 20, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 19.

Mesmerism.

By John Harvey Kellogg

It has been supposed by some that the “three unclean spirits like frogs,” Rev. 16:13, are mesmerism, psychology, and Spiritualism. Whether this be correct or not, there can be no reason given why these three forms of Satanic deception are not combined in the work ascribed to “the spirits of devils.” In the Old Testament every form of witchcraft is given in the enumeration of “the abominations of the heathen.” Deut. 18:9-12. They are different members of the same family, or different phases of the same work.

Mesmerism prepared the way for psychology, as psychology prepared the way for Spiritualism. Mesmerism was claimed to be a veritable “science,” yet its phenomena were never satisfactorily accounted for. While it had enough of the appearance of the supernatural to excite the wonder of mankind, its operators claimed enough for it as a science to put people off their guard as to its origin and influence. Psychology presented many of the same characteristics, yet it outdid mesmerism by its wonders, and in the almost complete control which the operators had over the subjects, while both asleep and awake. The first was exercised by “manipulating” the subject; the other by “passes.” The effects in both cases were very much alike. The resemblance was so strong that they who watched them with care became satisfied that they were closely allied to each other.

Spiritualism was just about as much in advance of psychology as that was in advance of mesmerism. But that they are also allied to each other is shown in that mediums are known to exert control over others by the same means resorted to by psychological operators. The mediums themselves are as truly “mesmerized” as was ever a “subject” by a human “operator.”

We have believed from first to last that the whole work, in whatever phase it presents itself, is of Satanic origin. While many in various churches, both of the clergy and lay members, believe in mesmerism and accept the claims of Spiritualism, namely, that the dead can and do communicate with the living, Adventists have, to a great extent, rejected Spiritualism on the ground that “the dead know not anything,” and therefore have not the power to communicate. And as all these workings seem to be so nearly allied, they have rejected the whole as only evil. So well agreed have all classes of Adventists been on this point that I have known only one Adventist minister who ever openly advocated the claims of mesmerism.

Some even now think that because mesmerism is claimed to be a science, and comes in a form so much milder than Spiritualism, or mediumship, it is not dangerous. But careful investigation will convince them that the effects of mesmeric control and of mediumship are just alike in kind, if not in degree. A subject who is frequently operated upon by a mesmerizer becomes nervously affected, and loses will power. And this is the general effect of mediumship. For this reason a good mesmeric subject is decided to be a good medium, or susceptible to the control of “the spirits.”

And for this reason “clairvoyant physicians,” and manipulating or mesmerizing doctors of all kinds, should be carefully avoided. They who are prostrated by sickness are, generally, easily operated upon by such practitioners; but the danger to the nervous system is great. The greatest danger, however, is in this, that the patients are left in a condition to easily become subjects of “spirit control.”

“We are not ignorant of Satan’s devices.” Yet no amount of knowledge will secure us against the influence of “the spirits of devils.” We have known those who were well acquainted with the theory of Bible truth, and looked upon Spiritualism as evil in its nature and satanic in its origin, and yet the evidence was too strong to reject, that they were involuntarily, or unconsciously, mediums. They who have watched this matter with carefulness are aware that mediums are far more in number than is generally supposed. Many are really mediums who are neither reputed to be such, nor are they aware of the fact. A holy life is the only security against Satan’s wiles and power.

“The Lord knoweth them that are his,” and he will keep them. But we must remember that it is not every one that says to Jesus, “Lord, Lord, that shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in Heaven.” J. H. W.