Insanity and Demoniacal Possession

It lias scarcely been a matter of doubt that the Evangelists have recorded several cases of insanity. The best defined are those of the demoniac of Gadara, evidently an example of mania; and the bov brought to our Lord after the transfiguration, whose symptoms closely resemble those of epilepsy. These cases will not fail to bring to the minds of those conversant with the wards of a lunatic asylum, many patients to whom the descriptions might be applied with very little alteration. We observe in these accounts, especially that of St. Mark, a minute attention to details, which would lead us to infer that the writers would not add anything to their statements at all likely to diminish from their clearness and simplicity, or omit to convey an erroneous impression. Yet, in addition to the symptoms of insanity, they mention others vhich are designated as the effects of what is termed demoniacal possession, thus, in the two above instances, one is said to have an unclean spirit, the other to have a dumb spirit. Now, regarding these as genuine cases of insanity, it would be a very interesting inquiry, what analogy existed between the insanity of these demoniacs and the simple insanity ot our own time. An inquiry, be it observed, which docs not necessarily involve or materially aiiect the much-controverted question of actual demoniacal possession. It was therefore with much disappointment that I found, on reading the article ot Mr. souter in your last number, which he headed with the question, "Does any Analogy exist between Insanity and Demoniacal Possession ?" that lie had confined the analogy to the title of his paper, and launched out into a few ot the arguments usually brought forward by tliose who deny the supernatural view ot t his su)-ject. While regretting that this nearly exhausted theme has been so brought forward, I crave permission to insert in your Journal a few strictures upon the arguments which Mr. Souter has adduced in support of his view ot this question. Though ditiering from him toto coclo, 1 may be permitted to saj that his paper is drawn up in a style and spirit which fully bear out the high encomiums which I have heard conncctcd with his ability and character. I here is one point to which I wish to allude betore I procced to criticize the particular argument upon which Mr. Souter has …