Lectures on the science of human life / by Sylvester Graham.

  • Sylvester Graham
Date:
[1980?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Lectures on the science of human life / by Sylvester Graham. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    destroyed, the fluid enters into the cavities of the bodies, and by its peculiar qualities so acts upon the organized matter, that it foregoes its organic arrangement, and takes on the aggregation of the mck in which it is entombed, retaining only the general outlines of its animal form ; and thus becomes an animal petrifaction. Vegetable substances are also frequently petrified or transmuted in the same manner. ' 1 have often seen amidst quantities of mineral ore brought into this city for manufacturing purposes,' says Mr. John Far, an extensive practical chemist of Philadelphia,' pieces of wood, which at one end were partly carbonated, in the middle completely carbonated, and at the other end changed into sulphuret of iron, hard enough to strike fire with a flint.' 132. Thus in every case, so long as vitality maintains its dominion over the matter which is forced into its organic structure, it preserves that matter from the power of inorganic affinities, but when that con- servative principle is destroyed, matter returns, as by a more deeply written instinct, to its more primitive and inorganic forms. 183. Vitality, as I have already stated (108), is not in the least pos- sible degree the result of peculiar arrangements of matter, but the peculiar arrangements of matter composing organic bodies are always the results of vital action, and depend oa vital power and vital action for their continuance; and hence, living bodies not only derive their origin from pre-existing beings like themselves (125), but also, in a perfect state, always possess faculties and powers by which vitality perpetuates itself, in connexion »vith organization, in the successive propagation of organized bodies. And hence also (126), when that peculiar condition of organized bodies on which the operations of the vital economy depend, is either violently destroyed or gradually worn out, the vital actions cease, and life becomes extinct; and the indivi- dual existence of the body terminates in death, and the matter composing it yields to the action of inorganic affinities, and dissolution and decay succeed. As a general law, therefore, organic bodies, from their very nature and condition, are less permanent in their modes of existence than inorganic bodies are. 134. See, in yonder peaceful and silent retirement, that gray, moss- covered rock, rendered hoary and venerable by the lapse of centuries, and deeply wrinkled in its ancient brow by the waveless and noiseless, but swiftly gliding current of time. Beside it stands, in full develop- ment and early vigor, a noble oak whose large and powerful branches stretch abroad, in bold defiance of the storms of heave i« In the shadow of that stately tree, and under the covert of that venerahle rock, a little boy, full of health and buoyancy, and vivacity of youth, is happy in the enjoyment of his childish play. To one who did not know the history of man, or understand his nature, it would seem as if that human form, in its health and activity and power, might be as per- manent in its existence as that tree and rock. 135. Years pass away, and lo ! beside that rock, and in the shadow of that tree, leaning upon the handle of his scythe, in the full stature and sturdiness of manhood, he that was that ooy, again appears. Health and athletic vigor ; energy of mind, and peacefulness of heart; bright prospects, and sustaining hopes, in all the fulness of life's prime, are his. He looks far abroad over his fertile fields, and in the dreamy sunshine of his soul contemplates the prosperity and happiness of
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