"Say, rather, to produce a finer
exaltation than wine, opium, or hashish,--for it is most sweet to
subject the animal organism to the control of spirit-wills."
"A grateful doctrine to those who dare to substitute a morbid
receptivity for an active endeavor!"
"It is to soothe the sense-powers, so that others may use them to give
us intimations far beyond their common capacity."
"'_I_ keep under my body and bring it into subjection,'" quoted Dr.
Burge, emphasizing the personal pronoun. "The Apostle declares that his
own immortal individuality alone controls his members,--and why? 'lest,
when I have preached unto others, I myself should become a castaway.'"
The Doctor delivered the last sentence with rich cathedral-emphasis, and
with the full unction of priestly authority.
Clifton, or whatever vague and dusky power controlled him, cowered at
the rebuke. The nervous energy with which he had experimented, or which
he had left passive for the experiments of others, seemed withdrawn from
his frame.
Dr. Burge perceived his advantage, and continued:--
"I speak to you, my fallen brother, as I cannot speak to the foolish
people who grope in this miasma of delusion. Silly women, yielding to
the natural vanity of their sex, may mistake hysterics for inspiration.
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