TOETHEB EXPERIENCES OF MR. FRESH. 
what they represent, that the human mind must have 
something material to rest upon, and fix its attention, that 
so long as the spirit is so mysteriously bound up in 
body or matter it must in all ooneerns, even in religion, 
have an apparent object to arrest and attract the 
bodily senses, which again, in their turn afiect and 
fix the attention of the mind or spirit ; and to prove 
this they argue, and so also would the coolies, if they 
could, that so long as the spirit is in the body the 
one is necessary to the other. What affects the one 
in like manner also in some degree affects and in- 
fluences the other. There is no use in arguing this point ; 
we all know it, all have had very practical proofs 
of it in many ways. Have we not often had our spirits 
stirred up to great emotion, on hearing a powerful 
and eloquent preacher? and had the same sermon been 
preached by one of inferior eloquence and style, it 
would have neither created nor left any impression, 
and so also just in the same way with sacred music 
and psalmody. How often have^we heard of religious 
enthusiasm, which just plainly means the nervous 
system powerfully aroused and stirred up in temporary 
effervescence, without leaving any permanent beneficial 
effects on the mind and general life. The outward 
form of religion, without experiencing its permanent 
power on the mind, as shewn forth and proved in the 
daily life. Some sheep were now led up to the altar, and 
there, on the spot, were sacrificed by having their 
throats cut ; fowls were beheaded, their feathers plucked 
off, and roasted on the spotj bottles and cans of 
arrack were laid down on the shrine ; plantains, oranges, 
and various fruits were likewise offered up; and when 
their duty was all performed in offering the great 
Marai such a choice selection of dainties, they then 
commenced to eat and drink up everything themselves ! 
As the cans of arrack became low, in proportion the 
spirit of the devotees became high ; they took sharp 
knives, even pieces of glass, cut and wounded them- 
selves all over. With vehement gestures and frantic 
shouts they danced round the stones and altars, 
tearing their hair and falling prostrate before them, 
exclaiming, ‘‘Marai,” “Sami,” “Hear us, hear us.” 
They then got up, seemingly stricken with sudden 
madness, foamed at the mouth, glared wildly with 
their eyes, and uttered sentences none could under- 
stand, Mr Fresh now^ called one of the most staid- 
looking of the audience and asked some information, 
and was told these men were inspired, the spirit of 
“ Marai” was within them, and all that they spoke 
was not their speech but the speaking of the god. 
He told them very plainly, he saw very well they 
were inspired, but not in the way they supposed; says 
