Simon Mohler Landis

“ Friends, since medical authorities acknowledge, that medicine has not been, and cannot be reduced to Science, we deem it a privilege to give our reasons why it is not, and cannot become a Science. Medicine in itself, however, is a Science, but when applied to Vital Organs, as curative or restorative adjuncts, it looses all its scientific bearings, because the relations that medicinal agencies claim to living tissues, are uncongenial, incompatible, and absolutely at enmity with organic functions, therefore how in the name of science can medicinal drugs become scientific abettors to humanity. ”

“ Hence we do not reject drugs, merely, because we dislike them, but because we are much more—yea, tenfold more successful without, than with them. Truly, such is the truth—and as we claim to be familiarly acquainted with the Medical dogmas, practices and successes of the various schools we have a right to pronounce upon such hypothetical experience,—but they who are not indoctrinated into the true, scientific and natural method of "Cure," have no right to pronounce upon our experience. The wisest man that ever lived — tells us "not to answer a matter, before we know it." ”

“ In behalf of the glorious tidings of an unperverted and unadulterated instinct; for the health of mankind, for their souls salvation, for all the magnanimous inherent powers of the normally Physiological man and woman! Indeed words cannot express the joyousness and the glory which would bind mankind together in harmonious unition! ”

“ Think for a moment, then, what a useful agent water is, when judiciously used, both in the preservation of health, and restoration from disease.
Medical men often speak of the insufficiency of our treatment in urgent cases of sickness. They certainly never could expose more ignorance than by such assertions. There is no agent in the universe half as powerful and effectual as water. It is the medium of intercourse between Nation and Nation. ”

“ But the people are often too selfish and stubborn themselves, to support a man who is honest enough to tell them their faults, and in spite of all that honest Physicians can do, to save mankind from the horrid jaws of drug-stimulation and deterioration, they are determined to take Physic, and stuff themselves with vicious Aliment, even though they are equally as ignorant as inexperienced "quacks" who seek notoriety at the expense of humanity; and who little dream, that drug-medication is one of the greatest causes of the decline of health and normal beauty ”

“ We are very sorry to assert, that we have too many so-called "Water-Cure Physicians" who misuse and abuse this vital agent to such a shameful extent, that all the good which would arise from a judicious administration of water in disease, is entirely lost sight of, and hence the term Water-Cure is despised by the masses of the people, which is the legitimate result of ignorant charlatans, who are just as far from practising a true, Physiological or Hygienic "Healing Science," as Demonism is from Saintship, or Heaven from Perdition. ”

“ You would soon tell the thief to leave, being an unwelcome intruder, so says an unperverted instinct to uncongenial agencies. Such unsound logic might answer in regard to things pertaining to matter, as in the "Arts and Sciences;" but where Life and Soul become involved, we should expostulate more vehemently! And it is not only a false Physiology that is taught by the Medical profession; but, they confess their ignorance as regards a true Pathology, or the nature and cause of diseases. They openly assert that "they know not what disease is." ”

“ May the Sun, Moon and Stars bear testimony to the immutability and sublimity of this subject! May all the beauties of Nature unfold themselves before the the vision of untaught eyes! May every hard-hearted sinner receive this glorious light! ”

“ Hence, we do most humbly implore them to peruse and digest the contents of this discourse without bias; and, if after having done so, they can point out any doctrines which are not in strict accordance with sound scientific laws—we will most sincerely thank them for such criticism; still, we do not deem it just that a doctrine should be denounced without a legitimate cause. However, we claim to have ample reason to dislike and disapprove of "quackery"—simply because "life" is very precious to us as well as to our children and friends whom we love most affectionately. ”

“ First, because we are very much concerned about the welfare and happiness of our own, as well as our neighbors' children—who shall live after us to possess this world; and whose lives, health and happiness, commend themselves to our warmest and most heartfelt sympathies! Oh! to see the innocency of youth robbed of all its normal vivacity, grace and symmetrical beauty without a thought upon the very first principles of the Divinity of Nature is barbarous blasphemy and demands vigorous repulsion ”

“ The great unsolved problem in the minds of medical men is, to know what agencies will fulfil the indispensable indications requisite to restore disease, also what will really sustain normal health. No one of common sense, can believe that drugs or medicines will either sustain or restore vital action. Nay, medicines, including all uncongenial or incompatible substances, or elements, are poisonous when brought in contact with the living tissues; because they are not capable of nutrition and assimilation. ”

“ We are placed here, to act the part of benefactors to our fellow beings, whom it is our duty to "love as ourselves," not to abuse any one, or any sound doctrines; but to expose and denounce improper, unphysiological, erroneous, or incompatible theories and dogmas—whether they are sanctioned and supported by the rich or poor; religious or irreligious; liberal or biassed minded people. Nor do we ask any person to believe what we say, unless he sees pure and untrammelled truths propounded to attest our assertions. But, may every one feel the importance and dignity of the subject in consideration. ”

“ It makes little difference to us whether you call us Fanatics, Atheists, Christians or Heathens; yea, notwithstanding all the sneers, scorns and scoffs which we have, time and again, been compelled to put up with, we still delight in God's physiological sayings and doings, and we thank the Divinity of Nature, that we are possessed with the goodly feeling in behalf of the welfare, the health, and happiness of our "fellow brothers and sisters!" ”

“ We are here to defend our rights,—the rights of human nature, and to promulgate the sublime and scientific truthfulness of the highest of arts,—the Art of Living and the true Science of Cure. That science which concerns all living souls ”

“ We do not come before you as demons to lure you into the path of darkness, sin and folly; but, we are here to exhort you, to speak to you in affectionate entreaty and counsel; being fearfully conscious of the glories and dangers of the deep, deep sea of life, and solemnly impressed with the importance of every word we utter! ”

“ Medicines may change the character of disease, as long as a sufficient amount of vitality exists, to resist their unfriendly and corrosive intrusion upon the citadel of life. They may, often be made to patch the system, by allaying symptoms, obscuring thereby the exciting cause of disease. Even at the best, on an average, Physicians are less successful than ignorant Grannies, who use hot-bricks, hot foot-baths, and simple gruels, as remedial agents. ”

“ But, notwithstanding all these obstacles, mankind should learn to comprehend that the way to health and happiness "is a way of Pleasantness, and its Path Peace." Since nature's laws are daily transgressed, either, ignorantly, wilfully, or accidentally, it must be borne in mind that mankind must suffer the penalties in acute and chronic sickness. ”

“ Before, Physicians attempt to cure disease, they should know now to sustain normal health, and equally comprehend what disease is. Perfect health signifies Physiology, but comparative health is bordering on Pathology or disease. Perfect health is that condition of the human system in which every organ, gland and fibre is sound and fully developed, and each performs its duty, and no more nor less. ”

“ We boldly affirm, and can, and daily do, substantiate it by practice and principle, that we can preserve health, and eradicate all manner of acute and chronic diseases, easier and speedier without a particle of internal drug medication, than the most learned and pretended scientific "medical men" can do, with all their profound learning—with all their technicalities, conflicting and varied opinions, and complicated medicaments combined. ”

“ Physicians derive their false physiological knowledge by dissecting diseased, combusted and rusted-out, instead of worn out, dead bodies. In place of becoming enlightened through the teachings and purity of an unfallen "Adam," whose organization was as free from combustion and putrecency as the "Holy Spirit" is from demonism, they continue on the wrong and sinful path of riot and gluttony. A true physiology can only be obtained from a perfectly healthful stand-point, from sound fundamental principles. ”

“ The vivifying principle of which is the soul from God, overflowing with gratitude; abounding in purity, symmetry, health and happiness. The normal standard of man and woman! If among the various Arts and Sciences, such absurd theories as "Dr Leibig's Combustion Speculations," which have befogged so many minds, and misled so many medical men, should be brought forward as sound dogmas, they would soon be denounced as falsities, and find a place among the things "that were." ”

“ The normal, which is health, is physiological action, and the abnormal, which is disease, is pathological action. Therefore, as disease is merely deranged vital action, any person of ordinary discretion can suggest the proper and scientific principles upon which a restoration must depend. It is simply to wash away extraneous materials from the vital channels, regulate temperature of the bodily organs, supply hygienic influences which consist in congenial agencies, viz: pure air, food, drink, light, water, electricity, &c. ”

“ They may have children who will be none the less dear to them! And since we are convinced that the true doctrines of the "laws of life" are the great substratum upon which we can alone insure health, happiness and genuine wealth to our children and grand children, we do most energetically urge this cause upon all thinking humanity. ”

“ Some of our most Eminent Physiologists expose their profound ignorance of a Sound Physiology, by tho old and absurd assertion, that "what is one man's meat, is another man's poison."
If this were truth, it would decidedly prove that the God of nature had not created proper agencies to sustain the normal conditions of man. So far from making the Divinity of Nature a "quack," we would acknowledge our inferiority to Him, and take the insignificant name ourselves. ”

“ They are the concomitants of life, by which perfect or physiological health can be sustained, and restored when lost.
There never exist more than two normal sides, to any scientific subject. One is compatible, the other incompatible. "No one can serve God and Mammon at the same time." No person can be perfectly healthful, and also partially, or wholly sick. A man can only swallow poisonous agencies, or food and drink. The one is usable, the other non-usable.
A man must either be in the right or in the wrong. He must be a sinner or a Saint, He must speak the truth or falsehood. ”

“ All that the water doctor need do, is to souse, dip, plunge and soak his patient in very cold water, and wrap and pack him until the heat of the body is well nigh extracted, or every vital part drowned, and the patient frozen as stiff as a poker, when soaking in hot water will thaw his refrigerated organism, and too truly a water-disease is induced more grievous than the first. ”

“ We too often despise and trample under foot those blessings—those things which would minister most to our real wants and true and celestial happiness. It appears the people are not sufficiently ripe yet, and likely never will be, to appreciate and comprehend the munificent powers and gifts which surround us! ”

“ Do you believe that any human being could, consistently, possess the pure and holy spirit of Christ, whilst his body and mind were vitiated and stullified by such incompatible agencies which were never designed for the use of man, but for the purpose of aiding in the purification of the earth ”

“ Equally and very appropriately might we assert, that we well remember the time, when the people spurned and ridiculed the idea, yea, even thought it blasphemous, that mortal man should attempt to send dispatches by lightning speed, through the Air, from City to City, or from the far East to the far West. Truly, when the Magnetic Telegraph was first spoken of as a grand Invention, the majority of mankind sneered, hooted and scorned the persons who spoke of its truthfulness. ”