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The Author of Nature has made us freemen of this earth; kindly has He bestowed upon us the faculty of Reason, by which we should be guided; giving us the noble and liberal privilege to "seek and find; knock and it shall be opened unto us;" and to "prove all things, and hold fast that which is good," instead of "living as we list," regardless of the holy and sublime truths, which are within the grasp of every enlightened and civilized mind! Therefore, beloved friends, we ask you, all to exercise your reasoning powers—independent of prejudice or obsolete dogmas. By so doing, you may be able to judge for yourselves, whether our teachings are sound or unsound.
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!
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. Yea, may the "God of love" awaken a feeling within your parental bosoms, which will compel you to cast aside all bias, and list to the voice of an unperverted instinct! Thus we would recommend to your consideration, our philosophy or doctrines, being actuated, as we believe, by the sincerest desires for the welfare of our fellows; for the welfare and happiness of all the children, and children's children of the earth. As truth-loving and independent people, let us look "quackery" square in the face; and denounce with thundering tones, those things which tend to undermine our Constitutions, and impair our Virtues!
Let us "seek truth where'er 'tis found,
On Christian or on Heathen ground;
The flower's divine where'er it grows;
Neglect the prickle, but assume the rose."
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. Nor do we claim this ability to be a miraculous talent inherent in us only; but, it is a simple truth which should be obvious to the minds of all humanity, It is the sublimest and greatest blessing of blessings! In your own minds, you may question the truthfulness of these assertions. But you can attain the same knowledge and understanding by giving this very indispensable subject judicious thought and action; by exercising your reasoning faculties, and doing as we have perseveringly done.
In the first place, it was through personal sufferings, that we were
