The subject of politics was introduced. She spoke of the condition of the North and the South. She illustrated her difficulties with Mr. Packard, by the difficulties between the North and the South. She said the South was wrong, and was waging war for two wicked purposes: first, to overthrow a good government, and second, to establish a despotism on the inhuman principle of human slavery. But that the North, having right on their side, would prevail. So Mr. Packard was opposing her, to overthrow free thought in woman; that the despotism of man may prevail over the wife; but that she had right and truth on her side, and that she would prevail.
During this conversation I did not fully conclude that she was insane.
I brought up the subject of religion. We discussed that subject for a long time, and then I had not the slightest difficulty in concluding that she was hopelessly insane.
Question. Dr., what particular idea did she advance on the subject of religion that led you to the conclusion that she was hopelessly insane?
Answer. She advanced many of them. I formed my opinion not so much on any one idea advanced, as upon her whole conversation. She then said that she was the “Personification of the Holy Ghost.” I did not know what she meant by that.
Ques. Was not this the idea conveyed to you in that conversation:—That there are three attributes of the Deity—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost? Now, did she not say, that the attributes of the Father were represented in mankind, in man; that the attributes of the Holy Ghost were represented in woman; and that the Son was the fruit of these two attributes of the Deity?
Ans. Well, I am not sure but that was the idea conveyed, though I did not fully get her idea at the time.
Ques. Was not that a new idea to you in theology?
Ans. It was.
Ques. Are you much of a theologian?