The Work and the Counterwork; or, the Religious Revival in Belfast - with an explanation of the Psychic Phenomena.
Dublin: Hodges, Smith & Co., 1859. Second Edition. Hardcover. Small octavo. 92pp. Stapled pamphlet, this copy bound in modern black cloth lettered in gilt on spine. A significant contemporary study of the religious revival, and the stange phenomena that accompanied it, that took place in Northern Ireland in 1859. Aside from tens of thousands of conversions, the revival was accompanied by reports of all sorts of strange effects: people experiencing visions, screaming unexpectedly, collapsing without warning in or near meetings, etc. The author of this work, Edward A. Stopford, the Archdeacon of Meath, suggested that the phenomena were the result of hysteria, and his work became a standard point of reference to those who were wary of a supernatural explanation of the occurences. From the collection of Dr. M. H. Coleman, with his ex-libris seal blind-stamped on the front free endpaper. Slight fading to margins of rear board, contemporary owner's name at top of title-page, page-edges browned, annotation in top margin of first text page, otherwise a solid, tight & complete VG copy. Very scarce. Item #52929
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