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Stefan G. Hofmann emotional disorders. Furthermore, he has been one of the leaders
is an international expert in translational research methods to enhance the efficacy of psy-
on psychotherapy for emo- chotherapy and to predict treatment outcome using neuroscience
tional disorders. He is a methods.
professor of psychology at He has won many prestigious professional awards, including
Boston University, where he the Aaron T. Beck Award for Significant and Enduring Contribu-
directs the Psychotherapy tions to the Field of Cognitive Therapy by the Academy of Cognitive
and Emotion Research Therapy. He is a fellow of the American Psychological Association
Laboratory. He was born in and the Association for Psychological Science and was president of
a little town near Stuttgart in various national and international professional societies, includ-
Germany, which may explain ing the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies and
his thick German accent. the International Association for Cognitive Psychotherapy. He was
He studied psychology at an advisor to the DSM-5 Development Process and a member of
the University of Marburg, the DSM-5 Anxiety Disorder Sub-Work Group. As part of this, he
Germany, where he received participated in the discussions about the revisions of the DSM-5
his B.A., M.S., and Ph.D. criteria for various anxiety disorders, especially social anxiety dis-
A brief dissertation fellow- order, panic disorder, and agoraphobia. Dr. Hofmann is a Thomson
ship to spend some time Reuters’ Highly Cited Researcher.
at Stanford University turned into a longer research career in the Dr. Hofmann has been the editor in chief of Cognitive Therapy
United States. He eventually moved to the United States in 1994 to and Research and is also the incoming Associate Editor of Clinical
join Dr. Barlow’s team at the University at Albany–State University Psychological Science. He has published more than 300 peer-reviewed
of New York, and has been living in Boston since 1996. journal articles and 15 books, including An Introduction of Modern
Dr. Hofmann has an actively funded research program studying CBT (Wiley-Blackwell) and Emotion in Therapy (Guilford Press).
various aspects of emotional disorders with a particular emphasis on At leisure, he enjoys playing with his sons. He likes traveling to
anxiety disorders, cognitive behavioral therapy, and neuroscience. immerse himself into new cultures, make new friends, and recon-
More recently, he has been interested in mindfulness approaches, nect with old ones. When time permits, he occasionally gets out his
such as yoga and meditation practices, as treatment strategies of flute.

vi
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Brief Contents

1 abnormal Behavior in historical Context 2

2 an integrative approach to Psychopathology 32

3 Clinical assessment and diagnosis 74

4 research Methods 104

5 anxiety, trauma- and stressor-related, and obsessive-Compulsive and

related disorders 126

6 somatic symptom and related disorders and dissociative disorders 184

7 Mood disorders and suicide 216

8 Eating and sleep–Wake disorders 272

9 Physical disorders and health Psychology 322

10 sexual dysfunctions, Paraphilic disorders, and gender dysphoria 360

11 substance-related, addictive, and impulse-Control disorders 404

12 Personality disorders 448

13 schizophrenia spectrum and other Psychotic disorders 484

14 neurodevelopmental disorders 520

15 neurocognitive disorders 552

16 Mental health services: legal and Ethical issues 580

vii
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Copyright 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-203
Contents

1 Abnormal Behavior in Historical Context 2


Understanding Psychopathology 3 Consequences of the Biological
Tradition / 16
What Is a Psychological Disorder? / 4
The Science of Psychopathology / 6 The Psychological
Historical Conceptions of Abnormal Behavior / 9 Tradition 16
Moral Therapy / 16
The Supernatural Tradition 9
Asylum Reform and the Decline
Demons and Witches / 10 of Moral Therapy / 17
Stress and Melancholy / 10 Psychoanalytic Theory / 18
Treatments for Possession / 11 Humanistic Theory / 23
Mass Hysteria / 11 The Behavioral Model / 24
Modern Mass Hysteria / 12
The Moon and the Stars / 12 The Present: The Scientific Method
Comments / 12 and an Integrative Approach 27
The Biological Tradition 13 Summary 28
Hippocrates and Galen / 13 Key Terms 29
The 19th Century / 14 Answers to Concept Checks 29
The Development of Biological Treatments / 15

2 An Integrative Approach to Psychopathology 32


One-Dimensional versus The Peripheral Nervous System / 47
Multidimensional Models 33 Neurotransmitters / 49
What Caused Judy’s Phobia? / 33 Implications for
Psychopathology / 53
Outcome and Comments / 35
Psychosocial Influences on Brain
Genetic Contributions to Structure and Function / 54
Psychopathology 36 Interactions of Psychosocial
Factors and Neurotransmitter Systems / 56
The Nature of Genes / 36
Psychosocial Effects on the Development of Brain
New Developments in the Study of Genes Structure and Function / 57
and Behavior / 37
Comments / 58
The Interaction of Genes and the Environment / 38
Epigenetics and the Nongenomic “Inheritance” Behavioral and Cognitive Science 58
of Behavior / 41 Conditioning and Cognitive Processes / 58
Neuroscience and Its Contributions to Learned Helplessness / 59
Psychopathology 42 Social Learning / 60
Prepared Learning / 60
The Central Nervous System / 43
Cognitive Science and the Unconscious / 61
The Structure of the Brain / 44
ix
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Emotions 62 Social Effects on Health and Behavior / 67
The Physiology and Purpose of Fear / 62 Global Incidence of Psychological Disorders / 69
Emotional Phenomena / 62 Life-Span Development 69
The Components of Emotion / 63
Anger and Your Heart / 64 Conclusions 70
Emotions and Psychopathology / 65 Summary 72
Cultural, Social, and Interpersonal Key Terms 73
Factors 65 Answers to Concept Checks 73
Voodoo, the Evil Eye, and Other Fears / 65
Gender / 66

3 Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis 74


Assessing Psychological Disorders 75 DSM-III and DSM-III-R / 95
Key Concepts in Assessment / 77 DSM-IV and DSM-IV-TR / 96
The Clinical Interview / 78 DSM-5 / 96
Physical Examination / 80 Creating a Diagnosis / 99
Behavioral Assessment / 80 Beyond DSM-5: Dimensions
and Spectra / 101
Psychological Testing / 84
Neuropsychological Testing / 88 Summary 103
Neuroimaging: Pictures of the Brain / 89
Key Terms 103
Psychophysiological Assessment / 90
Answers to Concept Checks 103
Diagnosing Psychological Disorders 92
Classification Issues / 92
Diagnosis before 1980 / 95

4 Research Methods 104


Examining Abnormal Genetics and Behavior
Behavior 105 across Time and
Important Concepts / 105 Cultures 116
Basic Components of a Research Studying Genetics / 117
Study / 106 Studying Behavior over Time /
Statistical versus Clinical Significance / 108 119
The “Average” Client / 108 Studying Behavior across Cultures / 121
Power of a Program of Research / 122
Types of Research Replication / 123
Methods 108 Research Ethics / 123
Studying Individual Cases / 109
Research by Correlation / 109 Summary 125
Research by Experiment / 111 Key Terms 125
Single-Case Experimental Designs / 113 Answers to Concept Checks 125

x ContEnts

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5 Anxiety, Trauma- and Stressor-Related, and Obsessive-
Compulsive and Related Disorders 126
The Complexity of Anxiety Trauma- and
Disorders 127 Stressor- Related
Anxiety, Fear, and Panic: Some Definitions / 127 Disorders 160
Causes of Anxiety and Related Disorders / 129
Posttraumatic Stress
Comorbidity of Anxiety and Related Disorders / 132
Disorder (PTSD) 160
Comorbidity with Physical Disorders / 133
Clinical Description / 160
Suicide / 133
Statistics / 161
Anxiety Disorders 134 Causes / 162
Treatment / 165
Generalized Anxiety Disorder 134
Clinical Description / 135 Obsessive-Compulsive and Related
Statistics / 135 Disorders 168
Causes / 136
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder 168
Treatment / 137
Clinical Description / 168
Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia 139 Statistics / 170
Clinical Description / 140 Causes / 170
Statistics / 140 Treatment / 171
Causes / 143
Body Dysmorphic Disorder 172
Treatment / 145
Plastic Surgery and Other Medical Treatments / 176
Specific Phobia 147 Other Obsessive-Compulsive and Related
Clinical Description / 147
Disorders 176
Statistics / 150
Hoarding Disorder / 176
Causes / 151
Trichotillomania (Hair Pulling Disorder) and
Treatment / 153 Excoriation (Skin Picking Disorder) / 177

Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Summary 180


Phobia) 154
Key Terms 181
Clinical Description / 154
Answers to Concept Checks 181
Statistics / 155
Causes / 156
Treatment / 157

6 Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders


and Dissociative Disorders 184
Somatic Symptom and Related Illness Anxiety
Disorders 185 Disorder 187
Clinical Description / 187
Somatic Symptom Disorder 186
Statistics / 188

ContEnts xi
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Causes / 189 Dissociative Amnesia 200
Treatment / 191
Dissociative Identity Disorder 203
Psychological Factors Affecting Medical Clinical Description / 203
Condition 192 Characteristics / 204
Conversion Disorder (Functional Can DID Be Faked? / 204
Neurological Symptom Disorder) 193 Statistics / 206
Causes / 207
Clinical Description / 193
Suggestibility / 207
Closely Related Disorders / 193
Biological Contributions / 208
Unconscious Mental Processes / 195
Real Memories and False / 208
Statistics / 196
Treatment / 210
Causes / 197
Treatment / 198 Summary 212
Dissociative Disorders 198 Key Terms 213
Answers to Concept Checks 213
Depersonalization-Derealization
Disorder 199

7 Mood Disorders and Suicide 216


Understanding and Defining Mood Social and Cultural
Dimensions / 247
Disorders 217
An Integrative Theory / 249
An Overview of Depression and Mania / 218
The Structure of Mood Disorders / 219 Treatment of Mood
Depressive Disorders / 220 Disorders 251
Additional Defining Criteria for Depressive Medications / 251
Disorders / 222
Electroconvulsive Therapy and Transcranial
Other Depressive Disorders / 229 Magnetic Stimulation / 254
Bipolar Disorders / 231 Psychological Treatments for Depression / 255
Additional Defining Criteria for Bipolar Combined Treatments for Depression / 258
Disorders / 232
Preventing Relapse of Depression / 259
Prevalence of Mood Disorders 234 Psychological Treatments for Bipolar
Disorder / 260
Prevalence in Children, Adolescents, and Older
Adults / 235 Suicide 262
Life Span Developmental Influences on Mood
Statistics / 262
Disorders / 235
Causes / 263
Across Cultures / 237
Risk Factors / 263
Among Creative Individuals / 237
Is Suicide Contagious? / 265
Causes of Mood Disorders 238 Treatment / 265
Biological Dimensions / 239
Summary 268
Additional Studies of Brain Structure
and Function / 242 Key Terms 269
Psychological Dimensions / 242 Answers to Concept Checks 269

xii ContEnts

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8 Eating and Sleep–Wake Disorders 272
Major Types of Eating Disorders 273 Sleep–Wake
Bulimia Nervosa / 275 Disorders: The Major
Anorexia Nervosa / 277 Dyssomnias 301
Binge-Eating Disorder / 279 An Overview of Sleep–Wake
Statistics / 280 Disorders / 301
Insomnia Disorder / 302
Causes of Eating Disorders 284 Hypersomnolence Disorders / 307
Social Dimensions / 284 Narcolepsy / 308
Biological Dimensions / 287 Breathing-Related Sleep Disorders / 309
Psychological Dimensions / 288 Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder / 310
An Integrative Model / 289
Treatment of Sleep Disorders 311
Treatment of Eating Disorders 289 Medical Treatments / 311
Drug Treatments / 289 Environmental Treatments / 313
Psychological Treatments / 290 Psychological Treatments / 313
Preventing Eating Disorders / 294 Preventing Sleep Disorders / 314
Parasomnias and Their Treatment / 314
Obesity 295
Statistics / 295 Summary 318
Disordered Eating Patterns in Cases of Obesity / 296 Key Terms 319
Causes / 297
Answers to Concept Checks 319
Treatment / 298

9 Physical Disorders and Health Psychology 322


Psychological and Social Factors That Psychosocial
Influence Health 323 Treatment of Physical
Health and Health-Related Behavior / 323 Disorders 348
The Nature of Stress / 325 Biofeedback / 348
The Physiology of Stress / 325 Relaxation and
Contributions to the Stress Response / 326 Meditation / 349
Stress, Anxiety, Depression, and Excitement / 327 A Comprehensive Stress- and Pain-Reduction
Program / 349
Stress and the Immune Response / 328
Drugs and Stress-Reduction Programs / 351
Psychosocial Effects on Physical Denial as a Means of Coping / 351
Disorders 331 Modifying Behaviors to Promote Health / 352
AIDS / 331
Summary 356
Cancer / 334
Cardiovascular Problems / 336 Key Terms 357
Hypertension / 336 Answers to Concept Checks 357
Coronary Heart Disease / 339
Chronic Pain / 342
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / 345

ContEnts xiii
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10 Sexual Dysfunctions, Paraphilic Disorders,
and Gender Dysphoria 360
What Is Normal Sexuality? 361 Voyeuristic and Exhibitionistic
Disorders / 384
Gender Differences / 363
Transvestic Disorder / 384
Cultural Differences / 364
Sexual Sadism and Sexual
The Development of Sexual Orientation / 365 Masochism Disorders / 386
An Overview of Sexual Pedophilic Disorder and
Incest / 387
Dysfunctions 366
Paraphilic Disorders in Women / 388
Sexual Desire Disorders / 368
Causes of Paraphilic Disorders / 389
Sexual Arousal Disorders / 369
Orgasm Disorders / 370 Assessing and Treating Paraphilic
Sexual Pain Disorder / 372 Disorders 390
Psychological Treatment / 390
Assessing Sexual Behavior 373
Drug Treatments / 392
Interviews / 373
Medical Examination / 373 Gender Dysphoria 393
Psychophysiological Assessment / 374 Defining Gender Dysphoria / 393
Causes / 395
Causes and Treatment of Sexual
Treatment / 396
Dysfunction 374
Causes of Sexual Dysfunction / 374 Summary 400
Treatment of Sexual Dysfunction / 379 Key Terms 401
Paraphilic Disorders: Clinical Answers to Concept Checks 401
Descriptions 382
Fetishistic Disorder / 383

11 Substance-Related, Addictive, and Impulse-Control


Disorders 404
Perspectives on Substance-Related Opioid-Related
and Addictive Disorders 405 Disorders 422
Levels of Involvement / 406
Cannabis-Related
Diagnostic Issues / 408
Disorders 423
Depressants 409 Hallucinogen-Related Disorders 424
Alcohol-Related Disorders / 409
Sedative-, Hypnotic-, or Anxiolytic-Related
Other Drugs of Abuse 427
Disorders / 414 Causes of Substance-Related
Stimulants 416 Disorders 428
Stimulant-Related Disorders / 416 Biological Dimensions / 428
Tobacco-Related Disorders / 420 Psychological Dimensions / 431
Caffeine-Related Disorders / 421 Cognitive Dimensions / 432

xiv ContEnts

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Social Dimensions / 432 Gambling Disorder 441
Cultural Dimensions / 433
An Integrative Model / 434
Impulse-Control Disorders 442
Intermittent Explosive Disorder / 442
Treatment of Substance-Related Kleptomania / 443
Disorders 435 Pyromania / 443
Biological Treatments / 436
Psychosocial Treatments / 437 Summary 444
Prevention / 440 Key Terms 445
Answers to Concept Checks 445

12 Personality Disorders 448


An Overview of Personality Histrionic Personality
Disorder / 472
Disorders 449
Narcissistic Personality
Aspects of Personality Disorders / 449 Disorder / 474
Categorical and Dimensional Models / 450
Personality Disorder Clusters / 451 Cluster C Personality
Statistics and Development / 451 Disorders 476
Gender Differences / 452 Avoidant Personality Disorder / 476
Comorbidity / 454 Dependent Personality Disorder / 477
Personality Disorders under Study / 455 Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder / 478

Cluster A Personality Disorders 455 Summary 480


Paranoid Personality Disorder / 455 Key Terms 481
Schizoid Personality Disorder / 457 Answers to Concept Checks 481
Schizotypal Personality Disorder / 459

Cluster B Personality Disorders 461


Antisocial Personality Disorder / 461
Borderline Personality Disorder / 469

13 Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic


Disorders 484
Perspectives on Schizophrenia 485 Historic Schizophrenia
Subtypes / 493
Early Figures in Diagnosing
Schizophrenia / 485 Other Psychotic Disorders / 494
Identifying Symptoms / 486 Prevalence and Causes
Clinical Description, Symptoms, of Schizophrenia 497
and Subtypes 488 Statistics / 497
Positive Symptoms / 488 Development / 498
Negative Symptoms / 491 Cultural Factors / 499
Disorganized Symptoms / 492 Genetic Influences / 499

ContEnts xv
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Neurobiological Influences / 502 Treatment across Cultures / 513
Psychological and Social Influences / 506 Prevention / 514

Treatment of Schizophrenia 508 Summary 516


Biological Interventions / 508 Key Terms 517
Psychosocial Interventions / 510 Answers to Concept Checks 517

14 Neurodevelopmental Disorders 520


Overview of Neurodevelopmental Prevention of
Disorders 521 Neurodevelopmental
What Is Normal? What Is Abnormal? / 522 Disorders 547
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Summary 549
Disorder 522 Key Terms 549
Specific Learning Disorder 529 Answers to Concept
Checks 549
Autism Spectrum Disorder 534
Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder / 538

Intellectual Disability (Intellectual


Development Disorder) 540
Causes / 543

15 Neurocognitive Disorders 552


Perspectives on Neurocognitive Other Medical Conditions
That Cause Neurocognitive
Disorders 553 Disorder / 563
Delirium 554 Substance/Medication-
Induced Neurocognitive
Clinical Description and Statistics / 554 Disorder / 567
Treatment / 555 Causes of Neurocognitive
Prevention / 555 Disorders / 567
Treatment / 570
Major and Mild Neurocognitive Prevention / 574
Disorders 556
Clinical Description and Statistics / 558 Summary 575
Neurocognitive Disorder Due to Alzheimer’s Key Terms 576
Disease / 559
Answers to Concept Checks 577
Vascular Neurocognitive Disorder / 562

xvi ContEnts

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16 Mental Health Services: Legal and Ethical Issues 580
Perspectives on Mental Health Law 581 Patients’ Rights
and Clinical Practice
Civil Commitment 581 Guidelines 592
Criteria for Civil Commitment / 582 The Right to Treatment / 592
Procedural Changes Affecting Civil The Right to Refuse
Commitment / 584 Treatment / 593
An Overview of Civil Commitment / 586 The Rights of Research
Participants / 593
Criminal Commitment 587
Evidence-Based Practice and Clinical Practice
The Insanity Defense / 587 Guidelines / 594
Reactions to the Insanity Defense / 588
Therapeutic Jurisprudence / 590 Conclusions 596
Competence to Stand Trial / 590
Duty to Warn / 591
Summary 597
Mental Health Professionals as Expert Key Terms 597
Witnesses / 591 Answers to Concept Checks 597

Glossary G-1
References R-1
Name Index I-1
Subject Index I-27

ContEnts xvii
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Copyright 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-203
Preface

S cience is a constantly evolving field, but every now and


then something groundbreaking occurs that alters our
way of thinking. For example, evolutionary biologists,
who long assumed that the process of evolution was gradual, sud-
denly had to adjust to evidence that says evolution happens in fits
affect neurotransmitter function and even genetic expression.
Similarly, we cannot study behavioral, cognitive, or emotional
processes without appreciating the contribution of biological and
social factors to psychological and psychopathological expression.
Instead of compartmentalizing psychopathology, we use a more
and starts in response to such cataclysmic environmental events as accessible approach that accurately reflects the current state of our
meteor impacts. Similarly, geology has been revolutionized by the clinical science.
discovery of plate tectonics. As colleagues, you are aware that we understand some disor-
Until recently, the science of psychopathology had been com- ders better than others. But we hope you will share our excitement
partmentalized, with psychopathologists examining the separate in conveying to students both what we currently know about the
effects of psychological, biological, and social influences. This causes and treatments of psychopathology and how far we have
approach is still reflected in popular media accounts that describe, yet to go in understanding these complex interactions.
for example, a newly discovered gene, a biological dysfunction
(chemical imbalance), or early childhood experiences as a “cause”
of a psychological disorder. This way of thinking still dominates Integrative Approach
discussions of causality and treatment in some psychology text- As noted earlier, the first edition of Abnormal Psychology pio-
books: “The psychoanalytic views of this disorder are . . . ,” “the neered a new generation of abnormal psychology textbooks,
biological views are . . . ,” and, often in a separate chapter, “psycho- which offer an integrative and multidimensional perspective. (We
analytic treatment approaches for this disorder are . . . ,” “cognitive acknowledge such one-dimensional approaches as biological, psy-
behavioral treatment approaches are . . . ,” or “biological treatment chosocial, and supernatural as historic perspectives on our field.)
approaches are . . .” We include substantial current evidence of the reciprocal influ-
In the first edition of this text, we tried to do something very ences of biology and behavior and of psychological and social
different. We thought the field had advanced to the point that it influences on biology. Our examples hold students’ attention; for
was ready for an integrative approach in which the intricate inter- example, we discuss genetic contributions to divorce, the effects
actions of biological, psychological, and social factors are expli- of early social and behavioral experience on later brain function
cated in as clear and convincing a manner as possible. Recent and structure, new information on the relation of social networks
explosive advances in knowledge confirm this approach as the to the common cold, and new data on psychosocial treatments for
only viable way of understanding psychopathology. To take just cancer. We note that in the phenomenon of implicit memory and
two examples, Chapter 2 contains a description of a study demon- blind sight, which may have parallels in dissociative experiences,
strating that stressful life events can lead to depression but that not psychological science verifies the existence of the unconscious
everyone shows this response. Rather, stress is more likely to cause (although it does not much resemble the seething caldron of con-
depression in individuals who already carry a particular gene
flicts envisioned by Freud). We present new evidence confirming
that influences serotonin at the brain synapses. Similarly, Chap-
the effects of psychological treatments on neurotransmitter flow
ter 9 describes how the pain of social rejection activates the same
and brain function. We acknowledge the often-neglected area of
neural mechanisms in the brain as physical pain. In addition, the
emotion theory for its rich contributions to psychopathology (e.g.,
entire section on genetics has been rewritten to highlight the new
the effects of anger on cardiovascular disease). We weave scien-
emphasis on gene–environment interaction, along with recent
tific findings from the study of emotions together with behavioral,
thinking from leading behavioral geneticists that the goal of bas-
biological, cognitive, and social discoveries to create an integrated
ing the classification of psychological disorders on the firm foun-
tapestry of psychopathology.
dation of genetics is fundamentally flawed. Descriptions of the
emerging field of epigenetics, or the influence of the environment
on gene expression, is also woven into the chapter, along with new Life-Span Developmental Influences
studies on the seeming ability of extreme environments to largely No modern view of abnormal psychology can ignore the impor-
override the effects of genetic contributions. Studies elucidating tance of life-span developmental factors in the manifestation
the mechanisms of epigenetics or specifically how environmental and treatment of psychopathology. Studies highlighting devel-
events influence gene expression are described. opmental windows for the influence of the environment on gene
These results confirm the integrative approach in this book: expression are explained. Accordingly, although we include a
Psychological disorders cannot be explained by genetic or envi- Neurodevelopmental Disorders chapter (Chapter 14), we con-
ronmental factors alone but rather arise from their interaction. sider the importance of development throughout the text; we dis-
We now understand that psychological and social factors directly cuss childhood and geriatric anxiety, for example, in the context
xix
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of the Anxiety, Trauma- and Stressor-Related, and Obsessive- have retained this integrative format and have improved upon
Compulsive and Related Disorders chapter (Chapter 5). This sys- it, and we include treatment procedures in the key terms and
tem of organization, which is for the most part consistent with glossary.
DSM-5, helps students appreciate the need to study each disorder
from childhood through adulthood and old age. We note findings Legal and Ethical Issues
on developmental considerations in separate sections of each dis-
In our closing chapter, we integrate many of the approaches and
order chapter and, as appropriate, discuss how specific develop-
themes that have been discussed throughout the text. We include
mental factors affect causation and treatment.
case studies of people who have been involved directly with many
legal and ethical issues and with the delivery of mental health ser-
Scientist–Practitioner Approach vices. We also provide a historical context for current perspectives
We go to some lengths to explain why the scientist–practitioner so students will understand the effects of social and cultural influ-
approach to psychopathology is both practical and ideal. Like ences on legal and ethical issues.
most of our colleagues, we view this as something more than sim-
ple awareness of how scientific findings apply to psychopathol- Diversity
ogy. We show how every clinician contributes to general scientific
Issues of culture and gender are integral to the study of psychopa-
knowledge through astute and systematic clinical observations,
thology. Throughout the text, we describe current thinking about
functional analyses of individual case studies, and systematic
which aspects of the disorders are culturally specific and which
observations of series of cases in clinical settings. For example,
are universal, and about the strong and sometimes puzzling effects
we explain how information on dissociative phenomena provided
of gender roles. For instance, we discuss the current information
by early psychoanalytic theorists remains relevant today. We also
on such topics as the gender imbalance in depression, how panic
describe the formal methods used by scientist–practitioners,
disorders are expressed differently in various Asian cultures, the
showing how abstract research designs are actually implemented
ethnic differences in eating disorders, treatment of schizophrenia
in research programs.
across cultures, and the diagnostic differences of attention deficit/
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in boys and girls. Clearly, our field
Clinical Cases of Real People will grow in depth and detail as these subjects and others become
We have enriched the book with authentic clinical histories to standard research topics. For example, why do some disorders
illustrate scientific findings on the causes and treatment of psy- overwhelmingly affect females and others appear predominantly
chopathology. We have run active clinics for years, so 95% of in males? And why does this apportionment sometimes change
the cases are from our own files, and they provide a fascinating from one culture to another? In answering questions like these,
frame of reference for the findings we describe. The beginnings we adhere closely to science, emphasizing that gender and cul-
of most chapters include a case description, and most of the ture are each one dimension among several that constitute
discussion of the latest theory and research is related to these psychopathology.
very human cases.

Disorders in Detail New to This Edition


We cover the major psychological disorders in 11 chapters, A Thorough Update
focusing on three broad categories: clinical description, causal
This exciting field moves at a rapid pace, and we take particular
factors, and treatment and outcomes. We pay considerable
pride in how our book reflects the most recent developments.
attention to case studies and DSM-5 criteria, and we include
Therefore, once again, every chapter has been carefully revised
statistical data, such as prevalence and incidence rates, sex
to reflect the latest research studies on psychological disorders.
ratio, age of onset, and the general course or pattern for the dis-
Hundreds of new references from 2015 to 2016 (and some still
order as a whole. Since several of us were appointed Advisors
“in press”) appear for the first time in this edition, and some of
to the DMS-5 task force, we are able to include the reasons for
the information they contain stuns the imagination. Nonessential
changes as well as the changes themselves. Throughout, we
material has been eliminated, some new headings have been
explore how biological, psychological, and social dimensions
added, and DSM-5 criteria are included in their entirety as tables
may interact to cause a particular disorder. Finally, by covering
in the appropriate disorder chapters.
treatment and outcomes within the context of specific disor-
Anxiety, Trauma- and Stressor-Related, and Obsessive-
ders, we provide a realistic sense of clinical practice.
Compulsive and Related Disorders (Chapter 5), Mood Disor-
ders and Suicide (Chapter 7), Eating and Sleep–Wake Disorders
Treatment (Chapter 8), Physical Disorders and Health Psychology (Chapter 9),
One of the best received innovations in the first seven editions was Substance-Related, Addictive, and Impulse-Control Disorders
our strategy of discussing treatments in the same chapter as the (Chapter 11), Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disor-
disorders themselves instead of in a separate chapter, an approach ders (Chapter 13), and Neurodevelopmental Disorders (Chapter 14)
that is supported by the development of specific psychosocial and have been the most heavily revised to reflect new research, but all
pharmacological treatment procedures for specific disorders. We chapters have been significantly updated and freshened.

xx P r E fa C E

Copyright 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-203
Chapter 1, Abnormal Behavior in Historical Context, features ● Updated generalized anxiety disorder discussion, espe-
updated nomenclature to reflect new titles in DSM-5, updated cially about newer treatment approaches;
descriptions of research on defense mechanisms, and fuller and ● Updated information on description, etiology, and treat-
deeper descriptions of the historical development of psychody- ment for specific phobia, social anxiety disorder, and
namic and psychoanalytic approaches. posttraumatic stress disorder.
Chapter 2, An Integrative Approach to Psychopathology,
includes an updated discussion of developments in the study of
The grouping of disorders in Chapter 6, now titled Somatic
genes and behavior with a focus on gene–environment interaction;
Symptom and Related Disorders and Dissociative Disorders,
new data illustrating the gene–environment correlation model; new
reflects a major overarching change, specifically for somatic
studies illustrating the psychosocial influence on the development
symptom disorder, illness anxiety disorder (formerly known as
of brain structure and function in general and on neurotransmit-
hypochondriasis), and psychological factors affecting medical
ter systems specifically; updated, revised, and refreshed sections on
conditions. The chapter discusses the differences between these
behavioral and cognitive science including new studies illustrating
overlapping disorders and provides a summary of the causes and
the influence of positive psychology on physical health and longev-
treatment approaches of these problems. In addition, Chapter 6
ity; new studies supporting the strong influence of emotions, spe-
now has an updated discussion on the false memory debate relat-
cifically anger, on cardiovascular health; new studies illustrating
ed to trauma in individuals with dissociative identity disorder.
the influence of gender on the presentation and treatment of psy-
Chapter 7, Mood Disorders and Suicide, provides an updated
chopathology; a variety of powerful new studies confirming strong
discussion on the psychopathology and treatment of the DSM-5
social effects on health and behavior; and new studies confirming
Mood Disorders, including persistent depressive disorder, sea-
the puzzling “drift” phenomenon resulting in a higher prevalence of
sonal affective disorder, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder,
schizophrenia among individuals living in urban areas.
bipolar disorder, and suicide. The chapter discusses new data on
Chapter 3, Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis, now presents
the genetic and environmental risk factors and protective factors,
references to “intellectual disability” instead of “mental retarda-
such as optimism. Also included is an update on the pharmaco-
tion” to be consistent with DSM-5 and changes within the field;
logical and psychological treatments.
(a new discussion about how information from the MMPI-2—
Thoroughly rewritten and updated, Chapter 8, Eating and
although informative—does not necessarily change how clients
Sleep–Wake Disorders, contains new information on mortality
are treated and may not improve their outcomes;) a description of
and suicide rates in anorexia nervosa; new epidemiological infor-
the organization and structure of DSM-5 along with major changes
mation on the prevalence of eating disorders in adolescents; new
from DSM-IV; a description of methods to coordinate the devel-
information on the increasing globalization of eating disorders
opment of DSM-5 with the forthcoming ICD 11; and a description
and obesity; updated information on typical patterns of comor-
of likely directions of research as we begin to head toward DSM-6.
bidity accompanying eating disorders; and new and updated
In Chapter 4, Research Methods, a new example of how behav-
research on changes in the incidence of eating disorders among
ioral scientists develop research hypotheses is presented and a
males, racial and ethnic differences on the thin-ideal body image
new example of longitudinal designs which look at how the use of
associated with eating disorders, the substantial contribution of
spanking predicts later behavior problems in children (Gershoff,
emotion dysregulation to etiology and maintenance of anorexia,
Lansford, Sexton, Davis-Kean, & Sameroff, 2012).
the role of friendship cliques in the etiology of eating disorders,
Chapter 5, entitled Anxiety, Trauma- and Stressor-Related,
mothers with eating disorders who also restrict food intake by
and Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, is organized
their children, the contribution of parents and family factors in
according to the three major groups of disorders: anxiety dis-
the etiology of eating disorders, biological and genetic contribu-
orders, trauma- and stressor-related disorders, and obsessive-
tions to causes of eating disorders including the role of ovarian
compulsive and related disorders. Two disorders new to DSM-5
hormones, transdiagnostic treatment applicable to all eating dis-
(separation anxiety disorder and selective mutism) are presented,
orders, results from a large multinational trial comparing CBT to
and the Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders section includes
psychoanalysis in the treatment of bulimia, the effects of combin-
not only posttraumatic stress disorder and acute stress disorder
ing Prozac with CBT in the treatment of eating disorders, racial
but also adjustment disorder and attachment disorders. The final
and ethnic differences in people with binge eating disorder seek-
new grouping, Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders,
ing treatment, the phenomenon of night eating syndrome and its
includes not only obsessive-compulsive disorder but also body
role in the development of obesity, and new public health policy
dysmorphic disorder, hoarding disorder, and finally trichotillo-
developments directed at the obesity epidemic.
mania (hair pulling disorder) and excoriation (skin picking dis-
Realigned coverage of Sleep–Wake Disorders, also in Chapter
order). Some of the revisions to Chapter 5 include the following:
8, with new information on sleep in women is now reported—
including risk and protective factors, an updated section on nar-
● Updated information about the neuroscience and genet-
colepsy to describe new research on the causes of this disorder,
ics of fear and anxiety;
and new research on the nature and treatment of nightmares are
● Updated information on the relationship of anxiety and now included.
related disorders to suicide; In Chapter 9, Physical Disorders and Health Psychology,
● Updated information on the influence of personality and updated data on the leading causes of death in the United States;
culture on the expression of anxiety; a review of the increasing depth of knowledge on the influence

P r E fa C E xxi
Copyright 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-203
of psychological social factors on brain structures and function; with the major changes in DSM-5. In addition, Chapter 14 now
new data supporting the efficacy of stress management on cardio- describes new research to show that gene–environment interac-
vascular disease; an updated review of developments into causes tion can lead to later behavior problems in children with ADHD
and treatment of chronic pain; updated information eliminating (Thapar, Cooper, Jefferies, & Stergiakouli, 2012; Thapar, et al., 2005);
certain viruses (XMRV and pMLV) as possible causes of chron- new research on ADHD (and on other disorders) that is finding
ic fatigue syndrome; and updated review of psychological and that in many cases mutations occur that either create extra copies of
behavioral procedures for preventing injuries. a gene on one chromosome or result in the deletion of genes (called
In Chapter 10, Sexual Dysfunctions, Paraphilic Disorders, and copy number variants—CNVs) (Elia et al., 2009; Lesch et al., 2010);
Gender Dysphoria, a revised organization of sexual dysfunctions, and new research findings that show a variety of genetic mutations,
paraphilic disorders, and gender dysphoria to reflect the fact that including de novo disorders (genetic mutations occurring in the
both paraphilic disorders and gender dysphoria are separate chap- sperm or egg or after fertilization), are present in those children
ters in DSM-5, and gender dysphoria disorder, is, of course, not with intellectual disability (ID) of previously unknown origin (Rauch
a sexual disorder but a disorder reflecting incongruence between et al., 2012).
natal sex and expressed gender, in addition to other major revi- Chapter 15, now called Neurocognitive Disorders, features
sions—new data on developmental changes in sexual behavior descriptions of research assessing brain activity (fMRI) in indi-
from age of first intercourse to prevalence and frequency of sexual viduals during active episodes of delirium as well as after these
behavior in old age; new reports contrasting differing attitudes episodes; data from the Einstein Aging Study concerning the prev-
and engagement in sexual activity across cultures even within alence of a disorder new in DSM-5, mild neurocognitive disorder
North America; updated information on the development of sex- (Katz et al., 2012); and a new discussion of new neurocognitive
ual orientation; and a thoroughly updated description of gender disorders (e.g., neurocognitive disorder due to Lewy bodies or
dysphoria with an emphasis on emerging conceptualizations of prion disease).
gender expression that are on a continuum. And Chapter 16, Mental Health Services: Legal and Ethical
Chapter 10 also includes updated information on contribut- Issues, presents a brief, but new, discussion of the recent trend
ing factors to gender dysphoria as well as the latest recommenda- to provide individuals needing emergency treatment with court-
tions on treatment options, recommended treatment options (or ordered assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) to avoid commitment
the decision not to treat) for gender nonconformity in children, a in a mental health facility (Nunley, Nunley, Cutleh, Dentingeh,
full description of disorders of sex development (formerly called & McFahland, 2013); a new discussion of a major meta-analysis
intersexuality), and a thoroughly revamped description of para- showing that current risk assessment tools are best at identifying
philic disorders to reflect the updated system of classification with persons at low risk of being violent but only marginally successful
a discussion of the controversial change in the name of these dis- at accurately detecting who will be violent at a later point (Fazel,
orders from paraphilia to paraphilic disorders. Singh, Doll, & Grann, 2012); and an updated section on legal
A thoroughly revised Chapter 11, Substance-Related, Addictive, rulings on involuntary medication.
and Impulse-Control Disorders, features new discussion of how the
trend to mix caffeinated energy drinks with alcohol may increase the Additional Features
likelihood of later abuse of alcohol; new research on chronic use of In addition to the changes highlighted earlier, Abnormal Psychology
MDMA (“Ecstasy”) leading to lasting memory problems (Wagner, features other distinct features:
Becker, Koester, Gouzoulis-Mayfrank, & Daumann, 2013); and new
research on several factors predicting early alcohol use, including
● Student Learning Outcomes at the start of each chapter
when best friends have started drinking, whether family members assist instructors in accurately assessing and mapping
are at high risk for alcohol dependence, and the presence of behav- questions throughout the chapter. The outcomes are
ior problems in these children (Kuperman, et al., 2013). mapped to core American Psychological Association
Chapter 12, Personality Disorders, now features a completely goals and are integrated throughout the instructor
new section on gender differences to reflect newer, more sophis- resources and testing program.
ticated analyses of prevalence data, and a new section on crimi- ● In each disorder chapter a feature called DSM
nality and antisocial personality disorder is now revised to better Controversies, which discusses some of the contentious
reflect changes in DSM-5. and thorny decisions made in the process of creating
Chapter 13, Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic DSM-5. Examples include the creation of new and some-
Disorders, presents a new discussion of schizophrenia spectrum times controversial disorders appearing for the first time
disorder and the dropping of subtypes of schizophrenia from in DSM-5, such as premenstrual dysphoric disorder,
DSM-5; new research on deficits in emotional prosody compre- binge eating disorder, and disruptive mood dysregulation
hension and its role in auditory hallucinations (Alba-Ferrara, disorder. Another example is removing the “grief ” exclu-
Fernyhough, Weis, Mitchell, & Hausmann, 2012); a discussion of a sion criteria for diagnosing major depressive disorder so
new proposed psychotic disorder suggested in DSM-5 for further that someone can be diagnosed with major depression
study—Attenuated Psychosis Syndrome; and a new discussion of even if the trigger was the death of a loved one. Finally,
the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation. changing the title of the “paraphilia” chapter to “para-
In Chapter 14, Neurodevelopmental Disorders are presented, philic disorders” implies that paraphilic sexual arousal
instead of Pervasive Developmental Disorders, to be consistent patterns such as pedophilia are not disorders in

xxii P r E fa C E

Copyright 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-203
themselves, but only become disorders if they cause Our integrative approach is instantly evident in these diagrams,
impairment or harm to others. which show the interaction of biological, psychological, and social
factors in the etiology and treatment of disorders. The visual sum-
maries will help instructors wrap up discussions, and students will
DSM-IV, DSM-IV-TR, and DSM-5 appreciate them as study aids.
Much has been said about the mix of political and scientific con-
siderations that resulted in DSM-5, and naturally we have our Pedagogy
own opinions. (DHB had the interesting experience of sitting
on the task force for DSM-IV and was an Advisor to the DSM-5 Each chapter contains several Concept Checks, which let students
task force.) Psychologists are often concerned about “turf issues” verify their comprehension at regular intervals. Answers are listed
in what has become—for better or worse—the nosological stan- at the end of each chapter along with a more detailed Summary;
dard in our field, and with good reason: in previous DSM editions, the Key Terms are listed in the order they appear in the text and
scientific findings sometimes gave way to personal opinions. For thus form a sort of outline that students can study.
DSM-IV and DSM-5, however, most professional biases were left
at the door while the task force almost endlessly debated the data. MindTap for Barlow, Durand, and
This process produced enough new information to fill every psy-
chopathology journal for a year with integrative reviews, reanaly-
Hofmann’s Abnormal Psychology
sis of existing databases, and new data from field trials. From a MindTap is a personalized teaching experience with relevant
scholarly point of view, the process was both stimulating and assignments that guide students to analyze, apply, and improve
exhausting. This book contains highlights of various debates that thinking, allowing you to measure skills and outcomes with ease.
created the nomenclature, as well as recent updates. For example, ● Guide Students: A unique learning path of relevant
in addition to the controversies described above, we summarize readings, media, and activities that moves students up the
and update the data and discussion of premenstrual dysphoric dis- learning taxonomy from basic knowledge and compre-
order, which was designated a new disorder in DSM-5, and mixed hension to analysis and application.
anxiety depression, a disorder that did not make it into the final
criteria. Students can thus see the process of making diagnoses, as
● Personalized Teaching: Becomes yours with a Learning
well as the combination of data and inferences that are part of it. Path that is built with key student objectives. Control
We also discuss the intense continuing debate on categorical what students see and when they see it. Use it as-is or
and dimensional approaches to classification. We describe some of match to your syllabus exactly—hide, rearrange, add, and
the compromises the task force made to accommodate data, such create your own content.
as why dimensional approaches to personality disorders did not ● Promote Better Outcomes: Empower instructors and
make it into DSM-5, and why the proposal to do so was rejected motivate students with analytics and reports that provide
at the last minute and included in Section III under “Conditions a snapshot of class progress, time in course, engagement,
for Further Study” even though almost everyone agrees that these and completion rates. In addition to the benefits of the
disorders should not be categorical but rather dimensional. platform, MindTap for Barlow, Durand, and Hofmann’s
Abnormal Psychology includes:
Prevention ● Profiles in Psychopathology, an exciting new product that
Looking into the future of abnormal psychology as a field, it seems guides users through the symptoms, causes, and treat-
our ability to prevent psychological disorders may help the most. ments of individuals who live with mental disorders.
Although this has long been a goal of many, we now appear to be at ● Videos, assessment, and activities from the Continuum
the cusp of a new age in prevention research. Scientists from all over Video Project.
the globe are developing the methodologies and techniques that may ● Concept Clip Videos that visually elaborate on specific dis-
at long last provide us with the means to interrupt the debilitating orders and psychopathology in a vibrant, engaging manner.
toll of emotional distress caused by the disorders chronicled in this ● Case studies to help students humanize psychological
book. We therefore highlight these cutting-edge prevention efforts— disorders and connect content to the real world.
such as preventing eating disorders, suicide, and health problems,
including HIV and injuries—in appropriate chapters as a means to
● Aplia quizzes aid student understanding.
celebrate these important advancements, as well as to spur on the ● Master Training, powered by Cerego, for student person-
field to continue this important work. alized learning plans to help them understand and retain
key topics and discussions.

Retained Features
Visual Summaries Teaching and Learning Aids
At the end of each disorder chapter is a colorful, two-page visual Profiles in Psychopathology
overview that succinctly summarizes the causes, development, In Profiles of Psychopathology, students explore the lives of indi-
symptoms, and treatment of each disorder covered in the chapter. viduals with mental disorders to better understand the etiology,

P r E fa C E xxiii
Copyright 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-203
Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
welcome. This application for entertainment was always made
according to the custom of the people, and in their own vernacular,
which I will illustrate by an example.
In my horseback-journeyings I had reached the tall, dense, heavy
forests of the bottom-lands of the Mississippi River, about a dozen
miles from the Father of Waters. As the sun was about setting, I
came upon a large "dead'ning," where the underbrush had been cut
out and burned off, the large trees had been girdled and had died,
and a crop of corn had been raised among the dead forest-trees,
before the new-comer in this wilderness had been able to completely
clear a field around his newly-erected log-cabin. Turning off from the
corduroy-road upon which I had been traveling, I took a footpath,
and, following that, was soon as near the cabin as a high rail-fence
would allow me to approach on horseback. A short distance from this
log-cabin was a still smaller one occupied by a colored aunty and her
family, and used for a kitchen; and not far off still another log-
building, used for a barn and stable.
The most of my readers in the older sections of the country will
suppose that I had now only to dismount, hitch my horse, climb the
fence, rap at the door, and so gain admittance to my resting-place for
the night. Far otherwise. Only the most untraveled and
inexperienced in the Brush would undertake so rash an experiment.
Sitting upon my horse, I called out in a loud voice, "Hello there!" That
call was for the same purpose that the city pastor mounts the stone
steps and rings the bell at the door of his parishioner. It was rather
more effective.
A large pack of hounds and various other kinds of dogs responded
with a barking chorus, a group of black pickaninnies rushed from the
adjacent kitchen, followed to the door by their sable mother, with
arms a-kimbo and hands fresh from mixing the pone or corn-dodger
for the family supper; all, with distended eyes and mouth, and
shining ivory, staring at the stranger with excited and pleased
curiosity. At almost the same instant, the mistress of the incipient
plantation approached the door of her cabin, stockingless and
shoeless, with a dress of woolsey woven in her own loom by her own
hands, and cut and made by her own skill, with face not less pleased
and excited than the others, and her cordial greeting of "How d'y,
stranger—how d'y, sir? 'Light, sir! [alight]—'light, sir!"
Remaining upon my horse, I replied: "I am a stranger in these parts,
madam. I have ridden about fifty miles since morning and am very
tired. Can I get to stay with you to-night, madam?"
"Oh, yes," she replied, promptly, "if you can put up with our rough
fare. We never turn anybody away."
I told her I should be very glad to stay with her, and dismounted. The
dogs, who would otherwise have resisted my approach to the door
by a combined attack, obeyed their instructions not to harm me, and
granted me a safe entrance as a recognized friend.
Such was the universal training of the dogs, and such the uniform
method of approaching and gaining admittance to the houses of the
people in the Brush. My hostess informed me that her husband was
at work in the "dead'ning," but that he would soon be at home and
take care of my horse.
I told her that I could do that myself, and she sent her little son along
with me to the stable, where I bestowed that kind and, I may say,
affectionate care that one who journeys for years on horseback
learns to bestow upon his faithful horse. I then entered the cabin,
and received that warm welcome that awaits the traveler in our
Western wilds.
Shall I describe my home for the night? It was a new log-house, less
than twenty feet square, and advanced to a state of completeness
beyond many in which I had lodged, inasmuch as the large openings
between the logs had been filled with "chink and daubing." The
chimney, built upon the outside of the house, was made of split
sticks, laid up in the proper form, and thoroughly "daubed" with mud,
so as to prevent them from taking fire. A large opening cut through
the logs communicated with this chimney, and formed the ample
fireplace. The roof was made of "shakes"—pieces of timber rived out
very much in the form of staves, but not shaved at all. These were
laid upon the roof like shingles, except that they were not nailed on,
but "weighted on"—kept in their places by small timbers laid across
each row of "shakes" over the entire roof. These timbers were kept
in their places by shorter ones placed between them, transversely,
up and down the roof. In this manner the pioneer constructs a roof
for his cabin, by his own labor, without the expenditure of a dime for
nails. With wooden hinges and a wooden latch for his door, he needs
to purchase little but glass for his windows, to provide a comfortable
home for his family. His latch-string, made of hemp or flax that he
has raised, or from the skin of the deer which he has pursued and
slain in the chase, which, as the old song has it—
"Hangs outside the door,"
symbolizes the cordial welcome and abounding hospitality to be
found within.
At the end of the room opposite the fireplace there was a bed in
each corner, under one of which there was a "trundle-bed" for the
children. There was no chamber-floor or chamber above to obstruct
the view of the roof. There was no division into apartments, not even
by hanging up blankets, a device I have seen resorted to in less
primitive regions. From floor to roof, from wall to wall, all was a single
"family" room, which was evidently to be occupied by the family and
myself in common. A rough board table, some plain chairs, and a
very few other articles completed the inventory of household
furniture of the pioneer's home to which I had been welcomed.
Such a home was the birthplace of Lincoln, and many other of the
greatest, wisest, and best men that have ever blessed our country.
Such homes have been crowned with abundance, and have been
the scenes of as much real comfort and joy as any others in our
land.
I have found that curiosity is a trait that is not monopolized by any
one section of country or class of people. It belongs to all localities,
and to all grades and kinds of people. I therefore, in accordance with
what a pretty wide experience had taught me was the best course to
pursue, proceeded at once to gratify the curiosity of my hostess as to
who her guest was, and what business had brought him to this wild
region. I told her my name, and that I was a Presbyterian preacher,
and an agent of the American Bible Society. This not only satisfied
her curiosity, but was very gratifying information to her, and I
received a renewed and cordial welcome to her home as a minister
of the gospel.
In the course of the ordinary conversation and questions that attend
such a meeting of strangers in the Brush, I learned that she and her
husband had emigrated from a county some hundreds of miles east,
which I had several times visited in the prosecution of my mission,
and I was able to give her a great deal of information in regard to her
old neighbors and friends. We were in the midst of an earnest
conversation in regard to these people, when her husband came in
from his labors. On being introduced to me, and informed in regard
to my mission, he repeated the welcome his wife had already given
me to the hospitality of their cabin.
Our supper was such as is almost universally spread in the wilds of
the Southwest. It consisted of an abundance of hot corn-bread, fried
bacon, potatoes, and coffee. A hard day's labor and a long day's ride
prepared us to do it equal justice.
The evening wore rapidly away in conversation. Such pioneers are
not dull, stupid men. Their peculiar life gives activity to mind as well
as body. My host was anxious and glad to hear from the great
outside active world, with which I had more recently mingled, and
had questions to ask and views to give as to what was going on in
the political and religious world.
At length our wearied bodies made a plea for rest that could not be
refused, and I was invited to conduct their family worship. This
invitation was extended in the language and manner peculiar to the
Southern and Southwestern sections of the country. This is
universally as follows:
The Bible and hymn-book are brought forward by the host, and laid
upon the table or stand, when he turns to the preacher and says,
"Will you take the books, sir?"
That is the invitation to lead the devotions of the family in singing and
prayer. It has been my happy lot to receive and respond to that
invitation—as I did that night—in many hundreds of families and in
some of the wildest portions of our land.
The method of extending an invitation to "ask a blessing" before a
meal is quite as peculiar. Being seated at the table, the host, turning
to the preacher, says, "Will you make a beginning, sir?"—all at table
reverently bowing their heads as he extends the invitation, and while
the blessing is being asked.
So, too, I have "made a beginning" at many a hospitable board in
many different States. I did not that night make the mistake that is
reported of an inexperienced home-missionary explorer, in similar
circumstances, who, laboring under the impression that "to retire"
and "to go to bed" were synonymous terms, said, "Madam, I will
retire, if you please."
"Retire!" she rejoined; "we never retires, stranger. We just goes to
bed."
Sitting with the family before the large fireplace, I said, "Madam, I
have ridden a long distance to-day, and am very tired."
"You can go to bed at any time you wish, sir," said she. "Just take the
left-hand bed."
I withdrew behind their backs to "lay my garments by," took the left-
hand bed, turned my face to the left-hand wall, and slept soundly for
the night.
When I awoke in the morning, husband and wife had arisen and left
the room, he to feed his team, and she to attend to her household
duties in the kitchen. After an early breakfast, and again leading their
family devotions, I bade them good-by, with many thanks for their
kindness, and with repeated invitations on their part to be sure to
spend the night with them should I ever come that way again. But I
have never seen them since.
I have very often recalled a hospitable reception in the Brush, of a
very different character, the recollection of which has always been
exceedingly pleasant to me. Wishing to visit a rough, wild, remote
region, at a season of the year when the roads were almost
impassable on account of the spring rains and the mud, I concluded
to go the greater part of the distance by steamboats, down one river
and up another, and then ride about fifty miles in a stage or mail-
wagon. The roads would scarcely be called roads at all in most parts
of the country, and I shall not be able to give to many of my readers
any true idea of the exceeding roughness of that ride. A considerable
part of the way was through the bottom-lands of one of the smaller
Southwestern rivers that swell the volume of the Mississippi. A
recent freshet had left the high-water mark upon the trees several
feet higher than the backs of our horses; and as we jolted over the
small stumps and great roots of the trees, from which the earth had
been washed away by the freshet, I was wearied, exceedingly
wearied, by the rough road and comfortless vehicle in which I
traveled.
At length we came upon a very pleasant plantation, with a
comfortable house and surroundings, where the driver, a boy about
fifteen years old, told me he would feed his team, and we would get
our dinner. It was not an hotel. Mail-contractors in this region often
make such arrangements to procure feed for their horses and meals
for the few passengers that they carry, at private houses. As I
entered the house I was greeted with one of those calm, mild, sweet
faces that one never forgets. I should think that my hostess was
between thirty-five and forty years old. I was too weary to engage in
much conversation, and she was quiet, and said very little to me. As
I observed her movements about the room in preparing the dinner, I
thought I had never seen a face that presented a more perfect
picture of contentment and peace. I felt perfectly sure that she was a
Christian—that her face bespoke "the peace of God that passeth all
understanding." When she invited the driver and myself to take seats
at the table, I said, "Shall I ask a blessing, madam?"
With a smile she bowed assent, and, as I concluded and looked up,
her face was all radiant with joy, and she said excitedly, "You are a
preacher, sir!"
I replied, "Yes, madam."
"Well," she responded, "I am glad to see you. I love to see
preachers. I love to cook for them, and take care of them. I love to
have them in my house."
I told her who I was, explained the character of my mission, and
expressed, I trust with becoming warmth, my gratification at the
cordiality of her welcome.
"Oh," said she, "if I was a man, I know what I would do. I would do
nothing but preach. I'd go, and go, and go; and preach, and preach,
and preach. I wouldn't have anything to pester me. I wouldn't marry
nary woman in the world. I'd go, and go, and go—and preach, and
preach, and preach, until I could preach no longer; and then I'd lie
down—close my eyes—and—go on."
Was there ever a more graphic and truthful description of an earnest,
apostolic life? Was there ever a more simple, beautiful description of
a peaceful Christian death? They recall the statement of Paul, "This
one thing I do"; and the story of Stephen, "And when he had said
this, he fell asleep."
The people who have spent their lives deep in the Brush, as this
good woman had, have no other idea of a preacher of the gospel but
one whose duty and mission it is to "go" and "preach." They have
been accustomed to hearing but one message, or at most a few
messages, from their lips, and then hear their farewell words, listen
to their farewell songs, shake hands with them, and see them take
their departure to "go" and "preach" to others who, like them, dwell in
lone and solitary wilds. Meetings and partings like these have
originated and given their peculiar power to such refrains as—
"Say, brothers, will you meet us—
Say, brothers, will you meet us—
Say, brothers, will you meet us
On Canaan's happy shore?

"By the grace of God we'll meet you—


By the grace of God we'll meet you—
By the grace of God we'll meet you
On Canaan's happy shore."
This woman knew little of the great world—had little that it calls
culture; her language was that of the people among whom she lived,
and was such as she had always been accustomed to hear; but her
thoughts were deep and pure, her "peace flowed like a river," and
her communion with God lifted her to companionship with the
noblest and best of earth. Though I spent but little more than an hour
in her presence, and many years have passed since that transient
meeting, her picture still hangs in the chamber of my memory, calm,
pure, and saintly, and breathing upon my spirit a perpetual
benediction.
CHAPTER V.
OLD-TIME BASKET-MEETINGS IN THE BRUSH.
Religious meetings, popularly denominated "basket-meetings,"
were known and recognized as established institutions in the Brush.
They were among the assemblages that had resulted from the
sparseness of the population in those regions. Where the country
was hilly and mountainous, and the settlers were scattered along the
streams in the narrow valleys; or the land was so rough and poor
that only occasional patches would reward tillage; or for various
other causes, the families were but few, and far distant from each
other, it was a very difficult matter for the people to leave their homes
day after day to attend a continuous meeting. Hence, among other
religious gatherings, they had long been accustomed to hold what
were called basket-meetings.
These meetings involved less labor and trouble than camp-meetings,
and could often be held where such a meeting would be impossible.
They were usually not as large, and did not continue as many days.
They were called "basket-meetings" from the fact that those from a
distance brought their provisions, already cooked, in large baskets,
and in quantities sufficient to last them during the continuance of the
meeting. They put up no tents or cabins on the ground. They did not
cook or sleep there. They most frequently commenced on Saturday,
and continued through the Sabbath. They generally had a prayer-
meeting and preaching on Saturday forenoon, and then adjourned
for an hour or two. During this intermission the greater part of the
people dispersed in groups among the trees, and took their dinner
after the manner of a picnic. Those living in the immediate vicinity
returned to their homes for dinner, taking with them as many of those
in attendance as they could possibly secure. Every stranger was
sure of repeated invitations to dine, both with these families and
neighborhood groups among the trees, and at the adjacent cabins.
After dinner they reassembled and had a repetition of the services of
the morning.
Unlike a camp-meeting, they had no services at night. When the
afternoon meetings were concluded, the people dispersed and spent
the night at the cabins within two or three miles around. All the
people in these cabins usually kept open house upon such an
occasion. They were present, and, after the benediction was
pronounced, they mounted the stumps and logs and extended a
general invitation to any present to spend the night with them. Not
satisfied with giving this general invitation, they jumped down and
went among the rapidly dispersing crowd and followed it with private
personal solicitations to accept their proffered hospitality.
On the Sabbath, they reassembled with augmented numbers, and
the services of Saturday were reënacted, with such additions and
variations as the circumstances might demand.
The first basket-meeting that I ever attended was so new and
strange to me in all its incidents, that, though many years have
intervened, my recollections of it are as vivid as though it had
occurred but yesterday. It was in a very rough, wild region. The
country had been settled a long time, so that those in attendance
were genuine backwoods people "to the manner born." The place of
meeting was in a tall, dense, unbroken forest. The underbrush had
been cut and cleared away, a few trees had been so felled that rude
planks, made by splitting logs, could be placed across them for seats
for the ladies, while the men mostly sat upon the trunks of other
fallen trees. The pulpit or "stand" for the preacher was original and
truly Gothic in its construction. It was made by cutting horizontal
notches immediately opposite to each other, in the sides of two large
oak-trees, standing about four feet apart, and inserting into these
notches a board about a foot wide, that had been placed across a
wagon and used for a seat by some of those present in coming to
the meeting. The preacher placed his Bible and hymn-book upon this
board, hung the indispensable saddle-bags in which he had brought
them across one end of it, and so was ready for the services. I
thought I had never seen in any cathedral a pulpit more simple and
grand. Those towering, grand old oaks, with their massive,
outstretching branches, spoke eloquently of the power and grandeur
of the God who made them. And yet, small and puny as the preacher
appeared in the contrast, it was a fitting place for him to stand and
proclaim his message to the people who worshiped beneath them.
Comparatively unlearned and ignorant as he was, he could tell them
from that open Bible what they would never learn in the
contemplation of grand old forests, or stars, or suns, or all the
sublimest works of nature. All these are mute and dumb in regard to
the story of the cross. However they may enkindle our rapture, or
excite our reverence, they will never tell us how sin may be forgiven
—how the soul may be saved.
The indispensable matter in the selection of grounds for a basket-
meeting or a camp-meeting in the Southwest was a good spring of
clear, running water. This must be so large as to furnish an
abundance of water, not only for all the people who would be
present, but for all the horses necessary to transport themselves and
their provisions to the place of meeting. In hot weather the demands
for water were large, and there was need for a "clear spring" like that
so beautifully described by the poet Bryant:
"... yon clear spring, that, midst its herbs,
Wells softly forth, and wandering, steeps the roots
Of half the mighty forest."
The sermon on this occasion was plain, sensible, and earnest. The
preacher was superior to the people, and yet in all respects one of
them. He had been born in the Brush, raised in the Brush, and had
spent many years in preaching to the people in the Brush. He
dressed as they dressed, talked as they talked, and, unconsciously
to himself, used all their provincialisms in his sermons. In his
thoughts, feelings, and manner of life he was in full sympathy with
them. He had toiled among them long, earnestly, and successfully.
He had preached to a great many congregations, scattered over a
wide extent of Brush country. He had been associated with his
brethren of different denominations in holding a great many union
basket-meetings similar to the one now in progress. He was widely
known, beloved, and honored. Perhaps the most widely known,
honored, and successful pastorate in the country has been that of
the late Rev. Dr. Gardner Spring, in New York. But I do not think that
Dr. Spring, with all his talents, culture, and learning, could possibly
have been as useful, as successful, as honored among these
people, as was this preacher. He could not have eaten their coarse
food, slept in their wretched beds, mingled with them in their daily
life, or been in such complete sympathy with them in their poverty,
struggles, temptations, and modes of thought, as to have so won
their love and reverence, and led them in such numbers to the cross
of Christ. "There are diversity of gifts, but the same spirit," etc. I
honor these noble and heroic workers in the Master's vineyard, who
thus toil on in the Brush, through scores of years, all unknown to
fame. Many of them know nothing of Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, but
they know how to win souls to Christ, and the highest authority has
said, "He that winneth souls is wise."
That congregation, when assembled, seated, and engaged in their
devotions, presented a scene not to be forgotten. The preacher,
small in stature, stood upon a rude platform at the feet of the
massive columns of his pulpit. The people were seated among the
standing trees, upon seats arranged without any of the usual
regularity and order, but lying at all points of the compass just as
they had been able to fall, the smaller trees among the larger ones.
The voice of prayer and song ascended amid those massive,
towering columns, crowned with arches formed by their outstretching
branches, and covered with dense foliage. It was the worship of God
in his own temple. It carried the thoughts back to many scenes not
unlike it, in the lives and labors of Christ and his apostles, when they
preached and taught upon the Mount of Olives, by the shores of
Gennesaret, and over the hills and valleys of Palestine. It gave new
force and beauty to the familiar words of Bryant's grand and noble
"Forest Hymn:"
"The groves were God's first temples, ere man learned
To hew the shaft and lay the architrave,
And spread the roof above them—ere he framed
The lofty vault, to gather and roll back
The sound of anthems; in the darkling wood,
Amid the cool and silence, he knelt down,
And offered to the Mightiest solemn thanks
And supplication....
... Be it ours to meditate,
In these calm shades, thy milder majesty,
And to the beautiful order of thy works
Learn to conform the order of our lives."
At the conclusion of the morning sermon the greater part of the
congregation dispersed among the trees to take their dinner in the
manner I have already described. I was invited to go with the
preacher to a cabin about a mile distant, where we were to have our
home during the meeting. We mounted our horses and accompanied
our host through the woods to his residence. As I looked back, I saw
that we were followed by some forty or more other guests. On
reaching his home I found three buildings—a log-house, log-kitchen,
and log-stable. Our horses were put in the stable and bountifully fed
with corn in the ear and fodder. "Fodder" in these regions has a
limited signification, and is applied only to the leaves which are
stripped from the corn-stalks, tied in small bundles, and generally
stacked for preservation. The stalks are not cut, as in the North and
East, but the leaves are stripped from them while standing. This is
the usual feed for horses in the place of hay.
The house was similar to all log-houses, but, as our company was so
numerous, I had the curiosity to ask our host how large it was, and
he told me that he cut the logs just twenty feet long. Its single room
was, therefore, less than twenty feet square. We, however, received
a warm and cordial welcome, and host, hostess, and guests seemed
exceedingly happy. With a part of the company, I was soon invited
into the adjoining house to dinner. This was much smaller—not more
than ten or fifteen feet square. A loom in one corner filled a large part
of the room. This was a very important part of their household
treasures, as the greater portion of the clothing of the entire family
was woven upon it. A long, narrow table, of home construction,
occupied the space between the foot of the loom and the wall. There
was a large fireplace in front, before which the coffee was smoking.
A chair at each end and a bench on each side of the table furnished
seats for ten guests. Our bill of fare was cold barbecued shoat,
sweet potatoes roasted in the ashes, bread, honey, and coffee. Our
honey was from a "bee tree," and our bread was of the Graham
variety, from the necessities of the case. The wheat had been
ground at a "horse mill" in the neighborhood, where they had no
arrangements for separating the bran from the flour. Such a dinner
was not to be despised by hungry men. By the way, I have found that
over a very wide extent of our country the men, on such occasions,
always eat first and alone, the women meanwhile standing around
the table and waiting upon them. After we had finished our dinner,
the table was rapidly reset by the aid of the "sisters" present, and ten
more guests took their seats and dined. The same course was
repeated until the table was set five times, and fifty persons had
dined bountifully in that little log-cabin.
Having all dined, we returned to the preaching "stand," and the
congregation reassembled. I preached to them at 4 p.m., and all the
services were conducted to the close in a manner not essentially
different from preaching services elsewhere.
The audience was dismissed for the night, and dispersed among the
nearest cabins. My clerical friend and myself were joined by a young
licentiate, and returned to spend the night at the house at which we
had dined. The company was not as large as that at dinner, but to
one inexperienced in such life, as I then was, it was beyond my
comprehension how they could be entertained for the night. My
experience and observation at dinner had shown me how we could
get through with our supper. A succession of tables I understood, but
how could that be applied to sleeping arrangements? A succession
of beds was a kind of "succession" I had never heard or read of in
ecclesiastical or any other history. But my perplexities were evidently
not felt by any one else in the company, and I dismissed them.
All seemed as happy as they could well be. Conversation was
animated. All tongues were loosed. There were stories of former
basket and other meetings, of wonderful revivals, and of remarkable
conversions. There were reminiscences of eccentric and favorite
preachers who had labored among them long years before. There
was the greatest variety of real Western and Southwestern religious
melodies and songs. These were interspersed with the conversation
during the evening, and were the source of great and unfailing
interest and joy. So the hours rolled on, and all were happy. It was
the occasion to which they had looked forward, and for which they
had planned for months—the great occasion of all the year, and it
brought no disappointment. For myself, I must say that if I ever drew
upon my stores of anecdote, and whatever powers of entertaining I
may possess, it was upon this occasion. I was quite in sympathy with
the general joy and good feeling. During the evening one and
another had called for the singing of different religious songs that
were their favorites. On such occasions there was a general appeal
to a young lady, who was quite the best singer in the company, to
know if she knew the song called for; and if she did it was sung. At
length a hymn was called for, and in response to the usual appeal
she said she did not know it. I opened a book, found the hymn and
tune, handed it to her, and said, "Here is the hymn with the tune.
Perhaps you can sing it."
She declined to take the book, saying, with the utmost frankness,
"Oh! sir, I can't read."
I now learned to my amazement that all the hymns and tunes she
had sung that evening she had learned by rote—learned by hearing
them sung by others. She was a young lady, some eighteen or
twenty years old, of more than common beauty of face and form, and
yet she had no hesitation at all in revealing the fact that she could
not read. I afterward received a similar shock on remarking to a
young lady that I met at a county-seat, whose home I had previously
visited, "I understand that a number of the young ladies in your
neighborhood can not read."
"Oh!" said she, "there are only two young ladies there that can read."
I afterward visited many neighborhoods where it was as proper to
ask a young lady if she could read as it was to ask for a drink of
water, the time of day, or any other question.
At length the evening passed, and the hour for rest and sleep came.
One of our number "took the books" and led our evening devotions.
A chapter was read, our final hymn was sung, and we all bowed in
prayer around that family altar. As we arose from our knees, the
brethren present all walked out of doors. The sisters remained
within. Some "Martha" among them had enumerated our company.
There were three beds in the cabin. These were divided, and a
sufficient number of beds made up on the bedsteads and over the
cabin-floor to furnish a sleeping-place for all our company. This
accomplished, some signal—I know not what—was given, and the
brethren returned to the house. I followed them. The sisters were all
in bed, upon the bedsteads, with their heads covered up by the
blankets. We got into our beds as though these blankets had been
thick walls. Our numbers in this room included three young ladies, a
man and his wife and child, and six other men.
When we awoke in the morning some of the brethren engaged in
conversation for a time, until Mr. W——, the preacher, remarked, "I
suppose it is time to think about getting up."
At this signal the sisters covered their heads again with their
blankets, and we arose, dressed, and departed. My companion for
the night was the young licentiate; and as we walked toward the
stable to look after our horses—the first thing usually done in the
morning by persons journeying on horseback—I remarked to him,
"Last night has been something new in my experience. I never slept
in that way before."
He looked at me with an expression of the profoundest
astonishment, and exclaimed, "You haven't!"
I said no more. I saw that I was the verdant one. I was the only one
in all the company to whom the experiences of the night suggested a
thought of anything unusual or strange. So trite and true it is that
"one half of the world does not know how the other half lives."
The Sabbath was the "great day of the feast." It brought together
some three or four hundred people—a very large congregation in
such a sparsely settled country. I made an address to them in the
morning, explaining the extended operations of the American Bible
Society in our own and other lands. I told them that the Society was
then attempting to place a copy of the Word of God in every family in
our country; that Mr. K——, a venerable and honored class-leader,
had been appointed to canvass their county; and that either by sale
or gift he would supply every family in the county with the Bible that
would receive it. All of these facts were new to the most of them, and
were listened to with the greatest interest. Large numbers of them
had no Bibles in their families; they were more than sixty miles from
a book-store, which many of them never visited, and they were glad
to have the Bible brought to their own doors, and furnished to them
at so small a price. By making these statements I gave the Bible-
distributor an introduction to the people scattered over a wide extent
of country, which prepared them to welcome him to their families and
greatly facilitated his labors.
My brief address was followed by a sermon entirely different from
those of the preacher I have already described, and deserves notice
as a type of thousands that are preached to the people in the Brush.
Scarcely a sentence in the sermon was uttered in the usual method
of speech. It was drawled out in a sing-song tone from the beginning
to the end. The preacher ran his voice up, and sustained it at so high
a pitch that he could make but little variation of voice upward. The air
in his lungs would become exhausted, and at the conclusion of every
sentence he would "catch" his breath with an "ah." As he proceeded
with his sermon, and his vocal organs became wearied with this
most unnatural exertion, the "ah" was repeated more and more
frequently, until, with the most painful contortions of face and form,
he would with difficulty articulate, in his sing-song tone:
"Oh, my beloved brethren—ah, and sisters—ah, you have all got to
die—ah, and be buried—ah, and go to the judgment—ah, and stand
before the great white throne—ah, and receive your rewards—ah, for
the deeds—ah, done in the body—ah."
From the beginning to the end of his sermon, which occupied just an
hour and ten minutes by my watch, I could not see the slightest
evidence that he had any idea what he was going to say from one
sentence to another. While "catching his breath," and saying "ah," he
seemed to determine what he would say next. There was no more
train of thought or connection of ideas than in the harangue of a
maniac. And yet many hundreds of such sermons are preached in
the Brush, and I am sorry to add that thousands of the people had
rather hear these sermons than any others. This "holy tone" has
charms for them not possessed by any possible eloquence. As the
preacher "warms up" and becomes more animated in the progress of
his discourse, the more impressible sisters begin to move their
heads and bodies, and soon all the devout brethren and sisters sway
their bodies back and forth in perfect unison, keeping time, in some
mysterious manner, to his sing-song tone.
It seemed sad to me that such a congregation, gathered from such
long distances, should have the morning hour occupied with such a
sermon. But it was a union meeting, the preacher was the
representative of his denomination, and they would have gone away
worse than disappointed—grievously outraged—if they could not
have heard this sermon with the "holy tone."
But our basket-meeting was to be signalized by an incident always
interesting in all countries, in all grades of society, among the most
rustic as well as among the most refined. After the benediction, a
part of the congregation who were in the secret remained upon their
seats, casting knowing and pleasant glances at each other. My friend
W——, who, like a good many other preachers, and some
preachers' wives, had faithfully kept a secret that a good many were
"just dying to know," took his position in front of the "stand." A
trembling, blushing, but happy pair advanced from the crowd, and
took their position before him. The groom produced from his pocket
the indispensable license. The dispersing crowd, having by some
electric influence been apprised of what was going on, came rushing
back, and mounted the surrounding stumps and logs, forming a
standing background to the sitting circle. All looked on and listened in
silence, while the preacher in a strong, clear voice proceeded to
solemnize the marriage and pronounce them husband and wife. The
scene was strange and strikingly impressive. It seemed a wedding in
Nature's own cathedral. The day was perfect. Some rays from the
sun penetrated the dense foliage above and fell upon the scene,
mingling golden hues with the shadows, as the poet, the recently
deceased A.B. Street, has so beautifully described:
"Here showers the sun in golden dots,
Here rests the shade in ebon spots,
So blended that the very air
Seems network as I enter here."
After the usual congratulations and kisses the groom withdrew, and
reappeared in a few moments mounted upon a large gray horse. The
bride, having gained the top of a stump, mounted his horse behind
him, and the two rode away, as happy and satisfied as they could
well be.
The larger congregation of the Sabbath made larger demands upon
their hospitality; but these demands were fully met. The dinner, both
under the trees and at the cabins, was but a reënactment of the
scenes of the day before on an enlarged scale.
In the afternoon Mr. W—— preached a sensible and earnest
sermon, like that of the day before. In my pocket-diary, written at the
time, I have characterized it as a "thundering sermon." His voice was
strong, and capable of reaching the largest congregations that he
addressed in the open air. This sermon concluded the services of the
basket-meeting. As the benediction was pronounced, three
gentlemen on horseback arrived upon the ground. They were a
presiding elder, a circuit-rider, and a class-leader, on their way to
conference. They had preached some fifteen miles away in the
morning, and continued their journey to reach this meeting. I knew
them all, and had preached with and for them at their homes. As
they were strangers to most, if not all, the people, I introduced them
to the clergymen and others present. They were some twenty miles
from any hotel or public-house, and of course must spend the night
with some of these people. My host, to whom I had introduced them,
said:
"I should be very glad to have you all stay with me, but I can't take
care of your horses. I have a plenty of houseroom, but my stable is
full."
From what I have already said of the numbers who dined and lodged
with him, it will be seen that he had very enlarged ideas of the
capacity of his house. An enthusiastic neighbor, who was about as
rough a looking specimen of a backwoodsman as I ever saw,
stepped forward and said:
"I have room enough for your horses and you too. I should be glad to
have you all go with me."
The presiding elder went with him, but the preacher and the class-
leader were claimed by others.
Before leaving the grounds, it was arranged between us that we
should all meet at a designated place in the morning, and I would
travel with them to the conference, to which I was thus far on my
way. Though not an Arminian, but a Calvinist, though not a
Methodist, but a Presbyterian, I knew that a cordial welcome awaited
me as a representative of the American Bible Society. I knew that, in
addition to this official welcome, I should receive the warm greetings
of brethren beloved, with whom I had traveled many hundreds of
miles over their "circuits," and mingled in all the novel, interesting,
and eventful scenes in their wild itinerant life. When I met the elder
the next morning, I asked him the nature of the very ample
accommodations that were offered him. He said he slept upon the
floor, but he did not undertake to count the number who shared it
with him.
So ended the various incidents of our basket-meeting; but the
recollection of it has been among the pleasant memories of my life in
the Brush.
SOME EXPLANATORY WORDS.
Perhaps some statement in explanation of this "rough" but
abounding hospitality of the people in the Brush is demanded in
justice to those persons and places whose hospitality would seem to
suffer in the contrast. I might enumerate many circumstances
connected with life in a wild, unsettled country that will occur to most
readers as the cause of this abounding hospitality; but it seems to
me that the chief reason is the fact that meat, bread, and all their
provisions, excepting groceries, cost them so very little. They
estimate what they can use scarcely more than the water taken from
their springs. Beef, pork, and bread cost them almost nothing. Their
cattle run at large, and their free range includes thousands of acres
of unoccupied lands. They grow and increase in this manner with but
little attention or care. The hogs find their food in the woods the

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